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 roof-mounted solar power system for generating electrical power that includes a plurality of solar modules adapted for generating electrical power from sunlight, and with each of the plurality of solar modules having substantially the same size, aspect ratio and surface coloring. The plurality of solar modules are mounted on the deck of a roof to form a bank of solar modules having at least one irregular edge. The solar power system further includes one or more non-power generating edge treatments having substantially the same size, aspect ratio and surface coloring as the solar modules and that are adapted for installation along the irregular edge. Each edge treatment is adapted for a cutting away of at least one corner thereof to smooth the irregular edge of the bank of solar modules to a regular edge.

Abstract: A roof integrated solar panel system includes a plurality of solar panel modules, each modules having a frame, a photovoltaic panel mounted to the frame, and a micro-inverter mounted to the frame to one side of the photovoltaic panel and accessible from the top of the frame. The solar panel modules are installable on a roof in aligned or staggered courses to form the solar panel system, and with the installed courses of modules together forming a water barrier protecting the roof.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the efficiency of asphalt blow stills can be improved by sectionalizing the blow still with perforated plates at various heights within the blow still. The perforated plates which contain a multitude of holes act to reduce air bubble size and improve the dispersion of the air bubbles throughout the asphalt flux. This increases the total surface area per unit volume of the air bubbles and promotes a faster processing time. The perforated plates also increase the contact time between the air bubbles and the asphalt flux which further results in improved efficiency and reduced blow times. This is beneficial because faster processing times can be achieved resulting in more efficient use of equipment, higher levels of productivity, lower energy requirements, cost savings, reduce blow loss, and reduced thermal history to which the asphalt is exposed.

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 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 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: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to articles, systems, and methods for roofing a structure including, for example, layered shingles comprising a plurality of layers. A layered shingle may comprise, in some embodiments, an upper layer and a backing layer comprising a low density aggregate, wherein the backing layer is fixed to the substrate-facing surface of the upper layer.

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 solar roof shingle for providing AC electrical power when exposed to sunlight includes a shingle frame having a bottom panel supportable on a roof deck, a top panel, and a thickness between the bottom panel and the top panel. The solar roof shingle also includes a solar collector mounted to and covering at least a portion to the top panel of the shingle frame, with the solar panel producing DC electrical energy at DC terminals when the solar collector is exposed to sunlight. A nano-inverter is disposed within the shingle frame between the bottom panel and the top panel and is electrically coupled to the DC terminals. The nano-inverter converts DC electrical energy to AC electrical energy available at AC terminals mounted to the shingle frame.

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 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: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to articles, systems, and methods for roofing a structure including, for example, layered shingles comprising a plurality of layers. A layered shingle may comprise, in some embodiments, an upper layer and a backing layer comprising a low density aggregate, wherein the backing layer is fixed to the substrate-facing surface of the upper layer.

Abstract: A solar roof shingle for providing AC electrical power when exposed to sunlight includes a shingle frame having a bottom panel supportable on a roof deck, a top panel, and a thickness between the bottom panel and the top panel. The solar roof shingle also includes a solar collector mounted to and covering at least a portion to the top panel of the shingle frame, with the solar panel producing DC electrical energy at DC terminals when the solar collector is exposed to sunlight. A nano-inverter is disposed within the shingle frame between the bottom panel and the top panel and is electrically coupled to the DC terminals. The nano-inverter converts DC electrical energy to AC electrical energy available at AC terminals mounted to the shingle frame. The nano-inverter has a maximum power rating of 150 Watts or less so that it produces substantially less heat during operation allowing the thickness of the solar roof shingle to approach that of a standard roofing shingle.

Abstract: A solar panel system includes a plurality of solar modules that produce DC electrical energy when exposed to sunlight. Each of the solar modules includes a frame, a photovoltaic panel mounted to the frame, and an electrical coupling for outputting the DC electrical energy from the photovoltaic panel. The solar modules are mounted to the deck of a roof having a ridge and a ridge vent extending at least partially along and covering the ridge of the roof. One or more micro-inverters is located beneath the ridge vent and each is electrically connected to a bank of two or more solar modules selected from the plurality of solar modules. The micro-inverters on the roof convert the DC electrical energy produced by the photovoltaic panels to AC electrical energy, and the AC electrical energy is aggregated from the micro-inverters and delivered to a remote electrical system.

Abstract: A solar module for a roof covering system that generates electrical power from sunlight includes a frame having a bottom surface supported on a deck of a roof, a top surface, and a thickness between the bottom surface and the top surface. The solar module also includes a solar element mounted to the top surface of the frame which has an upper surface. a micro-inverter mounted to the top surface of the frame and to the side of the solar element, and a raised access panel that is removably coupled to the frame to surround the micro-inverter. The raised access panel has an access panel top surface that is elevated above the upper surface of the solar element. The top surface of the frame forms a water shedding surface below the micro-inverter for directing water away from the roof.

Abstract: A roof-mounted solar power system for generating electrical power that includes a plurality of solar modules adapted for generating electrical power from sunlight, and with each of the plurality of solar modules having substantially the same size, aspect ratio and surface coloring. The plurality of solar modules are mounted on the deck of a roof to form a bank of solar modules having at least one irregular edge. The solar power system further includes one or more non-power generating edge treatments having substantially the same size, aspect ratio and surface coloring as the solar modules and that are adapted for installation along the irregular edge. Each edge treatment is adapted for a cutting away of at least one corner thereof to smooth the irregular edge of the bank of solar modules to a regular edge.

Abstract: A roof integrated solar panel system includes a plurality of solar panel modules, each modules having a frame, a photovoltaic panel mounted to the frame, and a micro-inverter mounted to the frame to one side of the photovoltaic panel and accessible from the top of the frame. The solar panel modules are installable on a roof in aligned or staggered courses to form the solar panel system, and with the installed courses of modules together forming a water barrier protecting the roof.

Abstract: Disclosed painted roof coverings and related methods of manufacturing such painted roof coverings that use a color coating over the roof coverings instead of embedded pre-colored rock granules on the exposed surface of the roof coverings. By painting a roof covering with a color coating, any kind of top surfacing material, such as rock, plastic, mineral, man-made, or organic granules, may be used in place of the pre-colored rock granules. In some embodiments, it is desirable to size the top surfacing material to provide adequate UV protection and coverage to the weatherproofing asphalt material located below the top surfacing material. Further, the color of the shingles may be accurately matched between batches of shingles, between manufacturing facilities, and even between manufacturers. In addition, designs may be painted on the surface of the roof covering, which was previously impossible using pre-colored granules.

Abstract: A glass retrofitting system with an adaptor is configured to mount a glass member to a wall or window frame. The glass member may be an upgraded insulated glass unit to replace an existing glass in a wall or window frame. The adaptor may include a mating portion (or an anchor member) which fits into an existing glazing pocket of the existing window or wall frame. The width of the existing glazing pocket may not be wide enough to accommodate the upgraded insulated glass unit. Thus, the adaptor may form a new glazing pocket suitable to hold the upgraded insulated glass unit, and the insulated glass unit may be mounted or installed into the new glazing pocket formed by the adaptor. The adaptor may be formed of low thermal conductivity material, or of a single piece or a plurality of pieces.