Abstract We study the performance of PCPDTBT : C₇₁-PCBM organic photovoltaics (OPVs) for three hole transporting layers (HTL); PEDOT : PSS, nickel oxide (NiO) and molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃). We show that devices fabricated with nickel oxide HTL demonstrate the highest power conversion efficiency and theoretical data using a transfer matrix model confirms that this is as a result of increased absorption in the active layer as well as a result of improved series resistance and improved matching of energy levels. Device degradation is studied and lifetime is highest for the NiO and MoO₃ based devices, proving that OPVs with this material system are less sensitive to the environmental effects of water, oxygen and irradiance.