A low-cost and novel nanostructure heterojunction, which consists of the CuInSe2 nanocrystals (NCs)/CdS quantum dots (QDs)/ZnO nanowire (NW) arrays, is fabricated for photovoltaic applications. The ZnO NW arrays with high transmittance are used as a highly efficient channel for rapid collection of the carriers to reduce the charge recombination, as well as to increase the contact area of the heterojunction. The p-type CuInSe2 NCs are synthesized by a solvothermal method and then deposited on the CdS QDs coated ZnO NW arrays by an electrophoretic deposition technique. Results indicate that such a heterojunction configuration not only has high absorption for the incident light in the visible region but also can reduce the leakage current. A photovoltaic efficiency of the heterojunction is doubled as compared with that of the CuInSe2 NCs/CdS QDs/ZnO thin film photovoltaic devices. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.