The conventional zirconium based yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte has been synthesized from aqueous solution by cost effective air atomized spray pyrolysis technique (SPT). The films show well developed dense, nanocrystalline material. The thermal analysis of zirconyl nitrate reveals the possibility of crystalline YSZ film formation only above 400 ^◦C, which is confirmed from the XRD pattern. The activation energy of 1.14 eV clarifies its conductivity behavior, verified from DC and AC conductivity measurements.