photovoltaic

[foh-toh-vol-tey-ik, -vohl-]

adjective

Electricity.

1. of or relating to the photovoltaic effect.

photovoltaic

/ ˌfəʊtəʊvɒlˈteɪɪk /

adjective

1. of, concerned with, or producing electric current or voltage caused by electromagnetic radiation, esp visible light from the sun

photovoltaic

1. Capable of producing a voltage, usually through photoemission, when exposed to radiant energy, especially light.

2. See more at photoelectric solar cell

Word History and Origins

Origin of photovoltaic¹

First recorded in 1920–25; photo- + voltaic

Example Sentences

"Nowadays, especially...electronics, photovoltaic generation, and batteries for all kinds of applications, including motorcycles and motor vehicles, come from China because they are truly very efficient."

Read more on Barron's

Meanwhile, minerals such as gallium and germanium are widely used in chips—both advanced and mature—and other semiconductor products such as photovoltaic cells.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Since the implant is photovoltaic -- relying solely on light to generate electrical current -- it operates wirelessly and can be safely placed beneath the retina.

Read more on Science Daily

The device is a novel wireless subretinal photovoltaic implant paired with specialised glasses that project near-infrared light to the implant, which acts like a miniature solar panel.

Read more on Science Daily

The new procedure involves inserting a tiny 2mm-square photovoltaic microchip, with the thickness of a human hair, under the retina.

Read more on BBC