Incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with the semiconductors for their use as photoelectrode for efficient solar generation of hydrogen in photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell via splitting of water is a very recent and scorching topic of research. This review presents various perspective, challenges and comprehensive assessment of the worldwide research on the use of CNT-semiconductor hybrids in PEC cell. Different types of CNT based PEC systems investigated so far, methods of synthesis of CNT modified semiconducting photoelectrodes, their tailored properties beneficial for efficient production of hydrogen via PEC splitting of water along with critical analysis on the effectiveness of modified electrodes over unmodified have been presented in this review article. (C)2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.