photovoltaic

adjective

pho·​to·​vol·​ta·​ic ˌfō-tō-väl-ˈtā-ik 

-vōl-

: of, relating to, or utilizing the generation of a voltage when radiant energy falls on the boundary between dissimilar substances (such as two different semiconductors)

photovoltaic noun

Examples of photovoltaic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The exciting part of the future is that even higher-power systems can be developed, and photovoltaic solar arrays could one day be replaced with nuclear systems generating orders of magnitude more electricity. —Lee Billings, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2026

The restoration included extensive repair work to the building’s brick exterior, new denim insulation and a rooftop photovoltaic array to improve energy efficiency. —Mark Lamster, Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026

The cost of photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and grid-scale batteries has fallen low enough that building new renewable capacity remains cheaper than most alternatives, with or without government subsidies. —Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026

The Connecticut Siting Council found that the effects associated with the construction of the 3.0-megawatt-AC solar photovoltaic electric generating facility were a reason for the proposal’s denial. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1889, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for photovoltaic

• allogeneic
• algebraic
• aramaic
• formulaic
• ptolemaic
• syngeneic
• altaic
• archaic
• deltaic
• hebraic
• mosaic
• oleic