Roof integrated solar power system with top mounted electrical components and cables

Abstract

A roof integrated solar power system includes a plurality of solar modules. Each solar module carries a photovoltaic or solar panel with solar cells. Edge regions of the solar module are disposed to the sides of the solar panel and are devoid of solar cells. An electrical component such as a junction box or micro-inverter, or DC optimizer is mounted on top of the solar module within at least one of the edge regions. Cabling for interconnecting the electrical component to electrical components of others of the plurality of solar modules also is located within the side regions. In one embodiment, the electrical component and cabling is disposed within a recess within a side region and covered by a flat access panel. In another embodiment, the electrical component and cabling is located atop the side region and is covered by an access panel in the form of a protective cover strip. The solar modules are installable on a roof in aligned or staggered courses to form the solar power system, and with the installed courses of modules together forming a water barrier protecting the roof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a sloped roof deck;   a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed on the roof deck,
 wherein the plurality of photovoltaic modules is arranged in an array, 
 wherein the array includes
 an upper side extending along the roof deck, 
 a lower side extending along the roof deck, and 
 at least a first side extending between the upper side and the lower side; 
 
   a plurality of roofing shingles installed on the roof deck,
 wherein the plurality of roofing shingles is proximate to at least the first side of the array, 
 wherein the plurality of roofing shingles includes a first roofing shingle; and 
   at least one flashing installed on the roof deck,
 wherein the at least one flashing includes a first flashing,
 wherein the first flashing includes a first side and a second side,
 wherein the first side of the first flashing overlays at least a portion of the first side of the array. 
 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first roofing shingle overlays the second side of the first flashing,
 wherein the first flashing does not overlay the first roofing shingle, and   wherein the first side of the array does not overlay the first flashing.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the array includes a second side opposite the first side of the array and extending between the upper side and the lower side of the array,
 wherein the at least one flashing includes a second flashing, and   wherein the second flashing is located along the second side of the array.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of roofing shingles includes a second roofing shingle, and
 wherein the second flashing is between the second roofing shingle and the second side of the array.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of roofing shingles is an asphalt roofing shingle. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of roofing shingles is an asphalt roofing shingle. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flashing includes a second flashing, and
 wherein the second flashing is located along the lower side of the array.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first flashing includes at least one channel. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one channel includes a plurality of channels. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic modules includes a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module, and
 wherein the first photovoltaic module is joined with the second photovoltaic module.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flashing includes a second flashing, and
 wherein the second flashing is located along the upper side of the array.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one flashing includes a third flashing, and
 wherein the third flashing is located along the lower side of the array.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the array includes a second side opposite the first side of the array and extending between the upper side and the lower side of the array,
 wherein the at least one flashing includes a fourth flashing, and   wherein the fourth flashing is located along the second side of the array.   
     
     
         14 . A system, comprising:
 a sloped roof deck;   a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed above the roof deck,
 wherein the plurality of photovoltaic modules is arranged in an array,
 wherein the array includes,
 an upper side extending along the roof deck, 
 a lower side extending along the roof deck, 
 a first side extending between the upper side and the lower side, and 
 a second side opposite the first side and extending between the upper and the lower side; 
 
 
   a plurality of roofing shingles installed above the roof deck,
 wherein the plurality of roofing shingles is proximate to at least the first side of the array, 
 wherein the plurality of roofing shingles includes a first roofing shingle; and 
   a plurality of flashing installed above the roof deck,
 wherein the plurality of flashing comprises at least a first flashing and a second flashing, 
 wherein each of the plurality of flashing includes a first side and a second side,
 wherein the first side of the first flashing overlays at least a portion of the first side of the array, 
 wherein the second flashing is along one of the upper side of the array, the lower side of the array, and the second side of the array. 
 
   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the first roofing shingle overlays the second side of the first flashing. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first flashing does not overlay the first roofing shingle, and
 wherein the first side of the array does not overlay the first flashing.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the first flashing includes at least one channel. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one channel includes a plurality of channels. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second flashing is along the second side of the array,
 wherein the plurality of flashing comprises a third flashing, and
 wherein the third flashing is along the upper side of the array. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second flashing is along the second side of the array,
 wherein the plurality of flashing comprises a third flashing, and   wherein the third flashing is along the lower side of the array.