Fire Resistant PV Shingle Assembly with Ventilation Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photovoltaic (PV) shingle systems face challenges such as increased operating temperatures leading to reduced efficiency, potential fire hazards, aesthetic mismatch with conventional roofing, and increased risk of water leaks due to drilling through the roof deck for electrical connections, limiting their widespread acceptance.
Innovation Solution
A fire-resistant PV shingle assembly with a ventilation path and a fire shield below the PV body to reduce operating temperatures and integrate well with conventional roofing, featuring a support structure that allows for easy mounting and interlocking with adjacent shingles, while maintaining a Class A fire rating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If PV shingles are mounted integrally with the building roof, then aesthetic appearance and integration with conventional roofing are improved, but operating temperature increases causing reduced PV efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The PV shingle is divided into distinct functional layers: a fire shield layer (non-PV material) and a PV module layer. This segmentation allows the fire shield to provide thermal protection and ventilation pathways while the PV module maintains its energy-generating function, thus managing operating temperature while preserving aesthetic integration.
Solution Approach 2:
A fire shield layer acts as an intermediary between the PV module and the roof deck. This intermediate layer provides ventilation pathways that allow air flow to cool the PV module from below, reducing operating temperature while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of integrated roofing.
2Shape
If PV shingles are mounted integrally with the building roof, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but fire safety deteriorates due to potential fire ignition sources
Solution Approach 1:
The fire shield layer, positioned between the PV module and roof deck, converts the potential fire hazard into a protective feature. It acts as a fire barrier that prevents ignition of the roof deck while allowing ventilation for cooling, thus improving fire safety while maintaining aesthetic integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire shield serves as an intermediary protective layer that isolates the PV module (potential ignition source) from the roof deck (fuel source). This intermediate barrier prevents direct heat transfer and ignition while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of integrated roofing.
3Ease of manufacture
If electrical connections are made under the roof deck, then installation simplicity is improved, but water leak risk increases due to holes drilled through the roof deck
Solution Approach 1:
The fire shield layer is pre-installed on the roof deck before PV module installation. This preliminary action creates a protective barrier that allows electrical connections to be made on the roof surface rather than under the deck, eliminating the need to drill through the roof deck and thus preventing water leaks while maintaining installation simplicity.
4Ease of operation
If conventional mounting techniques are used, then ease of installation is improved, but fire safety deteriorates due to lack of fire protection
Solution Approach 1:
The fire shield layer is merged with the conventional mounting system, combining fire protection functionality with ease of installation. The fire shield is installed using standard roofing techniques before PV module attachment, maintaining simplicity while adding fire safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire shield acts as an intermediary layer that integrates fire protection into the conventional mounting process. It is positioned between the PV module and roof deck, providing fire safety while allowing standard installation procedures to be used.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances energy conversion efficiency, improves fire safety, and aesthetically integrates with conventional roofing, reducing the risk of water leaks and maintaining structural integrity during fires, thus addressing key limitations of existing PV shingle systems.
Implementation Method 1
The PV shingle assembly may also be constructed to provide a ventilation path beneath the PV body to reduce the operating temperature of the PV body
Implementation Method 2
Neither of these approaches prevents radiant heat transfer from the PV module to the roof
Data Source
AI summary
A fire resistant PV shingle assembly includes a PV assembly, including PV body, a fire shield and a connection member connecting the fire shield below the PV body, and a support and inter-engagement assembly. The support and inter-engagement assembly is mounted to the PV assembly and comprises a vertical support element, supporting the PV assembly above a support surface, an upper interlock element, positioned towards the upper PV edge, and a lower interlock element, positioned towards the lower PV edge. The upper interlock element of one PV shingle assembly is inter-engageable with the lower interlock element of an adjacent PV shingle assembly. In some embodiments the PV shingle assembly may comprise a ventilation path below the PV body. The PV body may be slidably mounted to the connection member to facilitate removal of the PV body.