Roof tiles and related systems

Abstract

Roof tile systems for structures are provided. A representative system including solar panel tile having a top side for facing away from a structure, a bottom side for facing the structure, a left side, a right side, an upper side for facing the upslope direction and lower side for facing the downslope direction, the solar panel tile defining a cavity sized and shaped for mounting therein a solar panel, the solar panel tile having a first rib extending across the cavity; and a solar panel mounted within the cavity and supported by the first rib such that the solar panel is flush mounted with respect to the top side of the solar panel tile; the solar panel tile being a first of multiple solar panel tiles, with the multiple tiles being operative to engage in a side-by-side arrangement to form at least a partial course of tiles of the system.

1 . A tile, comprising:
 a top to face away from a structure;   a bottom to face the structure;   a side;   an upper end to face an upslope direction;   a lower end to face a downslope direction;   a cavity located at a central portion of the top, the cavity to mount therein a solar panel;   a rib spanning the cavity; and   a vent opening for facilitating air flow to the solar panel.   
     
     
         2 . The tile of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a horizontal rib spanning a width of the cavity; and   a vertical rib spanning a length of the cavity.   
     
     
         3 . The tile of  claim 2 , further comprising a platform located at the intersection of the horizontal rib and the vertical rib. 
     
     
         4 . The tile of  claim 1 , further comprising a screw hole to facilitate mounting of the tile. 
     
     
         5 . The tile of  claim 4 , the screw hole being located near the upper end. 
     
     
         6 . The tile of  claim 1 , the vent opening being positioned along the lower end. 
     
     
         7 . The tile of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking pin protruding outwardly from the upper end. 
     
     
         8 . The tile of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking member located on the bottom. 
     
     
         9 . The tile of  claim 8 , the locking member comprising a laterally-oriented, elongated slot. 
     
     
         10 . The tile of  claim 1 , further comprising a curved element located on the side. 
     
     
         11 . The tile of  claim 1 , further comprising a drip barrier located on the top. 
     
     
         12 . The tile of  claim 1 , further comprising a cooling channel formed below the solar panel when the solar panel is mounted in the cavity.