NOVELTY - The photovoltaic roofing structure e.g. roof tiles for solar panels, comprises a roofing tile (30) having a top-, a bottom- and a recessed portion, a photovoltaic module (20) sized to fit within the recessed portion of the tile, a polymer material between the tile and the module to minimize changes, a coupler to manage coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) differences between the module and the tile, a ventilation channel to dissipate heat from beneath the module, and a press-fit electrical connector to create serial interconnection between tiles. The tile comprises ceramic.    USE - The structure is useful for building integrated photovoltaic roof tiles for solar panels, commercial rooftops and green field installations.    ADVANTAGE - The structure provides low cost, reliable solar roofing with improved thermal insulation and water protection, is intuitive, simple and secure, enables tile-to-tile installation by non-electricians with improved mechanical robustness and corrosion resistance and reliable electrical connection, and can be economically manufactured and installed with reduced cable in easy manner in large scale thus creating much greater market penetration and commercial adoption of such products for residential installations.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The photovoltaic roofing structure e.g. roof tiles for solar panels, comprises a roofing tile (30) having a top-, a bottom- and a recessed portion, a photovoltaic module (20) sized to fit within the recessed portion of the tile, a polymer material between the tile and the module to minimize changes, a coupler to manage coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) differences between the module and the tile, a ventilation channel to dissipate heat from beneath the module, and a press-fit electrical connector to create serial interconnection between tiles. The tile comprises ceramic and includes an air circulation pathway between a bottom surface of the module and the tile surface in the recess. A ratio of weight of the tile to the weight of the module greater than 10:1, where the combination of the module and tile weighs less than a conventional roofing tile of the external volume and surface area. Electrical leads from the module exit from between the layers without passing through a central junction box. The module is a glass-glass or glass-foil module, which contains thin-film solar cells based on a group IB-IIIA-VIA absorber layer. The tile defines an opening passing entirely through the tile, over which the module is placed, and a carrier frame with an open center that is covered by the photovoltaic module. The ventilation channel is defined between a bottom surface of the module and a portion of the surface of the tile. The surface area of the module is completely covered by active cells. The tile is curved and the module is curved to match a curved surface of the tile. The module comprises solar cells between a non-rigid module top layer and a rigid module bottom layer.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a perspective view of a photovoltaic roofing element.    Photovoltaic roofing element (10)    Photovoltaic module (20)    Tile (30)    Matching tongues (32, 34)    Grooves. (36, 38)