Patent Publication Number: US-2011067327-A1

Title: Isolation mount and photovoltaic module and roofing system incorporating the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/933,902, filed Nov. 1, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The traditional roof assembly provides protection to the building and its contents from the effects of weather. The technology of the present application relates to a roofing assembly that incorporates solar panels as well as provides protection to the building and its contents from the effects of weather. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Commercial flat and low-sloped roofing systems provide moisture resistance, thermal resistance (R-value) and dimensional stability as part of the building envelope. 
     Flat and low-slope roof membranes fall into two main materials categories a) polymer based and b) bitumen based. Within polymer based low-slope roof systems there are two major types: Thermosets (TS), including Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) and Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (CSPE), and Thermoplastics (TP), including Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO), Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) and Keytone Ethylene Ester (KEE). Within the bitumen based low-slope roof systems there are two categories: Built-up Roofing (BUR) including Asphalt and Coal Tar and Modified Bitumen (Mod. Bit.) including Atactic polypropylene (APP) and Styrene-Butadiene Styrene (SBS). 
     Membrane roof materials and systems are designed to meet the requirements of the building in specific climatic conditions and are specified based on the cost, long-term weatherability, resistance to stress caused by expansion and contraction from fluctuations in temperature, ultraviolet light resistance, solar reflectance and emittance, tensile strength, water and fire resistance, wind uplift, elongation and thermal expansion, dynamic puncture resistance and resistance to rooftop contaminants such as acid rain and air pollution. Exposure to extreme environments, ultraviolet rays and thermal stresses age the useful life of roof membrane systems. 
     Roof membrane systems are either mechanically fastened, ballasted, heat welded or fully adhered with adhesives and solvents. Membranes are both un-reinforced and reinforced with polyesters or fiberglass for strength and dimensional stability and available in a range of thickness from 45 mils to 90 mils. In the roofing industry, thicker roof membranes are considered more durable. 
     Flexible roof membranes are attached to the roof using one of three methods. Ballasted roof membranes require that the membrane material be laid directly over roof insulation or the roof deck and attached at the perimeter and held in place by gravel ballast or pavers. This system offers a low installation cost. However, the system is restricted by the weight that the roof deck is designed to support. In addition, the ballast material must be removed to locate leaks, making repairs time consuming and costly. In a second method, fully-adhered roof membranes require that the roof membrane be adhered to the roof with contact adhesive. This lightweight system yields high wind resistance and can be used with most deck types. However, fully adhered roof systems depend on the roof insulation to which they are adhered for wind uplift resistance. Roof pads are also often required in high traffic areas to prevent the compression of insulation, delamination of insulation facers, and general damage to the membrane, such as punctures and tears. In a third method, mechanically-attached roof membranes are attached to steel and wood decks with fasteners. 
     The Environmental Protection Agency&#39;s ENERGY STAR® Roof Products Program has established a minimum standard that requires low-slope reflective roof products to have an initial solar reflectance of at least 65 percent, and a reflectance of at least 50 percent after three years of weathering to be considered a ‘Cool Roof’, energy efficient or high performance roof. Cool Roofs typically incorporate bright white membranes that keep moisture out while reflecting ultraviolet and infrared radiation, protecting the underlying insulation and roofing substrate from deterioration. These Cool Roof systems reduce building energy consumption by up to 40 percent, improve insulation performance to reduce winter heat loss and summer heat gain and can potentially reduce HVAC equipment capacity requirements. The Cool Roof reflects light and heat away from the roof deck to assist with maintaining low air conditioning loads and is considered an energy efficiency measure. Reflecting light off the roof membrane results in lower lifetime membrane temperatures and lengthen the life of the roofing system. The success of sustainability initiatives such as the U.S. Green Building Council&#39;s LEED rating system, have encouraged the roofing industry to develop cool roof systems that meet or exceed requirements for the U.S. EPA&#39;s ENERGY STAR® label for roofing membranes. 
     The term “photovoltaic” is derived from the root words “photo”, meaning light, and “voltaic”, meaning electricity. Sunlight, the common power source for photovoltaic systems, is composed of photons. The amount of energy in a photon is proportional to the frequency of its light. When photons strike a photovoltaic cell, the photons are either reflected or absorbed. When a photon is absorbed, its energy is transferred to an atom of the cell, where an electron leaves its normal position associated with that atom and moves into a current. A portion of the energy created is electrical, while another portion is thermal in nature. 
     Photovoltaic cells react to different wavelengths of light as a function of their material composition. Common photovoltaic cell materials include: single crystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon and amorphous silicon, gallium arsenide, copper indium diselenide, cadmium telluride, dye-sensitive and nano-technologies. In addition, photovoltaic cells, laminates and modules can be composed of two or more layers of different photovoltaic materials with different wavelengths and bandwidth sensitivities to yield improved energy conversion efficiencies. 
     When exposed to light, photovoltaic cells increase in temperature, which affects each photovoltaic cell materials&#39; energy conversion efficiency in a unique manner. This is measured and known as the Installed Nominal Operating Cell Temperature (INOCT). For example, the efficiency of the crystalline silicon solar cell strongly depends on its operating temperature and the efficiency of the amorphous is less affected by its operating temperature. Accordingly, thin film and flexible amorphous silicon systems have been commercially accepted and flush mounted to membrane roof systems. U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,509 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0072456 teach examples of flexible, photovoltaic material roofing assemblies, adhered to a single-ply roofing membrane. In the field, however, flexible amorphous silicon cell temperatures have been documented to exceed 77° C. (170° F.). Canadian Patent No. 2,554,494 provides an example of the use of crystalline photovoltaic cells, in a layered fashion that includes a base, flexible membrane layer, a semi-rigid support layer, the photovoltaic layer and a protective layer forming a unitary structure to be adhered directly to the roof. Each of these photovoltaic membrane systems, however, allows the transmission of heat from the photovoltaic cells to the building structure, limiting the operative efficiency and life of the photovoltaic cells and damaging the structural materials of the building and its protective envelope system. 
     In the field, it is known in the photovoltaic community that for each degree Celsius that a crystalline photovoltaic cell increases over its standard test conditions (STC) rated temperature, its performance goes down by .05% of its rated power. Additionally, when photovoltaic cells are integrated into an insulated roof system, there is little opportunity for heat loss off the backside of the modules and this heat is transferred into the building envelope. 
     Most crystalline silicon based PV arrays exhibit a relative efficiency temperature sensitivity of 0.5%/1° C. It is estimated that thin film amorphous silicon and cadmium arrays, although not as well documented due to their newness in the field, exhibit less than half of the performance temperature sensitivity of crystalline photovoltaic arrays. SANDIA National Laboratory conducted a study that states that, “maintaining an open rack air flow results in 20° C. reduction in average operating temperature, a nearly a 10% greater amount of annual energy (for crystalline silicon), and an untold increase in life expectancy compared to direct mounted arrays on an insulated roof surface.” Unfortunately, photovoltaic specialists have focused on the photovoltaic&#39;s INOCT and have not addressed the architectural impact of the increase of cell temperature on the roof system beneath, the heat transfer impact on the buildings thermal performance or the integrity of the building envelope. 
     Since the late 1980&#39;s, building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology and systems have been developed as part of a movement towards whole building design and the efficient, sustainable use of resources. The objective of BIPV technology is to have one system that serves as the protective building envelope and also generates electric power for use within the building in the form of electric roof membranes, electric windows and glazing, electric awnings, electric roof tiles, electric standing seam metal roofing and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,729 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,081 teach examples of photovoltaic modules that are adhered directly to a roof, wall or other portion of the building structure using an adhesive. These photovoltaic systems generate on-site distributed electric power that will offset building electrical loads, decrease building electrical demand, put less demand stress on the local utility transmission system, allow surplus power to be fed back into the utility grid and may provide continuous power supply during utility grid outage. 
     Photovoltaic membrane roof systems installed on low-sloped roofs may be attached to the roof using mechanical fasteners, ballast or adhesives. As the photovoltaic cell heats up, thermal energy is trapped behind its surface, against the roof membrane, insulation board and deck beneath the photovoltaic cell. Over time, the photovoltaic system effectively stresses and ages the building system underneath establishing a core physical incompatibility of a direct interface between the two systems. Accordingly, prior art systems that directly attach photovoltaic systems to roof decks tend to reduce the performance life of the building materials by elevating temperatures in the building envelope system. Elevated temperatures accelerate and increase the degradation rates of most materials. A common rule of thumb for polymers states that the material life expectancy is reduced by half for each 10° C. rise in average temperature. 
     Photovoltaic systems mounted directly onto the building envelope trap heat into the roof deck creating a series of hot spots or heat islands on the roof which not only stresses and accelerate the aging of the roof membrane and deck underneath but negatively affecting the building&#39;s energy system. The trapped thermal energy can result in greater heat transfer to the building interior and produce a greater demand for air conditioning, which results in a strain on both operating costs and the electric power grid. Such systems further inhibit the ability of the roof insulation to work optimally, in effect requiring that air conditioning loads increase, due to the photovoltaic system. This is inconsistent with the objective of using the photovoltaic system. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     A photovoltaic membrane system is provided for use on a building and, optionally, incorporated into the building envelope. It is a low profile, lightweight, photovoltaic integrated membrane system that inhibits the transfer of heat from the photovoltaic cells to the building envelope or interior building materials and space, without trapping the thermal energy behind the photovoltaic cell, laminate or module. 
     One or more photovoltaic cells, laminates or modules are provided at an upper layer of the system. A thermal barrier is disposed between the one or more photovoltaic cells and a structural member of the building, such as a roof deck. The thermal barrier is positioned to isolate the one or more photovoltaic modules from the building envelope. The thermal barrier may be provided as a series of wedge shapes, incorporated within the membrane system, sloped and spaced in rows, in a manner to optimize the electrical performance of the photovoltaic membrane assembly for the building. An air channel assembly may be disposed between the one or more photovoltaic cells, laminates or modules and the thermal barrier to ventilate heated air from beneath the one or more photovoltaic cells away from the system and the building. 
     In one aspect, the thermal barrier is formed from a light weight material that substantially inhibits thermal transmission from the one or more photovoltaic modules to the building envelope. A roof membrane layer may be disposed between the one or more photovoltaic modules and the roof deck. A layer of roofing membrane may be disposed between the thermal barrier and the roof deck. Another aspect sandwiches the thermal barrier between layers of roofing membrane. Still another aspect may simply dispose a layer of roofing membrane between the one or more photovoltaic modules and the thermal barrier. 
     An air channel assembly may be disposed between the one or more photovoltaic modules and the thermal barrier, be part of the photovoltaic module, or be provided as part of the thermal barrier. The air channel assembly may be provided to have at least one air channel that is positioned to direct heated ambient air within the air channel assembly away from the photovoltaic system. 
     The system may be provided in an assembled form that may be permanently or removably coupled with the envelope of a building. In another aspect, the system may be provided in component parts to be assembled at the building during installation. In one aspect, roofing membrane may be provided with markings to indicate where photovoltaic modules and thermal barriers should be located with respect to the roofing membrane, prior to installing the system on the building. 
     Also contemplated is an isolation mount that includes an isolator body, which may be a thermal barrier, a first membrane adjacent to a lower surface of the body, and a second membrane extending over the isolator body that includes a peripheral margin that is at least partially sealed or adhered to the first membrane. At least one connector is supported by the isolator body and at least one fastener extends through the second membrane to secure the connector to the isolator body. The connector may include a mounting rail, posts, or an air channel assembly. Alternatively, the fasteners may be captive and attached to the membrane without penetrating the membrane. For example, the fastener may be induction welded to the second membrane. 
     The isolation mount may include a washer element interposed between the isolator body and the second membrane, where the fasteners extend from the washer element. The isolation mount may also include a third membrane interposed between the isolator body and the washer element. 
     A photovoltaic module for use on the roof of a building also is provided for in the present application. The photovoltaic module includes at least one isolator body, a first membrane adjacent to a lower surface of the body, and a second membrane extending over the isolator body that includes a peripheral margin that is at least partially sealed to the first membrane. A plurality of connectors are supported by the isolator body and at least one photovoltaic cell is mounted to the connectors. A roof deck panel may be included that supports one or more modules. 
     A photovoltaic roofing system for use on the roof of a building also is contemplated. The photovoltaic roofing system may include at least one isolator body, and a plurality of isolator bodies. A first membrane is disposed between the isolator bodies and the building. At least one second membrane extends over the isolator bodies and is adhered to the first membrane. A plurality of connectors are supported by the isolator bodies and at least one photovoltaic cell is mounted to the connectors. The system may further include a roof deck that is disposed between the first membrane and the building. 
     Also contemplated is a method for deploying a photovoltaic roofing system on the roof of a building. The method comprises pre-assembling a first membrane and a second membrane to form a cavity. The second membrane includes a plurality of connectors for supporting a solar panel. The first membrane is secured to the roof and the cavity is filled with foam. The foam is injected into the cavity to form an isolator body. A photovoltaic cell may then be mounted to the connectors. 
     These and other aspects of various embodiments of the disclosed technology will be apparent after consideration of the Detailed Description and Figures herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the disclosed technology are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  depicts exemplary embodiments of the photovoltaic membrane assembly as it may be coupled with the envelope of a building; 
         FIG. 2A  depicts a preassembled embodiment of the photovoltaic membrane system; 
         FIG. 2B  depicts modular components of the photovoltaic membrane system before their installation on a building; 
         FIG. 3A  depicts a partially exploded view of the integrated photovoltaic membrane system with an air channel assembly; 
         FIG. 3B  depicts a partially exploded view of the photovoltaic membrane system without an air channel assembly; 
         FIG. 4A  depicts a cut-away, side elevation view of the photovoltaic membrane system depicted in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4B  depicts a cut-away, side elevation view of the photovoltaic membrane system depicted in  FIG. 3B ; 
         FIGS. 5A-5D  depict various embodiments of air channels that may be incorporated with the photovoltaic membrane system; 
         FIGS. 6A-6D  depict various different embodiments of thermal barriers that may be used with the photovoltaic membrane system; 
         FIG. 7A  depicts one manner in which the thermal barrier of the photovoltaic membrane system can be coupled with a building; 
         FIG. 7B  depicts another manner in which the thermal barrier of the photovoltaic membrane system can be coupled with a building; 
         FIG. 7C  depicts still another manner in which the thermal barrier of the photovoltaic membrane system can be coupled with a building; 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  depict various different embodiments of thermal barriers and thermal barrier units that may be used with the photovoltaic membrane system; 
         FIG. 9  depicts an exploded perspective view of a photovoltaic roofing system that includes an isolation mount according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view depicting an embodiment of an isolation mount; 
         FIG. 11A  depicts a perspective view of an isolation mount according to another exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 11B  depicts an exploded perspective view of the isolation mount depicted in  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 12  depicts a partial perspective view of an isolation mount for a thin film type solar panel according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the isolation mount shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a partial perspective view of an isolation mount for use with thin film type solar panels according to another exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an exemplary flat pattern for a second membrane; 
         FIG. 16  is a side view illustrating a captive fastener configuration for mounting solar panels to an isolation mount; 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded side view of the captive fastener configuration shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded partial perspective view illustrating the installation of washer elements for use with the captive fastener configuration shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a partial perspective view of the isolator body with washer elements shown in  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is top plan view of multiple photovoltaic modules pre-assembled to a membrane sheet; 
         FIG. 21  is side view in elevation of the multi module assembly shown in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a top plan view of an anchor for mounting a membrane sheet to the ground; 
         FIG. 23  is a side view in elevation of the anchor shown in  FIG. 22 ; and 
         FIG. 24  is a partial perspective view of an isolation mount including a wire management sleeve. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the technology of the present application. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     In one aspect, the photovoltaic membrane system  10  disposes an isolator body, which may be in the form of a thermal barrier  12 , between one or more photovoltaic cells  14  and the roof deck  16  of a building  18  to which the photovoltaic membrane system  10  is coupled. The thermal barrier  12  of the photovoltaic membrane system  10  serves as a physical separation barrier. Specifically, thermal barrier  12  is positioned to significantly limit heat transfer from the photovoltaic cells  14  to the building  18 , its interior spaces, and its envelope that may include: a protective roof membrane  20 , insulation  22 , and roof deck  16 . The thermal barrier  12  may also be formed from materials that embody fire resistance properties to provide additional protection to the roof of the building  18 . 
     The thermal barrier  12  may be formed from a variety of materials that include: thermoset polymers; thermoplastics; extruded or molded copolymers; foam; rigid closed cell polyisocyanurate foam core; gypsum glass mat board; fiberglass; fiber board; vapor retardant; slipsheet; flame retardant; cap sheet; or some combination of the aforementioned materials. Each of the aforementioned materials possess similar qualities that individually or in combination retard the transfer of heat and can withstand wide variations in temperature and weather conditions present in most climates. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6A-6D , the thermal barrier  12  may be shaped to resemble a low-profile, flat wedge or low-profile tapered wedge. The exterior perimeter walls of the thermal barrier may be aerodynamically shaped to direct airflow and minimize wind forces on the photovoltaic membrane system  10 . One or more peaks  24  and valleys  26  may be formed into the thermal barrier  12  to provide a profile resembling that depicted in  FIG. 6D . The peaks  24  of the thermal layer  12  are formed to support the photovoltaic cells  14 , angled and sloped to increase the electrical performance of the solar cells, whereas the valleys  26  form channels that permit the flow of fluids, such as air or water between one or more photovoltaic cells  14  and the thermal barrier  12 . Accordingly, the spaces formed between the one or more photovoltaic cells  14  and the valleys  26  of the thermal barrier  12  will promote thermal isolation between the photovoltaic cells  14  and the building  18 . Such spaces will form insulative barriers utilizing natural convection air flow. The warmed ambient air will escape into the environment or may be directed into conduits that collect the warm air for uses within the building  18 . In addition or in the alternative, pipes may be mounted in the valleys  26  such that the valleys  26  may be used as a heat exchanger with water or air pipes. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8A-8C , it is contemplated that the thermal barrier could be provided as a plurality of separate thermal barrier units  12 ′. In one aspect, the thermal barrier units  12 ′ may be provided as low-profile blocks, having little or no slope to their shape, such as those depicted in  FIG. 8A . In another aspect, the thermal barrier units  12 ′ may be shaped to take the form of individual tapered wedges, such as those depicted in  FIG. 8C . While such thermal barrier units  12 ′ may be used as the sole thermal barrier  12 , they may also be used in combination with the previously described thermal barrier  12 , such as depicted in  FIG. 8B . In any of the contemplated arrangements that use the thermal barrier units  12 ′, air channels (such as those previously described are provided between the thermal barrier units  12 ′ once they are in their final assembly position. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7A-7C , the thermal barrier  12  may be coupled with the roof of the building  18  in various different manners. For example,  FIG. 7A  depicts one manner in which he thermal barrier  12  may be coupled with a roof by positioning the thermal barrier  12  directly on a roof membrane surface  20 .  FIG. 7B , depicting an alternate embodiment, demonstrates that the thermal barrier  12  may be placed between two or more layers of roof membrane material  20 . In still another alternate embodiment,  FIG. 7C  demonstrates that the thermal barrier  12  may be placed under a layer of roofing membrane  20 , onto the roof deck  16 . In one particular embodiment, it is envisioned that the thermal barrier  12  may be provided as interlocking preformed insulation boards that are coupled with the roof, beneath the roofing membrane  20 . Also, optional fire resistant layers may be included. The fire resistant layers may include for example and without limitation materials such as aluminum foil with fiberglass scrim, a synthetic film, or treated gypsum board, such as DensDeck® available from Georgia-Pacific. 
     The photovoltaic cells  14  of the photovoltaic membrane system  10  are formed into arrays shaped as rows. Specifically, low-profile, flat solar panels may be spaced in rows closely adjacent one other. Alternatively, low-profile, tapered wedge shape panels are laid out in rows at a predetermined space between rows to avoid one row of solar panels from shading the next row to optimize electrical performance. 
     The thermal barrier  12  may be provided with a reflective layer  28  to enhance the thermal protection afforded by the thermal barrier  12 . In one aspect, the reflective layer  28  may be provided in the form of a bright white reflective surface or reflective metal material. By providing such a reflective layer  28 , heat radiated from the photovoltaic cell  14  is reflected back toward the photovoltaic cell  14 , away from the building  18 . Where an air channel assembly  30  is provided, the reflected heat may be passed away from the building  18  and the photovoltaic system through the air channel assembly  30 . 
     In one aspect, the thermal protection afforded by the thermal barrier  12  may be increased by providing an air channel assembly  30 . With reference to  FIGS. 3A ,  4 A and  5 A- 5 D, an air channel assembly  30  may be provided between the photovoltaic cells  14  and the thermal barrier  12 . In one embodiment, the air channel assembly  30  is provided to form a physical air space between the photovoltaic cells  14  and the thermal barrier  12 . Air within the air channel assembly  30  serves as an insulative layer that inhibits the transfer of heat from the underside of the photovoltaic cells  14  to the thermal barrier  12 . However, in another aspect, the air channel assembly  30  is provided with one or more openings  32  that promote the expulsion of heated air away from the photovoltaic membrane system  10  and the building  18 . 
     Generally, the air channel assembly  30  may be formed to provide protective air gaps, cavities or spaces that allow ventilation and circulation behind the photovoltaic cells  14 . The specific configuration of the channels within the air channel assembly  30  may vary from one embodiment to another to accommodate particular design considerations. Various design considerations may, for example call to confuse, deflect and reduce wind uplift forces that engage the photovoltaic membrane system  10 . Heated air within the air channel assembly  30  will tend to dissipate through the openings  32  naturally by convection. In the end, the combination of the air channel assembly  30  with the thermal barrier  12  will increase the electrical output of the photovoltaic cells  14  by keeping them cooler. Perhaps more importantly, however, these structures will help alleviate the damaging effects of heat being trapped against one or more components to the building envelope, such as roof membrane systems  20 . 
     In one aspect, thermal energy may also be captured from the photovoltaic cells  14  using the air channel assembly  30 . Rather than expelling the heated air from the air channel assembly openings  32 , the thermal energy within the air channel assembly  30  may be redirected for use within the building energy system. For example, heated air may be directed into the building  18  during winter months. In another aspect, the heated ambient air may be used as a heat exchanger to pre-warm water for use within the building  18 . 
     It is contemplated that the photovoltaic system  10  may be attached to a roof membrane material  20  in the factory or on a jobsite in the field. For example, the rows of photovoltaic cells  14  may be pre-attached to a roof membrane material  20  in a strip format. Providing photovoltaic membrane strips of this nature will limit installation decisions at job sites by roofers and speed the installation of the system. However, in various situations, preassembly may not be preferred, including custom roofing applications. In such instances, roofing membrane material  20  may be pre-marked with indelible ink, paint, and adhesive or scored to provide direction as to where to attach the photovoltaic cells  14 . 
     In attaching the photovoltaic membrane system  10  with a roof, a variety of attachment methods may be employed that are currently used for installing traditional roof membrane systems. For example, the system may be coupled with the roof using mechanical fasteners. Other techniques, such as heat-welding methods, glues, pressure-sensitive or peel-and-stick adhesives may be used. In still other embodiments, the photovoltaic membrane system  10  may be ballasted to the top surface of the roofing membrane  20 , insulation board  22  or fastened directly to the roof deck  16 . 
     It is contemplated that the photovoltaic membrane system  10  may be provided as a permanent installation or made a part of a temporary, removable photovoltaic system. Specifically, the photovoltaic membrane system  10  may be fully integrated as the roof membrane layer  20  or with one or more roof membrane layers  20  of the building envelope. Where provided in a removable fashion, the photovoltaic membrane system  10  may be ideal for use as a portable power supply or removable personal property equipment for power purchase agreements. Various possibilities for temporary attachment include the use of ballasting techniques or anchoring the system in place between the rows and along perimeter PVC pipes or other polymer extrusion. The system may also be anchored over the rows. It is further contemplated that other fastening methods may be used, including the use of grommets attached with cables or guy wires to perimeter parapet walls or to anchors in roof. 
     It is further contemplated that the photovoltaic membrane system could be used in various applications beyond buildings. For example, the system could be deployed on the ground, such as on a landfill, mining site, or waste disposal cell. The system could be adhered to the geomembrane of a landfill. Geomembranes are made of various materials. Some common geomembrane materials are EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene Monomer, Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polyurea and Polypropylene (PP). Another type of geomembrane is bituminous geomembrane (such as Environap), which is actually a layered product of glass and bitumen-impregnated non-woven geotextile. The geomembrane may be water tight or water permeable. 
       FIG. 9  depicts an isolation mount  105 , which may be used to support a photovoltaic cell  114  on a roof surface  116 . The isolation mount  105  and the photovoltaic cell  114  may be combined to form a photovoltaic module for use on the roof of a building. Isolation mount  105  includes an isolator body  112 , a first, or lower, membrane  122  that is adjacent to the lower surface of isolator body  112 , and a second, or top, membrane  120  that extends over the isolator body  112 . Second membrane  120  includes a peripheral margin  123  that is at least partially sealed to first membrane  122 . The membranes may be sealed or adhered to each other by hot air weld, dielectric high radio frequency welding, water resistant solvent-based adhesive, and the like. Ideally, the peripheral margin  123  forms a hermetic seal or a waterproof seal between first membrane  122  and second membrane  120 . The membranes may be comprised of water resistant materials such as thermoplastics (TP), thermosets (TS), thermoplastics olefins (TPO), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), chlorosulfanated polyethylene (CPSE), keytone ethylene ester (KEE), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), tri-polymer alloy (TPA), combinations thereof, and the like. The membranes, particularly the upper membrane that extends over the isolator body, may be formed by, for example, heating the membrane material and vacuum forming over the isolator body or similarly shaped mold (i.e. thermoforming). The membrane may be a preformed shell formed by injection molding or thermoforming, for example. 
     Alternatively, the upper membrane may be formed by folding a flat pattern  600 , as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , and hot air welding the flaps in the folded configuration. Pattern  600  includes a central portion  602 , a back portion  604 , and right and left side portions  606  and  608  respectively. In order to form the top membrane the side portions  606 ,  608  are folded down along lines  601  and  603  respectively. Back portion  604  is folded down along line  605 . Flaps  610  and  612  are then folded along lines  607  and  609  respectively at which point flaps  610  and  612  may be attached to side portions  606  and  608 . As explained above, the flaps may be heat, induction, or radio frequency (RF) welded or otherwise adhered to the side portions. It can be appreciated that once folded the flat pattern forms a wedge shaped top membrane as described herein with respect to the various embodiments. Peripheral portions  623 ′- 623 ′″ comprise a peripheral margin that may be used to attach the top membrane to the roof membrane or the bottom membrane of the isolation mount. 
     Photovoltaic cell  114  may be adhered to the top membrane  120  with adhesive, such as adhesive tape or painted adhesive. Photovoltaic cell  114  may also be attached to the top membrane  120  with cooperative hook and loop material such as Velcro®. In this instance, however, isolation mount  105  includes a pair of connectors in the form of mounting rails  130 ( 1 ) and  130 ( 2 ), which are supported by isolator body  112 . Mounting rails  130  may in turn support a photovoltaic cell  114 . Mounting rails  130  may comprise, for example, metal or plastic and may be molded, machined, or extruded. Various connectors may be employed, such as rails, posts, air channel assemblies (see above), cooperative hook and loop material, and the like. The mounting rails are also adapted to secure the photovoltaic cell  114  to the isolation mount  105 . In this embodiment, a plurality of fasteners  140  extend through isolator body  112  and second membrane  120  in order to secure mounting rails  130  to the isolation mount. Washers  142  may be used to distribute clamping forces generated by fasteners  140  across a larger area of the lower surface of isolator body  112 . Fasteners  140  may extend through holes  125  formed in the second membrane  120  or the fasteners may pierce through membrane  120 . Fasteners  140 , holes  125 , and washers  142  may be applied with caulk or the like to seal the leak path formed by the device. Similarly, isolator body  112  may be preformed with holes, or as shown here, the fasteners may pierce through the isolator body  112 . In this case, where the isolator body  112  is a thermal barrier, the body may be formed of a foam material conducive to piercing with a suitable fastener. Fasteners  140  may engage the mounting rails  130  directly, as with threads, or the fasteners  140  may cooperate with mating fasteners or nuts  144 . 
     Depending on the application, isolator body  112  may be formed from various materials. For example, as shown in  FIG. 9  isolator body  112  is comprised of a thermal barrier material for use with photovoltaic cells as described above. While some of the embodiments are described with respect to photovoltaic cells, the isolation mount may be used to mount other equipment. For example, isolator body  112  may be formed of a vibration dampening material for mounting reciprocating equipment. Examples of suitable materials for the isolator body include, for example and without limitation, faced or unfaced insulation board, expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyisocyanurate foam, fiber glass insulating board, plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), gypsum board, DensDeck®, wood fiber, fiberglass board, coverboard, plastic, plastic blend materials, and the like. The isolator body may also be formed of a two part liquid or expanding spray foam that is injected between the first and second membranes. Example spray foams that may be used include polyisocyanurate spray foam, closed-cell polyurethane spray foam, open-cell polyurethane spray foam, phenolic spray foam, icynene spray foam or other spray foam. 
     It should be appreciated that a photovoltaic roofing system  110  is also contemplated, which employs an isolation mount, such as isolation mount  105  described above. With continued reference to  FIG. 9 , roofing system  110  could include a plurality of isolator bodies  112 , wherein the lower membrane  122  extends beneath the isolator bodies and functions as a roof membrane. A plurality of second membranes  120  may be disposed over each of the isolator bodies. Alternatively, a single upper membrane  120  could extend over the plurality of bodies. It is further contemplated that such a multiple isolator body construction could be preformed and folded or rolled for convenient deployment on a roof surface  116 . Alternatively, the first and second membranes could be adhered to each other without the isolator body. In such a case the membranes could be deployed on the roof and thereafter injected (i.e. inflated) with foam or two part liquid as explained above. The roofing system may also include roof deck panels. The panels may be formed from materials including metal, fibrous cement, gypsum, cementitious wood fiber, OSB, lightweight insulating concrete decks, and the like. 
       FIG. 10  depicts another embodiment of an isolation mount  205 , which is similar to the embodiment described above with respect to  FIG. 9 . However, in this embodiment isolation mount  205  includes washer element  150  interposed between isolator body  212  and second membrane  220 . Optionally, a third membrane  224  may be interposed between isolator body  212  and washer element  150 . In this embodiment, fasteners  140  extend from washer element  150  and through second membrane  220  and through mounting rails  130 . As shown in this case, fasteners  140  engage mating fasteners (nuts)  144  thereby developing clamping force to secure mounting rails  132  to isolation mount  205 . As an option, additional washers  142  and  146  may be used as shown. In this case washer element  150  distributes the clamping force over a relatively large area of second membrane  220  providing resistance to wind uplift and damage to the mount. Washer element  150  may be comprised of faced or unfaced insulation board, expanded polystyrene, polyisocyanurate foam, fiber glass insulating board, plywood, oriented strand board, gypsum board, DensDeck®, wood fiber, fiberglass board, coverboard, thermoformed, compressed or injection molded plastic and plastic blend materials, to name a few. It should be appreciated that the construction of this embodiment may be incorporated into a photovoltaic module and/or photovoltaic roof system as explained above with respect to  FIG. 9 . 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  depict yet another embodiment of an isolation mount  305 . Isolation mount  305  is similar to that as described above with respect to  FIG. 9 . In this case, however, each connector  330 ( 1 )- 330 ( 4 ) includes a mounting post  332 . Mounting posts  332  may be comprised of for example, extruded plastic or pipe. Each mounting post  332  extends through an opening  325  formed through second membrane  320 . Opening  325  may be formed by extruding a cylindrical portion upwardly from membrane  320 . For example, openings  325  may be formed by a die-punch operation including heating the membrane prior to punching. Fasteners  140  extend through washers  142 , isolator body  312 , and engage posts  332 . Posts  332  are further secured to the isolation mount with connector seals  334 , which include a flange portion  331 . Connector seals  334  may be formed in a similar manner to that as described above for openings  325 . The flange portions  331  of connector seals  324  are sealed to second membrane  320 . Connector seals  334  are also sealed to posts  332  with a suitable water resistant caulk, such as for example, polyurethane caulk, non-shrink grout, sealing mastic, silicone, glue, and the like. Optionally, a tension or draw band  336  may be secured around the connector seal and post in order to further inhibit ingress of water or other fluid into the isolation mount. As above, it should be appreciated that the construction of this embodiment may be incorporated into a photovoltaic module and/or photovoltaic roof system as explained above with respect to  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an isolation mount  405  for use in a system  410  using thin film or laminate type solar panels  414 . Laminate type solar panels from manufacturers such as UniSolar® often include adhesive  425  for adhering the panel directly to the membrane material. However, there is concern that as the solar panel heats up, as described above, the adhesive bond may slip or weaken. Accordingly, in order to help ensure the attachment of the solar panel  414  to the top membrane  420 , connectors in the form of fastener clips  430  are integrated into the isolation mount  405 . With further reference to  FIG. 13  it can be appreciated that the clips  430  are positioned on a corresponding boss  432  that is elevated above the top membrane  420 . The boss  432  is raised sufficiently to provide clearance  426  for typical adhesive material  425  used to adhere the solar panel  414  to the membrane  420 . Each clip  430  is spaced slightly above its corresponding boss  432  to provide clearance for an edge of the solar panel  414  to slide between the top of the clip  430  and boss  432  as shown in  FIG. 12 . One ordinarily skilled in the art will recognize that clip  430  and boss  432  could comprise separate pieces or be integrally formed, such as by injection molding. 
     The isolation mount  405  also includes a fitting  450  which allows any water or air that may accumulate within the isolation mount  405  to drain therefrom. Fitting  450  extends through the side of the top membrane into the interior of the mount. The fitting  450  may include a screen or other filtering element (see  FIG. 13 ), such as sintered metal or plastic, to prevent the ingress of dirt and insects, for example. Fitting  450  could also be a check valve to allow air and water out but prevent air, water, and debris from entering the isolator. It is contemplated that a similar fitting  450  could be implemented on any of the embodiments described herein as desired. Moreover, fitting  450  could be used as an inlet to inflate the isolation mount with spray foam as explained above. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an isolation mount  505  for use with thin film, laminate type, or otherwise non-glass solar panels  514 . In this embodiment the laminate panels  514  are secured to the membrane by straps  530 . Straps  530  extend along the length of solar panels  514  and include fingers  532  on each end that extend along a portion of the solar panel&#39;s width. Straps  530  and fingers  532  are welded or otherwise fastened to the adjacent membrane to form a pocket in order to help secure solar panels  514  in position. 
       FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrate the attachment of fasteners  740  to membrane  720  according to another exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, fasteners  740  are captive with respect to washers  744 . Fasteners  740  are carriage bolts having a square shank which engages a square hole  746  formed through washer  744 , thereby preventing rotation of the fasteners relative to washers  744 . Washers  744  are induction welded to membrane  720  without penetrating the membrane. Each washer is bonded to the membrane with an induction welder. The washers include a heat activated adhesive. A suitable induction welder is produced by Sika® Sarnafil® and marketed as the Rhinobond System. 
     The Rhinobond System is typically used to install only one washer to the underside of a membrane. However, as shown in the figures, two fasteners  740  and washers  744  are bonded to membrane  720 ; one on the top side one on the underside. With further reference to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the fastener on the top side of the membrane may be used to attach solar panel mounting connectors, while the fastener on the under side of the membrane is used to anchor the solar panel and membrane to the isolator body. The fastener  740  extending from the underside of the membrane  720  is configured to extend through the isolator body where an additional washer  742  may be used to distribute clamping forces generated by fasteners  740  across a larger area of the lower surface of isolator body  712 . The Rhinobond System may be modified to help facilitate welding two fasteners simultaneously by forming a hole in the Rhinobond machine through the middle of induction coil. The hold would allow the fastener to extend therethrough moving the induction coil closer to the washers. The two fasteners may also be installed in an offset arrangement such that the washer and fastener on the top of the membrane is offset from the washer and fastener on the bottom. In an offset arrangement the washers can be welded to the membrane one at a time. 
       FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate an alternative configuration for preassembling multiple photovoltaic modules to a membrane sheet  820 , similar to that shown above in  FIG. 2A . The modules may be folded and stacked onto or next to each other in an accordion fashion. The sheet can be quickly pulled apart on the jobsite for a cost effective installation. In this configuration, the modules are preassembled on a standard roll of membrane material having a length (L) and a width (W). For example the roll may be 100 feet long and 8 feet wide. Modules may be preassembled to geomembrane material and be installed as one unit to reduce onsite labor.  FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate attaching  48  solar panels  814  (4 on each isolation mount  805 ) on isolator bodies to create one large membrane that will cover an area approximately 100 feet×8 feet. This can be used as the watertight layer of the roof, as the single ply membrane layer in a roof assembly to integrate multiple photovoltaic units at one time, or as a solar geomembrane cap to cover a landfill to inhibit water migration from the landfill into the groundwater, streams, rivers etc. The membrane material may be anchored to the ground using an anchor  900  as shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 . Anchor  900  includes a washer  944  and a stake  940 . The washer  944  is attached to the stake  940  with a suitable fastener  950  as shown. The fastener engages a bent over portion  943  of stake  940 . Stake  940  also includes at least one barb  942 , or as shown here a plurality of barbs, operative to help retain the stake  940  in the ground. 
       FIG. 24  illustrates an isolation mount  105  that includes a wire management sleeve  107  attached thereto. The wire management sleeve  107  could be adhered or heat welded to any one of the isolation mount embodiments disclosed herein. The wire management sleeve  107  is sized and configured to accommodate wire or conduit  103  associated with the photovoltaic cells. 
     The technology of the present application is applicable to all photovoltaic technologies including but not limited to individual cells or layered cells comprising of single crystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon and amorphous silicon, gallium arsenide, copper indium diselenide, cadmium telluride, dye-sensitive and nano-technologies. It is contemplated that one or more embodiments may further incorporate the use of thin film and organic photovoltaic technologies, developed as paint or film coatings instead of separate photovoltaic cells, laminates or modules. 
     Accordingly, the technology of the present application has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments. It should be appreciated, though, that the technology of the present application is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.