We demonstrate the importance of the nanocrystal surface treatment and the inorganic composition for hybrid solar cells. Mixtures of CdSe nanorods and CdSe quantum dots integrated in hybrid solar cells together with the conjugated polymer poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta[2,1-1);3,4-b']-dithiophene)-alt-4,7-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)] (PCPDTBT) perform better than nanorod and quantum dot only based devices. In addition larger sized quantum dots show a similar improvement after integration in respective solar cells. Power conversion efficiency values exceeding 3% are observed. A first result on the shelf lifetime of such a device is highlighted. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.