NOVELTY - The photovoltaic fiber useful in fabric e.g. woven fabric and in a collector, comprises a core (104), bottom metal-semiconductor compounds (106) over the core, a layer (108) comprising semiconductor elements (110) and insulating materials (112) over the bottom metal-semiconductor compounds, upper metal-semiconductor compounds (114) over the semiconductor layer, and a protective layer over the upper metal-semiconductor compounds. The core comprises aromatic polyamides. The semiconductor elements comprise silicon particles and doped layers in top surfaces of the semiconductor elements.    USE - The photovoltaic fiber is useful in fabric such as woven, non-woven and knit fabrics and in collector (all claimed), where the photovoltaic fabrics are useful in: industrial, military and emergency situations; automotive industry (e.g. upholstery and inside door textile coating), aerospace industry (e.g. upholstery and wall covering), marine industry (e.g. sail cloth), architectural and industrial textile applications; and roof membranes, awnings, canopies, rug, curtain, parking lot covers, drapery, greenhouse fabrics, window shades, vertical blinds, ceiling board fabrics, smoke and fire barrier fabrics, protective clothing (e.g. chemical and military), tents, coated fabric tarpaulins and outdoor furniture (e.g. patio, deck and porch).    ADVANTAGE - The weavable photovoltaic fiber has high flexibility and durability, and is capable of reducing the manufacturing cost and size of the photovoltaic collector or solar cells.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The photovoltaic fiber useful in fabric e.g. woven fabric and in a collector, comprises a core (104), bottom metal-semiconductor compounds (106) over the core, a layer (108) comprising semiconductor elements (110) and insulating materials (112) over the bottom metal-semiconductor compounds, upper metal-semiconductor compounds (114) over the semiconductor layer, and a protective layer over the upper metal-semiconductor compounds. The core comprises aromatic polyamides. The semiconductor elements comprise silicon particles and doped layers in top surfaces of the semiconductor elements. The bottom metal-semiconductor compounds and/or the upper metal-semiconductor compounds are self-aligned to the semiconductor elements. The upper metal-semiconductor compounds comprise transparent metal silicides. The semiconductor elements have a particle distribution, where 90 wt.% of the semiconductor elements have a particle size of 5-100 micrometers. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a method for making a photovoltaic fiber.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a schematic view of a portion of an exemplary photovoltaic fiber.    Core (104)    Bottom metal-semiconductor compounds (106)    Semiconductor layer (108)    Semiconductor elements (110)    Insulating materials (112)    Upper metal-semiconductor compounds. (114)