SEMI International Standards
Standards New Activity Report Form (SNARF)
Date Prepared: 01/14/2016Revised (if Applicable):

Document Number: 5982
SNARF for: New Standard: Specification for Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Module Dimensions

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 growth of the photovoltaic market, customers place more and more requirements on high-quality, high-reliability, and low-cost photovoltaic modules. It is a necessary trend for module manufacturers to develop modules with high reliability, high power output, low energy consumption, easy installation, low EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) cost, and standardization.
The most commonly used modules are with 60 and 72 6-inch cells, but different manufacturers have different designs on dimensions and mounting holes, which lead to many kinds of mounting systems. Different module dimensions cause increased cost, not only in components (glass, backsheet) and module manufacturers, but also in the EPC field. Therefore, a specification for standardized PV module dimensions is helpful to the PV industry.
Standardizing the module dimensions can help to optimize material consumption, streamline supply chains, reduce the number of product types and accordingly ease logistic and inventory issues, to finally lower the leveraged cost of electricity (LCOE) for photovoltaic power plants.



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.
IV: Extremely Difficult - Expertise and resources are scarce and/or achieving consensus is very difficult

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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 specification defines the dimensions of photovoltaic modules with 60 and 72 6-inch cells, including mounting holes locations and sizes.
This specification applies to all photovoltaic modules with 60 and 72 6-inch cells, except for glass/glass types.
This specification includes the dimensions in length, width, and height of the PV module, the locations and the sizes of the mounting holes, and other technical specifications.


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: 01/01/2016b. 1st Draft by: 09/01/2016
c. (Optional) Informational Ballot by: 12/01/2016d. Letter Ballot by: 06/01/2017
e. TC Chapter Approval By:12/01/2017

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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.)
None

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 not be issued

Identify the recipient global technical committee(s):

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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:
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):
there is no known material patented technology necessary to use or implement the 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:
will NOT include reproduced copyrighted material



NOTE FORthe 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 FORwill 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; : 02/16/2016
Member Review End Date: 02/29/2016

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 GCS03/15/2016
Recorded in TC Minutes01/04/2016

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10. SNARF Extension Dates:
TC Chapter Extension Granted on
Extension Expires on