Photovoltaic panel technologies have evolved considerably over a limited period. The most popular PV panel technologies can be divided into two main groups, the first being crystalline technologies and second, thin film technologies. This investigation compares the financial performance of three different photovoltaic (PV) panel technologies, namely, monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin film copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), based on measurements from a test facility and for varying meteorological conditions. The yield measurements of the panels from the site over a two-year period are used to develop the techno-economic indicator performance, for a proposed commercial installation. Measurements of solar irradiation and temperature are incorporated into a regression model for yield sensitivity analysis, which in turn is used to investigative the sensitivity of financial performance.

It was seen that CIGS panels delivered on average 11.6% more yield when compared to monocrystalline technologies per kWp, with sustained outputs even during relatively colder periods. The improved financial performance of CIGS panels over monocrystalline panels was seen via a 24% increase in discounted return on investment, 7.8% reduction in payback period and 21% improvement in net present value. The regression model indicates that CIGS panel yields are less sensitive to lower solar irradiation and more sensitive towards higher temperatures. Overall variation of financial indicators for a range of yield outputs, is lowest for CIGS panels compared to both types of crystalline panels. CIGS panels show lower variability in financial returns particularly in conditions with higher temperatures that makes the results valid in geographical locations with higher temperatures and higher solar irradiation. The findings are useful for multiple stakeholders within the PV industry who have an interest in sub-Saharan Africa and the southern hemisphere, where such investigations are limited though solar resource is abundant.

光伏面板技术在有限的时间内已经有了长足的发展。最受欢迎的PV面板技术可分为两大类，第一类是晶体技术，第二类是薄膜技术。这项调查根据测试设施的测量结果和不同的气象条件，比较了三种不同的光伏（PV）面板技术的财务性能，即单晶，多晶和薄膜铜铟镓硒（CIGS）。对于拟议的商业安装，将在两年的时间内对现场面板的产量进行测量，以开发技术经济指标的性能。太阳辐射和温度的测量值被纳入回归模型中以进行产量敏感性分析，

可以看出，与单晶技术/ kWp相比，CIGS面板的平均产量要高出11.6％，即使在相对寒冷的时期也能保持稳定的产量。通过折现投资收益增加24％，投资回收期减少7.8％和净现值增加21％，可以看出CIGS板优于单晶板的财务绩效。回归模型表明，CIGS面板产量对较低的太阳辐射较不敏感，而对较高的温度较敏感。与两种类型的结晶板相比，CIGS板在一系列产量方面的财务指标总体变化最低。CIGS面板显示出较低的财务收益波动性，尤其是在温度较高的条件下，这使得结果在温度较高和太阳辐射较高的地理位置有效。该发现对光伏产业内对撒哈拉以南非洲和南半球有兴趣的多个利益相关者很有用，尽管太阳能资源丰富，但在南撒哈拉这些地方的调查有限。