NOVELTY - Method of making a photovoltaic roofing tile (500) comprising a polymeric carrier tile (502), and a photovoltaic element (510), comprises: inserting a polymeric tile preform having top and a bottom surfaces, and the photovoltaic element, a surface of the photovoltaic element is disposed adjacent to a surface of the polymeric tile preform, into a compression mold; compression molding the polymeric tile preform and the photovoltaic element together to form an unfinished photovoltaic roofing tile; and finishing the unfinished photovoltaic roofing tile to provide the photovoltaic roofing tile.    USE - The method is useful for making a photovoltaic roofing tile (claimed), which can be installed on a roof as part of a photovoltaic system for the generation of electric power.    ADVANTAGE - The method: is cost-effective; provides photovoltaic roofing tile with more controllable and desirable aesthetics for use in roofing applications while retaining sufficient efficiency in electrical power generation; and utilizes adhesive layer which can increase the durability of the photovoltaic element and maintain its power generation performance. The cover element provides physical protection and/or weatherproofing for the photovoltaic element.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Method of making a photovoltaic roofing tile (500) comprising a polymeric carrier tile (502) having a top surface (504) and a bottom surfaces, and a photovoltaic element (510) having a top and a bottom surfaces, where the top surface having an active area, and the photovoltaic element is fixed to the polymeric carrier tile, comprises: inserting a polymeric tile preform having a top surface and a bottom surface, and the photovoltaic element, where a surface of the photovoltaic element is disposed adjacent to a surface of the polymeric tile perform, into a compression mold; compression molding the polymeric tile preform and the photovoltaic element together to form an unfinished photovoltaic roofing tile; and finishing the unfinished photovoltaic roofing tile to provide the photovoltaic roofing tile. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for method (I) of making a photovoltaic roofing tile having a polymeric carrier tile having a top surface and a bottom surface, one of the surfaces having an indentation formed on it, and a photovoltaic element having a top surface and a bottom surface, where the top surface having an active area, and the photovoltaic element is fixed to the polymeric carrier tile and disposed in the indentation on it, comprising: inserting a polymeric tile preform having a top surface and a bottom surface into a compression mold; compression molding the polymeric tile preform to form a polymeric carrier tile having the indentation disposed in one of the surfaces; disposing the photovoltaic element in the indentation; and fixing the photovoltaic element to the polymeric carrier tile to provide the photovoltaic roofing tile.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the photovoltaic roofing tile.    Photovoltaic roofing tile (500)    Polymeric carrier tile (502)    Photovoltaic element (510)    Headlap portion (560)    Channel (580)