Thin films of cadmium selenide were prepared by thermal evaporation. The films were grown at different substrate temperatures ranging from room temperature to 300 degrees C. All the films were grown under similar conditions (i.e., the chamber pressure and source current were held constant). The films were characterized optically, electrically, and structurally. The result of optical and electrical investigation shows that these films are suitable for solar cell applications. The conductivity of the film increases with the increase in substrate temperature, hence increase in grain size. These films possess low value of resistivity, and band gap lies in the range that is suitable for the said purpose.