Where off-grid wins
Off-grid is not the default for a typical Lahore home. Hybrid is usually cheaper for the same comfort. But three situations genuinely call for it:
- Solar tube wells and agri pumping. No mains needed. The CM Punjab Solarization Program offers a 75-80 percent subsidy on approved tube well systems through agripunjab.gov.pk. This is the largest off-grid use case in the province.
- Construction sites and temporary structures. Faster to set up than running a service line. Demobilizes cleanly.
- Energy-independence buyers. Anyone who explicitly does not want a grid connection. Rural farmhouses, remote properties.
How off-grid is different from hybrid
An off-grid system must handle 100 percent of the load with no fallback. That means:
- Battery bank is 1.5 to 2 times larger than the same-size hybrid.
- Panel array carries an extra 15 to 25 percent capacity to cover cloudy days.
- Many off-grid sites still keep a small backup generator for monsoon week.
- Maintenance is more demanding — battery health checks every 6 months are essential.
Example: 10 kW off-grid for a farmhouse
| Component | Spec | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|
| Panels (18 × 585 W) | Tier-1 bifacial | PKR 380,000 |
| Off-grid hybrid inverter | 10 kW | PKR 480,000 |
| Lithium battery | 20 kWh (LiFePO4) | PKR 950,000 |
| Structure, cabling, MCBs, SPD | — | PKR 240,000 |
| Install + commissioning | — | PKR 180,000 |
| Total | PKR 2,230,000 – 2,540,000 |
Tubular battery substitution reduces the battery line by about 35 percent but shortens replacement cycle to 4-5 years.
Need an off-grid setup quoted?
Send the site location and load list on WhatsApp. A right-sized BoQ comes back the same day.
WhatsApp QuoteSolar tube well systems
The standard configuration is 10 to 25 kW direct-drive (no battery — pump runs only during sun-hours), or 15-30 kW with a small battery for late-evening watering. The CM Punjab subsidy covers most of the cost for eligible farmers. Solar Installation Lahore handles the paperwork plus the install.
What to expect during install
Off-grid sites are typically remote. Materials are trucked, hand-carried where needed and assembled on-site. A 10-15 kW off-grid job runs three to five days. Commissioning includes a load test, a depth-of-discharge check on the battery and a programmed generator-start sequence if a generator is on-site.
Free site survey across Punjab
Off-grid surveys cover load measurement, sun-hour confirmation and battery sizing.
Book a survey