U.S. patent application number 13/423660 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-12 for shingle with photovoltaic element(s) and array of same laid up on a roof.
This patent application is currently assigned to CERTAINTEED CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Gregory F. Jacobs, Husnu M. Kalkanoglu.
Application Number | 20120174505 13/423660 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38621138 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120174505 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jacobs; Gregory F. ; et
al. |
July 12, 2012 |
Shingle with Photovoltaic Element(s) and Array of Same Laid Up on a
Roof
Abstract
A shingle having butt and tab portions is provided, wherein the
tab portions are exposed when applied to a roof, and wherein active
photovoltaic element(s) appear on portions only of the tab portions
of the shingles, wherein adjacent zones of the tab portions of the
shingles to which the photovoltaic element(s) are applied are free
of active photovoltaic elements. The shingles are applied to a roof
or a major portion of a roof, laid up in courses so that exposed
tab portions of next-overlying courses cover unexposed butt
portions of next-underlying courses, leaving photovoltaic elements
exposed. In an array of shingles on a roof, the photovoltaic
elements are distributed substantially uniformally. The surface
ornamentation of the exposed surfaces of the photovoltaic elements
may be either complementary to the exposed surfaces of the shingles
not having photovoltaic elements thereon, or may blend with such
zones not having photovoltaic elements thereon.
Inventors: |
Jacobs; Gregory F.;
(Oreland, PA) ; Kalkanoglu; Husnu M.; (Swarthmore,
PA) |
Assignee: |
CERTAINTEED CORPORATION
Valley Forge
PA
|
Family ID: |
38621138 |
Appl. No.: |
13/423660 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11412160 |
Apr 26, 2006 |
8168880 |
|
|
13423660 |
|
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|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/173.3 ;
136/259; 29/890.033 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49355 20150115;
Y02B 10/20 20130101; H02S 20/25 20141201; Y02B 10/10 20130101; Y02E
10/50 20130101; E04D 1/26 20130101; E04D 2001/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/173.3 ;
136/259; 29/890.033 |
International
Class: |
E04D 13/18 20060101
E04D013/18; H01L 31/18 20060101 H01L031/18; H01L 31/0203 20060101
H01L031/0203 |
Claims
1. A shingle comprising at least one layer of shingle material; the
shingle material having top and bottom surfaces, upper and lower
edges defining the shingle height, and right and left edges
defining the shingle width; the shingle having a butt portion
extending from the upper edge toward the lower edge and between the
right and left edges and being adapted to be substantially covered
when installed on a roof; the shingle having a tab portion
extending from the lower edge toward the upper edge and between the
right and left edges and being adapted to be substantially exposed
when installed on a roof; the top surface of the tab portion of the
shingle having a plurality of visually distinct zones serially
arranged between said right and left edges; said visually distinct
zones comprising at least one of (i) zones of different material
thicknesses; (ii) zones of different numbers of layers of shingle
material; (iii) zones of different numbers of overlay; (iv) zones
of different colors; (v) zones of different combinations of colors;
(vi) zones of different surface ornamentation; (vii) combinations
of any of (i) through (vi) above; wherein at least one said zone
includes an active photovoltaic element of predetermined height and
width; wherein said at least one zone that includes an active
photovoltaic element having any zones that are adjacent thereto
being free of an active photovoltaic element; and with the
aggregate area of the total number of the at least one photovoltaic
element on the tab portion of the shingle being less than half the
tab portion area of the shingle.
2. The shingle of claim 1, wherein the visually distinct zones
comprise zones of different material thicknesses.
3. The shingle of claim 1, wherein the visually distinct zones
comprise zones of different numbers of layers of shingle
material.
4. The shingle of claim 1, wherein the visually distinct zones
comprise zones of different numbers of overlay.
5. The shingle of claim 1, wherein the visually distinct zones
comprise zones of different colors.
6. The shingle of claim 1, wherein the visually distinct zones
comprise zones of different combinations of colors.
7. The shingle of claim 1, wherein the visually distinct zones
comprise zones of different surface ornamentation.
8. The shingle of claim 1, wherein the tab portion of the shingle
comprises a plurality of spaced-apart tabs separated by slots
between tabs, and wherein a photovoltaic element substantially
covers a said tab.
9. The shingle of claim 1, wherein the shingle includes at least
one laminated layer of shingle material disposed on top of at least
a tab portion of the at least one layer of shingle material; and
wherein said photovoltaic element is on the tab portion of the at
least one laminated layer of shingle material.
10. The shingle of claim 1, wherein the shingle includes at least
one overlay disposed on top of at least a tab portion of the at
least one layer of shingle material; and wherein said photovoltaic
element is on the tab portion of the at least one overlay.
11. A roof having an array of shingles according to claim 1,
wherein the shingles are disposed on a sloped roof in lapped
relation, in a plurality of courses, with successive courses of
shingles of an overlying course having its tab portions overlying
butt portions of the shingles of a next-underlying course; with the
active photovoltaic elements of the shingles being distributed
substantially uniformly over a major portion of a roof to which
they are applied.
12. A roof according to claim 11, with the active photovoltaic
elements of the shingles being distributed substantially uniformly
over substantially the entire roof to which they are applied.
13. A roof according to claim 11, wherein the zones of the shingles
having active photovoltaic elements thereon visually complement the
visually distinct zones of the shingles not having active
photovoltaic elements thereon.
14. A roof according to claim 11, wherein the zones of the shingles
having active photovoltaic elements thereon visually blend with the
visually distinct zones of the shingles not having active
photovoltaic elements thereon.
15. A roof according to claim 11, where the active photovoltaic
elements in the array are electrically interconnected via a
plurality of electrical connections.
16. A roof according to claim 15, including an inverter, to which
the photovoltaic elements are connected, and a breaker box, to
which the inverter is electrically connected.
17. A roof comprising a plurality of shingles, wherein the shingles
are disposed on a sloped roof in lapped relation, in a plurality of
courses, with successive courses of shingles of an overlying course
having its tab portions overlying butt portions of the shingles of
a next-underlying course, with at least some of said shingles
comprising: (i) zones of different material thicknesses; (ii) zones
of different numbers of layers of shingle material; (iii) zones of
different numbers of overlay; (iv) zones of different colors; (v)
zones of different combinations of colors; (vi) zones of different
surface ornamentation; (vii) combinations of any of (i) through
(vi) above; wherein at least one said zone includes an active
photovoltaic element of predetermined height and width; wherein
said at least one zone that includes an active photovoltaic element
having any zones that are adjacent thereto being free of an active
photovoltaic element; and with the aggregate width of the total
number of the at least one photovoltaic element or the tab portion
of the shingle being less than half the shingle width.
18. A method of making a shingle, comprising the steps of providing
at least one layer of shingle material having top and bottom
surfaces, upper and lower edges defining the shingle height, and
right and left edges defining the shingle width; with the shingle
having a butt portion extending from the upper edge toward the
lower edge and between the right and left edges and being adapted
to be substantially covered when installed on a roof; with the
shingle having a tab portion extending from the lower edge toward
the upper edge and between the right and left edges and being
adapted to be substantially exposed when installed on a roof; with
the top surface of the tab portion of the shingle having a
plurality of visually distinct zones; arranging the visually
distinct zones serially between right and left edges of the
shingle; with the visually distinct zones comprising at least one
of; (i) zones of different material thicknesses; (ii) zones of
different numbers of layers of shingle material; (iii) zones of
different numbers of overlay; (iv) zones of different colors; (v)
zones of different combinations of colors; (vi) zones of different
surface ornamentation; (vii) combinations of any of (i) through
(vi) above; including the step of providing at least one said zone
with an active photovoltaic element of predetermined height and
width; wherein the at least one zone that includes an active
photovoltaic element having any zones that are adjacent thereto
being free of an active photovoltaic element; and with the
aggregate width of the total number of the at least one
photovoltaic element of the shingle being less than half the
shingle width.
19. A method of making a roof in accordance with claim 11.
20. A method of making a shingle in accordance with claim 1.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/412,160,
filed Apr. 26, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is herein
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known to provide photovoltaic panels on a roof, to
receive energy from the sun and to transform that energy into
electrical energy for providing heat, for heating water, or for any
of the other myriad uses that electrical energy can provide in a
residence, office building, warehouse, or other structure.
[0003] It is also known that such photovoltaic panels can be bulky,
unsightly, or otherwise undesirable in appearance, as well as
expensive in their installation and use. Frequently, such panels
need to be faced toward the direction at which the maximum amount
of sun will impinge thereon, which may not be best direction for
such panels to face to maximize aesthetic effects on a roof.
[0004] More recently, it has become known to integrate photovoltaic
elements into roofing materials, such as shingles or the like,
wherein certain shingles on a roof will have photovoltaic elements
on their surfaces, comprising a roof zone or plurality of zones,
wherein sunlight can create electricity, by having those particular
shingles facing in a direction of the sun that will maximize
exposure of the photovoltaic coated shingles to the sun.
THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed to providing photovoltaic
elements on shingles, with the shingles preferably being of asphalt
shingle construction, having exposed tab portions and unexposed
headlap portions. The photovoltaic elements are preferably applied
as an overlay or attached to a shingle surface by means of a
suitable adhesive bonding material.
[0006] In accordance with this invention, only a portion of the tab
zones of the shingles are provided with active photovoltaic
material leaving photoactive portions and non-photoactive portions
so that the overall variegation of the shingles, when applied to a
roof, are blended together to provide a desirable appearance, in
that the active photovoltaic elements on the shingles are spread
over, or distributed over the entirety of a large area of the
roof.
[0007] Additionally, in accordance with this invention, by having
only portions of the tab zones of the shingles being comprised of
active photovoltaic material, the photovoltaic zones exist over a
wide area of the roof so that, in case a portion of the roof is
obscured, by shadows, trees, or the like, there would always be
other portions of the roof with the photovoltaic elements on the
shingles on those other portions of the roof that are impinged by
available light/sun, to enable energy generation.
[0008] Also, in accordance with this invention, granule blends can
be used to achieve complementary color arrangements between the
photovoltaic elements and the non-active portions of the exposed
parts of the shingle.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is directed to providing a shingle
having butt and tab portions, wherein the tab portions are exposed
when applied to a roof, and wherein active photovoltaic element(s)
appear on portions only of the tab portions of the shingles,
wherein adjacent zones of the tab portions of the shingles to which
the photovoltaic element(s) are applied are free of active
photovoltaic elements.
[0010] Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to
provide a shingle as described in the summary of invention set
forth above. It is a further object of this invention to provide a
novel array of shingles on a roof, wherein the shingles in the
array are as described in the summary of invention set forth
above.
[0011] It is yet another object of this invention to accomplish the
above objects, wherein the shingle(s) are of the asphalt shingle
type, comprising base mat, impregnated with a bituminous material
and having surface granules thereon.
[0012] It is a further object of this invention to accomplish the
above objects, wherein the active photovoltaic element(s) are
distributed substantially uniformally over a major portion of a
roof to which they are applied.
[0013] It is yet another object of this invention to accomplish the
above objects, wherein the active photovoltaic element(s) visually
complement the visually distinct zones of the shingles that do not
have active photovoltaic elements thereon, or to visually blend
with the visually distinct zones of the shingles not having active
photovoltaic elements thereon.
[0014] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
be readily apparent upon a reading of the following brief
descriptions of the drawing figures, the detailed descriptions of
the preferred embodiments and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front view of a triple layer shingle, in
accordance with this invention, having active photovoltaic elements
disposed on portions of the tab portion of the shingle that are
adapted to be exposed when laid up on a roof.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view
taken generally along the line of II-II of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken
generally along the line of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an array of shingles of the type of FIG. 1, laid
up on a roof wherein the photovoltaic elements are aesthetically
complementary to portions of the exposed tab portions of the
shingles on the roof.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary illustration of a portion of a roof
similar to that of FIG. 4, but wherein the photovoltaic element(s)
aesthetically blend with those zones of the tab portions of
shingles not having active photovoltaic elements thereon, and with
the shingles being of the type of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a front view of a two layer shingle, in accordance
with this invention, having active photovoltaic elements disposed
on portions of the tab portion of the shingle that are adapted to
be exposed when laid up on a roof.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view
taken generally along the line of VII-VII of FIG. 6.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken
generally along the line of VIII-VIII of FIG. 6.
[0023] FIG. 9 is an array of shingles of the type of FIG. 6, laid
up on a roof wherein the photovoltaic elements are aesthetically
complementary to portions of the exposed tab portions of the
shingles on the roof.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a fragmentary illustration of a portion of a roof
similar to that of FIG. 9, but wherein the photovoltaic element(s)
aesthetically blend with those zones of the tab portions of
shingles not having active photovoltaic elements thereon, and with
the shingles being of the type of FIG. 6.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a front view of a single layer shingle, in
accordance with this invention, having active photovoltaic elements
disposed on portions of the tab portion of the shingle that are
adapted to be exposed when laid up on a roof.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view
taken generally along the line of XII-XII of FIG. 11.
[0027] FIG. 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken
generally along the line of XIII-XIII of FIG. 11.
[0028] FIG. 14 is an array of shingles of the type of FIG. 11, laid
up on a roof wherein the photovoltaic elements are aesthetically
complementary to portions of the exposed tab portions of the
shingles on the roof.
[0029] FIG. 15 is a fragmentary illustration of a portion of a roof
similar to that of FIG. 14, but wherein the photovoltaic element(s)
aesthetically blend with those zones of the tab portions of
shingles not having active photovoltaic elements thereon, and with
the shingles being of the type of FIG. 11.
[0030] FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of the electrical
connections of active photovoltaic elements to electrical buss
lines that are laid up on a roof prior to application of the
shingles, wherein wires from the photovoltaic elements extend up
from the tab portions of shingles to which they are applied, across
the headlap portions of those shingles, and along the roof to the
generally vertically disposed buss lines, prior to application of
next-overlying shingles, to openings in the ridge of the roof, and
electrically connected to an inverter and electrical panel within
the building, and with shingles being illustrated in phantom on the
roof, to more clearly illustrate the electrical connections of the
photovoltaic elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5 in detail, it will be
seen that the shingle 20 is a three-layer shingle, comprised of a
posterior layer 21, an anterior layer 22, and a plurality of
overlying shingle layers 23 and 24 on the upper surface of the
anterior layer 22, preferably spaced apart as shown, for example
only, in FIG. 1. It will be understood that the layers 23, 24 can
be placed overlying other portions of the anterior shingle layer 22
as may be desired for different aesthetic effects.
[0032] The shingle 20 has an upper butt or headlap portion 25, and
a lower tab portion 26.
[0033] The anterior shingle layer 22 may have a plurality of slots
30 therein, that may be aesthetically enhanced by cut-out notches
31, 32 and 33 as shown. Right and left edges of one or both shingle
layers 21, 22 of the tab portion 26 of the shingle 20 may be cut
back as shown at 34 and 35, respectively.
[0034] The general construction of the shingle 20 may be as set
forth, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,181,361 and/or
5,209,802.
[0035] Each of shingle layers 21, 22 and 23 will preferably be
comprised of a layer of fiberglass or other mat 36 impregnated with
bitumen and having on its upper and lower surfaces, respectively, a
layer of bitumen 37, 38, with a layer 40 of granules on an upper
surface, and a layer 41 of smaller granular particles, such as
sand, mica, etc. on its lower surface.
[0036] Adhesive layers or spots or stripes 42, 43, which may also
be of a bitumen material, will connect the shingle layers 21, 22
and 23 together. On the top surface of shingle layer 23, as shown
in FIG. 2, is another adhesive layer 44 of bitumen or the like, for
securing thereto photovoltaic elements 45. The photovoltaic
elements 45 are adapted to receive solar energy and to generate
electricity therein for delivery to an electricity grid within the
house or other building, as will be described hereinafter, or in
some other manner.
[0037] With reference to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the
photovoltaic element 45 has a connector 46, to which are connected
electric transmission wires 47, 48.
[0038] With reference to FIG. 1 it will be seen that the
cross-hatching 50 shown on the tab portions 26 of the anterior
shingle layer 22 are shown all in the same direction, going
upwardly and to the right, to demonstrate a predetermined aesthetic
appearance for the tabs, whereas the cross-hatching 51 shown in
FIG. 1 for the tab portions of the overlying shingle layers 23, 24
that comprise the photovoltaic elements 45, go in the opposite
direction, or upwardly to the left. This is to illustrate that the
surface shading, granule application, or other aesthetic
presentation 51 for the elements 45 can be complemental to the
aesthetic presentations 50, in order to achieve a complemental
aesthetic effect.
[0039] An alternative would be that the surface appearances for the
elements 45 could be selected to be substantially the same as the
surface appearances 50 for the tab portions of the shingle layer 22
that are visible when installed, to give a substantially homogenous
effect.
[0040] It will also be understood that the tab portions (lower
portions) of the shingle layer 22 and/or of shingle layers 23, 24
will be visually distinct, either by the surface application, by
separation by means of slots 27, 28, 30 or the like, by different
material thicknesses, different numbers of layers of shingle
material, different numbers of overlay, different colors, different
combinations of colors, different surface ornamentation, or
combinations of any of the forgoing. It will also be understood
that there will generally be spacings apart of the photovoltaic
elements 45, across the shingle 20, leaving spaces in the tab zones
thereof that are free of active photovoltaic elements, and that the
aggregated width from left to right across a shingle 20, of all of
its photovoltaic element(s) will be less than half the shingle
width.
[0041] With reference now to FIG. 4, it will be seen that shingles
20 of the type illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 are shown laid up in
courses on a sloped roof, in lapped relation, with successive
courses of shingles of an overlying course having their tab
portions overlying butt portions of the shingles of a
next-underlying course, and with active photovoltaic elements 51
for the shingles being distributed substantially uniformally over
at least a major portion of the roof 53 to which they are applied,
and preferably over substantially the entire roof to which they are
applied. At the upper end of the roof 53 of FIG. 4 there is
provided a roof ventilator 54 covering the ridge 55 of the
roof.
[0042] In the array of shingles illustrated in FIG. 4, it will be
seen that the elements 51 applied to the shingles 20 are selected
to be complemental to the rest of the visible surfaces of the
shingles, rather than uniform therewith.
[0043] In FIG. 5, there is a fragmentary illustration similar to a
portion of the roof illustrated in FIG. 4, but wherein the elements
51 have been selected to visually blend with the visually distinct
zones of the installed shingles not having active photovoltaic
elements thereon.
[0044] With reference now to FIGS. 6 through 10, shingles in
accordance with this invention are presented, that differ from the
shingles illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, in that the shingles of FIGS.
6-10 are essentially two-layer shingles, as distinguished from the
three-layer shingles of FIGS. 1-5. Thus, the shingles 60 of FIGS.
6-10 are comprised of a posterior shingle layer 61, and an anterior
shingle layer 62, each of which layers are constructed similar to
those layers 21, 22 and 23 described above, so that such
description need not be duplicated herein. However, the shingle
layers 61 and 62 are adhesively connected at 63, and there is an
adhesive 64 for connecting photovoltaic element(s) 65 thereto. Each
photovoltaic element 65, similar to the photovoltaic element(s) 45
of the above-discussed embodiment, likewise has a connector 66 and
electrical connection wires 67 and 68 for connection to an electric
grid, as described herein for the previous embodiment.
[0045] The complemental surface configurations shown in FIG. 6, for
the different visual appearances 70 and 71 corresponds,
respectively, to the different complemental surface appearances 50
and 51 for the embodiment of FIG. 1, and need not be repeated
herein. Similarly, the respective surface appearances 70 and 71
that are complementally illustrated in the array of shingles
illustrated in FIG. 9 correspond to those 50 and 51 in the
embodiment of FIG. 4, and need not be repeated herein. Similarly,
the blending of surface appearances 70 and 71 for the fragmental
illustration of FIG. 10 is similar to that 50 and 51 illustrated in
FIG. 5, and need not be repeated herein.
[0046] For the construction of the individual shingles for the
embodiment of FIGS. 6-10, such can be constructed similar to that
set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,660,014 and/or 5,426,902, for
example.
[0047] With reference now to the embodiment of FIGS. 11-15, it will
be seen that the shingle generally designated 80 therein, will be
comprised of a single layer 81 of shingle material, constructed in
a manner similar to each of layers 21, 22 and 23 of the embodiment
of FIGS. 1-5, and with an adhesive 82 applied to an upper surface
thereof, for securing thereto a photovoltaic element 83 of the same
type as in the embodiments previously discussed for FIGS. 4-10. The
photovoltaic element 83 likewise has a connector portion 84
extending up into the headlap portion 85 of the shingle 80, as do
the previously discussed embodiments, and with the connector 84
having electric wires 86, 87 connected thereto, for connection to
an electric grid as will be discussed hereinafter.
[0048] The shingles 80 of the embodiment of FIGS. 11-15, could for
example, be constructed in accordance with the overlay teachings of
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,295,445 and/or 4,352,837, if desired.
[0049] It will be apparent that in FIG. 11, the surface
configurations for the tab portions (of the shingle layers 81 and
for the photovoltaic elements 83 are complemental to each other, as
discussed for the previous embodiments, to yield, in the laid-up
array of shingles of FIG. 14, active photovoltaic elements that are
arranged to visually complement the visually distinct zones of the
shingles to which they are applied and which do not have active
photovoltaic elements thereon, similar to the presentations of
FIGS. 4 and 9 discussed above, with the active photovoltaic
elements 83 being distributed substantially uniformally over a
major portion of and preferably over substantially the entire roof
88 to which they are applied.
[0050] With reference to FIG. 15, it will be seen that the
photovoltaic elements 83 are applied such that their upper surfaces
as shown, visually blend with the visually distinct zones of the
shingles not having active photovoltaic elements thereon, as shown
by the similar cross-hatching at 81, 83, in FIG. 15.
[0051] With reference now to FIG. 16, a typical or representative
arrangement is illustrated for the electrical connection together
of the various photovoltaic elements.
[0052] The arrangement of FIG. 16 will now be described with
reference to the numerals used for describing the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-5, although it will be understood that the arrangement of
FIG. 16 can apply as well to the shingles as described in the
embodiment of FIGS. 6-10 and the embodiment of FIGS. 11-15, as
well.
[0053] In FIG. 16 it will be seen that the elements 45, each have
their electric connection wires 47, 48, electrically connected to
electric lines 90, 91, running in a series of generally vertical
grids, up along the sloped surface of a roof 53, as shown, with the
grid wires 90, 91 in turn being connected through a ridge opening,
to electric connection wires 93, 94, that in turn may be connected
to an inverter 95 that, in turn is connected via wiring 96, 97 to a
control box 98 in the house, warehouse, office building or other
structure, for supplying electricity to various electricity-using
appliances within the structure illustrated in FIG. 16.
[0054] In the illustration of FIG. 16, while the photovoltaic
elements 45 for the shingles 20 are shown, the shingles 20 of FIGS.
1-5 are not illustrated, for the sake of clarity, except to the
extent that they are illustrated in phantom at a few locations at
100 in FIG. 16. This is because, in the representative embodiment
of FIG. 16 for electrically connecting the photovoltaic elements
45, it will be seen that the wires 47, 48, travel up into the
headlap portions of the shingles on which they are mounted, to
transcend above the upper edges of the headlap portions of those
shingles, as shown, for example, at 101 in the lower right corner
of FIG. 16, to then pass laterally for electrical connection to the
wires 90, 91, so that, preferably, no wiring will have to pass
through a shingle, per se, in that a next-overlying shingle such as
that illustrated in phantom 100 will then cover the wiring of the
underlying shingle, and that therefor, as successive courses of
shingles are applied to a roof, the wiring associated with the
photovoltaic elements 45 of a previously applied course of shingles
will be covered by the next-overlying course of shingles and that
all of the photovoltaic elements 45 will be connected together in
the grid shown in FIG. 16, for example.
[0055] It should be understood that variations of the electrical
connections could be made, within the scope of this invention. For
example, while FIG. 16 illustrates an array having a series of
generally vertical grids for the electrical connections with system
connections by way of a ridge opening, alternative embodiments
could have other orientation, such as for example, generally
horizontal grids with system connections at an edge of a roof or a
roof portion. For example, the electrical connections could proceed
to a rake or valley in the roof structure, or to other locations in
a complex roof, while preferably avoiding the necessity of making a
number of additional openings or holes through the roof and/or its
shingles.
[0056] It will be apparent from the foregoing that various
modifications may be made in the details of construction as well as
in the use and operation of shingles and their arrays, in
accordance with the present invention, all within the spirit and
scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
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