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Keeping track of field performance and degradation rate of photovoltaic panels in regions with diverse environmental exposures is critical. The objective of this paper is to determine two and half year performance characteristics and degradation rate of poly-crystalline and heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer roof-top photovoltaic units under prevailing weather conditions in the Central Anatolia region. Degradation rates of the photovoltaic units were determined through analysing the effective peak power, and the temperature corrected performance ratio of each technology. Processing of the measured data covering the test period reveals that the thin film technology offers lower degradation rate with nearly −0.1% than the poly-crystalline based technology within the range of −0.67% to −0.83%, respectively. The study allows a better understanding of variations in performance and behaviour of the output power of poly-crystalline and heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer roof-top photovoltaic units after 2.5 years of outdoor exposure. • Degradation analysis of crystalline PV modules in Turkey is performed. • The p-Si modules demonstrated higher degradation rate. • The HiT modules are distinguished as the well-suited technology for the region. • The assessment procedure seems convenient as performance ratios are corrected. • Findings are beneficial in contemplating climate specific degradation mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]