Photovoltaic roofing elements, photovoltaic roofing systems, methods and kits

摘要

The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic roofing products for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. One aspect of the invention is a photovoltaic roofing element comprising: a flexible roofing substrate; a photovoltaic element disposed on the flexible roofing substrate; and an electrical connector operatively coupled to the photovoltaic element, wherein the flexible roofing substrate has formed therein a recess shaped to at least partially receive the electrical connector.

主权项

1. A photovoltaic roofing element comprising:
a flexible roofing substrate, the flexible roofing substrate comprising
a base of flexible roofing material having a top surface and a bottom surface and an up-roof end and a down-roof end, the top surface having a headlap zone at the up-roof end of the base and an exposure zone at the down-roof end of the base, andone or more layers of shim material disposed on the top surface of the base in the headlap zone but not in the exposure zone, or on the bottom surface of the base; a photovoltaic element disposed on the top surface of the base in the exposure zone; and an electrical connector operatively connected to the photovoltaic element and disposed on the top surface of the base, wherein the one or more layers of shim material have a total thickness at least about as great as the thickness of the electrical connector, such that the one or more layers extend from the surface of the base on which they are disposed at least about as far as the electrical connector extends from the base, and wherein the one or more layers of shim material have a stair-step configuration or a slanted profile, such that the one or more layers of shim material have a substantially greater thickness toward the down-roof end of the base than toward the up-roof end of the base.