Micro-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), oxygen vacancies, synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy, magnetizations, optical band gaps, and photovoltaic (PV) effects have been studied in (Bi 1 -x La x )FeO 3 (BFO100xL) ceramics for x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15. XRD, Raman spectra, and TEM confirm a rhombohedral R3c symmetry with the tilted FeO 6 oxygen octahedra in all compounds. The low-frequency Raman vibrations become broader and shift toward higher frequency as La 3+ increases. Fe K-edge synchrotron X-ray absorptions reveal that Fe