Abstract: Disclosed herein are photovoltaic building materials and related methods of manufacturing and installing such materials. In one embodiment, a modular roofing structure comprises a photovoltaic shingle panel having a planar lower surface and an upper surface, and a rigid back member having a length the same as or greater than the length of the shingle panel and attached to the planar lower surface of the shingle panel. The roofing structure also includes at least one electrical contact pad on a lower surface of the back member, and at least one electrical conductor electrically coupled to the shingle panel via the lower surface and passing through the back member and out the lower surface. In such embodiments, the electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the at least one contact pad and extends past a front end of the back member sufficient to electrically contact a contact pad on another back member of a separate modular roofing structure couplable to the first.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are flexible, solar powered photovoltaic (PV) integrated roofing membrane and related methods of manufacturing such a membrane. The disclosed membrane and methods beneficially provide solar power to structures in either off-grid or on-grid connections. The roofing membrane may comprise multiple membrane strips or members having electrically interconnected photovoltaic solar elements. The membrane members preferably have distinct patterns for the solar elements located thereon that provide for coverage of entire sections, upon installation, as well as accommodate interconnections between the solar elements. Moreover, the membrane will appreciate the numerous types of patterns to achieve such purposed of full coverage and electrical coupling.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are rigid solar powered photovoltaic (PV) integrated roofing membrane and related methods of manufacturing such a membrane. The disclosed membrane and methods beneficially provide solar power to structures in either off-grid or on-grid connections. The roofing membrane may comprise multiple membrane strips or members having electrically interconnected photovoltaic solar elements. The membrane members preferably have distinct patterns for the solar elements located thereon that provide for coverage of entire sections, upon installation, as well as accommodate interconnections between the solar elements. Moreover, the membrane will appreciate the numerous types of patterns to achieve such purposed of full coverage and electrical coupling.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are photovoltaic building materials and related methods of manufacturing and installing such materials. In one embodiment, a modular roofing structure comprises a photovoltaic shingle panel having a planar lower surface and an upper surface, and a rigid back member having a length the same as or greater than the length of the shingle panel and attached to the planar lower surface of the shingle panel. The roofing structure also includes at least one electrical contact pad on a lower surface of the back member, and at least one electrical conductor electrically coupled to the shingle panel via the lower surface and passing through the back member and out the lower surface. In such embodiments, the electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the at least one contact pad and extends past a front end of the back member sufficient to electrically contact a contact pad on another back member of a separate modular roofing structure couplable to the first.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are photovoltaic building materials and related methods of manufacturing and installing such materials. In one embodiment, a modular roofing structure comprises a photovoltaic shingle panel having a planar lower surface and an upper surface, and a rigid back member having a length the same as or greater than the length of the shingle panel and attached to the planar lower surface of the shingle panel. The roofing structure also includes at least one electrical contact pad on a lower surface of the back member, and at least one electrical conductor electrically coupled to the shingle panel via the lower surface and passing through the back member and out the lower surface. In such embodiments, the electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the at least one contact pad and extends past a front end of the back member sufficient to electrically contact a contact pad on another back member of a separate modular roofing structure couplable to the first.