A photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly can include a roof tile having a front and a rear surface and a single hole extending through the tile. A structure can be attached to the front surface of the roof tile. The structure can include a photovoltaic solar cell that in operation can provide a single positive output connected to a positive conductor and a single negative output connected to a negative conductor. The positive conductor and the negative conductor can extend from the structure attached to the front surface of the roof tile, through the hole of the roof tile to the rear surface of the roof tile. The structure can be laminated, and can include a printed circuit board, a first layer covering a surface of the printed circuit board, a second layer covering the photovoltaic solar cell, and a front sheet covering a front face of the second layer.

A solar roof tile installation can include an array of solar roof panels. A solar roof panel can include a photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly. A negative conductor of a first solar roof panel can be electrically connected to a positive conductor of a second solar roof panel to form at least part of an electrically serial chain of solar roof panels having a one-way electrical direct current path that includes a first diode electrically connected between a positive and a negative conductor of the first panel, and a second diode electrically connected between a positive and a negative conductor of the second panel. A method of operation of the solar roof tile installation can include configuring the array of solar roof panels to at least reduce the effect of a loss of performance of a solar roof panel on performance of other solar roof panels in the array.

A method of manufacture of a photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly can include forming a laminated structure by laminating one or more sheets that include at least one photovoltaic solar cell, and attaching a junction box to the laminated structure to form a photovoltaic solar panel. The junction box can include a first DC connector and a second DC connector. Attaching the junction box to the laminated structure can include sealing the first DC connector to the laminated structure. The method of manufacture can include forming a roof tile with a hole that extends from a front side of the roof tile to a rear side of the roof tile, and locating the junction box in the hole by inserting the first DC connector from a front side of the roof tile and attaching the second DC connector from the rear side.

A photovoltaic solar panel for attachment to a roof tile can include a printed circuit board, a plurality of photovoltaic solar cells each electrically connected to the printed circuit board, and a front sheet comprising a layer of plastic. The printed circuit board, the photovoltaic solar cells, and the layer of plastic can be at least part of a laminated structure attachable to the roof tile. The layer of plastic can be a layer of transparent, UV-resistant plastic. The layer of plastic can be a layer of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene. A method of manufacture of a photovoltaic solar panel for attachment to a roof tile can include forming a laminated structure by laminating one or more sheets that include a printed circuit board, a plurality of photovoltaic solar cells, and a front sheet. The front sheet can include a layer of plastic that can include ethylene tetrafluoroethylene.

A method of manufacture of a photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly can include forming a laminated structure by laminating one or more sheets that include at least one photovoltaic solar cell, and attaching a junction box to the laminated structure to form a photovoltaic solar panel. The junction box can include a first DC connector and a second DC connector. Attaching the junction box to the laminated structure can include sealing the first DC connector to the laminated structure. The method of manufacture can include forming a roof tile with a hole that extends from a front side of the roof tile to a rear side of the roof tile, and locating the junction box in the hole by inserting the first DC connector from a front side of the roof tile and attaching the second DC connector from the rear side.

A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules installed on a roof deck in an array. Each of the photovoltaic modules includes a wire cover bracket substantially aligned with the wire cover bracket of an adjacent another one of the photovoltaic modules. At least one cover is removably attached to at least one of the wire cover brackets. The cover includes a top portion, a first side portion extending from a first side of the top portion, and a second side portion extending from a second side of the top portion opposite the first side. The top portion of the at least one cover is configured to divert water from entering the wire cover bracket from above the at least one cover. The first and second side portions are configured to divert water from entering the wire cover bracket from a lateral direction relative to the wire cover bracket.

A photovoltaic solar panel for attachment to a roof tile can include a printed circuit board, a plurality of photovoltaic solar cells each electrically connected to the printed circuit board, and a front sheet comprising a layer of plastic. The printed circuit board, the photovoltaic solar cells, and the layer of plastic can be at least part of a laminated structure attachable to the roof tile. The layer of plastic can be a layer of transparent, UV-resistant plastic. The layer of plastic can be a layer of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene. A method of manufacture of a photovoltaic solar panel for attachment to a roof tile can include forming a laminated structure by laminating one or more sheets that include a printed circuit board, a plurality of photovoltaic solar cells, and a front sheet. The front sheet can include a layer of plastic that can include ethylene tetrafluoroethylene.

Photovoltaic solar panels are a know means of generate electricity from ultra-violet and solar power. Known problems associated with photovoltaic solar panels include poor efficiency and a short apparatus lifespan; alongside an inability to be easily integrated into architectural surroundings. Disclosed herein is a photovoltaic solar panel, designed to be attached to the front face of a roof tile, which generates electricity with an improved efficiency, has increased longevity and can be incorporated into a variety of architectural surroundings.

A solar roof tile installation can include an array of solar roof panels. A solar roof panel can include a photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly. A negative conductor of a first solar roof panel can be electrically connected to a positive conductor of a second solar roof panel to form at least part of an electrically serial chain of solar roof panels having a one-way electrical direct current path that includes a first diode electrically connected between a positive and a negative conductor of the first panel, and a second diode electrically connected between a positive and a negative conductor of the second panel. A method of operation of the solar roof tile installation can include configuring the array of solar roof panels to at least reduce the effect of a loss of performance of a solar roof panel on performance of other solar roof panels in the array.

A roof integrated solar power system includes a plurality of solar modules. Each solar module carries a photovoltaic or solar panel with solar cells. Edge regions of the solar module are disposed to the sides of the solar panel and are devoid of solar cells. An electrical component such as a junction box or micro-inverter, or DC optimizer is mounted on top of the solar module within at least one of the edge regions. Cabling for interconnecting the electrical component to electrical components of others of the plurality of solar modules also is located within the side regions. In one embodiment, the electrical component and cabling is disposed within a recess within a side region and covered by a flat access panel. In another embodiment, the electrical component and cabling is located atop the side region and is covered by an access panel in the form of a protective cover strip. The solar modules are installable on a roof in aligned or staggered courses to form the solar power system, and with the installed courses of modules together forming a water barrier protecting the roof.