SEMI International Standards
Standards New Activity Report Form (SNARF)
Date Prepared: 05/05/2015Revised (if Applicable):

Document Number: 6073
SNARF for: New Standard: Specification for Crystalline Silicon PV Modules with Integrated Power Optimizer

Originating Global Technical Committee: Photovoltaic
Originating TC Chapter: China
Task Force (TF) in which work is to be carried out: PV Module Task Force
Note: If a new task force is needed, also submit a task force organization form (TFOF)

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1. Rationale:
a. Describe the need or problem addressed by this activity.
(Indicate the customer, what benefits they will receive, and if possible, quantify the impact on the return on investment [ROI] if the Document is implemented.)
With the increase of the photovoltaic market, the demand of customers for quality, reliability and LCOE（levelized cost of energy）of photovoltaic products is higher and higher. For household and ground photovoltaic systems, it is necessary to develop a new kind of crystalline silicon PV module due to some issues, such as limited installed area, the shade of chimney and trees, hot spots, fire failure, etc., which could lead to significant power loss of the PV system.
Crystalline silicon PV modules with integrated power optimizer could make the current of shaded cells more closely match the current of others. Therefore, the string with some shaded PV cells wouldn’t be completely bypassed, which could significantly improve the output energy of PV modules system and investment income under shaded conditions. In addition, the unique design of PV modules could eliminate reverse bias voltage to dispel hot spot effects when the modules are shaded. That’s to say, the power optimizer in PV modules will improve the current of the string with shaded PV cells to match the current of others, and the voltage of the shaded string won’t be bypassed. As a result, there is no reverse bias voltage between the ends of defective cells or the shaded string, which will eliminates the risk of hot spots in PV systems and greatly improves the reliability of the modules. The PV modules are able to raise land utilization rate and add the number of modules in series. They can also reduce the numbers of combiner boxes, power distribution cabinets, cables and other materials in photovoltaic systems which could significantly reduce LCOE. Moreover, because of the existence of PV modules, the photovoltaic system design becomes more flexible, which can reduce the mismatch loss from different orientation or different install angles of photovoltaic modules and eliminate the influence of mismatch from inappropriate classification of cells and modules. Thus the PV module greatly saves manpower and reduces inventory.
Compared with traditional PV modules, the PV modules with integrated power optimizer have many more advantages, such as increased output energy of system, reduced power loss from shading or mismatch, eliminated risk of hot spots, improved land utilization, and PV systems design flexibility. Now theses PV modules are applied by the world and the demand of the market is becoming larger and larger. Guaranteeing the quality of the PV modules will effectively promote their service and popularization, which will lead the photovoltaic industry toward a more efficient, convenient, practical, and high security system. Therefore, it is necessary to set a standard specification for crystalline silicon PV modules with integrated power optimizer to regulate the development of the photovoltaic industry.


b. Estimate effect on industry.
1: Major effect on entire industry or on multiple important industry sectors - identify the relevant sectors
Sector or Company Information: Module manufactory, PV System

c. Estimate technical difficulty of the activity.
II: Some Difficulty - Disagreements on known requirements exist but developing consensus is possible

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2. Scope:
a: Describe the technical areas to be covered or addressed by this Document development activity. For Subordinate Standards, list common concepts or criteria that the Subordinate Standard inherits from the Primary Standard, as well as differences from the Primary Standard:
This standard mainly specifies the terms and definitions, requirements, test methods, inspection rules, marking, packaging, transportation, storage, etc.
This standard applies to crystalline silicon PV modules with integrated power optimizer .
This standard mainly includes the following technology parts:
1. The structure of PV modules with integrated power optimizer: compared with traditional PV module, the PV modules have an integrated optimizer inside.
2. The requirements and test methods of reliability tests for PV modules with integrated power optimizer.
3. The requirements and test methods of electrical performance tests for PV modules with integrated power optimizer.
4. The requirements and test methods of safety tests for PV modules with integrated power optimizer.

b: Expected result of activity
New Standard or Safety Guideline (including replacement of an existing Standard or Safety Guideline)

For a new Subordinate Standard, identify the Primary Standard here:




For Standards, identify the Standard Subtype below:
Specification

Miscellaneous (describe below):

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3. Projected Timetable for Completion:

a: General Milestones
a. Activity Start: 07/29/2016b. 1st Draft by: 05/01/2017
c. (Optional) Informational Ballot by: d. Letter Ballot by: 11/01/2017
e. TC Chapter Approval By:12/01/2018

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4. Liaisons with other Global Technical Committees/TC Chapters/Subcommittees/TFs:
a. List SEMI global technical committees, TC Chapters, subcommittees, or task forces in your or other Regions/Locales that should be kept informed regarding the progress of this activity. (Refer to SEMI Standards organization charts and global technical committee charters and scopes as needed.)


b. List any planned Type I Liaisons with external nonprofit organizations (e.g., SDO) that should receive Draft Documents from Standards staff for feedback during this activity and be notified when the Letter Ballot is issued (refer to Procedure Manual § 7):


c. Intercommittee Ballots:
will be issued – identify the recipient global technical committee(s):

Identify the recipient global technical committee(s):
Photovoltaic (PV) - Materials
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5. Safety Considerations:
The resulting document is expected:
NOT to be a Safety Guideline

NOTE FOR "to be a Safety Guideline": When all safety-related information is removed from the Document, the Document is NOT technically sound and complete - Refer to Section 15.1 of the Regulations for special procedures to be followed.

NOTE FOR "NOT to be a Safety Guideline": When all safety-related information is removed from the Document, the Document is still technically sound and complete.

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6. Intellectual Property Considerations:
Note: Both a: and b: below should be checked for Revision of existing Standard(s) and Safety Guideline(s).

a. For a new Standard or Safety Guideline and for any part to be modified or added in a Revision of published Standards and Safety Guidelines:
the use of patented technology is NOT required.

If "patented technology is intended to be included in the proposed Standard(s) or Safety Guideline(s) " is selected above, then also check one:


b. For Revision, Reapproval, Reinstatement, or Withdrawal of existing Standard(s) and Safety Guideline(s):


c. The body of the Document and any Appendices, Complementary Files, Related Information sections, or Various Materials that may or may not be a part of the Document by reference:



NOTE FOR ‘the use of patented technology or the incorporation of Copyrighted Item(s) is NOT required’: If in the course of developing the Document, it is determined that the use of patented technology or Copyrighted Item(s) is necessary for the Document, the provisions of Regulations § 16 must be followed.

NOTE FOR ’will incorporate Copyrighted Item’: A copyright release letter must be obtained from the copyright owner prior to publication.

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7. Comments, Special Circumstances:
None.

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8. TC Member Review:
took place between (put dates below ) before approval at the TC Chapter Meeting, or

Member Review Start Date; 2016/6/27
Member Review End Date: 2016/7/11

NOTE FOR ‘TC Member Review’ is required by the Regulations for a period of at least two weeks
before approval of a new, or a major revision of an existing, Standard or Safety Guideline. (Refer to Regulations ¶ 8.2.1)
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9. SNARF Approval Dates:
TC Chapter or GCS07/29/2016
Recorded in TC Minutes08/15/2016

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10. SNARF Extension Dates:
TC Chapter Extension Granted on 04/26/2019
Extension Expires on07/29/2020
SNARF-Specification for Crystalline Silicon PV Modules with Integrated Power Optimizer（Trina）- 2016-8-3.doc