Solar questions we answer before every install

How much does a solar system cost for my home?

It depends on three things: the system size in kW, whether you add batteries, and the structure your roof needs. Panel and inverter prices in Pakistan move every few weeks, so any fixed figure online goes out of date quickly. Send us your last 12 months of electricity bills and a few photos of your roof on WhatsApp. We will send you a written quote for your house, with every item listed.

What size system do I need for my monthly bill?

Sizing starts from your units (kWh), not the rupee amount. As a rough guide in Punjab, each 1 kW of panels produces about 110–150 units a month, depending on the season. Take your average monthly units, look at your summer peak and decide how much backup you want. Under the 2026 rules, the system is also capped at your sanctioned load. We work this out from your bill history before we recommend a size.

Can solar run my AC, and how many?

Yes. A 1.5-ton inverter AC usually draws about 1–1.5 kW while it runs, so it needs roughly 2 kW of panels to run through the day with some margin. Running ACs at night means drawing from batteries or the grid, and battery backup gets used up quickly with ACs. Tell us how many ACs you run and for how many hours, and we will size the system around that.

Why do prices change so often?

Most solar equipment is imported. Its price follows international module prices, the rupee–dollar rate, import duties and taxes, and local stock levels. Any of these can move within weeks. That is why we give quotes with a validity date instead of publishing fixed prices.

On-grid, hybrid or off-grid: which is better for me?

On-grid: lowest cost, but no backup during load shedding. Surplus is exported at the lower buyback rate.

Hybrid: solar plus batteries plus grid. It gives backup and lets you use more of your own solar. Since 2026 this is the right choice for most homes.

Off-grid: no grid at all. Suits farms and sites with no connection, but needs the most battery.

Single-phase or three-phase: which solar system does my house need?

It follows your electricity connection. A single-phase connection needs a single-phase inverter, and a three-phase connection needs a three-phase inverter. Your bill and meter show which you have.

Larger homes with several ACs are usually on three-phase, and a three-phase system also means spreading loads evenly across the three phases. If you are about to raise your sanctioned load, decide the phase first, because it changes which inverter we fit.

Can I charge an electric car or bike from solar?

Yes. Charging in the daytime straight from solar is the cheapest way to run an EV or electric bike. An electric bike or scooter adds only a small load; an electric car adds much more, so it needs to be planned into the system size.

Charging a car at night from a home battery drains it quickly, so night charging usually comes from the grid. Tell us about the vehicle at the survey and we will size for it.

Should I wait for solar prices to fall?

Usually not. Panel prices in Pakistan have already fallen a long way, and nobody can promise how much further they will go. Every month you wait is another full electricity bill.

Rules can also move against late buyers, as net billing did in February 2026. Buy when the numbers work for your house; there will always be a newer panel next year.

How much will the utility pay per unit I export?

Since 9 February 2026, new connections are on net billing. Exported units are bought at close to the national average energy purchase price, currently around Rs 8–11 per unit. The units you draw from the grid are still charged at your normal slab tariff, which is several times higher. That makes each unit you use yourself worth far more than a unit you export.

Will new net metering / gross metering rules affect me?

If your net metering agreement was signed before 9 February 2026, its terms continue until the agreement expires. New applicants are on net billing. Talk to us before you raise your sanctioned load or extend a grandfathered system, because doing so can end that protection. The rules may change again, and we keep this answer updated.

How long does solar take to pay for itself under net billing?

It depends mostly on how much of your solar you use yourself. Each unit you use saves your full slab tariff; each unit you export earns only the buyback rate. The more you self-consume, the faster the payback.

That is why systems sized to your own daytime load, with a battery for the evening, pay back faster under net billing than oversized export systems. We calculate it from your bills rather than quoting a general number.

Will my system work during load shedding?

Only if it has batteries (hybrid or off-grid). A plain on-grid system switches off when the grid goes down. A hybrid system switches to its batteries, and to its panels during the day, so your chosen loads keep running.

How many hours of backup will I get at night?

It depends on two things: the usable capacity of your battery and what you run at night. Fans, lights and a fridge can last through the night. ACs use up a battery far faster. We size the battery around the loads you choose and the hours you need, and we set up a backup reserve so the battery keeps a margin for load shedding.

Do I need batteries?

For most homes in 2026, yes. The reason is money, not technology. Under net billing, a unit stored and used at night saves you the full tariff, while an exported unit earns only the buyback rate. Batteries also give you backup during load shedding. If you mainly use power in the day and don't need backup, on-grid alone can still work.

Lithium or lead-acid/tubular: which should I buy?

For daily solar cycling, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) generally lasts much longer. It lets you use more of its capacity, needs no water top-ups and takes less space. Tubular batteries cost less up front but wear out sooner with daily cycling. Whichever you choose, the battery must be approved for your inverter and installed properly. Matching voltage alone does not make a battery compatible.

How long do batteries last?

Lithium battery life depends on how many cycles it goes through, how deeply it is discharged, and the temperature where it is installed. Check the cycle rating on each model's datasheet. New batteries we supply carry a 7 to 10-year manufacturer's warranty, depending on the model. The exact term is on each product page. Tubular batteries under daily solar use usually need replacing much sooner.

What is a high-voltage battery, and when is it better than a 48 V one?

A low-voltage (LV) battery runs at around 48 V; a high-voltage (HV) battery stacks modules to run at a much higher voltage. For the same power, HV carries far less current, which suits larger hybrid systems, often three-phase.

Most single-phase homes use 48 V batteries. HV makes sense for bigger homes and businesses with an HV hybrid inverter. Either way the battery must be on the inverter maker’s approved list: a similar voltage alone does not make them compatible.

Do I still need a generator if I have solar?

For most homes with a hybrid system and battery, no. The battery covers normal load shedding. A generator still makes sense for long outages, fog weeks with little sun, heavy loads such as factories, or sites where power must never stop.

If you keep one, it must connect through the inverter’s generator input where the model supports it, or through a proper changeover, never straight into the solar wiring.

Does solar work in smog and winter fog?

Yes, but output drops. Heavy smog and fog block part of the sunlight, and on the worst days in November–January output can fall sharply. Panels still produce power in diffuse light. Bifacial and N-type panels handle low light somewhat better. Plan for these weeks when you size the system and battery.

How much does output drop in winter?

Winter days are shorter and the sun is lower. Add smog, and a system in Punjab often produces a good deal less in December–January than in April–June. Expect a noticeable drop, not a failure. Adjusting the tilt and keeping the panels clean helps.

Does extreme summer heat reduce output?

Yes. Panels lose a small percentage of output for every degree they run above 25°C, and on a 45°C day the panels themselves are far hotter than the air. N-type panels lose less to heat. An elevated structure lets air flow under the panels and keeps them cooler. Summer is still the highest-output season because the days are long.

How often should panels be cleaned in dust?

In most of Punjab, about every 1–2 weeks. Clean more often after dust storms and in areas near roads, construction, farms or factories. Use plain water and a soft brush or mop, early in the morning or in the evening when the panels are cool. Never use detergent, a pressure washer or a hard brush, and never walk on the panels.

Can panels handle hail, storms and strong wind?

Tier-1 panels are tested for hail impact and wind and snow load. In storms, the structure and fixings usually matter more than the panel itself. We design the structure, anchoring and row spacing for your site's wind exposure, and that is where cheap installations tend to fail.

What about monsoon rain and lightning?

Rain does no harm to panels and washes off dust. For lightning and surges, a system needs proper earthing, surge protection devices on the DC and AC sides, and correctly rated breakers. We include all three and test the earthing before handover.

Can a solar geyser or heat pump cut my winter bill?

Yes, and often better than running an electric geyser from solar panels. Winter is when panels produce least, and an electric element geyser uses a lot of power.

A solar water heater heats water directly from the sun, and a heat pump water heater typically uses a fraction of an element geyser’s electricity. Both help in a Punjab winter; fog days still need a backup source.

Which panel brands are Tier-1 and which do you use?

"Tier-1" is a financial ranking of manufacturers, published by BloombergNEF. It is not a quality certificate, but it does indicate a large, established maker. We supply panels from brands including LONGi, Canadian Solar and Astronergy. See the Products page for the models in stock.

What are bifacial / N-type / half-cut panels?

Half-cut: each cell is cut in two. This lowers losses and helps when part of the panel is shaded.

N-type: a newer cell technology that loses less power to heat and ages more slowly than older P-type cells.

Bifacial: the panel also collects light reflected onto its back. It gains the most on elevated structures over light-coloured surfaces.

Most modern panels combine all three.

Which inverter brands do you recommend?

It depends on the system. We supply inverters from Solis, GoodWe, Growatt, Huawei, Soluna, Luminey and Fronus. Hybrid models cover homes, and three-phase on-grid models cover larger commercial sites. More important than the brand: the inverter must be sized correctly, approved for the battery you use, and backed by local warranty support.

How can I tell if panels are genuine, not fake or grade-B?

Check the serial number with the manufacturer, on its website or through its local distributor.

Ask for the flash test report and the original packing list.

Look for consistent labels, frames and junction boxes.

Be cautious of prices far below the market.

We give every customer the serial numbers and warranty paperwork.

What warranty do panels and inverters come with?

Panels carry a manufacturer's product warranty and a separate, longer power-output warranty. Inverters normally carry a 5-year manufacturer's warranty. Batteries carry 7 to 10 years, depending on the model. Our structures carry a 3-year warranty. Breakers and other protection equipment are covered for one year. We give you the exact terms for each item in writing with your quote.

Who handles warranty claims: you or the brand?

We do. You call us, we diagnose the fault on site or remotely, and we raise the claim with the manufacturer or distributor for you. You don't deal with the brand yourself.

What is new in solar panels: TOPCon, back-contact and 700 W modules?

Most panels sold in Pakistan today are N-type TOPCon, which replaced older P-type PERC panels. They lose less power in heat and age more slowly.

Back-contact (BC) panels move all the wiring to the back of the cell, so the front catches more light; LONGi’s Hi-MO X10 is one example we supply. Very large 700 W-class panels exist too, but they are heavier and bigger, so the structure, handling and inverter inputs have to be planned for them.

How long does installation take?

A typical home system takes about 2–4 days on site once the equipment arrives. Elevated or custom structures and commercial jobs take longer. We confirm the timeline after the site survey.

How much roof space do I need?

A modern panel covers about 2.5–2.7 m² (roughly 27–29 sq ft). Allow for row spacing to avoid self-shading, walkways for cleaning, and water tanks. A useful guide is roughly 70–100 sq ft of roof per kW. We measure your roof at the survey.

What are L2, L3 and elevated structures?

L2 and L3 are standard rooftop frames that hold two and three rows of panels.

An elevated structure is raised high enough to use the space underneath for parking, a courtyard or a shed, and it keeps the panels cooler.

The right choice depends on row spacing, shading and how you use your roof.

Will installation damage my roof or cause leaks?

Not when it is done properly. We fix the structure onto footings or base plates and seal every point where the roof surface is penetrated. We check the roof's condition at the survey, before any work starts.

Which direction and angle should panels face?

In Punjab, panels should face south, tilted at about 20–30°. A lower tilt favours summer and a steeper one favours winter. East–west layouts also work where roof space or shading requires them. We set the angle for your roof and your usage.

Can I add more panels later?

Usually yes, if the inverter has spare capacity and inputs, and your sanctioned load allows it. Tell us at the start if you plan to expand, so we size the inverter and cabling for it. If you are on a grandfathered net metering agreement, talk to us first.

Can I use my existing UPS and batteries?

Sometimes, but often it isn't worth it. An old UPS isn't designed for solar charging, and old tubular batteries are usually near the end of their life. Mixing old batteries with new ones, or using a battery the inverter isn't approved for, causes problems. We check what you have and tell you honestly.

Can I get solar in a rented house or a flat?

Often yes, with permission. In a rented house the owner has to agree to the installation, and any DISCO application goes in the name on the electricity bill, so the owner needs to be involved.

In a flat the roof is usually shared, so you need the building or society’s approval and your own share of roof space. Where panels are not possible, a battery backup system without panels can still cover load shedding.

What does a solar site survey include?

At the survey we measure the roof, check shading through the year, look at the roof’s condition and access, and note your electrical board, earthing, meter and connection type.

We go through your bills and the appliances you want on backup, then agree where the inverter and battery will go. From that we prepare the design and a final itemised quote. Surveys are normally free.

Can solar run my tubewell / water pump?

Yes. A solar pump system uses a pump inverter (VFD) that runs the motor directly from the panels during the day, with no batteries needed. Many farms in Punjab have cut their diesel or grid costs this way.

What size solar pump do I need for my land?

It depends on three things: the pump's horsepower, the depth of the water table or bore, and how much water your crops need each day. Send us the motor HP, the bore depth and your acreage. We will size the panels and the inverter, and design an elevated structure if one is needed.

Do you install for factories, schools and commercial sites?

Yes. We design, supply and install commercial and industrial systems, including three-phase on-grid systems with inverters up to 115 kW. We provide load analysis, structure design and commissioning records.

What after-sales service do you give?

One team looks after your system from the survey onwards. After-sales service covers fault diagnosis, repairs, warranty claims, cleaning advice and technical support by phone or WhatsApp. The first year of service is free: there are no visit charges, and breakers and other equipment are under warranty for that year.

Can I monitor my system on my phone?

Yes. Most inverters we install connect over Wi-Fi to the manufacturer's app, which shows production, use, battery level and grid import and export. We set the app up for you at handover.

Is solar safe for my home and children?

A correctly installed system is designed to operate safely. That means proper earthing, breakers and surge protection, cables in conduit, the equipment mounted out of children's reach, and a clear isolation point. Keep children off the roof and away from the inverter and battery. Only trained people should work on the system.

Do you provide service in my city?

We have offices in Faisalabad and Lahore. We regularly work in Samundari, Gojra, Khurrianwala and Shahkot, and we take jobs all over Punjab. Message us your location and we will confirm.

How do I get a quote or site survey?

Message us on WhatsApp at 0336 666 4321 with your name, city, your last 12 months of electricity bills and a few photos of your roof. You can also use the site-visit form. We reply with an initial estimate, then book a survey for a final quote.