Novel rigid tile, rigid tile apparatus, methods of making and use are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method of mounting rigid tile with a nail gun providing a protruding nail tip used as a nail passage or depression finder in the rigid tile. Another embodiment includes a metal roof tile having at least one fastener passage having pre-formed spacer section extending from the upper surface of the metal roof tile to space a fastener head or end from the upper surface of the metal roof tile. Yet another embodiment provides interconnectable rigid rooftiles, with the interconnection provided by upwardly extending channel structure that can allow adjacent rigid rooftiles to positionally adjusted on a roof laterally across the roof with respect to each other. A tile bottom-side covering sealing bent T-trim can be utilized to cover open underside areas of a right roof tile. A novel installation method and rigid rooftile installation kit can utilize embodiments of the structures and methods stated above and, as desired, yet additional structure such as differently structured rigid rooftile components and trim components of differing shapes and sizes as desired.

Novel rigid tile, rigid tile apparatus, methods of making and use are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method of mounting rigid tile with a nail gun providing a protruding nail tip used as a nail passage or depression finder in the rigid tile. Another embodiment includes a metal roof tile having at least one fastener passage having pre-formed spacer section extending from the upper surface of the metal roof tile to space a fastener head or end from the upper surface of the metal roof tile. Yet another embodiment provides interconnectable rigid rooftiles, with the interconnection provided by upwardly extending channel structure that can allow adjacent rigid rooftiles to positionally adjusted on a roof laterally across the roof with respect to each other. A tile bottom-side covering sealing bent T-trim can be utilized to cover open underside areas of a right roof tile. A novel installation method and rigid rooftile installation kit can utilize embodiments of the structures and methods stated above and, as desired, yet additional structure such as differently structured rigid rooftile components and trim components of differing shapes and sizes as desired.

A holding means for a solar roof tile includes an oblong beam extending in a longitudinal direction, a first support supported in a mounted position on a first upper batten of a pitched roof and a second support supported in the mounted position on a second lower batten. The holding means further includes at least one rest for the solar roof tile and a drain channel arranged adjacent to the at least one rest and extending in the longitudinal direction to drain atmospheric water along a longitudinal outer edge of the solar roof tile.

A holding means for a solar roof tile includes an oblong beam extending in a longitudinal direction, a first support supported in a mounted position on a first upper batten of a pitched roof and a second support supported in the mounted position on a second lower batten. The holding means further includes at least one rest for the solar roof tile and a drain channel arranged adjacent to the at least one rest and extending in the longitudinal direction to drain atmospheric water along a longitudinal outer edge of the solar roof tile.

A roof shingle insert includes a top side; a bottom side; an upper edge; a lower edge; and openings. The lower edge includes an integral spacing member. The integral spacing member is configured to raise the lower edge above a roof shingle and is configured to form a gap between the bottom side of the roof shingle insert and a roof shingle.

A roof shingle insert includes a top side; a bottom side; an upper edge; a lower edge; and openings. The lower edge includes an integral spacing member. The integral spacing member is configured to raise the lower edge above a roof shingle and is configured to form a gap between the bottom side of the roof shingle insert and a roof shingle.

A first plurality of roofing shingles installed in a first plurality of rows on a roof deck, and a second plurality of roofing shingles installed in a second plurality of rows. An edge of one of the second roofing shingles in each of the second rows is offset from the edge of another one of the second roofing shingles in another adjacent one of the second rows. An edge of a first photovoltaic shingle is juxtaposed with the edge of a first roofing shingle of the second roofing shingles in a first row of the second rows. The edge of at least another photovoltaic shingle in at least one of another row of the second rows is substantially aligned with the edge of the first photovoltaic shingle. An additional roofing shingle is installed intermediate one of the second roofing shingles and one of the photovoltaic shingles.

A first plurality of roofing shingles installed in a first plurality of rows on a roof deck, and a second plurality of roofing shingles installed in a second plurality of rows. An edge of one of the second roofing shingles in each of the second rows is offset from the edge of another one of the second roofing shingles in another adjacent one of the second rows. An edge of a first photovoltaic shingle is juxtaposed with the edge of a first roofing shingle of the second roofing shingles in a first row of the second rows. The edge of at least another photovoltaic shingle in at least one of another row of the second rows is substantially aligned with the edge of the first photovoltaic shingle. An additional roofing shingle is installed intermediate one of the second roofing shingles and one of the photovoltaic shingles.

A solar shingle having a substrate positioned beneath an upper material layer and at least one photovoltaic cell coupled to the substrate. A first terminal can be electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell and positioned adjacent to a first sidewall of the solar shingle, and a second terminal can be electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell and positioned adjacent to a second sidewall of the solar shingle. An upper surface of the upper material layer can have one or more recesses positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and adjacent to the at least one photovoltaic cell. Further, the upper surface can have a variety of imparted surface characteristics, among other aesthetics and coloring, that can provide the solar shingle with outwardly appearance that is at least similar to traditional, non-solar shingles.

A solar shingle having a substrate positioned beneath an upper material layer and at least one photovoltaic cell coupled to the substrate. A first terminal can be electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell and positioned adjacent to a first sidewall of the solar shingle, and a second terminal can be electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell and positioned adjacent to a second sidewall of the solar shingle. An upper surface of the upper material layer can have one or more recesses positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and adjacent to the at least one photovoltaic cell. Further, the upper surface can have a variety of imparted surface characteristics, among other aesthetics and coloring, that can provide the solar shingle with outwardly appearance that is at least similar to traditional, non-solar shingles.