Siemens ST5 solar module: datasheet and specifications
5 Wrated power
15.6 VVmp
21 VVoc
1.4 kgweight
n/rdimensions not recorded
Siemens ST5: product photograph restored from the original low-resolution picture.
The ST5 is a 5 W CIS thin-film module. Siemens announced it, with the ST10, in Vienna on 7 July 1998 as the first products of a family based on copper indium diselenide, and its later release on the ST20 and ST40 says Siemens was the first company in the world to start series production of CIS modules. The datasheet records a 15.6 V Vmp, 21.0 V Voc and a 5-year warranty (90 % of minimum power), shorter than the crystalline range. The page gives its weight as 3.0 lb (1.4 kg) but no dimensions.
Electrical data
continuous thin film; CIS thin film.
Parameter
ST5 (12 V)
Rated power Pmax (W)
5
Minimum power Pmin (W)
4.5
Current at Pmax, Imp (A)
0.32
Voltage at Pmax, Vmp (V)
15.6
Short-circuit current, Isc (A)
0.37
Open-circuit voltage, Voc (V)
21
Derived figures
Quantity
Value
How it was obtained
Power per weight
3.6 W/kg
calculated
Voc at −20 °C (ST5 (12 V))
25.5 V
calculated with the datasheet Voc coefficient
Vmp with 60 °C cells (ST5 (12 V))
13.0 V
approximate range; see the note below the table
Rough daily energy
19 Wh
calculated: Pmax × 5 peak-sun-hours × 0.75 system efficiency; a planning figure, not a measurement
The datasheet gives a Voc coefficient of −0.1 V/°C for the whole module. Scaled to the Vmp, a 15.6 V module falls to about 13.0 V with 60 °C cells, below the roughly 14.4 V needed to absorb a 12 V lead-acid battery. Siemens’ own pitch for CIS was battery-charge power in low light. In 5 peak-sun-hours the 12 V version adds roughly 1.2 Ah a day to a 12 V battery (Imp × 5 h × 0.75). The warranty has only the 5-year, 90 % tier.
Full datasheet tables
Thermal
Parameter
Unit
Value
Nominal operating cell temperature (NOC)
°C
47 ± 2
Change of Isc with temperature
0.13 mA/°C
Change of Voc with temperature
-0.1 V/°C
Qualification tests
Parameter
Unit
Value
Temperature cycling range
°C
−40 to +85
Maximum system voltage
V
25 (as published; the ST table layout is garbled, confirm on the original)
Wind loading or surface pressure
N/m² (PSF)
2400 (50)
Maximum distortion (4)
degrees
1.2
Hailstone impact withstand (diameter @ velocity)
mm @ m/s (in @ mph)
25 @ 23 (1.0 @ 52)
Physical
Parameter
Unit
Value
Weight
kg (lb)
1.4 (3.0)
Warranty (5)
Parameter
Unit
Value
Power ≥ 90 % of minimum power
years
5
Notes from the datasheet. (1) Electrical values at standard test conditions: irradiance 1000 W/m², cell temperature 25 °C, spectrum per ASTM E892 (air mass 1.5). (2) Nominal operating conditions: 800 W/m², ambient 20 °C, wind 1 m/s. (3) Qualification tests per CEC 503. (4) Diagonal lifting of a module corner with three corners fixed. (5) Warranty applies to the original consumer purchaser; see the full limited warranty for conditions. The tier percentages refer to the minimum power rating (Pmin), not the rated power.
