Foreword xd3mAf
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body w8D8\`i!"
within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development u0R[TA3
(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23 6No.2Oo
member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. Vc'p+e|(
The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D "|i1 AR:I
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a Rb<|
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variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into Yy
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electricity. nxN("$'cq
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative +]t9kr
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) 1%M^MT%&
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the QqL?? p-S>
IEA PVPS programme. `*CoVx~fk
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark ' q9Ejig
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), 8;=?F>]xn
Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway lU|ltnU
(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United 7#
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Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA). XXwIp-'
Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, zX=%BL?
quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV &>B|?d
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing @lB1t=
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countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA >ptI!\i}
countries are sharing their experiences in this area. ,S(_YS^m
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the :%Z)u:~':
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle .WOF:Nu4
cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic 3sBWtz
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of p"\-iY]
Task III by: Y\!:/h]E&
Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE) PmId #2f
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) ;F_&h#D]3
Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) }J5iY0
06 December 1999