Solar Roofing Shingle Layout for Blended PV Aesthetics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The aesthetic mismatch between solar photovoltaic modules and traditional roofing materials, such as asphalt or wooden shingles, hinders the mass-market adoption of solar roofing systems due to their distinct appearances.
Innovation Solution
The integration of photovoltaic modules with roofing shingles that have tooth portions with widths varying as integer multiples of the photovoltaic cell width, along with wireways and masking elements, to create a harmonized aesthetic appearance with the roofing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If standard rack-mounted PV systems are used, then electricity generation function is achieved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visual mismatch with traditional roofing materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines PV modules with roofing shingles into a single integrated structure. The PV shingles contain both photovoltaic elements for electricity generation and roofing elements for weather protection, merging the previously separate functions of power generation and roofing into one unified component that maintains aesthetic consistency with traditional roofs.
Solution Approach 2:
The PV shingle serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates electricity through photovoltaic cells, provides weather protection as a roofing material, and maintains aesthetic appearance by matching traditional shingle designs. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single component that fulfills both energy generation and aesthetic requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If PV modules with constant width elements are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but visual matching with irregular-width roofing shingles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The PV shingle incorporates varying element widths within the same module to match different sections of traditional roofing patterns. Rather than using uniform widths throughout, the design applies different widths locally to specific areas, allowing visual harmony with irregular-width shingles while maintaining standardized manufacturing processes for each element type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies the width parameter of PV elements within the module to match the visual pattern of traditional roofing shingles. By changing the width parameter of different PV elements, the design achieves visual compatibility with irregular-width shingles while still using standardized manufacturing techniques for each width variant.
3Shape
If low-profile PV systems are used, then aesthetic appearance is improved compared to rack-mounted systems, but consumer satisfaction still deteriorates due to remaining visual differences
Solution Approach 1:
By merging PV elements directly into the shingle structure, the system eliminates the visual separation between roofing and power generation components. This integration creates a unified appearance that closely resembles traditional roofs, thereby improving consumer acceptance beyond what low-profile rack-mounted systems achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The PV shingle uses varying element widths and patterns within the module to replicate the visual complexity of traditional roofing materials. This local variation in element properties creates a more convincing visual match, enhancing consumer satisfaction by making the solar roof indistinguishable from traditional roofs at a glance.
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 provides a consistent and blended aesthetic appearance across the roofing system, enhancing its visual harmony and potentially increasing consumer acceptance.
Implementation Method 1
Solar modules can be placed on building roofs (e.g., residential roofs) to generate electricity
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a photovoltaic module having photovoltaic cells, each having a width, and a roofing shingle having an exposure zone and a headlap zone. A plurality of slots extends from the exposure zone to the headlap zone and define tooth portions. A first one of the tooth portions has a first side defined by a first slot and a second side defined by a second slot adjacent to the first slot. The first tooth portion has a first width that is the photovoltaic cell width multiplied by a first positive integer. A second tooth portion has a first side defined by a third slot and a second side defined by a fourth slot adjacent to the third slot. The second tooth portion has a second width that is the photovoltaic cell width multiplied by a second positive integer different than the first positive integer.