Photovoltaic roofing systems with bottom flashings

Abstract

The present disclosure relates particularly to photovoltaic roofing systems for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy, specifically, the use of bottom flashings in such systems. Methods for installing such systems and replacing non-photovoltaic roofing elements in such systems are also described.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method for installing a photovoltaic roofing system on a roof deck having a top end and a bottom end, the method comprising disposing a plurality of photovoltaic roofing elements, one or more bottom flashing elements and one or more non-photovoltaic roofing elements to provide the photovoltaic roofing system, wherein the photovoltaic roofing system comprises a plurality of contiguously-disposed, discrete photovoltaic roofing elements. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the contiguously-disposed photovoltaic roofing elements include one or more bottom end photovoltaic roofing elements disposed in a row at the bottom edge thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein each of the bottom end photovoltaic roofing elements have a bottom end, and one or more bottom flashing elements disposed along and extending along the entire bottom edge of the contiguously-disposed plurality of photovoltaic roofing elements. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein each of the one or more bottom flashing elements have an upward-facing surface, a top end, and a bottom end. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the top end of each of the one of more bottom flashing elements is substantially disposed under at least one of the bottom end photovoltaic roofing elements at the bottom end thereof such that each of the bottom end photovoltaic roofing elements is disposed on one or more of the bottom flashing elements, and such that the bottom end of each of the one or more bottom flashing elements protrudes beyond the bottom edge of the contiguously- disposed photovoltaic roofing elements. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein each of the one or more bottom flashing elements comprises a top end piece having a top end forming the top end of the bottom flashing element, the top end piece being affixed to the roof; and a bottom end piece separate from the top end piece, the bottom end piece having a bottom end forming the bottom end of the bottom flashing element. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the bottom end piece is not affixed to the roof or to the top end piece. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the bottom end piece is removably interlocked with the top end piece so as to hold it in position relative to the top end piece. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic roofing elements do not extend to the bottom end piece of any of the bottom end flashing elements. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein a plurality of non-photovoltaic roofing elements is disposed in a row extending along the entirety of the bottom end of the one or more bottom flashing elements. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , where each non-photovoltaic roofing element has an exposure zone at a bottom end thereof and a headlap zone at a top end thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the headlap zone of each non-photovoltaic roofing element is disposed under one or more of the bottom end flashing elements at the bottom end thereof, such that each of the bottom flashing elements is disposed on the headlap zone of one or more of the non-photovoltaic roofing elements. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein each of the non-photovoltaic roofing elements of the row is overlapped by one or more of the bottom end flashing elements.