WO2006082399A1

WO2006082399A1 - Solar tile assemblies

Info

Publication number: WO2006082399A1
Application number: PCT/GB2006/000346
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Mucci
Original assignee: Powertile Limited
Priority date: 2005-02-02
Filing date: 2006-02-02
Publication date: 2006-08-10
Also published as: EP1849190A1; AU2006210717A1; AU2006210717B2; GB0502120D0

Abstract

A removable outer panel (2) comprising a moulded platform (6), an outer glass sheet (4), photovoltaic means (5) and first electrical connector means (31, 32), the photovoltaic means being located between the outer sheet and the platform, the platform comprising integrally mounted relief means (14, 60) which, in use, locates the outer sheet so as to substantially restrict lateral movement of the outer sheet relative to the platform, and the removable outer panel is adapted such that in use it is removably attached to an inner support structure (3), the inner support structure comprising a second electrical connector means (42, 43) and the arrangement being such that in use an electrical connection between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector is achieved by bringing together the outer panel and the inner support structure.

Description

SOLAR TILE ASSEMBLIES

The present invention relates to solar tile assemblies and in particular, but not exclusively, to removable tile assemblies. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacture of solar tile assemblies. The present invention further relates to a device which is a combined electrical connector protector and a solar tile assembly clip.

The phrase 'solar tile assembly' is intended to include both roof mounted solar tile assemblies, wall mounted (for example in the form of cladding) solar tile assemblies, and free-standing structures comprising solar tiles.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a removable outer panel comprising a platform, an outer sheet, photovoltaic means and first electrical connector means, the photovoltaic means being located between the outer sheet and the platform, the platform comprising relief means which, in use, locates the outer sheet so as to substantially restrict lateral movement of the outer sheet relative to the platform, and the removable outer panel is adapted such that in use it is removably attached to an inner support structure, the inner support structure comprising a second electrical connector means and the arrangement being such that in use an electrical connection between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector is achieved by bringing together the outer panel and the inner support structure.

The outer sheet is desirably formed of glass, or alternatively of any material that will permit a high transmission of light therethrough.

The platform is desirably moulded with integral attachment means that permit the removable outer panel to be removably attached to the inner support structure. The moulded attachment means is preferably adapted to permit the outer panel to be slidably mounted on the inner support structure. The attachment means preferably comprises a hook structure which is preferably substantially L-shaped.

The inner support structure preferably comprises a channel which is adapted to receive the attachment means of the removable outer panel. In a highly preferred embodiment the solar tile comprises a pair of attachment elements and the inner support structure is formed with a pair of channels for receiving and retaining the attachment elements.

The relief means preferably comprises at least one formation which is upstanding from the surface of the platform.

Preferably the relief means comprises a lug which is adapted to be received by an aperture provided in the outer sheet. In a preferred embodiment a pair of such lugs is provided.

Alternatively or in addition the relief means may comprise a surrounding wall structure and the space enclosed thereby is adapted to receive the outer sheet.

The platform is most preferably moulded, and is most preferably formed of a plastics material. Accordingly the relief means for locating the outer panel is/are formed by one or more moulded features.

The outer sheet preferably comprises a translucent or transparent material. At least some of the platform is preferably visible through the outer sheet.

It will be appreciated that in an alternative arrangement it may be that the inner support structure is provided with one or more attachment elements and the removable outer panel is provided with one or more channels for sliding co-operation therewith.

Preferably the electrical connection between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector is broken by sliding the outer panel in a direction that is substantially parallel to the plane of outermost surface of the removable outer panel.

The outer panel is desirably removed from the inner support structure by first sliding the outer panel in a direction that is substantially parallel to plane of the outermost surface of said outer panel and then lifting the outer panel in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the slide direction.

The inner support structure is preferably adapted to be attached to the outer surface of a structure such as a building or attached to an independent support structure inside (in which case, in use, light would be directed to the photovoltaic cells thereof) or outside a building, or to a free-standing structure.

Preferably the inner support structure comprises an electrical junction box that comprises the second electrical connector means.

Preferably the electrical junction box of the inner support structure comprises an electrical input terminal and an electrical output terminal, the arrangement being such that the electrical input terminal and the electrical output terminal provide electrical communication between solar tile assemblies.

The removable outer panel preferably comprises an electrical junction box formed with the first electrical connector means, the arrangement being such that in the assembled state the first connector means and the second connector means provide electrical communication between the two electrical junction boxes.

The inner support structure desirably comprises means for providing electrical connections between adjacent solar tile assemblies.

Preferably an undersurface of the platform is provided with a plurality of moulded grooves and ribs which are adapted to encourage dissipation of heat, and preferably to encourage passage of air in the direction from the bottom to the top of the solar tile assembly.

Preferably an undersurface of the platform is provided with integrally moulded location means for locating the first electrical connector means. The first electrical connector means is preferably provided on the underside of the platform. The location means preferably comprises a channel which surrounds at least one aperture through which electrical conduction means connected to the photovoltaic means is fed. The channel is preferably adapted to receive a basal rim of the first electrical connector means. The channel is preferably adapted to receive means for sealing the location means with the first electrical connector means.

The location means desirably further comprises an upstanding formation which is adapted to receive a complementary depending formation of the first electrical connector means. The upstanding formation is desirably provided with an inner threaded region which is adapted to engage with a threaded fastener that extends through the depending formation. In a highly preferred embodiment on tightening of the fastener a sealing medium is compressed in the surrounding locating channel. In an alternative embodiment the first electrical connector means is preferably formed integrally with the base and an outer protective housing being receivable in the locating channel.

The first electrical connector means preferably comprises two electrical connectors, most preferably one electrical connector is a male component and the other electrical connector is a female component. The male component is preferably a plug and the female component is preferably a socket.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a solar tile assembly comprising a removable outer panel of the first aspect of the invention and an inner support structure of the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a solar tile comprising applying an adhesive to a moulded platform, placing photovoltaic means onto the adhesive, applying a second adhesive layer onto the photovoltaic means and placing an outer translucent or transparent sheet onto the photovoltaic means.

The platform is preferably formed by moulding a plastics material.

By the term 'plastics ' we mean any material or composite material that is sufficiently malleable to be moulded, whether by way of injection moulding or otherwise. It is preferred that the plastics platform is moulded from a polymer or polymer composite. It will be appreciated however that the platform could be formed of a ceramic material or of a sintered material. For example, a platform could be formed by compressing fine glass/sand at high temperature in a required shape. The adhesive may be an air, heat, chemically or temperature curable adhesive in wet, dry or hot melt form. Most preferably the adhesive is a liquid adhesive which is curable by way of application of radiation, for example of Ultra- Violet radiation.

Preferably the method comprises aligning the outer sheet with location means provided by the platform, the location means comprising a relief formation which with the outer sheet in situ, substantially restricts lateral movement of the outer sheet relative to the platform. In a highly preferred embodiment in which the location means comprises a surrounding wall structure said wall structure retains the flowable adhesive until cured.

The platform may have one, some or all of the features of the platform of the first aspect of the invention.

The method preferably comprises using integral attachment means provided on an underside of the platform to assist in handling the platform during the manufacturing process.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a device which is a combined electrical connector protector and a solar tile assembly clip, the device comprising electrical connector protection means adapted to be received by an electrical connector means of a solar tile assembly so as to protect electrical contact means from the ingress of unwanted material and the device further comprising fastening means which is adapted in use to secure a solar tile assembly to an underlying structure.

In a highly preferred embodiment the device functions either to protect the electrical contacts or to secure a solar tile assembly to a structure. In the 'securing mode' the inner support structure is secured to an underlying structure and when the removable outer panel is fixed in place on the inner support structure prevents the front of the solar tile assembly from lifting in high winds.

The protection means preferably comprises at least one of (i) a male formation which is adapted to be received inside an electrical connection and (ii) a female means which is adapted to be received over an electrical connector.

The protection means is preferably configured so as to be removably retained in situ when protecting the electrical contact means. The removable retention of the protection means is preferably achieved by way of a frictional engagement with the electrical connector of a solar tile.

Most preferably the protection means comprises a plug means and a cover means. The fastener means preferably comprises a portion which is adapted to engage with a roof batten.

The fastener means preferably comprises an upper portion which is adapted to engage with a solar tile assembly and a lower portion which is adapted to engage with an underlying structure. The upper portion is preferably adapted to engage with an upper surface of the solar tile assembly, and most preferably with an upper surface of the inner support structure.

Preferably the upper and lower portions of the fastener means comprise respective limbs. Most preferably at least one limb is a resilient limb. Most preferably the device is produced as a single moulded product. Advantageously this eliminates the need for an electrical protector and a tile clip as two separate components.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a solar tile assembly which is provided with at least one device of the fourth aspect of the invention.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a solar tile assembly,

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the solar tile assembly of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the removable panel of the assembly of Figures 1 and 2 with the outer glass panel removed,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the inner support structure of the assembly of Figures 1 and 2,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the underside of the platform of the removable panel of Figure 3,

Figure 5a is an enlarged view of the connector box interface of the panel of Figure 5,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a platform of a panel, Figure 7 is a perspective view of a yet further embodiment of a platform of a panel,

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a hook formation of a platform of a panel,

Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a connector of the inner support structure,

Figure 10 is an enlarged view of a connector of the inner support structure in which the clamp is removed,

Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a spigot and spring retaining washer combination for the clamp of Figure 10,

Figure 12 is a perspective view of an electrical connector of the removable panel,

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the electrical connector of Figure 12 in situ with an electrical contact protection clip attached thereto,

Figure 14 is a side view of the electrical contact protection clip shown in Figure 13,

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the protection clip of Figure 14,

Figure 16 is a first perspective view of a protection clip used to secure solar tile assemblies in place on a roof, and,

Figure 17 is a second perspective view of the arrangement of Figure 16. With reference to Figure 1 there is shown a solar tile assembly 1 comprising an upper removable panel 2 and a lower support structure 3. The removable panel 2 is slidably attached to the lower support structure 3, and the lower support structure 3 is adapted to be secured to roof battens (not shown) . The assembly shown is of the roof integrated type so called because such tiles are sized so as to be incorporated into a normally tiled roof and serve as roof coverings in the same way as conventional roof tiles. As will be described below, the removable panel 2 is produced by what may be termed a direct lamination method.

The assembly comprises upper and lower grooved interlock flanges 7a and 7b provided on the lower support structure 3 and the removable panel 2 respectively. The interlock flanges are adapted to co-operate with flanges of adjacent assemblies so as to prevent water ingress therethrough.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 the removable panel 2 comprises a moulded plastics platform 6, a photovoltaic array 5 and an upper glass sheet 4. The photovoltaic array 5 comprises a plurality of photovoltaic slices 5a which are connected by electrical tape 5b (as seen in Figure 3) .

With reference to Figures 2 and 3 the platform 6 comprises a surface 10 for receiving the photovoltaic array 5 and the glass sheet 4, a rearmost raised margin 11 and a frontmost depending flange 12. The raised margin 11 is provided with two spaced-apart through holes 13 which are for ease of removal of the moulded platform from the moulding tool when formed. The surface 10 is provided with two spaced-apart upstanding pegs 14. The front depending flange 12 is provided with two spaced-apart through holes 8. Both the interlocking flange 7b and the raised margin 11 are moulded with a roughened surface so as to increase the local surface area and inhibit water flow across those surfaces.

The glass sheet 4 sandwiches the photovoltaic slices 5a, the electrically conductive tape 5b, and a suitable adhesive against the surface 10. Two spaced-apart apertures 16 are provided in the glass sheet 4 and are sized and spaced to receive respective pegs 14 therethrough. During manufacture of the removable outer panel a UV curable wet adhesive is applied to the upper surface 10. The photovoltaic slices 5a and the electrically conductive tape 5b are then placed on the adhesive. A further layer of the adhesive is then applied atop the photovoltaic slices and the tape and the glass sheet is then placed on top of the outermost layer of adhesive and in register with locating means provided by the pegs 14. UV radiation of an appropriate wavelength is then passed over the glass sheet to cure the adhesive.

An alternative, less preferred, procedure in accordance with the present invention, for adhesively securing together the components of the outer panel, comprises adhesively bonding a PVF layer to the rear surface of the glass so as to retain the photovoltaic means to the glass, and then adhesively bonding the resulting assembly to the platform.

Advantageously the material used to form the moulded platform 6 is chosen to match the colour of the existing (traditional) tiles of the roof on to which the solar tile assemblies are being installed. This results in the colour of the moulded base being visible through the interstices between the photovoltaic slices 5a and from the exposed front flange 12. There is therefore no need for final surface colouring. With reference now to Figures 5, 5a and 8 the undersurface 17 is provided with two hook formations 18 located towards the rearmost margin of the platform 6. Each hook formation 18 is formed integrally with the platform at the time of moulding and comprises a vertical limb 18a and a flange 18b.

The undersurface 17 is provided with a series of grooves 20 which extend for the full width of the undersurface, broken only by a central electrical connector interface 24. The interface 24 comprises a channel 23 of substantially rectangular outline which receives a rubber seal (not shown) and encloses a through-hole 22 and a spigot 25 which is provided with a threaded blind-bore 26.

The channel 23 is adapted to receive a basal rim 28 of a connector box 30, as seen in Figure 12. The connector box 30 comprises a male connection 31 and a female connection 32 which house electrical contacts 31a and 32a. It will be appreciated however that two male connections or two female connections could alternatively be used. The contact 32 comprises a pin 29 and the contact 31a comprises an electrically conductive inner cylindrical surface. The electrical contacts are connected to respectively electrically conductive portions 31b and 32b, which are in turn connected to electrical tape clamps 31c and 32c. A diode 34 is provided between the electrically conductive portions 31b and 32b. The connector box 30 further comprises a sleeve 35 and a screw 36. The front end of the connector box 30 is in the form of a ramped surface 37 to permit ease of connection of the outer panel to the inner support structure.

During manufacture the ends of the electrical tapes 5b are fed through the aperture 22 and are retained in respective clamps 31c and 32c. The sleeve 35 is then urged on to the spigot 25 which acts as a guide to locate the basal rim 28 in the channel 23 and compress the seal therein to provide a water resistant joint. The screw 36 is then tightened into the bore 26 and so the connector box 30 is attached to the undersurface 17 of the platform 6.

With reference to Figure 4 the inner support structure 3 is moulded from suitable material and is of generally rectangular outline and comprises an opening 40 defined by opposed walls 41 which opening leads to a male connection 42 and a female connection 43 which are substantially identical to the connections 31 and 32 on connector box 30 of the platform 6. The width of the channel 40 is substantially that of the width of the connector box 30. Each connection 42 and 43 is attached to a respective ('flying') lead at the other end of which there is provided a similar connection which is attached to an inner support structure of an adjacent tile assembly. Each connection 42 and 43 is accommodated in a respective recess and the connections are retained therein by way of a retained clamp cover 45 shown in Figure 9. One end of the clamp cover 45 is connected to a slidably mounted spigot 20 and retained washer 21 as shown in Figure 11. The spigot and washer allow the cover 45 to be lifted and pivoted clear of the recesses, but importantly retained with the inner structure 3 as illustrated in Figure 10. The cover 45 is secured in position by tightening a screw 19 into the inner support structure. An aperture 47 is provided behind the connections 42 and 43 to allow said electrical leads to pass therethrough.

The inner support structure further comprises two diagonal strengthening pieces 48.

The features 50 are recessed holes for fixing screws to retain the inner support structure on a batten beneath. The removable panel 2 is attachable to the inner support structure by way of apertures 51 provided on sides of the structure. Each aperture comprises distal end regions which are of narrower width than an intermediate portion which is of greater width. The apertures 51 are adapted to receive respective hook formations 18 of the base 6, as shown in Figure 5. The narrow regions serve a retaining function so that if the hook formations are aligned with either of the end regions the panel is prevented from being lifted away from the inner support structure. Conversely, if the hook formations are aligned with the under regions the outer panel can be lifted away.

A front end of the inner support structure is provided with spaced-apart apertures 55 which are designed to be brought into register with the apertures 8 of the base 6 and fasteners (not shown) are urged therethrough to secure the outer panel to the inner support structure.

In use the connector 30 is received in the channel 40 and the connectors 31 and 32 of the base 6 are electrically connected to the connections 42 and 43. If maintenance is required then the panel can be slid in direction A (as shown in Figure 1) so breaking the electrical contact and the panel is slid down until the hook formations are received in the narrower regions of the apertures 51. The outer panel is thus retained on the inner support structure and access to the connectors 42 and 43 is permitted.

Once any maintenance is completed the outer panel is then slid back towards the back of the inner structure and so an electrical connection is re-established.

Variable width apertures 53 are provided to allow the outer panel 2 to be lifted clear and relocated using the hook formations 18 should increased access be needed to the inner support structure 3. In an alternative embodiment the apertures 51 and 53 on each side are confined to form a single continuous slot (in each side) , each such slot extending from the lowermost end of aperture 53 to the uppermost part of aperture 51.

Figure 7 shows an alternative moulded platform 6a in which a single upstanding peg 14 is provided. Figure 6 shows a further alternative embodiment of the base in which a surrounding wall 60 serves to locate the glass sheet. In the latter embodiment the surrounding wall advantageously contains the liquid adhesive during the curing stage.

Advantageously the use of one or more relief formations to locate the upper glass sheet 4 provides the advantage that during the factory assembly of the removable outer panel 2 automated production processes can be used since the formations provide repeatable and accurate fixing points. The one or more relief formations also ensure retention of the glass sheet in the case of fire causing the various components of the assembly to debond.

Figure 13 shows the connector box 30 in situ on the platform 6 to which the connections 31 and 32 have attached thereto a device 70 which is a combined electrical connection protector and a solar tile assembly clip. The device 70 comprises a male component 71 and a female component 72 which are connected by a bridge portion 73 shown in Figures 14 and 15. The bridge portion 73 comprises an upper formation which is adapted to be engaged with the inner support structure of a solar tile assembly and comprises limb portions 74, 75 and 76. The portion 74 extends horizontally away from the bridge portion, the limb portion 75 extends vertically away from a side of the portion 74 and the limb portion 76 extends horizontally away from the limb portion 75. The free side of the limb portion 76 is provided with a downwardly curved lip 77. The bridge portion 73 is further provided with a lower formation which is adapted to engage with a batten of a roof structure. The lower formation comprises a horizontal portion 78, an inclined portion 79, a curved portion 80 and an end lip 81. The lower portion is formed to be of a resilient nature. The male and female formations 71 and 72 frictionally engage with the female and male connections 32 and 31 respectively to retain the device in a protecting condition (when not being used to retain the inner support structure 3 to an underlying batten) .

Figures 16 and 17 show a clip device 70 ' which is essentially identical to device 70 save that the locations of the male and female protectors 71 and 72 have been swapped. Accordingly like reference numerals are used for like features. The clip device 70 ' is used to retain two solar tile assemblies Ia and Ib relative to roof batten 90. The resilient curved portion 80 is positioned under the batten 90, and limb portion 74 sits atop a rearmost portion 91 of the inner support structure of the assembly Ia.

The limb portion 76 sits atop an outer margin 92 of an interlocking flange of the inner support structure of the assembly Ib, and the downwardly curved lip 77 (see Figure 15) is located against an inner surface of the outer margin 92. The clip 70' serves the particular purpose of retaining the assemblies Ia and Ib in the event of high winds and so prevent lifting of the assemblies away from the roof structure.

As an additional fixing point for a clip 70 ' the inner support structure 3 is provided with two grooves 61 (as best seen in Figure 4) . The downwardly curved lip 77 engages with a selected one of the grooves 61 and the curved portion 80 is attached to an underlying batten.

Thus, as is evident from the foregoing, either one of the clips 70 or 70' can be used to attach a solar tile assembly to a batten or to secure a solar tile assembly to another solar tile assembly. Conveniently therefore the removable outer panels of solar tile assemblies (and possibly the inner support structure, if provided with retained ('flying') leads) can be provided with the devices 70, 70 ' at the time of manufacture. During transportation and until installation the devices protect the electrical contacts and at the time of installation the installer can simply remove the device from the removable outer panel, connect the removable outer panels to the respective inner support structures and then attach the devices 70, 70' to the solar tile assemblies as required.

More particularly, one of the clips is connected to a removable outer panel 2 when completed at the factory and a second clip is packaged with the inner support structure when shipped to site. On laying the inner support structure on a roof the clip is fitted to the clamped connectors 42 and 43. Importantly whilst the inner support structures are positioned on the roof awaiting the arrival of the removable outer panels (which may take some weeks) the connectors of the inner support structures remain dry. On arrival of the outer panels the clips are removed and used to further secure the solar tile assemblies to the roof.

It should be appreciated that in alternative clip/protector devices two male formations or two female formations may be provided to match the connector configurations on the outer panel and the inner support structure.

Claims

1. A removable outer panel (2) comprising a platform (6) , an outer sheet (4) , photovoltaic means (5) and first electrical connector means (31 ,32) , the photovoltaic means being located between the outer sheet and the platform, the platform comprising relief means (14, 60) which, in use, locates the outer sheet so as to substantially restrict lateral movement of the outer sheet relative to the platform, and the removable outer panel is adapted such that in use it is removably attached to an inner support structure (3) , the inner support structure comprising a second electrical connector means (42, 43) and the arrangement being such that in use an electrical connection between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector is achieved by bringing together the outer panel and the inner support structure.

2. A removable outer panel as claimed in claim 1 in which the platform is moulded with integral attachment means (18) which permit the removable outer panel to be removably attached to the inner support structure (3) .

3. A removable outer panel as claimed in claim 2 in which the attachment means (18) is adapted to permit the outer panel to be slidably mounted on the inner support structure (3) .

4. A removable outer panel as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 in which the inner support structure (3) comprises a channel (51) which is adapted to receive the attachment means of the removable outer panel.

5. A removable outer panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the relief means (14, 60) comprises at least one formation which is upstanding from the surface of the platform (6) .

6. A removable outer panel as claimed in claim 5 in which the relief means (14, 60) comprises a lug which is adapted to be received by an aperture (16) provided in the outer sheet (4) .

7. A removable outer panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the relief means (14, 60) comprises a surrounding wall structure and the space enclosed thereby is adapted to receive the outer sheet (4) .

8. A removable outer panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the platform (6) is moulded.

9. A removable outer panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the relief means (14, 60) for locating the outer panel (2) comprises one or more moulded features.

10. A removable outer panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the outer sheet (4) comprises a translucent or transparent material.

11. A removable outer panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which an undersurface of the platform is provided with a plurality of moulded grooves and ribs (20) which are adapted to encourage dissipation of heat.

12. A removable outer panel as claimed in claim 11 in which the moulded grooves and ribs (20) are also adapted to encourage passage of air in the direction from the bottom to the top of the solar tile assembly.

13. A removable outer panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which an undersurface of the platform is provided with integrally moulded location means (23) for locating the first electrical connector means.

14. A removable outer panel as claimed in claim 13 in which the first electrical connector means (31, 32) is provided on the underside of the platform (6) .

15. A removable outer panel as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 in which the location means comprises a channel (23) which surrounds at least one aperture (22) through which electrical conduction means connected to the photovoltaic means (5) is fed.

16. A removable outer panel as claimed in claim 15 in which the channel (23) is adapted to receive a basal rim of the first electrical connector means (31 ,32) .

17. A removable outer panel as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 in which the channel (23) is adapted to receive means for sealing the location means (23) with the first electrical connector means (5) .

18. A removable outer panel as claimed in any of claims 13 to 17 in which the location means (23) further comprises an upstanding formation (25) which is adapted to receive a complementary depending formation (35) of the first electrical connector means (5) .

19. A removable outer panel as claimed in claim 18 in which the upstanding formation (35) is provided with an inner threaded region (36) which is adapted to engage with a threaded fastener that extends through the depending formation.

20. A removable outer panel as claimed in any preceding claim in which the first electrical connector means comprises two electrical connectors (31, 32) , wherein one electrical connector is a male component and the other electrical connector is a female component.

21. A solar tile assembly comprising a removable outer panel (2) of any of claims 1 to 20 and an inner support structure.

22. A method of manufacturing a solar tile (1) comprising applying an adhesive to a moulded platform, placing photovoltaic means (5) onto the adhesive, applying a second adhesive layer onto the photovoltaic means and placing an outer translucent or transparent sheet (4) onto the photovoltaic means.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22 in which the platform (6) is formed of a moulded plastics material.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23 in which the plastics platform (6) is moulded from a polymer or polymer composite.

25. A method as claimed in claim 22 in which the platform (6) is formed of a ceramic material or of a sintered material.

26. A method as claimed in any of claims 22 to 25 in which the adhesive is a liquid adhesive which is curable by way of application of radiation.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26 in which the adhesive is curable by way of application of Ultra- Violet radiation.

28. A method as claimed in any of claims 22 to 27 in which the method comprises aligning the outer sheet (4) with location means (23) provided by the platform (6) , the location means comprising a relief formation which with the outer sheet in situ, substantially restricts lateral movement of the outer sheet relative to the platform.

29. A method as claimed in any of claims 22 to 28 which comprises using integral attachment means provided on an underside of the platform to assist in handling the platform during the manufacturing process.

30. A device (70) which is a combined electrical connector protector and a solar tile assembly clip, the device comprising electrical connector protection means (71 , 72) adapted to be received by an electrical connector means of a solar tile assembly so as to protect electrical contact means from the ingress of unwanted material and the device further comprising fastening means (74,80) which is adapted in use to secure a solar tile assembly to an underlying structure.

31. A device as claimed in claim 30 in which the protection means (71 , 72) comprises at least one of (i) a male formation which is adapted to be received inside an electrical connection and (ii) a female means which is adapted to be received over an electrical connector.

32. A device as claimed in claim 30 or claim 31 in which the protection means (71 , 72) is configured so as to be removably retained in situ when protecting the electrical contact means.

33. A device as claimed in any of claims 30 to 32 in which the protection means comprises a plug means (71) and a cover means (72) .

34. A device as claimed in any of claims 30 to 33 in which the fastener means (74, 81) comprises a portion which is adapted to engage with a roof batten.

35. A device as claimed in any of claims 30 to 34 in which the fastener means (74, 81) comprises an upper portion which is adapted to engage with a solar tile assembly and a lower portion which is adapted to engage with an underlying structure.

36. A device as claimed in claim 35 in which the upper and lower portions of the fastener means (74, 81) comprise respective limbs, wherein at least one limb is a resilient limb.

37. A device as claimed in any of claims 30 to 36 which is a unitary moulded product.

38. A solar tile assembly (1) which is provided with at least one device (70) of any of claims 30 to 37.