Integrated photovoltaic roofing component and panel

Abstract

A combination roofing panel and solar module includes a flexible membrane sheet, such as a single-ply membrane sheet, and a plurality of elongated solar or photovoltaic modules arranged side-by-side, end-to-end, or adjacent each other. The modules are adhered to the flexible membrane, and the edges of the modules having electrical connectors or electrodes are arranged to face each other or be aligned with each other. The electrical connectors are connected by a solder connection to module electrodes through apertures in a bottom surface of the flexible membrane and are connected in series. The series electrical connectors are connected directly to direct current (DC) electric devices, to a combiner box, to another panel or to an inverter which provides coverts direct current (DC) to alternating current electricity for use in residential, commercial or industrial building structures. The ends and elongated edges of a roofing component or panel having the flexible membrane and modules can be sealed for protection.

1 - 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . An integrated photovoltaic roofing component for attachment to a roofing surface, the component comprising:
 a flexible membrane having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface for application to the roofing surface;   a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each module comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, first and second sides and front and rear ends, each module further comprising a plurality of solar cells, the plurality of modules arranged adjacent one another and attached to said top surface of said flexible membrane; and   an electrical connection between a first module and a second module of the plurality of modules, the electrical connection comprising a first lead in the first module of the plurality of modules, a second lead in the second module of the plurality of modules, an intermodule connection lead connected between the first and second leads and extending along the bottom surface of the flexible membrane, a first solder section connected between the first lead and the intermodule connection lead, and a second solder section connected between the second lead and the intermodule connection lead,   wherein the first and second solder sections extend through respective first and second apertures formed through the flexible membrane.   
     
     
         49 . The component of  claim 48 , wherein the first and second solder sections further extend through respective apertures formed through the bottom surfaces of the first and second modules. 
     
     
         50 . The component of  claim 48 , further comprising an insulative layer applied to said bottom surface of said flexible membrane that covers said first and second apertures. 
     
     
         51 . The component of  claim 48 , further comprising a seal along an elongated edge between said flexible membrane and a module of the first and second modules. 
     
     
         52 . The component of  claim 48 , further comprising a seal along an end of said flexible membrane and a module of the first and second modules. 
     
     
         53 . The component of  claim 48 , wherein said flexible membrane and said plurality of photovoltaic modules attached to said flexible membrane are rollable upon themselves. 
     
     
         54 . The component of  claim 48 , wherein each photovoltaic module comprises a prefabricated, unitary structure including encapsulated wiring interconnections between the solar cells. 
     
     
         55 . The component of  claim 48 , wherein the integrated photovoltaic roofing component comprises a unitary structure adapted to be applied to the roofing surface. 
     
     
         56 . The component of  claim 48 , further comprising a quick-connect plug connected to another lead of a module of the first and second modules. 
     
     
         57 . An integrated photovoltaic roofing panel for attachment to a roofing surface, the panel comprising:
 a flexible membrane having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface for application to the roofing surface;   a first group of photovoltaic modules, each module of the first group comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, first and second sides and front and rear ends, each module of the first group further comprising a plurality of solar cells, the plurality of modules of the first group arranged adjacent one another;   a second group of photovoltaic modules, each module of the second group comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, first and second sides and front and rear ends, each module of the second group further comprising a plurality of solar cells, the plurality of modules of the second group arranged adjacent one another; and   an electrical connection between a first module of the first group and a first module of the second group, the electrical connection comprising a first lead in the first module of the first group, a second lead in the first module of the second group, an intermodule connection lead connected between the first and second leads and extending along the bottom surface of the flexible membrane, a first solder section connected between the first lead and the intermodule connection lead, and a second solder section connected between the second lead and the intermodule connection lead,   wherein the first and second solder sections extend through respective first and second apertures formed through the flexible membrane,   wherein said first and second groups of photovoltaic modules are attached to said top surface of said flexible membrane, and   wherein said first and second groups of photovoltaic modules are arranged adjacent one another such that the first and second leads extending from modules of said first and second groups are located in a central area encompassing adjacent ends of said modules of said first and second groups.   
     
     
         58 . The panel of  claim 57 , wherein the first and second solder sections further extend through respective apertures formed through the bottom surfaces of the first modules of the first and second groups. 
     
     
         59 . The panel of  claim 57 , further comprising an insulative layer applied to said bottom surface of said flexible membrane that covers said first and second apertures. 
     
     
         60 . The panel of  claim 57 , further comprising a seal along an elongated edge between said flexible membrane and a module of the first modules of the first and second groups. 
     
     
         61 . The panel of  claim 57 , further comprising a seal along an end of said flexible membrane and a module of the first modules of the first and second groups. 
     
     
         62 . The panel of  claim 57 , wherein said flexible membrane and said plurality of photovoltaic modules of said first and second groups attached to said flexible membrane are rollable upon themselves. 
     
     
         63 . The panel of  claim 57 , wherein each photovoltaic module comprises a prefabricated, unitary structure including encapsulated wiring interconnections between the solar cells. 
     
     
         64 . The panel of  claim 57 , wherein the integrated photovoltaic roofing component comprises a unitary structure adapted to be applied to the roofing surface. 
     
     
         65 . The panel of  claim 57 , further comprising a quick-connect plug connected to another lead of a module of the first modules of the first and second groups. 
     
     
         66 . A method of transporting an integrated photovoltaic roofing component for attachment to a roofing surface, the method comprising:
 making an electrical connection between a first module and a second module of a plurality of photovoltaic modules of the integrated photovoltaic roofing component at a manufacturing facility, the integrated photovoltaic roofing component comprising a flexible membrane having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface for application to the roofing surface, each module comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, first and second sides, and front and rear ends, each module further comprising a plurality of solar cells, the plurality of modules arranged adjacent one another and attached to said top surface of said flexible membrane, and the electrical connection between the first module and the second module of the plurality of modules comprising a first lead in the first module of the plurality of modules, a second lead in the second module of the plurality of modules, an intermodule connection lead connected between the first and second leads and extending along the bottom surface of the flexible membrane, a first solder section connected between the first lead and the intermodule connection lead, and a second solder section connected between the second lead and the intermodule connection lead, the first and second solder sections extending through respective first and second apertures formed through the flexible membrane; and   after making the electrical connection at the manufacturing facility, then transporting the integrated photovoltaic roofing component to an offsite location.   
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , further comprising rolling the flexible membrane and the plurality of photovoltaic modules attached to the flexible membrane upon themselves before transporting the integrated photovoltaic roofing component to the offsite location.