Solar Panel Modules Having Structural Properties

Abstract

A load-bearing solar panel module is integrated into a building roofing structure. The solar panel is comprised of a structural encasement that includes two lateral structural rails, and at least three perpendicular intersecting cross beams disposed there between. The structural encasement of the module exhibits load-bearing properties when integrated into a roofing structure of a residential or commercial building which approximate those of a traditional roofing structure. The solar panel module further includes at least one of a plurality of solar photovoltaic cells and a plurality of thermal vacuum tubes disposed within the structural encasement, and between an outer glass plate and an inner insulation assembly.

1 . A load-bearing solar panel module for integration with a building roofing structure comprising:
 a first extruded structural rail;   a second extruded structural rail aligned parallel to the first extruded structural rail;   a first extruded cross beam coupled to a first end of each of the first and second extruded structural rails, wherein the first extruded cross beam is aligned perpendicular to and between such first and second extruded structural rails;   a second extruded cross beam coupled to a second end of each of the first and second extruded structural rails, wherein the second extruded cross beam is aligned perpendicular to and between such first and second extruded structural rails;   at least one middle component aligned perpendicular to and coupled to each of the first and second extruded structural rails between the first end and the second end of the first and second extruded structural rails;   wherein the first and second extruded structural rails and first and second extruded cross beams and at least one middle component are coupled together into a structural encasement such that the solar panel module exhibits load-bearing properties when integrated into a building roofing structure; and   at least one of a plurality of solar photovoltaic cells and a plurality of thermal vacuum tubes disposed within the structural encasement.   
     
     
         2 . The load-bearing solar panel module of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second extruded structural rails form the lateral sides of the solar panel module. 
     
     
         3 . The load-bearing solar panel module of  claim 1 , wherein the structural encasement comprising the first and second extruded structural rails, first and second extruded cross beams and at least one middle component is configured to exhibit load-bearing properties approximating a standard roofing structure for a commercial or residential building. 
     
     
         4 . The load-bearing solar panel module of  claim 1 , wherein the solar panel module is integrated into the building roofing structure such that the solar panel module is parallel to an external surface of said roofing structure. 
     
     
         5 . The load-bearing solar panel module of  claim 4 , wherein the solar panel module is integrated into the building roofing structure such that the solar panel module lies within the same plane as the external surface of said roofing structure. 
     
     
         6 . The load-bearing solar panel module of  claim 1 , wherein the solar panel module is further defined by an outer glass plate and an inner insulation assembly, between which the structural encasement is situated. 
     
     
         7 . The load-bearing solar panel module of  claim 1 , wherein the solar panel module is configured to be one of a plurality of solar panel modules which are integrated into the building roofing structure. 
     
     
         8 . A building roofing structure comprised of a plurality of load-bearing solar panel modules which are integral with the building roofing structure, and wherein each of said plurality of load-bearing solar panel comprises:
 a first extruded structural rail;   a second extruded structural rail aligned parallel to the first extruded structural rail;   a first extruded cross beam coupled to a first end of each of the first and second extruded structural rails, wherein the first extruded cross beam is aligned perpendicular to and between such first and second extruded structural rails;   a second extruded cross beam coupled to a second end of each of the first and second extruded structural rails, wherein the second extruded cross beam is aligned perpendicular to and between such first and second extruded structural rails;   at least one middle component aligned perpendicular to and coupled to each of the first and second extruded structural rails between the first end and the second end of the first and second extruded structural rails;   wherein the first and second extruded structural rails and first and second extruded cross beams and at least one middle component are coupled together into a structural encasement such that the solar panel module exhibits load-bearing properties when integrated into the building roofing structure; and   at least one of a plurality of solar photovoltaic cells and a plurality of thermal vacuum tubes disposed within the structural encasement.   
     
     
         9 . The residential roofing structure of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second extruded structural rails form the lateral sides of the solar panel module. 
     
     
         10 . The residential roofing structure of  claim 8 , wherein the structural encasement comprising the first and second extruded structural rails, first and second extruded cross beams and at least one middle component is configured to exhibit load-bearing properties approximating a standard roof structure for a commercial or residential building. 
     
     
         11 . The residential roofing structure of  claim 8 , wherein the solar panel module is integrated into the building roofing structure such that the solar panel module is parallel to an external surface of said building roofing structure. 
     
     
         12 . The residential roofing structure of  claim 11 , wherein the solar panel module is integrated into the building roofing structure such that the solar panel module lies within the same plane as the external surface of said building roofing structure. 
     
     
         13 . The residential roofing structure of  claim 8 , wherein the solar panel module is further defined by an outer glass plate and an inner insulation assembly, between which the structural encasement is situated.