The utility Electricidade de Portugal (EDP) is one of three Portuguese organizations participating in the IEA  PVPS Programme activities, along with the National Institute for Engineering and Industrial Technology (INETI) and the Directorate General for Energy (DGE).

EDP first became involved in PV applications in 1992, when they joined an EU Thermie proposal coordinated by the Dutch company Ecofys. The venture resulted in the installation of Portugal's first grid-connected PV system. The 10 kWp installation on one of the utility's office buildings in Setubal, about 50 km south of Lisbon, has been operational since 1993. EDP is also involved in a national programme to supply electric power to small, isolated villages that are not connected to the national grid. PV of hybrid systems will be employed as an alternative to grid extension.

The project, which was launched in 1994, is a joint action with the Centre for Energy Conservation (CCE) and INETI and consists of:

• A technical and economic study for the assessment of competitive alternatives to grid extension
• Site identification and feasibility analysis
• System design and installation
• System monitoring and operational performance evaluation.

The first stage of the programme has already been completed and the second phase is now under way. It is envisaged that this project will constituted one of the references within IEA  PVPS Task 3. Stand-alone and island applications, and that the performance of the installed systems will contribute to improving stand-alone PV system design and operation strategies.

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