Foreword cFF*Z=L_
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body wB{;bB{
within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development *cg(
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(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23 *I0-O*Xr
member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. `3'0I /d"z
The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D Iu35#j
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a $eBX
variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into s{4 \xAS>
electricity. &h,5:u
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative aRJ>6Q}
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) A=-F,=k(!/
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the OcSEo7W
IEA PVPS programme. 2. X" f
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark :ECi+DxBK
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), [|3>MZ2/
Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway 45H!;Qsk
(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United irZFV
Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA). Px>va01n
Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, pBC<u
quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV z>[tF5
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing /)rkiwp
countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA *$M'`vj:
countries are sharing their experiences in this area. 0J8K9rP;z
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the nB ". '=
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle 7.+#zyF
cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic =4 X]gW
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of 8Z2.`(3c[
Task III by: h
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Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE) Ih[+K#t+E
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) Bfv.$u00p
Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) J%]D%2vnk`
06 December 1999