WO2007013115A1

WO2007013115A1 - Element covering the roof and relative system capable of producing energy by solar radiation

Info

Publication number: WO2007013115A1
Application number: PCT/IT2005/000566
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enzo Nicchi
Original assignee: Enzo Nicchi
Priority date: 2005-07-29
Filing date: 2005-09-30
Publication date: 2007-02-01
Also published as: ITPI20050087A1

Abstract

Element covering the roof capable of absorbing and/or converting solar energy constituted by one or more absorbing elements (1) and crossed by a fluid that, heated by said elements, circulates and reaches an exchanger (9). Said covering element may be also constituted by photovoltaic cells (13) that directly convert the energy they absorb into electric energy.

Description

"ELEMENT COVERING THE ROOF AND RELATIVE SYSTEM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING ENERGY BY SOLAR RADIATION"

Description Technical Field The present invention concerns the technical sector relating to the production of plants for the employment of solar energy and its conversion into electric or thermal or cooling energy, by production of sanitary water and/or thermoregulated air and/or electricity. Background Art

Nowadays, several types of plants for this purpose exist. They essentially consist of panels of different manufacturing conception, their technology being based on different types of collectors, such as flat-plate, vacuum pipes, unitary, uncovered or air collectors.

There are numerous types, but however every system including solar panels is substantially constituted by the following components :

1. element absorbing solar energy; 2. tank exchanging heat;

3. two separate circuits, one for the fluid of the main circuit of the panel (thermoconductor liquid or air) and the other one, held in the tank, heated by the thermal exchange with the first one, which will supply the various services inside the house. This brief description of the plant makes it clear that all the constructing types of buildings can essentially employ this system, since they have an upper external part exposed to the sunrays . Unfortunately, nowadays, despite the ecological and economical advantages resulting from the use of the solar panels, such as technologically conceived at present, we cannot fail to disclose that these applications involve a strong environmental impact, even if installed on the highest parts of the buildings.

As a matter of fact, the current law relating to the environmental impact requires that new buildings should be well uniform with the location they are built in. The final result of current solar panels is very different from the usual roof formed by tiles or any other shingle protecting it. Actually, both the final colour of the solar panel, which is dark for the necessary hold of the mfrareds, and its shape, which is flat or consisting of pipes according to the type, give a final result of strong contrast with the other parts of the roof consisting of normal tiles.

Therefore, solar panels currently existing involve many drawbacks, concerning not only their shape but also their colour, which prevent in fact their installation either on existing or new buildings. Consequently, there may be rustic villas in the country equipped with said "all-roof" technologies, implying such an invasive effect that the more polluting and expensive gas tanks would be preferable.

Even when it's possible to install traditional systems, they have such a strong environmental impact from the aesthetic point of view, that the owners of the building or the civil service in historical centres or other places cannot install them, in order to preserve the honour and beauty of that place . It's obvious that it's not possible to install these structures on a lot of buildings.

This restriction, great in percentage compared with the possibility of employment of other technologies at present more tested, is an obstacle to the enormous energetic saving a widespread use of alternative energies, such as this solar power, would entail to the society in general (to the single user in particular) , not only with economical advantages but also with environmental benefits.

Another drawback in the existing technology of the solar panels is that they are installed over the roof of the building, so as to be in high position with no parts in shadow.

The subsequent drawback is that the panels are so exposed to the action of the wind. As a matter of fact, these panels are often installed on suitable supports separating them by the roof, so the wind can easily fit between the panel and the roof with the inevitable risk of lifting the panel or even damaging it in the case of strong wind.

A further drawback is that the installation of the panels over the roof, therefore over the tiles, prevents the maintenance of the same roof; whenever it's necessary to repair the roof or replace one or more tiles, we need to previously remove the panels in order to facilitate the access to the roof, which would have been otherwise very uncomfortable or impossible. This invention aims at avoiding the above-mentioned and other drawbacks, supplying a system for the generation of electric energy, warm water or cooling air, employing the solar radiation, using tiles or other shingles protecting the roof as collectors, with a non-invasive aesthetic result, applicable to any type of building. Disclosure of invention

We reached the above-mentioned result thanks to an element covering the roof and comprising at least one, but preferably more than one elements absorbing and/or converting solar energy into thermal and/or electric energy, applied or integrated to it.

According to a first convenient solution corresponding to the conversion of solar energy into thermal energy, the element covering the roof, made like a tile or similar, includes some bands on the surface, or a single continuous surface, preferably made of a material absorbing solar energy, and said element comprises an internal cavity where a fluid circulates. This fluid technically includes both liquids and gasses. Therefore in this system both a liquid and a gas, in particular air, can circulate.

Said element also comprises an inner inlet and an outlet for the fluid, particularly realized so as to connect two or more elements each other by means of the connection of the inlet of an element with the outlet of the previous element and so as to form a whole of single elements connected each other. The band(s) on the external surface of the element absorb (s) the energy transmitted by solar radiation, more precisely convert (s) this energy in thermal energy, through the heating of the same band or foil. The bands or foils are in thermal contact with the fluid within the internal cavity of the element, consequently they heat the fluid themselves by conduction and/or convention and/or radiation.

In this way, the surface band(s) of every single element heating up because of the solar radiation conduct (s) thermal energy into the same element and transmit (s) it to the fluid circulating inside the element. The single elements can be united each other, so as to form all or part of the covering of any building, and can be connected each other, so as to form a sort of hydraulic circuit. According to the known physical rules concerning temperature and density of fluids, the fluid circulating inside the hydraulic circuit rises as its temperature increases. Nevertheless, a pump or a fan can force the circulation of the fluid inside the circuit. The fluid releases the heat gathered into an exchanger, so producing thermal energy from solar energy. The exchanger may be directly in contact with one or more rooms for example of a house, so in this way, it will release the heat of the fluid to these rooms; in alternative or combination, the exchanger may exchange heat for example with the sanitary water, in this case the fluid will release the gathered heat to the same sanitary water. The fact the shape of the element is substantially similar to the shape of a tile or the like, permits to avoid the drawbacks relating to the prior art. As a matter of fact the roof of a building can be entirely or partially realized with said elements, and it results non-invasive on the environmental impact.

In an improved solution, every element can alternate very thin bands or foils and/or comprise a single band or foil spreading all over the external surface of the element, since this single band is realized with an external surface substantially undulating. This undulating surface alternates rise and fall, so that only the rise is exposed to the solar radiation, while the fall is covered by a layer of material, such as clay or the like, typical of conventional tiles. In this way, the element like a tile will have essentially a striped external surface. It's possible to suitably alternate visible parts in traditional material, corresponding to the fall, with visible parts realized with said bands or foils, corresponding to the rise of the undulating element, so as to get an optical effect similar to the one of a roof made of conventional materials and techniques according to the prior art. In addition, also the roof can be made of a single element and have a single inlet and outlet for the fluid that must be heated, resulting in such a single big element that it completely covers the roof of the building. In a second preferable solution, the elements are realized like a tile or similar and comprise on their external surface at least one, but preferably more than one means to convert solar energy into electric energy, such as e.g. the known photovoltaic panels. The presence of said means permits the direct conversion of solar energy into electric energy, while the shape of the same element allows it to be installed without substantially modifying the aesthetic of a roof according to the prior art, thus avoiding the drawbacks relating to it. Therefore, according to this second solution, it's possible to realize the cover of a roof according to its traditional shape, together with the advantages entailed by the use of solar panels.

The advantages resulting from the present invention essentially consist of the fact that it's possible to make use of the energy for any type of building covered with tiles or other shingles; that the environmental impact is the least, as this system is completely integrated into the traditional txles used for the constructions of roofs; that it's possible to arrange the tiles supplied with the solar system over any plane not necessarily sloping; that it's possible to integrate the technology of the system for producing energy in any type of tile; that it can be varied as desired, as it's possible to use one or more collectors according to the type and quantity of energy we want to obtain; that every single tile can be used as single element or as element connected to a lower or upper tile by means of suitable connections; that the plant of this system can be realized by few operations without difficult installations.

The present invention permits to absorb solar energy with no need of modifying the external structure of the house with anti-aesthetic solar or photovoltaic panels. Everyone can benefit from this energy, avoiding all the aesthetic and technical restrictions of the existing plants. This invention can be prefixed in the construction of new buildings, as well as it can be successively used for replacing roofs with tiles in historical centres. It can be used for different purposes, such as the production of warm water, the cooling of air and the production of electric energy.

Furthermore, the possibility to realize a covering or roof of a building by means of the elements object of the present invention, permits to avoid the installation of solar panels over the covering, because it's the same covering that realizes the solar panel. In this way it's possible to W

eliminate the drawbacks relating to the existing solar panels that are installed over the roof, therefore the maintenance of the roof is simpler and cheaper and the above-cited problems caused by the wind are prevented.

5 The invention is now described referring to the figures of the enclosed drawings, given as practical examples of the invention but not to be considered restrictive.

Fig. 1 of the enclosed drawings shows the assembling of the roof formed by the tiles (1) constituting the system. The

10 surface of these tiles (1) comprises some bands (4) that have not visual impact, permitting to apply these elements over any roof. This figure also shows the exchanger (9) designed to be inserted into the roof. Fig. 2 of the enclosed drawings shows an exploded scheme of

15 the circuit of the thermoconductor fluid that arrives from the base (10) in the tiles (1) and goes out on the top (11). Every tile (1) is separately connected to the circuit of the fluid. In this situation, the tile is connected to the lower and upper tiles by means of suitable connections (2 and 3) . In the

20 lower part of the tile, the cool fluid arrives by the inlet (2) and follows the entire length of the tile (1) heating up. The fluid comes out from the outlet (3), directly connected with the inlet (2) of the upper tile. This is possible because a heated fluid becomes less stiff and so naturally rises. To

25 this purpose, the tiles are hydraulically connected each other, preferably in vertical direction, so as to create a hydraulic circuit containing a fluid, preferably a diathermy liquid. Consequently, the fluid coming out from the tiles on the top of the roof will be the one that has absorbed the greatest heat . It's possible to use directly the hot liquid for domestic or non-domestic employs, simply taking it by the tiles on the top of the roof.

In alternative or combination, it's possible to take all or part of the liquid at a prefixed height, corresponding to a preselected horizontal line of tiles, for example to take at least part of the fluid at a preferred temperature, letting the remaining part heating up.

In a preferred solution, all the parallel lines of circulation of the warm fluids, arriving in this upper part of the roof, merge in a circuit (11) that will later release its thermal energy into an exchanger (9), e.g. placed internally under the roof or in a suitable loft.

It's however possible, in combination or alternative, that the horizontal lines of the tiles are hydraulically connected each other at least for part of the entire horizontal extension, and are connected to the upper line of tiles by means of at least one hydraulic connection, preferably more than one. In this way, it's possible to have different preferred "paths" of heating, realized connecting hydraulically the tiles each other in different and preferred ways. In alternative or combination with the natural circulation of the liquid, due to the continuous heating of the same liquid, the hydraulic circuit formed by the tiles hydraulically connected can be pushed by a pump, e.g. a hydraulic pump or a fan, placed under the roof, in the case the fluid circulating in the circuit is gaseous. The exchanger is crossed by two circuits of fluids: the first one is the circuit of the thermoconductor fluid that arrives hot (11) and comes out cool (10) to be put again in circulation in the tiles; the second one is the circuit of water of the house that arrives cool and therefore absorbs the heat of the thermoconductor liquid and then comes out hot (12) toward the house. This is a clean and economical method to provide the house with hot water, by means of solar radiation. Fig. 3 of the enclosed drawings shows the cross section of a tile according to this invention comprising: the inlet (2) and outlet (3) pipes of the fluid (6), the foil (4), made of dark material capable of absorbing the sun rays, integrated in the surface (5) of the tile, the material for insulation (7) placed under the thermoconductor or diathermy fluid (6) .

Fig. 4 shows in detail the cross section of a preferred solution of the tile according to the present invention. The upper surface (5) of the tile is trimmed, so as to increase the surface of contact of the absorbing material (4), placed on the projecting part, with the sun rays, as well as the surface of contact between the absorbing material and the diathermy fluid or liquid (6) flowing inside, directly under the external surface. Due to the fact that the fluid flowing in the tiles heats up, there is a thermal barrier (7), i.e. an insulation, in order to prevent the dispersion of heat from the fluid and the heating of the house placed below. This thermal barrier is made of insulating material, such as glass fibre or glass wool, polyurethane or other material that does not disperse heat. In a preferred solution, this layer of material is separated by the fluid thanks to a thin foil (8) and/or isolating film and/or any covering, even in plastic material .

Fig. 6 shows the cross section of the roof where the tiles (1) are mounted. In this case, the tiles are directly united each other by means of the connections (2 and 3) and/or other means suitable for the structure of the tile. The fluid of the hydraulic circuit heats up and, varying its consistency, passes from one tile to the other immediately above, rising towards the top of the roof. In the solution herein depicted, an exchanger, called boiler (9)_f is placed under the roof and receives from the top the circuit of hot fluid (11) . A pump can be provided for facilitating the circulation of the liquid inside the hydraulic circuit; in alternative or combination the hydraulic circuit can comprise no pump, or keep the pump off, e.g. when the boiler is placed in the lofts the circulation is normally natural . In particular, this system may be provided with at least one temperature sensor for registering the temperature of the fluid. As a matter of fact, the temperature of the fluid of the hydraulic circuit is strictly related, as above explained, to the circulation of the fluid inside the hydraulic circuit. Higher is the temperature of the fluid, better is the circulation inside the hydraulic circuit constituted by the whole of the tiles hydraulically connected. Said temperature sensor can be operatively associated to the pump, so as to activate/deactivate the same pump when the temperature of the fluid is not sufficient to guarantee a perfect circulation or to meet the prefixed criteria. For example, when the circulating fluid is a liquid, during summer the circulation can be easily "natural", with no need of the pump, whereas in winter the pump should be activated.

Once the boiler (9) has carried out the exchange of heat, the cool fluid (10) will come out and later power again the tiles placed in the lower part of the roof. Fig. 5 depicts a further solution with the possibility to set up a type of tiles (1) with photovoltaic elements (13) for directly converting solar energy into electric energy. This solution can get electric energy (14) by employing, in place of the above-cited foils made of a material absorbing infrareds, suitable photovoltaic elements (13) placed in series in the upper body of the tile. These elements, by known art, convert solar energy into electric energy, thus supplying the various services of the building.

Said absorbing elements can be different in number and shape, according to the external structure of the tile and to the quantity of desired electric or thermal energy.

The technical solution object of the present invention makes use of a series of elements absorbing and/or converting solar energy, integrated into the surface of the tile and placed either separately or connected each other. They can convert solar energy by means of suitable instruments for thermal or electric energy with different constructing procedures, designed to produce sanitary water and/or cooling air and/or electric energy. In the case the single elements are mounted on the roof for producing sanitary water, they essentially take the constructive conception of a solar panel, with the shape and size of a single element (or tile) forming a roof or other protective covering. Each absorbing element, crossed by a thermoconductor fluid, is hydraulically connected to a collector circuit, placed under the roof, for the gathering of the heat accumulated in every tile.

The collector circuit supplies all the elements directed on it, creating an internal circulation of the thermoconductor fluid, by means of a pump or thanks to the natural flow of the same fluid. The fluid, crossing the elements, increases its temperature and later releases it into a tank gathering water, placed inside the roof of the building. Inside the tank, through the thermal exchange, the fluid, preferably a liquid, permits to heat water and supply it to the house. On the contrary, when the fluid is gaseous, once heated, it's directly spread in the rooms without the aid of an exchanger.

Besides, the tile can be constructed for a connection to the tiles placed under and above it, by means of a hydraulic connection, creating a continuous flow that increases its heating every time an element crosses, and then releases the gathered power to the water heater or to the rooms of the house. According to the type of building, the boiler can be conveniently placed under the roof or suitably shaped inside the ridge of the roof.

In all the above-described cases, the thermal energy absorbed by the elements can be used not only for heating water, but even for cooling rooms, thanks to the known principle used by three-functions refrigerators: the fluid heated by the absorbing elements is spread in a cell and successively reinserted in the same exchangers.

The cooling obtained by the spreading of the fluid is captured by the split and then introduced into the room. In all these cases, however, the single elements are generally made of different thickness and the components change according to the layer. The upper level in contact with the sun rays is trimmed and constituted by foils made of a material absorbing sun rays, said foils being integrated to the material making the tile, normally clay or any material suitable for the environment where it's exposed when stamping it .

Obviously, the external shape of this first layer will correspond to the shape of a tile. Immediately under this external layer, a thermoconductor fluid flows and gathers the heat. This fluid flows inside the element entering by the lower part (2) and going out from the upper part (3) through suitable connections. The fluid flowing in the last tile on the top of the roof goes directly either in the rooms of the house or in the heat exchanger, where it transmits its thermal power to the circulating water heating it.

Once cooled, the circuit takes the fluid back into the tiles, starting from the base.

In the lower part of the tile, a thin foil divides the fluid from the insulation material designed to act as thermal barrier, in order to prevent heat exchanges between the roof and the house below.

The tile object of the present invention can convert the power of the sunrays into electric energy. As a matter of fact, if photovoltaic elements are integrated into the structure of the tile, in series and connected to a collector, according to the known art, and with the same general possibilities of employ, it's possible to set the system with the purpose of gathering electric energy, so getting a versatility of use however deriving from the same concept concerning the present invention. Reduced to its essential structure and with reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, an element covering the roof, like a tile, according to the present invention, comprises elements, applied or integrated to it, capable of absorbing and/or converting solar energy into thermal or electric energy.

This invention also relates to a system for producing energy by solar radiation that, according to the present invention, comprises : means to absorb solar energy, by one or more absorbing elements, integrated or applied to a tile or other shingle protecting the roof; means to convert solar energy into thermal or electric energy, by converting elements, connected to the absorbing ones, such as heat exchanger, boilers, cool and/or warm air conditioners, or by photovoltaic panels.

In the case only electric energy must be produced, this system comprises just photovoltaic panels that, for their definition, are capable of generating electromotive force as a result of the absorption of bright radiations. In the case this invention is used to produce warm air or water, e.g. for sanitary purposes or for preheating the water of the boiler of a heating plant, said elements protecting the roof (1) are constituted by components absorbing solar energy, made of material absorbing infrareds (4), preferably dark for a better attraction of the sun rays, integrated or applied to the upper body of the tile. In this solution, the elements forming the tile or other shingles protecting the roof are constructed like solar coverings according to the known constructing technology. Immediately below the upper layer of the tile exposed to the sun, over which the absorbing elements previously heated by the sun rays are integrated or applied, a thermoconductor fluid or liquid flows.

This fluid circulates inside each element and heats up, thanks to the heat gathered by the absorbing material placed outside. Every element can be used separately or connected to a lower and upper tile. In any case, the fluid crossing it, is connected to a circuit of circulation of the fluid. Said circuit supplies the tiles by means of an inlet pipe, placed in the lower part of the tile, and an outlet pipe, placed in the upper part of the tile.

In the case the tiles are connected each other, the outlet pipe of the lower tile is directly connected to the inlet pipe of the tile above. Preferably, the circulation of the fluid of the circuit is directed from the base to the top, making use of the natural circulation and so minimizing the consumption of energy necessary for the transport of said fluid.

Once arrived at the top of the roof, the fluid has gathered the most heat he could have absorbed during its passage m the tile.

When the air represents the gaseous fluid, it can later either release its thermal energy directly into the rooms of the house or flow into the heat exchanger (9) .

In this portion of the roof, there is a water tank for exchanging heat (9). The fluid that circulates inside this exchanger, later releases its thermal energy to the water to heat.

Conveniently, the single element constituting a tile or other shingle protecting the roof designed to be exposed to the sun, is made of a material that absorbs infrared rays and takes the shape of the same element.

Conveniently, every tile or other shingle protecting the roof can be constructed so that the solar component, made of absorbing material, is just a part of its upper surface and essentially involves no visual impact.

Conveniently, the solar components can take the shape of foils, circles, little squares or any other shape suitable for the tile where they are inserted.

Conveniently, said components can be arranged in parallel, in series, in five-spots or any other arrangement according to their number, shape and sizes. In the case of the tile, said solar component is integrated or applied to it so as to take its same shape.

Conveniently, the solar components are made of materials capable of absorbing infrareds, but however dark for a better attraction of the sunrays.

In a practical solution, the solar components can consists of foils made of any material absorbing infrareds, placed in parallel over the entire external layer of the tile. Conveniently, the solar components made of absorbing material, rather than covering the entire external surface of the tile, can be placed only on a part of it.

This invention concerns in particular a tile, or other shingle protecting the roof, comprising inside a power circuit for the several absorbing elements that release the heat to the thermoconductor fluid crossing them. The heat is carried either directly into the building or, returning from the same circuit, into a tank that, crossed by said (closed) circuit, gets the heat necessary to raise the temperature of the fluid it contains. This invention also relates to a system that employs solar energy for conditioning a room.

In particular, it consists of a tile, or other shingle protecting the roof, similarly equipped with internal circuit and absorbing elements, but in this case crossed by suitable gas that, once heated, is spread into a specific cell and then sent back in circulation. The spreading of the gas causes a cooling that xs captured by a split and then released into the room.

This invention also relates to a system that employs solar energy for producing electric energy. In particular, it consists of a tile, or other shingle protecting the roof, equipped with a series of photovoltaic cells applied or inserted so as to maintain the original shape of the tile and replace the roof. Said cells are directed according to the shape of the tile and electrically connected in series and/or parallel, according to the needs. By means of various existing devices, they permit to supply the house by alternated 220V current, like a traditional method. Preferably, this system comprises at least one accumulator and/or converter and/or inverter and/or converter/lift operatively connected.

Conveniently, the tile or other shingle can be of any constructing type (concave, flat, waved, cement-tile, Portuguese, Roman, plain roof tile, etc.), without losing any of its positive characteristics . Conveniently, the tiles can have any shape and comprise curves.

This invention concerns an element for covering roofs or other building structures, consisting of an internal cavity, where a thermoconductor fluid (6) flows, constituted by two surfaces: the upper one is made of standard material for tile (5), over which the element (4) absorbing the sun rays is integrated; the lower one (7) is in contact with the covering. Conveniently, the internal cavity of the tile is crossed by a fluid (6) that enters it from an inlet (2) and goes out through an outlet (3) .

Conveniently, the fluid flows along the entire length of the tile in order to increase the surface and the time of contact with the element absorbing energy (4).

Conveniently, said upper surface includes an external trimmed surface. The absorbing material is integrated over the projecting upper part, so as to increase the surface of contact of the upper part with the sunrays, and consequently improve the collection of heat, and of the lower part with the fluid (6) flowing inside the cavity.

In order to prevent the dispersion of heat of the fluid into the building under the roof, the tile is conveniently thermally insulated in its lower part thanks to a layer of insulating material (7) . Conveniently, this material can be ceramic or glass fibre, glass wool, polyurethane or any material working as thermal barrier. In practice, the constructing details may however equally vary as regards shape, size, position of elements and type of materials used, but still remain within the range of the idea proposed as a solution and, consequently, within the limits of the protection granted by this patent for invention. Brief description of drawings Advantages, purposes and characteristics of the present invention can be better understood by every expert in this field, reading the following description and referring to the enclosed drawings, given as practical examples of the invention, but not to be considered restrictive.

- Fig. 1 shows a first practical solution of the present invention, where said panels constitute a hydraulic circuit .

- Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the first practical solution as depicted in Fig. 1 relating to a hydraulic circuit . - Fig. 3 shows a section view of a component of a hydraulic circuit, in particular a tile, according to Fig. 1.

- Fig. 4 shows a detail of the tile of Fig. 3.

- Fig. 5 shows a second practical solution of the present invention, where said panels constitute an electric circuit.

- Fig. 6 shows a section view of a hydraulic circuit according to the present invention.

We would like to point out that the terms "upper" and "lower" indicate the assembling position of the element. According to a preferred practical solution, not herein depicted, a thermoconductor fluid, like e.g. air or similar, rather than a thermoconductor liquid, can circulate inside the circuit constituted by the tiles. The functioning of the hydraulic circuit containing a fluid is equivalent to the functioning of the hydraulic circuit containing a liquid, when the final aim is the heating of the sanitary water. The heated air can also be used in order to raise the temperature of the room and, m this case, the air coming out from the top of the roof can be directly pushed into the desired rooms, with no exchange or waste of heat. According to a different point of view, the present invention concerns an element covering a roof, such as a tile or the like, which comprises at least one, preferably more than one elements absorbing and/or converting solar energy into thermal or electric energy. In particular, the first practical solution depicted m Fig. 2 concerns an element covering the roof that comprises at least one absorbing element placed on the upper external part of the element covering the roof, at least one cavity inside the same element covering the roof and at least one inlet and one outlet connecting said inner cavity with the outside. This cavity is then filled by a thermoconductor fluid, being in thermal contact with the element absorbing solar energy. This element absorbing solar energy is made of a material capable of absorbing infrareds and/or conducting heat; m order to improve the thermal result and avoid the dispersion of heat under the lower part of the element covering the roof, this element comprises at least a lower layer made of insulating material. For the entrance and exit of the fluid from every single element covering the roof, said element comprises at least one inlet, placed on its lower surface, and one outlet, placed on its upper surface. The inlet and the outlet are connected each other, so as to create a sort of hydraulic circuit, as depicted in Fig. 2. According to a different practical solution, the upper external surface of said element covering the roof is undulated, alternating rises and falls, and/or trimmed, so that the projecting part, corresponding to the rises, is constituted by the absorbing and/or converting element: in alternative or combination, even the upper external surface of said absorbing element is undulated, alternating rises and falls, and/or trimmed. Conveniently, for a good aesthetic result, the falls of said absorbing element are covered or filled by a material for shingles, according to the known art, such as clay or similar, so that the upper external surface of said element covering the roof comprises an alternated series of longitudinal stripes of said absorbing element. This series of stripes alternates an open stripe of absorbing element with another stripe covered or filled by a material for shingles, according to the known art, such as clay or similar. Thanks to a suitable distance between the stripes, it's therefore possible to create a sort of uniformity of colour, so that if they are arranged very closed and seen far-off, they give the optical illusion of a single homogeneous colour, such as a normal roof. Figs. 1 and 2 concerns a system for the generation of thermal and/or electric energy comprising at least two, preferably three or more elements according to the previous claims, characterized in that said elements are operatively connected each other by means of inlets and outlets, so realizing a hydraulic circuit that is at least partially crossed by said thermoconductor fluid. As a matter of fact, the inlet of an element is supplied by the outlet of the element placed below, with reference to a system comprising a plurality of elements mounted on a sloping covering, operatively connected to a hydraulic circuit closed between said elements and passing through an exchanger. In alternative or combination, the element covering the roof object of this invention comprises at least one element converting solar energy into electric energy, which includes at least one, preferably two or more photovoltaic cells or panels, electrically connected each other, by means of a connection in parallel or series, and equipped with at least one electric conductor.

At least a first photovoltaic cell or panel is placed on the upper surface of the covering element, so as to receive the solar radiation, but there can be also a second and/or third photovoltaic cell or panel, placed on one side of the first one, In particular, since at least part of the external surface of a tile is semi-cylindrical, the photovoltaic panels may be placed on this surface. Otherwise, if the covering element has an external shape like a tile, i.e. a semi- cylindrical surface next to a flat surface, the photovoltaic cell or panel may be placed on the flat surface. According to a different but similar point of view, we have described a solar panel comprising at least one photovoltaic cell or panel constituting an element covering a roof, having a semi-cylindrical external surface next to a flat surface, like a tile or similar.

Claims

CIAIMS

1) Element covering the roof, such as a tile or similar, characterized in that it comprises at least one, preferably more than one elements absorbing and/or converting solar energy into thermal and/or electric energy.

2) Element covering the roof as claimed m claim 1, characterized in that it comprises:

- at least one absorbing element placed on the upper external part of the element covering the roof; - at least one cavity inside the same element covering the roof;

- at least one inlet and one outlet connecting said inner cavity with the outside.

3) Element covering the roof as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises a thermoconductor fluid, being in thermal contact with the element absorbing solar energy.

4) Element covering the roof as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterized in that at least one element absorbing solar energy is in thermal contact with at least part of the cavity inside the same covering element.

5) Element covering the roof as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterized m that at least one element absorbing solar energy is made of a material capable of absorbing infrareds and/or conducting heat. 6) Element covering the roof as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a lower layer made of insulating material, in order to avoid the dispersion of heat under the lower part of the same covering element .

7) Element covering the roof as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one inlet placed on the lower surface of the same covering element, with reference to the assembling position. 8) Element covering the roof as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one outlet placed on the lower surface of the same covering element, with reference to the assembling position.

9) Element covering the roof as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterized in that said inlet and outlet are connected each other.

10) Element covering the roof as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterized in that it comprises a single absorbing element, which takes the entire external surface of the same covering element, made of a material capable of absorbing infrared rays, and takes the shape of the same element .

11) Element covering the roof as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterized in that the upper external surface of said covering element is undulated, alternating rises and falls, and/or trimmed, so that the projecting part, corresponding to the rises, is constituted by the absorbing and/or converting element.

12) Element covering the roof as claimed m one or more of the above claims, characterized in that even the upper external surface of said absorbing element is undulated, alternating rises and falls, and/or trimmed.

13) Element covering the roof as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterized in that the falls of said absorbing element are covered or filled by a material for shingles, according to the known art, such as clay or similar .

14) Element covering the roof as claimed m one or more of the above claims, characterized in that the upper external surface of said covering element comprises an alternated series of longitudinal stripes of said absorbing element. This series of stripes alternates an open stripe of absorbing element with another stripe covered or filled by a material for shingles, according to the known art, such as clay or similar. 15) System for the generation of thermal and/or electric energy comprising at least two, preferably three or more elements as claimed m the previous claims, characterized in that said elements are operatively connected each other.

16) System comprising at least one element as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterized in that it includes : at least one hydraulic circuit operatively connected to at least one element and at least partially crossed by said thermoconductor fluid; at least one heat exchanger hydraulically connected to said hydraulic circuit for the exchange of heat between said fluid of the hydraulic circuit and a second fluid flowing in the exchanger.

17) System as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that it comprises two, three or more elements according to one or more of the above claims, which are operatively connected each other, so that the inlet of an element is supplied by the outlet of the element placed below, with reference to a system comprising a plurality of elements mounted on a sloping covering, operatively connected to a hydraulic circuit closed between said elements and passing through an exchanger .

18) System as claimed in claims 15 and/or 17, characterized in that the outlet of the lower element is directly connected to the inlet of the upper or next element . 19) System as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the circulation of the fluid in the circuit is not forced. 20) System as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the direction of circulation of the fluid in the circuit is forced by means of pumps, fans, compressors or the like. 21) System as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that said hydraulic circuit may be provided with at least one temperature and/or delivery and/or speed sensor for registering the temperature and/or delivery and/or speed of the fluid in the circuit.

22) System as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that the pump, fan, compressor or similar, are controlled by means of a driving unit according to the variables of temperature and/or delivery and/or speed of the fluid in the circuit.

23) System as claimed in one or more of the claims from 15 to

22, characterized in that said heat exchanger carries out the thermal exchange towards a water mass.

24) System as claimed in one or more of the claims from 15 to

23, characterized in that it comprises: at least one hydraulic circuit that is crossed by the fluid inside every covering element constituting the fluid of a cooling plant. 25) Element covering the roof as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said element converting solar energy into electric energy comprises at least one photovoltaic cell or panel.

26) Element covering the roof as claimed in claim 25, characterized in that it comprises two or more photovoltaic cells or panels.

27) Element covering the roof as claimed m claims 25 and/or 26, characterized m that said two or more photovoltaic cells or panels are electrically connected each other, by means of a connection in parallel or series, and equipped with at least one electric conductor. 28) Element covering the roof like a tile as claimed in one or more of the claims from 25 to 27, characterized in that each element comprises at least a first photovoltaic cell or panel placed on the upper surface of said covering element.

29) Element covering the roof like a tile as claimed in one or more of the claims from 25 to 28, characterized in that it comprises a second and/or third photovoltaic cell or panel, placed on one side of the first one. 30) Element covering the roof like a tile as claimed in one or more of the claims from 25 to 29, characterized in that it has an external shape like a tile, i.e. a semi-cylindrical surface next to a flat surface, so that the first photovoltaic cell or panel may be placed on the flat surface.

31) System for the generation of thermal and/or electric energy as claimed in one or more of the claims from 25 to 30, characterized in that said covering elements are electrically connected each other, by means of a connection in series and/or parallel.

32) System comprising at least one covering element as claimed in one or more of the claims from 25 to 31 and comprising at least one accumulator and/or converter and/or inverter and/or converter/lift operatively connected. 33) Solar panel comprising at least one photovoltaic cell, characterized in that it has an essentially convex zone and constitutes an element covering the roof.

34) Solar panel comprising at least one photovoltaic cell, characterized in that it has a semi-cylindrical external shape, like a tile or similar.

35) Solar panel comprising at least one photovoltaic cell, characterized in that it has a semi-cylindrical external surface next to a flat surface, like a tile or similar.