Foreword +\ftSm>
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body `V9bd}M%~;
within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development +ZbNSN=
(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23 WSMpX-^e@
member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. +c/!R|h=S
The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D 4 xqzdR_
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a - BWf.
variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into a+HK
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electricity. ]A }ZaXd
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative f?:=@35
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) kBqgz|jE%
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the j_5&w Znq
IEA PVPS programme. ?GH/W#{o)
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark 9ye!kYF,
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), J;~YD$
Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway MhA4C 8
(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United 8o+:|V~X
Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA). 2 T} >9X
Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, E{[Y8U1n
quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV ,y'6vW`%g9
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing
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countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA gs!'*U)
countries are sharing their experiences in this area. DTH}=r-
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the a&0g0n6
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle W0MgY%Qv[
cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic / fUdb=!Z
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of y0Gblza
Task III by: ?{aC-3VAT
Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE) >d`GNE
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) kSiyMDY-
Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) $1 B?@~&
06 December 1999