photovoltaic

pho·to·vol·ta·ic

P5293100 (fō′tō-vōl-tā′ĭk, -vŏl-)adj. Capable of producing a voltage when exposed to radiant energy, especially light.

pho′to·vol·ta′ic n.

photovoltaic

(ˌfəʊtəʊvɒlˈteɪɪk) adj (General Physics) of, concerned with, or producing electric current or voltage caused by electromagnetic radiation, esp visible light from the sun

pho•to•vol•ta•ic

(ˌfoʊ toʊ vɒlˈteɪ ɪk, -voʊl-)

adj. of or pertaining to a material or device in which electricity is generated as a result of exposure to light. [1920–25]

Thesaurus

Adj.

photovoltaic - producing a voltage when exposed to radiant energy (especially light)

Translations

photovoltaic

[¦fōd·ō·vōl′tā·ik] (electronics) Capable of generating a voltage as a result of exposure to visible or other radiation.

Photovoltaic

(PV)1. Generation of electricity directly from sunlight. A photovoltaic cell has no moving parts; electrons are energized by sunlight and result in current flow.2. In a photovoltaic system, an electrical current is produced in a solid material. The physical process of this conversion is called the photovoltaic effect. Currently, there are two types of solar cell technologies: (1) crystalline materials and (2) thin-film materials. In architecture, photovoltaic materials are used in custom panels, shingles, solar tiles, and window film applications. See also: Smart materials

photovoltaic

The generation of voltage by a material that is exposed to light in the visible and invisible ranges. See photoelectric and photovoltaic cell.