Solar roof tile assembly

Abstract

Photovoltaic solar panels are a know means of generate electricity from ultra-violet and solar power. Known problems associated with photovoltaic solar panels include poor efficiency and a short apparatus lifespan; alongside an inability to be easily integrated into architectural surroundings. Disclosed herein is a photovoltaic solar panel, designed to be attached to the front face of a roof tile, which generates electricity with an improved efficiency, has increased longevity and can be incorporated into a variety of architectural surroundings.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly comprising:
 a roof tile having a front and a rear surface and a single hole extending through the tile; and   a structure attached to the front surface of the roof tile, the structure comprising at least one photovoltaic solar cell, the structure which in operation provides a single positive output and a single negative output, the positive output connected to a positive conductor and the negative output connected to a negative conductor, wherein the positive conductor and the negative conductor extend from the structure attached to the front surface of the roof tile, through the hole of the roof tile to the rear surface of the roof tile.   
     
     
         30 . The photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the structure attached to the front surface of the roof tile is a laminated structure. 
     
     
         31 . The photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the laminated structure includes a printed circuit board, a first layer covering at least a surface of the printed circuit board, a second layer covering the at least one photovoltaic solar cell, and a front sheet covering a front face of the second layer. 
     
     
         32 . The photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly of  claim 31 , wherein at least one of the first layer and the second layer includes ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). 
     
     
         33 . The photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the front sheet includes a layer of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE). 
     
     
         34 . The photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the structure includes a printed circuit board, the at least one photovoltaic solar cell is electrically connected to the printed circuit board, and the positive conductor and the negative conductor extend from the printed circuit board through the hole of the roof tile to the rear surface of the roof tile. 
     
     
         35 . The photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly of  claim 29 , further comprising a junction box housing a diode connected to the positive conductor. 
     
     
         36 . The photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the diode is a 1000 dcV diode. 
     
     
         37 . The photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the junction box is permanently sealed to the structure. 
     
     
         38 . The photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly of  claim 29 , further comprising a female plug located in the hole of the roof tile, the female plug operable to receive a male plug connector. 
     
     
         39 . The photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly of  claim 29 , wherein each photovoltaic solar cell of the at least one photovoltaic solar cell includes a respective plurality of monocrystalline solar wafers. 
     
     
         40 . The photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one photovoltaic solar cell includes a plurality of photovoltaic solar cells, the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells connected together in series. 
     
     
         41 . The photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells are connected together in a bank of rows by one or more aluminum strips. 
     
     
         42 . The photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly of  claim 41 , further comprising electrical tape and a layer of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), wherein the electrical tape and the layer of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) cover the one or more aluminum strips. 
     
     
         43 . A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly comprising:
 providing a roof tile having a front surface and a rear surface;   forming a single hole through the roof tile, the hole extending from the front surface to the rear surface;   attaching a structure to the front surface of the roof tile, the structure comprising at least one photovoltaic solar cell, the structure which in operation provides a single positive output and a single negative output, the positive output connected to a positive conductor and the negative output connected to a negative conductor, wherein the positive conductor and the negative conductor are extended from the structure attached to the front surface of the roof tile, through the hole of the roof tile to the rear surface of the roof tile.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein providing a roof tile having a front surface and a rear surface includes providing a roof tile that includes at least one of concrete, cement, clay, plastic, and metal. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein attaching a structure to the front surface of the roof tile includes attaching a laminated structure to the front surface of the roof tile. 
     
     
         46 . The photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly of  claim 43 , wherein attaching a structure to the front surface of the roof tile includes attaching a structure that includes a printed circuit board, the at least one photovoltaic solar cell electrically connected to the printed circuit board, and the positive conductor and the negative conductor extending from the printed circuit board through the hole of the roof tile to the rear surface of the roof tile. 
     
     
         47 . The photovoltaic solar roof tile assembly of  claim 43 , further comprising locating a junction box in the hole of the roof tile, the junction box housing a diode connected to the positive conductor. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein locating a junction box in the hole of the roof tile includes permanently sealing the junction box to the structure.