Flat roof tile with integrated photovoltaic module

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.

1 . 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.   
     
     
         2 . The roofing module as defined in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the photovoltaic panel includes an output module extending from a lower surface, the output module enclosing electrical connections between electrical output conductors on the photovoltaic panel and weather-resistant electrical conductors, the that provides weather protection and that generates electrical power;   the panel support frame includes at least one opening aligned with the output module to receive the output module when the photovoltaic panel is installed in the panel support frame; and   the base includes an opening aligned with the opening in the panel support frame to receive an extended portion of the output module when the panel support frame with the photovoltaic module is installed in the base.   
     
     
         3 . The roofing module as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a plurality of notches formed along one boundary of the depressed portion to allow water to drain from the depressed portion. 
     
     
         4 . The roofing module as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a first interlocking groove at one edge and an interlocking tab at an opposite edge, the interlocking tab configured to engage the interlocking groove of an adjacent module and also to engage an interlocking groove of a conventional concrete roofing tile. 
     
     
         5 . 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.