Unlike conventional solar cells, novel polymeric photovoltaic devices have flexibility, large area processibility and potential low costs. We have constructed devices consisting of a composite of CdSe nanocrystals and poly(3-hexylthiophene). The resulting monochromatic power conversion efficiency is 0.7 %. Since the efficiency in these devices is limited by poor electron transport, we seek to improve the mobility of electrons in the CdSe with nanorods in place of nanocrystals. Devices fabricated with small aspect ratio CdSe nanorods and poly(3-hexythiophene) have enhanced conversion efficiencies up to 2 %. To further increase device efficiencies, soluble nanorods of CdSe were synthesized with aspect ratios reaching 20:1 by controlling the kinetics of nanocrystal growth in lyothermal solutions.