Accurate field-performance prediction is essential for the calculation of return-on-investment for photovoltaic projects. Leading software predicting field performance was developed for traditional technologies and markets. Yet emerging markets are projected to install over half of all solar cells by the end of this decade, with persisting interest in new technologies. In this study, we map photovoltaic system performance over the entire planet, for standard and emerging technologies, using open-source satellite data. We validate results using time-resolved field-performance data of cadmium telluride and silicon modules in temperate (Perrysburg, OH, USA) and hot-humid (Singapore) climates. Watt for watt, we find that CdTe produces up to 6% more energy than Si in tropical regions. This result emphasizes the significance of local performance evaluation to complement standard testing condition efficiencies. We extend our model to emerging materials including lead-halide perovskites and III-V thin films, and demonstrate that larger band gaps have performance advantages in hot and humid environments.

准确的现场性能预测对于光伏项目的投资回报率计算至关重要。预测现场性能的领先软件是针对传统技术和市场开发的。然而，随着对新技术的持续兴趣，预计到本世纪末，新兴市场将安装所有太阳能电池的一半以上。在这项研究中，我们使用开源卫星数据绘制了标准和新兴技术在整个星球上的光伏系统性能。我们使用时间分辨的碲化镉和硅组件在温带（美国俄亥俄州佩里斯堡）和湿热（新加坡）气候下的现场性能数据来验证结果。以瓦为单位，我们发现在热带地区，CdTe产生的能量比Si多出6％。该结果强调了本地性能评估对补充标准测试条件效率的重要性。我们将模型扩展到包括卤化钙钛矿和III-V薄膜在内的新兴材料，并证明较大的带隙在炎热和潮湿的环境中具有性能优势。