Abstract: An encasement system or bay for the delivery of solar powered devices that is installed and structurally integrated into a building is provided. The encasement system or bay houses solar powered devices, such as solar heaters, solar coolers and photovoltaic devices, into a roof and/or wall of a building. As the solar devices are housed in the encasement system or bay, and the bay is embedded in the roof or wall of the building, the components of the solar devices are not exposed to the elements, and thereby have an increased output efficiency. Should the solar devices need repair or replacement, the encasement systems can be easily accessed, and the solar devices repaired or replaced, without a need for replacing the encasement system.

Abstract: A load-bearing solar panel module is integrated into a building roofing structure. The solar panel is comprised of a structural encasement that includes two lateral structural rails, and at least three perpendicular intersecting cross beams disposed there between. The structural encasement of the module exhibits load-bearing properties when integrated into a roofing structure of a residential or commercial building which approximate those of a traditional roofing structure. The solar panel module further includes at least one of a plurality of solar photovoltaic cells and a plurality of thermal vacuum tubes disposed within the structural encasement, and between an outer glass plate and an inner insulation assembly.