A technique is described depositing a new formula of indium and tin salt solutions as a precursor to form a solid transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) film on non-conductive solid substrates. The utilization of this new composition of matter prompted the discovery of a method for preparing the first top-to-bottom completely solution processed solar cell. The specific patterning of the liquid-processed ITO precursor solution and the subsequent layers of a solar cell outlined here also demonstrate a unique way to connect solution processed (as opposed to deposited using vacuum techniques) solar cells in series and in parallel. Also disclosed are related methods for zinc tin oxide (ZTO), indium oxide (IO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), cadmium tin oxide (CTO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), and zinc oxide (ZO).