System and Method for Transparent Solar Panels

An apparatus comprising:

• a first transparent photovoltaic cell;
• a second transparent photovoltaic cell adjacent to and abutted against the first transparent photovoltaic cell forming a junction between the first transparent photovoltaic cell and the transparent photovoltaic cell;
• a sealing material disposed within the junction;
• a roof decoration located under and viewable through at least one of the first transparent photovoltaic cell and the second transparent photovoltaic cell;
• a mounting frame sized to receive said photovoltaic cell, wherein said mounting frame further includes a base, a plurality of side walls coupled to said base and extending vertically from said base, and a plurality of support structures formed on said base, said plurality of support structures being configured to support said photovoltaic cell above said base;
• wherein said plurality of support structures define at least one vent channel configured to direct air beneath said photovoltaic cell;
• wherein said mounting frame is configured to be securely fastened directly to a roof of a structure and form a vapor barrier on said roof.

An apparatus comprising:

• a first transparent photovoltaic cell;
• a second transparent photovoltaic cell adjacent to and abutted against the first transparent photovoltaic cell forming a junction between the first transparent photovoltaic cell and the transparent photovoltaic cell;
• a sealing material disposed within the junction;
• a roof decoration located under and viewable through at least one of the first transparent photovoltaic cell and the second transparent photovoltaic cell;
• a mounting frame sized to receive said photovoltaic cell, wherein said mounting frame further includes a base, a plurality of side walls coupled to said base and extending vertically from said base, and a plurality of support structures formed on said base, said plurality of support structures being configured to support said photovoltaic cell above said base;
• a non-photovoltaic spacer is adjacent to and abutted against another side of at least one of the first transparent photovoltaic cell and second transparent photovoltaic cell, wherein the non-photovoltaic spacer comprises a lower melting temperature than the first transparent photovoltaic cell;
• the non-photovoltaic spacer is positioned over a ridge of a roof;
• the photovoltaic cell further comprises a gauge sensor;
• the gauge sensor measures an amount of snow on the transparent photovoltaic cell;
• and
• a heating system that melts snow on the transparent photovoltaic cell in respond to a measurement obtained with the gauge sensor;
• wherein said plurality of support structures define at least one vent channel configured to direct air beneath said photovoltaic cell;
• wherein said mounting frame is configured to be securely fastened directly to the roof of a structure and form a vapor barrier on said roof.