photovoltaic

American  

[foh-toh-vol-tey-ik, -vohl-] / ˌfoʊ toʊ vɒlˈteɪ ɪk, -voʊl- /

adjective

Electricity.

1. of or relating to the photovoltaic effect.

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photovoltaic British  

/ ˌfəʊtəʊvɒlˈteɪɪk /

adjective

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

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photovoltaic Scientific  

/ fō′tō-vŏl-tā′ĭk,-vōl- /

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

2. See more at photoelectric solar cell

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Etymology

Origin of photovoltaic

First recorded in 1920–25; photo- + voltaic

Example Sentences

The photovoltaic industry uses about as much of the precious metal as jewelers, and rising prices have jacked up costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

At the Adani Group's factory in Mundra, in India's western state of Gujarat, assembly lines churn out photovoltaic panels around the clock.

From Barron's • Jan. 25, 2026

The mirror-and-tower technology that once seemed so promising was outpaced by flat photovoltaic solar panels, which soon proved cheaper and more efficient and became the industry standard.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2026

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

From Science Daily • Oct. 22, 2025

“These grass blades are our photovoltaic panels,” he says.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan