IP Library Granted Patent US 11,489,482
Granted Patent B2
US 11,489,482 · App. 17/154,809 · Granted Nov 1, 2022

Integrated photovoltaic roofing shingles, methods, systems, and kits thereof

Inventors: Nathan Peterson (Oakland, CA); Richard Perkins (San Jose, CA); Alex Sharenko (Berkeley, CA); Gabriela Bunea (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: GAF Energy LLC
H02S20/25B32B37/26H01L31/0481B32B2274/00B32B2457/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,489,482
App. No.
17/154,809
Granted
Nov 1, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an integrated photovoltaic (PV) roofing shingle comprising a photovoltaic (PV) module and a roofing shingle. In some embodiments, the roofing shingle is bonded to the PV module. In some embodiments, a bond strength between the roofing shingle and the PV module is from 5 N/mm to 60 N/mm tested according to ASTM D1876. In some embodiments, the integrated PV roofing shingle has a mass per unit area of 0.5 lb per square foot to 5 lbs per square foot. Methods, systems, and kits including the integrated PV roofing shingle are also disclosed.

Claims (41)

1. An integrated photovoltaic (PV) roofing shingle comprising:

a photovoltaic (PV) module;

wherein the PV module comprises:

i) a polyolefin (POE) layer having a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and

ii) a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface of the substrate on the bottom surface of the POE layer, the substrate comprising at least one material from the group consisting of a thermoplastic polyolefin, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, polyolefin encapsulant, ethylene vinyl acetate encapsulant, and acrylics; and

a roofing shingle comprising a top surface and a bottom surface,

wherein the roofing shingle comprises a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) layer,

wherein the top surface is a continuous flat surface,

wherein the continuous flat surface of the roofing shingle is bonded to the bottom surface of the substrate of the PV module by a bonding material;

wherein a bond strength between the roofing shingle and the substrate of the PV module is from 10 N/mm to 60 N/mm tested according to ASTM D1876; and

wherein the integrated PV roofing shingle has a mass per unit area of 0.5 lb per square foot to 5 lbs per square foot.

2. The shingle of claim 1 , wherein the bonding material comprises an adhesive.

3. The shingle of claim 2 , wherein the adhesive comprises at least one of:

an asphaltic adhesive, an acrylic adhesive, a polyurethane adhesive, a silicone adhesive, and a rubber polymer based adhesives.

4. A method comprising:

obtaining an integrated PV roofing shingle comprising:

a photovoltaic (PV) module;

wherein the PV module comprises

i) a polyolefin (POE) layer having

a bottom surface and

a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and

ii) a substrate having

a top surface and

a bottom surface,

the top surface of the substrate disposed on the bottom surface of the POE layer,

the substrate comprising at least one material from the group consisting of a thermoplastic polyolefin, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, polyolefin encapsulant, ethylene vinyl acetate encapsulant, and acrylics; and

a roofing shingle comprising

a top surface and

a bottom surface opposite the top surface,

wherein the roofing shingle comprises a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) layer,

wherein the top surface is a continuous flat surface,

wherein the continuous flat surface of the roofing shingle is bonded to the bottoms surface of the substrate of the PV module by a bonding material;

wherein a bond strength between the roofing shingle and the substrate of the PV module is from 10 N/mm to 60 N/mm tested according to ASTM D1876; and

wherein the integrated PV roofing shingle has a mass per unit area of 0.5 lb per square foot to 5 lbs per square foot; and

affixing the integrated PV roofing shingle to a roof using at least one fastener,

wherein the fastener comprises at least one nail.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the integrated PV roofing shingle has 1 fastener to 5 fasteners per square foot of the integrated PV roofing shingle after the affixing step.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the fastener is affixed to the roof by driving the fastener through an overlapping area of the integrated PV roofing shingle and into the roof.

7. The method claim 4 , wherein the bonding material comprises an adhesive.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the adhesive comprises at least one of:

an asphaltic adhesive, an acrylic adhesive, a polyurethane adhesive, a silicone adhesive, and a rubber polymer based adhesives.

Assignments (1)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2021
From: BMIC LLC; ELKCORP; ELK COMPOSITE BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; ELK PREMIUM BUILDING PRODUCTS, INC.; HBP ACQUISITION LLC; GAF ENERGY LLC; SIPLAST, INC.; SPECIALTY GRANULES INVESTMENTS LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 057572/0607 →