Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays with improved aesthetics and efficiency that can replace conventional roof structures. BIPV mounting systems described herein allow for improved versatility and ease of installation as compared to conventional approaches. Such BIPV mounting systems can include photovoltaic (PV) roof tiles with separate mechanical coupling features and electrical contact portions for use with tile connectors having both mechanical and electrical coupling features. Such PV tiles can be mechanically and electrically coupled in series through the tile connectors without requiring wire bussing between adjacent PV roof tiles and the tile connectors can be slidable within a batten bracket to easily accommodate PV roof tiles of differing dimensions.

In various embodiments, a tile system for mounting structures to a roof may comprise a base assembly, a fastener, a seal, a flashing, and a mounting bracket. The fastener may be installable on the base assembly. The seal may be installable on the fastener. The flashing may be configured to replace a roof tile. Moreover, a protrusion may be field formed in the flashing during installation of the tile system by driving the fastener through the flashing in response to the base assembly being positioned on the roof surface. The bracket may be installable on the fastener and configured to compress the flashing against the seal and the base assembly.

The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic arrays for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. Aspects of the present invention provide a variety of photovoltaic roofing elements and systems that include, for example, interlocking geometries to provide for water handling and integration with conventional roofing materials; and wire management features that can protect wiring and associated electrical components from physical and/or environmental damage.

The present invention relates generally to the photovoltaic generation of electrical energy. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic arrays for use in photovoltaically generating electrical energy. Aspects of the present invention provide a variety of photovoltaic roofing elements and systems that include, for example, interlocking geometries to provide for water handling and integration with conventional roofing materials; and wire management features that can protect wiring and associated electrical components from physical and/or environmental damage.

A roofing tile composed of concrete material and a method for producing such a roofing tile. The concrete material contains a binder, a gravel, a light-weight aggregate, and added water. The roofing tile has at least one watercourse and a lateral interlocking joint having a covering fold and a water fold. The ratio of water to binder is less than 0.3, the light-weight aggregate is composed of a material that is hydrophobic and/or not hygroscopic, and the roofing tile has a density in the range of 1.6 g/cm.sup.3 to 1.9 g/cm.sup.3 after the hardening. The roofing tile has a thickness of 5 mm to 9 mm, preferably 7 mm to 8 mm, in the highly loaded regions, preferably in the region of the watercourse.

A roof tile system and a method for installing the roof tile system is disclosed. The roof tile system comprises a first roof tile and a tile-holding device. The first roof tile comprises a first attaching means, the first attaching means for attaching the first roof tile to a second roof tile when the first roof tile and the second roof tile are arranged together on a roof. The first roof tile further comprises a flange extending from a first end portion. The tile holding device for fixing tiles to the roof comprises a channel for receiving the flange so as to inhibit lifting of the first end portion away from the roof.

The invention relates to a photovoltaic roof tile (20) for obtaining electrical energy from solar radiation. The shape of the photovoltaic roof tile according to the invention corresponds substantially to the shape of a conventional roof tile, comprising a top-side photovoltaic module (26) with a first current line (34) and a second current line (36), said photovoltaic module (26) with being arranged on a base tile (22) which is used to fasten the photovoltaic roof tile (20) on the roof, wherein: the first current line (34) has a first connection element (38) at its free end, the second current line (36) has a second connection element (40) at its free end, at least one of the two lines (34, 36) is designed to be length-adjustable, the two connection elements (38, 40) are connectable to one another, the two connection elements (38, 40) are arranged in a basic state within the external dimensions of the photovoltaic roof tile (20),
and wherein, in an assembly state, at least one of the two connection elements (38, 40) can be drawn out beyond the external dimensions of the photovoltaic roof tile (20) and can be connected in a current-conducting manner with a corresponding connection element (38, 40) of an adjacent photovoltaic roof tile (20).

The present disclosure includes roof shingle systems. One roof shingle system includes at least two shingles, a shingle clip, a drip edge, and a power collection unit. Each shingle has a semiconductive layer configured to deliver power, electrical current/voltage, and/or control signals to the power collection unit. The shingle clip continues a conductive path between the two shingles. The drip edge is at least partially insulated and partially conductive, and the conductive portion continues the path from the shingle semiconductive layer to the power unit where energy is collected. One method of installing a shingle system includes the steps of positioning a shingle having a transducer in the form of a semiconductive layer, and positioning a shingle clip to engage the semiconductive layer of the shingle.

There is provided a cladding member (13) formed of a supporting body portion (67) having mounts (54) and a head portion (12), and an absorber surface portion (70) having a peripheral boundary wall (71) defining a recess into which a solar cell array (removed in this view for clarity) is bonded. The supporting (67) and absorber surface (70) body portions are pressure moulded from polyvinyl ester/glassfibre (30%)/fire retardant (40%)/pigment sheet moulding compound. Complementary bonding portions (72) form a glue line in assembly and have complementary water passages (73) defined therebetween. The bonding portions (72) contrive a generally sinusoidal glue space (74) that is longer that the transverse sectional dimension of the boding portions (72), cooperating with the adhesive system to resist water pressure in the passages (73).

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays with improved aesthetics and efficiency that can replace conventional roof structures. BIPV mounting systems described herein allow for improved versatility and ease of installation as compared to conventional approaches. Such BIPV mounting systems can include photovoltaic (PV) roof tiles with separate mechanical coupling features and electrical contact portions for use with tile connectors having both mechanical and electrical coupling features. Such PV tiles can be mechanically and electrically coupled in series through the tile connectors without requiring wire bussing between adjacent PV roof tiles and the tile connectors can be slidable within a batten bracket to easily accommodate PV roof tiles of differing dimensions.