Solar Panel Roof Kit

Abstract

A solar roofing kit for placing over a section of roof deck to generate electricity. The kit comprises at least one elongated strip of flexible photovoltaic material having a predetermined length and at least one panel supporting the strip. The panels have a riser or rib that extends generally perpendicularly away from the edge to engage and elevate a part of an adjacent panel. The kit also includes at least one side flashing for extending along and sealing at least one of the left and right edges of a panel; at least one splice plate for interconnecting adjacent left and right edges of two panels; at least one top flashing for extending along and sealing the top edge of a panel; and at least one bottom flashing for extending along and sealing the bottom edge of a panel.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60 / 888,875, filed Feb. 8, 2007, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002]The present invention relates to the use of solar panels on roofs, and more particularly to the roofing components for supporting pre-manufactured sheets or strips of photovoltaic material.BACKGROUND [0003]Photovoltaic material is well-known by now and readily commercially available in a variety of forms. For example, United Solar Ovonics advertises products under the name Uni-Solar® on its web site, www.uni-solar.com. These photovoltaic products come in shingle form and in sheet form. BP Solar and other companies like Guangdong Fivestar Solar Energy Company Ltd. also supply photovoltaic material.[0004]As to the material sold in sheet form, the sheets are often sold in rolls of sheet that can be rolled out on a roof and installed fairly conveniently by means of adhesive bac...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]Another aspect of the invention focuses on the splice plate that interconnects laterally disposed left and right solar roofing panels on a roof. The splice plate includes: a slot housing defining left and right slots for receiving edges from the left and right panels, respectively, a left apron connected to the slot housing adjacent the left slot for extending under the left panel, the left apron terminating in a distal check; a right apron connected to the slot housing adjacent the right slot for extending under the right panel, the right apron terminating in a distal check; wherein the splice plate interconnects the panels and prevents water from leaking between the two panels.

[0015]By applying the invention in its various aspects, one can install a robust solar roofing system efficiently and inexpensively. The materials, especially when provided as a kit, can provide an inexpensive, yet well-engineered and easily manufactured and installable solar roofing system. Roofer contractors and even do-it-yourself homeowners can buy the system as a kit and install it, with simple electrical connections that can be completed by an electrician.

Problems solved by technology

The inventor here recognized that this poses several challenges—especially on roofs having any significant slope or pitch.

First, the sheets will present multiple edges that will buck water flowing down off the roof.

Over time, the water can cause the edges to lift, which creates the possibility that the water can flow under the sheets, which can damage the sheets and the roofing underneath the sheets.

This is not as much of a problem when the photovoltaic material is sold in shingle form; but when it is sold in sheet form for application on metal roofs and the like, there could be more of a problem over time.

Still further, if the photovoltaic sheets lie flat on the roofing substrate, there is an issue about where to put the electrical wiring.

Finally, there are a number of technical problems—including those just discussed—that need to be solved in order to install a typical system on a roof in a way that meets common roofing standards.

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