Solar-power roof components and systems, and method of manufacturing same

A solar roof component for use on a sloped roof, the component comprising:

• a sheet metal roof panel having an upper edge and a lower edge configured for interlocking with other similar panels, and having a panel top surface and a recess in the top surface having a recess bottom, wherein the recess bottom is generally planar;
• one or more solar cells located in the recess and encapsulated in a light transmitting encapsulant affixed to the recess wherein the encapsulant top surface generally aligns with the panel top surface wherein the panel top surface and encapsulant top surface have channels extending generally between the upper edge and the lower edge in appearance mimicking the gaps between adjacent wood shingles, and ridges and grooves extending generally between the upper edge and the lower edge in appearance mimicking the surface texture of a wood shingle;
• a wiring assembly, connected to the array of solar cells and comprising a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector, the first electrical connector configured to electrically connect with a connector similar to the second connector on another similar solar roof component, and the second electrical connector configured to electrically connect with a connector similar to the first connector on still another similar roof component;
• and
• a barrier sheet interposed between the recess bottom and the one or more solar cells
• wherein the encapsulant comprises two layers, being a darker tinted layer overlying the recess bottom and substantially encapsulating the barrier sheet, and a less tinted layer overlying the darker tinted layer and substantially encapsulating the one or more solar cells;
• and
• wherein, a plurality of such solar roof components are installable on a roof in an electrically interconnected manner.