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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of photovoltaic¹

First recorded in 1920–25; photo- + voltaic

Example Sentences

That’s because while solar accounts for about 19% of the electricity California generates, other regions are rapidly installing photovoltaic panels as well.

From MIT Technology Review

While several new photovoltaic materials have emerged in recent decades, none has made much of a dent in the market, which is dominated by silicon.

From MIT Technology Review

Sure, it’s equipped with photovoltaic and dehumidification systems, but it’s the cutting-edge monitoring tech — “accelerometers, extensometers, velocimeters, inclinometers and detectors for joint expansion” — that have designers resting easy.

From Ozy

The 2019 median annual wage for solar photovoltaic installers was $44,890, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while the median annual wage for wind turbine service technicians was $52,910.

From Vox

In 1956, an early demonstration of solar photovoltaics produced a watt of energy for the modest price of an inflation-adjusted $1,865.

From Singularity Hub 

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy has watched solar photovoltaic price trends since 1980.

From The Daily Beast

The other end terminated with a PDA with a small rubberized photovoltaic cell on the front.

From Project Gutenberg