SEMI International Standards
Standards New Activity Report Form (SNARF)
Date Prepared: 10/21/2021Revised (if Applicable):

Document Number: 6872
SNARF for: Revision to SEMI PV75-1016, Test Method on Cell Level for Potential-induced-degradation Susceptibility of Solar Cells and Module Encapsulation Materials

Originating Global Technical Committee: Photovoltaic
Originating TC Chapter: China
Task Force (TF) in which work is to be carried out: Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell 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.)
Potential-induced-degradation of shunting type, also known as PID-s, is widely considered as a severe photovoltaics reliability problem in the recent decade. According to the PVEL 2021 PV Module Reliability Scorecard report, both the median and average degradations for PID increased in 2021 Scorecard datasheet reach the highest level in PVEL’s history. Therefore, it is essential to develop the PID test methods. In module level, a technical specification for PID tests at standardized conditions for PID susceptibility test is available (IEC TS 62804-1). In addition, the technical specification for cell-level PID test (SEMI PV75-1016) introduced a less expensive test method to separately evaluate the PID susceptibility of cells and encapsulation materials.

There are several existed PID test methods in both module and cell level. The most common module PID test is conducted in the climate chamber with humidity conditions or conductive layer provided, even if it is expensive in both time and resources. In cell level, corona discharge assembly and PID test on module-like layer stacks are applied. However, relatively long test duration (around 4-24 hours) limited its promotion in industrial mass production environment.

With the variation in cell structure and the new technical development, the growing cell-level PID test demand is raised to meet this situation. Thus, it is necessary to develop the new cell-level PID test methods which is faster (in 0.5hrs) and equally accurate. CSI have been engaging in several research efforts with globally recognized universities and research organizations and developed an updated cell PID test method with intentionally introduced sodium ions. The presence of these sodium ions allows the rapid PID test, providing a feasible way to monitor the cell PID performance in mass production. For example, it become reality to perform the accelerated PID test in cell production line. In addition to cost down, this method is desirable in effective PID prediction of final application.

In order to meet the challenges in current PID test situation, it is urgent to modify the last version of cell-level PID test method. This process will also contribute to the prediction of product PID performance based on the upstream products like cells.



b. Estimate effect on industry.
2: Major effect on an industry sector - identify the relevant sector
Sector or Company Information:

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 accelerated test method, which is based on the previous SEMI PV 75-1016 standard as a supplementary and further option, with manually introduced sodium ions on cell level for potential-induced degradation susceptibility of solar cells were specified in these specifications.

2. The type of PID that is considered within this Test Method is the shunting of silicon solar cells due to high voltage stress induced leakage currents (i.e. PID-s). The other types of PID (like PID-p and PID-c) could be further evaluated based on this Test Method.

3. The Test Method is designed for silicon solar cells, having a front side emitter, a front side dielectric antireflectivelayer and front side contacts on top. For the sake of practicability and in order to minimize any border effects, solar cells tested with this Test Method must have edge lengths larger than 6 cm.

4. This Test Method is based on the fact that considered solar module designs comprise following layer stack (from top/sunny side to bottom): glass (or transparent polymer) cover sheet and solar cells. Polymeric encapsulation material is not essential and can usually be removed if only the cell PID susceptibility requires verification. The materials of the solar module back-side and their stacking order do not impact the measurement results.


b: Expected result of activity
Major revision to an existing 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:


Miscellaneous (describe below):

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3. Projected Timetable for Completion:

a: General Milestones
a. Activity Start: 12/01/2021b. 1st Draft by: 09/01/2022
c. (Optional) Informational Ballot by: d. Letter Ballot by: 12/01/2022
e. TC Chapter Approval By:12/01/2023

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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.)
EU PV Materials TC Chapter
EU PV Material Degradation Task Force

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:


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; 2021/11/3
Member Review End Date: 2021/11/16

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 GCS11/17/2021
Recorded in TC Minutes11/20/2021

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