Through the use of three-dimensional (3D) technology computer aided design (TCAD) numerical simulations, the authors have designed a nanorod solar cell that can solve the conflict between high light absorption and efficient carrier transport in most amorphous silicon-based thin film solar cells. This novel structure involves the use of an n-type amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) nanorod on the substrate, an a-Si:H i-layer and an a-SiC:H p-layer which are sequentially grown along the surface of each n-type a-Si:H nanorod. Sunlight is absorbed along the axial direction of the nanorods, while carrier transport is along the radial direction. The nanorod used in this study was long and therefore it could absorb a high amount of sunlight, while the solar cell was still thin enough for effective transport of photo-generated carriers. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.