光电二极管（英语：photodiode ）是一种能够将光根据使用方式，转换成电流或者电压信号的光探测器。 常见的传统太阳能电池就是通过大面积的光电二极管来产生电能。

光电二极管与常规的半导体二极管基本相似，只是光电二极管可以直接暴露在光源附近或通过透明小窗、光导纤维封装，来允许光到达这种器件的光敏感区域来检测光信号。许多用来设计光电二极管的二极管使用了一个PIN结，而不是一般的PN结，来增加器件对信号的响应速度。光电二极管常常被设计为工作在反向偏置状态。

A photodiode is a semiconductor device that converts light into current. The current is generated when photons are absorbed in the photodiode. A small amount of current is also produced when no light is present. Photodiodes may contain optical filters, built-in lenses, and may have large or small surface areas. Photodiodes usually have a slower response time as their surface area increases. The common, traditional solar cell used to generate electric solar power is a large area photodiode.