photovoltaics

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂- Proto-Indo-European *bʰéh₂os Proto-Hellenic *pʰáwos Ancient Greek φᾰ́ος (phắos) Ancient Greek φῶς (phôs) Ancient Greek φωτο- (phōto-)der. English photo- Italian Voltabor. English Volta Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic English voltaic English photovoltaic ▲ English -ic Old English -as Middle English -es English -s English -ics English photovoltaics From photovoltaic + -ics.

1. The technology of the conversion of sunlight into electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect.