Photovoltaic array with array-roof integration member

1. A photovoltaic apparatus comprising: a support structure attached to a surface of a sloped roof;

a plurality of photovoltaic modules having a frame surrounding a periphery of the photovoltaic module attached to the support structure; and a first array-roof integration member that is attached to the surface of the roof and to a lower side of the frame of a first photovoltaic module in the plurality of photovoltaic modules, and extending at an angle outwardly away from the plurality of photovoltaic modules and the support structure;

the first array-roof integration member covering a gap between the first photovoltaic module and the surface of the roof, the first array-roof integration member comprising a flexible member that follows a contour of the sloped roof and has a plurality of air vents.

2. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first-array roof integration member comprises a top portion that is attached to the lower side of the frame of the first photovoltaic module and a bottom portion that is attached to the surface of the roof.

3. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first-array roof integration member has a curved surface.

4. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first array-roof integration member contacts only one side of the frame of the first photovoltaic module.

5. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of air vents provide a predetermined minimum net free vent area.

6. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a clear backsheet in each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules; and

areas on each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules through which the backsheet is visible.

7. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first photovoltaic module has a colored back sheet chosen to complement or match a color of the surface of the roof.

8. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second array-roof integration member that is attached to a second photovoltaic module in the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the second array-roof integration member covering a gap between a rigid frame of the second photovoltaic module and the surface of the roof.

9. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a mechanism at a top of the first array-roof integration member to allow a pivot motion of at least a portion of the first array-roof integration member.

10. The photovoltaic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first array-roof integration member has a same color as the surface of the roof.

11. A method of installing a photovoltaic apparatus on a roof, the method comprising:

attaching a support structure to a top surface of a sloped roof;

attaching a plurality of photovoltaic modules having a frame surrounding a periphery of each photovoltaic module to the support structure; and attaching a first array-roof integration member to the surface of the roof and to a lower side of a frame of a first of the photovoltaic module in the plurality of photovoltaic modules so as to follow a contour of the top surface of the roof, the first array-roof integration member extending at an angle outwardly away from the plurality of photovoltaic modules and the support structure;

the first array-roof integration member comprising a flexible member with a plurality of air vents.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

attaching a second array-roof integration member to a second photovoltaic module in the plurality of photovoltaic modules so as to cover a gap that extends between the second photovoltaic module and the top surface of the roof.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality photovoltaic modules is formed as an array and the first array-roof integration member is on one side of the array and the second array-roof integration member is on another side of the array.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

providing the support structure, the plurality of photovoltaic modules, and the first array-roof integration member as an installation kit in installing a photovoltaic apparatus.

15. A kit for mounting a photovoltaic apparatus on a roof comprising:

a support structure configured for attachment to a surface of a sloped roof;

a plurality of photovoltaic modules having a frame surrounding a periphery of each photovoltaic module that are configured to be attached to the support structure; and

an array-roof integration member that is configured to be attached to the surface of the roof and to a lower side of a frame of a photovoltaic module in the plurality of photovoltaic modules to cover a gap between the photovoltaic module and the surface of the roof by following a contour of the surface of the roof, the array-roof integration member comprising a flexible member with a plurality of air vents;

wherein after installation the array-roof integration member extends at an angle outwardly away from the plurality of photovoltaic modules and the support structure.

16. The kit of claim 15 , wherein the array-roof integration member is configurable to have a curved profile.

17. The kit of claim 15 , wherein the array-roof integration member is configured to be attached only to one side of the frame of the photovoltaic module.

18. The kit of claim 15 , wherein the array-roof integration member has a same color as the surface of the roof.