Small factories, workshops and processing units across Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Sialkot pay some of the highest electricity rates. Most run during the day. That combination makes solar very attractive, as long as the motors and machines are planned for properly.
- Most workshops run in daylight, which suits solar well.
- Three-phase motors need a three-phase inverter.
- Motor starting surge decides inverter size more than running load.
- Batteries are often optional if the grid is available during shifts.
Start with an equipment list
Walk the floor and note:
- Motors: HP or kW, single or three-phase, how they start (direct, star-delta, VFD)
- Air compressors and their duty cycle
- Welding machines
- Lathes, cutters, sewing machines, presses
- Lights, fans, exhaust fans, ACs in offices
Motor surge is the real sizing factor
A motor started direct-on-line can draw several times its running current for a moment. If two motors start at once, the inverter sees a big spike. That’s why a workshop with 15kW of running load might need a larger inverter, or soft starters and VFDs on the biggest motors to reduce the spike.
Fitting VFDs or soft starters to large motors is often cheaper than oversizing the inverter, and it also reduces mechanical wear.
Three-phase is usually a must
Most industrial motors are three-phase. A single-phase inverter can’t run them. A three-phase hybrid or on-grid inverter is needed. The Everon HYD and Everon HI commercial range cover small to larger sites.
Batteries: needed or not?
If the grid is mostly available during working hours, many workshops skip batteries or use a small one for lights, computers and CCTV. Solar plus grid runs the machines. Where daytime load shedding stops production, a battery bank sized to finish a job or keep critical machines running becomes worth it.
Roof and structure
Industrial sheds often have metal sheet roofs. These need proper clamps and rails designed for the roof profile, and a check that the roof structure can carry the extra weight. Flat concrete roofs can take standard elevated or low structures.
Payback
Because commercial and industrial tariffs are high and most power is used directly during the day, payback for workshops is often faster than for homes. Exact numbers depend on your tariff and hours, so start with your last 12 bills.
See also why solar pays back faster for businesses and how motors affect inverter size.
Running a workshop or small factory?
Send us your machine list and last bill. We’ll suggest a three-phase setup that fits your shifts.