photovoltaicn.
/ˌfəʊtə(ʊ)vɒlˈteɪɪk/, U.S. /ˈˌfoʊdoʊˌvoʊlˈteɪɪk/, /ˈˌfoʊdoʊˌvɑlˈteɪɪk/ Science.
A photovoltaic device, esp. a solar cell.
ΚΠ
1972 Jrnl. Engin. for Power 94 78 A pollution free method using photovoltaics on the ground shows that sunlight falling on about 1% of the land area of the 48 states could provide the total electrical power requirements of the US in the year 1990.
1981 Christian Sci. Monitor (Nexis) 9 Dec. 16 The domestic US market for photovoltaics has grown from almost zero to $25 million last year.
1993 New Scientist 16 Jan. 11/2 Thin-film photovoltaics, which are thin films of amorphous silicon deposited on a substrate of glass titanium oxide, provide more watts per dollar than any other form of photovoltaic.
2001 S. Roaf et al. Ecohouse (2002) 11 Photovoltaics are already cost-effective in virtually all countries for off-grid systems.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
photovoltaicadj.
/ˌfəʊtə(ʊ)vɒlˈteɪɪk/, U.S. /ˈˌfoʊdoʊˌvoʊlˈteɪɪk/, /ˈˌfoʊdoʊˌvɑlˈteɪɪk/ Science.
Relating to, involving, or utilizing the generation of a voltage at the junction of two substances exposed to light.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > voltage > photovoltaics > [adjective]
photovoltaic1906
photoelectrochemical1942
1906 N.E.D. at Photo- Photovoltaic.
1912 Proc. Royal Soc. 1911–12 A. 86 453 This must be distinguished from what may be called the ‘photo-voltaic effect’ in electrolytic selenium cells.
1943 D. H. Jacobs Fund. Optical Engin. xxiii. 377 Some problems in instrument design call for vacuum or gas-filled photoemissive cells, and some call for photovoltaic cells.
1953 S. W. Amos & D. C. Birkinshaw Television Engin. I. iii. 41 An electrode may, however, be sensitive to light in other ways; for example, it may be photo-voltaic, i.e., develop e.m.f.s when illuminated.
1977 Undercurrents June 8/2 A comparison of fast breeder reactor technology with photo-voltaic (solar cell) technology neatly illustrates the two poles of opinion.
1995 Daily Tel. 3 Jan. 12/8 A 1991 government report found that photovoltaic cladding of commercial buildings could be an attractive option for power-generation in this country.
Derivatives
photovolˈtaically adv. as, in, or with photovoltaic devices; by means of photovoltaic devices.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > voltage > photovoltaics > [adverb]
photovoltaically1972
1972 Appl. Optics 11 1539 Diodes used photovoltaically are free of 1/f noise in the dark.
1978 Solar Energy (Shell Internat. Petroleum Co.) 5 A second way of using sunlight is photovoltaically—the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity.
1988 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85 4951/1 Photovoltaically generated electrical power, which is economical in desert areas, could be transported over long distances.
2000 Mod. Power Syst. (Nexis) 30 June 47 Wind farms and photovoltaically overlaid deserts find as little favour.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1972adj.1906