Inverters are sold by kVA, batteries by kWh, and most people are told a size without being told what it actually runs. This guide fixes that.
kVA vs kWh in one minute
- kVA (inverter size) is how much you can run at the same time. A 3kVA inverter delivers roughly 2.4kW to 3kW continuously, depending on the model.
- kWh (battery size) is how long you can run it without sun. A 5kWh lithium battery gives you about 4kWh to 4.5kWh of usable energy.
So inverter size decides what you can switch on; battery size decides how long it lasts at night. Panels decide how fast the battery refills the next day.
What a 3kVA solar system can power
| Appliance | Typical power | OK on 3kVA? |
|---|---|---|
| 10 LED bulbs | 100W | Yes |
| 3 ceiling or standing fans | 210W | Yes |
| 43-inch LED TV + decoder | 120W | Yes |
| Fridge (double door) | 150W | Yes |
| Laptop + phones + Wi-Fi | 120W | Yes |
| Small chest freezer | 150W | Yes |
| Pressing iron | 1,000–1,200W | Briefly, with little else on |
| Microwave | 1,000–1,200W | Briefly, with little else on |
| 1HP or 1.5HP AC | 900–1,500W running | No, not reliably |
Best for: one- and two-bedroom flats, shops and offices without AC. With our standard 5kWh lithium battery, a 400W evening load (lights, fans, TV, fridge) runs for about 11 hours.
Price: from about ₦2.8M installed.
What a 5kVA solar system can power
Everything above, plus:
- A bigger fridge and a freezer
- A washing machine
- Pressing iron or microwave without switching everything else off
- One 1HP or 1.5HP inverter AC
Best for: two- and three-bedroom homes, salons, pharmacies and small offices. With a 5kWh battery, a 1.5HP inverter AC plus lights and fans runs for about 3 to 4 hours at night. Running the AC all night needs more storage, which is why most of our AC homes use the 6kVA package with 16kWh.
Price: usually ₦2.2M to ₦2.8M with 5kWh of lithium.
What a 6kVA solar system can power
The sweet spot for a family home with one AC. Our 6kVA package pairs a hybrid inverter with a 16kWh lithium battery and eight 600W panels, enough for a 1.5HP inverter AC through the night plus the fridge, fans, lights and TV.
Price: from about ₦4.9M installed.
What a 10kVA solar system can power
- Two 1.5HP inverter ACs
- A 1HP water pump or borehole (see solar for borehole pumps)
- Multiple freezers or a small cold room
- A full office: computers, printers, CCTV, POS
Best for: duplexes, guest houses, offices, schools and churches. Pair it with 15kWh or more of lithium storage.
Price: roughly ₦5.1M to ₦6.5M with 15kWh of lithium.
Quick backup time guide
| Usable battery | 300W load | 600W load | 1,200W load (with AC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9kWh (3.2kWh battery) | ~9 hrs | ~4.5 hrs | ~2.5 hrs |
| 4.5kWh (5kWh battery) | ~15 hrs | ~7.5 hrs | ~3.5 hrs |
| 7kWh (8kWh battery) | ~23 hrs | ~11.5 hrs | ~6 hrs |
| 13kWh (15kWh battery) | 40+ hrs | ~21 hrs | ~11 hrs |
These are rough figures. Real backup depends on how your loads cycle on and off; a fridge, for example, does not draw power all the time.
The mistakes we see most
- Buying a big inverter with a tiny battery. It runs your AC beautifully until 10pm, then everything goes off.
- Running an AC on a 3kVA system. The startup surge trips the inverter. See can solar power an AC.
- Too few panels. The battery never fully recharges, especially in rainy season. Read how many panels a 5kVA inverter needs.
Want to work it out yourself? Add your appliances to the free solar calculator, or see full prices on the pricing page.
