TiO₂ mesoporous nanoparticles (NPs) doped with yttrium (Y) ions are fabricated via an environmentally friendly and facile solvothermal method to serve as a photoanode for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and N₂ adsorption–desorption tests are used to characterize the influence of yttrium dopant on the properties of TiO₂ NPs. The prepared Y-doped TiO₂ NPs show the anatase phase and exhibit Ti–O–Y bonds. The photovoltaic performance is primarily associated with the morphological parameters of the NPs. At the optimum Y concentration of 3 at%, the short circuit current density increased from 13.20 to 15.74 mA cm⁻², full sun solar power conversion efficiencies increased from 6.09% up to 7.61% as compared to the blank DSSC.