Solar Shingles Integrating Photovoltaic Cells for Roofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional solar roofing systems are complex, costly, and time-consuming to install, with custom panels requiring extensive design and data collection processes, resulting in high costs and a significant carbon footprint.
Innovation Solution
The development of solar shingles with a substrate and photovoltaic cells integrated beneath a material layer, featuring recesses and connectors for easy installation and a design that mimics traditional roofing shingles, allowing for localized power generation and simplified installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional solar roofing systems are used, then solar energy conversion is achieved, but installation complexity and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The solar roofing system is divided into individual shingle units, each containing photovoltaic cells integrated into traditional shingle structures. This segmentation allows for modular installation where each shingle is a self-contained functional unit, simplifying the overall installation process compared to large custom panel systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar shingles are designed to serve dual functions: they provide traditional roofing protection while simultaneously generating solar energy. The standardized design with universal connectors allows the same shingle type to be used across different roof configurations, eliminating the need for custom panel fabrication for each installation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional solar roofing systems are used, then solar energy conversion is achieved, but installation time increases to several weeks
Solution Approach 1:
The solar shingles are pre-manufactured with integrated photovoltaic cells, connectors, and roofing materials in standardized units. All necessary components are prepared in advance during factory production, allowing for rapid on-site assembly without the need for time-consuming custom panel fabrication and data collection processes.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the solar roofing system into individual pre-fabricated shingle units, the installation process becomes a matter of assembling standardized components rather than installing large custom panels. This segmentation enables parallel installation workflows and significantly reduces the overall installation timeline from weeks to days.
3Use of energy by moving object
If custom solar panels are used, then solar energy conversion is achieved, but manufacturing and design costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solar shingles utilize standardized designs that can be mass-produced using conventional manufacturing processes. The universal connectors and modular architecture allow the same basic shingle design to be used across different applications, enabling economies of scale in manufacturing and reducing per-unit costs compared to custom panel systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges traditional roofing materials with photovoltaic cells into a single integrated product. This combination eliminates the need for separate manufacturing processes for roofing materials and solar panels, streamlining production and reducing overall manufacturing costs through integrated fabrication processes.
4Use of energy by moving object
If traditional solar roofing systems are used, then solar energy conversion is achieved, but the appearance does not conform to traditional roofing
Solution Approach 1:
The solar shingles combine traditional roofing materials such as asphalt, fiberglass, and granules with photovoltaic cells to create a hybrid product that maintains the conventional appearance of traditional shingles. The photovoltaic cells are integrated beneath the outer layers, allowing the shingles to mimic the visual characteristics of conventional roofing while providing solar energy conversion functionality.
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 solar shingles provide a cost-effective and efficient solution for solar energy conversion, reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining a traditional roofing appearance, thus minimizing the carbon footprint associated with solar roofing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a solar shingle comprising a substrate positioned beneath an upper material layer and at least one photovoltaic cell coupled to the substrate and positioned beneath the upper material layer
Data Source
AI summary
A solar shingle having a substrate positioned beneath an upper material layer and at least one photovoltaic cell coupled to the substrate. A first terminal can be electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell and positioned adjacent to a first sidewall of the solar shingle, and a second terminal can be electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell and positioned adjacent to a second sidewall of the solar shingle. An upper surface of the upper material layer can have one or more recesses positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and adjacent to the at least one photovoltaic cell. Further, the upper surface can have a variety of imparted surface characteristics, among other aesthetics and coloring, that can provide the solar shingle with outwardly appearance that is at least similar to traditional, non-solar shingles.