Foreword ,Q$ q= E;X
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body un"Gozmt5
within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development IVnHf_PzF
(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23
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member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. +zN-!5x
The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D m,_ Z6=I:
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a \[i1JG
variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into =+-UJo5
electricity. F@jZ ho
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative PcMD])Z{G
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) &ee~p&S,>
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the ;6
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IEA PVPS programme. QD&`^(X1p
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark J7 $5s
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), =!A_^;NQf
Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway :A_@,Q
(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United ?#G$=4;i
Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA). Lnl(2x D
Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, \;,+
quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV cxC6n%!;y
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing k/_ 59@)
countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA :uS\3toj
countries are sharing their experiences in this area. oUlY?x1
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the 9!\B6=r y4
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle q-2Bt,Y
cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic 1~_{$5[X?
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of a$OE0z n`
Task III by: H yl%mJ
Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE) ^98~U\ar
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) (*'f+R`$
Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) W q&if_
06 December 1999
