$TiO_2$ thin films for solar energy utilization were prepared on ITO coated glass by r.f magnetron sputtering with variations of working pressure, oxygen flow rate and annealing temperature. Ion insertion and extraction reaction, and ion storage properties of films were investigated by using a cyclic voltammetry. Transmittance of thin films in as-prepared, colored and bleached states was measured by UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The samples deposited in our sputtering conditions showed poor electrochromic properties. Improvement in ion storage properties of $TiO_2$ thin film was observed after annealing at temperature of $400^{circ}C$ in air for 2 hours. It was found that $TiO_2$ thin film in electrochromic device could be used as a passive counter-electrode.