Solar System Cost in Pakistan: 3kW, 5kW, 10kW and 20kW Compared

Ask five installers for a quote, and you may get five different numbers for the “same” system. That is because price depends almost entirely on one thing: size. So before you request a quote, it helps to know what each size costs, and what it is actually built to do.

Prices below are checked as of August 2026, pulled from installer quotes we have seen across Pakistan. Panel and rupee costs move often, so treat these as a starting range, not a fixed number.

How the right size actually gets decided

Size is not about how much roof space you have. It is about how much power you use, and when you use it. So your last two or three electricity bills are a better starting point than the size of your house.

Homes and businesses use power differently. A home often peaks in the evening, once the lights, fans, and the AC come on after work.

A business or factory usually peaks in the day, right when the sun is doing its best work. This gap matters more than it used to.

Since February 2026, Pakistan pays far less for solar power sent back to the grid under the new net billing rules. So oversizing a system to sell surplus power barely helps anymore.

The real saving now comes from using your own solar power as you make it. For the full picture, see our net billing guide.

One more limit now applies. NEPRA caps net billing systems at your sanctioned load, so check your connection rating before you settle on a size.

The four sizes, compared

3kW — the small home size

A 3kW system suits a small home with modest bills. Think 3 to 4 rooms, fans, lights, a fridge, and maybe one AC used sparingly. It needs around 6 panels and about 200 sq ft of clear roof.

On-grid, expect to pay roughly Rs 350,000 to 500,000 installed. Add a battery for backup, and a hybrid 3kW system runs closer to Rs 600,000 to 900,000. Monthly generation lands around 350 to 450 units, depending on your city and the season.

This size fits bills in the Rs 15,000 to 25,000 range. Go much above that, and 3kW will leave you short most months.

5kW — the size most homes land on

5kW is the most common residential size in Pakistan, and for good reason. It runs a fridge, a washing machine, a water pump, fans, lights, and one inverter AC without much strain. It needs about 9 panels and roughly 325 sq ft of roof.

On-grid pricing runs Rs 500,000 to 800,000 installed. A hybrid version with lithium battery backup costs Rs 770,000 to 1,100,000. Expect 600 to 750 units a month.

If your bill sits between Rs 25,000 and 40,000, this is usually the size that fits.

10kW — where home and business overlap

10kW is the size where residential and commercial buyers start asking the same questions. A large house running several ACs fits here. So does a small shop, clinic, or office with steady daytime use.

On-grid installed cost runs Rs 850,000 to 1,200,000. Hybrid systems with battery backup cost Rs 1,000,000 to 1,500,000. You will need around 17 to 18 panels and about 650 sq ft of roof, generating 1,200 to 1,500 units a month.

This size suits bills between Rs 40,000 and 60,000, or a business running through the day.

20kW — commercial and large residential

20kW sits firmly in commercial territory, though it also fits a large residential plot — 2 Kanal or bigger, with heavy load. Small factories, schools, plazas, and multi-outlet shops are common fits.

On-grid installed cost runs Rs 1,600,000 to 2,300,000. A hybrid setup with battery backup climbs to roughly Rs 2,400,000 to 3,200,000, though most buyers here skip the battery for daytime use instead. You will need around 34 panels and 1,300 sq ft or more of clear roof, generating 2,300 to 2,800 units a month.

This size fits bills from Rs 80,000 upward, or any site where the biggest loads run during daylight hours.

Above 25kW the paperwork changes too. Those systems need NEPRA approval and a one-time fee, as our net billing application guide explains.

Why cost per kilowatt drops as systems get bigger

Look closely at the numbers above, and a pattern shows up. Cost per kilowatt falls as size climbs.

A 3kW system can cost close to Rs 150,000 per kW installed. A 20kW system often lands nearer Rs 100,000 per kW.

This happens because fixed costs — the net billing application, the inverter’s base price, the installer’s site visit — get spread across more panels. So bigger systems get more efficient, kilowatt for kilowatt. But bigger only makes sense if you can actually use the power it makes.

To turn any of these prices into a payback figure, see our payback and ROI guide. If you plan to borrow, our financing guide covers what that adds.

What the quoted price should include

A proper quote covers more than panels. It should list the inverter, mounting structure, cabling, DC protection, earthing, and labour. So ask exactly what is and is not covered before you compare two quotes side by side.

Two costs are easy to miss. First, the net billing application and bi-directional meter, which can add Rs 60,000 to 160,000 depending on your DISCO.

Second, any structural or civil work your roof needs before panels go up. Neither should come as a surprise after you sign.

Comparing quotes properly matters as much as the price itself. Our installer guide covers the checks worth making before you sign.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a 5kW solar system cost in Pakistan?

A 5kW on-grid system typically costs Rs 500,000 to 800,000 installed. A hybrid version with battery backup runs Rs 770,000 to 1,100,000, depending on the battery size and inverter brand you choose.

How many units does a 5kW solar system produce per day?

Around 20 to 25 units a day in good conditions, or roughly 600 to 750 units a month. Output drops in winter and on cloudy days, so treat the monthly figure as an average rather than a guarantee.

How many solar panels are needed for a 10kW system?

Usually 17 to 20 panels, depending on the wattage of each one. Most systems in Pakistan now use panels rated between 550W and 615W, so higher-wattage panels mean fewer of them.

How many ACs can a 5kW solar system run?

One to two inverter ACs alongside normal household loads, during peak daylight hours. Claims of three or more usually assume ideal sunlight and little else running, so ask your installer for a written load calculation.

What size solar system do I need for my home?

Start with your last three electricity bills. As a rough guide, 3kW suits bills around Rs 15,000 to 25,000, 5kW suits Rs 25,000 to 40,000, and 10kW suits Rs 40,000 to 60,000. Your actual usage pattern and roof space can shift this either way.

How much roof space does a solar system need?

Roughly 65 square feet per kilowatt of shadow-free roof. So a 5kW system needs about 325 sq ft, while a 10kW system needs around 650 sq ft.

Is a 10kW solar system enough for a small business?

Often, yes. A 10kW system fits a shop, clinic, or small office with steady daytime power use. Larger commercial sites with heavy daytime loads may need 20kW or more.

How long do solar panels and inverters last?

Panels typically last 25 years or more, losing a little output each year. Inverters have a shorter life, usually 10 to 15 years, so budget for at least one replacement.

Should I add a battery to my solar system?

It depends on when you use power. Evening-heavy homes benefit more from a battery, since net billing pays far less for exported power than it costs to buy back. Businesses with daytime-heavy use often do fine without one.

What is included in a solar system’s installed price?

A proper quote should cover panels, inverter, mounting structure, cabling, DC protection, earthing, and installation labour. Net billing paperwork and the meter are often priced separately, so confirm this before you compare quotes.