SEMI International Standards
Standards New Activity Report Form (SNARF)
Date Prepared: 08/09/2019Revised (if Applicable): 11/01/2021

Document Number: 6610
SNARF for: Revision to SEMI PV86-1018, 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.)
We raised standardizing item of module dimensions in 2016. SEMI PV86-1018 Specification for Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Module Dimensions was officially published in 2018. These specifications only applied to crystalline silicon PV modules with 60 and 72 solar cells (system voltage ≤1500V, recommend solar cell size with 156.75mmą0.25mm). The creepage distances of these modules meet the requirement of pollution level 1 or pollution level 2 material items in IEC 61730-1. Except the double-glass and bifacial modules.

As the development of PV technology, the wafer sizes are changing as well as the module dimensions. The institution of IEC TC82 WG8 held a meeting in Shanghai on June 3d, 2019. The standard wafer sizes drafts were discussed, three wafer sizes were clarified for now, they are 156.75.mm, 158.75mm and 166mm. We investigated the module dimensions in the PV industry under this situation. Many companies which are in the lead position of the global PV module shipment ranking attended this investigation this time, such as Jinko, JA, LONGi, GCL, Trina, Yingli, Hanwha Qcell, Chint, CSI and so on. The investigation contents cover all the module dimensions for now and the module dimensions which are about to develop in the next two years.

According to this investigation, the module dimensions changed as the wafer size changed, the module technologies development brought more types of modules, for example, half-cell module, bi-facial module, double-glass module, and so on. Therefore it is urgent to modify the last version of module dimension specifications and normalize the dimensions and mounting positions of Mainstream type modules.

The standardizing of module dimensions and mounting positions not only can reduce the management cost by reducing the types of glasses, back-sheets, frames, and so on, but also can reduce the EPC cost by reducing the terminal customers’ holders. Up stream and down stream firms could exchange and share for each others based on these specifications. The terminal module users’ cost will be reduced and the PV modules will be more used and developed. These specifications will promote the PV industry to develop healthily and orderly.


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: PV industry

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:
1．The dimensions and mounting hole positions and sizes of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Module used on earth surface ("modules" for short in the rest parts) were specified in these specifications.
2. This specification applies to crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules with 156.75 mmą0.25 mm/158.75 mmą0.25 mm/166 mmą0.25 mm/182 mmą0.25 mm/210 mmą0.25 mm (including whole battery and half battery). The creep age distances of these modules meet the requirement of pollution level 1 or pollution level 2 material items in IEC 61730-1.
3. This specification includes the dimensions in length, width, height of the PV module, the locations and the sizes of the mounting holes, and other technical specifications.


b: Expected result of activity
Removal of a Standard or Safety Guideline

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


Modification of an existing part of Standard(s) or Safety Guideline(s) including Appendices, Complementary Files, and Supplementary Materials

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: 08/01/2019b. 1st Draft by: 08/01/2020
c. (Optional) Informational Ballot by: 11/01/2020d. Letter Ballot by: 03/01/2022
e. TC Chapter Approval By:12/01/2022

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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 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:
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:


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:



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; 2019/9/30
Member Review End Date: 2019/10/15

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 ķ 8.2.1)
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9. SNARF Approval Dates:
TC Chapter or GCS10/25/2019
Recorded in TC Minutes11/19/2019

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