A system including a solar module installed on a roof deck, including a superstrate layer, an encapsulant having an upper layer and a lower layer, and a photovoltaic layer intermediate the upper layer and the lower layer of the encapsulant. An upper surface of the superstrate layer includes an indentation pattern. The indentation pattern includes a mesh of indentations indented into the upper surface of the superstrate layer and a plurality of openings defined by the mesh of indentations.

A system including a solar module installed on a roof deck, including a superstrate layer, an encapsulant having an upper layer and a lower layer, and a photovoltaic layer intermediate the upper layer and the lower layer of the encapsulant. An upper surface of the superstrate layer includes an indentation pattern. The indentation pattern includes a mesh of indentations indented into the upper surface of the superstrate layer and a plurality of openings defined by the mesh of indentations.

A roofing shingle includes a head lap and at least one solar cell. The head lap includes at least one handle located between a first end and a second end of the shingle and proximate to a first edge thereof. The at least one handle includes at least one cutout and a gripping portion. The at least one cutout is sized and shaped to receive an external object to facilitate transporting the shingle by a user.

A roofing shingle includes a head lap and at least one solar cell. The head lap includes at least one handle located between a first end and a second end of the shingle and proximate to a first edge thereof. The at least one handle includes at least one cutout and a gripping portion. The at least one cutout is sized and shaped to receive an external object to facilitate transporting the shingle by a user.

A shingle blank includes a substrate coated with asphalt, a headlap portion, a prime portion, a starter shingle separation line, and first and second ridge shingle separation lines. The headlap portion has a first sealant that extends along the width of the substrate, and the prime portion has a second sealant that extends along the width of the substrate. The starter shingle separation line extends along the width of the substrate and facilitates separation of the shingle blank into first and second starter shingles. The first starter shingle includes the first sealant and the second starter shingle includes the second sealant. The first and second ridge shingle separation lines extend along the height of the substrate from an upper edge of the substrate to a lower edge of the substrate and facilitates separation of the shingle blank into three ridge shingles. Each of the three ridge shingles includes a portion of the first sealant and a portion of the second sealant.

A shingle blank includes a substrate coated with asphalt, a headlap portion, a prime portion, a starter shingle separation line, and first and second ridge shingle separation lines. The headlap portion has a first sealant that extends along the width of the substrate, and the prime portion has a second sealant that extends along the width of the substrate. The starter shingle separation line extends along the width of the substrate and facilitates separation of the shingle blank into first and second starter shingles. The first starter shingle includes the first sealant and the second starter shingle includes the second sealant. The first and second ridge shingle separation lines extend along the height of the substrate from an upper edge of the substrate to a lower edge of the substrate and facilitates separation of the shingle blank into three ridge shingles. Each of the three ridge shingles includes a portion of the first sealant and a portion of the second sealant.

Embodiments relate to an enhanced method for installing solar roofs by primarily reducing the installation time. The design is for a roofing shingle with an embedded solar module that installs intuitively like normal roofing shingles without special tools, fasteners or alignment. The shingle structure is molded out of low thermal expansion plastic composite and is compatible with commercial photovoltaic modules as well as solar infrared radiation absorbing devices.

Embodiments relate to an enhanced method for installing solar roofs by primarily reducing the installation time. The design is for a roofing shingle with an embedded solar module that installs intuitively like normal roofing shingles without special tools, fasteners or alignment. The shingle structure is molded out of low thermal expansion plastic composite and is compatible with commercial photovoltaic modules as well as solar infrared radiation absorbing devices.

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 multi-region roofing modules that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the module, in distinct tiles-sized regions. Such multi-region photovoltaic modules can replicate the look of individual roofing tiles or shingles. Further, multi-region photovoltaic modules can include support structures between the distinct regions having a degree of flexibility, allowing for a more efficient installation process.

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 multi-region roofing modules that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the module, in distinct tiles-sized regions. Such multi-region photovoltaic modules can replicate the look of individual roofing tiles or shingles. Further, multi-region photovoltaic modules can include support structures between the distinct regions having a degree of flexibility, allowing for a more efficient installation process.