Cu 2 S has been regarded as a promising solar energy conversion material because of its favorable visible light absorption and earth abundance. Here, we present an indirect preparation method via a solution-processed ion exchange reaction to synthesize stoichiometric Cu 2 S films with high photoactivity. In addition, we developed a chemical bath deposition method to fabricate CdS buffer layers on Cu 2 S by adding a reducing agent in the precursor solution, avoiding oxidation of Cu 2 S. After being coated with the TiO 2 protection layer and the RuO x hydrogen evolution catalyst, the Cu 2 S photoelectrode delivers a photocurrent density of 7.0 mA cm −2 at −0.3 V vs RHE and an onset potential of 0.48 V vs RHE under AM 1.5G simulated sunlight illumination for solar driven water reduction. To our knowledge, this is the first time that Cu 2 S has been used for solar hydrogen evolution with encouraging performance, which will stimulate further studies on Cu-based photocathodes.