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<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Wrenches,</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>If you are anything like me, you've spent a
big part of your PV career being P*#%ed Off at manufacturers for the arcane
content and format of their Datasheets. They have refused to agree on a standard
set of info, and order of presentation. I understand how the simple-minded
marketing peeps want it that way...The harder it is for the user to actually
compare products on their primary merits, the less likely it is that they will
do it. </SPAN><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>I also understand that translation
into Plain English and US Wrench Culture is difficult, but there aren't that
many "r"s in "<EM>PV Module</EM>".</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>I'd like to toss out some thoughts and
solicit feedback on the topic. <SPAN class=875161217-08052009>Some of you
have heard this from me for years now. Here's the 2009
Version.</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009></SPAN><SPAN
class=203075614-08052009>General thoughts:</SPAN></DIV>
<UL>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>The data should be complete and clearly
visible on the Datasheet... You shouldn't have to dig through the fluffy crap
on the front of the sheet to find technical details. Front of sheet = {Pretty
Pictures}. Back of sheet = Stuff I need to select your module and design an
entire system with.</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009></SPAN><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>All
relevant "Model Numbers" should be clearly identified. When there are
variations of a model, say for instance different connectors, it only makes
sense to include all variations on a single sheet.</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009></SPAN><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>They
should all abide by IEC 61836 conventions for Symbols (Voc, Vpmax, Isc,
Ipmax, etc). </SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Max System Voltage</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Series Fuse Rating</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Bypass Diode</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Cell Type / Technology <EM>(Also need to
standardize these symbols)</EM></SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>For US modules, dimensions should be in
inches and weight should be in pounds. Metric values can be in parentheses
AFTER the inches & pounds, of course. Sorry Canada.</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Dimensions should follow LxWxH
convention</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Temperature coefficients should be stated
for Voltage (Voc & Vpmax), Current (Isc & Ipmax), and Power.
</SPAN><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>They should all use a single convention,
vis a vis a hard coefficient or percentage, but not a mix. My vote is that the
standard convention be percentage. I imagine a couple of you engineers will
disagree, but you're wrong. ;-)</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Power tolerance should be stated.</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Module lead data, if applicable. Gauge,
Type, Length, Connector Type and Model.</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>For J-Box equipped modules, Qty &
size of KO's in J-Box.</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Static Wind or Snow Load should be
stated.</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>All certifications should be stated</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Min/Max Temp</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Shipping info. Pallet dims, weight, qty.
Single module shipping weight & dims.</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Approved Equipment Grounding data. Size
& Qty of attachment points, Whether or not hardware is included.</SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Warranty.</SPAN><SPAN
class=203075614-08052009>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Clear, dimensioned drawings. Include
Section. <EM>(Inches first, please)</EM></SPAN>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Grounding attachment points shown on
drawing(s).</SPAN>
<LI>There should be a standard convention for order of data presentation...
i.e. Pmax, Voc, Vpmax, Isc, Ipmax, Max System Voltage... We can sort out what
that should be, but it should be the same for everybody.</SPAN><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> </FONT>
<LI><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>In this day and age, it's ludicrous that we
don't have a central, publicly accessible online database of this data. I
believe it should be funded by module mfrs and administered by a non-partisan,
respected organization... Hey NABCEP! Anybody who wants to talk more about
achieving this, please let me know.</SPAN></LI></UL>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>I would like to send a shout-out to Sanyo
for their recent HIT-Power datasheets. They don't comply with every item I
mention above, but they are well presented and thorough. Like, everything I
need to know in order to select and design with this module is here and I can
read it and, frankly, I trust it. Can't say the latter about every product
out there. <EM>"Oh. Did we forget to point out that +/- 10% means -10% but
that's just the power characteristic, so your effective Pt-minus is really more
like -12%?" </EM></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009></SPAN><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>In
addition to being a top quality product, I believe Sanyo has
set a good starting-point example for others to model their
datasheets after. Oh my, what a lesson building an Ark can be!</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009><SPAN
class=875161217-08052009></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009><SPAN class=875161217-08052009>Here's a link
to an example: <A
href="http://us.sanyo.com/dynamic/product/Downloads/HIT%20Power%20215N-12887676.pdf">http://us.sanyo.com/dynamic/product/Downloads/HIT%20Power%20215N-12887676.pdf</A> <EM>(Just
over 1MB so I couldn't attach)</EM> For the purists on the list,
I'M</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN class=203075614-08052009> NOT ADVERTISING<SPAN
class=875161217-08052009> so don't bug Michael with comments to that effect. If
you feel the need to vent, send it to
me directly.</SPAN> </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>Check it out for yourselves. Compare it to
what you're used to using. What's good about each? What could be better? How do
we drive this message home to Mfrs? </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>All comments welcome. On or
off-list.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009>-Matt Lafferty<SPAN
class=875161217-08052009>; </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
class=203075614-08052009>Janitor</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=203075614-08052009></SPAN> </DIV></FONT></DIV>
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