Photovoltaic

adjective; also noun (plural: photovoltaics)

/ˌfəʊtəʊvɒlˈteɪɪk/

Relating to the direct conversion of light (photons) into electrical voltage through the photovoltaic effect — the phenomenon whereby photons striking a semiconductor material (typically silicon) excite electrons across a band gap, generating a direct current. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are the building blocks of solar panels. In UPSC context, India's installed solar PV capacity crossed 90 GW in 2024 (MNRE data) against a 2030 target of 500 GW renewable capacity; the PM-KUSUM scheme deploys solar PV for irrigation pumps; the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) for Solar Modules (₹24,000 crore) supports domestic PV manufacturing to reduce dependence on Chinese imports (which accounted for over 80% of India's solar module procurement as of 2023).

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

India's Production Linked Incentive scheme for high-efficiency solar photovoltaic modules, with a cumulative outlay of ₹24,000 crore, aims to eliminate the structurally damaging import dependency on Chinese PV modules and to establish an integrated domestic manufacturing value chain from polysilicon to finished panels.

Synonyms

solar electricsolar PVlight-electric conversionphotoelectric (broader)solar power (applied sense)

Antonyms

thermal solar (heat-based)fossil-fuel-generated (electricity)grid-independent (off-grid antonym in policy sense)

🌱 Word Family

photovoltaic (adj/n), photovoltaics (n pl), PV cell (n phrase), solar cell (n), solar module (n), photovoltaic effect (n phrase), solar panel (n)

🔡 Root

Greek phōtos = light (genitive of phōs); Alessandro Volta's name (Italian physicist, 1745–1827) + Greek -ikos = relating to — literally 'relating to light-Volta (electricity)'

📜 Etymology

The photovoltaic effect was discovered by French physicist Edmond Becquerel in 1839, when he observed that certain materials generated electric current upon exposure to light. The term photovoltaic honours Alessandro Volta, who invented the electrochemical battery; photo- from Greek phōs ('light'). The first practical silicon solar cell was developed at Bell Labs in 1954 with ~6% efficiency.

🧠 Memory Hook

PHOTO (light) + VOLTAIC (from Volta = electricity pioneer): light turns into voltage — that is the entire secret of a solar panel. Becquerel 1839 discovered it; Bell Labs 1954 made it practical. Remember the chain: photon hits silicon → electron moves → current flows → Volta would be proud.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2024 — Physics/Energy

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Photovoltaic” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

🔬 Science & Technology 📖 Seen in: Emerging Technologies — AI, Quantum Co...

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