A photoelectric conversion apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a photoelectric conversion portion including a first region of a first conductivity type arranged on the side of a front surface of a substrate, a floating diffusion of the first conductivity type to which charges generated in the photoelectric conversion portion are transferred, and a charge transfer portion arranged between the photoelectric conversion portion and the floating diffusion, a transfer gate electrode arranged on the charge transfer portion and a potential control electrode arranged on the photoelectric conversion portion to control a potential in the first region. The potential control electrode is arranged spaced apart from the transfer gate electrode, and a voltage set in a direction in which the potential will increase with respect to the charges is applied to the potential control electrode when charges are to be transferred.