Foreword j|4<i9^}
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body %z /hf
within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Q}1 R5@7
(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23 4H,`]B8(D
member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. *EOdEFsR/
The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D Lrta/SU*
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a %b%-Ogz;4
variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into M}`B{]lLz
electricity. Z8# (kmBdB
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative & Lt}=3G
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) aUzBV\Yd}
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the '{a/2
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IEA PVPS programme. 1%EBd %`#
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark M2HomO/X)
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), k&&2Tq
Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway GS 0;bI4ay
(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United VYu~26Zr
Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA). =q>'19^Jx
Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, '= _/ 1F*q
quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV CUO+9X-<8
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing VLS0XKI)
countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA z {[xze-f
countries are sharing their experiences in this area. ?p9VO.^5
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the E%+Dl=
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle AuUd e$l_
cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic e>7]w,*|
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of b o0^3]Z
Task III by: " W!M[qBW
Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE) V_C-P[2~
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) [OjF[1I)u
Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) +EFgE1w
06 December 1999
