Can a 5 kW solar system run a 1.5-ton AC in Bangalore (2025)?
TL;DR: Yes - a properly sized 5 kW on-grid solar system in Bangalore can comfortably run a 1.5-ton AC during daytime (when the sun is out). A 5 kW array typically produces about 15-22.5 kWh/day depending on sunshine, which is usually enough to run a 1.5-ton AC for many daylight hours and serve other household loads. To run the AC at night you'll need a battery; for a few hours of night cooling you'd typically add ~6-12 kWh of usable battery capacity.
Quick plain-English explanation
- ☀️Solar panels make electricity while the sun is shining.
- 🏠A 5 kW rooftop system (that's the size many homes install) makes enough electricity during daytime that it will usually cover a 1.5-ton AC plus other daytime appliances.
- 🌙If you want the AC to run after sunset, you need batteries sized to the hours you want to run the AC at night.
- 📊Final results depend on the AC model (some use less electricity, especially 5-star inverter ACs), how many hours you run it, and how much sun your specific roof gets.
The numbers - step-by-step (so you can check)
I'll use simple, conservative assumptions and show the math so you can swap your own numbers later.
Assumptions we'll use for the example:
- •Typical 1.5-ton AC power draw (running): 1.2 kW (typical split unit; efficient models may use ~0.9 kW; older/cheaper ones up to ~1.6 kW)
- •Typical daily use (example): 6 hours of AC use (you can change this)
- •Bangalore average usable sun: 5 peak sun hours/day for calculations (Bangalore often ranges ~4-6 PSH)
- •Panel size: 350 W (common modern panel)
- •Real-world system efficiency: 75% (0.75) of raw panel output (losses from inverter, wiring, dust)
1) How much energy does the AC use per day?
Calculation (digit-by-digit):
AC running power = 1.2 kW
Hours per day = 6 hours
Daily energy = 1.2 kW × 6 h = 7.2 kWh/day
So the AC uses 7.2 kWh per day in this example. (Change the hours or kW if your unit is different.)
2) How many kWh does a single 350 W panel produce per day (practical output)?
Step-by-step:
Panel rating = 350 W = 0.35 kW
Peak sun hours (example) = 5 h/day
Raw daily output per panel = 0.35 kW × 5 h = 1.75 kWh/day
Apply system efficiency (75%): 1.75 × 0.75 = 1.3125 kWh/day actual usable per panel
So one 350 W panel gives ≈1.31 kWh/day in our example.
3) How many panels to run the AC (daytime energy match)?
Panels needed = AC daily kWh ÷ panel daily kWh
Panels = 7.2 ÷ 1.3125 = 5.488 → round up → 6 panels of 350 W
So to cover 6 hours/day of a 1.2 kW AC purely from solar production during the day, you need about 6 panels (350 W each) given the assumptions above. (If you use 300 W panels you'd need more; if you have 6 PSH you'll need fewer.)
4) How much does a 5 kW system produce per day (same assumptions)?
System size = 5 kW
Peak sun hours = 5 h/day
Raw daily = 5 kW × 5 h = 25 kWh/day
After system efficiency 75%: 25 × 0.75 = 18.75 kWh/day
So a 5 kW system produces about 18.75 kWh/day in this example. That's more than the AC's 7.2 kWh/day, leaving ~11.5 kWh/day for other loads (lights, fridge, fans, etc.) during sunny hours.
5) Panel count inside a 5 kW system (practical check)
If you use 350 W panels:
Number of panels = 5000 W ÷ 350 W ≈ 14.285
→ round up → 15 panels
So a 5 kW system is roughly 14-15 panels of 350 W. (That aligns: 15 panels × 1.3125 kWh/day ≈ 19.69 kWh/day usable)
Short summary of the calculation: what it means for you
- ✓A typical 5 kW system in Bangalore produces ~15-22.5 kWh/day (range depends on actual sun).
- ✓A 1.5-ton AC using ~1.2 kW for 6 hours needs 7.2 kWh/day.
- ✓Therefore a 5 kW system can cover the daytime AC load and still power other daytime appliances.
- ✓To run the AC at night, add batteries sized to the hours you want (see battery section next).
Night-time use (batteries) - how much battery would you need?
If you want to run that 1.2 kW AC for 4 hours at night, energy needed = 1.2 × 4 = 4.8 kWh.
Batteries are not 100% efficient and we avoid fully draining them - use a simple sizing rule:
- •Round-trip efficiency ≈ 90% (0.9) (battery + inverter losses) - conservative
- •Usable Depth of Discharge (DoD) we target ≈ 90% for modern Li-ion but installers often use 80-90% in calculations
Battery capacity needed ≈ required_energy ÷ (efficiency × DoD)
Example: 4.8 ÷ (0.9 × 0.9) = 4.8 ÷ 0.81
≈ 5.93 kWh → ≈6 kWh usable battery
So to run a 1.2 kW AC for ~4 hours at night you'd budget ~6 kWh usable battery (so buy a battery rated a little higher to allow headroom). For longer night runs or multiple ACs scale up accordingly.
Practical considerations (non-technical, what to check before you buy)
❄️AC model matters a lot
Newer 5-star inverter ACs may draw ~0.8-1.0 kW while running; older models can be 1.4-1.6 kW. Lower running power = fewer panels and smaller battery needed. Check your AC's running wattage on the spec sheet.
⚡Peak (startup) power - inverter sizing
When the compressor starts, it draws a short surge (inrush) higher than running power. Make sure your inverter (and battery+inverter if running off-grid/night) can handle the short surge - installers size inverters or use battery support to cover that surge.
🔄Daytime vs full-backup decisions
If your priority is lowering daytime bills, a 5 kW on-grid system (no battery) is often the best value. If you want night AC or complete blackout backup, budget for batteries (6-12+ kWh depending on hours) and a hybrid inverter.
🏠Roof space & layout
14-15 panels of 350 W fit comfortably on many rooftops, but shading, orientation and obstructions matter. Ask for a roof layout from your installer.
🌤️Local sunshine varies by month
Monsoon months produce less energy; systems are sized for annual averages and expectations are often lower in rainy months.
Quick example scenarios (common questions homeowners ask)
| Scenario | AC power (kW) | Hours/day | Daily AC energy (kWh) | Panels (350 W, 5 PSH, 75% eff) needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient 5-star AC, 6 hrs | 0.9 kW | 6 | 5.4 kWh | 5 panels |
| Typical AC, 6 hrs (our main example) | 1.2 kW | 6 | 7.2 kWh | 6 panels |
| Older AC, 6 hrs | 1.6 kW | 6 | 9.6 kWh | 8 panels |
| Night backup for 4 hrs (1.2 kW) - battery | 1.2 kW | 4 | 4.8 kWh | ≈6 kWh battery (usable) |
(Table uses earlier step-by-step math; change hours/AC kW or PSH for your roof.)
What this means for a 5 kW system in Bangalore
- 📊Production example: 5 kW × 5 PSH × 0.75 = 18.75 kWh/day
- ❄️If your AC uses 7.2 kWh/day (1.2 kW × 6h), the 5 kW system can run the AC during sunny hours and still power other daytime loads.
- 🔋For overnight AC, add battery capacity (~6 kWh to run AC 4 hours in the above example).
Money & scale - very short note on costs (ballpark)
Panels/inverter for a 5 kW system in Bangalore (2025) typically fall in the ₹1.9-3.5 lakh range (no battery).
Batteries add significantly - typical installed residential batteries are in the range of ₹18,000-₹30,000 per kWh (installed), so a 6 kWh usable battery could add roughly ₹1.1-1.8 lakh depending on pack and installation.
Prices vary by brand and installer - get line-item quotes.
Simple checklist to get an accurate answer for your home
Check your AC running wattage on the unit's spec plate (or tell the installer the exact model).
Decide how many hours you want to run the AC on solar (daytime only vs night backup).
Ask the installer for:
- •expected daily kWh production for your roof,
- •panel count & model, inverter model (surge rating), and battery options with usable kWh,
- •a roof layout showing panel placement and shading analysis.
Compare 2-3 local quotes with the same line-items so you can compare apples-to-apples.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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