A composite insulating panel

摘要

An insulating panel 1 comprises a first or external sheet 2, a second or inner sheet 3 with an insulating foam 4 therebetween. The external sheet 2 has a cut-away rectilinear opening 7 in a flat portion thereof and a photovoltaic solar collector module 8 is mounted in the opening 7 in the external sheet 1. The body 4 of insulating material extends between inner face of the internal sheet 3 and the inner faces of the external sheet 2 and the photovoltaic solar collector module 8. The outer face of the solar collector module 8 is preferably substantially co-planar with the outer face of the external sheet 2 to provide a flat surface for run-off of debris/weather. A small gap is provided between the module and the adjacent edges of the external sheet 2. The gap allows for minor movements as a result of thermal expansion/contraction.