Solar Panel Roof Kit

Abstract

A solar roofing kit for placing over a section of roof deck to generate electricity. The kit comprises at least one elongated strip of flexible photovoltaic material having a predetermined length and at least one panel supporting the strip. The panels have a riser or rib that extends generally perpendicularly away from the edge to engage and elevate a part of an adjacent panel. The kit also includes at least one side flashing for extending along and sealing at least one of the left and right edges of a panel; at least one splice plate for interconnecting adjacent left and right edges of two panels; at least one top flashing for extending along and sealing the top edge of a panel; and at least one bottom flashing for extending along and sealing the bottom edge of a panel.

1 . A roofing system for supporting a sheet of photovoltaic material, the system comprising:
 at least one panel having a support plate adapted to support the photovoltaic sheet;   a rib extending generally perpendicularly from one edge of the support plate to a distal end;   a receiver flange extending from the distal end of the rib over the support plate;   a hem extending from an opposite edge of the support plate, where the hem is adapted to engage a receiver flange on another panel when the panel is mounted on the roof adjacent other panels;   wherein the rib extends a predetermined distance greater than the thickness of the photovoltaic material so that the receiver flange can extend over the photovoltaic material when it is installed on the support plate.   
     
     
         2 . The roofing system of  claim 1  further including at least one splice plate for interconnecting the panels, the splice plate including a central cover and a base extending laterally from either side of the central cover. 
     
     
         3 . The splice plate of  claim 2  wherein the base includes a lateral check along a lateral edge. 
     
     
         4 . The splice plate of  claim 2  wherein the base and the central cover form a central check. 
     
     
         5 . The roofing system of  claim 1  further including at least one closure adapted to be disposed on an edge of the panel to cover and close the edge. 
     
     
         6 . The roofing system of  claim 1  further including at least one flashing, where the flashing is one of a starter strip, a rake edge, and a transition flashing. 
     
     
         7 . A roofing panel including:
 a substantially flat portion that extends between top and bottom edges as well as left and right edges;   a riser extending away from one of the top and bottom edges in a direction generally perpendicularly from the flat portion toward a remote end;   an overhang extending away from the remote end of the riser; and   a sheet having photovoltaic material and an adhesive on a back surface of the sheet, the sheet being applied to the flat portion of the panel with the adhesive bonding to the flat portion.   
     
     
         8 . The sheet of  claim 7  further having amorphous solar cells encapsulated in a high light transmissive polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The sheet of  claim 8  wherein the high light transmissive polymer is ETFE. 
     
     
         10 . The panel of  claim 7  wherein the adhesive includes an ethylene propylene copolymer adhesive sealant. 
     
     
         11 . The panel of  claim 10  wherein the adhesive includes a microbial inhibitor. 
     
     
         12 . A roofing kit for placing over a section of roof deck to generate electricity, the kit comprising:
 at least one elongated strip of flexible photovoltaic material having a predetermined length;   at least one panel supporting the strip where the panels each have edges on the top, bottom, left and right; the panels having a riser on one of the top and bottom edge, where the riser extends generally perpendicularly away from the edge;   at least one side flashing for extending along and sealing at least one of the left and right edges of a panel;   at least one splice plate for interconnecting adjacent left and right edges of two panels;   at least one top flashing for extending along and sealing the top edge of a panel; and   at least one bottom flashing for extending along and sealing the bottom edge of a panel.   
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 12  further including dummy panels decorated to match the appearance of the panels having strips of photovoltaic material. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 12  further including at least one stack flashing for flashing around a vent stack. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 12  further including at least one anchoring clip. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 12  wherein the splice plate includes a slot housing defining left and right slots for receiving the edges from the left and right panels, respectively, a left apron connected to the slot housing adjacent the left slot for extending under the left panel, the left apron terminating in a distal check;
 a right apron connected to the slot housing adjacent the right slot for extending under the right panel, the right apron terminating in a distal check   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 12  wherein the side flashing includes an apron for extending under the panel, the apron including a check along one edge of the apron;
 a slot housing connected to the apron at its opposite edge and forming a slot for receiving an edge of a panel;   a side wall extending up from the slot housing; and   a mounting flange supported on the side wall.   
     
     
         18 . A splice plate for interconnecting laterally disposed left and right solar roofing panels on a roof including:
 a slot housing defining left and right slots for receiving edges from the left and right panels, respectively,   a left apron connected to the slot housing adjacent the left slot for extending under the left panel, the left apron terminating in a distal check;   a right apron connected to the slot housing adjacent the right slot for extending under the right panel, the right apron terminating in a distal check;   wherein the splice plate interconnects the panels and prevents water from leaking between the two panels.   
     
     
         19 . A closure assembly for the side of a panel in a solar roofing system, the assembly comprising:
 a cover support including an apron for extending under the panel, the apron including a check along one edge of the apron;   a slot housing connected to the apron at its opposite edge and forming a slot for receiving an edge of a panel;   a side wall extending up from the slot housing; and   a mounting flange supported on the side wall.   
     
     
         20 . The closure assembly of  claim 19  further including a cover for mounting on the cover support, the cover including:
 a hem for engaging the mounting flange;   a cover box extending away from the hem; and   an apron extending from the cover box to a distal edge having a check.   
     
     
         21 . A top closure for the side of a top panel in a solar roofing system, the top closure comprising:
 an inside apron for extending under the top panel, the inside apron including a check;   a slot housing connected to the inside apron defining a slot for receiving an edge of the top panel;   an inclined surface assembly connected to the slot housing; and   an outside apron connected to the inclined surface assembly and extending away from it to a check.