This report provides a comprehensive overview of how lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are reshaping off-grid PV systems and improving access to reliable, sustainable energy in remote regions.
Today, around 770 million people worldwide still live without electricity, with off-grid and edge-of-grid PV systems emerging as key solutions for affordable and reliable electrification. As renewable generation expands, battery energy storage systems (BESS) have become central to ensuring reliability, resilience, and energy security.
This new IEA PVPS report presents a detailed analysis of Li-ion technology for PV-based off-grid systems, including technical performance, system classification, simulation studies, and operational recommendations. It also compares Li-ion and lead-acid technologies across a range of applications – from small solar home systems to large hybrid mini-grids.
Key Takeaways
- Li-ion batteries are now economically viable for large off-grid PV systems in the megawatt range, offering higher efficiency, longer lifetimes, and lower total costs than lead-acid batteries.
- System size determines the best technology: Li-ion performs best in very small and very large systems, while lead-acid can still be more economical in mid-sized applications.
- Long-term success depends on proper design, monitoring, and maintenance, including trained local operators, remote system supervision, and lifetime service contracts.
This publication equips practitioners and project developers with practical tools to design, operate, and maintain systems that deliver long-term performance and resilience.
