5kW vs 10kW Solar System: Units, Loads and Phase Compared
A 5kW-class system suits a home using roughly 400 to 700 units a month with up to two ACs, on a single-phase connection. A 10kW-class system suits homes or offices using roughly 1,000 to 1,500 units with four ACs, and usually needs three-phase. In our range, the 5.75kW packages use a Growatt off-grid hybrid inverter that does not export, while the 10.35kW packages use a Deye three-phase hybrid that can export under net billing.
Updated 12 November 2026
Specs side by side
- Panels: 5.75kW = 10 x Jinko Tiger Neo 575W; 10.35kW = 18 x 575W.
- Inverter: 5.75kW = Growatt SPF 6000 ES Plus (6kW single-phase, 48V); 10.35kW = Deye SUN-10K-SG04LP3 (10kW three-phase, 48V).
- Lithium battery: 5.75kW = 1x Pylontech US5000 (4.8kWh); 10.35kW = 2x US5000 (9.6kWh).
- Tubular battery: 5.75kW = 4x AGS SP-250 (about 8.4kWh); 10.35kW = 8x AGS SP-250 (about 16.8kWh).
- Phase: 5.75kW single; 10.35kW three.
- Grid export: 5.75kW no; 10.35kW yes, with an approved net billing agreement.
- Roof space: about 350 to 400 sq ft vs about 630 to 720 sq ft.
- Panels per inverter: 10 panels on a 6kW inverter vs 18 panels on a 10kW inverter, both within the inverters' PV input limits.
- Supported battery types: both inverters support Pylontech lithium and lead-acid at 48V.
Monthly units
At roughly 4 to 5 units per kW per day as a yearly average across most of Pakistan:
- 5.75kW: about 690 to 860 units a month
- 10.35kW: about 1,240 to 1,550 units a month
Summer gives more, foggy winter days less. Shade and dust lower both. Use your own bill to see which range matches your use; a common rule of thumb is 400 to 700 units for 5kW and 1,000 to 1,500 for 10 to 12kW (Toolsfluent calculator, 2026).
Remember that units only save money when you use them, or export them under an approved agreement. On the 5.75kW off-grid hybrid, a full battery on a sunny afternoon means extra solar simply is not collected.
Loads each system runs
- 5.75kW package load list: two 1.5 ton inverter ACs, fridge, deep freezer, 1 HP water pump, 6 fans, 12 LED bulbs.
- 10.35kW package load list: four 1.5 ton inverter ACs, two fridges, 2 HP water motor, iron, 12 fans, 30 LED lights.
These assume inverter ACs used mainly in daytime sun. The 10kW system also handles more loads at the same moment, because its inverter is rated 10kW instead of 6kW. See the AC guide (Solar System for AC: How Many Panels for a 1.5 Ton AC?) for how AC hours change sizing.
Single phase vs three phase
The 5.75kW system runs on a normal single-phase home connection. The 10.35kW system uses a three-phase inverter, so you need a three-phase supply. Many larger homes and most offices already have one; if not, a DISCO upgrade is needed.
Three-phase also matters for grid export: NEPRA's Prosumer Regulations 2026 define an applicant as a three-phase 400V or 11kV consumer. See single phase systems (Single Phase Systems) and three phase systems (Three Phase Systems).
Grid export and net billing
- 5.75kW (Growatt off-grid hybrid): uses grid power when needed but never exports, so no DISCO approval is required. Surplus solar on sunny days is lost once the battery is full, so size use to production.
- 10.35kW (Deye on-grid hybrid): can export surplus under net billing. Export pays the National Average Energy Purchase Price, reported at about Rs 8 to 11 per unit in February 2026, and the system cannot exceed your sanctioned load. An AEDB-certified installer and an approved application are needed.
Details are in our net billing guide (Net Metering and Net Billing in Pakistan (2026 Rules)). Rules change; last checked October 2026.
Battery backup at night
- 5.75kW lithium: about 4.3kWh usable. Enough for fans, lights, fridge and TV for several hours, or under three hours of one AC with fans.
- 10.35kW lithium: about 8.6kWh usable. Enough for a full evening of fans, lights and fridges, or a few hours of one or two ACs.
- Tubular versions give similar usable energy but need water topping and are replaced sooner.
If night AC is a priority, the bigger battery of the 10kW system makes a real difference.
You can also extend backup by moving heavy loads such as the iron, washing machine and water pump to sunny hours, so the battery is kept for fans, lights and the fridge after sunset.
Cost and payback
A 10kW system costs much more than a 5kW system, but not twice as much per kW, because some costs such as installation and wiring do not double. ProPakistani (Aug 2026) cited about Rs 15 to 22 lakh for a 10kW system in the market. Our package prices are on each product page and in the price list (All Solar Systems).
Payback depends on how much of the solar you use yourself. A 10kW system on a home that is empty all day exports a lot at the low net billing rate, which slows payback. See the payback guide (Solar Payback Period in Pakistan (2026)).
What about 7kW?
If you sit between the two, with three ACs on single-phase, the 7.5kW package is the middle step: 13 panels on the same 6kW Growatt inverter as the 5.75kW system, with 7kWh lithium or about 8.4kWh tubular. It gives more daytime units without needing three-phase. See the 7kW page (7kW Solar System).
Roof space and structure
- 5.75kW: 10 panels, about 350 to 400 sq ft including gaps. Usually fits a 5 marla roof after tanks and stairs.
- 10.35kW: 18 panels, about 630 to 720 sq ft. Usually needs a 10 marla or larger roof, or an elevated structure.
Each Jinko Tiger Neo 575W panel measures about 2,278 x 1,134 mm. Shade from water tanks, walls or the neighbour's building can rule out part of the roof, so measure the shade-free area between 9am and 4pm before choosing a size. Our panel guide (How Many Solar Panels Do You Need?) explains roof planning.
Which should you choose?
- Bill 400 to 700 units, up to two ACs, single-phase: 5.75kW (5kW Solar System).
- Bill 1,000 units or more, four ACs, three-phase, wants export: 10.35kW (10kW Solar System).
- Three ACs, single-phase: 7.5kW.
- Not sure: enter your loads in the solar calculator (Solar Calculator).
A system slightly too small is cheaper to live with than one far too large under net billing, because exported units earn little.
