ROOFING ELEMENT COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SOLAR CELL

Abstract: The invention relates to a roofing element (1) comprising at least one electric solar cell. The roofing element has the shape of a plurality of roofing tiles (2) overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows and/or columns. The at least one solar cell (4) can have the shape of a plurality of roofing tiles overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows/or columns.

Description: Title: Roofing element comprising at least one solar cell. Thi3 invention rεlatΘ3 to a rooting element, comprising at least one electric solar cell- Such a roofing element is known, for instance, from DE-U1-295 10 147. This document discloses a roofing element in tne lorm ot, and navmg tne dimensions or, a regular roofing tile, which is provided with a solar cell. With these roofing tile elements, known per se, a roof covering can bo asβemble which is also adapted for generating electric energy. A disadvantage of the known roofing element i ts Uid L <_ι y x ect L niu l L I p] l i-'.A L y <_>r rouT i n y elwiueii L y d t. ιn-. edι_>d tor assembling a root covering, which rooting elements moreover need to be electrically connected w h each other for delivering the electric energy generated in the so] ar cells of these elements , T is rβndors the whole susceptible to trouble. Moreover, in a roof covering composed of such roo ing elements, a large number of electrical interconnections are necessary, which is a relatively cootly a±'fair. The object or the invention is to meet the riiRflrlvsnfagfi?. outlined a nvp.. Arnnrrlinoly, the roof, o element according to the invention is characterized in that the roofing element has the shape of a plurality of roofing tiles overlappingly arranged relative to each other in o s and/or columns, Btt ciαat- Hit; J- wu iiiy t- lfcϋinzsn l. l ci-s Ll e ahei j L_t_ ( < =uιU I jen ut. the dimensions) of a plurality of roofing tiles which are overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows and/or columns, the advantage is gained that tar rewer rooting elements are required to be assembled into a roof covering than in the known system outlined above. Preferably, the at least one electric solar c&±± has the or ot a plurality ot roofing tiles overlappingly arranged in rows and/or columns. As a result, the at least one solar cell will have a surface area much greater than in the known roofing elements, while a further achievement is that the appearance of the roofing elfcsnifcMiL in its tsnLj-cLv iretain* the form of a plurality of roofing tiles overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows and/or colmns. A roof covering composed of a roofing element according to the invention is therefore not .distinguishable £ .—'£ •_-<_---v* s-i O rrscirit- . sjp n . rr-fj»ι 1 nr smrs t- s rse j t- . j Λrt . Pr<_£uid ly, L e ι.υυJ_iiiy tiltf-tit- iL iα μiυviϋeϋ will. <_. aiiiy-α electrical connection for c nnecting the at least e s ls ΓPI I . Because fewer roofing elements according to the invention are needed to be compoocd into o roof covering, fewer electrical connections are therefore needed than in the known system. Consequently, a roof covering comprising roofing elements according to the invention is less susceptible to failure and moreover relatively inexpensive. In particular, the roofing element is made up of a rigid plat© which has the shap of a plurality of roofing tiles overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows and/or columns, and the at least one solar cell, while the at least one solar cell is provided on a side of the rigid plate which, in use, is at the upper side of the roofing elemen . According to a preferred embodiment, however, the roufiny wlwniwiil is Jiiσide up o£ a igid plate transparent to sunlight, which has the shape of a plurality of roofing tiles overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows and/or columns, while the at least one solar cell is provided on a side ot tne rigid plate which, in use, is at the bottom side of the roofing element . The advantage of this embodiment is that the at least one solar cell is protected by the transparent rigid plate frome external weather influences. This renders the roofing element particularly reliable, while moreover the life of the at least one solar cell is prolonged. For the particular embodiments outlined above, it is p rΛ fn rrrsd t h , . t h n .-_ t l c..-_ .".t. on e. rsrt Λ n r πft l l . n mnnii f . ■ . nt ii rt-ri from a flexible sheetlike material, in particular, the at least one solar cell is glued into the rigid plate. However, other joints are also possible. AcuυrUiny LO a pa L-cul u' ein oϋj men I of Lht. oufiny element according to the invention, only a portion of the jjyjϋ plate which, in se as a roof covering in combination with other roofing elements, io not covered by these other roofing clemontc, is pruυidud -with the at leant one solar cell . What is thus accomplished is that only those portions of the roofing element which in use are exposed to light, and hence can field electric energy, are possibly provided with the at least ne solax cell. In particular, the roofing element is further provided with electric terminal clamps for delivering electric energy generated by the at least one solar cel . The roofing element can, for instance, have «.1 andard f.i.p nf 1.1 m x R.4 m. Tn ge eral, 1 he roofing element will have a surface area greater than 2 m 2 . It is also possible, however, that the roofing element has such imensions that only one rooting element 5- 3 needed to form a roof covering. According to a highly advanced embodiment, the roofing element further comprises at least one fluid flow channel for heating fluid through solar energy, which fluid, in use as a roof covering, flows through the channel. In this way, both electric and thormal energy can bo generated. The invention will presently be further explained with reference to the clrawinys, w tsit-iu : Fin. 1a show, Λ ϊ r « .t inhnHimpnt of a rnnfino element according to the invention; Fig. lb shows a cross section of the roofing element; according to Fig, la; Fig. 2a shows a second embodiment of a roofing element according to the invention; Fig, 2b shows a cross section of the roofing element according to Fig, 2a; Fig. 3a εhowe a third embodiment of α roofing element according to the invention; Fig. " .shows a cross se>o1 inn of the roofing element accordi g to Fi . "?a a τs.ή Fig. 4 shows n rmsa sprt i rm of a fourth embodiment according to the invention. ReferL iuy Lυ Figs, la and lb, a first embodiment of xuυfiπg element according Lo the invention will be described. In Fig. la, the roofing element is designated by reference numeral 1. The roofing element 1 has the shape of a plurality of roofing tiles 2. In this example almost the entire roofing element has the shap of a plurality of roofing tiles overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows and/or columns. In this example, the roofing element is in the form of five hori ontal rows of roofing tiles, each comprising six roofing tiles. The roofing tiles are overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows and columns. The roofing element further comprises a solar cell 4, which likewise has the shape of a plurality of roofing ti es overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows and columns. More particularly, the roofing element 1 is made up of a rigid plate 6, which has the shape of said plurality of rooting tiler? overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows and columns, and the at least one solar cell. The solar cell 4 is manufactured from a flexible sheetlike material 8, known per se. In this example, the at least one solar cell, i.e., the sheetlike material 8, is provided on side 10 of the rigid plate 6 which, in use, ,La a the upper side of e rooliπy element. Jn other words, thp solar rel 1 Δ is Λ1 1 hp upper side of the roofing plμm nf 1. In this example, the sheetlike material 8, known per se, comprises a plurality of solar cells. These solar cells are electrically connected in parallel and/or in series. Jn this example, the at least one solar coll 4, -1- ._ .,-.. the- sheetlike-. m,τrpr1sl R, 1s glup.ri onro rhe rigid late fi. τι. is also conceivable, however, that other techniques ore used to attach the at least one solar cell to the rigid plate 6. The plate 6 can consist of a metal roofing tile plate known per se. In use, a roof covering of a house and/or building can be formed by at least one roofing element. More particularly, a limited number of roofing elements will be uεod to be composed into a roof covering. The roofing elements are also stacked so as to overlap. As can be seen in Fig. la, only a portion of the rigid plate 6 that, in use ϋ a ιuυ£ in uυni i iiα L iun with oLiitsj- __u £"iny elements, is not covered by these other roofing elements, is provided with the at least one solar cell (i.e., in this example, the sheetlike material. 0). Accordingly, the horizontal edge 12 and the vortical edge 14 are not covered by the sheetlike material 8. These are the edges which, when the roofing element 1 in question is assembled together with other roofing elements to form the roof covering, lie under these other roofing elemen s. The roofing element further comprises an electrical connection in the form of electrical terminal clamps 1G for delivering electric energy generated by the at. least one snlar oo 11 Λ , M_ To that end, in the rooting element a wire passage 18 is provided, through which electrical connecting ires 20, provided with the terminal clamps 16 at their frpp ends, have been passed from the side 10 of the roofing element to the side of the roofing element located opposite side lϋ. The passage i. U is provided at a position which, in use as a roof covering in combination with at least one other roofing clement, is covered by this other roofing element. Leakage is thus prevented. What is moreover achieved is that the electrical connecting wires 20 are protected ' from external weather influences. Figs. 2a and 2b show a second embodiment of a roofing element according to the invention. Parts corresponding with Figo. lc. and lb arc provided with the 3 c-.ne reference numerals. In the second embodiment, the roofing clement comprises a rigid plate 6 transparent to sunlight, which is made, for instance, of glass or a transparent plastic. The tranparent rigid plate 6 again has the shape of a plural ty of roofing tiles 2 overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows and/or columns, in this example, the at least one solar cell 4 is provided on a 3icie 22 of he j_iyid μl Lc 6 which, in uac, is at the bottom side of the roofing element. Jn use, sunlight will be incident on the side 10 of the roofing element and nubnoquontly roaσh tho ^fe J oϋcl-. no c_ol---r ooll 4 via tho transparent plate 6. The at least one solar cell 4 in this example is again made of the sheetlike flexible material, known per 3e, which io attached to the rigid plate 6 using, ror instance, transparent glue. Because in this xam le the at least one solar cell 4 is attached to the bottom side of the rigid plate, the passage 10 discussed in relation to Figs, la and lb can be omitted. However, the above-mentioned terminal clamps IS and the connecting wiroo 20 a e present. Finally, referring to Figs. 3a and 3b, a third embodiment of a roofi g clement according to the invention is discussed. Again, parts corresponding to the preceding figures are provided with the same reference numerals. The i/uυriiiy l -menl sfjΛΪn rio pvisftR a τrn=.tr_. rigid plate 6 which has the shape of a- plurality of roofing tiles which are arranged relative to each other in rows and/or columns. However, in the central row 24 υ£ rυofiny Liluu 2 arranged horizontally relative to each other, three openings 26 are provided, of a size of a single roofing tile 2. In each of these openings 2G, a solar cell 4 is fitted. In contrast to the embodiments outlined hereinbefore, the solar cell 4 is not made of a sheetlike flexible material. Nor is this necessary, since the solar cell 4 can presently take a thickness greater than, equal to, or less than the thichness of the rigid plate 6. However, each solar ce l 4 has the shape of a roofing tile. Accordingly, the solar cells 4 are likewise overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows and/or columns. Each solar cell 4 is provided with electrical terminal, clamps 16 and electrical connecting wires 20. The solar cells 4, before fitting the roofing t.i.le plate υ_ι a rooi, lor instance in tne ractory, can t>e el L icdlly interconnected, in a series or parallel connection or a combination thereof. The roofing element 1 further comprises two fluid flow channels 30 each arranged for heating a fluid (liquid or gas) by mean? s7>i ~ snlsr «nr»rgy, w ich fluid, in use, flov.r. through each ot tne channels JU. in ract, tne channels 30 are each provided in the metal rigid plate 6. Because the plate 6 will heat up under the influence of the sun, the fluid flowing through the channels 30 will also be properly heatp . The rnnfi nr) o " )r-mr>nf aororr. i nrj to F Cj . Λ is therefore suitable for generating electric and thermal energy. Thii iπveiilion is nut limited in any way to Llie ay dlau have the shape of only one :uw of roofing tiles 2 overlappingly arranged relative to each other. The roofing element may also have the shape ot only one column ot roo ing tiles overlapp ng y arranged relative to each other. Frelftrably, however, the rooting element hαa the ±oir.n ot roofing tiles overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows and columns. The roofing element will then preferably have a standard dimension (for instance length) of 1.1 m x 8.4 in. The solar cell 4 and/or the rigid plate 6 can be of various colors. In particular, the at least one solar cell 4 can be of a color which corresponds to the color of a real roofing tile. In particular, in the first diid third embodimen s, the al ltedhL une .-.olax cell i6 of n color correspond ng to the color of the rigid plate 2. The solar cell can consist of translucent and non-translucent solci r eel l._ . Tn t he roo f i g o . omon l , . . oonvo rt or may bo arranged. The roofing element may have such a size that it- can be cover a whole rool . The riqid plate may be made of various materials, such as plastic, polyester, glass, or recycled waste material. The rigid plate 6 may also consist, of a coTtuneroia 11 y _-ΛΓ?I i 1 s l *J roo inrj tile, ρl atζ»- now o se . In the case where e rigid l;:1e i 1 . ma e* of metal, it is preferably made of steel or aluminum. The roofing element may further be provided with on insulating material at its bottom side ___.. A rigid pJyte can be fitted over an existing roof. The roofing element may lso be provided with at l ast two planar electric solar cells so positioned relative to each other that these electric solar cells take the shape of at least a part of a rooting tile. Also, this electric solar cell may be of (rigid) curved design. It is also possible that during manufacture the electric solar cell 4 is applied to trie plate fc> in layers. A least one or an layers may, for example, at l ast contain J3i , It. i.<5 also possible for t leas one or all layers at. least to contain copper indium dlselenide (abbreviated to CIS) . Also, various other ways of manufacture are possible. Further, it is possible to apply a layer over the roofing element, which provides for an intensive and better distributed light incidence on the solar cell. When various roofing elements are used to assemble a roof covering, the solar cells of these roofing elements can be connected in parallel and/or in series. Mat- ι ι a 1 l , r. <= o f 1 Vi es f ιo <? c: . h i 1 i 1 i p ς ; ς t o <51 o rp t' h e- <_- 'I o t r i r ir-j ttr. ι j y 1 i÷- π. i i"ι tiό I I ." r . «=.."> n n l / v 1 τ' ι=.1" ι _ τ rι i t 1 r. h ι=. electricity grid. Th* electric solar coll 4 can bιϊ "located' under, on, or in the rigid plate 6. As shown in Fig. 4, can on e solar cell i , in the way that this has been fitted i the construction shap according to Fig. la and Fig. lb, can be fitted with transparant covering material 40. This material may consist of, for example, rigid or soft plastic. Glass would also bo a possibility. Solar cell 8 has in fact been inc.lπder. in rho rigid plate in this case, rhe rigid plate has been provided by reference number 6 and 40 in Fiq . 4. Likewise, the fluid flow channel 30 can be located under, n, o in Llnj. ri y i d [.>1._< I <-- J 6. T i ^ _< .1 _.<-> j > &< :_< j. 1 <_> Lu ι.'uu|.>lu these ±luid ±low channe.ls ot the various rooting elements to each other. Further, it is also possible that the electric solar cell 4 is located under or above the fluid flow channel. Furthermore, n or under the rigid plate 6, an insulated collector can be mounted, eliminating the need for a separate storage vessel. This collector is then iritegrated into the rigid plate. Further, other methods of generating thermal energy are also possib . The roof ng elemen can consist of prefabricated modular roof elements which can be joined together in a simple manner. An example of these modular roof elements, which, for instance, can be joined together on the roof, involves several regular roofing tiles

Claims: and a flexible solar cell provided with a lock and hook system or an adhesive edge. Further, it is possible to collect rain water; this water can optionally be recycled. Such variants and appliea. ions srp all understood to tall within the scope of thυ invent ion. Loose modular root elements which can subsequently be joined together to form the roofing element according to the invention are also understood to fall within the scope of the invention. Claims 1. A roofing element comprising at least one electric solar cell, characterized in that the roofing element has the ohαpc of a plurality of roofing tilco overlappingly H .. • r.ncj.-... ΓHIHI i vn lo HHCII olh-.r in rows .-.IH./C.Γ f.n.uirm.s. 2. A roofing element according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least ono plpptrir solar CPI 1 lias the shape of a pluxaliLy of xυofiuy Liles overlappingly nrrnngfirl rp.lntivn to r_,-_r.h other in ro .n nnri/or nnln n.i. 3. A roofing element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the roofing element is composed of a rigid plate and the at least ono solar cell, while the at lw sL one soldi ct ' ll is pro ided on sidy of the rigid plate which, in use, is at the upper side of the roofing tile plate. 4. A roofing element according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one solar cell is of a color which corresponds to the color of the rigid plate. 5. Λ roofing element according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that on at least one solar cell a transparent covering material has been fitted, this material. has the shape of a plurality of roofing tiles overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows and/or columns. 6. A roofinq element accordinq to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the roofing element is composed of a rigid plate transparent to sunlight, which has the shape of a plurality of roofing tiles overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows and/or columns, and the a leas ono solar cell, while the at least one solar cell is provided on a side of the rigit plate which, in use, is at the bottom side of the roofing tile plate. 7. A roofing element, according to claim 3,4,5 or 6, characterized in that the at least one solar cell is manuf ctured from a f.exiblp sheet 1 i ke material. 8. A roofing element according to any one of the prece i g o.l .?.. ΓΠR " -7, oha raot f.ri fi in that the. roofing element wmpriticti a pluialiLy of aul i ( ellt; . 9. A roofing element according to claim 8, characterized in that the solar eel 13 are connected in parallel and/or in series. 10. A roofing element according to any one of the preceding claims 3-8, characterized in that the at least one solar cell is glued onto the rigid plate. 11. A roofing element according to any one of the preceding claims 3-10, characterized in that only a portion of the rigid plate that, In use as a roof covering in combination with other roofing elements, is not covered by these other roofing elements, is provided with the at least one solar cell. 12. A roofing element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roofing element is further provided with electric terminal clamps for delivering electric energy generated by the at least one solar cell. 13 . Λ roo f in ; c- cmcTit u oo o ifd i .iq t o a Λγ σπ c of th e preceding claims, characteri ed in that the roofing element has a surface area greater than 2 m ? . 14. A roofing element -according to claim 13, characterized in that the roofing element has a size of 1. x 8.4 m. 15. A roofing element according to any one of the . <-_ι i i iiy i :1.J j.ι_ι.-'ι , ι,lι_.ι_. d.C i ci'i in t.h-_L L.hc roofing ι"_ 1 c___ 11"_ J J ( . further comprises at least one fluid flow channel for heating a fluid by means of solar energy, which fluid, in use as a roof covering, flows through the channel. 16. A roofing element according to any one of the preceding claims, in that in the roofing *<»1 ->mι->M I * s jw sΛgπ i fι r'ov 1 rift f r pass i o 1 hpi"f-t hromjh connecting wires for the at least one solar cell, the passage being o i at n n s.i t i .wh. b 1 __i D_use..as a..r_or._f covering in combination with at least one other roofing element, ie covered by this t e roofing element. 17. A roofing plp.mpnt according to An o e of thp preceding claims, ohurt_etori__ed in thcat th eυl r coll, during the manu cturing process, has been applied in layers directly to the roofing element. 18. A roofing element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of these layers contains at least Si. 19. A roofing element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of I n m rl i «*?.-» 1 <» n 1 rl*ι- 20. A roofing element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roofing element is composed of prefabricated modular roof elements which can be joined together in a simple manner. 21. A roofing element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roofing element comprises one electrical connection for connecting the at least one solar cell. 22. A roof covering composed of a plurality of roofing elements according to any one of the preceding claims. 23. A roofing element according to claim 3, characterized in that the rigid plate has the shape of a plurality of roofing tiles overlappingly arranged relative to each other in rows and/or columns

Inventors: PLANTFEBER WILCO JOHAN THOMAS, PLANTFEBER, WILCO, JOHAN, THOMAS
Applicants: PLANTFEBER WILCO JOHAN THOMAS, PLANTFEBER, WILCO, JOHAN, THOMAS
Application year: 1999
Main classification: H01L31
IPC codes: E04D3, E04D13, F24J2, H01L31