Photovoltaic AC/DC generators

1. Scope and Applicability

This PCR guides factory-gate foreground data packages for finished photovoltaic generators that are sold as one product and convert solar radiation into direct-current electricity or into alternating-current electricity through electronics incorporated in the sold product. The covered product may be a framed or unframed photovoltaic module, a generator assembled from one or more modules, or module-integrated equipment, provided that its exact architecture and included components are declared.

The category is intentionally technology-neutral. Crystalline-silicon, thin-film and other commercially deployed photovoltaic conversion technologies may use this PCR, but one technology dataset must not be presented as a generic category average without a documented mixing model. A DC product contains the photovoltaic conversion assembly and integral connection hardware needed for its declared DC output. An AC product additionally contains the inverter or other power-conversion electronics sold as part of the same generator. A separately sold photovoltaic cell, wafer, inverter, battery, mounting structure, cable set or other balance-of-system component is not the reference product. An installed photovoltaic power station, construction service, electricity-generation process, electricity flow, use-phase service and end-of-life treatment are outside this factory-gate data package.

The foreground boundary begins when declared photovoltaic cells, modules or laminates, carrier and connection materials, electrical/electronic components, process aids, utilities and packaging are accepted by the reporting manufacturing facility. It ends when one conforming, tested and packaged photovoltaic generator is released at the factory gate. Purchased inputs require upstream datasets. A producer that begins with semiconductor feedstocks rather than purchased cells or modules must include the additional ingot, wafer, cell or thin-film deposition processes in separate foreground unit processes and disclose that extended route.

2. Product Category Identity

Field	Value
canonical_pcr_id	pcr.metal-products-machinery-and-equipment.electrical-machinery-and-apparatus.photovoltaic-ac-dc-generators
classification_refs	CPC 3.0: 46113, Photovoltaic AC/DC generators (exact semantic reference; acceptance in the shared mapping is outside this PCR record)
covered_products	Finished factory-gate photovoltaic DC generators and finished photovoltaic AC generators whose inverter or power-conversion electronics are incorporated in the product sold as one item; framed modules, laminates and module-integrated equipment are covered when the exact architecture is declared
excluded_products	Separate cells and wafers; separately sold inverters, optimisers, batteries, mounting systems, cabling and other balance-of-system parts; generator sets using non-photovoltaic prime movers; installed PV stations; construction, operation, electricity production and end-of-life services
representative_product	One tested and packaged photovoltaic generator item with declared photovoltaic technology, rated DC power, output form and included-component list
production_route	Route-specific receipt or manufacture of photovoltaic conversion components, generator assembly, conditional integration of AC power electronics, electrical qualification, packing and factory-gate release
market_state	Finished durable electrical product at the manufacturing facility gate, before distribution and installation

3. Reference Flow

Field	Value
What	Delivery at the factory gate of one finished, conforming photovoltaic generator sold as one product
How much	1 generator item; rated DC power in Wp or kWp is a mandatory parallel qualifier and intensity denominator, not a replacement for the Tiangong reference property
How well	The product meets the declared nameplate performance, output configuration and applicable design-qualification and safety-conformity specifications; the included component list and test evidence are retained
How long or cycle	One manufacturing and release cycle for one durable product item; service life and degradation assumptions are disclosed for downstream use but no electricity-generation service is included
reference_flow_link	One released product item equals the declared reference amount; all foreground inventory is normalized to that item and also reported per declared kWp where capacity comparison is needed

Field	Value
Reference amount	1
Reference product flow	PV system 3f66ec10-aedd-4032-baff-5f7764c1670e
Reference flow property	Number of items 01846770-4cfe-4a25-8ad9-919d8d378345
Reference unit group	Units of items 5beb6eed-33a9-47b8-9ede-1dfe8f679159
Reference unit	Item(s)
Required qualifiers	photovoltaic conversion technology; product architecture and module count or active area; rated DC power at the declared rating condition; DC-only or AC-output configuration; nominal voltage and current; integrated inverter, optimiser, transformer, storage and other balance-of-system inclusion or exclusion; total product mass; factory geography and production period; applicable qualification and safety specifications; declared service life and degradation assumption for downstream modelling

When constructing a foreground data package, the items listed in Required qualifiers must be declared in dataset metadata, process notes, reference flow comment, product description, or an equivalent data package field. Missing required qualifiers make the reference flow definition incomplete for that data package.

4. Measurement and Unit Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Required property	Required unit	Rule
reference_item	released reference product	Number of items 01846770-4cfe-4a25-8ad9-919d8d378345	Item(s)	Normalize the foreground package to exactly one released generator item. Count only complete products passing release criteria; do not count cells, subassemblies or unpackaged rejects.
rated_power_disclosure	reference product and capacity-normalized intensities	Declared rated DC power	Wp or kWp	Retain the measured or nameplate rated DC power and its rating condition. Convert Wp to kWp by division by 1,000. Do not infer capacity from module count, area or a different technology.
item_capacity_bridge	comparison of differently sized products	Number of items and declared rated DC power	Item(s) and kWp	Report both per-item and per-kWp results when products of different capacity are compared. The item-to-kWp factor must come from the tested or nameplate value for the represented product configuration.
mass_composition	product and incoming material balance	Mass	kg	Measure total product mass and the bill-of-material mass by declared component group. Reconcile the component sum with the released-product mass and recorded manufacturing losses.
energy_units	purchased electricity and test energy	Energy	kWh	Preserve meter units and convert only with an explicit dimensional factor. Report electricity separately by supply contract, geography and production period when these differ materially.
water_balance	process water	Volume	m3	Record withdrawal and discharge or consumption consistently; state whether water is recirculated and avoid counting the same recirculated volume as repeated fresh withdrawal.

5. System Boundary

Boundary Abstraction

Field	Value
declared_starting_condition	Accepted photovoltaic conversion components or their declared upstream feedstocks, carrier and connection materials, integrated electronics when applicable, process aids, utilities and packaging at the reporting facility gate
starting_condition_role	Foreground manufacturing input condition; the exact make-or-buy boundary is declared for each component group
product_classification_scope	Finished photovoltaic AC/DC generator goods corresponding semantically to CPC 3.0 code 46113, not electricity, installation services or separately traded components
recursive_input_rule	A purchased input already meeting this product-category definition is recorded once as a same-category product input with an upstream dataset; do not reopen its internal production in the consuming process unless subdivision is explicit and double counting is prevented
upstream_dataset_requirement	Every purchased cell, module, laminate, inverter, electronic assembly, frame, glass, encapsulant, cable, junction component, process aid, utility and packaging input requires a geographically, temporally and technologically representative upstream dataset or a disclosed proxy
disclosure	Declare technology, architecture, AC/DC configuration, rated power, included components, make-or-buy boundary, factory geography, production period, allocation choices, recycled-content modelling, excluded stages and all proxy datasets

Boundary Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
boundary_factory_gate	foreground package	Include receiving, generator assembly, conditional integrated power electronics, electrical qualification, internal material handling, on-site utilities, direct emissions, on-site waste handling, packing and factory-gate release. Exclude distribution after the gate, installation, operation, electricity production and end of life.	jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint; iea-pvps-t12-18-2020
boundary_route_expansion	upstream photovoltaic conversion route	If the reporting organization manufactures ingots, wafers, cells or thin-film layers, model those stages as separate foreground processes; otherwise represent them through upstream product datasets.	jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint
boundary_ac_configuration	AC-output product	Include only inverter or conversion electronics incorporated in and sold with the generator. A separately traded inverter remains a separate product input and does not by itself make the reference product an AC generator.	iec-62109-2-2011; iec-62109-3-2020
boundary_no_power_station_substitution	reference product	Do not substitute an installed power station, construction service, photovoltaic electricity process or electricity flow for the factory-gate generator item.	unsd-cpc-v3-photovoltaic-generators; iea-pvps-t12-18-2020

6. Process Inventory Structure

Process Map

process_id	process_name	inclusion	inclusion_condition	role	quantitative_reference
component_receipt	Component receipt, inspection and kitting	required	Always	Establish the declared make-or-buy boundary and accepted component inventory	Accepted kit for one released generator item
generator_assembly	Photovoltaic generator assembly	required	Always; subdivide upstream cell or module production when performed by the reporting organization	Join and integrate photovoltaic conversion, carrier, connection and enclosure components	One assembled generator before final qualification
ac_electronics_integration	Integrated AC power-conversion assembly	conditional	Include when the sold generator provides AC output or contains module-integrated power electronics	Integrate inverter, control, protection and related electronics into the sold product	One AC-capable generator assembly
electrical_qualification	Electrical qualification and safety testing	required	Always; apply product-specific test plan	Verify declared output, construction and release criteria	One tested conforming generator
packing_release	Packing and factory-gate release	required	Always	Package, label and release the reference product	1 released photovoltaic generator item

Process: Component receipt, inspection and kitting (component_receipt)

Inputs

Product flows

Photovoltaic conversion components (conversion_components_received)

Record the received cells, modules, laminates or declared semiconductor feedstocks at the exact make-or-buy boundary, separated by technology and supplier dataset.

• Selected flow: Route-specific photovoltaic cells, modules, laminates or semiconductor feedstocks
• Flow property / unit: Mass or number of items / kg or Item(s), consistent with the selected upstream flow
• Amount rule: measured accepted quantity consumed for one released generator item
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 released photovoltaic generator item
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_component_bom
• Sources: jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint

Carrier, connection and enclosure components (carrier_connection_components)

Record glass, frames, encapsulants, backsheets, junction components, conductors, connectors, enclosure parts and other included hardware as separately traceable component groups.

• Selected flow: Route-specific carrier, connection and enclosure product flows
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured issued quantity minus returned unused quantity
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 released photovoltaic generator item
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_component_bom
• Sources: jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint

Integrated electronics received (integrated_electronics_received)

Record inverter, optimiser, control, protection, transformer or other electronics only when incorporated in and sold with the reference product.

• Selected flow: Route-specific power-electronic and electrical components
• Flow property / unit: Mass or number of items / kg or Item(s)
• Amount rule: measured accepted quantity incorporated in one released product; zero for a DC-only product without integrated electronics
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 released photovoltaic generator item
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_component_bom
• Sources: iec-62109-2-2011; iec-62109-3-2020

Waste flows

Rejected incoming components and transport packaging (incoming_rejects)

Record rejected or damaged components and incoming packaging by treatment route; returned supplier property is disclosed separately from waste crossing the facility boundary.

• Selected flow: Route-specific rejected component and packaging waste flows
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured waste dispatched by treatment route
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 released photovoltaic generator item
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste_records
• Sources:

Elementary flows

No generic elementary input is prescribed for receipt and kitting. Record any direct withdrawal that crosses the environment boundary with a route-specific Tiangong elementary flow.

Outputs

Product flows

Accepted production kit (accepted_component_kit)

This internal intermediate preserves the item-level component configuration issued to assembly.

• Selected flow: Internal accepted photovoltaic generator component kit
• Flow property / unit: Number of items / Item(s)
• Amount rule: one complete accepted kit issued for each assembly start, adjusted for documented substitutions
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per assembly start
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_component_bom
• Sources:

Waste flows

No additional generic waste output is prescribed beyond incoming_rejects; avoid duplicate recording.

Elementary flows

Record direct releases only when measured and when they cross the environment boundary.

Process: Photovoltaic generator assembly (generator_assembly)

Inputs

Product flows

Accepted component kit (assembly_component_kit)

Record the internal kit transferred from receipt and any route-specific additional materials introduced during assembly.

• Selected flow: Internal accepted photovoltaic generator component kit
• Flow property / unit: Number of items / Item(s)
• Amount rule: measured kit issues to generator assembly
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 assembled generator
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_component_bom
• Sources: jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint

Assembly electricity (assembly_electricity)

Include metered assembly-line electricity, climate control, ventilation and allocated common-facility electricity for the declared production period.

• Selected flow: Site electricity supply product flow
• Flow property / unit: Energy / kWh
• Amount rule: metered assembly electricity plus allocated common-facility electricity
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per declared kWp of released generator capacity and convertible to one item
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_energy_records
• Sources: jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint; iea-pvps-t12-18-2020
• Range: Provisional assembly-electricity screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0.01
  • Upper: 10000
  • Unit: kWh/kWp
  • Basis: broad candidate-stage screen per declared kWp of released generator capacity across make-or-buy boundaries
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Assembly water and process aids (assembly_water_aids)

Include fresh water and route-specific process aids used for cleaning, lamination, sealing, joining or other on-site assembly steps; keep chemicals as separate rows when material.

• Selected flow: Route-specific water and process-aid product flows
• Flow property / unit: Volume or mass / m3 or kg
• Amount rule: metered withdrawal and measured material issues less returns
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per declared kWp of released generator capacity and convertible to one item
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_water_aid_records
• Sources: jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint; iea-pvps-t12-18-2020
• Range: Provisional water-withdrawal screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 1000
  • Unit: m3/kWp
  • Basis: broad candidate-stage screen per declared kWp; zero is possible for a dry assembly boundary using purchased modules
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Waste flows

No waste input is prescribed. Rework returned from later processes must be recorded as an internal product transfer, not as an external waste input.

Elementary flows

Direct water withdrawal (direct_water_withdrawal)

Use an elementary water input only for direct environmental withdrawal; purchased municipal or treated water remains a product input.

• Selected flow: Route- and geography-specific water elementary flow
• Flow property / unit: Volume / m3
• Amount rule: measured direct withdrawal not already represented in a purchased water dataset
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 released photovoltaic generator item
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_water_aid_records
• Sources: iea-pvps-t12-18-2020

Outputs

Product flows

Assembled photovoltaic generator (assembled_generator)

Record the route-specific assembled DC generator or the photovoltaic conversion assembly awaiting integrated AC electronics.

• Selected flow: Internal assembled photovoltaic generator
• Flow property / unit: Number of items / Item(s)
• Amount rule: measured assembly completions transferred to the next process
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per assembly process output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_output_release
• Sources:

Waste flows

Assembly scrap and rejects (assembly_scrap)

Record broken cells or modules, conductor and frame offcuts, encapsulant and sealant losses, electronic rejects and other manufacturing waste separately by material and treatment route.

• Selected flow: Route-specific photovoltaic manufacturing waste flows
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured dispatched waste plus documented inventory change
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per declared kWp of released generator capacity and convertible to one item
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste_records
• Sources: jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint
• Range: Provisional manufacturing-waste screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 1000
  • Unit: kg/kWp
  • Basis: broad candidate-stage screen per declared kWp across heterogeneous technologies and make-or-buy boundaries
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Elementary flows

Direct assembly emissions (assembly_direct_emissions)

Record measured volatile organic compounds, particulates or other direct releases by substance and compartment; do not use this composite role as the published elementary-flow identity.

• Selected flow: Substance- and compartment-specific elementary flows
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured release or calculation from captured material and a documented method
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Technology-specific (technology_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 released photovoltaic generator item
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_direct_emissions
• Sources: iea-pvps-t12-18-2020

Process: Integrated AC power-conversion assembly (ac_electronics_integration)

Inputs

Product flows

DC photovoltaic generator assembly (dc_generator_for_ac_integration)

Record the tested or assembly-stage DC generator entering integrated electronics assembly.

• Selected flow: Internal DC photovoltaic generator assembly
• Flow property / unit: Number of items / Item(s)
• Amount rule: measured units transferred into AC integration
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 AC-output generator assembly
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_ac_integration_records
• Sources: iec-62109-3-2020

Power-conversion and protection electronics (ac_power_electronics)

Record the exact inverter, control, protection, wiring and optional transformer configuration incorporated in the sold product.

• Selected flow: Route-specific power-conversion and protection electronics product flows
• Flow property / unit: Mass or number of items / kg or Item(s)
• Amount rule: measured component issues incorporated in one AC-output generator
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 AC-output generator assembly
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_ac_integration_records
• Sources: iec-62109-2-2011; iec-62109-3-2020

Electronics-integration electricity (ac_integration_electricity)

Record metered joining, firmware loading, configuration and inspection electricity attributable to integrated electronics.

• Selected flow: Site electricity supply product flow
• Flow property / unit: Energy / kWh
• Amount rule: metered or submetered electricity allocated to AC integration
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 AC-output generator assembly
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_energy_records
• Sources: iea-pvps-t12-18-2020

Waste flows

No waste input is prescribed.

Elementary flows

Record only measured direct elementary inputs specific to the integration operation.

Outputs

Product flows

AC-capable photovoltaic generator assembly (ac_generator_assembly)

This internal intermediate is the complete product configuration before final electrical qualification.

• Selected flow: Internal AC-capable photovoltaic generator assembly
• Flow property / unit: Number of items / Item(s)
• Amount rule: measured completed assemblies transferred to qualification
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per AC-integration process output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_ac_integration_records
• Sources: iec-62109-3-2020

Waste flows

Electronics rejects (electronics_rejects)

Record irreparable boards, wiring, protection devices and other electronic scrap by material and treatment route.

• Selected flow: Route-specific electronic waste flows
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured waste dispatched by treatment route
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 AC-output generator assembly
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste_records
• Sources:

Elementary flows

Record direct releases only when measured and when they cross the environment boundary.

Process: Electrical qualification and safety testing (electrical_qualification)

Inputs

Product flows

Generator submitted for qualification (generator_test_input)

Record the exact DC or AC product configuration submitted to the release test plan.

• Selected flow: Internal assembled photovoltaic generator
• Flow property / unit: Number of items / Item(s)
• Amount rule: measured units entering qualification
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per qualification process output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_test_records
• Sources: iec-61215-1-2021; iec-61730-1-2023; iec-62109-2-2011; iec-62109-3-2020

Qualification electricity (test_electricity)

Include energy consumed by flash testing, electrical safety tests, burn-in, climate conditioning and other tests performed within the declared production package.

• Selected flow: Site electricity supply product flow
• Flow property / unit: Energy / kWh
• Amount rule: metered test-bench energy plus allocated conditioning energy
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per tested generator item
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_energy_records
• Sources: iec-61215-1-2021; iec-61730-1-2023

Waste flows

No waste input is prescribed.

Elementary flows

Record only direct elementary inputs required by the declared test method.

Outputs

Product flows

Conforming tested generator (tested_generator)

Record only items satisfying the declared release criteria; reworked units re-enter the appropriate process and are not double-counted.

• Selected flow: Internal conforming tested photovoltaic generator
• Flow property / unit: Number of items / Item(s)
• Amount rule: counted conforming units released from qualification
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per qualification process output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_test_records
• Sources: iec-61215-1-2021; iec-61730-1-2023; iec-62109-2-2011; iec-62109-3-2020

Waste flows

Irreparable test rejects (test_rejects)

Record items failing final qualification and not returned to rework, separated by material and treatment route.

• Selected flow: Route-specific photovoltaic generator reject waste flows
• Flow property / unit: Mass or number of items / kg or Item(s)
• Amount rule: measured irreparable rejects dispatched for treatment
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per tested generator item
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste_records
• Sources:

Elementary flows

Record measured test-related direct releases by substance and compartment when applicable.

Process: Packing and factory-gate release (packing_release)

Inputs

Product flows

Conforming generator for packing (tested_generator_for_packing)

Record the conforming product transferred from qualification without changing its declared configuration.

• Selected flow: Internal conforming tested photovoltaic generator
• Flow property / unit: Number of items / Item(s)
• Amount rule: counted conforming units entering packing
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per packing process output
• Basis kind: Process output (process_output)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_output_release
• Sources:

Packaging materials (outbound_packaging)

Record pallets, crates, cartons, films, protective materials, labels and reusable packaging at actual issued mass and reuse rate.

• Selected flow: Route-specific packaging product flows
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured packaging issued per released product, divided by verified trips for reusable packaging
• Value mode: Calculated value (calculated_value)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: per declared kWp of released generator capacity and convertible to one item
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Calculated from collection (calculated_from_collection)
• Collection protocol: cp_packaging_records
• Sources: jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint
• Range: Provisional outbound-packaging screening range
  • Range role: QA guardrail (qa_guardrail)
  • Lower: 0
  • Upper: 1000
  • Unit: kg/kWp
  • Basis: broad candidate-stage screen per declared kWp across product sizes and reusable-packaging systems
  • Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
  • Evidence kind: Reasoned estimate (reasoned_estimate)

Waste flows

No waste input is prescribed.

Elementary flows

Record direct environmental inputs only when they occur in packing.

Outputs

Product flows

Released photovoltaic generator (released_photovoltaic_generator)

This is the quantitative-reference output. It represents one tested, packaged product whose required qualifiers and included components match the dataset description.

• Selected flow: PV system 3f66ec10-aedd-4032-baff-5f7764c1670e
• Flow property / unit: Number of items 01846770-4cfe-4a25-8ad9-919d8d378345 / Item(s)
• Amount rule: exactly 1 released photovoltaic generator item
• Value mode: Fixed value (fixed_value)
• Specificity: Product-specific (product_specific)
• Normalization basis: PCR reference flow
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Identity reference (identity_reference)
• Sources:

Waste flows

Packing scrap (packing_scrap)

Record packaging offcuts, damaged packaging and label waste by material and treatment route.

• Selected flow: Route-specific packaging waste flows
• Flow property / unit: Mass / kg
• Amount rule: measured packing waste dispatched by treatment route
• Value mode: Foreground record (foreground_record)
• Specificity: Site-specific (site_specific)
• Normalization basis: per 1 released photovoltaic generator item
• Basis kind: Reference flow (reference_flow)
• Evidence kind: Collected record (collected_record)
• Collection protocol: cp_waste_records
• Sources:

Elementary flows

Record direct releases only when measured and when they cross the environment boundary.

7. Allocation and Co-product Handling

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
allocation_avoid	all foreground processes	Avoid allocation by subdivision, separate metering and separate material records whenever practical. Same-category intermediates transferred between foreground processes carry burdens without creating a second final product.	iea-pvps-t12-18-2020
allocation_shared_facility	shared electricity, water, climate control and waste handling	Allocate shared facility quantities using a documented causal driver such as machine-hours, metered energy, occupied controlled area-time or processed mass. Production count or revenue may be used only when a causal driver is unavailable and the sensitivity is disclosed.	iea-pvps-t12-18-2020
allocation_recycling	recycled inputs and recyclable manufacturing waste	Use a recycled-content cut-off approach as the default foreground accounting convention. Report any avoided-burden or system-expansion result separately and do not net it silently against factory-gate burdens.	iea-pvps-t12-18-2020; jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint
allocation_bipv	building-integrated photovoltaic product	When one sold BIPV product also replaces a building element, declare the multifunctionality and allocate only with clearly described physical or functional criteria; avoid unreported credits.	iea-pvps-t12-18-2020

8. Foreground Data Collection, Calculation, and Quality Rules

Data Collection Protocols

protocol_id	process_id	flow_role	record_type	raw_fields	collection_method	unit	frequency	temporal_coverage	site_scope	aggregation_rule	quality_evidence
cp_component_bom	component_receipt; generator_assembly	received and issued components	approved bill of materials, receiving inspection and material issue/return records	product configuration; supplier; lot; component identity; technology; issued quantity; returned quantity; mass; included-component flag	reconcile engineering BOM with warehouse issues, substitutions and cycle counts	kg and Item(s)	each lot, aggregated monthly	representative production period, normally at least 12 consecutive months	every reporting facility and outsourced stage inside the foreground boundary	net issue equals issued minus unused return; normalize by released conforming items	approved BOM revision, supplier trace, calibration or scale record, substitution approval and inventory reconciliation
cp_energy_records	generator_assembly; ac_electronics_integration; electrical_qualification; packing_release	electricity and other metered energy	meter, submeter, invoice and operating-hour records	meter id; opening and closing reading; energy carrier; process area; operating hours; common-facility share; production count; rated kWp released	collect meter intervals and reconcile with invoices; allocate only residual common use	kWh or carrier-specific unit	monthly or finer	same period as product output	each reporting facility	direct meter use plus documented allocated common use, divided by conforming output	meter calibration, invoice reconciliation, allocation driver and missing-interval log
cp_water_aid_records	generator_assembly	water and process aids	meter, batch sheet and material issue records	withdrawal; discharge; recirculation; aid identity; issued mass; returned mass; batch; process step	reconcile water balance and chemical issues by batch	m3 and kg	each batch or monthly	same period as product output	each wet-process or assembly facility	fresh withdrawal excludes internal recirculation; net aid use equals issue minus return	meter status, batch sheet, purchase reconciliation and discharge record
cp_ac_integration_records	ac_electronics_integration	integrated electronics and completed assemblies	configuration, serial-number and work-order records	generator serial; inverter/control/protection identities; firmware; component quantities; DC/AC rating; completion status	serial-level configuration reconciliation	Item(s) and kg	each unit	same period as product output	every integration line	sum incorporated components and completed assemblies by product configuration	approved configuration, serial trace, work order and nonconformance record
cp_test_records	electrical_qualification	tested units, performance and safety results	calibrated test-bench and release records	serial; test procedure; rating condition; measured power; voltage; current; insulation/safety result; pass, rework or reject status	retain test result linked to product serial and declared specification	Item(s), Wp, V, A and method-specific units	each released unit or justified sampling plan	same period as product output	every release-test location	count only conforming released units; rework is counted once after final pass	calibration certificate, procedure revision, raw result, sampling justification and release signature
cp_packaging_records	packing_release	outbound packaging	packaging BOM, warehouse issues and reusable-packaging logs	packaging material; mass; issued quantity; product count; reuse cycles; losses	reconcile packaging BOM and dispatch records	kg and trips	each lot, aggregated monthly	same period as product output	each packing site	single-use mass plus reusable mass divided by verified reuse count	packaging specification, scale record, reuse log and dispatch record
cp_waste_records	all foreground processes	rejects, scrap, wastewater sludge and packaging waste	waste manifest, scale ticket and internal scrap log	waste identity; material; mass; source process; treatment route; returned-to-supplier flag; date	reconcile internal scrap generation with dispatched waste and inventory change	kg or Item(s)	each dispatch, aggregated monthly	same period as product output	each reporting facility	dispatched waste plus closing-minus-opening stored waste, separated by treatment	scale calibration, waste manifest, contractor receipt and inventory reconciliation
cp_direct_emissions	generator_assembly; ac_electronics_integration; electrical_qualification	direct air, water and soil releases	continuous monitor, stack or effluent test, material balance and permit report	substance; compartment; concentration; flow rate; duration; capture; destruction efficiency; method	use measured releases where available; calculations require traceable activity and factor	kg	monitoring interval or batch	same period as product output	each emitting point inside the foreground boundary	integrate concentration and flow over time or apply documented mass balance without double counting captured material	laboratory accreditation, instrument calibration, sampling plan, permit report and calculation worksheet
cp_output_release	all foreground processes	intermediates and released reference product	production, transfer, warehouse and shipment records	item count; serial or lot; product configuration; total mass; rated DC power; status; process transfer; release date	reconcile process transfers and finished-goods release	Item(s), kg and kWp	each lot or unit	same period as inputs	each reporting facility	final output is conforming releases adjusted for opening and closing finished-goods inventory	ERP reconciliation, release record, test link and stock count

Calculation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Formula or rule	Inputs	Output	source_ids
calc_item_normalization	all inventory rows	normalized amount = period process amount / conforming released generator items in the same represented product configuration	period quantity; released item count; inventory change	amount per released item
calc_capacity_intensity	capacity-normalized disclosure	capacity intensity = per-item amount / tested or nameplate rated DC power in kWp for that item configuration	per-item amount; rated DC power in Wp or kWp	amount per kWp	iea-pvps-t12-18-2020
calc_net_material_use	components, process aids and packaging	net material use = issued quantity - unused returns + opening work-in-process - closing work-in-process	issue, return and inventory records	net consumed mass or item count	jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint
calc_shared_utility	shared energy and water	allocated quantity = shared measured quantity x causal driver share; direct metered use is not allocated again	shared meter; process driver; total driver	allocated process utility	iea-pvps-t12-18-2020
calc_waste_balance	manufacturing waste	generated waste = dispatched waste + closing stored waste - opening stored waste - documented returned reusable material	dispatch, storage and return records	waste by material and route
calc_mass_reconciliation	product and manufacturing losses	accepted material mass = released product mass + dispatched waste + closing-minus-opening material and work-in-process inventory + measured direct mass releases	BOM, scale, waste, inventory and emission records	reconciliation difference and completeness ratio	jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint

Data Quality Requirements

requirement_id	Applies to	Requirement	Evidence
dq_identity	reference product	Product name, technology, architecture, rated power, AC/DC configuration and included components must identify one non-ambiguous sold configuration.	approved specification, BOM revision, nameplate and product serial/lot
dq_temporal	foreground activity data	Use one representative production period, normally at least 12 consecutive months; disclose start/end dates, shutdowns, ramp-up and substitutions.	dated meters, invoices, production and inventory records
dq_geography	foreground and upstream data	Identify each manufacturing site and electricity/water supply geography; justify any proxy geography.	site record, supply contract and proxy justification
dq_technology	route-specific data	Do not average crystalline-silicon, thin-film, emerging, DC-only and AC-integrated routes without weights and separate route evidence.	route map, production volumes and weighted calculation
dq_completeness	BOM, utilities, waste and emissions	Reconcile material, energy, output, waste and direct release records; explain unresolved balances and omitted flows.	reconciliation worksheets and completeness ratio
dq_secondary_data	purchased inputs	Select current, geographically and technologically representative upstream datasets; document dataset identity, version used during modelling and proxy limitations outside PCR UUID fields.	dataset selection log and representativeness assessment
dq_testing	product release	Link performance and safety evidence to the represented configuration and retain calibration and sampling evidence.	test report, calibration certificate and release record

9. Validation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Rule	source_ids
validation_identity	dataset identity	Fail if the canonical PCR id, product flow UUID, Product flow type, CPC 46113 scope or required product qualifiers are missing or contradictory.	unsd-cpc-v3-photovoltaic-generators
validation_reference_amount	quantitative reference	Require exactly 1 Item(s) of 3f66ec10-aedd-4032-baff-5f7764c1670e with Number of items 01846770-4cfe-4a25-8ad9-919d8d378345; require a declared rated DC power to enable per-kWp disclosure.
validation_boundary	foreground boundary	Fail if an electricity flow, installed power station, construction service, separately sold inverter or battery is used as the reference product, or if distribution/installation/use/end-of-life burdens are silently mixed into the factory-gate package.	unsd-cpc-v3-photovoltaic-generators; jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint
validation_route	product technology and configuration	Require separate disclosure and inventory for technology, product architecture, AC/DC output and integrated electronics. Reject an unlabeled single-technology dataset presented as a generic category average.	jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint; iea-pvps-t12-18-2020
validation_bom_mass	components and outputs	Require BOM-to-product-and-loss mass reconciliation and investigate material differences beyond the producer's documented measurement uncertainty.	jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint
validation_energy_water	utilities	Require period-aligned meter or invoice reconciliation, causal allocation of shared utilities and no double counting of recirculated water.	iea-pvps-t12-18-2020
validation_test_release	performance and safety	Require traceable test/release evidence for the represented product configuration; AC-integrated products must identify the applicable inverter or module-integrated electronics test basis.	iec-61215-1-2021; iec-61730-1-2023; iec-62109-2-2011; iec-62109-3-2020
validation_recursive_input	same-category input	Require a separate upstream dataset for a purchased photovoltaic generator input and prevent its burdens from being expanded and counted again in the consuming foreground process.
validation_estimate_status	provisional ranges	Treat all reasoned_estimate ranges as candidate-stage screens only; fail publication readiness if a publication-critical allowed range relies on them without explicit review acceptance.

10. Published Dataset Profile

Field	Value
dataset_role	Factory-gate foreground product data package publishable as a secondary_dataset or background_dataset after methodology and translation review
downstream_use	Foreground process construction for photovoltaic generator manufacture; capacity-normalized product comparisons when configuration and rated-power bases match; input to broader PV system, installation, electricity-generation and lifecycle models as a distinct product-stage dataset
allowed_use	Use for the declared technology, architecture, factory geography, production period, AC/DC configuration and component boundary; weighted market mixes are allowed only with transparent weights and route-specific source datasets
excluded_use	Do not use as photovoltaic electricity, an installed power station, an inverter-only or battery-only dataset, an undeclared generic technology average, or a use/end-of-life dataset
required_metadata	canonical PCR id; product flow UUID; product specification; technology; architecture; module count or active area; rated DC power and rating condition; AC/DC output; integrated-component list; total mass; make-or-buy boundary; factory geography; production period; allocation; upstream dataset identities; test basis
required_quality_disclosure	foreground coverage and period; metering and allocation methods; BOM and mass reconciliation; missing data; proxies; technology mixing; reasoned estimates; data-quality assessment; direct-emission methods; test sampling and calibration
update_trigger	Change in photovoltaic technology, product architecture, rated-power basis, integrated electronics, principal BOM, factory or energy supply; material change in yield, waste or emissions; test specification revision; new representative source evidence; or age beyond the declared representativeness period

11. Data Sources

Source id	Type	Reference	Used for
unsd-cpc-v3-photovoltaic-generators	official_guidance	United Nations Statistics Division, Overview of the proposed main changes introduced in the revised CPC, CPC Version 3.0 accompanying note, p. 11, https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/CPC/Documents/4-Accompanying-note-Overview-of-the-proposed-main-changes-introduced-in-the-revised-CPC.pdf (retrieved 2026-08-09)	CPC 46113 identity and separation from non-photovoltaic generators and generating sets
jrc-2025-pv-carbon-footprint	official_guidance	European Commission Joint Research Centre, Ardente et al., Harmonised rules for the calculation of the carbon footprint of photovoltaic modules in the context of the EU Ecodesign Directive, JRC141275, 2025, DOI 10.2760/4062978, https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC141275 (retrieved 2026-08-09)	PV technology scope, BOM, material and energy hotspots, module manufacturing boundary, assembly, packaging and secondary-data quality
iea-pvps-t12-18-2020	official_guidance	IEA PVPS Task 12, Frischknecht et al., Methodology Guidelines on Life Cycle Assessment of Photovoltaic Electricity, 4th edition, report T12-18:2020, https://iea-pvps.org/key-topics/methodology-guidelines-on-life-cycle-assessment-of-photovoltaic-2020/ (retrieved 2026-08-09)	PV system components, facility inventory, kWp disclosure, water balance, allocation, recycling and reporting parameters
iec-61215-1-2021	standard	IEC 61215-1:2021, Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval - Part 1: Test requirements, https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/61345 (retrieved 2026-08-09)	Module design qualification, output measurement and product test evidence
iec-61730-1-2023	standard	IEC 61730-1:2023, Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification - Part 1: Requirements for construction, https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/59803 (retrieved 2026-08-09)	PV module construction and safety release evidence
iec-62109-2-2011	standard	IEC 62109-2:2011, Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic power systems - Part 2: Particular requirements for inverters, https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/6471 (retrieved 2026-08-09)	Boundary and safety basis for DC-to-AC inverter functions incorporated in an AC-output product
iec-62109-3-2020	standard	IEC 62109-3:2020, Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic power systems - Part 3: Particular requirements for electronic devices in combination with photovoltaic elements, https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/27684 (retrieved 2026-08-09)	Product boundary and testing basis for module-integrated electronics sold with photovoltaic elements as one product