Roofing Products Having Receptor Zones and Photovoltaic Roofing Elements and Systems Using Them

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to roofing products. The present invention relates more particularly to roofing products for use with photovoltaic elements, and to photovoltaic systems that include one or more photovoltaic elements is joined to a roofing substrate. In one embodiment, a roofing product includes a flexible roofing substrate having a top surface, the top surface having one or more receptor zones thereon, each receptor zone being adapted to receive one or more photovoltaic elements, each receptor zone having a different surfacing than the area of the top surface adjacent to it.

1 . A roofing product comprising
 a flexible roofing substrate having a top surface, the top surface having one or more receptor zones thereon, each receptor zone being adapted to receive one or more photovoltaic elements, each receptor zone having a different surfacing than the area of the top surface adjacent to it.   
     
     
         2 . The roofing product according to  claim 1  wherein each receptor zone is adapted to receive one or more encapsulated photovoltaic elements. 
     
     
         3 . The roofing product according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible roofing substrate is a bituminous substrate. 
     
     
         4 . The roofing product according to  claim 3 , wherein the surfacing of the one or more receptor zones is uncoated bituminous material. 
     
     
         5 . The roofing product according to  claim 1 , wherein the surfacing of the one or more receptor zones comprises particulate matter, a fabric, a scrim, a woven or nonwoven web. 
     
     
         6 . The roofing product according to  claim 1 , wherein the surfacing of the one or more receptor zones comprises a metal foil or a polymer film. 
     
     
         7 . The roofing product according to  claim 1 , wherein the surfacing of the one or more receptor zones comprises an adhesive material. 
     
     
         8 . The roofing product according to  claim 7 , wherein the one or more receptor zones are covered by a releasable liner. 
     
     
         9 . The roofing product according to  claim 1 , wherein the surfacing of the one or more receptor zones is selected so that the appearance of the receptor zone is complementary to the top surface of the flexible roofing substrate in an area adjacent to the receptor zone. 
     
     
         10 . The roofing product according to  claim 1 , wherein the surfacing of the one or more receptor zones is selected so that the appearance of the receptor zone is complementary to the photovoltaic element with which the roofing substrate is to be used. 
     
     
         11 . The roofing product according to  claim 1 , wherein the surfacing of the receptor zone is stabilized to UV radiation. 
     
     
         12 . The roofing product according to  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the flexible roofing substrate in the receptor zone is recessed from the top surface of the flexible roofing substrate in the area adjacent to the receptor zone. 
     
     
         13 . The roofing product according to  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the flexible roofing substrate has solar reflective properties. 
     
     
         14 . The roofing product according to  claim 1 , wherein the surfacing of the one or more receptor zones or the top surface of the flexible roofing substrate in the area adjacent the one or more receptor zones includes one or more alignment marks. 
     
     
         15 . A photovoltaic roofing element comprising:
 a flexible roofing substrate having a top surface, the top surface having one or more receptor zones thereon, each receptor zone being adapted to receive one or more photovoltaic elements, each receptor zone having a different surfacing than the area of the top surface adjacent to it; and   one or more photovoltaic elements disposed on the one or more receptor zones of the top surface of the flexible roofing substrate.   
     
     
         16 . The photovoltaic roofing element according to  claim 15 , wherein a tie layer system adheres the photovoltaic element in the receptor zone. 
     
     
         17 . The photovoltaic roofing element according to  claim 15 , wherein a mechanical fastener is used in the attachment of the photovoltaic elements to the flexible roofing substrate. 
     
     
         18 . The photovoltaic roofing element according to  claim 15 , wherein the photovoltaic element includes a fastening zone or one or more fastening tabs. 
     
     
         19 . The photovoltaic roofing element according to  claim 15 , wherein a cap layer is disposed on the flexible roofing substrate. 
     
     
         20 . A photovoltaic roofing system comprising one or more photovoltaic elements according to  claim 15  disposed on a roof deck. 
     
     
         21 . A method for installing a photovoltaic roofing system, the method comprising:
 installing on a roof deck a roofing product comprising a flexible roofing substrate having a top surface, the top surface having one or more receptor zones thereon, each receptor zone being adapted to receive one or more photovoltaic elements, each receptor zone having a different surfacing than the area of the top surface adjacent to it; then   disposing one or more photovoltaic elements on the one or more receptor zones of the top surface of the flexible roofing substrates of the roofing products.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the roofing product is installed in a bottom-up fashion, and the photovoltaic elements are installed in a top-down fashion. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the photovoltaic elements include removable cover elements, and wherein the method further comprises applying a roofing coating, then removing the removable cover elements from the photovoltaic elements. 
     
     
         24 . A kit for the installation of a photovoltaic roofing system, the kit comprising:
 one or more roofing products according to  claim 1 ; and   one or more photovoltaic elements.