Foreword 1 M|DaAI
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body a Z%
within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development yq{k: )
(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23 b(lC7Xm
member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. >&0)d7Nu8m
The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D L: H J:
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a %&L]k>n^
variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into <$WRc\}&g
electricity. 5*=a*nD11
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative i^[yGXtW
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) Mf0XQ3n`H
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the $ ?^#G8 J
IEA PVPS programme. 7/.- dfEK
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark V+ /Vk1
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), ]XX8l:+
Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway *5$$C&@o9
(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United |fXwH> 'sw
Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA). _y Q*
Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, <Z^t^ O
quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV v3w5+F
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing :eQ?gM!,
countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA \Uun2.K
countries are sharing their experiences in this area. Ol4 )*/oZ
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the -1ke3
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle zi~_[l-
cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic xU/Eu;m
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of 6,j6,Q(67
Task III by: %;UE y j
Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE) `nA_WS
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) 38IVSK _
Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) M{S7tMX
06 December 1999
