Near-infrared (NIR) downconversion (DC) has been observed in a Dy3+-doped GdVO4 phosphor, where one ultraviolet-blue photon can be split efficiently into two NIR photons. Underlying mechanism for the process of NIR-DC is analyzed in terms of absorption spectrum, static and dynamic photoemission and monitored excitation spectra. Internal quantum efficiency is obtained up to 111% on the basis of experimental and theoretical calculation results. This enables the phosphor promising in significant enhancement of spectral response of silicon solar cells, particularly in the range of 200-500 nm. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.