Foreword k ='c*`IE
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body t;?TXA A
within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development x2M'!VK>n1
(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23 |~Op|gs
member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. b# RTHe&X
The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D n:#gKR-J
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a ;Ww s;.~
variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into E6f{z9y6
electricity. av.L%l&d
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative :4(.S<fH)-
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) yl#(jb[?1
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the |1@/gqa
IEA PVPS programme. < SIe5" {
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark 7P!Hry y
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), n.a55uy
Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway ,vnHEY&
(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United j%V95M% $
Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA). xMb)4 cw}
Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, wj'5D0
quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV z' (][SB
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing jYv`kt
countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA W_C#a'$
countries are sharing their experiences in this area. x2KIGG ^
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the \+STl#3*q
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle QQB\$[M!Z
cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic EzXGb
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of rerl-T<3
Task III by: _,U`Iq+X
Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE) .+'`A"$8
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) &f:"p*=a\
Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) SG)hrd
06 December 1999
