Foreword "=40% j0
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body J-
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within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development qOyS8tA.H
(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23 P$ b5o
member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. l_2l/ff9
The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D ^pfM/LQ@
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a w}07u5
variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into _q@ lP|
electricity. 7:$dl #
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative WoSKN 7*
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) F$:mGyl5_
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the w+\RSqz/
IEA PVPS programme. 9/&1lFKJ
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark l:#'i`;
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), 'rfs rZ?
Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway 3_eg'EP.E
(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United %.uN|o&n
Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA). 5(Q-||J
Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, DEfh R?v
quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV >A 6PH*x
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing <x$f D37
countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA )k KeA
countries are sharing their experiences in this area. j 6 _w2
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the rg %m
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle dj 6Lf
cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic P=9sP:[f6
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of K TE*Du
Task III by: >M m.MNU
Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE) zrtbk~v8y
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) Ut2x4$9
Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) jM'Fb.>~
06 December 1999
