Roof Truss Compatible for Solar Panels

Abstract

A roof truss compatible for solar energy panels, and a method for installing the roof trusses, incorporates a non-structural top chord that may have a removable portion removed and replaced by a solar assembly. The truss is structurally designed to support the solar assembly without the presence of the non-structural top chord. A desired length of the non-structural top chord may be omitted or removed during manufacture of the truss, or may be removed at a future time for installation of solar panel assemblies. A solar assembly for inserting into the solar roof truss may include a panel enclosure which has a channel for holding a solar panel, where the panel is installed approximately flush with the roof line. The panel enclosure may have an air space underneath the solar panel, to allow for cooling air flow and water drainage.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A roof truss system compatible for solar energy panels, comprising:
 a roof truss comprising:
 a structural top chord having a first upper surface; and 
 a non-structural top chord above the structural top chord, wherein the non-structural top chord has a second upper surface, wherein a line extending along the second upper surface from a peak to a heel of the roof truss defines a roof line, and wherein the non-structural top chord extends only partially along the structural top chord, the non-structural chord having a first end toward the peak of the roof truss and having a second end opposite the first end; 
 wherein the roof truss is engineered to accommodate the weight of a solar panel assembly; 
   end surfaces facing and spaced apart from both sides of the roof truss; and   a recessed space having dimensions defined by a) a length from the second end of the non-structural top chord to a distance toward the heel of the roof truss, b) a height from the first upper surface to the second upper surface, and c) a width spanning between the end surfaces;   wherein the dimensions of the recessed space are suitable for accommodating a solar panel assembly.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a roofing material covering the roof truss, wherein the roofing material is removed at a future time in a desired area; and wherein the recessed space and the solar panel assembly are located in the desired area. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the first end of the non-structural chord is located at the peak of the truss. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the length of the recessed space extends to the heel of the roof truss. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising a plurality of roof trusses. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein a solar panel of the solar panel assembly is approximately flush with the roof line when the solar panel is installed in the recessed space. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , the solar panel assembly comprising:
 a panel enclosure having a bottom and two opposite side walls;   a channel positioned near an upper edge of each of the side walls, wherein the channels are capable of receiving a solar panel; and   a solar panel placed in the channels of the panel enclosure.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the channels are built integrally into the panel enclosure. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising:
 a backing sheet located on the first upper surfaces in the recessed space; 
 a plurality of panel enclosures placed onto the backing sheet; and 
 joining elements joining the plurality of panel enclosures to each other and to the backing sheet. 
 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising an air space between the solar panel and the bottom of the panel enclosure, wherein the air space allows air or fluid flow to a gutter line of the roof. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the channel is capable of slidingly receiving a solar panel. 
     
     
         23 . A roof truss compatible for solar energy panels, comprising:
 a structural top chord having a first upper surface;   a non-structural top chord above the structural top chord, wherein the non-structural top chord has a second upper surface, the second upper surface defining a roof line, wherein the non-structural top chord extends only partially along the structural top chord, the non-structural chord having a first end toward a peak of the roof truss and having and a second end opposite the first end;   a bottom chord; and   web members connecting the bottom chord to the structural top chord;   wherein a space defined by the height from the first upper surface to the second upper surface, and by a length extending from the second end of the non-structural chord toward a heel of the truss, is sufficient to allow a solar panel assembly to be installed; and   wherein the roof truss is designed to accommodate the weight of the solar panel assembly without the presence of the non-structural top chord.   
     
     
         24 . The roof truss of  claim 23  wherein the structural top chord, the bottom chord, and the web members are configured in a conventional truss pattern.