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PENTA-H Renewable Energy

System type

On-grid solar installation

A grid-tied array without storage. Still the right answer for some sites, and an honest account of when it is not.

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Straight answer

When on-grid is still the right system

An on-grid system has no battery. It generates during the day, offsets what the site is consuming at that moment, and exports the rest. It is cheaper to install and simpler to maintain, and for the right site it remains a sound choice.

It suits a site whose consumption happens during daylight and which does not need to keep running through an outage. A daytime-shift factory, an office that closes at six, a warehouse with no overnight load.

It suits a household poorly. Domestic consumption peaks in the evening, which is precisely when an on-grid system produces nothing and the grid charges the most. We will quote it if you want it, and we will show you the comparison first.

What the grid pays you for one exported unitPKR 11.33What you pay the grid for one imported unitPKR 524.6x the priceImport tariff varies by slab and by distribution company. PKR 52 is a working average for a high use domestic connection.
Since February 2026, a unit exported to the grid earns roughly PKR 11.33 while a unit bought back costs PKR 37 to PKR 55. Exporting is now selling low and buying high, which is why storing the surplus beats sending it away.

Consider on-grid when

The conditions that favour it

  • Consumption is concentrated in daylight hours
  • An outage costs the site little or nothing
  • Capital budget is the binding constraint
  • The site already has generator backup that is adequate
  • Roof area is limited and the array will be fully self-consumed

On-grid questions

Is on-grid still a sensible choice in 2026?
For a site whose consumption genuinely happens in daylight and which loses nothing to an outage, yes. A daytime shift factory, an office that closes at six, a warehouse with no overnight load. For a household it is now a poor fit, because domestic use peaks exactly when the array produces nothing.
What do I get paid for exported units?
About PKR 11.33 per unit under net billing, against an import tariff of roughly PKR 37 to PKR 55. That gap is the whole argument for self consumption. An on-grid system without storage sells at the low number and buys back at the high one.
Will an on-grid system work during load shedding?
No. When the grid fails, a grid-tied inverter must disconnect for the safety of anyone working on the line. The array stops, even at midday in full sun. This surprises people and it is worth being clear about before rather than after.
How much cheaper is on-grid than hybrid?
The battery is the difference, so typically 30 to 45 percent less upfront for the same array. Whether that saving survives contact with the tariff gap depends entirely on when you use power, which is why we show the comparison rather than just the price.
Can I add a battery later?
Only if the inverter is a hybrid or you are willing to change it. This is the single decision most worth getting right at the outset: a string inverter chosen to save money at installation is the reason many people pay twice.
Do I still need net billing approval?
For a compliant grid-tied installation, yes, and we file it for you. Even where export earns little, the sanctioned connection is what makes the installation legal and covers the occasional genuine surplus.

Where to next

We will quote on-grid, and show you the comparison first

If your consumption really is concentrated in daylight, on-grid is the cheaper and simpler answer and we will say so. If it is not, you should see the arithmetic before you commit.

Book a free site surveyCompare with hybrid