Foreword {\ k9%2V*+
The international Energy Agency (IEA) founded in November 1974, is an autonomous body 2-
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within the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development T]+* } C
(OECD) which carries out a comprehensive programme of energy co-operation among its 23 PUI.Un2C_
member countries. The European Commission also participates in the work of the Agency. i^=an?}/
The IEA PhotoVoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) is one of the collaborative R&D /g2 1.*Z
agreements established within the IEA, and since 1993, its Participants have been conducting a /c09- $M
variety of joint projects in the applications of Photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into REa%kU
electricity. "5@Y\L
The Overall programme is headed by an Executive Committee composed of one representative ='s2S5#1
from each participating country, while the management of individual research projects (Tasks) CN zK-,
is the responsibility of Operating Agents. Currently nine Tasks have been established in the ,5q^/h
IEA PVPS programme. tZ (Wh
The Twenty one members are: Australia (AUS), Austria (AUT), Canada (CAN), Denmark a r{Yq
(DNK), European Commission, Finland (FIN), France (FRA), Germany (DEU), Israel (ISR), b{(:' .
Italy (ITA), Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), Mexico (MEX), The Netherlands (NLD), Norway >$}nKPC,Y
(NOR), Portugal (PRT), Spain (ESP), Sweden (SWE), Switzerland (CHE), The United &c A?|(7-
Kingdom (GBR), and The United States (USA).
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Task III of the PVPS programme, active since 1993, focuses on the exchange of information, #GTmC|[
quality assurance and technical surveys on stand alone PV applications. Stand-alone PV b*,R9
systems will continue to represent a significant PV market segment, not only in developing &Zov9o:gx
countries, but also in the important home markets of industrial countries. Experts from 15 IEA 9[:nW p^
countries are sharing their experiences in this area. _ TUw0:&
This battery guide is intended for a wide use also close to the end customers to increase the 0<e7!M=U1
hands on battery knowledge and thereby increase the system reliability and reduce the lifecycle seJc,2Ex
cost for battery storage in small stand alone photovoltaic systems. Also some basic z\fk?Tj<ro
environmental concerns are addressed. The report has been prepared under the supervision of l_DP lY
Task III by: ]J~5{srq:
Bo Andersson, Catella Generics, (battery expertise) (SWE) &:Q" "e!
Staffan Ulvönäs, (illustrations) (SWE) F
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Bengt Perers, Vattenfall Utveckling AB (PV system and applications expertise) (SWE) DK:d'zb
06 December 1999
