Solar System Size for 5 Marla, 10 Marla & 1 Kanal House
Typical loads, recommended kW, panel counts and cost tiers for Pakistan's three standard house sizes.
The short answer
5 marla → 3–5 kW. 10 marla → 5–8 kW. 1 kanal → 10–15 kW. Those are the typical ranges — but house size is only a proxy. What actually sizes your system is your electricity bill: two identical 10 marla houses can differ by 2× in consumption depending on ACs. Use the table below as a starting point, then confirm with your actual units using the Pakistan solar calculator.
Recommended sizes by house (estimates)
| House size | Typical monthly units | Suggested system | Panels (580W) | Roof area | On-grid cost (PKR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 marla | 300–500 | 3–5 kW | 6–9 | 250–500 sq ft | Rs 420,000–850,000 |
| 10 marla | 500–800 | 5–8 kW | 9–14 | 450–800 sq ft | Rs 700,000–1,300,000 |
| 1 kanal | 800–1,500+ | 10–15 kW | 18–26 | 900–1,500 sq ft | Rs 1,350,000–2,400,000 |
Costs are 2026 installed estimates for on-grid systems with Tier-1 panels; hybrid with batteries adds roughly 35–45%. Roof area assumes ~80–100 sq ft per kW including spacing. The 5 marla row is where most first-time buyers land — a 3 kW system covers lights, fans, fridge and TV, while 5 kW adds comfortable AC coverage.
What actually drives the size: your load list
Walk through your home and count the heavy hitters. A 1.5-ton inverter AC draws ~1,200–1,500 W; a conventional one ~1,800 W. Two ACs plus a fridge, water pump and the usual lights and fans put a 10 marla home's evening peak near 4–5 kW — which is why 5 kW is the sweet spot there, not 3. Summer is the sizing season: size for July, and the rest of the year takes care of itself. Our 1.5-ton AC guide works through the AC math in detail.
Start small and expand?
Yes — and it's often the smart move. Buy a 5 kW hybrid inverter with 3 kW of panels now, add panels later as budget or load grows. Two caveats under the 2026 net billing rules: keep the final system within your sanctioned load, and size each stage to actual consumption — oversized stages just manufacture Rs 11 export credits. Also confirm your roof can take the final panel count before you commit to the staged plan.
Net metering note
Whatever size you pick, the 2026 net billing rules reward self-consumption over export — so a system matched to your daytime use beats a maxed-out roof. Read our net metering vs net billing explainer before you finalize the kW.
House-size sizing FAQ
Straight answers, no fluff.
What size solar system do I need for a 5 marla house?
Typically 3–5 kW. A 5 marla home usually runs 300–500 units a month (lights, fans, fridge, TV, one AC in summer) — a 3 kW system covers the basics, 5 kW covers an AC comfortably. Confirm with your actual bill using our Pakistan calculator.
What size solar system for a 10 marla house?
Typically 5–8 kW. A 10 marla household usually consumes 500–800 units monthly with 2–3 ACs in summer. A 5 kW system is the sweet spot for most; go 8–10 kW if you run multiple inverter ACs all day.
What size solar system for a 1 kanal house?
Typically 10–15 kW. Kanal homes often use 800–1,500+ units a month with several ACs, a water pump and heavy appliances. Start from your actual bill — oversized systems waste money under net billing's low export rates.
How much roof area does a 5 kW solar system need?
About 400–500 square feet of shade-free roof using 580W-class panels (roughly 9 panels). Budget ~80–100 sq ft per kW including tilt-row spacing on flat roofs.
Can I start with a small solar system and expand later?
Yes — the smart way is buying an oversized hybrid inverter now (e.g. 5 kW inverter with 3 kW of panels) and adding panels later. Under 2026 net billing rules, keep the final size within your sanctioned load and size each stage to actual consumption.
Will a 5 kW system run my AC in a 10 marla house?
One 1.5-ton inverter AC, yes — during daylight. Two ACs plus the rest of the house will exceed 5 kW at peak. Count your simultaneous summer loads honestly, or size up to 8–10 kW.
What does a solar system cost for a 10 marla house in Pakistan?
A 5 kW on-grid system typically costs Rs 700,000–850,000 installed (2026 estimates); hybrid with batteries runs Rs 950,000–1,250,000. An 8–10 kW setup for heavier loads costs proportionally more — get itemized quotes.
Run your own numbers
Reading is good. Math is better. Punch your bill into the Pakistan calculator and get your exact kW.