A Complete Guide for 2025 – System Size, Cost, Panels Required & Real Performance

Delhi’s summers are harsh, with temperatures often crossing 45°C and air conditioners running for long hours. Naturally, one of the most common questions homeowners ask today is:

“Can a 1.5 ton AC run on solar power in Delhi?”

The short answer is:

Yes — you can run a 1.5 ton AC on solar in Delhi.

But the real answer depends on the right solar system size, inverter type, and daytime usage pattern.

This blog explains everything you need to know before running your AC on solar — including capacity requirements, costs, panel count, savings, and practical performance in Delhi’s peak summer heat.

❓ How Much Power Does a 1.5 Ton AC Consume in Delhi?

A modern 1.5 ton inverter AC consumes:

➤ 1.2 – 1.5 units per hour (average)

On extremely hot days, this can rise to:

➤ 1.8 units per hour for non-inverter ACs

If you run the AC for 6–8 hours a day during summer, it will consume:

✔️ 7–12 units per day

✔️ 200–350 units per month

This is where solar becomes a game changer.

What Size Solar System Do You Need to Run a 1.5 Ton AC?

To comfortably run a 1.5 ton AC + other home appliances, you need:

🔹 3kW Solar System (Minimum)

Runs the AC during the daytime plus essentials like:

• Fan

• Lights

• TV

• Fridge

Good for families who use AC mostly during the day.

🔹 5kW Solar System (Ideal Recommendation)

Runs:

• 1.5 ton AC

• Entire house load

• Day + Evening usage

Gives more stability, higher generation, and long-term efficiency.

How Many Solar Panels Are Required?

Solar panel count depends on panel wattage.

For Delhi 2025, most installations use 550W Mono PERC panels.

3kW system:

3,000W ÷ 550W ≈ 6 panels

5kW system:

5,000W ÷ 550W ≈ 9–10 panels

10kW system:

10,000W ÷ 550W ≈ 18–19 panels

Panel count may vary slightly depending on your roof and inverter rating.

Does Solar Work Well in Delhi’s Peak Summer Heat?

Absolutely.

Delhi receives 5.5 – 6.5 kWh/m² of sunlight daily, making it one of the best cities for solar.

In fact, summer is when solar performs the best, because:

• Longer daylight hours

• Stronger sun intensity

• Higher generation during peak AC usage

Even on extremely hot days, modern Mono PERC panels continue generating high output.

🔌 Can Solar Run AC at Night?

Solar directly runs AC only during the daytime.

For night usage, you still need:

• Grid supply, or

• Solar battery backup, or

• Hybrid inverter system

Battery Recommendation:

To run a 1.5 ton AC at night, you need:

• 5kW hybrid inverter

• 7–10kWh lithium battery capacity

This setup increases cost but provides complete independence from power cuts.

💰 Cost of Running a 1.5 Ton AC on Solar in Delhi (2025)

Here’s the approximate price:

3kW System: ₹1,50,000 – ₹2,10,000

5kW System: ₹2,40,000 – ₹3,50,000

10kW System: ₹4,80,000 – ₹7,00,000

After government subsidy:

✔️ 3kW: ₹70,000 – ₹1,10,000

✔️ 5kW: ₹1,60,000 – ₹2,50,000

10kW does not receive higher subsidy beyond 3kW capacity.

How Much Can You Save by Running AC on Solar?

A 1.5 ton AC running 6 hours/day uses around 200–300 units per month.

In Delhi, that costs ₹1,500 – ₹2,700 per month.

With solar, daytime AC usage is almost free.

Annual savings:

₹18,000 – ₹30,000 (just from AC alone)

Whole-house savings (5kW system):

₹40,000 – ₹54,000 per year

Does Solar Reduce AC Performance in Summer?

No.
Solar electricity is the same quality as grid electricity.

Your AC runs exactly the same, with:

• Same cooling

• Same speed

• Same power

• Same performance

Solar simply replaces your grid consumption.

Important Things to Know Before Installing

✔️ Use Mono PERC or Half-Cut panels

Better performance in Delhi heat.

✔️ Choose a good inverter

For AC load, string or hybrid inverters are best.

✔️ Ensure proper wiring & earthing

Prevents heat-related voltage drops.

✔️ Take a proper load analysis

Your installer should calculate:

• AC wattage

• Startup surge

• Daily consumption

✔️ Ensure net metering

Helps export extra units & reduce bills.

🌟 Final Answer: YES, You Can Run a 1.5 Ton AC on Solar in Delhi’s Summers

Solar works extremely well in Delhi’s climate, especially during summer when AC usage peaks.
With a 3kW or 5kW solar system, you can comfortably run your AC, reduce your electricity bill by up to 90%, and recover your investment in just 3–4 years.

Delhi’s heat is strong — and solar turns that heat into savings.