Foreword Ozh^Q$>u
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body >8{`q!=|~
within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development l%)=s~6 z
(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23 O7#}8-@}<u
member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. n3@g{4~
The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D [laL6
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a ezNE9g
variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into 8b#Yd
electricity. C">=2OO
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative t +TbCe
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) ![."xHVeL
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the 'c+qBSDA
IEA PVPS programme. 5/eS1NJ@
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark 1Qc(<gM
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), "x ) pp
Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway yK2*~T,6@
(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United E'kQ
Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA). 3B_} :
Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, Y.hH
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quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV F|M L$
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing 1Mhc1MU
countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA 4~D>oNx4
countries are sharing their experiences in this area. MBTt' 6M
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the jU9zCMyNF
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle 2b&;Y /z
cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic {XUfxNDf
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of 0 Vgn N
Task III by: SJu f`
Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE) So]FDd
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) <OO/Tn'a
Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) D8Waf
06 December 1999
