Solar Roof Module for metal buildings

Abstract

The Solar Roof Module is a factory assembled Roof mounted Solar Power system that incorporates a Solar panel for generating DC Power, a battery system for power storage which is used by dedicated purpose components such as Lighting, Security and Fire Safety Alarm systems. The solar roof module is operated with advanced management and wireless control features. The solar roof module is incorporated into a Metal Roof Panel that will allow it to be simply installed onto a metal building roof during construction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A metal roof panel module comprising:
 a length of metal roof panel   a length of formed metal support structure positioned under one or more of the preformed metal roof panel high ribs of said metal roof panel   said metal roof panel and said formed metal support structure being joined together by a mounting and sealing means for support and directly attaching one or more solar energy collection components above said metal roof panel   
     
     
         2 . The metal roof panel module of  claim 1 , wherein said solar energy collection components comprise single or multiple photovoltaic solar panels for generating electrical power. 
     
     
         3 . The metal roof panel module of  claim 2 , wherein said solar energy collection components comprise single or multiple thermal energy collection devices. 
     
     
         4 . The metal roof panel module of  claim 3 , wherein said mounting and sealing means is attached to a secondary metal frame for mounting the said solar energy collection components and to provide structural lifting points. 
     
     
         5 . The metal roof panel module of  claim 4 , wherein said mounting and sealing means for directly attaching to metal roof panel and formed support structure comprises a mounting bolt with a compression seal. 
     
     
         6 . The metal roof panel module of  claim 5 , wherein said formed metal support structure is comprised with one or more means for metal roof panel end laps and side laps. 
     
     
         7 . The metal roof panel module of  claim 6 , wherein said mounting and sealing means comprises of an adjustable height device for tilting a solar energy collection component. 
     
     
         8 . The metal roof panel module of  claim 7 , wherein a metal frame housing is attached below said formed metal support structure so as to be able to house and support hardware and control components. 
     
     
         9 . The metal roof panel module of  claim 8 , wherein the length of the module is more than one span of the metal building secondary structure roof purlins. 
     
     
         10 . The metal roof panel module of  claim 9 , wherein the said formed metal support structure is a tube, trapezoid, rectangular, cee or other structural shape. 
     
     
         11 . A solar roof module for metal buildings comprising:
 a metal roof panel structurally re-enforced with a formed metal support structure and sealed means positioned under one or more roof panel high ribs for spanning and supporting solar energy collection means for generating electrical power above the metal roof panel and supporting control hardware and components below the metal roof panel, and   a method and means for sealing, mounting and tilting the said solar energy collection component attached to the high rib portion of said metal roof panel and providing a method and means for a sealed conduit for electrical wiring thru the metal roof panel high rib section to the underside of the metal roof panel, and   a metal frame and housing attached to the formed metal support structure under the metal roof panel to house power storage means, control components, sensors, Lighting and other functional components.   
     
     
         12 . The solar roof module of  claim 11 , wherein a metal lifting frame supports the solar power collection means. 
     
     
         13 . The solar roof module of  claim 12 , wherein the power generated from the solar energy collection means is stored in the power storage means to provide power for Lighting, sensors, control components and hardware. 
     
     
         14 . The solar roof module of  claim 13 , wherein the Lighting is an LED building interior light with sensors to control the operation of the light according to ambient light conditions, occupancy in the lighting area and control by wireless remote. 
     
     
         15 . The solar roof module of  claim 14 , wherein the power storage and control means has a connection to the mains power grid to allow for operation of the Lighting, sensors, hardware and controls when electrical power from the power storage means or solar collection means is not available. 
     
     
         16 . The solar roof module of  claim 15 , wherein the power storage and control means is further connected to adjacent solar roof modules to allow electrical power to be shared when available. 
     
     
         17 . The solar roof module of  claim 16 , wherein the power storage and control means will utilize mains power when needed to charge the power storage means during off-peak power times to minimize power cost from the mains. 
     
     
         18 . The solar roof module of  claim 15 , wherein the sensors incorporate smoke and fire detection means along with sound alarm to alert for fire detection in the area. 
     
     
         19 . The solar roof module of  claim 18 , wherein when the fire sensors means detects and activates the fire sound alarm, the lighting can be flashed to indicate the area of the fire and the light flashing can be sequenced differently to indicate when occupancy or actual fire versus smoke is within the sensors zone. This function can provide fire location and personnel location information for emergency services and evacuation. 
     
     
         20 . The solar roof module of  claim 19 , wherein the hardware and controls include security operations with the Lighting and occupancy sensors functions and optional wireless video and surveillance hardware and functions.