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US 2013/0160824 A1Published application
Roof integrated solar module assembly
AssigneeSoloPower, Inc.
InventorsBruce Khouri, Mark Ensor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solar module having a curved surface to facilitate shedding of accumulated snow and water. The module can also be angled to achieve the same. The module includes a housing with a curved or angled upper surface and solar cells are positioned within the housing.
Claims51
A method of installing a rooftop solar system on a roofing surface comprising:
- affixing an array of base elements including a plurality of fastening members to the roofing surface;
- engaging feet of a module support with the plurality of fastening members of base elements so as to fasten the module support to the base elements on the roofing surface, wherein the module support having a top surface that is convexly curved or angled along a longitudinal axis of the top surface, and wherein the top surface including a major surface portion that is generally separated from a minor surface portion along the longitudinal axis of the top surface;
- and
- attaching a flexible solar module onto the top surface of the module support, the flexible module having a plate like body defined by a top transparent layer disposed over a bottom layer, wherein the bottom layer of the solar module is in physical contact with and is substantially supported by the top surface of the module support by covering the major surface and
- partially covering the minor surface of the top surface so as to leave an exposed access space on the minor surface.
2 more elements
A solar module assembly installed on an application surface, comprising:
- at least two base elements affixed to the application surface, the base elements including a bottom surface and an upper surface, wherein the upper surface includes a plurality of fastening members;
- a module support fastened to the base elements by engaging feet of the module support with the plurality of fastening members, the module support having a top surface that is convexly curved or angled along a longitudinal axis of the top surface, wherein the top surface including a major surface portion that is generally separated from a minor surface portion along the longitudinal axis of the top surface;
- and
- a flexible solar module attached onto the top surface of the module support, the flexible module having a plate like body defined by a top transparent layer disposed over a bottom layer, wherein the bottom layer of the solar module is in physical contact with and is substantially supported by the top surface of the module support by covering the major surface and partially covering the minor surface of the top surface so as to leave and exposed access space on the minor surface.
1 more element
A solar module assembly comprising:
- a first module support member that defines a support surface having a length and a lateral width that is adapted to be positioned on a mounting surface, wherein the first support member extends outward from the mounting surface and wherein the support member is shaped so as to define a first elevated surface and a second elevated surface that intersect at an apex defining the height of the elevated surfaces;
- a first flexible solar module that is mounted on the first support member so as to extend over at least some of the first elevated surface;
- and
- a securing assembly that secures the first module support member to the mounting surface.
1 more element
A solar module assembly comprising:
- a first module support member that defines a support surface with an elevated surface having a length and a lateral width that is adapted to be positioned on a mounting surface, wherein the first support member extends outward from the mounting surface;
- a first flexible solar module that is mounted on the first support member so as to extend over at least one of the first elevated surface;
- a securing assembly that secures the first support member to the mounting surface wherein the first module support member has first and second foot members at the ends of the first module support member that secure the first support member to the mounting surface;
- and
- a plurality of support members that engage with the first module support member so as to extend between the first module support member and the mounting surface, wherein the plurality of support members extend in rows across the lateral width of the elevated surface.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.