Calculate exactly how many solar panels and what system size you need to power your air conditioner in India. Includes cost, panels count and monthly savings.
A 1.5 ton 5-star inverter AC uses ~1.4 kW. To run it 8 hrs/day plus basic home loads, you need a 3–4 kW solar system with 8–10 panels of 400W each. The system generates ~330–440 units/month and saves ₹2,300–₹3,000/month at ₹7/unit tariff.
Can I run AC at night on solar?
Not directly without batteries. An on-grid solar system powers AC only during daylight hours (9 AM – 5 PM). For night cooling, you need either: 1) Battery storage (adds ₹80,000–₹1,50,000 cost), or 2) Grid supply + net metering (earn daytime export credits, use at night). Most homeowners choose on-grid + net metering as it is more economical.
Which is better — on-grid or off-grid solar for AC?
On-grid (without battery) is better for most homes: 40–50% cheaper, qualifies for PM Surya Ghar ₹78,000 subsidy, and works well with net metering. Off-grid (with battery) makes sense only if you have frequent power cuts of 4+ hours and primarily use AC in the daytime.
What roof area is needed for solar panels to run AC?
Each 400W solar panel needs about 25–30 sq ft of shade-free roof. A 3 kW system (8 panels) needs ~200–240 sq ft. A 5 kW system (13 panels) needs ~325–390 sq ft. Standard Indian terraced roof of 600 sq ft can easily accommodate a 6–7 kW system.