A solar shingle having a substrate positioned beneath an upper material layer and at least one photovoltaic cell coupled to the substrate. A first terminal can be electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell and positioned adjacent to a first sidewall of the solar shingle, and a second terminal can be electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell and positioned adjacent to a second sidewall of the solar shingle. An upper surface of the upper material layer can have one or more recesses positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and adjacent to the at least one photovoltaic cell. Further, the upper surface can have a variety of imparted surface characteristics, among other aesthetics and coloring, that can provide the solar shingle with outwardly appearance that is at least similar to traditional, non-solar shingles.

This application relates to the ventilation of a solar roof. For example, a solar roof can include a solar roof tile and a spacer, batten or other ventilating components to space the solar roof tile from the roof deck, and provide ventilation to the solar roof tile, for reduced operating temperatures and improved efficiency in electricity generation.

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.

This application relates to ventilation systems, more particularly to roof ventilation systems that help to protect buildings against fires. The roof vent has an ember impedance structure that impedes the entry of flames and embers or other floating burning materials while still permitting sufficient air flow to adequately ventilate a building. Several configurations of vents employing baffle members and fire-resistant mesh material are described, which can substantially prevent the ingress of floating embers and flames.

Disclosed is an apparatus for venting buildings, specifically attic spaces, such vents being predominantly shape-conform to the components from which a wall or a roof is built (typically tiles, in the context of roofs), the vent typically being fabricated from a metallic, plastic, or ceramic core as well as one or more layers from other materials or compounds which modify the overall characteristics of the vent, such as the surface characteristics. Furthermore disclosed are methods of manufacturing such ventilation apparatuses.

A roof vent for supporting a solar panel is provided. The roof vent includes a vent member and a solar panel support element. The vent member is sized and shaped to mimic the appearance of a roof cover element. The vent member includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion separated from the lower portion by a gap. The solar panel support element is attached to the vent member.

A roof product has a thermal heat storage layer, a vent layer with channels for transferring excess heat through a length of the roof product, and a flame retardant to suppress fire through the vent layer. These three materials form a unitary structure. The roof product may have a radiant layer, the thermal heat storage layer and the vent layer to form the unitary structure. The roof products are assembled in an abutting configuration on the roof of a building. The vent layer vents excess heat from an eave of the roof up to a ridge of the roof and out to atmosphere. The roof products manage thermal energy in the roof by storing thermal heat with the unitary roof product during a heating cycle; venting excess heat through the unitary product; and releasing the stored thermal heat from the unitary product into or out of the building during a cooling cycle.

A concealed roof vent has a base member having a primary aperture, a top panel coupled to the rear side of the base member and extending to the front side of the base member at an increasing angle, the top panel sized so as to shield the primary aperture; the top panel being coupled to the front side of the base member using one or more support legs; and at least one secondary aperture on the front side between the panel and the base member. Air from the attic passes through the primary aperture to the secondary aperture, through channels on the underside of roofing tiles, and to the atmosphere.

A roofing, cladding or siding product which is light weight, easy to install, durable, and resistant to environmental wear includes a module that can be used to form a weatherproof covering over top of a building surface. The module can also form a weatherproof covering, and be used as part of a thermal energy recovery or removal system. The module can also form part of a thermal energy recovery system that includes an array of solar cells to generate electrical energy.

A roof vent for a contoured metal surface. The roof vent includes a base or foot having one or more recessed channels that extend between opposing edges of the foot. The recessed channels are sized and shaped to receive correspondingly shaped ridges of the contoured metal roof surface.