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.

One embodiment can provide a photovoltaic roof tile module. The photovoltaic roof tile module can include a photovoltaic roof tile module. The photovoltaic roof tile module can include at least: a first photovoltaic roof tile and a second photovoltaic roof tile positioned adjacent to each other, and a spacer coupled to and positioned between the first and second photovoltaic roof tiles. A respective photovoltaic roof tile can include front and back glass covers, and multiple cascaded strings encapsulated between the front and back glass covers. A respective cascaded string can include a plurality of photovoltaic structures electrically coupled to each other in series, and the multiple cascaded strings can be electrically coupled to each other in parallel. The first and second photovoltaic roof tiles can be electrically coupled to each other in parallel.

Load support structures for mounting a load atop a raised rib metal panel roof make use of relatively small, inexpensive, and easy-to-make adapter plugs as interfaces between the raised ribs and one or more component pieces or members of the load support structure, such as an upper diverter or a lower closure member. The adapter plug has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having an inner profile substantially matching or conforming to some or all of the profile of a particular style of rib profile. The outer surface of the adapter plug has a standardized shape, some or all of which is made to conform to an upper diverter, lower closure, and/or other component member of the load support structure.

Roof tile for forming a roof covering, wherein the roof tile (1) comprises a ceramic body (8); wherein said ceramic body (8) is made of porcelain; and wherein the roof tile (1) further comprises a glaze coating (9), which is situated above said ceramic body (8).

Disclosed herein is a fiber cement cladding system such as fiber cement shingles or shakes which can have the appearance of authentic wood. Each individual fiber cement shingle or shake comprises a textured surface having a depth of relief and a coating system disposed on the textured surface. The coating system may include a sealing agent, a basecoat, and a topcoat. In some embodiments, the basecoat is disposed on at least a portion of the sealing agent and the topcoat is disposed on at least a portion of the basecoat. In some embodiments, the basecoat comprises a DFT of 1 to 3 mils and the topcoat comprises a DFT of 0.05 to 2 mils. In some embodiments, the depth of relief of the textured surface of the fiber cement shingle is about 0.03″ to 0.085″.

A method for manufacturing a roof tile, wherein the roof tile comprises a ceramic body, which is made of porcelain, and is provided with at least one hole, which is present in at least said ceramic body; wherein the method comprises at least the steps of providing a body composition; pressing the body composition; and firing the pressed body composition, and wherein, for forming said at least one hole, before said step of firing, a recess is formed in the body in the form of a blind hole or a through hole.

The present disclosure provides a new design for an injection molded roof panel with multiple improvements. The panel is made from PVC-like materials via injection molding with a large standard size. It comprises laterally and longitudinally sloped watercourses and arches. A tongue at the front connects to a vertically adjacent panel's rear upper interlocking member. Interlocks at the lateral ends of the panel connect one panel to another horizontally adjacent panel. Condensed water ridges underneath the panel drain condensation to the panel's front, where it is drained with angled weep holes on the tongue. The upper surface has a non-smooth low-noise texture to prevent slips/falls and reduce noise. The roof panel is secured onto roof sheathing with nail flanges with screw holes/bosses. The design achieves improved water drainage, increased installation security and speed, improved wind resistance, increased personnel safety, reduced noise, lighter weight, lower cost, and improved lifespan.

One aspect of the disclosure is an exterior cladding panel including a first end, a second end, and a series of locking clips extending from a front face of the exterior cladding panel and positioned along the first end of the exterior cladding panel. The exterior cladding panel also includes a locking leg extending from a rear face of the exterior cladding panel and positioned along a middle portion between the first end and the second end. The exterior cladding panel also includes a series of simulated shingles positioned in a single course between the first end and the second end, including a series of gaps separating adjacent shingles. Each gap extends lengthwise from the second end to the middle portion of the exterior cladding panel, and includes a first width that differs from a second width of at least one adjacent gap in the series of gaps.

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.

A roof vent for supporting a solar panel is provided. The roof vent includes a vent member and a solar panel support element. The vent member is sized and shaped to mimic the appearance of a roof cover element. The vent member includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion separated from the lower portion by a gap. The solar panel support element is attached to the vent member.