Foreword Bi e?M
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body [-\ ({<t3x
within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development `gt:gx>a
(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23 7Rnm%8?T
member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. 0<g<GQ(E
The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D 4otl_l(`yv
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a }'%^jt[3
variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into e^ Q Vn\<c
electricity. R :"+ #Sq
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative mj@31YW
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) 9 ~~qAoD
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the eJ)1K
IEA PVPS programme. .`, F
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark GM](=|F
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), :r&iM b:Ra
Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway L\Y KdUL
(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United 1Hh X /fpq
Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA). }!8nO;
Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, r}
Lb3`'
quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV Z`A x pTl
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing A:eFd]E{(
countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA "V4Q2T
T
countries are sharing their experiences in this area. NPm;
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the /s:w^ g~
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle gE\ b 982
cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic (S| a 9#
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of ;WD,x:>blO
Task III by: ?6f7ld5
Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE)
: Hk_8J
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) DzC Df@TB"
Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) C /G]v*MBQ
06 December 1999
