Shingle with photovoltaic element(s) and array of same laid up on a roof
US8168880B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 1, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49355
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A shingle having butt and tab portions is provided, wherein the tab portions are exposed when applied to a roof, and wherein active photovoltaic element(s) appear on portions only of the tab portions of the shingles, wherein adjacent zones of the tab portions of the shingles to which the photovoltaic element(s) are applied are free of active photovoltaic elements. The shingles are applied to a roof or a major portion of a roof, laid up in courses so that exposed tab portions of next-overlying courses cover unexposed butt portions of next-underlying courses, leaving photovoltaic elements exposed. In an array of shingles on a roof, the photovoltaic elements are distributed substantially uniformally. The surface ornamentation of the exposed surfaces of the photovoltaic elements may be either complementary to the exposed surfaces of the shingles not having photovoltaic elements thereon, or may blend with such zones not having photovoltaic elements thereon.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.