Flat roof tile with integrated photovoltaic module
AssigneeLumeta, Inc.
InventorsBrian J. Flaherty, Timothy M. Davey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A roofing module provides weather protection generates electrical power. The module includes an injection molded base having a size, a shape and an appearance of a conventional flat concrete roofing tile with a top surface having a slate-like striated texture. The base is made from lightweight plastic material. The base includes a depressed portion in an upper surface. A photovoltaic panel assembly is positioned in the depressed portion with electrical conductors from the photovoltaic panel passing through an opening in the depressed portion.
Claims5
A roofing module that provides weather protection and that generates electrical power, comprising:
- a base comprising a generally rectangular injected molded plastic structure having the size and appearance of a conventional concrete roofing tile, including a striated upper surface;
- and
- a photovoltaic panel assembly positioned in a depressed portion of the grooved upper surface of the base, the photovoltaic panel assembly comprising a photovoltaic panel installed in a panel support frame, the panel support frame being removably installable in the depressed portion of the base with at least a pair of electrical output conductors that pass through the upper surface of the base.
A method of constructing a roofing tile having an integrated photovoltaic array, comprising:
- constructing a photovoltaic assembly, comprising:
- installing a photovoltaic array in a frame having a central depressed portion sized to receive the photovoltaic array, the photovoltaic array including at least a pair of electrical conductors;
- and
- securing the photovoltaic array to the frame;
- and
- installing the photovoltaic assembly in a injection molded base having a size, a shape and an appearance selected to correspond to a size, a shape and an appearance of a conventional concrete roofing tile with a slate-like striated upper surface such that the base is interchangeable with the conventional concrete roofing tile, comprising:
- positioning the photovoltaic assembly in a depressed portion of an upper surface of the injection molded base;
- passing the at least a pair of electrical conductors through an opening in the upper surface of the injection molded base;
- and
- securing the photovoltaic assembly to the injection molded base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.