In November of 2020, eight world-leading photovoltaic brands, including Trina Solar, Zhonghuan Semiconductor and Risen Energy, joined together to promote the standardization of 210mm silicon wafer modules in the photovoltaic industry. By May, the 210-standardization process achieved significant results, streamlining the PV industrial supply chain and increasing system value.
Major players achieve agreement on 210 module standardization.
On May 26, 2021, the China Photovoltaic Industry Association organized an online seminar on the standardization of module sizes. Fifty experts and representatives of module manufacturers, developers, system solution providers and third-party organizations, including Trina Solar, Risen Energy, Canadian Solar, Tongwei and TÜV SÜD, agreed on the overall dimensions of modules and technical specifications of mounting holes. Technical details such as cell spacing and design reference standards were also part of a new group standard, achieving technical uniformity among 210 module manufacturers, end users and system solution providers.
For 110 half cells (55 whole cells), the length is determined as 2384±2mm, the width as 1096±2mm, and the positions of the mounting holes in the long side are put at 400/1400±1mm. Following is a breakdown of the dimensions of the three 210 products:
|
Cell type |
Module type |
Number of cells |
Module length [mm] |
Module width [mm] |
Mounting hole distance in long side [mm] |
|
Half cell |
Single-glass, framed/ dual-glass, framed |
110 |
2384±2 |
1096±2 |
400/1400±1 |
|
120 |
2172±2 |
1303±2 |
400/1400±1 |
||
|
132 |
2384±2 |
1303±2 |
400/1400±1 |
In addition, all 210 module manufacturers will design products in accordance with the latest international standard IEC/UL 61730.
Module standardization benefits the solar industry and maximizes IRR of utility solar projects.
Increasing module power and reducing power generation costs has become a central goal in the PV space. Standardization of the 210 module will directly benefit the solar industry, EPCs and project developers.
Uniformity in the 210mm wafer, cell and module size will create greater supply chain efficiency, contributing to optimization of scale for PV manufacturing and resulting in lower BOS costs for solar projects. In addition, standardization efforts will accelerate industrial technical innovation, reducing manufacturing costs for the industry chain, initial investment of PV systems and LCOE, and ensuring IRR.
The new module standard is expected to be officially released in October by the China Photovoltaic Industry Association.