Can a 5 kW solar system run a 1.5-ton AC in Bangalore (2026)? - Simple, practical answer (with numbers)
TL;DR:
Yes! A well-designed 5 kW on-grid solar system in Bangalore can easily run a 1.5-ton AC during the day. A 5 kW system usually generates 15–22.5 kWh/day, which is more than enough for daytime AC usage plus other household loads.
For night-time AC, you'll need a battery, typically 6–12 kWh usable, depending on how long you want cooling after sunset.
At Arkahub, we help you size this correctly so you're never confused or oversold.
Quick plain-English explanation
- -Solar panels produce electricity while the sun is out.
- -A 5 kW rooftop system generally creates enough daytime power to comfortably run a 1.5-ton AC + other daytime appliances.
- -If you want AC at night, you'll need a battery sized to the number of hours you want cooling.
- -The exact numbers depend on your AC model, your usage hours, and how much sunlight your roof gets. Arkahub checks all of this for you.
The numbers - step-by-step (so you can check)
Below are simple, conservative assumptions so you can follow the math or replace the numbers with your own.
Assumptions we'll use:
- -1.5-ton AC running power: ~1.2 kW (efficient models ~0.9 kW; older ones ~1.6 kW)
- -Daily AC use example: 6 hours
- -Bangalore average sun: 5 peak sun hours/day
- -Panel size: 350 W (common modern panel)
- -Real-world system efficiency: 75% (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?
Panel rating: 0.35 kW
Peak Sun hours: 5 h/day
Raw output: 0.35 × 5 = 1.75 kWh/day
After efficiency (75%): 1.75 × 0.75 = ~1.31 kWh/day
3) How many panels to run the AC (daytime energy match)?
Panels needed = 7.2 kWh ÷ 1.31 kWh ≈ 6 panels
So ~6 panels (350 W each) would match the daytime AC requirement in this example.
4) How much does a 5 kW system produce per day?
5 kW × 5 hours = 25 kWh raw
After losses: ~18.75 kWh/day
This covers the AC's ~7.2 kWh/day plus around 11.5 kWh/day for other loads.
5) Panel count inside a 5 kW system (practical check)
5000 W ÷ 350 W = ~14–15 panels
This matches the expected output above.
Short summary of the calculation: what it means for you
- -A 5 kW system in Bangalore typically makes 15–22.5 kWh/day.
- -A 1.5-ton AC used for 6 hours needs ~7.2 kWh/day.
- -So yes! The system can easily support daytime AC and other loads.
- -For night AC, add batteries (6–12 kWh usable depending on hours).
Arkahub helps you size this so you get exactly what you need.
Night-time use (batteries) - how much battery would you need?
For example, to run a 1.2 kW AC for 4 hours at night:
Energy needed = 1.2 × 4 = 4.8 kWh
Considering efficiency + safe discharge: ~6 kWh usable battery
For longer night cooling, simply scale this up.
Practical considerations (non-technical, what to check before you buy)
1. AC model matters
Efficient 5-star inverter ACs consume much less power. Arkahub checks the wattage for you.
2. Startup surge
ACs draw a short high-power burst. Your inverter should handle it, our team sizes this correctly so you never face trips or shutdowns.
3. Daytime savings vs full-backup
If your goal is lower bills → on-grid, no battery
If you want night AC or blackout backup → battery + hybrid inverter.
4. Roof space and layout
A 5 kW system usually fits well, but shading and orientation matter. Arkahub does a full roof layout and shading analysis.
5. Seasonal sunlight
Expect lower generation during monsoons, this is normal, and we factor it into your design.
Quick example scenarios (common questions homeowners ask)
| Scenario | AC Power | Hours/day | Daily Energy | Panels Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient 5-star AC | 0.9 kW | 6 | 5.4 kWh | ~5 panels |
| Typical AC (main example) | 1.2 kW | 6 | 7.2 kWh | ~6 panels |
| Older AC | 1.6 kW | 6 | 9.6 kWh | ~8 panels |
| Night backup (4 hrs) | 1.2 kW | 4 | 4.8 kWh | ~6 kWh battery |
What this means for a 5 kW system in Bangalore
- -A 5 kW system makes roughly 18.75 kWh/day (average conditions).
- -A typical 1.5-ton AC uses ~7.2 kWh/day.
- -So the system comfortably handles daytime AC + other loads.
- -For night AC, add a ~6 kWh usable battery.
Arkahub helps you choose the right size so you don't overspend.
Money & scale - very short note on costs (ballpark)
5 kW rooftop system (no battery): ₹1.9–3.5 lakh
Batteries: ₹18,000–₹30,000 per kWh installed
A 6 kWh battery adds roughly ₹1.1–1.8 lakh
Prices vary by brand and installation quality. Arkahub always gives transparent, line-by-line 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 for:
- -expected daily generation for your roof
- -panel count + inverter model + battery sizes
- -roof layout + shading analysis
Compare 2–3 quotes with identical line items for clarity.
Arkahub helps you with all of this so you can take a confident, informed decision.
Get started on your Solar journey today.
Request a call back from one of our experts to learn more about how you can achieve your saving goals with ArkaHub.
FAQs
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