A roof member includes a solar battery module in which a solar battery element is fixed on a backing, with two opposite sides of the backing of the solar battery module bent to form an eaves-side connecting portion and a ridge-side connecting portion, and wherein the ridge-side connecting portion is open on the front surface side of roof member, and electrical wiring is provided in the ridge-side connecting portion. A plurality of such roof members are horizontally connected with each other by a joint drip plate, and a joint cover and wires of the respective roof members are connected with each other in the ridge-side connection portion. The eaves-side connecting portion and the ridge-side connecting portion of the respective roof members are seam-jointed with each other, and wires of the respective roof members are connected with each other in the ridge-side connecting portion.

An integrated, modular solar collector comprising an array of solar collection devices, wherein the array of solar collection devices is mounted in a frame providing for air flow between the devices.

A roof system utilizing a solar cell comprising a first modular roof member composed of a plurality of first light collecting plate segments each of which having a solar cell embedded therein, the first light collecting plate segments being aligned in one direction and in the other direction perpendicular to the one direction; and a second modular roof member composed of a plurality of second light collecting plate segments each of which is equal in size to the first light collecting plate segment, the second light collecting plate segments being aligned in one direction and in the other direction perpendicular to the one direction, the number of the second light collecting plate segments in one direction being larger by one than that of the first light collecting plate segments.

A mounting system that is capable of effectively draining the rainwater off the roof, while enabling easy installation of the solar battery modules. The mounting system is adapted to install on the roof an array of the solar battery modules each of a panel-like configuration with a rectangular frame. The system includes a plurality of vertical rails which are secured to the roof and extend along a roof sloping direction towards eaves from a ridge of the roof for holding the solar battery modules between a laterally spaced pair of the vertical rails in a spaced relation from a roof sheathing. Each of the vertical rails is formed on opposite sides thereof respectively with stepped shoulders which extend the full length of the vertical rail for supporting thereon the frame of the laterally adjoining solar battery modules. The vertical rail is further formed on opposite sides thereof with respective trough sections which extend the full length of the vertical rail and are disposed below and outwardly of the corresponding stepped shoulders for receiving the rainwater sneaking along the frame. Thus, the rainwater is effectively prohibited from reaching the roof sheathing and advancing through the roof into interior of the house.

An integrated module frame and racking system for a solar panel is disclosed. The solar panel comprises a plurality of solar modules and a plurality of splices for coupling the plurality of solar modules together. The plurality of splices provide a way to make the connected modules mechanically rigid both during transport to the roof and after mounting for the lifetime of the system, provide wiring connections between modules, provide an electrical grounding path for the modules, provide a way to add modules to the panel, and provide a way to remove or change a defective module. Connector sockets are provided on the sides of the modules to simplify the electrical assembly of modules when the modules are connected together with splices.