Perovskite hybrid solar cells utilize a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) active layer that is formed as a composite of an organometal halide perovskite and a water soluble fullerene, such as A10C60. In alternative embodiments, the BHJ active layer may be formed as a composite of an organometal halide perovskite material and a fullerene, such as PC61BM. Thus, the fullerene acts as an electron extraction acceptor within the BHJ, allowing such solar cells to more efficiently transport the electrons from the fullerene/perovskite interface to a fullerene-based electron transport layer (ETL). As a result, increased fill factor (FF), as well as improvements in the short-circuit current density (JSC) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) are achieved by the solar cells.