• By Best Solar Company PK
  • 13 Jul, 2026
  • Solar Guide
  • 6 min read

In Pakistan’s summer heat, cooling the home is the number-one reason people go solar — and the number-one question we get is “how many panels do I need to run my AC?” The honest answer is: it depends on the AC size, how long you run it, and what else is on at the same time. Here is a clear guide.

First, how much power does an AC use?

A modern 1.5 ton DC inverter AC draws roughly 1,500–1,800 watts at peak (when it first starts cooling), then settles to around 500 watts once the room is cool. A 1 ton unit uses less, a 2 ton more. Old fixed-speed (non-inverter) ACs draw far more and are poorly suited to solar.

The panel count — a rough guide

Assuming high-efficiency 550–585W panels and typical daytime running, here is a ballpark for the AC alone:

  • 1 ton inverter AC: roughly 4–6 panels (about a 2.5–3 kW share of the system).
  • 1.5 ton inverter AC: roughly 6–8 panels (about a 3–4 kW share).
  • 2 ton inverter AC: roughly 8–10 panels (about a 4–5.5 kW share).

Run the AC longer (8–10 hours a day) and you need the higher end of each range; shorter use needs less. Cloudy weather and dust also reduce output.

Don’t forget your base load

This is where most people go wrong: your AC does not run in isolation. Fans, lights, the fridge, a water pump, TV and chargers make up a “base load” that often draws another 2–3 kW. Your solar system has to cover the base load and the AC at the same time. Our system-sizing guide explains how to add it all up.

An inverter AC is essential

Modern DC inverter ACs vary their compressor speed to match the cooling needed, so they run smoothly on solar. Old fixed-speed ACs have a big startup surge and are hard on a solar system. If you are buying a new AC to pair with solar, make it an inverter model. Browse our solar panels, inverters and batteries for the right components.

What about running the AC at night?

Panels only generate during the day, so night-time cooling needs storage. Pair your system with a battery or a hybrid solar system to run the AC after sunset — this also makes the most of your solar under the new net billing rules, where self-consumption beats exporting.

The right question isn’t “how many panels for my AC” — it’s “how big a system for my AC plus everything else it runs beside it.”

Want an exact panel count for your home and your ACs? Get a free survey and we’ll size a solar system that keeps you cool all summer.

Best Solar Company PK designs and installs reliable solar systems in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Taunsa Sharif and Karachi. Contact us for a free survey and the best advice for your home or business.