SrTiO3:Rh/Ta powder was prepared by spray pyrolysis from polymeric precursors containing citric acid and ethylene glycol. Co-doping Ta into SrTiO3:Rh increased the presence of Rh3+ in the host material. The retention of balanced charges by the substitution of two Ti4+ ions in the host material by one ion each of Rh3+ and Ta5+ enhanced hydrogen evolution from aqueous methanol solution under visible light irradiation (lambda > 415 nm) by 3.5 times (to 531 mu mol h(-1)) and reduced the induction period by 50% (to 1 h), when compared with SrTiO3:Rh. Thorough mixing of the multi-component spray pyrolysis precursor solution resulted in highly dispersed Rh ions and porous photocatalyst particles, which showed enhanced hydrogen evolution rate. Copyright (C) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.