Photoelectrochemistry is attracting extensive attention from scientists worldwide for its use in converting light energy into electricity in electrochemical photovoltaic cells, the most common form of which, dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), can offer both flexibility and transparency. Their efficiencies are now comparable with amorphous silicon solar cells but at a much lower cost. This review covers not only the fundamentals of electrochemical photovoltaic cell operation but also recent advances in research and development for industrial applications. The most recent research topics relating to DSSCs, for example, applications of nanostructured n-type semiconducting electrodes, ionic liquid electrolytes and graphene and carbon nanotube electrodes are all included. In addition, the storage of electrochemical energy by electrochemical photovoltaic cells has also been reviewed. (C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry