photovoltaic cell

A solid state device, usually a semiconductor such as silicon, which absorbs photons with energies higher than or equal to the bandgap energy and simultaneously produces electric power.
See also: photogalvanic cell
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 2223 (Glossary of terms used in photochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)) on page 2265
PAC, 1991, 63, 569 (Terminology in semiconductor electrochemistry and photoelectrochemical energy conversion (Recommendations 1991)) on page 593