Solar Sizing
Solar System for 1 Ton and 1.5 Ton AC in Pakistan
How many kW of solar and how many panels you need to run a 1 ton or 1.5 ton inverter AC in Pakistan, day and night, with current system prices.
Current listed prices on GreenOH (26 October 2026)
Installed prices from packages published by verified installers. Final prices are confirmed after a site survey.
Short answer: how much solar do you need for an AC?
For a 1 ton inverter AC used in daytime, plan for about a 3kW system; for a 1.5 ton inverter AC, about 5kW. These sizes leave room for fans, lights and a fridge running at the same time.
To run the AC at night, you need a hybrid system with a battery sized for the hours you want. A non-inverter AC draws more power, especially when it starts, so it needs a bigger system.
On GreenOH, a 3kW hybrid system is listed at Rs 590,000 and a 5kW hybrid at Rs 890,000 (October 2026); see the live price box above.
How much power does an AC use?
An AC's power use depends on its tonnage, inverter or non-inverter type, the room and the outside temperature. The most reliable figure is the rated input power printed on the AC's nameplate or in its manual.
As a rough guide, an inverter AC uses most power when it first cools the room and less once it holds the set temperature. Running it for 8 hours a day typically adds several units to your daily use, so size the system for your total daily units, not the AC alone.
| AC | Typical system for daytime use | Panels (550W) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ton inverter | about 3kW | about 6 |
| 1.5 ton inverter | about 5kW | about 9 |
| 2 ACs (1.5 ton) | about 8–10kW | about 16–18 |
Running the AC at night
Solar panels only produce during the day. To run an AC after sunset you need battery storage, which raises the cost. Battery capacity is measured in kWh: a bigger battery runs the AC for more hours.
The listed 5kW hybrid package on GreenOH includes 5.12–10.24 kWh of lithium storage with 4–7 hours of backup, depending on load. A 1.5 ton AC at night will use a large share of that, so tell installers exactly how many hours of night-time cooling you need.
Tips to get more AC hours from solar
- Use an inverter AC: it uses far less power than a non-inverter model
- Pre-cool rooms in the afternoon while the sun is strong
- Set the AC to 26°C instead of 18–20°C
- Clean AC filters and solar panels regularly
- Ask for the system to be sized from your total daily units, not only the AC
Frequently asked questions
How many solar panels are needed to run a 1 ton AC?
For daytime use with normal home loads, about 6 panels of 550W (around 3kW). Check your AC's rated input power on the nameplate for an exact figure.
How much solar do I need for a 1.5 ton inverter AC?
About 5kW, or roughly 9 panels of 550W, for daytime use alongside normal home loads. Night-time use needs a battery.
Can I run an AC on solar at night?
Only with a hybrid system and enough battery storage. Without a battery, the AC runs on grid power after sunset.
What is the price of a solar system for a 1.5 ton AC in Pakistan?
A 5kW hybrid system is listed on GreenOH at Rs 890,000 installed (October 2026). On-grid systems without batteries cost less.