Foreword sCX 8
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body
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within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development l9U ^[;D
(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23 s|Hrb_[;l
member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. LK
" 47
The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D L*A9a
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a G8m:]!
variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into _L?`C
electricity. PMDx5-{A/t
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative QzjLKjl7p4
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) m=Z1DJG
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the ~*Fbs! ;,
IEA PVPS programme. ?a8 o.&`l
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark |<,!K;@
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), {b|:q>Be8
Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway $'SWH+G
(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United wnf'-dw]
Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA). J/M_cO*U
Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, ,ux?wa+
quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV vJX3fE }F
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing L*2YAIG
countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA <2cl1Fb
countries are sharing their experiences in this area. r!qr 'Ht<
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the mL!)(Bb
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle 'USol<
cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic 3SRz14/W_R
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of N# Ru `;
Task III by: ={Bcbj{
Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE) ;&|MNN^
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) Ax D&_G T
Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) ;\N{z6
06 December 1999
