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.

This invention, in embodiments, relates to a roofing system comprising (a) a roofing substrate having a roofing surface, (b) a first roofing tile overlying the roofing surface, the first roofing tile having a front surface, a back surface, a top edge, and a bottom edge, and (c) a second roofing tile overlying the first roofing tile, the second roofing tile having a front surface, a back surface, a top edge, and a bottom edge. At least one sealant line is applied to (i) the back surface of the second roofing tile in an area that overlays the first roofing tile, (ii) the front surface of the first roofing tile in an area in which the second roofing tile overlays the first roofing tile, or (iii) both (i) and (ii). The at least one sealant line is configured to adhere the second roofing tile to the first roofing tile.

A metallic roof material 1 according to the present invention comprises: a front substrate 10 made of a metal sheet, the front substrate 10 comprising a body portion 100 formed into a box shape; a back substrate 11 arranged on a back side of the front substrate 10 so as to cover an opening of the body portion 100; and a core material 12 filled between the body portion 100 and the back substrate 11, the metallic roof material 1 being tightened to a roof base by driving at least one tightening member into the body portion 100, wherein a top plate portion 101 of the body portion 100 comprises at least one protruding rib 3 comprised of at least one protrusion 30 disposed along a side of a polygon or along a circle, and wherein the metallic roof material 1 is configured such that the tightening member is driven into an inner region 3a of the protruding rib 3.

This invention, in embodiments, relates to a roofing system comprising (a) a roofing substrate having a roofing surface, (b) a first roofing tile overlying the roofing surface, the first roofing tile having a front surface, a back surface, a top edge, and a bottom edge, and (c) a second roofing tile overlying the first roofing tile, the second roofing tile having a front surface, a back surface, a top edge, and a bottom edge. At least one sealant line is applied to (i) the back surface of the second roofing tile in an area that overlays the first roofing tile, (ii) the front surface of the first roofing tile in an area in which the second roofing tile overlays the first roofing tile, or (iii) both (i) and (ii). The at least one sealant line is configured to adhere the second roofing tile to the first roofing tile.

A multi-layer cap shingle for installation along a ridge, hip, or rake of a roof includes a forward exposure area and a rear headlap area. The multi-layer cap shingle includes at least two layers of shingle material, a top layer and a bottom layer each having opposed edges. The layers are bonded together with patches of lamination adhesive adjacent their opposed edges. The bottom layer is configured with a deformation-absorbing mechanism such as a pair of slots extending from a forward edge reawardly inboard of the lamination adhesive patches. When the multi-layer cap shingle is bent over a roof ridge, the slots of the bottom layer of shingle material narrow in width to account for the fact that the bottom layer must bend around an arc of slightly smaller radius than the top layer of shingle material. As a result, the opposed edges of the bottom and top layers of shingle material remain aligned and both edges of the top layer are laminated to the bottom layer to increase wind lift resistance of the installed multi-layer cap shingle.

In one aspect of a tile and support structure, a support structure may be engaged with a top portion of a pedestal. The support structure may be formed with a generally vertical spine having at least one rail extending outward from a distal end thereof. The spine and rail(s) may be configured to secure one or more tiles, which tiles may be formed with a groove on at least one edge thereof, and wherein one or more rails may be positioned within the groove.

In one embodiment of a tile and support structure, the tile and support structure may be configured to engage a tile such that the tile is oriented in a generally vertical plane. The support structure may include a riser tile engaged with both an upper riser support structure and a lower riser support structure.

A multi-layer cap shingle for installation along a ridge, hip, or rake of a roof includes a forward exposure area and a rear headlap area. The multi-layer cap shingle includes at least two layers of shingle material, a top layer and a bottom layer each having opposed edges. The layers are bonded together with patches of lamination adhesive adjacent their opposed edges. The bottom layer is configured with a deformation-absorbing mechanism such as a pair of slots extending from a forward edge rearwardly inboard of the lamination adhesive patches. When the multi-layer cap shingle is bent over a roof ridge, the slots of the bottom layer of shingle material narrow in width to account for the fact that the bottom layer must bend around an arc of slightly smaller radius than the top layer of shingle material. As a result, the opposed edges of the bottom and top layers of shingle material remain aligned and both edges of the top layer are laminated to the bottom layer to increase wind lift resistance of the installed multi-layer cap shingle.

Roofing shingles are disclosed that are capable of self-adhering to a roof deck or underlayment and/or other roofing shingles and that require few or no mechanical fasteners to remain attached to the roof. By appropriate positioning of sealant lines on the shingle, direct adhesion between the shingle and the roof deck or underlayment and/or other roofing shingles can be achieved. If the shingle is laminated, the layers may be mechanically attached with indentations in the common bond area. The nail zone of the shingle may be visually indicated with fines and/or one or more paint lines. A roofing system comprising a plurality of courses of the shingles is also disclosed.

Shingles have self-seal strips with features that include sealant dashes or dots separated by drainage gaps. The self-seal strips are registered with each shingle so that the features are positioned at the same locations on each shingle. A method of making such shingles includes synchronizing the rotation of sealant applicator wheels with the shingle chop cutter so that cuts are made at repeated designated locations along the applied self-seal strips.