Organic solar cell devices were fabricated using poly[9-(1-octylnonyl)-9H-carbazole-2.7-diyl]-2.5-thiophenediyl-2.1.3- benzothiadiazole-4.7-diyl-2.5-thiophenediyl] PCDTBT/ [6,6]-phenyl C 71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) active layer deposited by spin coating. Moreover, the relationship between solar cell performance and buffer layer thickness was investigated by spin coating speed and AFM imaging of the buffer layer surface. The performance of the organic solar cell with spin-coated active layer was then evaluated, and the power conversion efficiency of the solar cell was determined to be > 5%. © 2012 KIEEME. All rights reserved.