How Many Solar Panels Are Required to Run a 1.6 Ton Inverter AC?

Solar panels are often proposed as an obvious solution to the increasing electricity bill, particularly for an appliance like an AC used for cooling purposes. However, the situation gets more complex if the appliance in question is a 1.6-ton inverter-type AC. While the situation may seem too trivial in relation to labels on the product itself warning of electricity consumption of the same rating as the appliance in question, the situation gets far more complex as it depends on how much current the appliance draws from the grid as well as the efficiency of the solar panels in real life.

How much electricity does a 1.6 ton inverter AC really use?

A common misconception is that “1.6 ton” refers to electrical consumption. Tonnage is a measure of cooling capacity, however.

In practice, the actual power consumption of the contemporary type of 1.6 ton inverter air conditioner will normally fall in the range of 1.2 kW to 1.8 kW while operating. The actual figure will depend on the insulation of the room, the outside temperature, the thermostat setting, as well as the actual efficiency of the air conditioner.

Again, the reason it is an inverter AC is that the power supply varies. Once the temperature is achieved, the current drawn can decrease substantially. In a solar panel design, you cannot design it to operate at the lowest current. A design has to operate over the peak temperature conditions of the day.

Assume an average running power of about 1.5 kW as a safe basis for the sake of calculating the power size.

Why solar panel ratings are misleading if taken at face value

The solar panel is normally rated by how many watts of power it can produce. However, it does not normally run under those ideal circumstances.

The study titled Understanding Solar Photovoltaic System Performance: An Assessment of 75 Federal Photovoltaic Systems, published by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program, explains that actual photovoltaic system output is consistently lower than nameplate capacity due to temperature effects, system losses, and environmental factors. This gap between rated and delivered power is normal and predictable.

Practically speaking, a 550-watt rated solar panel can actually only put in 400-440 watts under heavy sunshine because of losses in the system. Failure to consider this has been a major reason air conditioners have failed to operate under a small solar power system.

Calculating how many solar panels you actually need

It is here that the math clears up when real-world output is accounted for.

Suppose that:

• Average daytime operational AC load: 1,500 watts
• Solar panel rating: 550 watts
• Real output per panel: approximately 430 watts

To feed a load of 1.5 kW:

1,500 ÷ 430 ≈ 3.5 panels

Since partial panels are not possible, and output fluctuates throughout the day, this rounds up to at least four high-wattage solar panels. This setup is able to run the AC during strong sunlight hours, assuming no other heavy appliances are running at the same time. Wanting margin for clouds, wiring losses, or extra occasional loads often makes a fifth panel more of a practical decision than a luxury.

The role of location and sunlight availability

Panel count is not universal. Geography matters.

The World Bank’s publication Global Solar Atlas 2.0 Technical Report, produced by the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program, shows how solar irradiation varies by region and directly affects energy yield. Areas with higher solar potential generate more electricity per installed kilowatt over the year.

The location is also in a high solar irradiance zone, so that helps increase solar energy generated on a daily basis, unlike other places. This implies that only a smaller number of panels are needed compared to places with less daylight. Even so, during specific periods such as the morning, late, and especially during a haze, a reduced amount is produced in a high solar irradiance zone.

Can a 2kVA solar system run a 1.6 ton inverter AC?

This is a recurring question that arises frequently. There are nuances involved in providing an accurate answer.

Typically, a 2kVA inverter supports 1.6 kW of usable load. On paper, it appears as if we have the perfect amount of usage, as a 1.6-ton inverter ac typically draws an average of 1.6 kW. In practice, however, there isn’t much room for error.

With a 2kVA system:

• The AC can run during peak sunlight
• Voltage fluctuations may trigger overload warnings
• Adding more apparatus running concurrently is risky

Unless proper control and realistic use cases are considered for such an implementation, a setup running at 2kVA would be inefficient. Unless a family of people desires improved functionality without micromanaging their devices, going for the next level up in kVA rating would be suitable for them to get an improved and stable output for their devices

What a typical 2kVA solar setup looks like

A normal configuration of a 2kVA solar power system would comprise

• Four 540-550 watt solar panels
• A 2kVA Inverter
• Basic protection and wiring
• Optional small battery backup

Note that this kind of scenario fits with our calculation of a minimum number of panels, as determined previously. However, this system operates at near capacity when powering a large AC device. Any decrease in efficiency, shading, or temperature derating will be immediately noticeable.

Thus, this is the reason why more capacities in a panel are recommended by installers despite a consistent inverter rating.

Understanding 2kVA solar system cost in Pakistan

When users are looking up 2kVA solar price Pakistan or 2kVA solar setup cost, it's typically because of their desire to have cost and performance tradeoffs.

A solar system of 2kVA cost will also have the solar panel, the inverter, the structure to hold the panel, the installation cost, and basic electric protection measures. Pakistan has a highly competitive solar market, as well as high levels of solar radiation, keeping the solar panel prices quite favorable. There is also the tendency to compromise on the size of the solar panel

In many cases, increasing panel capacity moderately will not add as much as changing later as a result of dissent.

Should batteries be part of the plan?

Batteries are not necessary during the day to operate a 1.6 ton inverter AC. Batteries are only needed to function as a backup.

Obviously, without the batteries, the AC will only operate when there’s solar energy present, which isn’t during a clouded day or in the evenings. Of course, batteries would allow operation during a cloudy day, as well as the evenings, but at a high cost, which isn’t a priority, especially in the mornings, when operation of the AC would be desired.

Final thoughts

A 1.6 ton inverter ac can certainly be run on solar panels, even though we are talking about high-sun locations. Realistically speaking, we are talking about at least four high-wattage solar panels being used just to run the ac alone.

A 2kVA system reflects the limit of practicality rather than the comfort zone. If reliability is a particular concern rather than a desire to minimize costs as low as possible, the advantage of slightly oversizing the system can far outweigh the costs. Getting your design specs taken into consideration with reference to how solar panels work rather than merely how they are rated provides the sure path to a reliable supply of cool energy.