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WO2014194355A1 - Solar roof panel - Google Patents

Solar roof panel Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2014194355A1
WO2014194355A1 PCT/AU2014/000576 AU2014000576W WO2014194355A1 WO 2014194355 A1 WO2014194355 A1 WO 2014194355A1 AU 2014000576 W AU2014000576 W AU 2014000576W WO 2014194355 A1 WO2014194355 A1 WO 2014194355A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
roof
solar
panel
roof panel
support assembly
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2014/000576
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Brad Ryan
Trevor CLAYTON
Jamie ADAMS
Vincent TANNAHILL
Robert KLEES
Original Assignee
Bluescope Steel Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2013901991A external-priority patent/AU2013901991A0/en
Application filed by Bluescope Steel Limited filed Critical Bluescope Steel Limited
Priority to AU2014277610A priority Critical patent/AU2014277610A1/en
Priority to JP2016517094A priority patent/JP6501762B2/en
Priority to NZ715390A priority patent/NZ715390A/en
Publication of WO2014194355A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014194355A1/en
Priority to AU2018229533A priority patent/AU2018229533B2/en
Priority to AU2020210256A priority patent/AU2020210256B2/en
Priority to AU2022224751A priority patent/AU2022224751B2/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
    • H02S20/20—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object
    • H02S20/22—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings
    • H02S20/23—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings specially adapted for roof structures
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
    • H01L31/0445—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells including thin film solar cells, e.g. single thin film a-Si, CIS or CdTe solar cells
    • H01L31/046—PV modules composed of a plurality of thin film solar cells deposited on the same substrate
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S40/00—Components or accessories in combination with PV modules, not provided for in groups H02S10/00 - H02S30/00
    • H02S40/30—Electrical components
    • H02S40/36—Electrical components characterised by special electrical interconnection means between two or more PV modules, e.g. electrical module-to-module connection
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/10—Photovoltaic [PV]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/20—Solar thermal
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a solar roof panel that includes a support
  • the present invention also relates to a support assembly for a solar roof panel.
  • the present invention also relates to a system for generating electrical energy from solar radiation that includes the solar roof panel,
  • the present invention also relates to a system for generating electrical energy and thermal energy from solar radiation that includes the solar roof panel.
  • the roof of a domestic or a commercial building is a convenient surface for mounting a solar energy conversion unit for collecting solar energy and converting the solar energy into electrical (and optionally thermal) energy that can be used in the building and/or a local electricity network.
  • One option for a solar energy conversion unit is a solar roof panel that can be retro-fitted onto an existing roof or can be part of a new roof.
  • the present invention is concerned with providing a solar roof panel that can be manufactured at low cost and can be located quickly and efficiently onto a roof that is made from profiled roof cladding sheets as a retro-fitted unit or part of a new roof construction.
  • the present invention provides a solar roof panel that can be mounted onto a roof, the solar roof panel including:
  • a photoelectric cell assembly for converting solar energy into electrical energy
  • a support assembly for the photoelectric cell assembly including (i) a sheet substrate that has oppositely facing surfaces, with one surface having a flat surface on which the photoelectric cell assembly is mounted, and (ii) reinforcement members on the other surface of the substrate that stiffen the support assembly and are formed to facilitate locating the solar roof panel on the roof.
  • the present invention provides a solar roof panel that can be mounted onto a roof that includes a plurality of profiled roof cladding sheets as described herein, the solar roof panel including:
  • a support assembly for the photoelectric cell assembly including (i) a sheet substrate that is quadrilateral with a pair of parallel sides and oppositely facing surfaces, with one surface having a flat surface on which the photoelectric cell assembly is mounted, and (ii) reinforcement members on the other surface of the substrate that stiffen the support assembly and are formed to facilitate locating the solar roof panel on one or more profiled roof cladding sheets.
  • roof cladding sheets is understood herein to mean sheets which include one or more parallel ribs with opposed sides, pan sections, and side edge formations that enable the sheets to be positioned side by side in overlapping relationship. Roof cladding sheets may be roll-formed from painted or unpainted steel or aluminium strip or formed from extruded aluminium, carbon fibre, fibre glass or plastics material.
  • the solar roof panel may be any suitable length and width.
  • the length of the solar roof panel may be selected to extend between a ridge of a section of the roof and a gutter of the roof.
  • the photoelectric cell assembly may include electrical components, such as a wiring junction box and electrical cable, for transferring electrical energy from the assembly for use in an electrical system of the building or a local electrical network.
  • electrical components such as a wiring junction box and electrical cable, for transferring electrical energy from the assembly for use in an electrical system of the building or a local electrical network.
  • the photoelectric cell assembly may be in the form of a flexible film.
  • the flexible film may be a thin film of less than 3 mm thick.
  • the photoelectric cell assembly may include a photovoltaic cell module that includes a semi-conductor material electro-deposited or otherwise deposited on an electrically-conductive, such as stainless steel, flexible substrate and encapsulated in a moisture barrier laminate material.
  • the photoelectric cell assembly may include triple-junction solar cells made from semi-conductor material on a flexible laminate material.
  • the support assembly substrate may include at least two flat surfaces that are spaced apart along the length of the substrate, with a gap between the flat surfaces.
  • the solar roof panel may include a photoelectric cell assembly mounted on each flat surface.
  • the substrate and the reinforcement members may be manufactured as separate components of the support assembly and assembled together, for example by being adhered together.
  • the substrate and the reinforcement members of the support assembly may be integrally-formed from a single sheet of material.
  • the substrate and the reinforcement members may be made from any suitable material. Steel is one such suitable material.
  • the steel is a low carbon steel.
  • the sheet thickness is 0.2-3 mm, and more typically 0.4-1 mm.
  • the substrate is a flat steel sheet
  • typically the steel has a metal alloy coating to resist corrosion.
  • the steel is a low carbon steel with a metal alloy coating and a painted top coating to resist corrosion and improve aesthetics.
  • the reinforcement members may be formed to facilitate locating the solar roof panel on ribs of profiled roof cladding sheets.
  • the reinforcement members may be elongate and extend at least a part of the length of the substrate.
  • the support assembly may include side reinforcement members on both sides of the substrate.
  • the support assembly may include an intermediate reinforcement member positioned between the sides of the substrate.
  • the support assembly may include a plurality of parallel intermediate reinforcement members positioned between the sides of the substrate.
  • the spacing of the parallel intermediate reinforcement members may be equal to or a multiple of the spacing of adjacent ribs of profiled roof cladding sheets. Typically, the spacing is twice the rib spacing.
  • Each intermediate reinforcement member can facilitate locating the solar roof panel on one or more profiled roof cladding sheets by being formed as an elongate channel having a central web secured to the substrate and a pair of side walls extending from opposite side edges of the web away from the substrate that, in use, can be located over a rib of a profiled roof cladding sheet.
  • Each intermediate reinforcement member may include a flange extending outwardly from each side wall. This arrangement may be described as a top hat profile.
  • the support assembly may include stiffening ribs, typically small stiffening ribs, on the surface of the substrate on which the photoelectric cell assembly and therefore directly underneath the assembly.
  • the stiffening ribs may help hide any shape defects such as oil-canning in the substrate.
  • the present invention also provides a support assembly for a photoelectric cell assembly, such as the above-described photoelectric cell assembly, the support assembly including (i) a sheet substrate that has oppositely facing surfaces, with one surface having a flat surface for mounting the photoelectric cell assembly and (ii) reinforcement members extending from the other surface for the substrate that stiffen the support assembly and are formed to facilitate locating the solar roof panel on one or more profiled roof cladding sheets.
  • the support assembly may include one or more than one of the other features described above in connection with the solar roof panel.
  • the present invention also provides a roof that includes (a) a roof cladding and (b) the above-described solar roof panel located on the roof cladding.
  • the present invention also provides a roof that includes (a) a roof cladding in the form of a plurality of profiled roof cladding sheets in side by side relationship and (b) the above-described solar roof panel located on at least one roof cladding sheet.
  • the solar roof panel may extend between an upper ridge of the roof and a gutter of the roof.
  • the solar roof panel and the roof cladding may define a plurality of elongate ducts extending along the length of the solar roof panel, each of which ducts has an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end for air flow along the length of the ducts.
  • the air flow is upward flow from a gutter end to a ridge end of the solar roof panel.
  • the air flow provides an opportunity to cool the solar roof panel via heat transfer from the panel to air that flows through the ducts.
  • the efficiency and operating life of photovoltaic cells decreases with temperature and hence heat removal is an important consideration for maintaining high efficiency operation and optimum operating life of the solar roof panels.
  • the heated air provides an opportunity to provide heated air for use in the building to improve energy efficiency in the building.
  • the profiled roof cladding sheets may have any suitable arrangement of ribs, pan sections, and side edge formations.
  • the present invention also provides a system for generating electrical energy from solar radiation that includes the above-described solar roof panel located on at least one roof cladding sheet of a roof of a building and an electrical energy circuit for transferring electrical energy generated by the solar roof panel for use in an electrical system of the building or a local electrical network.
  • the present invention also provides a system for generating electrical energy and thermal energy from solar radiation that includes the above-described solar roof panel located on at least one roof cladding sheet of a roof of a building and an electrical energy circuit for transferring electrical energy generated by the solar roof panel for use in an electrical system of the building or a local electrical network and a system for transferring heated or cooled air generated by the solar roof panel for use in the building.
  • the present invention also provides a system for generating thermal energy from solar radiation that includes the above-described solar roof panel, without the photovoltaic cell assembly mounted to the support assembly, and a system for transferring heated air in the elongate ducts (defined by the solar roof panel and the roof cladding extending along the length of the solar roof panel) for use in the building or for other ancillary applications.
  • the present invention also provides a system for generating a cooling effect based on night sky cooling of the above-described solar roof panel, with or without the photovoltaic cell assembly mounted to the support assembly, and a system for transferring cooled air in the elongate ducts (defined by the solar roof panel and the roof cladding extending along the length of the solar roof panel) for use in the building.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a section of a roof of a building with a plurality of solar roof panels in accordance with one embodiment of the invention mounted to the roof and forming a solar energy conversion unit;
  • Figure 2 is the perspective view of Figure 1 with the photoelectric cell assembly of each solar roof panel removed to show the support assembly of each panel;
  • Figure 3 is a view of one side of the roof section shown in Figure 1 ;
  • FIG 4 is a perspective of one of the solar roof panels shown in Figure 1, with parts of the panel shown by hidden lines;
  • FIG 5 is an exploded perspective view of the solar roof panel shown in Figure 4.
  • FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the solar roof panel shown in Figure 4 with the wiring component covers of the panel removed for clarity;
  • Figure 7 is an end view of the solar roof panel shown in Figure 4 mounted to the roof shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 8 is the end view of Figure 7 with the wiring component cover of the panel shown in Figure 7 removed for clarity;
  • Figure 9 is the end view of Figure 7 with the wiring component cover and the photovoltaic cell assembly of the panel shown in Figure 7 removed for clarity and therefore showing only the support assembly of the solar roof panel;
  • Figure 10 is a perspective view of the support assembly of the solar roof panel shown in Figure 4;
  • Figure 11 is a transverse cross-section of the support assembly of the solar roof panel shown in Figure 10;
  • Figure 12 is a transverse cross-section of an intermediate reinforcement member of the support assembly of the solar roof panel shown in Figure 10;
  • Figure 13 is a transverse cross-section of a side reinforcement member of the support assembly of the solar roof panel shown in Figure 10;
  • Figure 14 is an enlarged view of a section of the perspective view of Figure 1 which shows the ridge cap of the roof shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an A-frame roof section of a building with five solar roof panels 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention mounted to each side of the roof and forming a solar energy conversion unit.
  • the roof section shown in Figure 1 is by way of illustration only and the invention is not confined to A-frame roofs and to the specific number of solar roof panels 3 on the roof.
  • the solar roof panels 3 extend down the sides of the roof between a ridge 5 and gutters 7 of the roof.
  • the solar roof panels 3 are located on profiled roof cladding sheets 9 (see Figures 3, 7, 8, and 9) by means of fasteners (not shown).
  • the profiled roof cladding sheets 9 are mounted via fasteners (not shown) to purlins 11 that form a part of the A-frame of the roof - see Figures 1 and 2.
  • the upper ends of the solar roof panels 3 are formed to extend under a ridge cap 45 on the ridge 5.
  • the roof cladding sheets 9 may be of any suitable profile that includes ribs that extend from pan sections of the sheets 9. With reference to Figures 3, 7, 8, and 9, the roof cladding sheets 9 are roll-formed from sheet steel and optionally include a corrosion resistant metal alloy coating and a painted outer coating and include ribs 13 separated by pans 15.
  • the cladding sheets 9 may be of any suitable length and width and may include any suitable number of ribs 13 and pan sections 15. In the arrangement shown in the Figures, there are six pan sections 15 and seven ribs 13. Each rib 13 includes two sides 17 separated by a slightly convex upper section 18.
  • Each solar roof panel 3 includes:
  • each solar roof panel 3 includes two separate thin, flexible photovoltaic cell modules 19, with each module 19 including (i) photovoltaic cells mounted on a suitable laminate and forming a thin photovoltaic cell/laminate sheet 33 and (ii) electrical components in the form of wiring junction boxes 28 and electrical cables 31 for transferring electrical energy from the assembly for use in an electrical system (not shown) of the building or to a local electrical network.
  • the invention is not confined to the use of two separate modules 19 and extends to any suitable number of modules 19, including a single module 19.
  • the photovoltaic cell/laminate sheets 33 are mounted to the support assembly by adhesive tape or other suitable mounting option.
  • the sheets 33 are positioned with a gap 35 between the upper end of one sheet and the lower end of the other sheet. Electrical components are positioned in and adjacent the gap 35.
  • the sheets 33 are also positioned so that there is a space 37 at an upper ridge end of the support assembly and a space 39 at a lower gutter end of the support assembly.
  • Electrical components are positioned in and adjacent the spaces 37, 39.
  • the solar roof panel 3 includes elongate covers 41 (see Figure 1, 4, and 5) that are mounted over the electrical components to protect the components.
  • the support assembly includes a sheet substrate 21 that is rectangular with a pair of parallel sides 23 and parallel ends 25 (one of which forms the ridge end 5 and the other of which forms a gutter end 7 of the solar roof panel 3).
  • the substrate 21 is a flat surface that has oppositely facing flat surfaces.
  • the photoelectric cell assembly is mounted on an "upper" (as viewed in the Figures) flat surface of the assembly.
  • the support assembly also includes side reinforcement members 29 and intermediate reinforcement members 27 on the "lower" (as viewed in the Figures) flat surface of the assembly.
  • the reinforcement members 27, 29 stiffen the support assembly and are formed (particularly in the case of the reinforcement members 27) to facilitate locating the solar roof panel 3 on the ribs 13 of the roof cladding sheets 9.
  • the substrate 21 and the reinforcement members 27, 29 are manufactured from steel as separate components of the support assembly and are assembled together, for example by being adhered together.
  • the reinforcement members 27, 29 are elongate and extend substantially along the length of the substrate 21.
  • the spacing of the intermediate reinforcement members 29 is twice the spacing of adjacent ribs 13 of roof cladding sheets 9, although the spacing may be any suitable multiple spacing of the rib spacing.
  • Each intermediate reinforcement member 27 facilitates locating the solar roof panels 3 on the profiled roof cladding sheets 9 by being formed as an elongate channel with a top hat profile that fits over the ribs 13 of the profiled roof cladding sheets 9.
  • the channel includes: (a) a central web 51, (b) a pair of side walls 53 extending from opposite side edges of the web 51, and (c) a flange 55 extending outwardly from each side wall 53.
  • Each side reinforcement member 29 is an elongate channel that includes: (a) a pair of parallel sections 57 and a web 59 interconnecting the sections 57 ( Figure 13).
  • the solar roof panels 3 extend across the profiled roof cladding sheets 9, such that the solar roof panels 3 and the profiled roof cladding sheets 9 define a plurality of elongate ducts 61 extending along the length of the solar roof panels 3.
  • Each duct 61 has an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end for air flow along the length of the ducts.
  • the air flow is upwardly inclined air flow via from the gutter end 7 to the ridge end 5 of the solar roof panel.
  • the air flow provides an opportunity to cool the solar roof panels 3 via heat transfer from the panels 3 to air that flows through the ducts 61.
  • the solar energy conversion unit formed from the array of solar roof panels 3 shown in Figure 1 is straightforward to retro-fit to an existing roof or to install as a part of a new build.
  • One assembly option for the solar energy conversion unit includes the following steps.
  • the solar roof panels 3 are located on the profiled roof cladding sheets 9 by positioning the panels 3 so that the downwardly-opening channels of the intermediate reinforcing members 27 are located on the ribs 13 of the sheets 9.
  • the channels of the intermediate reinforcing members 27 are a convenient and effective locating option.
  • the intermediate reinforcing members 27 do not have to be a close fit on the ribs 13, although they may be if required for a particular application.
  • the side reinforcing members 29 essentially wrap over the opposed sides of the profiled roof cladding sheets 9 and facilitate further locating of the solar roof panels 3 in position.
  • the solar roof panels 3 are fastened to the profiled roof cladding sheets 9 by means of fasteners (not shown).
  • the fasteners may be any suitable fasteners.
  • the solar roof panels 3 are fastened through the ribs 13 of the sheets 9.
  • the ridge cap 5 and the covers 41 are then positioned to complete the process.
  • the ridge cap 35 includes a conventional inverted V-shaped cover sheet 47 designed to keep rainwater out of a building and a plenum chamber 49 for collecting air flowing upwardly along the ducts 61 into the plenum chamber 49.
  • the plenum chamber 49 runs across the roof and is typically a trapezoidal shape (although it could be any suitable shape), with one chamber 49a for one roof- facing direction and a separate chamber 49 for the other roof-facing direction so that air from a cooler side of the building can be used separately to that from a side of the building more directly facing the sun.
  • These plenum chambers 49 can be fabricated out of steel or any other suitable material and typically are used to channel the air collected from the ducts 61 for use in the building - for heating or for cooling.
  • the plenum chambers 49 may be connected to an air handling system (not shown) that includes a fan (not shown) for forcing air flow, by one or more spigots (not shown) or other suitable elements along the plenum chamber length.
  • the number of spigots is typically dependant on the fan size and length of the chamber and how the heated or cooled air will be used in the building.
  • TopSpan 22 battens to 6-pan flashing with Selleys Liquid Nails (Mirror Metal Glass) 275 mm from each end of the wiring cover section.
  • o Spigot is either steel or plastic and typically 150 mm diameter.
  • o Spigot is then connected to air handling system.
  • the invention is not so limited and can be used with other types of roof cladding.
  • the invention can be used with any suitable metal, tiled or other roof type.
  • the invention extends to the use of any suitable fasteners or adhesive or other suitable means for securing the various components of the solar roof panels 3 together and to a roof.
  • the substrate 21 and the reinforcement members 27, 29 are manufactured from steel in the embodiment described in relation to the Figures, the invention is not so limited and the substrate 21 and the reinforcement members 27, 29 may be made from any suitable materials.
  • the solar roof panels 3 extend down the sides of the roof between a ridge 5 and gutters 7 of the roof in the embodiment described in relation to the Figures, the invention is not so limited and the solar roof panels 3 may be located on a part only of the roof between the ridge 5 and gutters 7 of the roof.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Roof Covering Using Slabs Or Stiff Sheets (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A solar roof panel (3) includes a photoelectric cell assembly for converting solar energy into electrical energy, and a support assembly for the photoelectric cell assembly (19, 28, 31, 33). The support assembly includes (i) a sheet substrate 21 that has oppositely facing surfaces, with one surface having a flat surface on which the photoelectric cell assembly is mounted, and (ii) reinforcement members (27, 29) on the other surface of the substrate that stiffen the support assembly and are formed to facilitate locating the solar roof panel on the roof.

Description

SOLAR ROOF PANEL TECHNICAL FIELD
5 The present invention relates to a solar roof panel that includes a support
assembly and a photovoltaic cell assembly mounted to the support assembly.
The present invention also relates to a support assembly for a solar roof panel. The present invention also relates to a system for generating electrical energy from solar radiation that includes the solar roof panel,
l o The present invention also relates to a system for generating electrical energy and thermal energy from solar radiation that includes the solar roof panel.
BACKGROUND ART
The roof of a domestic or a commercial building is a convenient surface for mounting a solar energy conversion unit for collecting solar energy and converting the solar energy into electrical (and optionally thermal) energy that can be used in the building and/or a local electricity network.
One option for a solar energy conversion unit is a solar roof panel that can be retro-fitted onto an existing roof or can be part of a new roof.
The present invention is concerned with providing a solar roof panel that can be manufactured at low cost and can be located quickly and efficiently onto a roof that is made from profiled roof cladding sheets as a retro-fitted unit or part of a new roof construction.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
In general terms, the present invention provides a solar roof panel that can be mounted onto a roof, the solar roof panel including:
30 (a) a photoelectric cell assembly for converting solar energy into electrical energy, and (b) a support assembly for the photoelectric cell assembly, the support assembly including (i) a sheet substrate that has oppositely facing surfaces, with one surface having a flat surface on which the photoelectric cell assembly is mounted, and (ii) reinforcement members on the other surface of the substrate that stiffen the support assembly and are formed to facilitate locating the solar roof panel on the roof.
More specifically, the present invention provides a solar roof panel that can be mounted onto a roof that includes a plurality of profiled roof cladding sheets as described herein, the solar roof panel including:
(a) a photoelectric cell assembly for converting solar energy into electrical energy, and
(b) a support assembly for the photoelectric cell assembly, the support assembly including (i) a sheet substrate that is quadrilateral with a pair of parallel sides and oppositely facing surfaces, with one surface having a flat surface on which the photoelectric cell assembly is mounted, and (ii) reinforcement members on the other surface of the substrate that stiffen the support assembly and are formed to facilitate locating the solar roof panel on one or more profiled roof cladding sheets.
The term "profiled roof cladding sheets" is understood herein to mean sheets which include one or more parallel ribs with opposed sides, pan sections, and side edge formations that enable the sheets to be positioned side by side in overlapping relationship. Roof cladding sheets may be roll-formed from painted or unpainted steel or aluminium strip or formed from extruded aluminium, carbon fibre, fibre glass or plastics material.
The solar roof panel may be any suitable length and width. By way of example, the length of the solar roof panel may be selected to extend between a ridge of a section of the roof and a gutter of the roof.
The photoelectric cell assembly may include electrical components, such as a wiring junction box and electrical cable, for transferring electrical energy from the assembly for use in an electrical system of the building or a local electrical network.
The photoelectric cell assembly may be in the form of a flexible film.
The flexible film may be a thin film of less than 3 mm thick.
The photoelectric cell assembly may include a photovoltaic cell module that includes a semi-conductor material electro-deposited or otherwise deposited on an electrically-conductive, such as stainless steel, flexible substrate and encapsulated in a moisture barrier laminate material.
The photoelectric cell assembly may include triple-junction solar cells made from semi-conductor material on a flexible laminate material.
The support assembly substrate may include at least two flat surfaces that are spaced apart along the length of the substrate, with a gap between the flat surfaces.
With the arrangement described in the preceding paragraph, the solar roof panel may include a photoelectric cell assembly mounted on each flat surface.
The substrate and the reinforcement members may be manufactured as separate components of the support assembly and assembled together, for example by being adhered together.
The substrate and the reinforcement members of the support assembly may be integrally-formed from a single sheet of material.
The substrate and the reinforcement members may be made from any suitable material. Steel is one such suitable material.
When the substrate is a flat steel sheet, typically the steel is a low carbon steel.
When the substrate is a flat steel sheet, typically the sheet thickness is 0.2-3 mm, and more typically 0.4-1 mm.
When the substrate is a flat steel sheet, typically the steel has a metal alloy coating to resist corrosion.
When the substrate is a flat steel sheet, typically the steel is a low carbon steel with a metal alloy coating and a painted top coating to resist corrosion and improve aesthetics.
The reinforcement members may be formed to facilitate locating the solar roof panel on ribs of profiled roof cladding sheets.
The reinforcement members may be elongate and extend at least a part of the length of the substrate.
The support assembly may include side reinforcement members on both sides of the substrate.
The support assembly may include an intermediate reinforcement member positioned between the sides of the substrate. The support assembly may include a plurality of parallel intermediate reinforcement members positioned between the sides of the substrate.
The spacing of the parallel intermediate reinforcement members may be equal to or a multiple of the spacing of adjacent ribs of profiled roof cladding sheets. Typically, the spacing is twice the rib spacing.
Each intermediate reinforcement member can facilitate locating the solar roof panel on one or more profiled roof cladding sheets by being formed as an elongate channel having a central web secured to the substrate and a pair of side walls extending from opposite side edges of the web away from the substrate that, in use, can be located over a rib of a profiled roof cladding sheet.
Each intermediate reinforcement member may include a flange extending outwardly from each side wall. This arrangement may be described as a top hat profile.
The support assembly may include stiffening ribs, typically small stiffening ribs, on the surface of the substrate on which the photoelectric cell assembly and therefore directly underneath the assembly. The stiffening ribs may help hide any shape defects such as oil-canning in the substrate.
The present invention also provides a support assembly for a photoelectric cell assembly, such as the above-described photoelectric cell assembly, the support assembly including (i) a sheet substrate that has oppositely facing surfaces, with one surface having a flat surface for mounting the photoelectric cell assembly and (ii) reinforcement members extending from the other surface for the substrate that stiffen the support assembly and are formed to facilitate locating the solar roof panel on one or more profiled roof cladding sheets.
The support assembly may include one or more than one of the other features described above in connection with the solar roof panel.
In general terms the present invention also provides a roof that includes (a) a roof cladding and (b) the above-described solar roof panel located on the roof cladding.
In more specific terms the present invention also provides a roof that includes (a) a roof cladding in the form of a plurality of profiled roof cladding sheets in side by side relationship and (b) the above-described solar roof panel located on at least one roof cladding sheet. The solar roof panel may extend between an upper ridge of the roof and a gutter of the roof.
The solar roof panel and the roof cladding may define a plurality of elongate ducts extending along the length of the solar roof panel, each of which ducts has an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end for air flow along the length of the ducts.
Typically, the air flow is upward flow from a gutter end to a ridge end of the solar roof panel.
The air flow provides an opportunity to cool the solar roof panel via heat transfer from the panel to air that flows through the ducts. The efficiency and operating life of photovoltaic cells decreases with temperature and hence heat removal is an important consideration for maintaining high efficiency operation and optimum operating life of the solar roof panels. Moreover, the heated air provides an opportunity to provide heated air for use in the building to improve energy efficiency in the building.
The profiled roof cladding sheets may have any suitable arrangement of ribs, pan sections, and side edge formations.
The present invention also provides a system for generating electrical energy from solar radiation that includes the above-described solar roof panel located on at least one roof cladding sheet of a roof of a building and an electrical energy circuit for transferring electrical energy generated by the solar roof panel for use in an electrical system of the building or a local electrical network.
The present invention also provides a system for generating electrical energy and thermal energy from solar radiation that includes the above-described solar roof panel located on at least one roof cladding sheet of a roof of a building and an electrical energy circuit for transferring electrical energy generated by the solar roof panel for use in an electrical system of the building or a local electrical network and a system for transferring heated or cooled air generated by the solar roof panel for use in the building.
The present invention also provides a system for generating thermal energy from solar radiation that includes the above-described solar roof panel, without the photovoltaic cell assembly mounted to the support assembly, and a system for transferring heated air in the elongate ducts (defined by the solar roof panel and the roof cladding extending along the length of the solar roof panel) for use in the building or for other ancillary applications.
The present invention also provides a system for generating a cooling effect based on night sky cooling of the above-described solar roof panel, with or without the photovoltaic cell assembly mounted to the support assembly, and a system for transferring cooled air in the elongate ducts (defined by the solar roof panel and the roof cladding extending along the length of the solar roof panel) for use in the building.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a section of a roof of a building with a plurality of solar roof panels in accordance with one embodiment of the invention mounted to the roof and forming a solar energy conversion unit;
Figure 2 is the perspective view of Figure 1 with the photoelectric cell assembly of each solar roof panel removed to show the support assembly of each panel;
Figure 3 is a view of one side of the roof section shown in Figure 1 ;
Figure 4 is a perspective of one of the solar roof panels shown in Figure 1, with parts of the panel shown by hidden lines;
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the solar roof panel shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a top plan view of the solar roof panel shown in Figure 4 with the wiring component covers of the panel removed for clarity;
Figure 7 is an end view of the solar roof panel shown in Figure 4 mounted to the roof shown in Figure 1 ;
Figure 8 is the end view of Figure 7 with the wiring component cover of the panel shown in Figure 7 removed for clarity;
Figure 9 is the end view of Figure 7 with the wiring component cover and the photovoltaic cell assembly of the panel shown in Figure 7 removed for clarity and therefore showing only the support assembly of the solar roof panel; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the support assembly of the solar roof panel shown in Figure 4;
Figure 11 is a transverse cross-section of the support assembly of the solar roof panel shown in Figure 10;
Figure 12 is a transverse cross-section of an intermediate reinforcement member of the support assembly of the solar roof panel shown in Figure 10;
Figure 13 is a transverse cross-section of a side reinforcement member of the support assembly of the solar roof panel shown in Figure 10; and
Figure 14 is an enlarged view of a section of the perspective view of Figure 1 which shows the ridge cap of the roof shown in Figure 1.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 illustrates an A-frame roof section of a building with five solar roof panels 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention mounted to each side of the roof and forming a solar energy conversion unit.
The roof section shown in Figure 1 is by way of illustration only and the invention is not confined to A-frame roofs and to the specific number of solar roof panels 3 on the roof.
The solar roof panels 3 extend down the sides of the roof between a ridge 5 and gutters 7 of the roof. The solar roof panels 3 are located on profiled roof cladding sheets 9 (see Figures 3, 7, 8, and 9) by means of fasteners (not shown). The profiled roof cladding sheets 9 are mounted via fasteners (not shown) to purlins 11 that form a part of the A-frame of the roof - see Figures 1 and 2. The upper ends of the solar roof panels 3 are formed to extend under a ridge cap 45 on the ridge 5.
The roof cladding sheets 9 may be of any suitable profile that includes ribs that extend from pan sections of the sheets 9. With reference to Figures 3, 7, 8, and 9, the roof cladding sheets 9 are roll-formed from sheet steel and optionally include a corrosion resistant metal alloy coating and a painted outer coating and include ribs 13 separated by pans 15. The cladding sheets 9 may be of any suitable length and width and may include any suitable number of ribs 13 and pan sections 15. In the arrangement shown in the Figures, there are six pan sections 15 and seven ribs 13. Each rib 13 includes two sides 17 separated by a slightly convex upper section 18.
Each solar roof panel 3 includes:
(a) a photoelectric cell assembly for converting solar energy into electrical energy, and
(b) a support assembly for the photoelectric cell assembly.
The photoelectric cell assembly of each solar roof panel 3 includes two separate thin, flexible photovoltaic cell modules 19, with each module 19 including (i) photovoltaic cells mounted on a suitable laminate and forming a thin photovoltaic cell/laminate sheet 33 and (ii) electrical components in the form of wiring junction boxes 28 and electrical cables 31 for transferring electrical energy from the assembly for use in an electrical system (not shown) of the building or to a local electrical network. The invention is not confined to the use of two separate modules 19 and extends to any suitable number of modules 19, including a single module 19.
With reference to Figure 4, the photovoltaic cell/laminate sheets 33 are mounted to the support assembly by adhesive tape or other suitable mounting option. The sheets 33 are positioned with a gap 35 between the upper end of one sheet and the lower end of the other sheet. Electrical components are positioned in and adjacent the gap 35. The sheets 33 are also positioned so that there is a space 37 at an upper ridge end of the support assembly and a space 39 at a lower gutter end of the support assembly.
Electrical components are positioned in and adjacent the spaces 37, 39.
The solar roof panel 3 includes elongate covers 41 (see Figure 1, 4, and 5) that are mounted over the electrical components to protect the components.
With particular reference to Figures 2, 9, 10, and 1 1, the support assembly includes a sheet substrate 21 that is rectangular with a pair of parallel sides 23 and parallel ends 25 (one of which forms the ridge end 5 and the other of which forms a gutter end 7 of the solar roof panel 3). The substrate 21 is a flat surface that has oppositely facing flat surfaces. The photoelectric cell assembly is mounted on an "upper" (as viewed in the Figures) flat surface of the assembly.
The support assembly also includes side reinforcement members 29 and intermediate reinforcement members 27 on the "lower" (as viewed in the Figures) flat surface of the assembly. The reinforcement members 27, 29 stiffen the support assembly and are formed (particularly in the case of the reinforcement members 27) to facilitate locating the solar roof panel 3 on the ribs 13 of the roof cladding sheets 9.
The substrate 21 and the reinforcement members 27, 29 are manufactured from steel as separate components of the support assembly and are assembled together, for example by being adhered together.
The reinforcement members 27, 29 are elongate and extend substantially along the length of the substrate 21. The spacing of the intermediate reinforcement members 29 is twice the spacing of adjacent ribs 13 of roof cladding sheets 9, although the spacing may be any suitable multiple spacing of the rib spacing.
Each intermediate reinforcement member 27 facilitates locating the solar roof panels 3 on the profiled roof cladding sheets 9 by being formed as an elongate channel with a top hat profile that fits over the ribs 13 of the profiled roof cladding sheets 9. As can best be seen in Figure 12, the channel includes: (a) a central web 51, (b) a pair of side walls 53 extending from opposite side edges of the web 51, and (c) a flange 55 extending outwardly from each side wall 53.
Each side reinforcement member 29 is an elongate channel that includes: (a) a pair of parallel sections 57 and a web 59 interconnecting the sections 57 (Figure 13).
As can best be seen in Figure 7, the solar roof panels 3 extend across the profiled roof cladding sheets 9, such that the solar roof panels 3 and the profiled roof cladding sheets 9 define a plurality of elongate ducts 61 extending along the length of the solar roof panels 3. Each duct 61 has an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end for air flow along the length of the ducts. Typically, the air flow is upwardly inclined air flow via from the gutter end 7 to the ridge end 5 of the solar roof panel. As is indicated above, the air flow provides an opportunity to cool the solar roof panels 3 via heat transfer from the panels 3 to air that flows through the ducts 61. The efficiency and operating life of photovoltaic cells decreases with temperature and hence heat removal is an important consideration for maintaining high efficiency operation and optimum operating life of the solar roof panels. Moreover, the heated air provides an opportunity to provide heated air for use in the building to improve energy efficiency in the building. The solar energy conversion unit formed from the array of solar roof panels 3 shown in Figure 1 is straightforward to retro-fit to an existing roof or to install as a part of a new build.
One assembly option for the solar energy conversion unit includes the following steps. The solar roof panels 3 are located on the profiled roof cladding sheets 9 by positioning the panels 3 so that the downwardly-opening channels of the intermediate reinforcing members 27 are located on the ribs 13 of the sheets 9. The channels of the intermediate reinforcing members 27 are a convenient and effective locating option. In this connection, the intermediate reinforcing members 27 do not have to be a close fit on the ribs 13, although they may be if required for a particular application. The side reinforcing members 29 essentially wrap over the opposed sides of the profiled roof cladding sheets 9 and facilitate further locating of the solar roof panels 3 in position. The solar roof panels 3 are fastened to the profiled roof cladding sheets 9 by means of fasteners (not shown). The fasteners may be any suitable fasteners. Typically, the solar roof panels 3 are fastened through the ribs 13 of the sheets 9. The ridge cap 5 and the covers 41 are then positioned to complete the process.
As described above, the upper ends of the solar roof panels 3 are formed to extend under the ridge cap 45 on the ridge 5. As a consequence, the upper ends of the ducts 61 are under the ridge cap 45. The ridge cap 35 includes a conventional inverted V-shaped cover sheet 47 designed to keep rainwater out of a building and a plenum chamber 49 for collecting air flowing upwardly along the ducts 61 into the plenum chamber 49. The plenum chamber 49 runs across the roof and is typically a trapezoidal shape (although it could be any suitable shape), with one chamber 49a for one roof- facing direction and a separate chamber 49 for the other roof-facing direction so that air from a cooler side of the building can be used separately to that from a side of the building more directly facing the sun. These plenum chambers 49 can be fabricated out of steel or any other suitable material and typically are used to channel the air collected from the ducts 61 for use in the building - for heating or for cooling.
The plenum chambers 49 may be connected to an air handling system (not shown) that includes a fan (not shown) for forcing air flow, by one or more spigots (not shown) or other suitable elements along the plenum chamber length. The number of spigots is typically dependant on the fan size and length of the chamber and how the heated or cooled air will be used in the building.
The following product specification for the solar roof panel 3 is presented by way of example only.
PV Sub-Structure (Support Flashing Assembly) Specification
• SOLOPOWER SP3S 220W flexible photovoltaic module:
o Bond to 6-pan flashing using HelioBond PVA 600BT in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
• 6-pan flashing:
o 0.55 mm BMT G300 COLORBOND ® flat sheet
o Nominal dimensions: Width - 1,200 mm
o Length - 4,210 mm
o Screw 6-pan flashing at each end and centre to corresponding F7 timber purlins using 7 x No.12 Type 17 screws with minimum 35 mm embedment. Block out space with foam spacer as required.
• Side stiffener, 2 off:
o 0.55 mm BMT G300, COLORBOND ® steel finish (typically selected to match the 6-pan flashing colour or roof colour,
o Section dimensions: Flange width: 47 mm top flange, 30 mm bottom flange and Flange depth: 28 mm and Length: 4,210 mm (nom.)
o Located each side edge of the 6-pan flashing
o Bond top flange to underside of 6-pan flashing with continuous strip of 24 mm wide 3M VHB RP45 tape in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications, o Bottom flange weather seal to Trimdek with 25 x 3.2 mm EPDM foam strip.· Centre stiffener, 2 off:
o 1.0 mm BMT G550, COLORBOND ® steel.
o Section dimensions: Flange width: 51 mm top flange and 15 mm bottom
flanges and Flange depth: 21 mm and Length: 4,170 mm (nom.)
o Located 190.5 mm spacing from centreline of 6-pan flashing
o Bond top flange to underside of 6-pan flashing with continuous strip of 24 mm wide 3M VHB RP45 tape in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. o Screw fix through 6-pan flashing and centre stiffener to each F7 timber purlin using 1 x No.12 Type 17 screws with minimum 35 mm embedment at maximum 900 mm centres.
Wiring cover (mid- flashing cover):
o 0.55 mm BMT G300 COLORBOND ® sheet
o Section dimensions: Width: 203 mm overall and 21 mm / 160° edge folds and
Length: 1,200 mm (nom.)
o Attach to 6-pan flashing as follows, referring to Wiring Cover drawing:
■ Bond 2 x 100 mm length TopSpan 22 battens to 6-pan flashing with Selleys Liquid Nails (Mirror Metal Glass) 275 mm from each end of the wiring cover section.
■ Screw fix through wiring cover to the TopSpan 22 battens with 2 x No.6- 18x12 drill point screws as indicated.
Plenum Chambers:
o 0.55 mm BMT G300 COLORBOND® steel or ZINCALUME® steel sheet, o Section dimensions: Width: 200 mm overall and Length: 1,200 mm to 2,400 mm (nom.)
o Spigot is either steel or plastic and typically 150 mm diameter.
o Hole is cut in base of plenum to suit spigot and spigot is screwed or riveted in place with appropriate sealer,
o Spigot is then connected to air handling system.
It can readily be appreciated form the above that the embodiment of the solar roof panel 3 described in relation to the Figures is straight forward to manufacture and to install on a roof.
Many modifications may be made to the embodiment of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
By way of example, whilst the embodiment of the invention described in relation to the Figures includes solar roof panels 3 that are mounted to profiled roof cladding sheets 9, the invention is not so limited and can be used with other types of roof cladding. For example, the invention can be used with any suitable metal, tiled or other roof type. By way of further example, the invention extends to the use of any suitable fasteners or adhesive or other suitable means for securing the various components of the solar roof panels 3 together and to a roof.
By way of further example, whilst the substrate 21 and the reinforcement members 27, 29 are manufactured from steel in the embodiment described in relation to the Figures, the invention is not so limited and the substrate 21 and the reinforcement members 27, 29 may be made from any suitable materials.
By way of further example, whilst the solar roof panels 3 extend down the sides of the roof between a ridge 5 and gutters 7 of the roof in the embodiment described in relation to the Figures, the invention is not so limited and the solar roof panels 3 may be located on a part only of the roof between the ridge 5 and gutters 7 of the roof.
In the claims which follow, and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the end lap system and components of the end lap system as disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A solar roof panel that can be mounted onto a roof that includes a plurality of profiled roof cladding sheets, the solar roof panel including:
(a) a photoelectric cell assembly for converting solar energy into electrical energy, and
(b) a support assembly for the photoelectric cell assembly, the support assembly including (i) a sheet substrate that is quadrilateral with a pair of parallel sides and has oppositely facing surfaces, with one surface having a flat surface on which the photoelectric cell assembly is mounted, and (ii) reinforcement members on the other surface of the substrate that stiffen the support assembly and are formed to facilitate locating the solar roof panel on one or more profiled roof cladding sheets.
2. The panel defined in claim 1 wherein the photoelectric cell assembly includes electrical components for transferring electrical energy from the assembly for use in an electrical system of the building or a local electrical network.
3. The panel defined in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the photoelectric cell assembly is in the form of a flexible film.
4. The panel defined in claim 3 wherein the flexible film is a thin film of less than 3 mm thick.
5. The panel defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support assembly substrate includes at least two flat surfaces that are spaced apart along the length of the substrate, with a gap between the flat surfaces.
6. The panel defined in claim 5 includes a photoelectric cell assembly mounted on each flat surface.
7. The panel defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the substrate and the reinforcement members are manufactured as separate components of the support assembly and are assembled together.
8. The panel defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the reinforcement members are formed to facilitate locating the solar roof panel on ribs of profiled roof cladding sheets of the roof.
9. The panel defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the reinforcement members are elongate and extend at least a part of the length of the substrate.
10. The panel defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support assembly includes side reinforcement members on both sides of the substrate.
11. The panel defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support assembly includes an intermediate reinforcement member positioned between the sides of the substrate.
12. The panel defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support assembly includes a plurality of parallel intermediate reinforcement members positioned between the sides of the substrate.
13. The panel defined in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein each intermediate
reinforcement member can facilitate locating the solar roof panel on one or more profiled roof cladding sheets by being formed as an elongate channel having a central web secured to the substrate and a pair of side walls extending from opposite side edges of the web away from the substrate that, in use, can be located over a rib of a profiled roof cladding sheet.
14. The panel defined in claim 13 wherein each intermediate reinforcement member includes a flange extending outwardly from each side wall and thereby forms a top hat profile.
15. A solar roof panel that can be mounted onto a roof, the solar roof panel including:
(a) a photoelectric cell assembly for converting solar energy into electrical energy, and
(a) a support assembly for the photoelectric cell assembly, the support assembly including (i) a sheet substrate that has oppositely facing surfaces, with one surface having a flat surface on which the photoelectric cell assembly is mounted, and (ii) reinforcement members on the other surface of the substrate that stiffen the support assembly and are formed to facilitate locating the solar roof panel on the roof.
16. A support assembly for a photoelectric cell assembly, the support assembly including (i) a sheet substrate that has oppositely facing surfaces, with one surface having a flat surface for mounting the photoelectric cell assembly and (ii) reinforcement members extending from the other surface for the substrate that stiffen the support assembly and are formed to facilitate locating the solar roof panel on one or more profiled roof cladding sheets.
17. A roof that includes (a) a roof cladding and (b) the above-described solar roof panel located on the roof cladding
18. A roof that includes (a) a roof cladding in the form of a plurality of profiled roof cladding sheets in side by side relationship and (b) at least one solar roof panel defined in any one of claims 1 to 15 located on at least one roof cladding sheet.
19. The roof defined in claim 17 wherein the solar roof panel extends between an upper ridge of the roof and a gutter of the roof.
20. The roof defined in any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein the solar roof panel and the roof cladding define a plurality of elongate ducts extending along the length of the solar roof panel, each of which ducts has an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end for air flow along the length of the ducts
21. A system for generating electrical energy from solar radiation that includes the solar roof panel defined in any one of claims 1 to 15 located on at least one roof cladding sheet of a roof of a building and an electrical energy circuit for transferring electrical energy generated by the solar roof panel for use in an electrical system of the building or a local electrical network.
22. A system for generating electrical energy and thermal energy from solar radiation that includes the above-described solar roof panel located on at least one roof cladding sheet of a roof of a building and an electrical energy circuit for transferring electrical energy generated by the solar roof panel for use in an electrical system of the building or a local electrical network and a system for transferring heated or cooled air generated by the solar roof panel for use in the building.
23 A solar roof panel defined in claims 1, 5 and 7 to 14 system for generating thermal energy from solar radiation that includes the solar roof panel, without the photovoltaic cell assembly mounted to the support assembly, and a system for transferring heated air in the elongate ducts (defined by the solar roof panel and the roof cladding extending along the length of the solar roof panel) for use in the building or for other ancillary applications.
24. A system for generating a cooling effect based on night sky cooling of a solar roof panel defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, with or without the photovoltaic cell assembly mounted to the support assembly, and a system for transferring cooled air in the elongate ducts (defined by the solar roof panel and the roof cladding extending along the length of the solar roof panel) for use in the building.
PCT/AU2014/000576 2013-06-03 2014-06-03 Solar roof panel WO2014194355A1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2014277610A AU2014277610A1 (en) 2013-06-03 2014-06-03 Solar roof panel
JP2016517094A JP6501762B2 (en) 2013-06-03 2014-06-03 Solar roof panel
NZ715390A NZ715390A (en) 2013-06-03 2014-06-03 Solar roof panel
AU2018229533A AU2018229533B2 (en) 2013-06-03 2018-09-14 Solar Roof Panel
AU2020210256A AU2020210256B2 (en) 2013-06-03 2020-07-30 Solar Roof Panel
AU2022224751A AU2022224751B2 (en) 2013-06-03 2022-08-30 Solar Roof Panel

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2013901991A AU2013901991A0 (en) 2013-06-03 Solar Roof Panel
AU2013901991 2013-06-03

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JP (1) JP6501762B2 (en)
AU (4) AU2014277610A1 (en)
NZ (1) NZ715390A (en)
WO (1) WO2014194355A1 (en)

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AU2022224751A1 (en) 2022-09-22
AU2022224751B2 (en) 2023-08-10
AU2020210256B2 (en) 2022-07-28
JP2016525634A (en) 2016-08-25
JP6501762B2 (en) 2019-04-17
NZ715390A (en) 2020-06-26
AU2018229533A1 (en) 2018-10-04
AU2020210256A1 (en) 2020-08-20
AU2014277610A1 (en) 2016-01-21

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