Foreword c @2s!bs
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body |` :Uww+3
within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development XXxX;xz$
(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23 H^'*F->BA
member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. A/BL{ U}
The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D W!GgtQw{F
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a H'Z[ 3e
variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into I-fs*yzj;8
electricity. 5hg>2?e9s?
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative =0x[Sa$&,
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) . +.Y`0
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the $n (@hT>?
IEA PVPS programme. G} }oeS
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark 7<-D_$SrU
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), u )
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Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway $zxCv7
(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United JGH9b!}-1
Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA). ]2K>#sn-]
Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, mxP{" 6
quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV 9I^_n+E
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing 2{@:
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countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA - DL/Hk_r
countries are sharing their experiences in this area. ]7'Q2OU7
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the r(i <H%"Z
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle "6Ly?'H K
cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic LDwu?"P!
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of :q^g+Bu=
Task III by: Hdj0! bUx
Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE) OO53U=NU
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) D[;6 xJ
Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) YR~g&E#U^
06 December 1999
