Cost & system choice · Faisalabad, Lahore, Punjab
Single-phase or three-phase: which solar system does my house need?
Short answer
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.
How to tell which connection you have
Your electricity bill states the connection type and sanctioned load. A three-phase supply usually has a larger meter with three incoming live wires. If in doubt, send us a photo of the bill and the meter.
Match the inverter to the connection
Single-phase connection
Most small and medium homes.
Three-phase connection
Larger homes, several ACs, businesses.
A single-phase inverter on a three-phase connection covers only one phase. Changing the connection is done through your DISCO.
What changes between the two
- Inverter: single-phase and three-phase inverters are different products and are not interchangeable.
- Load balance: on three-phase, heavy appliances should be spread across the phases so one phase is not overloaded.
- Backup: a three-phase hybrid can back up loads on all three phases; some systems back up only selected circuits.
- Size: most three-phase inverters start at larger ratings, which suits bigger homes and businesses.
Changing from single-phase to three-phase
The change is applied for through your DISCO (FESCO, LESCO or others) and is linked to your sanctioned load. It takes time and has its own cost, so plan it before ordering equipment rather than after.
FESCO and LESCO connections
We check the connection type on FESCO bills in Faisalabad and LESCO bills in Lahore at the survey, before choosing an inverter.