Modular photovoltaic element for building roofs

Abstract

A modular photovoltaic element for building roofs comprising: a lower hollow structural part of plastic material, an upper convex cover element of material transparent to sunlight and fixed to said hollow part, at least one photovoltaic cell mounted on a support and housed in a cavity defined by said hollow part and said convex cover element, an integrated current for controlling the operation of said element, a compartment which is separate from the cavity housing said photovoltaic cell, and which houses means for electrical connection to the adjacent modular element of the same row, partially superposed to cover said compartment, connection cables joined to watertight connectors positioned on the surmounting portions of adjacent hollow parts of one and the same row, said connectors being connected to said photovoltaic cell and to said integrated circuit, first mechanical means for connecting said cover element to said hollow part, second mechanical means for connecting said hollow part to the hollow part of adjacent elements of the same row, and a base member adapted to connect said hollow part to the underlying roof.

1 . A modular photovoltaic element for building roofs, comprising:
 a lower hollow structural part of plastic material,   an upper convex cover element of material transparent to sunlight and fixed to said hollow part,   at least one photovoltaic cell mounted on a support and housed in a cavity defined by said hollow part and said convex cover element,   an integrated circuit for controlling the operation of said element,   cabling associated with said photovoltaic cell,   provided in said hollow part,   a compartment which is separate from the cavity housing said photovoltaic cell, and which houses means for electrical connection to the adjacent modular element of the same row, partially superposed to cover said compartment,   connection cables joined to watertight connectors positioned on the surmounting portions of adjacent hollow parts of one and the same row, said connectors being connected to said photovoltaic cell and to said integrated circuit,   first mechanical means for connecting said cover element to said hollow part,   second mechanical means for connecting said hollow part to the hollow part of adjacent elements of the same row,   a base member adapted to connect said hollow part to an underlying roof.   
   
   
       2 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said lower hollow part is fixed to the structural elements of the underlying roof by means of a base connectable to the base of the corresponding modular element pertaining to the adjacent rows. 
   
   
       3 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the base is overall of tray shape, with the two longitudinal sidepieces projecting upwards, and from which at least two appendices extend downwards for its fixing to the roof structural elements. 
   
   
       4 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said appendices have their lower end projecting outwards and presenting a profiled portion complementary to the profiled portion of the appendix pertaining to the base of the modular element of the adjacent row, said complementary portions being fixable to the underlying roof structure by a single fixing element. 
   
   
       5 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein each longitudinal sidepiece of the base comprises seats to be engaged by teeth provided in the overlying lower part  4 . 
   
   
       6 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 3 , each longitudinal sidepiece of the base comprises appendices for centering the base of the adjacent modular element pertaining to the same row. 
   
   
       7 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 1 , said lower part presents a perimetral band consisting of a frusto-conical portion similar to that of a traditional tile and defining a sunken central portion housing at least one photovoltaic cell. 
   
   
       8 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said photovoltaic cell is mounted on a support inclinable longitudinally and/or transversely. 
   
   
       9 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the upstream end of the lower part is provided with a cavity housing a connector cooperating with a male connector provided in an appendix projecting lowerly from the downstream end of the lower part of that modular element pertaining to the same row, the two modular elements being partially surmounted such that the downstream end of the upper element is superposed on the upstream end of the lower element. 
   
   
       10 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the two superposed ends of two adjacent elements comprise mutually cooperating appendices and cavities for their engagement and centering. 
   
   
       11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said connectors are watertight and are connected via the cables to said integrated circuit, which is also watertight. 
   
   
       13 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the bottom of said sunken central portion provided in the lower part includes aeration apertures. 
   
   
       14 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said cover element is of frusto-conical shape and matches the frusto-conical perimetral band of the lower part. 
   
   
       15 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the surface of said cover element comprises a plurality of solar ray concentration lenses. 
   
   
       16 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said lenses are fresnel lenses. 
   
   
       17 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 15 , said lenses consist of elements separate from said cover. 
   
   
       18 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first mechanical means comprises seats along the edges of said hollow part and teeth in said cover element. 
   
   
       19 . The modular element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said second mechanical means comprises small cavities in the side of said hollow part that receive appendices on the adjacent tile.