A 2D grid-like (4, 4)-connected topology coordination polymer, $[Co(BTA)_2(H_2O)_2]_n$ (1), where HBTA = 2-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)acetic acid, has been synthesized by hydrothermal method and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS). X-ray diffraction analyses indicated that 1 displays octahedral metal centers with secondary building units (SBUs) [$Co(BTA)_2(H_2O)_2$] bridged by the $BTA^-$ ligands. In the crystal, the 2D supramolecular architecture is further supported by $O-H{cdots}O$, $O-H{cdots}N$, $C-H{cdots}O$ hydrogen bonds and ${pi}{cdots}{pi}$ stacking interactions. The SPS of polymer 1 indicates that there are positive response bands in the range of 300-600 nm showing photo-electric conversion properties. There are good relationships between SPS and UV-Vis spectra.