Guide to Buy the Right Solar Panel System for Your Home Now
Solar Panel System: As electricity bills in Pakistan rise, more people will look for solar panel systems. In addition, there are some who have decided on this energy source for one other reason – clean energy.
There is no doubt that having a system of solar panels can reduce electricity costs. Moreover, it is also a reliable option to back up the power supply. Despite their increasing demand, not everyone knows how to choose the best system of solar panels for their home. If you are one of them, this blog is for you.
What to look for when buying solar panels? Which is the right solar system for your home? Here you will find most of the answers to the guide to buying solar panels.
Check Feasibility
Before you get a solar panel system for your home, it is important to check its feasibility. You have to check mainly two things.
- Available space
- Sunlight
You can contact any company selling a solar panel or ask your technician to know how much space is needed to install a solar system at home. It depends on the size of the system you need. The number and size of the solar panels vary according to the size of the system, so it is important to see if you have the required space for this purpose.
Then you must check the availability of sunlight. In most areas of Pakistan, there is enough sunlight that will satisfy the needs of the average household.
Which System to Choose?
There are three main types of solar systems for households.
- Off Grid
- On Grid/net metering system
- Hybrid
Off-Grid Solar System
It is a system in which solar panels are connected to the battery using an inverter. It is not integrated into the main grids. This system provides direct performance of the day and also charges the battery. You will get electricity backup with the support of connected batteries in case of power failure. You need a larger battery for this solar panel setting because you don’t use the grid power. Due to larger batteries, its price is generally higher.
On-Grid/Net Metering System
It is a system in which your system is connected to the main power grid via the Net Metering System. No battery is connected to this system. The excessive electricity produced by your solar panel system is transferred to the main grid in exchange for electricity from the grid in exchange for the unit. You can consume these units at night when there is no sunlight. This significantly reduces the electricity bill.
The disadvantage of the on-grid system is no electricity backup. You will need to get a separate UPS or generator to back up the power supply.
Hybrid (Net metering + Batteries)
Hybrid solar panel systems are very popular because they offer all the advantages of both systems without inheriting their disadvantages. It charges the battery and transmits electricity to the main grid via the network measurement system.
The system works by providing enough energy to completely load the house. Then the solar inverter in the system charges the batteries. When the batteries are charged, it converts excessive electricity to the main grid. It is therefore considered the most effective system. But it’s also a bit expensive.
Depending on the requirements, you can choose any of the above types of systems for your home.
Size or Capacity of Solar Panel System
Here comes a big factor that confuses many people. The size of the solar system is quite a significant factor that you have to consider before deciding to buy. It depends mainly on your electricity consumption.
You can calculate the average monthly electrical units (kW) from the average electricity bill. With this average, you can easily calculate the daily average electricity consumption (kW) by dividing by the number 30. The following table shows which system you should get according to the daily consumption of the unit.
| Daily Units Consumption (kW) | Capacity (Watts) Approximately |
| 1 | 250W |
| 5 | 1,250W / 1.25kW |
| 10 | 2,500W / 2.5kW |
| 20 | 5,000W / 5kW |
| 40 | 10,000W / 10kW |
| 80 | 20,000W / 20kW |
Solar Batteries
If you are going to get an off-grid or hybrid system, battery capacity is an important element.
Battery capacity (kWh) depends on the backup time. You can get the batteries with a larger capacity if you need more backup time in case of power failure. However, you should also consider the manufacturer’s recommendations.
There are many types of solar batteries, such as gel, dry, lithium-ion, etc. Lithium-ion batteries are the best, but they come at a higher price. Different solar panel systems require specific types and amounts of batteries. 12V batteries are the most common in this respect.
Solar Inverters
The solar converter converts variable DC electrical signals from solar panel cells to a usable frequency of alternating current (AC). Therefore, choosing the right inverter is also very important. In general, the inverter and the solar panel have the same number. If you are using 5 kW solar panels for your home, you will also most likely get a 5 kW inverter. It is also important to get an inverter with faster charging.
Calculate Your Power Usage kWh (Wattage)
It is easier to get an estimate of energy utilization from your electricity bill. However, you can also calculate the use of energy with respect to various electrical appliances. Here the power consumption of different appliances is estimated.
| Appliances | Wattages ~ | Appliances | Fax Machine |
| Ceiling Fans | 80 | Amplifier | 450 |
| Bracket Fans | 60 | Camera | 10 |
| Bracket Fans – Heavy Duty | 450 | DVR/NVR | 50 |
| Exhaust Fans | 50 | Door Bell | 10 |
| Exhaust Fans – 18 Inch | 410 | Biometric Device | 20 |
| LED Lights | 15 | TV LED | 60 |
| Tube Lights | 25 | Water Dispenser | 300 |
| Search Lights | 80 | Room Fridge | 150 |
| Energy Saver Lights | 20 | Fridge | 450 |
| SMD – Lights | 7 | Freezer | 600 |
| Safety Lights | 50 | E. Water Cooler Vertical | 600 |
| CPU | 250 | Submersible Pump | 2500 |
| Monitor – LCD | 50 | Water Pump | 1500 |
| Laptop | 70 | Water Pump (Double Impeller) | 2500 |
| Printer | 700 | Air Cooler | 550 |
| Scanner | 150 | A.C Conventional (1 Ton) | 1700 |
| Xerox Copier | 2000 | A.C Conventional (1.5 Ton) | 2500 |
| Projector | 500 | A.C Conventional (2 Ton) | 3400 |
| Server | 500 | A.C Inverter (1 Ton) | 1200 |
| Tele Exchange | 12 | A.C Inverter (1.5 Ton) | 1800 |
| Fax – Machine | 250 | A.C Inverter (2 Ton) | 2400 |
Solar Energy Production Throughout the Year
Solar energy production varies in different months. Here is the average production of electricity from a 5 kW solar panel.
| Months | Units produced by a 5kW Solar Panel System (Approx.) |
| January | 250-300 |
| February | 450-500 |
| March | 500-550 |
| April | 600-650 |
| May | 800-900 |
| June | 800-900 |
| July | 750-850 |
| August | 700-800 |
| September | 600-650 |
| October | 500-550 |
| November | 300-350 |
| December | 300-350 |
Solar Panel Types (Cells)
Panel types are of great importance. When obtaining solar panels for your home, it is important to pay due attention to. Efficiency, price, production rate, etc. depend on their type. Here are 4 types you can find on the market.
Solar Panel Size
The size of the panel and the production capacity matter a lot. You should go to a panel that has a larger size. But keep in mind that many panels have a large size but produce almost the same amount of energy as smaller ones. Get a panel that produces more energy, among others.
Solar Panel System Quality
When choosing a solar panel, there is no doubt quality matters a lot. We are talking about the quality of panels (plates), inverters, and batteries. It is connected to the manufacturer you choose. Choose a brand that is credible on the market. It is also important to get panels from a brand that provides a greater warranty.
There are many Chinese panels on the market. If you want to choose an economic Chinese solar system for your home, you need to ensure that the panel has quality A or A+.
Direction of Solar Panels
Although the technician is the best person to help you with it, in general, south is the best direction for your solar panels. However, it can be changed depending on different factors. The intention is to get maximum sunlight. That is why the panels are located in an angular position.
Custom-Made Vs Ready-Made Structure
An important thing to consider is the structure or frame on which the solar panels will be installed. There are two options: ready-made and custom-made. Most people choose the second option because they can choose the quality of the frame and get it designed specifically according to the available space. This helps to maximize the use of space but also increases costs.
Solar Panel Price in Pakistan
The price of the solar panel varies depending on the company, warranty, panel quality, system type, etc. Generally, the average price of a simple system on the network (without batteries) is RS 100,000 for 1 kW. Here is a table that shows the average price of different solar panels in Pakistan.
On-grid solar panel price in Pakistan
| Solar Panels | Average price in Pakistan (Brands / Good Quality) | Average price in Pakistan (Average quality) |
| 1kW (on-grid) | Rs.100,000 to 150,000 | Rs.80,000 to 130,000 |
| 5kW (on-grid) | Rs.600,000 to 1,000,000 | Rs.450,000 to 600,000 |
| 10kW (on-grid) | Rs.1300,000 to 1,700,000 | Rs.900,000 to 1,300,000 |
Hybrid solar panel price in Pakistan
| Solar Panels | Average price in Pakistan (Brands / Good Quality) | Average price in Pakistan (Average quality) |
| 1kW (hybrid) | Rs.180,000 to 250,000 | Rs.120,000 to 180,000 |
| 5kW (hybrid) | Rs.1,100,000 to 1,400,000 | Rs.900,000 to 1,100,000 |
| 10kW (hybrid) | Rs.2,500,000 to 3,500,000 | Rs.1,800,000 to 2,500,000 |
Off-grid solar panel price in Pakistan
| Solar Panels | Average price in Pakistan (Brands / Good Quality) | Average price in Pakistan (Average quality) |
| 1kW (off-grid) | Rs.170,000 to 250,000 | Rs.100,000 to 170,000 |
| 5kW (off-grid) | Rs.1,050,000 to 1,400,000 | Rs.900,000 to 1,050,000 |
| 10kW (off-grid) | Rs.2,400,000 to 3,500,000 | Rs.1,700,000 to 2,400,000 |
Prices of off-grid solar panel systems are bit higher due to larger batteries (with more capacity) required in this type of solar system. The prices of Installation, earthing, boring, etc. are generally included in the packages provided by different service providers, manufacturers and sellers.
Note: These prices are only for references. Real prices may vary depending on various factors such as quality, type, battery, etc.
Also read: Solar Panel Price in Pakistan 2025: The Ultimate Guide
Final Thoughts
There are a number of reasons why solar panel systems are now becoming popular in Pakistan. A few years ago, you would see these solar panels only on the roofs of the rich and famous, but now, even the middle classes are opting for them. There are some important factors everyone must understand before getting solar panels for their home. This guide is enough for new or first time buyer.
Do you have such solar system at home? What was your main consideration when you was buying a solar panel system? Also share your opinions and other important information with readers here.
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