Currently, the pursuit of low-cost, simple preparation, high efficiency and stability is still the main goal of researchers to develop the third generation of solar cells, which usually includes QDSSCs, DSSCs, PSCs and OSCs. Polyoxometalates (POMs) are a class of inorganic anionic metallic oxygen cluster compounds with abundant charge, skeleton structure, and excellent physical and chemical properties, such as strong electron acceptability, adjustable energy band structure, and reversible multi-electron redox properties, inexpensive and environmental friendliness. Therefore, numerous superior properties of POMs make them become building blocks for the preparation of other nanomaterials. Simultaneously, making full use of the extraordinary characteristics of POMs to reduce cost and improve the efficiency and stability of solar cells is an effective means to solve the current energy crisis. In this review, we summarize the research progress of various POMs molecules and their derived POMs-based nanomaterials in enhancing the performance of QDSSCs, DSSCs, PSCs and OSCs, meanwhile, the great development prospect of POMs in the field of photovoltaic devices in the future is forecasted.