Photovoltaic building assembly with continuous insulation layer

A photovoltaic (PV) building assembly comprising:

• a building support surface;
• a continuous, sprayed-on foam insulation layer covering the building support surface, said insulation layer comprising an outer surface;
• a plurality of PV modules;
• a plurality of PV module support assemblies, each said support assembly comprising:
• a base embedded within the continuous insulation layer so said base is spaced-apart from the outer surface of said insulation layer;
• an outer portion extending from the base and supporting said PV module at a position spaced-apart from the insulation layer;
• means for securing the PV module support assembly to the building support surface;
• said outer portion being sized and configured to provide a cooling air cavity between the PV module and the outer surface of the insulation layer;
• and
• said plurality of said PV modules and PV module support assemblies forming an array of said PV modules.

A method for supporting a photovoltaic (PV) module over a building surface comprising:

• providing a PV assembly comprising a PV module support assembly, including a base and an outer portion, and PV module;
• positioning the base adjacent to a building surface;
• securing the base to the building surface, said securing step being at least partially carried out by applying a continuous insulation layer over and to the base and the building surface thereby embedding the base within the insulation layer with a part of the outer portion extending past an outer surface of the insulation layer;
• and
• mounting the PV module to said part of the outer portion.

A photovoltaic (PV) building assembly comprising:

• a building support surface;
• a continuous insulation layer covering a chosen area of the building support surface, said insulation layer comprising an outer surface;
• a PV module;
• a PV module support assembly comprising:
• a base embedded within the continuous insulation layer so at least a portion of said base is spaced-apart from the outer surface of said insulation layer;
• and
• an outer portion extending from the base and supporting said PV module at a position spaced-apart from the insulation layer;
• means for securing the PV module support assembly to the building support surface;
• and
• wherein said outer portion comprises a body, to which the PV module is secured, a stand-off situated between the body and the insulation layer, and a hold-down biasing the body towards the insulation layer.

A photovoltaic (PV) building assembly comprising:

• a building support surface;
• a continuous insulation layer covering a chosen area of the building support surface, said insulation layer comprising an outer surface;
• a PV module;
• a PV module support assembly comprising:
• a base embedded within the continuous insulation layer so at least a portion of said base is spaced-apart from the outer surface of said insulation layer;
• and
• an outer portion extending from the base and supporting said PV module at a position spaced-apart from the insulation layer;
• means for securing the PV module support assembly to the building support surface;
• wherein the base embedded within the continuous insulation layer at least partially serves as said securing means;
• and
• wherein said base has through-holes formed therein.

A photovoltaic (PV) building assembly comprising:

• a building support surface;
• a continuous insulation layer covering a chosen area of the building support surface, said insulation layer comprising an outer surface;
• a PV module;
• a PV module support assembly comprising:
• a base embedded within the continuous insulation layer so at least a portion of said base is spaced-apart from the outer surface of said insulation layer;
• and
• an outer portion extending from the base and supporting said PV module at a position spaced-apart from the insulation layer;
• means for securing the PV module support assembly to the building support surface;
• and
• wherein the base lies against the building surface.

A photovoltaic (PV) building assembly comprising:

• a building support surface;
• a continuous insulation layer covering a chosen area of the building support surface, said insulation layer comprising an outer surface;
• a PV module;
• a PV module support assembly comprising:
• a base embedded within the continuous insulation layer so at least a portion of said base is spaced-apart from the outer surface of said insulation layer;
• and
• an outer portion extending from the base and supporting said PV module at a position spaced-apart from the insulation layer;
• means for securing the PV module support assembly to the building support surface;
• and
• a thermal energy collector mounted between the PV module and the outer surface of the insulation layer.

A photovoltaic (PV) building assembly comprising:

• a building support surface;
• a continuous insulation layer covering a chosen area of the building support surface, said insulation layer comprising an outer surface;
• a PV module;
• a PV module support assembly comprising:
• a base embedded within the continuous insulation layer so at least a portion of said base is spaced-apart from the outer surface of said insulation layer;
• and
• an outer portion extending from the base and supporting said PV module at a position spaced-apart from the insulation layer;
• means for securing the PV module support assembly to the building support surface;
• and
• a wire conduit embedded within the continuous insulation layer.

A photovoltaic (PV) building assembly comprising:

• a building support surface;
• a continuous insulation layer covering a chosen area of the building support surface, said insulation layer comprising an outer surface;
• a plurality of PV modules;
• a plurality of PV module support assemblies each comprising:
• a base embedded within the continuous insulation layer so at least a portion of said base is spaced-apart from the outer surface of said insulation layer;
• and
• an outer portion extending from the base and supporting said PV module at a position spaced-apart from the insulation layer;
• means for securing the PV module support assemblies to the building support surface;
• the plurality of said PV modules and PV module support assemblies forming an array of said PV modules, said array having a periphery;
• and
• a perimeter unit mounted along said periphery of said array.

A photovoltaic (PV) building assembly comprising:

• a building support surface;
• a continuous insulation layer covering a chosen area of the building support surface, said insulation layer comprising an outer surface;
• a PV module;
• a PV module support assembly comprising:
• a base embedded within the continuous insulation layer so at least a portion of said base is spaced-apart from the outer surface of said insulation layer;
• and
• an outer portion extending from the base and supporting said PV module at a position spaced-apart from the insulation layer;
• means for securing the PV module support assembly to the building support surface;
• and
• wherein said insulation layer comprises a sprayed on foam insulation layer.