Microbial fuel cells and biophotovoltaic systems (BPVs) are similar in that they use an anode and oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria to produce an extracellular electrical current that is triggered by light. Throughout the past few decades, advancements in wiring schemes and multiple generations of electrode development have contributed to a significant advancement in the study and application of BPVs. There have been reports of power densities as high as 0.5 W m−2, which can power small electrical devices like digital clocks. The biophotoelectrochemical phenomena can now be further utilized to answer biological concerns about the organisms thanks to advancements in standardization. With an emphasis on biological materials, electrode design, and interfacial wiring concerns, we hope to give biologists and electrochemists a comprehensive overview of the evolution of BPVs and suggest future directions for the area.