Over the past two decades, dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) research continues to gain momentum since its low-cost and environmental sustainability provides a good foundation for practical applications. Recently, CNTs have been introduced into DSSCs to take advantage of their lower electrical resistance, flexibility, excellent electrocatalytic activity and mechanical integrity. This paper introduces the principle of carbon-based solar energy conversion and reviews different types of solar cells using incorporated CNTs as electrode materials. This article also reports on CNTs' outstanding electrocatalytic functions in enhancing wire-shaped solar cells' photo-energy conversion. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.