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.

A rooftop equipment attachment system includes a rooftop having a roof deck, an insulation layer positioned atop the roof deck, a plurality of metallic roof plates that secure the insulation layer to the roof deck, and a roofing membrane secured atop the insulation layer. The roofing membrane covers the plurality of metallic roof plates. The system includes a frame for supporting rooftop equipment. The frame includes a plurality of mounting supports that are positionable atop the rooftop at positions that are above at least a portion of the plurality of metallic roof plates. The plurality of mounting supports are configured to support the frame and any rooftop equipment mounted thereon. Each of the plurality of mounting supports includes a magnetic element that is configured to secure a particular one of the plurality of mounting supports with a particular one of the plurality of metallic roof plates.

A shingle assembly for installation on a roof structure is provided. The shingle assembly can include an insulative substrate, a surface sheet coupled to and extending across a substantial portion of the insulative substrate, and a hook-and-loop fastening system comprising a hook portion and a loop portion. The hook portion or the loop portion can be coupled to and extend along the insulative substrate adjacent the surface sheet. The other of the hook portion or the loop portion can be coupled to and extend along the surface sheet. The hook portion can be configured to mate with a loop portion of a first adjoining shingle assembly and the loop portion can be configured to mate with a hook portion of a second adjoining shingle assembly.

A system for mounting glass roof tiles on a roof construction includes a roof batten, an S-shaped bracket defining a first U-shaped portion and a second U-shaped portion, a sealing plate and two glass roof tiles arranged side by side along a first longitudinal direction defined by the roof batten. The first U-shaped portion of the bracket is clamped onto the roof batten and retained in relation thereto solely by means of friction and gravity. An end portion of the sealing plate and a lower end portion of each of the glass roof tiles are snugly fit into the second U-shaped portion of the bracket. The glass roof tiles can be mounted on the roof construction in an easy and fast manner without the use of fastening means or tools.

A secured paver tile system comprises one or more paver tiles, one or more locking plates or pins, one or more pedestals for placement under the paver tiles and a screw or bolt. The paver tiles have one or more cavities adapted to receive the locking plate or pin. The locking plate or pin has an aperture adapted to receive the screw or bolt. The pedestal is adapted to receive said screw or bolt. The locking plate or pin may be a pin or a plate having 2 or more arms. The arms may optionally have secondary apertures to augment the holding capacity of the system. A method of securing paver tiles in a manner that satisfies high wind requirements of building codes includes inserting said one or more locking plates or pins in said at least one cavity, inserting said bolt or screw in the one or more locking plates or pins, and inserting said bolt or screw into said pedestal. The cavities may be additionally filled with an adhesive such as thin set mortar for example.

Disclosed is a roofing underlayment providing mechanical and electrical connection for solar shingles that includes a water-impervious membrane adapted to be attached to a roof. The underlayment also includes a mechanical attachment member configured to mechanically attach a solar shingle to the roof, as well as an electrical conductor having an electrical first portion of which is embedded within the membrane, having an electrical second portion which is configured to electrically connect to a solar shingle, and having an electrical third portion which is configured to electrically connect to an electrical circuit. An air gap is provided that allows for air flow below the solar shingles. The air gap comprises a space between a bottom surface of the solar shingles and a bottom surface of the membrane.

A rooftop equipment attachment system includes a rooftop having a roof deck, an insulation layer positioned atop the roof deck, a plurality of metallic roof plates that secure the insulation layer to the roof deck, and a roofing membrane secured atop the insulation layer. The roofing membrane covers the plurality of metallic roof plates. The system includes a frame for supporting rooftop equipment. The frame includes a plurality of mounting supports that are positionable atop the rooftop at positions that are above at least a portion of the plurality of metallic roof plates. The plurality of mounting supports are configured to support the frame and any rooftop equipment mounted thereon. Each of the plurality of mounting supports includes a magnetic element that is configured to secure a particular one of the plurality of mounting supports with a particular one of the plurality of metallic roof plates.

The invention is an electrical and mechanical roof underlayment which provides electrical and mechanical connection of solar shingles to a roof. The underlayment simplifies the installation of solar shingles allowing the shingles to be installed and connected together in the same step. The underlayment includes a membrane which has embedded electrical conductors and electrical connectors that provides an electrical connecting system extending to an electrical circuit. The membrane further has embedded mechanical members with mechanical connectors that secure the shingles to the membrane. The membrane is structurally attached to a roof surface. The structural attachment may be an adhesive attachment. Solar shingles are connected to the membrane by an integral clasping mechanism that mechanically and electrically connects the shingles to the membrane. No external wiring, connectors or devices are required to make the electrical connection between the shingles and the membrane. Contacts are integral and embedded into each individual shingle.

A shingle support according to this invention is easily aligned on and affixed to roof rafters. Once affixed, the shingle support provides a support to roofing shingles, to facilitate installation. It also provides the function of creating a protective terminus to each shingle to prevent lifting and damage by wind. As a result of use of the shingle support according to this invention, roofers are provided with an apparatus, kit, system and method for roof shingle installation superior to that currently available. In addition, the resulting roof shingle installation is more robust than known roof shingle installations.

The invention is an electrical and mechanical roof underlayment which provides electrical and mechanical connection of solar shingles to a roof. The underlayment simplifies the installation of solar shingles allowing the shingles to be installed and connected together in the same step. The underlayment includes a membrane which has embedded electrical conductors and electrical connectors that provides an electrical connecting system extending to an electrical circuit. The membrane further has embedded mechanical members with mechanical connectors that secure the shingles to the membrane. The membrane is structurally attached to a roof surface. The structural attachment may be an adhesive attachment. Solar shingles are connected to the membrane by an integral clasping mechanism that mechanically and electrically connects the shingles to the membrane. No external wiring, connectors or devices are required to make the electrical connection between the shingles and the membrane. Contacts are integral and embedded into each individual shingle.