Patent · US Active

Photovoltaic roof covering

US8671630B2 · kind B2 · utility

95Cited by
57References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 4, 2008
Grant dateMar 18, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 8, 2029

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/50
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

In certain aspects, the present invention relates to a photovoltaic roof covering in the form of overlapping elements (i.e., tiles, shingles or panels), electrically connected to one another. Each of the elements includes a backing material and a photovoltaic layer arranged at least over that portion of the exterior face of the backing material that is exposed to the outside. Electrical conductors are positioned on each side of said photovoltaic layer and are configured to collect the electrical current generated by said layer when it is exposed to light. Notably, at least one of the connectors includes or is incorporated into a foldable moving tongue or strip and in that said tongue or said strip is kept in electrical contact with a connector of an underlying element and in a position that is folded over between the element and the underlying element.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.