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

First, sunlight must be converted through photovoltaic panels into electricity, which is then stored in a battery. —Chelsea Haney april 10, New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026

Subaru of Indiana Automotive decked out a plant in Lafayette with rows of photovoltaic panels and businesses and homes across the state installed solar projects to save on utility bills and reduce carbon emissions. —Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 2026

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

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