A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each having a mat with an edge and a spacer with an edge, the edge of the mat being attached to the edge of the spacer. The spacer includes a plurality of support members and a solar module mounted to the support members. Each of the support members includes a ledge. The solar module and the ledge form a space therebetween. The space is sized and shaped to receive an edge of a solar module of another of the photovoltaic modules. The spacer of one of the photovoltaic modules overlays the mat of another of the photovoltaic modules.

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as photovoltaic modules having the appearance of a plurality of roofing tiles that each have photovoltaic cells. Each photovoltaic module may include a metal backer, photovoltaic cells, and light transmissive top sheets adhered to both the metal backer and the photovoltaic cells. BIPV systems can also include non-photovoltaic modules that appear similar to photovoltaic modules, but do not collect solar energy.

Roofing shingles are disclosed that are capable of being attached to a roof deck, underlayment, and/or other roofing shingles and that require fewer mechanical fasteners for attachment. The roofing shingles are formed with a first layer and a second layer of shingle materials that are laminated together, and with the first and second layers further being mechanically attached with indentations, including a first plurality of indentations formed along an upper surface of the first layer and a second plurality of indentations formed along a bottom surface of the second layer at spaced locations along the roofing shingles. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of the roofing shingles is also disclosed.

Roofing shingles are disclosed that are capable of being attached to a roof deck, underlayment, and/or other roofing shingles and that require fewer mechanical fasteners for attachment. The roofing shingles are formed with a first layer and a second layer of shingle materials that are laminated together, and with the first and second layers further being mechanically attached with indentations, including a first plurality of indentations formed along an upper surface of the first layer and a second plurality of indentations formed along a bottom surface of the second layer at spaced locations along the roofing shingles. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of the roofing shingles is also disclosed.

This invention, in embodiments, relates to a roofing material comprising (a) a coated substrate having a top surface and a back surface, and (b) a plurality of roofing granules applied to the top surface of the coated substrate. The plurality of roofing granules comprises from 50% to 100% of unitary, uncoated, non-mineral based particles. This invention, in embodiments, further relates to a method of preparing such roofing material.

A roofing shingle including a lower layer including a headlap and a plurality of tabs extending from the headlap, and an upper layer including one or more fingers, wherein the one or more fingers are disconnected from one another, and wherein each of the one or more fingers is disposed on one tab of the plurality of tabs, wherein a number of the plurality of tabs is different than a number of the one or more fingers. In an embodiment, the lower layer is a lowermost layer of the roofing shingle. In another embodiment, the roofing shingle further includes an alignment feature disposed in an exposure zone of the roofing shingle, wherein the alignment features is adapted to permit alignment of adjacent roofing shingles during installation on a roof.

A roofing shingle including a lower layer including a headlap and a plurality of tabs extending from the headlap, and an upper layer including one or more fingers, wherein the one or more fingers are disconnected from one another, and wherein each of the one or more fingers is disposed on one tab of the plurality of tabs, wherein a number of the plurality of tabs is different than a number of the one or more fingers. In an embodiment, the lower layer is a lowermost layer of the roofing shingle. In another embodiment, the roofing shingle further includes an alignment feature disposed in an exposure zone of the roofing shingle, wherein the alignment features is adapted to permit alignment of adjacent roofing shingles during installation on a roof.

A roofing system including shingles with different shingle patterns. The roofing system may include a plurality of first shingles having a first two-tab shingle pattern and a plurality of second shingles having a second two-tab shingle pattern. The first shingles including a first tab having a first width and a second tab having a second width, wherein the first width and the second width are substantially equal. The second shingles including a third tab having a third width and a fourth tab having a fourth width, wherein the third width is substantially equal to the first width and the fourth width is about double the second width. The plurality of first shingles and the plurality of second shingles can be formed from a rectangular shingle blank in an interwoven pattern with substantially no scrap or waste material.

A roofing system including shingles with different shingle patterns. The roofing system may include a plurality of first shingles having a first two-tab shingle pattern and a plurality of second shingles having a second two-tab shingle pattern. The first shingles including a first tab having a first width and a second tab having a second width, wherein the first width and the second width are substantially equal. The second shingles including a third tab having a third width and a fourth tab having a fourth width, wherein the third width is substantially equal to the first width and the fourth width is about double the second width. The plurality of first shingles and the plurality of second shingles can be formed from a rectangular shingle blank in an interwoven pattern with substantially no scrap or waste material.

Asphalt roofing systems including multiple sealing strips between two overlaid asphalt roof shingles are described. Additional sealing strips can enhance wind and water resistance of a roof. Simulations are carried out with three tab asphalt roofing shingles to determine desirable locations for multiple sealing strips between overlaid shingles.