Vertically aligned ZnO/CdTe/CdS nanocable arrays-on-ITO substrate were prepared as photoanodes for solar cells via successive ion adsorption and reaction of CdS on ZnO/CdTe nanocable arrays pre-synthesized by electrochemical deposition of CdTe on ZnO nanowire arrays. Dense ZnO/CdTe and CdTe/CdS interfaces were formed in ZnO/CdTe/CdS nanocables through transmission electron microscope analysis. Based on the photovoltaic properties, the thickness for both CdTe and CdS shells were optimized to similar to 10 nm. Together with the high absorption over the visible light region and the good crystal quality as revealed, a photocurrent density of similar to 12.4 mA/cm(2) has been obtained for the ZnO/CdTe/CdS nanocable arrays photoanode under the irradiation of AM 1.5G simulated sunlight. Copyright (C) 2013, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.