Photovoltaic roofing elements, photovoltaic roofing systems, methods and kits

A photovoltaic roofing element disposed on a roof deck, the photovoltaic roofing element comprising

• a roofing substrate including a top end disposed toward the top end of the roof deck, and a bottom end disposed toward the bottom end of the roof deck, the roofing substrate including an upward-facing zone having an upward-facing surface, a downward-facing surface and a bottom end;
• a lateral flexible zone extending adjacent the bottom end of the upward-facing zone along the entire width of the upward facing zone, the lateral flexible zone having a bottom end;
• and a strip of material disposed at the bottom end of the lateral flexible zone along the entire width of the lateral flexible zone, the strip of material having a first surface on the same side of the roofing substrate as the upward-facing surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and a height of at least 2 cm as measured along a line from the top end to the bottom end of the roofing substrate,
• wherein the first surface of the strip of material is disposed facing downward, the upward-facing surface of the upward-facing zone of the roofing substrate is disposed facing upward, and the lateral flexible zone is bent to fold the strip of material under the upward-facing zone such that the second surface of the strip of material faces upward and is disposed in contact with the downward-facing surface of the upward-facing zone, and
• wherein the strip of material is attached to the roof deck and disposed on top of an underlying photovoltaic roofing element;
• and
• a photovoltaic element disposed on the upward-facing surface of the upward facing zone of the roofing substrate.