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.

Herein disclosed is an asphalt roofing shingle, adapted to be laid up in courses on a roof, comprising an upper headlap portion, a lower tab portion, vertically spaced apart upper and lower edges, laterally spaced apart right and left edges and top and bottom surfaces. The bottom surface is configured to be laid up on a roof facing the roof and the tab portion of the top surface is configured to be substantially weather-exposed when laid up on a roof. The upper headlap portion is configured to be substantially covered by the tab portion of roofing elements in a next-overlying course of roofing elements when laid up on a roof. The upper headlap portion further comprises a plurality of parallel, evenly laterally spaced, first markings, the first markings being useful, at least, for aligning adjacent shingles, cutting books of shingles, forming starter shingles from full shingles and forming a grid of shingles without external measuring devices.

In one aspect of a reinforced tile, the reinforced tile may be configured for use with a support structure that may be engaged with a top portion of a pedestal. The reinforced tile may be configured with a substrate adhered to a back side of a tile, and the substrate may be comprised of a fiberglass material. A groove may be formed along at least one edge of the reinforced tile, and the groove may be positioned at the interface of the tile and substrate. 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 reinforced tiles, wherein one or more rails may be positioned within a groove formed in the reinforced tile.

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.

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.

There is provided a cladding member (13) formed of a supporting body portion (67) having mounts (54) and a head portion (12), and an absorber surface portion (70) having a peripheral boundary wall (71) defining a recess into which a solar cell array (removed in this view for clarity) is bonded. The supporting (67) and absorber surface (70) body portions are pressure moulded from polyvinyl ester/glassfibre (30%)/fire retardant (40%)/pigment sheet moulding compound. Complementary bonding portions (72) form a glue line in assembly and have complementary water passages (73) defined therebetween. The bonding portions (72) contrive a generally sinusoidal glue space (74) that is longer that the transverse sectional dimension of the boding portions (72), cooperating with the adhesive system to resist water pressure in the passages (73).

In one aspect of a bottom indexing tile and support structure, a bottom indexing support structure may be engaged with a top portion of a pedestal. The bottom indexing support structure may be formed with a generally vertical spine having at least one rail extending outward from a distal end thereof and may also include one or more ridges extending upward in a direction parallel to the spine. The spine and rail(s) may be configured to secure one or more bottom indexing 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. The bottom indexing tile may be formed with one or more channels on a bottom surface thereof, wherein each channel may correspond with a ridge of the bottom indexing support structure.

A system and method of roofing. The present invention includes a fabric sheet having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface includes one of a hook and loop fastener and the lower surface is configured to be attached to a roof decking. The present invention further includes a plurality of tiles each having an upper edge, a lower edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The other of the hook and loop fastener is attached to the bottom surface. The plurality of tiles are releasably attached to the upper surface of the fabric sheet via the hook and loop fasteners.

A shingle assembly includes a panel that has a front side, a back side, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first lateral edge, and a second lateral edge. An upper coupler is attached to and extends along the upper edge. A lower coupler is attached to and extends along the lower edge and snappily engages an upper coupler of another one of the shingle assemblies. A flange is integrally attached to and extends along the second lateral edge such that the flange and the panel form a unitary member. The flange extends laterally away from the panel. A lip is coextensive with and extends forwardly of an upper edge of the flange and inhibits water from wicking upwardly beyond the upper edge of the flange.

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.