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In certain aspects, the present invention relates to a photovoltaic roof covering in the form of overlapping elements (i.e., tiles, shingles or panels), electrically connected to one another. Each of the elements includes a backing material and a photovoltaic layer arranged at least over that portio

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

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1. A photovoltaic roof covering comprising a collection of a plurality of elements in the form of tiles, shingles or panels, disposed on a roof and electrically connected to one another, each of said elements of the plurality of elements comprising: a backing material comprising an interior face fac

1. A photovoltaic roof covering comprising a collection of a plurality of elements in the form of tiles, shingles or panels, disposed on a roof and electrically connected to one another, each of said elements of the plurality of elements comprising: a backing material comprising an interior face facing toward the roof and an exterior face facing away from the roof,a photovoltaic layer arranged at least over that portion of the exterior face of the backing material that is exposed to an outside environment in the collection,a foldable moving tongue or strip connected to the backing material and having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, the first surface facing away from the roof when in an unfolded position, and the second surface facing toward the roof when in an unfolded position, andelectrical conduction means positioned on each side of said photovoltaic layer and configured to collect electrical current generated by said photovoltaic layer when the photovoltaic layer is exposed to light, said electrical conduction means comprising a first connector connected to one electrical pole of the photovoltaic layer, the first connector being disposed at the first surface of the foldable moving tongue or strip, and a second connector connected to another electrical pole of the photovoltaic layer, the second connector is disposed at the exterior face of the backing material and faces away from the roof, wherein each of said elements of the plurality of elements overlies an underlying element, such that a part or portion of the underlying element is covered by said element, and a part or portion of the underlying element is exposed to the outside environment, each underlying element being another of the plurality of elements, or comprising a backing material comprising an interior face facing toward the roof and an exterior face facing away from the roof,a photovoltaic layer arranged at least over that portion of the exterior face of the backing material that is exposed to the outside environment in the collection, andelectrical conduction means positioned on each side of said photovoltaic layer and configured to collect the electrical current generated by said photovoltaic layer when the photovoltaic layer is exposed to light, said electrical conduction means comprising a first connector connected to one electrical pole of the photovoltaic layer, and a second connector connected to another electrical pole of the photovoltaic layer, the second connector is disposed at the exterior face of the backing material and faces away from the roof; and wherein for each of said elements of the plurality of elements as arranged in the collection, the foldable moving tongue or strip is disposed in a position that is folded over between said element and the underlying element, such that the first surface of the foldable moving tongue or strip of said element faces toward the roof,the first connector of said element faces toward the roof and is in electrical contact with the second connector of the underlying element,the second surface of the foldable moving tongue or strip of said element faces away from the roof, andthe second connector of the underlying element facing away from the roof. 2. The photovoltaic roof covering according to claim 1, wherein each of said elements of the plurality of elements has a down-roof end and an up-roof end, and wherein in each of said elements of the plurality of elements, the first connector and the foldable moving tongue or strip are disposed at the down-roof end of said element, and the second connector is disposed on the backing material up-roof from the photovoltaic layer. 3. The photovoltaic roof covering as claimed in claim 1, wherein for each of said elements of the plurality of elements, the part of said element that is exposed to the outside environment in the collection has an outwardly curved shape. 4. The photovoltaic roof covering as claimed in claim 1, in which said plurality of elements are electrically interconnected in series, in parallel, or in a combination of series and parallel, the collection of the plurality of elements having a plurality of ends, each of the ends of said collection being electrically connected by busbars to a current converter. 5. The photovoltaic roof covering as claimed in claim 1, in which in each of said elements of the plurality of elements, the backing material is rigid and formed from clay, and in which the tongue or the strip is made of or comprises an identical or different rigid material, the connection of the tongue or strip to the backing material and the mobility of the tongue being afforded by a hinge, by one or more films, or by a combination thereof. 6. The photovoltaic roof covering as claimed in claim 1, in which in each of said elements of the plurality of elements, the backing material comprises a flexible or semi-rigid material, and wherein the tongue or strip is made from the flexible or semi-rigid material, the deformation of which allows said tongue or said strip to be brought into the folded-over position. 7. The photovoltaic roof covering as claimed in claim 1, in which for each of said elements of the plurality of elements, the second connector of the underlying element is positioned on that part or portion of the underlying element that is covered by said element. 8. The photovoltaic roof covering as claimed in claim 1, in which for each of said elements of the plurality of elements, the second connector of the underlying element is disposed facing up on a non-removable tongue or strip positioned on one side of the underlying element. 9. The photovoltaic roof covering as claimed in claim 1, wherein for each of said elements of the plurality of elements, the first connector of said element is mechanically connected to the second connector of the underlying element, and in which the electrical and mechanical connection between the first connector of said element and the second connector of the underlying element is performed using fixing means selected from conductive adhesives, cold or hot solder, metallic pads, pressure-sensitive fixing systems, and mechanical fixing elements. 10. The photovoltaic roof covering as claimed in claim 9, wherein for each of said elements of the plurality of elements, the electrical and mechanical connection between is performed using a press-stud device comprising a male part and a female part, one of which forms part of the first connector of said element and the other of which forms part of the second connector of the underlying element. 11. The photovoltaic roof covering as claimed in claim 10, in which for each of said elements of the plurality of elements, the male and female parts of the first connector of said element and of the second connector of the underlying element are covered with one or more electrically insulating damp-proof films or covers.