Photovoltaic fibers and methods of making photovoltaic fibers are provided. The photovoltaic fiber contains a core, bottom metal-semiconductor compounds over the core, a semiconductor layer comprising semiconductor elements and insulating materials over the bottom metal-semiconductor compounds, and upper metal-semiconductor compounds over the semiconductor layer. The photovoltaic fiber can be weavable. Fabrics including the photovoltaic fibers can be utilized in any suitable application or photovoltaic collector.