Patent ID: 8539734

Claim:
A method for installing solar panels into a roof, comprising: installing a roof truss, the roof truss comprising: a structural top chord having a first upper surface; and a non-structural top chord above the structural top chord, wherein the non-structural top chord has a second upper surface, wherein a line extending along the second upper surface from a peak to a heel of the roof truss defines a roof line, and wherein the non-structural top chord comprises a partial length and a removable portion; wherein the roof truss is designed to accommodate the weight of a solar panel assembly after the removable portion of the non-structural top chord is removed; and providing end surfaces facing and spaced apart from both sides of the roof truss; wherein when the removable portion is removed, a recessed space is established having dimensions defined by a) the length of the removed portion of the non-structural top chord, b) a height from the first upper surface to the second upper surface, and c) a width spanning between the end surfaces; and wherein the recessed space is suitable for holding a solar panel assembly.