EN 50461:2006

Solar cells - Datasheet information and product data for crystalline silicon solar cells

This European Standard describes data sheet and product data information for crystalline silicon solar cells. The intent of this standard is to provide minimum information required to configure safe and optimal photovoltaic modules. In this context, data sheet information is a technical description separate from the photovoltaic module. Product data information concerns the packaging, marking, storage and containing a commitment to inform about major changes on product and on process. These data are needed for further processing of solar cells to photovoltaic modules.

Solarzellen - Datenblattangaben und Angaben zum Produkt für kristalline Silicium-Solarzellen

Diese Europäische Norm beschreibt die Datenblattangaben und Angaben zum Produkt für kristalline Silicium Solarzellen. Sie stellt ein Minimum an Informationen unter der Maßgabe bereit, um eine optimale Weiterverarbeitung zu sicheren Photovoltaik-Modulen zu ermöglichen. Dabei ist unter dem Datenblatt eine technische Beschreibung der Solarzelle mit allen wesentlichen Kenngrößen zu verstehen. Die Angaben zum Produkt betreffen die Verpackung, Kennzeichnung, Lagerung und beinhalten eine Verpflichtung zur Mitteilung von wesentlichen Änderungen am Produkt und am Prozess. Diese Angaben werden zur Weiterverarbeitung der Solarzellen zu Photovoltaik-Modulen benötigt.

Cellules solaires - Spécifications particulières et données de produit pour les cellules solaires en silicium cristallin

La présente Norme Européenne décrit les fiches techniques et les informations de données produits pour les cellules solaires en silicium cristallin. L’objet de cette norme est de fournir des informations minimales exigées pour configurer des modules photovoltaïques sûrs et optimaux. Dans ce contexte, les informations des fiches techniques correspondent à une description technique séparée du module photovoltaïque. Les informations de données produits concernent l’encapsulation, le marquage, le stockage et comprennent un engagement à fournir des informations sur les modifications principales apportées au produit et au processus. Ces données sont nécessaires pour le traitement ultérieur des cellules solaires pour modules photovoltaïques.

Sončne celice – Tehnični podatki in podatki o izdelku za sončne celice iz kristalnega silicija

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Aug-2006
• Withdrawal Date: 31-Jan-2009
• ICS: 27.160 - Solar energy engineering
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 82 - Solar photovoltaic energy systems
• Drafting Committee: IEC/TC 82 - IEC_TC_82
• Parallel Committee: IEC/TC 82 - IEC_TC_82
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 25-Jun-2025
• Completion Date: 23-Sep-2025
• Mandate: M/089 - Solar Photovoltaic energy systems and components
• Ref Project: SIST EN 50461:2006 - Solar cells - Datasheet information and product data for crystalline silicon solar cells

Overview

EN 50461:2006 specifies the minimum datasheet information and product data required for crystalline silicon solar cells. Its purpose is to ensure manufacturers provide clear technical and product-handling information - separate from the finished photovoltaic module - so downstream processors can configure safe, reliable and optimal photovoltaic modules. The standard covers certificate requirements, materials, process characteristics, electrical and thermal data, and rules for packaging, marking and storage.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Certificates: Include material test reports, conformity certificates, certified electrical measurement records and quality management certificates.
• Materials & condition: Wafer specification, colour (DIN 6174 or equivalent), antireflective coatings and metallization details; adhesive strength tests (tape test per IEC 60326-2 Test 13a).
• Process characteristics:
  • Solderability: Inspect per EN 60068-2-44; minimum peel strength 1 N/mm solder tab width; manufacturer to specify solder conditions.
  • Breaking strength: Defined in-process requirement for handling and assembly.
• Dimensions: Nominal dimensions with tolerances for cell area, thickness and busbar width; full technical drawing at 25 °C ±2 °C.
• Electrical characteristics: Measured at standard test conditions (STC) and specified at 1000 W/m², 800 W/m² and 200 W/m², 25 ±2 °C, AM1.5 (per EN 60904-3). Required values: VOC, ISC, VMPP, IMPP, fill factor, power at MPP and efficiency - all with measurement tolerances (measurements per EN 60904-1).
• Thermal characteristics: Temperature coefficients for ISC (α), VOC (β) and Pmax (δ) with units and reference methods (EN 61215).
• Packaging, marking and storage: Packing unit, package type, marking of smallest unit (type designation, lot number, quantity), stackability, ambient storage conditions and maximum storage time.
• Change notification: Commitment to inform customers about major product/process changes (as defined in EN 61215).

Applications and Users

Who benefits:

• Solar cell manufacturers - to create compliant datasheets and ensure traceability.
• PV module assemblers and manufacturers - to select, sort and handle cells safely during lamination and soldering.
• Test laboratories and QC teams - to validate electrical, thermal and solderability data against referenced EN/IEC test methods.
• PV system designers, procurement and integrators - to assess cell compatibility, performance and storage requirements for module design and supply chain decisions.

Practical benefits include consistent product data for module configuration, improved safety and solder reliability, accurate performance sorting, and clearer supply-chain communication.

Related Standards

• EN 60904-1, EN 60904-3 (photovoltaic I–V measurement and reference spectra)
• EN 61215 (module design qualification)
• EN 60068-2-44 (solderability test)
• EN 61189 series (electrical interconnection test methods)

Keywords: EN 50461, datasheet information, product data, crystalline silicon solar cells, photovoltaic modules, electrical characteristics, thermal coefficients, packaging, marking, storage.

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EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 50461
NORME EUROPÉENNE
August 2006
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 27.160
English version
Solar cells -
Datasheet information and product data
for crystalline silicon solar cells

Cellules solaires -  Solarzellen -
Spécifications particulières et données Datenblattangaben und Angaben zum
de produit pour les cellules solaires en Produkt für kristalline Silizium-Solarzellen
silicium cristallin
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2006-02-01. CENELEC members are bound to comply
with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard
the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified
to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels

© 2006 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 50461:2006 E
Foreword
This European Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee CENELEC TC 82, Solar
photovoltaic energy systems. The text of the draft was submitted to the Unique Acceptance Procedure
and was approved by CENELEC as EN 50461 on 2006-02-01.
The following dates were fixed:
– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
national standard or by endorsement (dop) 2007-03-01
– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
with the EN have to be withdrawn (dow) 2009-02-01
__________
- 3 - EN 50461:2006
Contents
1 Scope.4
2 Normative references.4
3 Data sheet information .4
3.1 Certificates .4
3.2 Applicable materials and their condition .5
3.3 Process characteristic.5
3.3.1 Solder connection.5
3.3.2 Breaking strength (in work).5
3.4 Size .5
3.5 Electrical characteristics.5
3.6 Thermal characteristics.6
4 Packaging, marking and storage.6
4.1 Packaging .6
4.2 Marking.6
4.3 Storage.6
5 Major changes of product and of processes .6
Bibliography.7

1 Scope
This European Standard describes data sheet and product data information for crystalline silicon solar
cells.
The intent of this standard is to provide minimum information required to configure safe and optimal
photovoltaic modules.
In this context, data sheet information is a technical description separate from the photovoltaic
module.
Product data information concerns the packaging, marking, storage and containing a commitment to
inform about maj
...