The ordered ZnO cavity-like nanopatterns were fabricated through the versatile nanosphere lithography (NSL) technique combined with the hydrothermal growth. Nanostructured Cu2O/ZnO heterojunction solar cell was fabricated by the electrodeposition of Cu2O into the ordered ZnO cavity-like nanopatterns. The formation of intercrossed interface between Cu2O and ZnO could increase the p-n heterojunction area effectively compared to the planar structure. The most efficient cavity-like cell showed a highest PCE of 0.51% with a V-oc of 0.24 V, a J(sc) of 6.33 mA cm(-2), and a FF of 34.5. Significant increase in J(sc) and PCE observed in the cavity-like cell was due to the increased p-n heterojunction area and then the enhanced charge carriers collection ability. Our results sheded light on a simple and economic approach to fabricate electrodeposited nanostructural Cu2O/ZnO solar cells with a high efficiency. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.