Foreword ]\RSHz
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body i=1 }lkq
within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Ue3B+k9w
(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23 XK%W^a*x
member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. EARfbb"SG7
The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D m c\ C
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a #K#Mv/
variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into ,.oa,sku
electricity. jj3Pf>D+k
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative |rxKCzjm
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) 7.$]f71z
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the w`j*W$82
IEA PVPS programme. nGx ~)T
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark ~)wwX:;B_
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), =s0g2Zv"\
Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway Q)G!Y
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(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United B 9LSxB
Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA). K=tx5{V
Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, 3V/_I<y
quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV U+.PuC[3
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing W1?!iE~tO
countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA ,TF<y#wed
countries are sharing their experiences in this area. abICoP1zQ
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the Ehb?CnV#J
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle
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cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic L2CW'Hd
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of nY{i>Y
Task III by: Lf^5Eo/
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Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE) m3xz=9Ve
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) HZDk
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Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) ~VqFZasV
06 December 1999