fig1 illustrates electrical wiring 42 running through an electrical conduit 44 embedded within insulation layer 22 embedding the electrical conduit 44 in the insulation layer 22 serves as a thermal and uv protection for said wiring the electrical conduit 44 can be either rigid metal conduit plastic conduit plastic sheathing or other the electrical energy from wiring 42 can be used to for example charge batteries or transformed into alternating current for delivery to a power grid fig1 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention in which a fan 48 is installed to force air through air cavity 28 thereby reducing the operating temperature of the pv modules and collecting heat for use within the building this heat may be used to meet thermal energy needs of various building systems such as building conditioning services hot water supply systems or manufacturing process systems in use bases 18 of support assemblies 12 are positioned on a building surface such as roof 4 at the desired locations according to the layout of the array of pv modules bases 18 are commonly secured to roof 4 or side 6 as discussed with reference to fig7 10 legs 16 extend upwardly from base 18 conduits 40 44 if used are positioned on bases 18 the base portions 46 of perimeter units 30 are located to surround the array of pv modules 10 thermal insulation layer 22 is preferably a foam insulation layer having an insulating value r value of about 3 to 7 per inch 3 7 hr btu ft 2 of per inch thickness insulation layer 22 is typically formed by spraying on a layer of polyurethane foam to a thickness of about 1 2 34 to 3 34 to achieve thermal insulation of about r 2 to r 21 weather resistant layer.