Roofing panel system

A panel having front and rear edges and first and second side edges and adapted to interfit and interlock with similar panels when installed, comprising:

• a nailing flange along the rear edge of the panel;
• at least one decorative element between the nailing flange and the front edge of the panel;
• a longitudinal protrusion extending upwardly and forwardly between the nailing flange and the at least one decorative element;
• an indented region on the underside of the panel along its front edge;
• a longitudinal cavity in the indented region adapted to interfit and interlock with the longitudinal protrusion of an identical panel in front of it;
• and
• an additional cavity on the underside of the panel between the front edge of the panel and the longitudinal cavity of the panel,
• wherein, when the longitudinal cavity is interfitted and interlocked with the longitudinal protrusion of an identical second panel in front of it, the panel is latched from moving further backwards away from the second panel and the front edge of the panel is also latched against upward movement, and
• wherein, when the longitudinal cavity is interfitted and interlocked with the longitudinal protrusion of the second panel, the indented region of the panel, when viewed from the side of the panel, encompasses both the longitudinal protrusion and the nailing flange of the second panel.