Photovoltaic roof tile

Abstract

Known photovoltaic roof tiles replace traditional roof tiles in a single lap arrangement. In order to prevent rainwater from passing between adjacent tiles and permeating into a building below, the photovoltaic roof tile is provided with interlocking edges; however, the manufacturing cost of these devices may be very high, and the installation is also time-consuming. One more economical choice of laying tiles is the use of a double lap tile arrangement. Because the planar tiles have no interlocking edges, water may leak through the joints between the tiles. This entails the placement of a third tile under the joint to intercept any passing water. However, when the double lap tiles are used, a substantial portion of each tile is still covered after installation, so that a relatively small surface area can be exposed to the sun. This is not effective utilization of expensive photovoltaic materials. The invention provides a photovoltaic roof tile 302 for use with a double lap tile 301, the tile width of the photovoltaic roof tile 302 being equal to an integer multiple of the width of the double lap tile. In this manner, such a photovoltaic roof tile 302 can be arranged with a conventional double lap roof tile 301 to increase the proportion it can be used to receive sunlight 305, 307 without the risk of water ingress.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to photovoltaic roof tiles and methods of laying roof tiles and finds particular, although not exclusive, applicability in arranging such roof tiles on roofs. Background Art

[0002] Building integrated photovoltaics is a type of photovoltaic material used to replace traditional building materials in parts of the building envelope such as the roof. On pitched roofs, it is well known that photovoltaic roof tiles can replace traditional roof tiles or even be used interchangeably with such traditional roof tiles for easy replacement and upgrading.

[0003] Typically, such photovoltaic roof tiles are arranged in a single-lap arrangement to maximize the surface area in sunlight (i.e., by minimizing the amount of overlap with adjacent tiles). To prevent rainwater from passing between adjacent tiles and seeping into the building below, such photovoltaic roof tiles are provided with interlocking edges; however, these devices can be expensive to manufacture and time-consuming to install.

[0004] A more cost-effective laying option is to use a double-lap tile arrangement, where flat tiles with no interlocking edges are used. Because flat tiles have no interlocking edges, water can leak through the seams between tiles. This requires a third tile to be placed under the seams to intercept any water that gets through. However, with double-lap tiles, a large portion of each tile remains covered after installation, thus leaving a relatively small surface area exposed to sunlight. This is not an efficient use of expensive photovoltaic materials.

[0005] In fact, in a double-lap arrangement, the typical percentage of shingles exposed to sunlight is between one-third and one-half. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photovoltaic roof tile for use with a double-lap tile, the photovoltaic roof tile having a double-lap tile height and a double-lap tile width, the tile width of the photovoltaic roof tile being equal to an integer multiple of the double-lap tile width.

[0007] This way, the photovoltaic roof tiles can be arranged alongside conventional double-lapped roof tiles to increase the proportion of sunlight available to them, without the risk of water ingress and without increasing production costs.

[0008] Such tiles are usually rectangular, but may be square in some cases.A typical double lapped tile may have a double lapped tile height and / or a double lapped tile width of between 10 cm and 1 m, for example a tile height of approximately 60 cm and a tile width of approximately 30 cm.

[0009] In this disclosure, when a dimension is referred to as being equal to some other dimension (and / or an integer multiple thereof), this is intended to convey an approximate dimension, not an exact dimension. For example, if a larger tile is equal in size to two smaller tiles, it can be described as the larger tile being twice as wide as each of the smaller tiles; however, the installation of the tiles may require the placement of fasteners, seals, gaskets, air gaps, etc. around them, so the size of the larger tile may actually be slightly more than twice the size of the smaller tiles, given the presence of fasteners between these smaller tiles.

[0010] Likewise, references to distances equal to the gauge of the roof may be approximate, particularly as the gauge of any part of the roof will typically differ from the gauge of another part of the roof by 10mm, and sometimes even more (e.g. 20mm, 30mm or 40mm). Thus, the distance may be equal to the minimum, average or maximum gauge of the roof, or any distance therebetween. Furthermore, a distance equal to the roof gauge may differ in practice from the theoretical distances above, as the installation of tiles may require the placement of fixings, seals, gaskets, air gaps etc. around the perimeter, and so the distance referred to may need to be altered accordingly.

[0011] Integer multiples can be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more.

[0012] Thus, a larger integer multiple will result in a greater proportion of tiles being available to receive sunlight.

[0013] Photovoltaic roof tiles may have a tile height equal to the double lapped tile height.

[0014] This way, photovoltaic roof tiles will be installed without modifying the existing double-lap roof arrangement.

[0015] In this way, the proportion of tiles that can be used to receive sunlight is increased. Further integer multiples can be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more. A larger integer multiple will result in a greater proportion of tiles that can be used to receive sunlight.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roofing system comprising: a plurality of double-lap tiles, each double-lap tile having a common double-lap tile height and a common double-lap tile width; and a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, whose tile width is equal to an integer multiple of the double-lap tile width.

[0017] A common double-lapped tile height means that each of the plurality of double-lapped tiles have the same tile height as one another.

[0018] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an arrangement of roof tiles forming part of a roof, the arrangement comprising: a plurality of double-lap tiles, each double-lap tile having a common double-lap tile height and a common double-lap tile width; and a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, whose tile height is equal to the common double-lap tile height, and whose tile width is equal to an integer multiple of the double-lap tile width; the arrangement of the roof tiles is configured with: a first layer of tiles, comprising: a first photovoltaic roof tile of the plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles; and a second layer of tiles, which is partially arranged on the first layer of tiles and is longitudinally offset from the first layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to the gauge of the roof, the second layer of tiles comprising: a first overlapping tile, which is selected from a plurality of double-lap tiles or a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the first overlapping tile being arranged to overlap the first photovoltaic roof tile a first upper corner overlapping the first photovoltaic roof tile by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double lap tile; a second overlapping tile selected from a plurality of double lap tiles or a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the second overlapping tile being arranged to overlap the second upper corner of the first photovoltaic roof tile by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double lap tile; and wherein a gap in the second layer is provided between the first overlapping tile and the second overlapping tile above the first photovoltaic roof tile; a third layer of tiles being partially arranged on the first layer of tiles and the second layer of tiles, being longitudinally offset from the first layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to a longitudinal distance of the gauge of the roof, and being longitudinally offset from the first layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to twice the gauge of the roof, the third layer of tiles comprising: at least one top photovoltaic roof tile being arranged to completely overlap the top lateral edge of the first photovoltaic roof tile.

[0019] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for laying a roof, the method comprising the following steps: providing a plurality of double-lap tiles, each double-lap tile having a common double-lap tile height and a common double-overlap tile width; and providing a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, whose tile height is equal to the common double-lap tile height, and whose tile width is equal to an integer multiple of the double-lap tile width; and arranging the plurality of double-lap tiles and the plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles so that: a first layer of tiles, comprising: a first photovoltaic roof tile of the plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles; and a second layer of tiles, which is partially arranged on the first layer of tiles and is longitudinally offset from the first layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to the gauge of the roof, the second layer of tiles comprising: a first overlapping tile, which is selected from the plurality of double-lap tiles; A photovoltaic roof tile or a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, a first overlapping tile arranged to overlap a first upper corner of the first photovoltaic roof tile by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double lap tile; a second overlapping tile selected from the plurality of double lap tiles or the plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the second overlapping tile arranged to overlap a second upper corner of the first photovoltaic roof tile by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double lap tile; and wherein a gap in the second layer is provided between the first overlapping tile and the second overlapping tile above the first photovoltaic roof tile; a third layer of tiles arranged partially over the first layer of tiles and the second layer of tiles, longitudinally offset from the first layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to a gauge of the roof, and longitudinally offset from the first layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to twice the gauge of the roof. The third layer of tiles comprises: at least one top photovoltaic roof tile arranged to completely overlap a top lateral edge of the first photovoltaic roof tile.

[0020] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an arrangement of roof tiles forming part of a roof, the arrangement comprising: a plurality of double-lap tiles, each double-lap tile having a common double-lap tile height and a common double-overlap tile width; and a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, whose tile width is equal to an integer multiple of the double-lap tile width; the arrangement of the roof tiles is configured with: a first layer of tiles, comprising: a first photovoltaic roof tile from a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles; and adjacent tiles selected from a plurality of double-lap tiles and a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the adjacent tiles being arranged adjacent to the first photovoltaic roof tile; a second layer of tiles, which are partially arranged on the first layer of tiles and are obliquely offset from the first layer of tiles by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double-lap tile and a longitudinal distance equal to the gauge of the roof, the second layer of tiles comprising: overlapping tiles, selected from a plurality of double-lap tiles or a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles Among the tiles, the overlapping tiles are arranged to overlap the corners of the first photovoltaic roof tiles by a first lateral overlap distance equal to half the width of the double lap tile, and are arranged to overlap the corners of adjacent tiles adjacent to the corners of the first photovoltaic roof tiles by a second lateral overlap distance equal to half the width of the double lap tile; and wherein a gap in the second layer is provided above the first photovoltaic roof tile and adjacent to the overlapping tiles; a third layer of tiles, which is partially arranged on the first layer of tiles and the second layer of tiles, and is diagonally offset from the second layer of tiles by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double lap tile, and a longitudinal distance equal to the gauge of the roof, and is longitudinally offset from the first layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to twice the gauge of the roof, the third layer of tiles comprising: at least one top photovoltaic roof tile, arranged to completely overlap the top lateral edge of the first photovoltaic roof tile.

[0021] The first layer of tiles may be a first row of non-overlapping tiles arranged adjacent to each other. Adjacent may include respective edges of adjacent tiles abutting each other, or involve a gap for inserting fixings, seals, etc., the extent of which is much smaller than the size of the tile, for example less than 5%, more particularly less than 2% of the tile width. In particular, adjacent may include no overlap.

[0022] The second layer of tiles may be a second row of non-overlapping tiles arranged adjacent to each other.

[0023] One layer of tiles is partially arranged on another layer of tiles, and the overlap may be a head-on overlap.

[0024] The transverse distance / direction may be the direction of the double lapped tile width of the double lapped tiles in a particular layer / row and may be substantially horizontal and / or oriented across the roof and / or within a row / layer. The longitudinal distance / direction may be the direction of the double lapped tile height of the double lapped tiles in a particular layer / row and may be oriented up / down along the roof and / or up / down along consecutive layers / rows.

[0025] Each layer / row may be parallel to other layers / rows.

[0026] The gap in the second layer may be a space in the second layer where one or more tiles are not placed. In particular, the width of the gap may be equal to another integer multiple of the width of the double-lapped tile.

[0027] The third layer of tiles may be a third row of non-overlapping tiles arranged adjacent to each other.

[0028] The lateral edge of the first photovoltaic roof tile may include an upper edge thereof.

[0029] The first layer of tiles may further include another adjacent tile selected from a plurality of double lap tiles and a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the other adjacent tile being arranged adjacent to the first photovoltaic roof tile on a side thereof opposite to the adjacent tile.

[0030] The second layer of tiles may further include another overlapping tile selected from a plurality of double-lapped tiles or a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the other overlapping tile being arranged to overlap another corner of the first photovoltaic roof tile and a corner of another adjacent tile adjacent to the other corner of the first photovoltaic roof tile.

[0031] The void in the second layer may further be disposed adjacent to another overlapping tile.

[0032] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for laying a roof, the method comprising the following steps: providing a plurality of double-lap tiles, each double-lap tile having a common double-lap tile height and a common double-overlap tile width; and providing a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, whose tile width is equal to an integer multiple of the double-lap tile width; and arranging the plurality of double-lap tiles and the plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles so that: a first layer of tiles, comprising: a first photovoltaic roof tile among the plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles; and adjacent tiles, which are selected from the plurality of double-lap tiles and the plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the adjacent tiles being arranged adjacent to the first photovoltaic roof tile; a second layer of tiles, which are partially arranged on the first layer of tiles and are obliquely offset from the first layer of tiles by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double-lap tile and equal to the roof The longitudinal distance of the gauge of the roof, the second layer of tiles includes: overlapping tiles, which are selected from a plurality of double-lap tiles or a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, and the overlapping tiles are arranged to overlap with the corners of the first photovoltaic roof tile and the corners of adjacent tiles adjacent to the corners of the first photovoltaic roof tile; and wherein a gap in the second layer is provided above the first photovoltaic roof tile and adjacent to the overlapping tiles; a third layer of tiles, partially arranged on the first layer of tiles and the second layer of tiles, diagonally offset from the second layer of tiles by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double-lap tiles and a longitudinal distance equal to the gauge of the roof, and longitudinally offset from the first layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to twice the gauge of the roof, the third layer of tiles includes: at least one top photovoltaic roof tile, which is arranged to completely overlap the lateral edge of the first photovoltaic roof tile. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The above and other features, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the principles of the present invention by way of example. This description is given only as an example and does not limit the scope of the present invention. The reference numerals cited below refer to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 A traditional single-lap shingle is shown.

[0035] Figure 2 A traditional double-lap shingle is shown.

[0036] Figure 3 A first arrangement of tiles is shown.

[0037] Figure 4 A second arrangement of tiles is shown.

[0038] Figure 5 A third arrangement of tiles is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The present invention will be described with reference to certain drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto, but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and non-restrictive. Each drawing may not include all features of the present invention and therefore may not necessarily be considered as an embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, for the purpose of illustration, the size of some elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale. The sizes and relative sizes do not correspond to the actual reduction in the practice of the present invention.

[0040] In addition, the terms first, second, third, etc. in the specification and claims are used to distinguish similar elements and are not necessarily used to describe order in time, space, ranking or any other manner. It should be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable where appropriate, and that operations can be performed in other orders than those described or shown herein. Similarly, method steps described or claimed in a particular order may be understood to operate in a different order.

[0041] Furthermore, the terms top, bottom, over, under, etc. in the specification and claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable of other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

[0042] It should be noted that the term "comprising" used in the claims should not be interpreted as being limited to the means listed below; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It should therefore be interpreted as specifying the presence of the features, integers, steps or components mentioned, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof. Therefore, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to a device consisting only of components A and B. This means that for the purposes of the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

[0043] The “embodiment” or “aspect” mentioned throughout this specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or aspect are included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Therefore, the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in one implementation” or “in an aspect” appearing in various places in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. In addition, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, the specific features, structures or characteristics of any one embodiment or aspect of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner with any other specific features, structures or characteristics of another embodiment or aspect of the present invention in one or more embodiments or aspects.

[0044] Similarly, it should be understood that in the description, various features of the invention are sometimes combined in one embodiment, figure, or description thereof to simplify the disclosure and aid in understanding one or more different inventive aspects. However, this method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly cited in each claim. In addition, the description of any individual figure or aspect is not necessarily considered an embodiment of the invention. On the contrary, as reflected in the following claims, inventive aspects lie in some features that are less than all the features of a single preceding disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims that follow the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim existing independently as a separate embodiment of the invention.

[0045] In addition, although some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, the combination of features of different embodiments is meant to be within the scope of the present invention and to form further embodiments, as understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0046] In the description provided herein, many specific details are set forth. However, it should be understood that embodiments of the present invention can be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, well-known methods, structures, and techniques are not shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description.

[0047] In the discussion of the present invention, unless otherwise stated, disclosure of alternative values ​​for the upper or lower limits of a permissible range for a parameter, with an indication that one value is preferred over another, should be interpreted as an implicit statement that each intermediate value between the more preferred and less preferred values ​​of the parameter is itself preferred over the less preferred value, as well as every value between the less preferred value and the intermediate value.

[0048] In some cases, use of the term "at least one" may mean only one. In some cases, use of the term "any" may mean "all" and / or "every".

[0049] The principles of the present invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one of the accompanying drawings in relation to exemplary features. It is apparent that other arrangements may be configured according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the basic concepts or technical teachings, the present invention being limited only by the appended claims.

[0050] Figure 1 Conventional single-lap tiles are shown. (a) is a perspective view of six tiles 100 in a single-lap arrangement.

[0051] There is shown a first layer 101 comprising three tiles 100. Each tile is provided with an interlocking male portion 105 on its left hand side and a female portion (not shown) on its right hand side, thereby forming a waterproof joint 107 between adjacent tiles.

[0052] The second layer 102 , which includes two tiles 100 , is arranged to partially overlap the first layer 101 , with the tiles being offset so that a joint 107 between tiles 100 of the second layer 102 is directly located between two joints 107 between tiles 100 of the first layer 101 .

[0053] Similarly, the third layer 103 comprising a single tile 100 is arranged to partially overlap the second layer 102 and offset from the second layer 102 so that it is aligned with the first layer 101; that is, the joints 107 between the tiles 100 of the third layer 103 will be aligned with the joints 107 between the tiles 100 of the first layer 101.

[0054] (b) shows a cross section through the arrangement of (a) along line AA. The tiles 100 of the first and second layers 101, 102 overlap by a header lap 109 and are offset from one another by a gauge 111 which is equal to the spacing between adjacent roof battens 113.

[0055] Figure 2 A conventional double-lapped tile is shown. (a) is a perspective view of six tiles 200 in a double-lapped arrangement.

[0056] A first layer 201 is shown, comprising three tiles 200. Each tile is provided with nail holes 105 for fixing to the roof battens. No interlocking parts are provided, so that the joints 207 between adjacent tiles are not waterproof.

[0057] The second layer 202 , which includes two tiles 200 , is arranged to partially overlap the first layer 201 , with the tiles being offset so that a joint 207 between tiles 200 of the second layer 202 is directly located between two joints 207 between tiles 200 of the first layer 201 .

[0058] Similarly, the third layer 203, which includes a single tile 200, is arranged to partially overlap the second layer 202 and offset from the second layer 202 so that it is aligned with the first layer 201; that is, the joints 207 between the tiles 200 of the third layer 203 will be aligned with the joints 207 between the tiles 200 of the first layer 201.

[0059] (b) shows a cross section through the arrangement of (a) along line BB. The tiles 200 of the first 201, second 202 and third 203 layers overlap by a header lap 209 and are offset from one another by a gauge 211 which is equal to the spacing of adjacent roof battens 213.

[0060] Figure 3 A first arrangement of tiles is shown. The first layer is shown at (a) and comprises two double lapped tiles 301 and a single photovoltaic roof tile 302 located therebetween.

[0061] (b) shows a second layer, which is arranged partially overlapping the first layer and comprises two double-lapped tiles 301, each tile being arranged at an upper corner of a photovoltaic roof tile 302 of the first layer.

[0062] (c) shows a third layer, which is identical to the first layer and is arranged to partially overlap the second layer.

[0063] Dashed lines are shown on the first layer of photovoltaic roof tiles 302, showing the area 305 that would be available to receive sunlight in a conventional double-lap arrangement, and the additional area 307 that is available due to the present arrangement.

[0064] Figure 4 A second arrangement of tiles is shown. The first layer is shown at (a) and comprises two double lapped tiles 401 and a single photovoltaic roof tile 402 located therebetween.

[0065] (b) shows a second layer, arranged partially overlapping the first layer, including a single double-lapped tile 401 arranged at the upper left corner of the photovoltaic roof tiles 402 of the first layer, and a single photovoltaic roof tile 402 arranged at the upper right corner of the photovoltaic roof tiles 402 of the first layer.

[0066] (c) shows a third layer, arranged to partially overlap the second layer, including a single double-lap tile 401, arranged at the upper left corner of the double-lap tile 401 of the second layer, and a single photovoltaic roof tile 402, arranged at the upper right corner of the double-lap tile 401 of the second layer and the upper left corner of the photovoltaic roof tile 402 of the second layer.

[0067] (c) also shows a fourth layer, which is identical to the second layer, arranged to partially overlap the third layer.

[0068] Dashed lines are shown on the first layer of photovoltaic roof tiles 402, showing the area 405 that would be available to receive sunlight in a conventional double-lap arrangement, and the additional area 407 that is available due to the present arrangement.

[0069] Figure 5A third arrangement of tiles is shown. The first layer shows in (a) a single double lapped tile 501 adjacent to a first photovoltaic roof tile 502 which in turn is adjacent to a second photovoltaic roof tile 502 .

[0070] (b) shows a second layer, which is arranged partially overlapping the first layer, including a single double-lapped tile 501 arranged at the upper left corner of the first photovoltaic roof tile 502 of the first layer, and a single double-lapped tile 501 arranged at the upper right corner of the first photovoltaic roof tile 502 of the first layer.

[0071] (c) shows a third layer, which is identical to the first layer, arranged to partially overlap the second layer.

[0072] Dashed lines are shown on the first photovoltaic roof tile 502 of the first layer, showing the area 505 that would be available to receive sunlight in a conventional double lap arrangement, and the additional area 507 that is available due to the present arrangement.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic roof tile used with double-lap tiles, the photovoltaic roof tile having a double-lap tile height and a double-lap tile width, the tile height of the photovoltaic roof tile being equal to the double-lap tile height, and the tile width being equal to an integer multiple of the double-lap tile width.

2. The photovoltaic roof tile according to claim 1, characterized in that: The integer multiple is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more.

3. A roofing system comprising: a plurality of double-lapped tiles, each double-lapped tile having a common double-lapped tile height and a common double-lapped tile width; as well as A plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles have a tile height equal to the common double-lap tile height and a tile width equal to an integer multiple of the double-lap tile width.

4. An arrangement of roof tiles forming part of a roof, the arrangement comprising: a plurality of double-lapped tiles, each double-lapped tile having a common double-lapped tile height and a common double-lapped tile width; as well as A plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, whose tile height is equal to the common double-lap tile height, and whose tile width is equal to an integer multiple of the double-lap tile width; The layout configurations of roof tiles are: The first layer of tiles includes: a first photovoltaic roof tile of the plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles; and A second layer of tiles, partially arranged on the first layer of tiles and longitudinally offset from the first layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to the gauge of the roof, the second layer of tiles comprising: a first overlapping tile selected from a plurality of double-lapped tiles or a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the first overlapping tile being arranged to overlap a first upper corner of a first photovoltaic roof tile by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double-lapped tile; a second overlapping tile selected from a plurality of double-lapped tiles or a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the second overlapping tile being arranged to overlap a second upper corner of the first photovoltaic roof tile by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double-lapped tile; and wherein a gap in the second layer is provided between a first overlapping tile and a second overlapping tile above the first photovoltaic roof tile; A third layer of tiles, partially arranged on the first layer of tiles and the second layer of tiles, longitudinally offset from the second layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to the gauge of the roof, and longitudinally offset from the first layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to twice the gauge of the roof, the third layer of tiles comprising: At least one top photovoltaic roof tile is arranged to completely overlap a top lateral edge of the first photovoltaic roof tile.

5. A method for laying a roof, the method comprising the following steps: providing a plurality of double-lapped tiles, each double-lapped tile having a common double-lapped tile height and a common double-overlapped tile width; and Providing a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, whose tile height is equal to a common double-lapped tile height, and whose tile width is equal to an integer multiple of the double-lapped tile width; as well as Arranging the plurality of double-lapped tiles and the plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles such that: The first layer of tiles includes: a first photovoltaic roof tile of the plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles; and A second layer of tiles, partially arranged on the first layer of tiles and longitudinally offset from the first layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to the gauge of the roof, the second layer of tiles comprising: a first overlapping tile selected from a plurality of double-lapped tiles or a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the first overlapping tile being arranged to overlap a first upper corner of a first photovoltaic roof tile by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double-lapped tile; a second overlapping tile selected from the plurality of double-lapped tiles or the plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the second overlapping tile being arranged to overlap a second upper corner of the first photovoltaic roof tile by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double-lapped tile; and wherein a gap in the second layer is provided between a first overlapping tile and a second overlapping tile above the first photovoltaic roof tile; A third layer of tiles, partially arranged on the first layer of tiles and the second layer of tiles, longitudinally offset from the second layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to the gauge of the roof, and longitudinally offset from the first layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to twice the gauge of the roof. The third layer of tiles comprises: At least one top photovoltaic roof tile is arranged to completely overlap a top lateral edge of the first photovoltaic roof tile.

6. An arrangement of roof tiles forming part of a roof, the arrangement comprising: a plurality of double-lapped tiles, each double-lapped tile having a common double-lapped tile height and a common double-lapped tile width; as well as A plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, whose tile height is equal to the common double-lap tile height, and whose tile width is equal to an integer multiple of the double-lap tile width; The layout configurations of roof tiles are: The first layer of tiles includes: a first photovoltaic roof tile of the plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles; and an adjacent tile selected from a plurality of double-lapped tiles and a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the adjacent tile being arranged adjacent to the first photovoltaic roof tile; a second layer of tiles partially disposed over the first layer of tiles and diagonally offset from the first layer of tiles by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double lap tile and by a longitudinal distance equal to the gauge of the roof, the second layer of tiles comprising: an overlapping tile selected from a plurality of double lap tiles or a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the overlapping tile being disposed to overlap an upper corner of the first photovoltaic roof tile by a first lateral overlap distance equal to half the width of the double lap tile and being disposed to overlap an upper corner of an adjacent tile adjacent to the upper corner of the first photovoltaic roof tile by a second lateral overlap distance equal to at least half the width of the double lap tile; wherein a void in the second layer is provided above the first photovoltaic roof tile adjacent the overlapping tile; A third layer of tiles, partially arranged on the first layer of tiles and the second layer of tiles, being diagonally offset from the second layer of tiles by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double lapped tiles and a longitudinal distance equal to the gauge of the roof, and being longitudinally offset from the first layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to twice the gauge of the roof, the third layer of tiles comprising: at least one top photovoltaic roof tile, arranged to completely overlap the top lateral edge of the first photovoltaic roof tile.

7. The arrangement of roof tiles according to claim 6, characterized in that The first layer of tiles may further include another adjacent tile selected from a plurality of double-lapped tiles and a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the other adjacent tile being arranged adjacent to the first photovoltaic roof tile on a side thereof opposite to the adjacent tile; The second layer of tiles may further include another overlapping tile selected from a plurality of double-lapped tiles or a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the another overlapping tile being arranged to overlap with another upper corner of the first photovoltaic roof tile and an upper corner of another adjacent tile adjacent to the other upper corner of the first photovoltaic roof tile; and The void in the second layer may further be disposed adjacent to another overlapping tile.

8. A method for laying a roof, the method comprising the following steps: providing a plurality of double-lapped tiles, each double-lapped tile having a common double-lapped tile height and a common double-lapped tile width; as well as Providing a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the tile height of which is equal to a common double-lapped tile height, and the tile width is equal to an integer multiple of the double-lapped tile width; as well as Arranging the plurality of double-lapped tiles and the plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles such that: The first layer of tiles includes: a first photovoltaic roof tile of the plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles; and an adjacent tile selected from a plurality of double-lapped tiles and a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the adjacent tile being arranged adjacent to the first photovoltaic roof tile; a second layer of tiles partially arranged on the first layer of tiles and diagonally offset from the first layer of tiles by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double lap tile and by a longitudinal distance equal to the gauge of the roof, the second layer of tiles comprising: an overlapping tile selected from a plurality of double lap tiles or a plurality of photovoltaic roof tiles, the overlapping tile being arranged to overlap an upper corner of the first photovoltaic roof tile by a first lateral overlap distance equal to half the width of the double lap tile and being arranged to overlap an upper corner of an adjacent tile adjacent to the upper corner of the first photovoltaic roof tile by a second lateral overlap distance equal to at least half the width of the double lap tile; and wherein a void in the second layer is provided above the first photovoltaic roof tile adjacent the overlapping tile; A third layer of tiles, partially arranged on the first layer of tiles and the second layer of tiles, diagonally offset from the second layer of tiles by a lateral distance equal to half the width of the double lapped tiles and a longitudinal distance equal to the gauge of the roof, and longitudinally offset from the first layer of tiles by a longitudinal distance equal to twice the gauge of the roof, the third layer of tiles comprising: At least one top photovoltaic roof tile is arranged to completely overlap a lateral edge of the first photovoltaic roof tile.

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