Considering all types of stand-alone photovoltaic systems, ranging from small PV kits to power stations supplying micro-grids, the main objective of Task 3 is to improve the technical quality and cost-effectiveness of PV systems in stand alone and island applications. Task 3 aims:

• To collect, analyze and disseminate information on the technical performance and cost structure of PV systems in these applications
• To share the knowledge and experience gained in monitoring selected national and international projects
• To provide guidelines for improvement of the design, construction and operation of photovoltaic power systems and subsystems
• To contribute to the development of improved photovoltaic systems and subsystems

Considering the large scope of the stand alone PV applications, activities take place both in industrialized and southern countries. To achieve the overall objectives, collaborative activities focusing on technical issues, are divided into the two main following categories:

• Subtask 10. Quality assurance: quality assurance schemes for a better reliability and lower global life cycle costs
• Subtask 20. Technical issues: technical recommendations for cost reduction of systems

Task 3 status reports can be found in the annual reports of the IEA PVPS Programme:

• Annual report 2004 includes the Task 3 status report by the end of 2004
• Annual report 2003 includes the Task 3 status report by the end of 2003
• Annual report 2002 includes the Task 3 status report by the end of 2002
• Annual report 2001 includes the Task 3 status report by the end of 2001

Publications

• Report: Managing the Quality of Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Systems – Case Studies, April 2004 
• Survey of national and international standards, guidelines & QA procedures for stand-alone PV systems, 2nd edition, May 2004 
• Managing the Quality of Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Systems – Recommended Practices, January 2004 
• Common Practices for Protection Against the Effects of Lightning on Stand-Alone Photovoltaic systems, October 2003 
• Guidelines for Monitoring Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Systems: Methodology and Equipment, October 2003 
• Testing of batteries used in stand-alone PV power supply systems: Test procedures and examples of test results, October 2002 
• Use of appliances in stand-alone PV power supply systems: problems and solutions, September 2002 
• Lead-acid battery guide for stand-alone photovoltaic systems, December 1999 
• Stand-alone PV Systems in developing countries, August 1999 
• Stand-alone photovoltaic applications: lessons learned, February 1999
• Recommended practices for charge controllers, August 1998 
• Examples of stand-alone photovoltaic systems, January 1995

Besides the following papers were presented at the European Phovoltaic Solar Energy Conferences in 2000 and 2001:

• Quality management of stand-alone PV systems: recommended practices, October 2002 
• Problems related to appliances in autonomous PV applications, October 2001 
• Review of standards and quality assurance schemes for PV systems, May 2000 
• Survey of stand-alone photovoltaic programmes and applications in developing countries, May 2000 

In September 2001 the workshop PV Horizon - Workshop on photovoltaic hybrid systems was organized by the Photovoltaic and Hybrid Systems Program of the CANMET Diversification Research Laboratory (CEDRL) in collaboration with the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA PVPS). The aim of this workshop was to share information on current hybrid technology, international experience and R&D trends and needs. Downloads of the summary and conclusions as well as the proceedings can be found at:

• PV Horizon - Workshop on photovoltaic hybrid systems. Proceedings, summary and conclusions of the workshop, November 2001 

Information

• Mr Philippe Jacquin
  PHK Consultants
  17, Rue Jean Marie Vianney
  FR-69130 Ecully
  France
  Tel.: +33 4 78 33 3614
  Fax: +33 4 78 33 3808
  E-mail: phkconsultants@compuserve.com

You can also contact your national participant of Task 3. Presently, the following IEA PVPS countries are participating in this Task: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
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