Patent ID: 8671630
Filing Date: 2014-03-18
Classification: E04D,H01L,H02S,Y02B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A photovoltaic roof covering comprising a collection of a plurality of elements in the form of tiles, shingles or panels, disposed on a roof and electrically connected to one another, each of said elements of the plurality of elements comprising: a backing material comprising an interior face facing toward the roof and an exterior face facing away from the roof, a photovoltaic layer arranged at least over that portion of the exterior face of the backing material that is exposed to an outside environment in the collection, a foldable moving tongue or strip connected to the backing material and having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, the first surface facing away from the roof when in an unfolded position, and the second surface facing toward the roof when in an unfolded position, and electrical conduction means positioned on each side of said photovoltaic layer and configured to collect electrical current generated by said photovoltaic layer when the photovoltaic layer is exposed to light, said electrical conduction means comprising a first connector connected to one electrical pole of the photovoltaic layer, the first connector being disposed at the first surface of the foldable moving tongue or strip, and a second connector connected to another electrical pole of the photovoltaic layer, the second connector is disposed at the exterior face of the backing material and faces away from the roof, wherein each of said elements of the plurality of elements overlies an underlying element, such that a part or portion of the underlying element is covered by said element, and a part or portion of the underlying element is exposed to the outside environment, each underlying element being another of the plurality of elements, or comprising a backing material comprising an interior face facing toward the roof and an exterior face facing away from the roof, a photovoltaic layer arranged at least over that portion of the exterior face of the backing material that is exposed to the outside environment in the collection, and electrical conduction means positioned on each side of said photovoltaic layer and configured to collect the electrical current generated by said photovoltaic layer when the photovoltaic layer is exposed to light, said electrical conduction means comprising a first connector connected to one electrical pole of the photovoltaic layer, and a second connector connected to another electrical pole of the photovoltaic layer, the second connector is disposed at the exterior face of the backing material and faces away from the roof; and wherein for each of said elements of the plurality of elements as arranged in the collection, the foldable moving tongue or strip is disposed in a position that is folded over between said element and the underlying element, such that the first surface of the foldable moving tongue or strip of said element faces toward the roof, the first connector of said element faces toward the roof and is in electrical contact with the second connector of the underlying element, the second surface of the foldable moving tongue or strip of said element faces away from the roof, and the second connector of the underlying element facing away from the roof.