# US 8,539,734 B2 · Roof truss compatible for solar panels > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,539,734 B2 - Document ID: US8539734B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/771,080 - Filed: 2013-02-20 - Published: 2013-06-27 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2010-04-15 - Assignees: Eco Solar Generation, LLC - Applicants: Eco Solar Generation, LLC - Inventors: Robert E. Heisler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8539734B2 ## CPC - E04B 7/18: Special structures in or on roofs, e.g. dormer windows (in connection with roof coverings E04D13/00, especially domes E04D13/03) - E04B 7/022: {consisting of a plurality of parallel similar trusses or portal frames} - E04B 7/04: supported by horizontal beams or the equivalent resting on the walls (E04B7/06 takes precedence) - E04D 3/30: of metal - E04D 3/366: by closing the space between the slabs or sheets by gutters, bulges, or bridging elements, e.g. strips - E04D 13/0477: {Underroof drainage layers (layers permitting turfing of the roof E04D11/002)} - F24S 20/67: in the form of roof constructions (in the form of shingles or tiles F24S20/69) - F24S 25/40: using plate-like mounting elements, e.g. profiled or corrugated plates; Plate-like module frames (extending in directions away from a supporting surface F24S25/10) - F24S 25/61: for fixing to the ground or to building structures - H02S 20/23: specially adapted for roof structures - F24S 2025/014: {Methods for installing support elements} - Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV] - Y02B 10/20: Solar thermal - Y02E 10/44: Heat exchange systems - Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - E04D: ROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS (coverings of outer walls by plaster or other porous material E04F13/00) - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A roof truss compatible for solar energy panels, and a method for installing the roof trusses, incorporates a non-structural top chord that may have a removable portion removed and replaced by a solar assembly. The truss is structurally designed to support the solar assembly without the presence of the non-structural top chord. A desired length of the non-structural top chord may be omitted or removed during manufacture of the truss, or may be removed at a future time for installation of solar panel assemblies. A solar assembly for inserting into the solar roof truss may include a panel enclosure which has a channel for holding a solar panel, where the panel is installed approximately flush with the roof line. The panel enclosure may have an air space underneath the solar panel, to allow for cooling air flow and water drainage. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for installing solar panels into a roof, comprising: installing a roof truss, the roof truss comprising: a structural top chord having a first upper surface; and a non-structural top chord above the structural top chord, wherein the non-structural top chord has a second upper surface, wherein a line extending along the second upper surface from a peak to a heel of the roof truss defines a roof line, and wherein the non-structural top chord comprises a partial length and a removable portion; wherein the roof truss is designed to accommodate the weight of a solar panel assembly after the removable portion of the non-structural top chord is removed; and providing end surfaces facing and spaced apart from both sides of the roof truss; wherein when the removable portion is removed, a recessed space is established having dimensions defined by a) the length of the removed portion of the non-structural top chord, b) a height from the first upper surface to the second upper surface, and c) a width spanning between the end surfaces; and wherein the recessed space is suitable for holding a solar panel assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the non-structural top chord further comprises a full length extending from the peak to the heel of the roof truss, and wherein the full length is divided into the partial length and the removable portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: covering the roof truss with a roofing material; taking off the roofing material in a desired section at a future time after the step of covering; and cutting the non-structural top chord into the partial length and the removable portion after the step of taking off the roofing material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the partial length is located at the peak of the truss. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the partial length is provided during manufacture of the truss, and wherein the removable portion is a space extending from the partial length to the gutter line of the truss. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the solar panel assembly comprises: a panel enclosure having a bottom and two opposite side walls; a channel positioned near an upper edge of each of the side walls, wherein the channel is capable of receiving a solar panel; and a solar panel placed in the channel of the panel enclosure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein the solar panel assembly comprises a plurality of panel enclosures, the method further comprising the steps of: positioning a backing sheet on the first upper surface in the recessed space; placing the plurality of panel enclosures onto the backing sheet; and joining adjacent panel enclosures together and to the backing sheet with joining elements. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of positioning a backing sheet over the first upper surface in the recessed space. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of installing a panel enclosure into the recessed space, where the panel enclosure has a side wall, wherein the side wall has a channel near an upper edge of the side wall, and wherein the channel is capable of receiving a solar panel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of installing a solar panel into the recessed space, wherein the solar panel is approximately flush with the roof line. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of installing a solar panel into the recessed space, wherein the solar panel is positioned to provide a gap below the solar panel, wherein the air space allows air or fluid flow to a gutter line of the roof.