Powering air conditioning and refrigeration with solar energy: What is possible and what is expected?

Last updated: October 17, 2026

Solar-powered air conditioning is practically feasible in Saudi Arabia, and the easiest way to operate it is during the day by directly drawing power from the panels, since the peak cooling demand coincides with the hours of highest solar radiation. The real challenge lies in nighttime operation, as it requires large batteries or a connection to the grid. This article explains what to expect with specific figures and how to choose the right solution.

Why is air conditioning and solar power a suitable combination?

In the summer months of Riyadh or Al-Ahsa, electricity consumption rises significantly, primarily due to air conditioning. Simultaneously, the sun is at its strongest. This synchronization means that electricity is produced precisely when it is needed, often without the need for storage.

However, there's an important detail: the panels themselves are affected by heat. The heat coefficient in modern panels is approximately −0.29% to −0.40% for every degree above 25°C, and the cell temperature in our summer can exceed 65 to 70°C, causing a power drop of 12 to 18% at midday. Therefore, the design must account for this loss and not rely solely on the panel's rated power. Further details are available in the article. The effect of heat on solar panel production.

How much does an air conditioner consume?

The electrical capacity of the air conditioner varies depending on the efficiency and type of compressor, but as approximate figures:

• 18000 BTU split air conditioner: approximately 1.6 to 2 kW during operation.
• 24000 BTU split air conditioner: approximately 2 to 2.6 kW during operation.

An inverter air conditioner reduces the compressor speed once the room reaches the desired temperature, resulting in an average daily power consumption lower than its maximum capacity. A conventional air conditioner, on the other hand, operates intermittently, drawing significantly more current each time it starts up – a load that the solar inverter must be able to handle.

Example: Operating a 24,000 BTU air conditioner during the day

We take an average draw of 2.3 kW (mid-range 2 to 2.6) and operation for 8 continuous daytime hours, and this is a conservative assumption because the compressor does not operate at maximum power all the time:

1. Daily consumption: 2.3 x 8 = 18.4 kWh.
2. Assuming 5 hours of effective sunshine and total losses of 20%: the kilowatts from the panels give 5 x 0.8 = 4 kilowatt-hours per day.
3. Panel power: 18.4 ÷ 4 = 4.6 kW.
4. With 550W panels: 4.6 ÷ 0.55 ≈ 8.4, i.e., 9 panels (4.95 kW).

With the residential tariff of 18 halalas: 18.4 x 30 = 552 kilowatt-hours per month, which is approximately 552 x 0.18 = 99 riyals per month for this air conditioner alone, according to the tariff announced at the time of writing the article. Refer to the Saudi Electricity Company for the current tariff.

For a more detailed calculation based on the number and type of air conditioners, read the article. How many solar panels do I need to run an air conditioner?.

The battery calculation in the table is: Consumption ÷ 0.8 (deepness of discharge for lithium batteries) ÷ 0.95 (inverter efficiency). For example, 18.4 ÷ 0.8 ÷ 0.95 = approximately 24.2 kWh.

Night operation: Where does the difficulty lie?

The table illustrates the difference: running one air conditioner at night for the same duration requires batteries with approximately 19 to 24 kilowatt-hours, significantly increasing the system's cost and adding a component with a limited lifespan. Therefore, practical solutions for nighttime use are:

• Network connection: The panels cover the daytime, the grid covers the nighttime, and the daytime surplus is exported and deducted from subsequent consumption according to the net metering system.
• Hybrid system with medium-sized batteries: It covers outages or part of the evening, not the entire night. Read Advantages and disadvantages of hybrid systems with batteries.
• Pre-cooling: Cool the house well before sunset and insulate it, so it retains coolness for hours and reduces nighttime operation.

Solar-powered air conditioning options

A connected system that supplies the entire house

The most common option for grid-connected homes and offices. Air conditioners remain unchanged, and the system feeds into the main electrical grid, covering a significant portion of daytime consumption. The regulatory framework covers systems from 1 kilowatt to 2 megawatts, with implementation by a contractor qualified by the Electricity Regulatory Authority and connection through the Saudi Electricity Company, ensuring compliance with current procedures by official bodies.

A separate system for a network-less site

For farms and remote rest areas. Running the air conditioner during the day is possible with sufficient panels and an inverter that can handle the starting current, but at night it requires careful calculation of batteries or a backup generator.

Air conditioners that operate directly on panels

There are air conditioners designed to accept electricity directly from solar panels or in conjunction with the grid. They are suitable for a room or office used during the day, but they do not replace the grid or batteries if used at night.

Commercial refrigeration and cold rooms

Shops, warehouses, and cold storage rooms on farms often operate throughout the day, and their daytime load is high due to the ambient temperature. In these cases, panels are beneficial in covering a significant portion of the daytime load, especially in commercial buildings with large rooftops. The same principle applies: the better the insulation and the tighter the doors, the lower the load and the smaller the system required. For large buildings, it is recommended to…Engineering consultation It studies the actual consumption curve.

What do you realistically expect?

• Covering most of the daytime air conditioning consumption is possible with a system of appropriate size.
• Production at midday in the summer is lower than nominal due to the heat, so don't be surprised by the numbers.
• Dust gradually reduces production, and periodic cleaning is part of the plan.
• Nighttime power remains on the grid or batteries, and the decision between them is economic before it is technical.

At MITS we offer solutions HVAC In addition Solar energy systemsBoth aspects can be studied together: the efficiency of the air conditioners and the size of the system. You can also initially estimate the size of your system through Solar Energy CalculatorOr learn the basics in MITS Free Academy.

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