PV
Abbreviation with 6 meanings
| Stands for | Photovoltaic |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 6 |
| Categories | Science & Engineering, Business & Finance, Medical |
PV has six meanings. The most common are Photovoltaic (energy) and Present value (finance); it can also stand for Pemphigus vulgaris, Per vaginam (vaginally), Polycythemia vera and Planned value.
Meanings of PV at a glance
| # | PV stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Photovoltaic | Science & Engineering › Energy |
| 2 | Present value | Business & Finance › Finance |
| 3 | Pemphigus vulgaris | Medical › Dermatology |
| 4 | Per vaginam (vaginally) | Medical › Medication Route |
| 5 | Polycythemia vera | Medical › Hematology and Oncology |
| 6 | Planned value | Business & Finance › Project Management |
1. Photovoltaic
Science & Engineering · Energy Abbreviations
Technology that converts sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor cells, most commonly made of crystalline silicon. Solar PV panels on rooftops and in large solar farms are now among the cheapest sources of new electricity in much of the world, and PV is the fastest-growing source of power.
Example: The 8 kW rooftop PV system is expected to cover about 90% of the home's annual electricity use.
Edmond Becquerel observed the photovoltaic effect in 1839, and Bell Labs scientists Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller and Gerald Pearson demonstrated the first practical silicon solar cell in 1954, at about 6% efficiency. Typical modules now convert roughly 20-23% of sunlight. Module prices fell around 90% during the 2010s, and China makes most of the world's panels. The plural noun is photovoltaics.
2. Present value
Business & Finance · Finance Abbreviations
Current worth of a future sum of money or stream of cash flows, discounted at a rate that reflects the time value of money and risk. For a single sum, it equals the future amount divided by one plus the rate, raised to the number of periods.
Example: At a 6 percent discount rate, the PV of $10,000 received in five years is about $7,473.
Present value underlies bond pricing, pension liabilities, lease accounting and DCF valuation. Spreadsheet functions such as Excel's PV return a negative number by convention when payments are positive, which confuses many users. In energy contexts, PV means photovoltaic, as in solar panels.
3. Pemphigus vulgaris
Medical · Dermatology Abbreviations
Rare autoimmune blistering disease in which antibodies against desmogleins break the connections between skin cells, causing fragile blisters that rupture easily, leaving painful erosions in the mouth and on the skin. Before steroids it was usually fatal.
Example: Painful oral erosions for 3 months, positive Nikolsky sign; DIF intercellular IgG: PV, start rituximab.
Most patients first develop mouth sores. Rituximab, approved for moderate to severe PV in 2018, has become a first-line treatment along with corticosteroids. Pemphigus foliaceus is a more superficial form without mucosal involvement. In hematology PV means polycythemia vera, and in prescriptions per vaginam.
4. Per vaginam (vaginally)
Medical · Medication Route Abbreviations
Route for medicines inserted into the vagina, including creams, tablets, rings, gels and pessaries used for infections, hormone therapy and labor induction. Many give mainly local effects with limited absorption into the blood.
Example: Clotrimazole 100 mg tablet PV at bedtime for 7 nights.
Latin "per vaginam". In UK and Commonwealth obstetrics, PV is also used for vaginal examinations and bleeding ("PV bleeding"). Low-dose vaginal estrogen for genitourinary syndrome of menopause gives much lower systemic exposure than oral estrogen, which is why its safety profile differs.
5. Polycythemia vera
Medical · Hematology and Oncology Abbreviations
Myeloproliferative neoplasm causing overproduction of red blood cells, often with high white cells and platelets, driven by a JAK2 mutation in about 95 percent of patients. Thickened blood leads to headaches, dizziness, itching after hot showers, burning hands and feet, and clots.
Example: Hgb 19.2, JAK2 V617F positive, low EPO: PV; phlebotomy to keep hematocrit below 45%.
The CYTO-PV trial (2013) showed that keeping hematocrit below 45 percent reduced cardiovascular deaths and clots. Low-dose aspirin is standard, and hydroxyurea or interferon (including ropeginterferon alfa-2b, approved in 2021) is used for higher-risk patients. Secondary polycythemia from smoking, sleep apnea or testosterone must be excluded. On prescriptions PV means vaginally.
6. Planned value
Business & Finance · Project Management Abbreviations
Authorized budget for the work scheduled to be completed by a given date, forming the cost baseline curve against which progress is measured.
Example: By the end of March, PV is $260,000, but EV is only $200,000.
Also called BCWS (budgeted cost of work scheduled). In finance, PV means present value.
Related abbreviations
More energy abbreviations
- PHEV – Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
- PHS – Pumped hydro storage
- PPA – Power purchase agreement
- PTC – Production Tax Credit
- PWR – Pressurized water reactor
- REC – Renewable energy certificate
- RNG – Renewable natural gas
- RPS – Renewable portfolio standard
See all 74 energy abbreviations →
More finance abbreviations
- PE – Private equity
- PI – Profitability index
- PIK – Payment in kind
- PIPE – Private investment in public equity
- QoE – Quality of earnings
- RAROC – Risk-adjusted return on capital
- RCF – Revolving credit facility
- ROA – Return on assets
See all 88 finance abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.