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

Balcony solar systems feature one or two small photovoltaic panels and a microinverter and generate enough power to charge a laptop or power a small fridge. —Akielly Hu, Wired News, 3 May 2025

In addition to the Solar Skin, each catamaran's bimini area, the zone where shade is provided to the captain of the ship, comes equipped with photovoltaic cells that have been honed for shaded environments, pulling in the sun's energy. —Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025

In October, the company installed its first solar panels at its facility in Jiaxing, China, as part of a photovoltaic power generation project. —Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 29 Apr. 2025

The property uses solar energy from photovoltaic panels. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2025

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