Do you need a special solar AC?
No. A standard inverter AC runs on the AC electricity that your solar inverter produces, the same as from the grid. So-called DC solar ACs that connect straight to panels exist, but most homes use a normal inverter AC with a home solar system.
Inverter ACs suit solar better than non-inverters. They start gently instead of with a hard surge, and they slow down once the room is cool, so they fit within what the panels produce for more of the day.
How much solar power an AC needs
Start from the AC's rated input. Daikin rates its 1 ton FTXC35DV1B at about 1,045 W and the 1.5 ton FTXC50DV1B at about 1,550 W at full cooling.
Panels rarely produce their full label rating: heat, dust, angle and morning and evening sun all reduce output. Installers therefore size the array well above the AC's draw, and above your other daytime loads too. Ask your installer to size the system for the AC plus everything else you run at the same time.
| AC | Rated cooling input | Solar to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ton inverter (FTXC35DV1B) | about 1,045 W | The AC's draw plus your other daytime loads, with margin for heat and dust |
| 1.5 ton inverter (FTXC50DV1B) | about 1,550 W | As above; ask your installer to size it from your full load list |
| 2 ton inverter (FTXC60DV1B) | about 1,890 W | As above |
On-grid, hybrid or off-grid
- On-grid (net metering): panels cut your bill in the daytime and the grid covers the rest. No batteries, so the AC stops on solar during load-shedding unless the system has backup.
- Hybrid: panels plus batteries. The AC can keep running through short outages and into the evening, limited by battery size.
- Off-grid: everything from panels and batteries. Running an AC overnight this way needs a large battery bank.
Questions to ask your solar installer
We supply and install the Daikin AC. Your solar installer designs the solar system around it, so share the AC's model and rated input with them.
- Can the solar inverter supply the AC's running power plus my other loads at the same time?
- How much will the panels produce in the hottest months, after heat and dust losses?
- How many hours of AC use will the batteries give after sunset?
- Is the wiring and breaker sized for the AC's circuit?
Frequently asked questions
Can a 1.5 ton inverter AC run on solar?
Yes, during the day, if the system can supply about 1,550 W for the AC (Daikin FTXC50DV1B at full cooling) on top of your other loads, with margin for heat and dust losses. Your solar installer should size it from your full load list.
Is an inverter or non-inverter AC better for solar?
Inverter. It starts without a hard surge and slows down once the room is cool, so it fits within what the panels produce for more of the day.
Can I run an AC on solar at night?
Only with batteries. Running an AC for several hours after sunset needs a large battery bank, so many homes use solar for the AC in the day and the grid at night.
