Abstract: A high efficiency configuration for a solar cell module comprises solar cells conductively bonded to each other in a shingled manner to form super cells, which may be arranged to efficiently use the area of the solar module, reduce series resistance, and increase module efficiency.

Abstract: A shingle includes a substrate having an asphalt coating on a top surface of the substrate and on a bottom surface of the substrate. A surface layer of granules is embedded in the asphalt on the top surface of the substrate. A backdust layer of particles is embedded in the asphalt on the bottom surface of the substrate. A sealant is disposed on the backdust. A hydrophobic material is applied to the sealant.

Abstract: An interconnection structure used for sequentially bonding at least two cell slices and forming an excellent electrical connection. At least one of a front electrode and a back electrode of the cell slice is in a hollow structure, and the back electrode of the previous back electrode is connected with the front electrode of the next cell slice adjacent thereto through a conductive adhesive, thereby saving a large amount of front and back electrode paste, and reducing the cost of the shingled cell.

Abstract: A shingle comprises an overlay, an underlay, and a height increasing material disposed between the overlay and the underlay. The height increasing material includes a first adhesive adhered to the overlay, height increasing granules adhered to the first adhesive, and a second adhesive adhered to the height increasing granules and the underlay. The height increasing material can extend along front ends of tab portions of the overlay, along front cutout edges that extend between tab portions of the overlay, or both.

Abstract: A shingle coating asphalt composition is provided that is produced from a paving grade asphalt. The asphalt composition comprises a paving-grade asphalt that has been modified with one or more polymer additives; and a secondary additive comprising one or more of a viscosity reducing agent, a wax, a salt of a fatty acid ester, and an amide of a fatty acid. The shingle coating asphalt coating composition is used to make a shingle. The shingle includes a substrate, the asphalt, and roofing granules.

Abstract: A shingle including a substrate having a first surface defining an upper side of the shingle and an opposing second surface defining a lower side of the shingle; asphalt infiltrating the substrate to form a first asphalt coating on the first surface of the substrate and a second asphalt coating on the second surface of the substrate; a plurality of granules embedded in the first asphalt coating; a first hydrophobic material; and a second hydrophobic material that is a different composition than the first hydrophobic material and the second hydrophobic material comprises a metal stearate, wherein the lower side of the shingle includes a lower surface and the first and the second hydrophobic material are disposed on the lower surface.

Abstract: A section of a roof covering system, such as a shingle, having a flat base with planar top surface; and a plurality of fins disposed on the planar top surface at an essentially orthogonal angle to the planar top surfaces, forming a plurality of valleys between the fins, thereby forming a plurality of protrusions and recesses to damage, disintegrate and redirect hailstones which are incident upon the portion of the roof covering system.

Abstract: A microbial inhibiting system for angled asphalt roofs. The system includes copper-based strips along the ridge of the roof, wherein the proximal edges of the copper-based strips are operatively associated between a ridge vent and a portion of the upper roof. A distal end of the copper-based strips may provide windshear bends to keep the whole system in place during high winds. Once installed onto an asphalt roof, the present invention is adapted so that rainwater is directed over the copper-base members of the system, causing a chemical reaction therewith, wherein the resulting chemical will wash away along the roofing membrane, removing any mold, algae, and moss as the chemically infused rainwater rolls down the roof.

Abstract: A shingle assembly for installation on a roof structure is provided. The shingle assembly can include an insulative substrate, a surface sheet coupled to and extending across a substantial portion of the insulative substrate, and a hook-and-loop fastening system comprising a hook portion and a loop portion. The hook portion or the loop portion can be coupled to and extend along the insulative substrate adjacent the surface sheet. The other of the hook portion or the loop portion can be coupled to and extend along the surface sheet. The hook portion can be configured to mate with a loop portion of a first adjoining shingle assembly and the loop portion can be configured to mate with a hook portion of a second adjoining shingle assembly.

Abstract: A method and a structure are described that allow covers to be simply and quickly applied to building walls and façades, regardless of whether the walls are inside or outside, flat or curved, ventilated or not. First, the method provides for making a bearing surface, parallel to the wall, by using flexible panels, then constraining the bearing surface to the wall by fastening elements whose orientation can be adjusted, next precisely adjusting the orientation of the bearing surface from the wall by acting selectively on the single fastening elements, and finally fastening the cover, for example marble slabs, to the bearing surface. The support structure includes the just described elements.

Abstract: First and second engaging members (15) each including an engaging portion (15n) are attached to a ridge-side end of each of first through third solar cell panels (11) and are disposed with an interval in a beam direction. First and second engaged members (21) each including an engaged portion (21i) are attached to an eaves-side end of each solar cell panel (11) and are disposed with an interval in the beam direction. The engaging portion (15n) of the first engaging member (15) of the first solar cell panel (11) is engaged with the engaged portion (21i) of the first engaged member (21) of the second solar cell panel (11), whereas the engaging portion (15n) of the second engaging member (15) of the first solar cell panel (11) is engaged with the engaged portion (21i) of the second engaged member (21) of the third solar cell panel (11).

Abstract: Shingle blanks including a first fold region, a second fold region, a third region, a lower edge and an upper edge are provided. The shingle blank has a length. The first and second fold regions extend substantially across the length of the shingle blank. The second fold region is positioned between the first and third fold regions. A first perforation line is positioned between the second and third fold regions. A second perforation line is positioned between the first and second fold regions. A reinforcement material is positioned over the first perforation line and configured to reinforce the first perforation line. The reinforcement material includes apertures configured to allow an asphalt coating to bleed through the reinforcement material. The first and second perforation lines facilitate folding of the first and second fold regions on top of the third region to form a three layered stack.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV)-resistant roofing shingles plastic film, package, packaging roll, and methods are disclosed. The UV-resistant plastic film includes an inner surface to face roofing shingles and an outer surface. The plastic film has a UV inhibitor to obstruct UV light.

Abstract: A fastener-protecting roofing shingle provides a solution for roofing nails or fasteners that become damaged due to weather exposure resulting from damaged roofing shingles. A nailing line is placed above a seamline rather than on or below the seamline, as is conventionally found. By placing the nailing line further from the seamline, which typically borders the exposed and the overlapped sections of a shingle, nails are better-protected from being exposed to the elements, which decreases the chances of failure due to the nail rusting. Due to the shift in the nailing line, a spotted adhesive may be positioned approximately two inches below the nailing line for improved rooftop adherence, and the length of a solid section may be increased. Furthermore, the apparatus directs rainwater straight down the roof. Solid adhesive strips prevent water from pooling or leaking laterally out to the sides and into other layers of shingling.

Abstract: A system for forming a structural member which includes a first collimated light source and a reservoir containing a volume of photo-monomer resin wherein the first collimated light source is positioned spaced apart from the photo-monomer resin. The system further includes a first face sheet structure defining at least one bore which extends through the first face sheet structure wherein a portion of the first face sheet structure is positioned under a surface of the volume of photo-monomer resin such that photo-monomer resin is positioned within the bore.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to roofing products, for example, suitable for use covering and protecting the roofs of structures. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a roofing product including an upper section and an exposed section. The roofing product includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of zones of roofing granules disposed on the top surface of the substrate. The plurality of zones includes first, second and third zones within the exposed section. The first zone includes a first collection of algae-resistant roofing granules and has a first algae-resistance intensity. The second zone includes a second collection of algae-resistant roofing granules and has a second algae-resistance intensity. The third zone has a third algae-resistance intensity that is different from the first algae-resistance intensity.

Abstract: A high efficiency configuration for a solar cell module comprises solar cells conductively bonded to each other in a shingled manner to form super cells, which may be arranged to efficiently use the area of the solar module, reduce series resistance, and increase module efficiency.

Abstract: A roofing, cladding, or siding apparatus comprises a roofing, cladding, or siding module and at least one clip. The module comprises an underlapping region and an exposed region. The underlapping region is adapted to be substantially covered by the exposed region of an adjacent overlapping module when installed on a building surface. A projection extends from the exposed region to provide a bearing surface facing the under surface of the exposed region. The clip or clips is attachable to the underlapping region to provide a tongue adapted to be received between the bearing surface and the under surface of the exposed region of an adjacent overlapping module when installed on a building surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating on a substrate. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved coating on a substrate, which coating is to reduce the temperature felt by a person walking on the substrate as well as the actual temperature on the surface. The present invention provides a coating on a substrate that includes an impregnation material, respectively base material, which is adhered on the substrate, a particulate material adhered on the impregnation material, respectively base material, and optionally, a top coat covering an upper surface of the coating, in which the particulate material consists of crushed acrylic paint and/or wherein the particulate material is a platelet-shaped particulate material, and/or wherein the particulate material has an angular or very-angular shape such that the upper surface of the coating has a roughness of between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.

Abstract: The roof construction broadly includes a sloped roof and a low-profile hail strike recording panel. The roof includes a plurality of shingles arranged in partially overlapped courses. The panel includes a deformable hail impact portion that is calibrated so that deformation caused by a hail strike corresponds with a known impact energy. The panel is secured to the roof so that the impact portion faces skyward in generally the same orientation as the roof. The impact portion of the panel engages and overlies at least part of one or more of the shingles.

Abstract: A covering panel securable to a bearing substrate and having a fastener strip with a plurality of fastener apertures spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the covering panel. The covering panel comprises a plurality of hammer stops extending forwardly from a section of the fastener strip including the fastener apertures. Each one of the hammer stops is associated to a corresponding one of the fastener apertures and comprises at least one elevated hammer head stop surface protruding from the fastener strip and elevated therefrom and a hammer head alignment guide abutable with a section of a hammer head to position the hammer head in a predetermined configuration with respect to the corresponding one of the fastener apertures. The at least one elevated hammer head stop surface is configured to abut with the hammer head at a distance from the section of the fastener strip including the fastener apertures.

Abstract: A snow-melting roof tile according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a metal roof tile including a main cover part, a first bending part bent vertically and located at a first edge in a first direction of the main cover part and, and a second bending part bent vertically and located at a second edge in the first direction, opposite to the first edge of the main cover part; a heat generation part located an upper portion or lower portion of the metal roof tile; and a fixing part for fixing the heat generation part to the metal roof tile, wherein the heat generation part can generate heat to heat the metal roof tile, thereby melting snow on the metal roof tile.

Abstract: A roofing system includes shingles having a front surface, a rear surface, an upper portion, and a lower portion. The lower portion is wider than the upper portion. A tongue extends from the upper portion and overlaps the lower portion, thereby defining a first groove between the tongue and the front surface of the lower portion. A return extends from an end of the lower portion opposite the upper portion, thereby defining a second groove between the return portion and the rear surface of the lower portion.

Abstract: A deck assembly uses plurality of joists preferably formed from metal located side by side and each having a web portion and a deck portion integrally formed with the web portion. The deck portion extends laterally from the web portion and the joists are spaced from one another such that the deck portions from a continuous deck surface with the joists being connected to one another.

Abstract: A shingle, a method of making it, and a roof embodying the shingle is provided, in which an exterior surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof.

Abstract: A single layer foldable reinforced bullnose hip and ridge cap shingle is cut from a single layer web of shingle material. The hip and ridge cap shingle includes an exposed portion, a tapered portion, and a portion in between that will be folded to form a bullnose edge. Two spaced apart perforated fold lines extend transversely across the shingle and two spaced apart transversely extending strips of reinforcing scrim material flank the perforated fold lines. To form a bullnose hip or ridge cap shingle, the shingle is folded first along one of the perforated fold lines and again along the other perforated fold line. This creates an exposed edge portion that is four layers thick and this extreme edge takes on a pleasant rounded bullnose appearance covered with granules. The reinforcing scrim is located at the edge and reinforces the bullnose edge to prevent cracking at the fold.

Abstract: A polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) compound for a bituminous covering layer of a roof sheet, predominantly including a distillation bitumen, in particular one which may contain a synthetic rubber filler in the form of SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) in an amount which modifies the properties of the distillation bitumen, wherein an additive which further modifies the bitumen is present in the form of a polymer, wherein the SBS-modified bitumen further modified by the additive has properties in respect of a softening point and penetration, wherein the polymer is polyethylene present in an amount ranging from 2.5 wt.-% to 7.5 wt.-%, the softening point is in a range between 70° C. and 170° C., and the penetration value is between 99 and 30 1/10 mm.

Abstract: A roofing underlayment comprising an asphalt-coated fibrous sheet having an upper surface and a lower surface is provided. A first portion of the upper surface has granules adhered thereto. A slip-resistant member is bonded to a second portion of the upper surface, an upper surface of the slip-resistant member having substantially no granules adhered thereto.

Abstract: A shingle, a method of making it, and a roof embodying the shingle is provided, in which an exterior surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to roofing products. The present invention relates more particularly to roofing products for use with photovoltaic elements, and to photovoltaic systems that include one or more photovoltaic elements joined to a roofing substrate. In one embodiment, a roofing product includes a flexible roofing substrate having a top surface, the top surface having one or more granule-coated zones thereon capable of acting as a receptor zone or an exposure zone, each zone being adapted to receive one or more photovoltaic elements; and an adhesive suitable for securing photovoltaic elements to one or more of the granule-coated zones, the adhesive capable of forming a bond to the granules and the top surface of the flexible roofing substrate and to the bottom surface of the photovoltaic elements.

Abstract: A tile for attachment to a mounting surface, with a fastener, includes a body defining a longitudinal length and a horizontal width. The body may be movable between an uninstalled position, which defines a first offset along the longitudinal length and a second offset along the transverse width, and an installed position, which substantially closes the first offset and the second offset. In the installed position, the body abuts the mounting surface and an underside of the body is substantially planar. The tile may also include a plurality of first-angle ribs and a plurality of second-angle ribs. The first-angle ribs are offset relative to a forward edge of the body. The second-angle ribs offset relative to the forward edge of the body and also to the first-angle ribs. Furthermore, the first-angle ribs and second-angle ribs do not have shared vertices.

Abstract: A roofing system comprising laminated roofing shingles having a reduced-width headlap portion and a buttlap portion, wherein the roofing system comprises a plurality of courses, and wherein a trailing edge of a subsequently installed shingle in a course overlaps the leading edge of an adjacent previously installed shingle in the same course. The reduced-width headlap portion of the roofing shingles has a width that is less than the width of the buttlap portion. The roofing shingle comprises a first and a second shingle sheet and the lateral edges of the first shingle sheet are aligned with the lateral edges of the second sheet.

Abstract: A shingle blank comprises an asphalt coated mat having a cut line formed in the asphalt coated mat. The cut line includes a continuous cut portion and a perforated portion. The perforated portion is structured and configured to facilitate separation of the shingle blank into discrete portions.

Abstract: A roofing product includes coating a substrate with bitumen to yield a bitumen coated substrate having an exposure zone. First granules are adhered to the exposure zone to yield a first granule coating. The first granules have a solar reflectance greater than 35. An adhesive is adhered to at least a portion of the first granule coating. An open portion of the first granule coating that is free of the adhesive is maintained. An overlay of non-white second granules is adhered to the adhesive, such that the overlay of second granules and the adhesive provide a raised structure above a plane of the first granule coating.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to articles, systems, methods of use, methods of manufacturing, and methods of packing roofing shingles with dual sealants. A shingle may comprise, in some embodiments, a headlap region comprising a top headlap surface and a back headlap surface; a buttlap region comprising a top buttlap surface and a back buttlap surface. A top headlap surface may comprise a first sealant and/or a back headlap surface may comprise a second sealant.

Abstract: The present invention relates more particularly to roofing products for use with photovoltaic elements, and to photovoltaic systems that include one or more photovoltaic elements joined to a roofing substrate. In one aspect, the invention provides a roofing product including: a bituminous roofing substrate having a top surface; and roofing granules embedded in the top surface of the roofing substrate, wherein in at least one over-pressed zone of the roofing product, the roofing granules are embedded so that (a) the over-pressed zone exhibits a 0.20 gram loss or less in a rub test as described in ASTM D-4977; or (b) in the over-pressed zone the average granule embed volume fraction is at least 0.5; or (c) in the over-pressed zone, the average distance between the top of the roofing granules and the top surface of the bituminous roofing substrate is 1.0 mm or less.

Abstract: A shingle, a method of making it, and a roof embodying the shingle is provided, in which an exterior surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof.

Abstract: A shingle, a method of making it, and a roof embodying the shingle is provided, in which an exterior surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof.

Abstract: A shingle, a method of making it, and a roof embodying the shingle is provided, in which an exterior surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of foam backing panels for use with lap siding and configured for mounting on a building. Also disclosed are lap siding assemblies and products of lap sidings. One such embodiment of the foam backing panel comprises a rear face configured to contact the building, a front face configured for attachment to the lap siding, alignment means for aligning the lap siding relative to the building, means for providing a shadow line, opposing vertical side edges, a top face extending between a top edge of the front face and rear face and a bottom face extending between a bottom edge of the front face and rear face.

Abstract: A roofing shingle includes a shingle body having a buttlap portion with a butt edge and a headlap portion with a head edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. An exposure zone extends from the butt edge toward the headlap portion and is configured to be exposed to the environment when the shingle is installed on a roof. A water impermeable sheet is attached to the shingle body and has a width, length, first end and second end. The width extends from between about the butt and head edges to beyond the head edge of the shingle body. The length extends from between about the first and second side edges to beyond the first side edge. The sheet is formed from a different material than the shingle body.

Abstract: The present invention relates particularly to photovoltaic roofing products for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy and provides inside corner flashings useful for flashing photovoltaic roofing systems in which photovoltaic roofing elements are disposed in a staggered configuration.

Abstract: A roof vent and a roof structure are described. A roof vent can include a baffle with a cross-section where a first portion extends upward from a bottom plate and a second portion extends from the first portion to define a space between the bottom plate and the second portion. A roof structure may or may not have a roof deck, and comprises a plurality of roof cover elements with a radiant barrier layer underneath the top surfaces of at least some of the roof cover elements. In another embodiment, a roof structure may comprise more sheathing layer vent members than roof cover layer vent members. In yet another embodiment, a roof structure may comprise a layer of roof tiles with at least one vent member, the vent member comprising lateral end portions of a base member with a non-planar profile to engage a similar profile of an adjacent roof cover element.

Abstract: A roofing shingle has a shingle body with at least a top layer having a buttlap portion with a butt edge and a headlap portion. An exposure zone extends from the butt edge toward the headlap portion is configured to be exposed to the environment when the roofing shingle is installed on a roof. A shadow formation may be located in the exposure zone of the top layer. The shadow formation and the exposure zone differ from each other in at least one aspect, such as color. The top layer may be substantially rectangular and have no tabs formed along the butt edge. A thickness of the exposure zone and a thickness of the shadow formation may be substantially identical. The shadow formation may be a simulated cut out, slit or slot.

Abstract: A plurality of hip, ridge or rake shingles, and the shingles produced thereby and stacks and packages of such shingles are provided. An adhesive impregnated mat is moved longitudinally, and granules are provided onto adhesive, in predetermined bands. An overlay band of adhesive, continuous or discontinuous is provided, with granules thereon, increasing the thickness of the shingle material being made, in predetermined bands, relative to the remainder of the shingle material. The shingle material is slit longitudinally, and one portion can be laminated to another portion, preferably creating a multiple-ply laminated shingle material with thickened overlay portions and optionally with shadow line portions. The material is then slit longitudinally, and cut transversely into a plurality of hip, ridge or rake shingles, which may be individually separated from each other, or which may comprise a plurality of connected together shingles. The shingles are then stacked and wrapped.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to roofing products. The present invention relates more particularly to roofing products for use with photovoltaic elements, and to photovoltaic systems that include one or more photovoltaic elements joined to a roofing substrate. In one embodiment, a roofing product includes a flexible roofing substrate having a top surface, the top surface having one or more granule-coated zones thereon capable of acting as a receptor zone or an exposure zone, each zone being adapted to receive one or more photovoltaic elements; and an adhesive suitable for securing photovoltaic elements to one or more of the granule-coated zones, the adhesive capable of forming a bond to the granules and the top surface of the flexible roofing substrate and to the bottom surface of the photovoltaic elements.

Abstract: A method of producing laminated roofing shingles is provided, wherein the shingles are of a dragon's tooth type, and shingles made in accordance with the method, and packages of such shingles.

Abstract: A roofing shingle includes an underlay sheet, an overlay sheet, and a structural lattice layer bonded between the underlay sheet and the overlay sheet.

Abstract: Roof tile systems for structures are provided. A representative system (100) includes a solar panel tile (102) having a top side (121) for facing away from a structure, a bottom side (122) for facing lower side (126) for facing the downslope direction, the solar panel (150), the solar panel tile (102) having a first rib (131, 132, 133, 134) extending across the cavity (128); and a solar panel (150) mounted within the cavity (128) and supported by the first rib (131, 132, 133, 134) such that the solar panel tile (102) being a first of multiple solar panel tiles (102), with the multiple tiles being operative to engage in a side-by- side arrangement to form at least a partial course of tiles of the system (100).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic roofing products for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. One aspect of the invention is a photovoltaic roofing element comprising: a flexible roofing substrate; a photovoltaic element disposed on the flexible roofing substrate; and an electrical connector operatively coupled to the photovoltaic element, wherein the flexible roofing substrate has formed therein a recess shaped to at least partially receive the electrical connector.