Improved chalcogenide solutions are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming an aqueous selenium-containing solution is provided. The method includes the following step. Water, ammonium hydroxide, elemental selenium, and elemental aluminum are contacted under conditions sufficient to form the aqueous selenium-containing solution. The conditions may include sonication for a period of time of from about 1 minute to about 10 minutes and/or stirring for a period of time of from about 10 minutes to about 72 hours at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 25° C. A method of fabricating a photovoltaic device is also provided.