Foreword v)06`G
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body DWG}}vN:&
within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development AyUVsIuPT=
(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23 ;A_QI>>
member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. p5\b&~
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The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D [(XKqiSV
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a $si2H8
variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into ]So%/rOvX
electricity. U\N`[k.F
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative e j~ /sO
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) e M}Xn^}
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the Tym!7H2
IEA PVPS programme. 2rk_ ssvs
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark \; ]~K6=
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), #X+)
Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway P;GUGG*W
(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United P&K~wP]
Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA). A+'j@c\&!
Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, Oo E@30+
quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV hn-S$3')`
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing :3k(=^%G!
countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA Lqt]
countries are sharing their experiences in this area. kF?\p`[a
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the AbB%osz}Ed
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle /CP1mn6H
cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic .3[YOM7h
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of F n\)*; ^
Task III by: &Z?uK, 8
Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE) B*{CcQ<5
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) &\A$Rj)
Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) 0R.@\?bhL
06 December 1999