The invention relates to a concentrator photovoltaic module comprising a housing, a photovoltaic chip, at least two electrical contacts for contacting the photovoltaic chip, and a transparent cover. The housing has a recess forming a receiving tray with a recessed bottom portion for receiving the photovoltaic chip. The receiving tray has side walls with at least a first and a second reflective region. The first reflective region is oriented at a first angle with respect to a horizontal plane of the housing and the second reflective region is oriented at a second angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the housing. The first angle is different from the second angle.

A ventilated solar panel system mounted on a roof of a building (1), comprising a plurality of joists (12, 112) arranged substantially normal to an upper ridge (14) of the roof, and extending from the upper ridge (14) to a lower region of the roof, and a set of rectangular solar panels (2, 13), arranged on and supported by the joists (12, 112). The system further comprises a set of electrical fans (25), each fan (25) being arranged in the lower region of the roof and being aligned with one of the joists (12, 112), wherein each fan (25) is configured to create a flow of air towards the ridge (14), and wherein each joist (12, 112), in an end facing one of the fans (25), is formed with a dividing edge (32, 132) configured to divide the flow of air into two sub-flows (26a, 26b), a first sub-flow (26a), directed to a first side of the joist (12, 112), and a second sub-flow (26b) directed to a second side of the joist (12, 112), opposite to the first side.

A ventilated solar panel system mounted on a roof of a building (1), comprising a plurality of joists (12, 112) arranged substantially normal to an upper ridge (14) of the roof, and extending from the upper ridge (14) to a lower region of the roof, and a set of rectangular solar panels (2, 13), arranged on and supported by the joists (12, 112). The system further comprises a set of electrical fans (25), each fan (25) being arranged in the lower region of the roof and being aligned with one of the joists (12, 112), wherein each fan (25) is configured to create a flow of air towards the ridge (14), and wherein each joist (12, 112), in an end facing one of the fans (25), is formed with a dividing edge (32, 132) configured to divide the flow of air into two sub-flows (26a, 26b), a first sub-flow (26a), directed to a first side of the joist (12, 112), and a second sub-flow (26b) directed to a second side of the joist (12, 112), opposite to the first side.

A method for managing sales and installations of solar power systems. The method includes retrieving or accessing, by a processor, homeowner information corresponding to a homeowner of a home within a geographical area; receiving, by an input device of a user device, parameters corresponding to a potential solar installation at the home; selecting, by the processor, a preferred installer capable of installing a solar installation at the home based on the parameters; determining, by the processor, at least one financing option based on the homeowner information, the preferred installer, and the parameters; and generating, by the processor, a solar installation proposal corresponding to the solar installation at the home that meets the parameters and includes the preferred installer and the at least one financing option.

A method for managing sales and installations of solar power systems. The method includes retrieving or accessing, by a processor, homeowner information corresponding to a homeowner of a home within a geographical area; receiving, by an input device of a user device, parameters corresponding to a potential solar installation at the home; selecting, by the processor, a preferred installer capable of installing a solar installation at the home based on the parameters; determining, by the processor, at least one financing option based on the homeowner information, the preferred installer, and the parameters; and generating, by the processor, a solar installation proposal corresponding to the solar installation at the home that meets the parameters and includes the preferred installer and the at least one financing option.

A tile replacement flashing is used with a tile hook. A bottom tile replacement flashing is shaped for placement on a lower portion of a location where a tile is removed from a roof. A top tile replacement flashing is shaped for placement on an upper portion of a location where the tile is removed from the roof. The top tile replacement flashing includes an elevated region at a lower portion of the top tile replacement flashing, the elevated region. The bottom tile replacement flashing is shaped so that after attachment of the bottom tile replacement flashing on the roof, the tile hook can be attached to a rafter of the roof, the attached tile hook extending over an upper portion of the bottom tile replacement flashing and having a portion that, past the upper portion of the bottom tile replacement flashing, extends upwards. The top tile replacement flashing is shaped so that after attachment of the top tile replacement flashing on the roof, at least part of the elevated region of the top tile replacement flashing extends over the bottom tile replacement flashing. A height of the elevated region is sufficient to allow room for the tile hook to extend over the bottom tile replacement flashing and under the elevated region of top tile replacement flashing.

In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a solar panel rail and rail-less support structures to a shingle roof. More specifically, the apparatus includes a connection bracket and flashing device for use in installing solar panel rail support structures. The connection bracket is secured to the flashing device by placing it over various embodiments of a cone element that is embedded within the flashing and secured using a tightening mechanism such as a bolt, screw, or other fastener. A solar panel rail support guide can be connected to a generally U-shaped connection on the top of the bracket. The apparatus also offers an improved means to cover the penetration point on the flashing to protect it and prevent water from leaking into the roof as well as an improved way to install the apparatus over existing products. Various embodiments of the bracket and flashing provided as well.

In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a solar panel rail and rail-less support structures to a shingle roof. More specifically, the apparatus includes a connection bracket and flashing device for use in installing solar panel rail support structures. The connection bracket is secured to the flashing device by placing it over various embodiments of a cone element that is embedded within the flashing and secured using a tightening mechanism such as a bolt, screw, or other fastener. A solar panel rail support guide can be connected to a generally U-shaped connection on the top of the bracket. The apparatus also offers an improved means to cover the penetration point on the flashing to protect it and prevent water from leaking into the roof as well as an improved way to install the apparatus over existing products. Various embodiments of the bracket and flashing provided as well.

Systems and methods for mounting solar panels include a curb assembly coupled to a top surface of a roof. An end of a solar panel rests on a portion of the assembly. An astragal is located with a portion of the astragal extending over the edge of the solar panel. A fastener is engaged through the astragal and the curb assembly such that a portion of the astragal contacts and compressively engages the top surface of the supported solar panel edge, whereby the solar panel is mounted to the roof. Moreover, systems and methods cleaning solar panels of a solar panel system installed on an exterior surface are also described.

Systems and methods for mounting solar panels include a curb assembly coupled to a top surface of a roof. An end of a solar panel rests on a portion of the assembly. An astragal is located with a portion of the astragal extending over the edge of the solar panel. A fastener is engaged through the astragal and the curb assembly such that a portion of the astragal contacts and compressively engages the top surface of the supported solar panel edge, whereby the solar panel is mounted to the roof. Moreover, systems and methods cleaning solar panels of a solar panel system installed on an exterior surface are also described.