Development of low-cost quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) with intermediate efficiency is of great interests among global researchers. In this communication, we report a CdS QDSC featuring CoS counter electrode that is all prepared by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. Promising photovoltaic performance of an overall power conversion efficiency of nearly 1% is obtained in the presence of a methanol-free polysulfide electrolyte under standard 1-Sun illumination of 100 mWcm(-2). Based on the cost-effective nature of electrospinning technique and the simple SILAR preparation of both the photoelectrode and the counter electrode without any elaborate procedures, we believe such a methodology would open up new vistas for wide deployment of solar cells due to great reduction of the fabrication cost. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.