IP Library Granted Patent US 12,015,377
Granted Patent B2
US 12,015,377 · App. 17/576,154 · Granted Jun 18, 2024

Cabling systems for rooftop photovoltaic solar systems

Inventors: Kevin C. Fischer (Orinda, CA); Kristine Little (Austin, TX)
Assignee: SunPower Corporation
H02S40/36H02S20/25E04D13/103F16L13/02H02S20/23H02S40/12
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,015,377
App. No.
17/576,154
Granted
Jun 18, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Rooftop photovoltaic solar systems and methods for installing interconnection wiring for photovoltaic solar systems. Cabling systems can include cable support stands secured underneath shingles. Cabling systems can include molded rubber raceways mounted using raceway clips secured underneath shingles.

Claims (22)

1. A method comprising:

mounting a molded rubber raceway to a roof of a building using one or more raceway clips, including, for each raceway clip, securing a lower portion of the raceway clip under at least one shingle of the roof such that a protruding portion of the raceway clip protrudes away from the roof and over the molded rubber raceway;

connecting one or more cables to one or more photovoltaic solar modules installed on the roof; and

routing the cables across the roof by securing the cables to the molded rubber raceway.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the molded rubber raceway includes a plurality of lower ribs, and wherein mounting the molded rubber raceway includes mounting the molded rubber raceway such that the lower ribs elevate the molded rubber raceway from the roof.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the molded rubber raceway includes a plurality of upper ribs, and wherein securing the cables to the molded rubber raceway includes securing the cables such that the upper ribs elevate the cables from the molded rubber raceway.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the molded rubber raceway comprises a pair of sidewalls on opposite sides of the molded rubber raceway, and wherein securing the cables to the molded rubber raceway includes placing the cables between the sidewalls.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein securing the cables to the molded rubber raceway includes elevating the cables from the roof by at least ⅞ of an inch (2.22 cm).

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein mounting the molded rubber raceway to the roof comprises bending the molded rubber raceway around an eave of the roof.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein mounting the molded rubber raceway to the roof comprises bending the molded rubber raceway to run both vertically and diagonally across the roof.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the molded rubber raceway comprises a plurality of separate raceway sections, and wherein mounting the molded rubber raceway to the roof comprises joining the raceway sections end-to-end.

9. A photovoltaic solar system comprising:

one or more photovoltaic solar modules mounted on a roof of a building;

a molded rubber raceway mounted to the roof by one or more raceway clips, wherein, for each raceway clip, a lower portion of the raceway clip is secured under at least one shingle of the roof such that a protruding portion of the raceway clip protrudes away from the roof; and

one or more cables routed across the roof and secured to the molded rubber raceway.

10. The photovoltaic solar system of claim 9 , wherein the molded rubber raceway includes a plurality of lower ribs, and wherein the molded rubber raceway is mounted such that the lower ribs elevate the molded rubber raceway from the roof.

11. The photovoltaic solar system of claim 9 , wherein the molded rubber raceway includes a plurality of upper ribs, and wherein the cables are secured such that the upper ribs elevate the cables from the molded rubber raceway.

12. The photovoltaic solar system of claim 9 , wherein the molded rubber raceway comprises a pair of sidewalls on opposite sides of the molded rubber raceway, and wherein the cables are placed between the sidewalls.

13. The photovoltaic solar system of claim 9 , wherein the cables are elevated from the roof by at least ⅞ of an inch (2.22 cm).

14. The photovoltaic solar system of claim 9 , wherein the molded rubber raceway is bent around an eave of the roof.

15. The photovoltaic solar system of claim 9 , wherein the molded rubber raceway runs both vertically and diagonally across the roof.

16. The photovoltaic solar system of claim 9 , wherein the molded rubber raceway comprises a plurality of separate raceway sections, and wherein the raceway sections are joined end-to-end.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2025
From: SUNPOWER CORPORATION; SUNPOWER CORPORATION, SYSTEMS
To: UNIRAC, INC.
Reel/Frame 071302/0904 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2025
From: SUNPOWER CORPORATION,
To: UNIRAC, INC.
Reel/Frame 070704/0860 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 10, 2024
From: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
To: UNIRAC, INC.
Reel/Frame 069584/0419 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2024
From: FISCHER, KEVIN C.; LITTLE, KRISTINE
To: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 067345/0281 →
SECOND LIEN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 14, 2024
From: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
To: GLAS AMERICAS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 066598/0964 →