AC + solar, modelled together
Use your strongest solar hours to cool your home.
Solar output and cooling demand often peak together. Check the next seven days for your postcode, compare system routes, and see which public schemes apply where you live.
Live local forecast
Will solar cover your cooling this week?
Enter a postcode for a seven-day estimate based on the current weather forecast, your solar array and your AC load.
Your forecast will show daily temperature, cooling demand, solar generation and estimated grid cost.
From generic advice to your decision
Useful before you ask for a quote
Map every room
Measure manually or import a LiDAR scan, then compare room loads, indoor units and multi-split zoning.
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AC or heat pump?
Choose a route based on heating needs, tenure, country and current system.
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Real quote evidence
Compare reviewed anonymous quotes once each group reaches a safe sample size.
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Measured accuracy
See how saved temperature forecasts compare with later observations.
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The match
Cooling demand rises with the sun.
Hot, bright afternoons make rooms uncomfortable. They are also when a rooftop array is most productive. A well-sized system can send current solar generation straight to the air conditioner before exporting the remainder.
The limit
Weather is not a guarantee.
Cloud, shade, roof direction and evening use all reduce direct solar coverage. Our live tool makes its assumptions visible. An installer still needs to assess the room load, roof and electrical supply before you buy.
Compare the routes
Indicative starting points for different homes and cooling needs.
Indicative from £5,900
AC + Solar
Match daytime cooling with solar generation.
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Indicative from £7,400
Heat Pump + Solar
One system for heating and cooling, supported by solar.
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Indicative from £9,800
AC + Solar + Battery
Store spare daytime solar for evening cooling.
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Future UK option
Portable AC + Solar
Renters and flats: cooling without the install.
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Indicative from £3,600
Conservatory Cooling
Make a hot glass room usable in summer.
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Indicative from £4,200
Home Office Cooling
Match working-hour cooling with daytime solar.
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Current public support
The right scheme depends on your country, home and heating system.
A cooling-only unit is not generally grant funded. Some heating, insulation and solar measures can qualify when they form part of an approved package. Always get confirmation from the scheme or approved installer before committing.
£2,500 to £9,000
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
England, Wales
Up to £30,000
Warm Homes: Local Grant
England
Assessment based
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)
England, Wales, Scotland
Up to £7,500 heat-pump grant
Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan
Scotland
Tailored funded package
Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest
Wales
Up to £7,500, or £10,000 for some solid-wall homes
Affordable Warmth Scheme
Northern Ireland
Run your own numbers
What will your AC cost to run?
Enter the unit's power draw, your expected hours and your electricity tariff. The calculator shows grid cost and an adjustable solar contribution, without pretending every sunny hour is free.
Open the calculator →Current calculator default
26.11p/kWh
Ofgem average capped electricity unit rate, July to September 2026. Your tariff may differ.
Local cooling and solar guides
Live forecasts, PVGIS yield figures and country-aware support.
Questions, answered
Can solar panels run an air conditioner?
Yes. A modern split air conditioner often draws about 0.8 to 1.5 kW once running, while a suitably sized rooftop array can produce several kilowatts on a bright summer afternoon. Exact coverage depends on the weather, shade, array size and AC demand.
Do I need a battery?
Not for daytime cooling. Solar and cooling demand naturally overlap on sunny afternoons. A battery becomes useful if you want to shift spare generation into evening or overnight cooling.
Can I get a grant for air conditioning?
Cooling-only air conditioning does not qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Since 21 July 2026, an eligible air-to-air heat pump that provides heating can receive £2,500 in England and Wales. Other schemes are country, income and property dependent.
Can I use plug-in balcony solar in the UK?
Not yet through a standard UK socket. As of 9 August 2026, the government is still developing the regulatory framework and product specification for sub-800W plug-in solar. Treat it as a future option.