US Patent 7469508 Insulating panel and photovoltaic module for building purposes

A prefabricated insulating panel (5) for the construction of external surfaces of buildings comprises two sheets of metal material (6, 7′), between which an insulating material (8′) is set, where at least one of the two sheets (6′, 7′) defines a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal ribbings (10A′, 10B′). According to the invention, at least a first (10B′) and a second (10A′) of said ribbings are operative for supporting between them at least a photovoltaic module (14) in a plane of lie raised with respect to a general plane of the panel (5); between the two sheets (6′, 7′) there is moreover present at least one pipe (13) for the passage of cables (18) for electrical connection of the photovoltaic module (14).