Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing and appear seamless to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, flush or forming a substantively uniform plane with roof panels or other panels mimicking a solar panel appearance. Pans supporting BIPV solar panels can be coupled by standing seams, in both lateral and longitudinal directions, to other photovoltaic-supporting pans or pans supporting non-photovoltaic structures, having both functional and aesthetic advantages. In some configurations, adjacent photovoltaic modules may be oriented so that a boundary between an up-roof photovoltaic module and a down-roof photovoltaic module is not noticeable by observers positioned at typical viewing angles of the roof.

A cover apparatus (1), comprising cover plates (2) continuing in a position of use in a common plane and in at least one row, is formed in a mutual edge-side contact region (3) through overlapping and in a rainproof manner, such that edges (5) running parallel to each other and spaced apart on each cover plate (2) are designed differently (6), and the top side (7) of the cover plate (2), a continuing web (8) and a rain gutter (9) under said web (8) are arranged on a first edge (5), wherein said rain gutter belongs to the same first edge (5). If necessary, penetrating rain water (12) can be caught in the rain gutter (9) by overlapping edge-side webs (8) in the position of use.

A cover apparatus (1), comprising cover plates (2) continuing in a position of use in a common plane and in at least one row, is formed in a mutual edge-side contact region (3) through overlapping and in a rainproof manner, such that edges (5) running parallel to each other and spaced apart on each cover plate (2) are designed differently (6), and the top side (7) of the cover plate (2), a continuing web (8) and a rain gutter (9) under said web (8) are arranged on a first edge (5), wherein said rain gutter belongs to the same first edge (5). If necessary, penetrating rain water (12) can be caught in the rain gutter (9) by overlapping edge-side webs (8) in the position of use.

A clip for electrically bonding a pair of adjacently-disposed metal panels is disclosed. One embodiment entails such a clip (104) including a first clip member (112) and an oppositely disposed second clip member (116). The surface (114) of the first clip member (112) that faces the second clip member (116) includes at least one grounding projection (128), while the surface (118) of the second clip member (116) that faces the first clip member (112) also includes at least one grounding projection (128). The clip (104) may be installed on a standing seam (102) of a panel assembly (100), with its first clip member (112) engaging one of the metal panels 82″ that define this stand seam (102) and with its second clip member (116) engaging the other of the metal panels 82″ that define this same standing seam (102).

A metal roof construction provides a roof frame that includes multiple rafters. A plurality of clips or anchor plates are fastened to each rafter. Each anchor plate or clip has an anchor plate space surrounded by one or more plate members. The anchor plate has a plurality of spaced apart openings. A sliding anchor occupies the anchor plate space. Each sliding anchor has multiple spaced apart pedestals that extend from the anchor plate space upwardly through an opening. Multiple roof decking sections are mounted on the rafters. Each decking section extends under a part of the anchor plate. The anchor plate has one or more flaps that extend downwardly from the decking sections and next to a rafter. Fasteners attach each flap to a rafter.

A metal roof construction provides a roof frame that includes multiple rafters. A plurality of clips or anchor plates are fastened to each rafter. Each anchor plate or clip has an anchor plate space surrounded by one or more plate members. The anchor plate has a plurality of spaced apart openings. A sliding anchor occupies the anchor plate space. Each sliding anchor has multiple spaced apart pedestals that extend from the anchor plate space upwardly through an opening. Multiple roof decking sections are mounted on the rafters. Each decking section extends under a part of the anchor plate. The anchor plate has one or more flaps that extend downwardly from the decking sections and next to a rafter. Fasteners attach each flap to a rafter.

A building system and a method for constructing a building, the system (100) comprising plurality of prefabricated elements (I), the element (1) comprising: a self-supporting insulation panel (2) comprising a rigid insulation material, —a metal frame (3), comprising a pair of sub-frames. The length of the sub-frame (7a, 7b) has a cross-section comprising an attaching arm (10) extending along the corresponding edge surface (6a, 6b), and an intruding section (11) arranged in the attaching arm (10), the intruding section (II) intruding into the insulation element (5). A box-type structure (12) is arranged distally from the intruding section (11) and comprising a closed or partly open construction. The building system further comprises a connecting element (4), having a cross-section basically a shape of a U-profile. The connecting element (4) is arranged on sub-frames (7a, 7b) of two adjacent elements (1).

A building system and a method for constructing a building, the system (100) comprising plurality of prefabricated elements (I), the element (1) comprising: a self-supporting insulation panel (2) comprising a rigid insulation material, —a metal frame (3), comprising a pair of sub-frames. The length of the sub-frame (7a, 7b) has a cross-section comprising an attaching arm (10) extending along the corresponding edge surface (6a, 6b), and an intruding section (11) arranged in the attaching arm (10), the intruding section (II) intruding into the insulation element (5). A box-type structure (12) is arranged distally from the intruding section (11) and comprising a closed or partly open construction. The building system further comprises a connecting element (4), having a cross-section basically a shape of a U-profile. The connecting element (4) is arranged on sub-frames (7a, 7b) of two adjacent elements (1).

A clip for electrically bonding a pair of adjacently-disposed metal panels is disclosed. One embodiment entails such a clip (104) including a first clip member (112) and an oppositely disposed second clip member (116). The surface (114) of the first clip member (112) that faces the second clip member (116) includes at least one grounding projection (128), while the surface (118) of the second clip member (116) that faces the first clip member (112) also includes at least one grounding projection (128). The clip (104) may be installed on a standing seam (102) of a panel assembly (100), with its first clip member (112) engaging one of the metal panels 82″ that define this stand seam (102) and with its second clip member (116) engaging the other of the metal panels 82″ that define this same standing seam (102).

A method of forming a leakproof pitched wall or roof section with the use of solar panels includes arranging the solar panels in rows so that at least one panel on the second row is offset upwardly relative to at least one panel on the first row. Seals are provided to prevent the leakage of liquid through the pitched wall or roof section formed by the solar panels.