A novel structure of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) with integrated photoanode was first reported in this paper. Titanium threads and titanium sheet were first used in this novel structure in place of traditional glass substrate, thus reducing the series resistance of the substrates. An open-circuit voltage of 668 mV, a short circuit current density of 12.0 mA/cm(2) and a light to electricity conversion efficiency of 5.59% for the novel structure of DSSC were obtained. The results showed this type of novel structure of DSSC is a possible approach to commercialization in the future. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.