Photovoltaic Array With Array-Roof Integration Member

Abstract

One embodiment relates to a photovoltaic (PV) apparatus. The PV apparatus includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules arranged in an array and attached to a support structure which is attached to a roof. Each of the photovoltaic modules comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells. A first array-roof integration member is attached to a first side of the array. The array-roof integration member covers a gap between the first side of the array and the roof. Another embodiment relates to a method of installing a photovoltaic apparatus upon a sloped roof. Another embodiment relates to a kit for mounting a photovoltaic apparatus on a roof. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed herein.

1 . A photovoltaic apparatus comprising:
 a support structure attached to a roof;   a plurality of photovoltaic modules arranged in an array and attached to the support structure so as to form a gap between the roof and the array; and   a first array-roof integration member attached to a first side of the array, wherein the array-roof integration member covers the gap so that the array appears integrated with the roof.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the array-roof integration member is a flexible member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the array-roof integration member has a surface color or color pattern and surface texture which is selected from amongst a set of surface colors or color patterns and surface textures to visually match a color or color pattern and texture of the roof. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the array-roof integration member has a surface color which is selected from amongst a set of surface colors to be visually complementary to a color of the roof. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the roof is sloped, and wherein the first side of the array is located on a lower portion of the sloped roof, further comprising:
 a second array-roof integration member attached to a second side of the array, wherein the array-roof integration member covers a gap between the second side of the array and the roof; and   a third array-roof integration member attached to a third side of the array, wherein the array-roof integration member covers a gap between the third side of the array and the roof.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the array-roof integration member is covered with shingles which are less than half an inch in thickness. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the array-roof integration member comprises a plurality of shingles attached to a support piece. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the array-roof integration member comprises molded plastic having a colored surface. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the array-roof integration member comprises formed metal having a colored surface. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a rigid frame surrounds each photovoltaic module. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of air gaps in the first array-roof integration member, wherein the air gaps are configured to provide a predetermined minimum net free vent area.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a clear backsheet in each photovoltaic module; and   areas on each photovoltaic module through which the backsheet of the module is visible.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the photovoltaic modules comprise bifacial modules which collect solar energy from both faces of each module. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a module with a colored back sheet chosen to complement or match the roof color.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mechanism to remove debris.   
     
     
         16 . A method of installing a photovoltaic apparatus upon a sloped roof, the method comprising:
 attaching a support structure to a roof;   attaching a plurality of photovoltaic modules to the support structure so as to form a photovoltaic array, each of the photovoltaic modules comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells; and   attaching a first array-roof integration member to a first side of the photovoltaic array, wherein the array-roof integration member covers a gap between the first side of the photovoltaic array and the roof so that the array appears integrated with the roof.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the array-roof integration member is a flexible member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the array-roof integration member has a surface color or color pattern and surface texture which is selected from amongst a set of surface colors or color patterns and surface textures to visually match a color or color pattern and surface texture of the roof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the array-roof integration member has a surface color which is selected from amongst a set of surface colors to be visually complementary to a color of the roof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first side of the array is located on a lower portion of the roof, further comprising:
 attaching a second array-roof integration member to a second side of the array, wherein the array-roof integration member covers a gap between the second side of the array and the roof; and   attaching a third array-roof integration member to a third side of the array, wherein the array-roof integration member covers a gap between the third side of the array and the roof.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the roof is covered with shingles which are less than half an inch in thickness. 
     
     
         22 . A photovoltaic apparatus comprising:
 a support structure attached to a sloped roof, wherein the roof is covered with shingles which are less than half an inch in thickness;   a plurality of photovoltaic modules arranged in an array and attached to the support structure, each of the photovoltaic modules comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells; and   an array-roof integration member attached to a side of the array, wherein the side of the array is located on a lower portion of the sloped roof, wherein the array-roof integration member covers a gap between the side of the array and the roof, and wherein the array-roof integration member is selected from a predetermined set of said members so as to have a visible surface which is visually compatible with the shingles.   
     
     
         23 . A kit for mounting a photovoltaic apparatus on a roof comprising:
 a support structure configured for attachment to a roof;   a plurality of photovoltaic modules configured to be attached to the support structure so as to form a gap between the roof and the array; and   an array-roof integration member configured to be attached to a first side of the array such that the array-roof integration member covers the gap so that the array appears integrated with the roof.