Abstract: A rapid shutdown device for rapidly de-energizing a photovoltaic module system is disclosed. The rapid shutdown device includes power lines connected to a photovoltaic string of modules on a roof of a structure. A high voltage switch on a first power line is disconnected when the high voltage switch is open. The rapid shutdown device includes a gate drive circuit that receives an electronic photovoltaic string status signal associated with an operating status of the photovoltaic string. The date drive circuit may determine that the operating status indicates the presence of a hazard based on the electronic photovoltaic string status signal. Based on the presence of the hazard, the rapid shutdown device generates a high voltage switch command signal to cause the high voltage switch to open to disconnect the photovoltaic string from an electrical connection to a grid power supply, thereby enhancing protection of the string and safety for responders.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each having a mat with an edge and a spacer with an edge, the edge of the mat being attached to the edge of the spacer. The spacer includes a plurality of support members and a solar module mounted to the support members. Each of the support members includes a ledge. The solar module and the ledge form a space therebetween. The space is sized and shaped to receive an edge of a solar module of another of the photovoltaic modules. The spacer of one of the photovoltaic modules overlays the mat of another of the photovoltaic modules.

Abstract: A rapid shutdown device for rapidly de-energizing a photovoltaic module system is disclosed. The rapid shutdown device includes power lines connected to a photovoltaic string of modules on a roof of a structure. A high voltage switch on a first power line is disconnected when the high voltage switch is open. The rapid shutdown device includes a gate drive circuit that receives an electronic photovoltaic string status signal associated with an operating status of the photovoltaic string. The date drive circuit may determine that the operating status indicates the presence of a hazard based on the electronic photovoltaic string status signal. Based on the presence of the hazard, the rapid shutdown device generates a high voltage switch command signal to cause the high voltage switch to open to disconnect the photovoltaic string from an electrical connection to a grid power supply, thereby enhancing protection of the string and safety for responders.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed and arranged in an array on a roof deck. Each of the photovoltaic modules includes a wire cover bracket configured to receive at least one electrical component. A rapid shutdown device is electrically connected to the at least one electrical component. The rapid shutdown device is configured to reduce an electrical voltage of the system to a predetermined voltage level. At least one visible indicator is electrically connected to the plurality of photovoltaic modules. The at least one visible indicator is activated when the electrical voltage of the system is less than or equal to the predetermined voltage level.

Abstract: A system includes first, second and third photovoltaic modules on a rood. Each module includes an upper edge, a lower edge and at least one solar cell. Lower edges of the cells of the first and second modules are offset from lower edges of the first and second modules. Upper edge of the cell of the second module is offset from the upper edge of the second module. The upper edge of the cell of the third module is offset from the upper edge of the third module. The first module overlays the second module. The lower edge of the cell of the first module is substantially aligned with the upper edge of the cell of the second module. The second module overlays the third module. The lower edge of the cell of the second module is substantially aligned with the upper edge of the cell of the third module.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of roofing shingles having a core layer and a cap layer, with first and second ends of the cap layer offset from respective first and second ends of the core layer. The cap layer includes a first surface and a pattern on the first surface. A side lap extends from the second end of the cap layer to the second end of the core layer and an extended portion is located at the first end of the cap layer. The extended portion of a first one of the roofing shingles overlays the side lap of a second one of the roofing shingles. The system further includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules include at least one solar cell.

Abstract: A system, including: a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed above a roof deck, where the plurality of photovoltaic modules includes at least a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module, where each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules includes: a top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; a plurality of solar cells; a first receptacle on the top surface, where the first receptacle has: a plurality of first non-conductive openings, and a plurality of first conductive members in the plurality of first non-conductive openings; and a second receptacle on the bottom surface, where the second receptacle has: a plurality of second non-conductive openings, and a plurality of second conductive members in the plurality of second non-conductive openings, where at least a portion of the second photovoltaic module overlaps at least a portion of the first photovoltaic module, where the first receptacle of the first photovoltaic module is in mechanical connection with the second recep

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to photovoltaic module for use on a roof. In some embodiments, the photovoltaic module may include a solar cell and a polymeric continuous fiber tape. In some embodiments, the polymeric continuous fiber tape comprises a polymer and glass fiber. In some embodiments, the glass fiber is present in an amount greater than about 50% by weight based on a total weight of the polymeric continuous fiber tape. In some embodiments, the polymeric continuous fiber tape comprises an elastic modulus greater than 1 GPa and an optical transmission greater than 80%.

Abstract: A roof integrated photovoltaic system includes a starter bar having a foot base and configured to be installed to a roof deck, a plurality of water shedding layers, and a photovoltaic module. One of the plurality of water shedding layers is configured to be installed over the foot base of the starter bar, and one of another of which is configured to overlap and be installed over the one of the plurality of water shedding layers. The system further includes a foot module configured to be attached to an upper portion of the photovoltaic module. A lower portion of the photovoltaic module is configured to align with the foot base of the starter bar, and the foot module is configured to be affixed on a last overlapping layer of the plurality of water shedding layers to the roof deck.

Abstract: A system includes first and second photovoltaic modules, each of which includes a first side lap portion, a plurality of solar cells arranged in a plurality of rows, a first electrical connector on the first side lap portion and electrically connected to the first row of the solar cells, and a second electrical connector on the first side lap portion electrically connected to the second row of the solar cells. The system includes a first power electronics unit connected to the first and second electrical connectors of the first photovoltaic module; and a second power electronics unit connected to the first and second electrical connectors of the second photovoltaic module. The first power electronics unit is electrically connected to the second power electronics unit.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a first roll of a first sheet comprising thermoplastic polyolefin and having a width of at least 60 inches; obtaining a second roll of a second sheet comprising thermoplastic polyolefin and having a width of at least 60 inches; heating at least a portion of a width of the first sheet with hot air from a hot air knife to form a heated first sheet; and compressing the heated first sheet and the second sheet between two rollers, to form a laminated roofing membrane, where the heated first sheet and the second sheet directly contact one another without a scrim layer disposed between the heated first sheet and the second sheet.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed on a roof deck and arranged in an array, and at least one jumper module electrically connecting a first subarray and a second subarray of the array. The jumper module includes a first end and a second end, a sleeve extending from the first end to the second end, and at least one electrical cable. The sleeve is sized and shaped to receive the at least one electrical cable. The at least one electrical cable electrically connects the first subarray to the second subarray.

Abstract: A roof mountable photovoltaic system, wherein electrical energy is transferred from multiple direct current generating sources to at least one wireless energy receiver device through some separated distance. The system is configured such that electrical energy can be transferred even through an obstruction, such as several layers of roofing material, to the wireless energy receiver device. In some embodiments, there are fewer wireless energy receiver devices than the direct current generating sources. In some embodiments, the wireless energy receiver device can include one or more inductive windings, antennae, or a combination thereof, which can couple with the windings, antennae, or a combination thereof of the wireless transmitter(s) to transfer electrical energy from the transmitters to the one or more receivers without direct electrical or physical connection.

Abstract: A first plurality of roofing shingles installed in a first plurality of rows on a roof deck, and a second plurality of roofing shingles installed in a second plurality of rows. An edge of one of the second roofing shingles in each of the second rows is offset from the edge of another one of the second roofing shingles in another adjacent one of the second rows. An edge of a first photovoltaic shingle is juxtaposed with the edge of a first roofing shingle of the second roofing shingles in a first row of the second rows. The edge of at least another photovoltaic shingle in at least one of another row of the second rows is substantially aligned with the edge of the first photovoltaic shingle. An additional roofing shingle is installed intermediate one of the second roofing shingles and one of the photovoltaic shingles.

Abstract: A method of making a photovoltaic module includes the step of obtaining a frontsheet having a glass layer, a light scattering encapsulant layer, and a polymer layer. The light scattering encapsulant layer includes a first region, a plurality of first portions extending from the first region, and at least one area located between the first portions. The first portions of the light scattering encapsulant layer has a first light scattering value and a second portion defined by the area has a second light scattering value different from the first light scattering value. The method includes the steps of obtaining at least one solar cell, an encapsulant, and a backsheet, and laminating the frontsheet, the encapsulant, the at least one solar cell, and the backsheet.

Abstract: A system includes at least one photovoltaic module installed on a roof deck, at least one electrical connector electrically connected to the photovoltaic module, and at least one electrical component electrically and removably connected to the electrical connector. The electrical component includes a housing and an electronic component located within the housing. The electronic component includes at least one of an optimizer, a rapid shutdown device, or an inverter. The electrical component is separate from the photovoltaic module and is configured to be disconnected from the electrical connector while the photovoltaic module remains installed on the roof deck.

Abstract: A method including: obtaining a flexible underlayment, wherein the flexible underlayment comprises: a first sensor, wherein the first sensor comprises a first flexible circuit, and wherein the first flexible circuit is configured to: measure a first value representative of a first roofing system condition measurement, wherein the first flexible circuit measures the first value at a first location, wherein a first location identifier indicative of the first location is stored in a database in communication with the first sensor; determine a first roofing system condition in the first location based at least in part on the first value and the first location identifier; and generate a first notification representative of the first roofing system condition; installing the flexible underlayment on a roof deck of a steep slope roof of a structure; installing a first roofing shingle over the flexible underlayment and above at least the first sensor.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an integrated photovoltaic (PV) roofing shingle comprising a photovoltaic (PV) module and a roofing shingle. In some embodiments, the roofing shingle is bonded to the PV module. In some embodiments, a bond strength between the roofing shingle and the PV module is from 5 N/mm to 60 N/mm tested according to ASTM D1876. In some embodiments, the integrated PV roofing shingle has a mass per unit area of 0.5 lb per square foot to 5 lbs per square foot. Methods, systems, and kits including the integrated PV roofing shingle are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to photovoltaic shingle. A photovoltaic shingle comprises an encapsulated solar cell, a glass layer above the encapsulated solar cell, an anti-reflective layer above the glass layer, and a plurality of protrusions above the glass layer. The plurality of protrusions covers at least a portion of at least one of the glass layer, the anti-reflective layer, or any combination thereof, such that the anti-reflective coating is exposed between at least a portion of the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: Roofing materials and related methods are provided. A roofing material comprises a first layer, and a second layer on the first layer. The first layer comprises a first thermoplastic polymer. The first layer has a first color. The second layer comprises a second thermoplastic polymer. The second layer has a second color. The second layer comprises a plurality of openings or a plurality of thermoplastic polymer pieces. The first layer is exposed through the second layer.