Foreword 6t!=k6`1
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body O*+HK1q7
within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 7]So=% q
(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23 +EA ")T<l
member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. %npLgCF
The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D :icpP v
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a uN?Lz1W\;
variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into Xqe Qj}2kA
electricity. S7j(4@
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative d R i6
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) C<C^7-5
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the q%k&O9C2]
IEA PVPS programme. 1r4NP
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark PC"=B[OlJ
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), !m=Js"
Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway BbFLT@W4
(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United q%bFR[p<*
Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA). @lM-+q(tl
Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, \ aof
quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV / qKor;x
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing rVh fj~Ts
countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA `"'u
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countries are sharing their experiences in this area. 8d1qRCIz
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the VWd`06'BN'
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle 9pi{)PDJ
cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic X9c<g;
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of nT 4Ryld
Task III by: M-;Mw Lx
Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE) _nzTd\L88
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) l' Li!u
Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) 3bd `q
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06 December 1999
