Abstract: A solar panel array comprises a first plurality of solar panels arranged side-by-side in a first course and a second plurality of solar panels arranged side-by-side in a second course, the second course partially overlapping the first course. Electrical energy produced by each solar panel of the array is aggregated with the electrical energy produced by the other solar panels of the array without physical electrical contacts between the solar panels. In one embodiment, contactless inductive couplers are used to couple the electrical energies of the panels together.

Abstract: A multi-layer cap shingle for installation along a ridge, hip, or rake of a roof includes a forward exposure area and a rear headlap area. The multi-layer cap shingle includes at least two layers of shingle material, a top layer and a bottom layer each having opposed edges. The layers are bonded together with patches of lamination adhesive adjacent their opposed edges. The bottom layer is configured with a deformation-absorbing mechanism such as a pair of slots extending from a forward edge reawardly inboard of the lamination adhesive patches. When the multi-layer cap shingle is bent over a roof ridge, the slots of the bottom layer of shingle material narrow in width to account for the fact that the bottom layer must bend around an arc of slightly smaller radius than the top layer of shingle material.

Abstract: A roof integrated photovoltaic system includes a plurality of photovoltaic panels each having a right end, a left end, a front edge, and a back edge. A right end coupler is secured to the right ends of at least some of the photovoltaic panels and a left end coupler is secured to the left ends of at least some of the photovoltaic panels. The right end couplers and the left end couplers are configured to interlock and form a seal when two of the plurality of panels are moved into end-to-end engagement with each other. At least one front edge coupler is affixed to at least some of the plurality of photovoltaic panels at the front edges thereof and at least one back edge coupler is affixed to at least some of the plurality of photovoltaic panels at the back edges thereof.

Abstract: Metal roofing panels have a forward edge portion with a downwardly extending skirt and return flange and a rear edge or headlap portion with an upwardly open channel and a locking tab extending over a portion of the upwardly open channel. A method of installing the roofing panels includes nailing a lower course of panels in end-to-end overlapping relationship to a roof deck. The forward edge portions of panels in the next higher course of panels are then pressed downwardly into the upwardly open channels of the lower course panels. The return flanges of the upper course panels snap beneath the locking tabs of the upwardly open channels thus locking the panels together and forming a watertight connection between courses of panels.

Abstract: A roof integrated photovoltaic system includes a plurality of photovoltaic panels each having a right end, a left end, a front edge, and a back edge. A right end coupler is secured to the right ends of at least some of the photovoltaic panels and a left end coupler is secured to the left ends of at least some of the photovoltaic panels. The right end couplers and the left end couplers are configured to interlock and form a seal when two of the plurality of panels are moved into end-to-end engagement with each other. At least one front edge coupler is affixed to at least some of the plurality of photovoltaic panels at the front edges thereof and at least one back edge coupler is affixed to at least some of the plurality of photovoltaic panels at the back edges thereof.

Abstract: A mesh ridge vent has an air permeable layer formed of randomly aligned synthetic fibers that are opened and blended, randomly aligned into a web by airflow, joined by phenolic or latex binding agents, and heat cured to produce an air-permeable varying mesh. A moisture barrier may be integrally formed above the air permeable layer and may be defined by a coating or by a layer of fibers that is sufficiently dense to inhibit penetration of water into the web. The mesh ridge vent has edge portions and a central portion and the edge portions may be more dense and thicker while the central portion may be less dense and thinner than the edge portions.

Abstract: An asphalt-based shingle is formed with a substrate saturated with asphalt, an asphalt coating on the saturated substrate, and a top film bonded to the surface of the asphalt coating covering at least a portion of the shingle to be exposed when installed, The top film may be configured to mimic the appearance of traditional clay granules on the shingle or another shingle surface. More specifically, the top film is printed or coated with an image that mimics the appearance of a clay granule bed and is embossed, pressed, or molded to mimic the texture of a clay granule bed. The top film is UV resistant to protect the asphalt below from deterioration. An anti-stick film may be bonded to the back of the shingle to prevent shingles from sticking together when stacked into a bundle.