Photovoltaic shingle system

A photovoltaic roofing member comprising:

• a strip of roofing material having a length "L.sub.s " and a width "W.sub.s," said strip including an overlap portion having a width "W.sub.o," which is less than W.sub.s, said strip further including an exposed portion having a width "W.sub.t " which is less than W.sub.s, such that W.sub.t plus W.sub.o equals W.sub.s ;
• a plurality of photovoltaic devices linearly arrayed in a spaced-apart relationship along the length of the said exposed portion, and each including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a body of photovoltaic material disposed there between, each device operative to generate a flow of electrical current between said electrodes in response to the absorption of photons by said body of photovoltaic material;
• an interconnect system for establishing electrical communication between said plurality of photovoltaic devices;
• a positive electrical terminal and a negative electrical terminal disposed on a bottom surface of said roofing member and in electrical communication with the plurality of photovoltaic devices;
• an inactive region interposed between each adjoining pair of said plurality of photovoltaic devices;
• and
• an encapsulant layer of transparent, nonconductive material disposed on said exposed portion so as to overlie said photovoltaic devices and said inactive regions, said encapsulant layer being embossed in portions thereof overlying said inactive regions such that said strip of roofing material is visible through said encapsulant layer.