Complete reference design for medium-to-large homes and small offices. Solar by day, battery backup during load-shedding, grid credits through net metering. Everything you need to build it, verify a dealer quote, or brief your electrician.
FIG. 01 · System OverviewGrid-Tied with Battery Backup
Is a 10kW hybrid right for you?
Not every home needs 10kW. Check honestly before spending a million rupees.
Pick this system if:
Your monthly bill is Rs 40,000–75,000 (roughly 900–1,400 units)
You run 2–3 ACs together during summer afternoons
Load-shedding is 1–4 hours per day and you want AC-capable backup
You want both net metering AND battery backup — not one or the other
You have ~200 sq ft of unshaded roof facing south, east, or west
Skip this system if:
Your bill is under Rs 25,000 — a 5kW system serves you better and costs 40% less
Load-shedding is negligible — go on-grid and skip battery cost
You have no WAPDA connection — you need off-grid with larger battery bank
AC load reality check: A 1.5-ton inverter AC pulls ~1.2kW steady-state. Three together = 3.6kW, well within the 10kW inverter during the day. At night on battery, 3 ACs drain a 10kWh bank in 1–2 hours. Size your battery for the load pattern you actually have.
How a hybrid system works
Power flows between four things: panels, battery, grid, and your home. The hybrid inverter decides who sends what, when.
FIG. 02 · Simplified Power Flow
The inverter is the brain — moment by moment it decides: feed the house, charge the battery, or export to the grid. All based on sunlight, your load, and battery state of charge.
Four scenarios, four behaviors
Sunny afternoon, you're home: Panels power the house directly. Extras charge the battery. Once battery is full, extras go to the grid for credits.
Sunny afternoon, you're at work: House uses almost nothing. Battery charges fast, then everything goes to the grid as net-metering credits.
Evening, WAPDA is on: Battery powers the house first (you use stored solar). When the battery hits its reserve level, grid takes over.
Load-shedding at night: Battery powers the house instantly — no flicker, no changeover. Hybrid inverter switches in milliseconds.
Bill of Materials
Take this to three local dealers — compare line-by-line. If one quote is Rs 400k cheaper, they're cutting quality somewhere. Usually battery chemistry or panel tier.
Component
Qty
Spec & suggested brands
Solar panels
18 × 550W
Tier-1 monoLongi HiMo 6, Jinko, Canadian, JA Solar, Trina
Hybrid inverter
1 × 10kW
Single-phase or 3-phase per connectionGrowatt SPH, Huawei LUNA, Inverex Nitrox, Deye, Sungrow
14-gauge galvanized iron for RCC roofElevated H-beam structure adds ~Rs 7,000/panel
DC cables
~50 m
6mm² tinned copper + MC4 connectorsMillennium, GM, Fast
AC cables
~20 m
10mm² copperPakistan Cables, GM, Fast
DC isolators
2 × 20A
One per PV string
AC MCB
1 × 63A
Chint, Schneider, Tomzn, CNC
Surge protection
2 × SPD
Type 2 — one DC-side, one AC-side
Earthing kit
1 set
Copper rod + bus bar + bonding cable (<1Ω)
Net metering
AEDB/DISCO
Green meter + application processingGenuine government fees: Rs 30–50k
Estimated turnkey range: Rs 1,200,000 – 1,600,000 including installation. Lower end = 5kWh battery + mid-tier panels. Upper end = 15kWh battery + premium brands. Prices verified April 2026 — USD/PKR movement can shift this ±10%.
Single-line electrical schematic
Print this and hand it to your electrician. Breaker ratings and cable sizes are indicative — verify against your chosen inverter's datasheet.
FIG. 03 · Single-Line Diagram (Indicative)
This is indicative, not a final construction drawing. Every site has its own cable runs, voltage-drop margins, and local code requirements. Use it as a starting point for a licensed electrician.
How it gets built — 10 steps
Roughly in order, assuming a professional crew. DIY is possible for steps 1–6 if you have electrical experience; steps 7–10 should involve a licensed electrician.
1
Structural roof check
18 panels weigh ~360 kg plus wind load. Get a civil engineer or mason to confirm your roof can handle it. RCC roofs usually can — but a 20-year-old cracked roof needs reinforcement first.
Common shortcut: skipping this. Result: mounting bolts pull out in the first windstorm.
2
Mounting structure
Galvanized-iron L2 flush-mount for flat RCC. Elevated H-beam + C-channel (~Rs 7,000/panel extra) if you need shade avoidance. At least 15° tilt south for Punjab/Sindh — flat panels collect dust and lose 8–12% output.
3
Panel mounting & DC wiring
Mount 18 panels in two strings of 9. Connect panels in series within each string (MC4 connectors). Run 6mm² tinned-copper DC cable from each string down to the inverter's PV inputs.
Why two strings: most 10kW hybrid inverters have two MPPT inputs. Shade on one side won't kill the other side's output.
4
Inverter placement
Indoors or covered/ventilated area. Not in direct sun — Pakistani summer will cook it and cause derating. 30cm clearance on all sides for airflow. Ground floor with service access is ideal.
5
Battery installation
Wall-mount or floor-stack LiFePO4 modules near the inverter (battery-to-inverter cable under 2m). Indoor, away from direct heat. Parallel modules per manufacturer spec, BMS cable (CAN/RS485) to inverter.
Never mix: battery brands, or lithium with lead-acid on same bank. BMS protocols are brand-specific.
6
DC protection & earthing
DC isolators between each string and inverter, DC SPD, dedicated earth rod (<1Ω). Bond panel frames, structure, inverter chassis, and SPD earth to the same earth bus.
7
AC wiring & distribution
Inverter's grid output → 63A AC MCB + AC SPD → main DB. Backup output → separate "critical loads" sub-DB (lights, fans, 1 AC, fridge, TV).
Don't back up the whole house. Separate critical loads or your battery dies in 45 minutes.
8
CT clamp & sensing
Current transformer on the grid incoming line, before any splits. Tells the inverter how much power the house draws — how it decides export vs. hold-back.
9
Commissioning
Power up in order: battery → DC → AC grid. Configure inverter: grid code (Pakistan NEPRA), battery charge curves, net-metering enable, time-of-use if applicable. Monitor via WiFi app for first week.
10
Net metering application
Apply to your DISCO (LESCO/IESCO/MEPCO/etc.) with installation diagram, inverter certs, and inspection reports. Typical timeline: 30–60 days. DISCO swaps your meter for a bidirectional green meter.
Catch: often bundled at inflated cost. Genuine fees are Rs 30–50k. Ask for a breakdown.
Sizing your battery bank
Battery is the most expensive per-kWh component and the most commonly oversold. Pick based on actual backup needs.
Size
Backup (moderate)
Backup (heavy)
Typical use
Cost share
5 kWh
3 hrs · lights + fans + 1 AC
1.5 hrs · 2 ACs
Urban, 1–2 hr load-shedding
Rs 2.5–3.5L
10 kWh
6 hrs · full evening backup
3 hrs · 2–3 ACs
Most Pakistani homes — sweet spot
Rs 4.5–6.0L
15 kWh
9+ hrs · full-night backup
4–5 hrs · 3 ACs
Heavy load-shedding, large homes
Rs 6.5–8.5L
Don't oversize: battery costs fall ~8–12% per year. A 15kWh bank you don't fully use is frozen capital. Start with 10kWh — modular LiFePO4 from Pylontech/Dyness/Soluna lets you add a module later if needed.
What's not in the BOM
These line items aren't in our price range above. Be honest with yourself about these before finalizing a budget.
Structural survey / reinforcement: Rs 10,000–40,000 depending on roof condition.
Earthing system: proper ground rod, bus bar, bonding cable — Rs 15,000–30,000.
Electrician labor: Rs 30,000–60,000 for a full install depending on city.
Net-metering application fees: Rs 30,000–50,000 in genuine DISCO fees.
Long cable runs: if the inverter is >10m from roof, you'll need thicker DC cable to avoid voltage drop.
Monitoring / automation: most inverters include WiFi, but energy meters or home-automation integration is extra.
Need a tailored design for your exact home?
Full wiring schematic, exact component list, and installer briefing — so you know what to buy and what to pay.