Igama elithi photovoltaics (PV) lashiwo okokuqala cishe ngo-1890, futhi lisuka emagameni esiGreki: isithombe, âphos,â okusho ukukhanya,
I-Photovoltaics ukuguqulwa okuqondile kokukhanya kube ugesi ezingeni le-athomu. Ezinye izinto ezisetshenziswayo zibonisa impahla eyaziwa ngokuthi umphumela wesithombe kagesi obenza bamunce ama-photon okukhanya futhi bakhulule ama-electron.