Which Aircons Are Best for Solar? Verified Models Ranked by CSPF and Rated Watts

The best aircon for solar is a true inverter unit with the highest CSPF and lowest rated watts in its HP class. Among the models we verified from DOE energy labels and manufacturer spec sheets, that’s the TCL TAC-11CSD/P7 for 1HP (650 W, CSPF 7.11) and the TCL TAC-14CSD/P7 for 1.5HP (1,000 W, CSPF 6.74). If you’ll run it from a portable power station, a window unit is easier. The Kolin KA-100GQAIINV32 (740 W, CSPF 5.60, maximum 888 W) is the pick there.

Every number below comes from a DOE energy label or the manufacturer’s own spec sheet. Models with only listing figures are left out of the rankings.

How we rank: CSPF first, then rated watts

Two figures on the yellow DOE label matter most for solar:

• CSPF (“Energy Efficiency Rating”): the cooling delivered per kWh over a typical year. Higher means fewer kWh for the same cooling, so fewer panels and a smaller battery.
• Power input (W): the rated draw. It sets the size of the inverter or power station and how fast a battery drains.

We rank within each HP class by CSPF, then by rated watts. Lowest watts alone can mislead. “1HP” isn’t a fixed size: the TCL P7 1HP’s label cooling capacity is 3,060 W, while the TCL UJE2 1HP’s is 2,600 W. A low-watt unit that also cools less isn’t a bargain.

About stars: compare stars and the label’s monthly kWh only between labels of the same issuance year. Newer labels use a different monthly formula and star bands than older ones. That’s why the Kolin units, with CSPFs of 5.53 to 5.60, show 4 stars on newer labels while the TCL UB2 at 5.12 shows 5 stars on an older one. CSPF and rated watts can be compared across all labels.

1HP ranking (most popular for bedrooms)

*CSPF from retailer spec pages only. The rated input is from the manufacturer.

Not ranked: the Samsung AW40F09D0ATNTC 1HP window inverter (820 W) publishes an EER of 3.1 W/W but no CSPF, so it can’t be placed on the same scale. It’s available on Lazada and Shopee.

Notes for buyers:

• TCL P7: the Lazada P7 series listing covers 1, 1.5 and 2HP, and its description text is for a TV, not the aircon. Pick the variant by model code (TAC-11CSD/P7 for 1HP) and check the energy label in the gallery.
• TCL FBI 1HP: figures are from TCL’s spec sheet (rated input 660 W, range 220–1,100 W). We didn’t find the 1HP’s DOE label, so it has no star rating here.
• Kolin KA-100GQAIINV32: the label shows 4 stars and 740 W. The Lazada listing says “Star Rating: 5” and “Rated Power: 1,200 W”. Trust the label. Its published range of 148–888 W gives the lowest maximum of the 1HP units that publish one (the TCL FBI’s is 1,100 W and the TCL UB2’s 1,450 W), which makes it the easiest on a power station.

1.5HP ranking (larger bedrooms, small living rooms)

*Retailer-listed CSPF; input from Midea.

Not ranked: the Samsung AW40F12D0ATNTC 1.5HP window inverter (1,170 W, EER 2.7 W/W, no CSPF published), on Lazada.

For the TCL TAC-12CSD/FBI, the label’s 1,130 W is used. TCL’s spec sheet says 1,050 W, and also gives a 1,900 W maximum input, which matters when sizing an inverter. The Kolin KA-150GQAIINV32 has a published range of 202–1,212 W, again the lowest maximum in its class among the units that publish one.

Small rooms (0.7–0.8HP)

Notice that the TCL P7 1HP (650 W) draws about the same as these smaller units while carrying a much higher CSPF. If your budget allows a split installation, it can be the better solar choice even for a small room.

2HP and larger

*Retailer-listed CSPF; input from Midea.

Aircons of 2HP and up are realistic only on a rooftop hybrid system or the largest power stations. See running aircons with a PowMr hybrid inverter.

Why inverter aircons suit solar

1. They use less energy for the same night. An inverter (variable-speed) compressor slows down once the room is cool. A fixed-speed compressor runs at full power, stops, and starts again. The DOE’s labelling formula (used on older labels) reflects this. It multiplies rated input by 0.5 for inverter units and 0.8 for fixed-speed units when estimating monthly use.

Applying those factors as an example, for 8 hours overnight:

That’s roughly twice the battery and twice the panels for the fixed-speed unit. Batteries are usually the costliest part of a solar system that runs at night. See the full method in our 1HP sizing guide.

2. They start gently. Inverter units publish input ranges that begin low: 148 W for the Kolin KA-100GQAIINV32, 200 W for the TCL UB2, 220 W for the TCL FBI. A fixed-speed compressor starts at full power every cycle. BLUETTI notes that motors and compressors can briefly draw 2 to 4 times their normal power, which a battery inverter has to supply again and again through the night.

3. They fit smaller equipment. A 740 W Kolin with an 888 W maximum fits comfortably on an 1,800 W power station. A high-CSPF unit also cuts what you pay the electric company on cloudy days when solar falls short.

For the running-cost side on the grid, read inverter vs non-inverter aircon and how much electricity an aircon uses.

Traps to avoid when buying an aircon for solar

• “Inverter class” and “inverter grade.” These aren’t DOE label categories. Astron’s own store says its “Inverter Class” units use R-32 refrigerant “commonly found in inverter aircons”. It doesn’t mean an inverter compressor; the Astron 0.6HP TCL-RE60 has a fixed-speed EER of 9.9. Fujidenzo’s “Inverter Grade” WAR models list CSPFs of 3.32 to 3.35 and 2 stars, typical of fixed-speed units. Similar wording appears on Xtreme and Prestiz listings.
• Air coolers sold as aircons. Evaporative coolers, including some listed as “portable aircon” or even “inverter”, have no compressor or refrigerant. They aren’t aircons and can’t cool a room like one.
• Savings percentages. Claims like “75% energy saving” or “up to 40% savings” appear on no DOE label. Compare CSPF instead.
• Listing wattages. A TCL UB2 1HP listing says “1450 watts”; the label says 850 W (1,450 W is the top of its range). A TCL UB2 1.5HP listing says “1550 watts”; the label says 1,100 W. Use the label.
• Mismatched model codes. Some Everest “Endura Top Discharge” listings combine two different model series with different specs. Confirm the exact model code on the label before buying.

How to choose for your solar setup

1. Rooftop or hybrid system: pick the highest CSPF you can afford in the right HP. The TCL P7 series leads at 1HP, 1.5HP and 2HP.
2. Portable power station: pick a window inverter unit with a low published maximum, such as the Kolin KA-100GQAIINV32 (888 W maximum), and a station with at least 1,800 W output. See EcoFlow power stations for aircons.
3. Right-size the HP. An oversized unit wastes money; an undersized one runs flat out all night and drains the battery. Use the room-size guidance on the unit’s spec sheet.
4. Install it properly. Split units should be installed by a licensed technician or the brand’s authorised installer. Anything connected to a solar inverter or breaker panel needs a licensed electrician.

Estimate the running cost on the grid with the aircon electricity cost calculator, using your electric company’s rate from our electricity rates page.

What to buy

Best overall for solar:

• TCL TAC-11CSD/P7 1HP split, 650 W, CSPF 7.11: Lazada · Shopee
• TCL TAC-14CSD/P7 1.5HP split, 1,000 W, CSPF 6.74: same Lazada · Shopee listing (choose 1.5HP)

Best window units (power-station friendly):

• Kolin KA-100GQAIINV32 1HP, 740 W, CSPF 5.60: Lazada
• Kolin KA-150GQAIINV32 1.5HP, 1,010 W, CSPF 5.53: Lazada
• TCL TAC-09CWI/UB2 1HP, 850 W, CSPF 5.12: Lazada · Shopee

Strong alternatives:

• TCL TAC-09CSD/FBI 1HP split, 660 W, CSPF 6.28: Lazada · Shopee
• Samsung AR60H13D1FWNTC 1.5HP split, 1,030 W, CSPF 5.70: Shopee
• iFFALCON IFAC-07CWI/UL 0.7HP window, 620 W, CSPF 5.05: Lazada · Shopee

Check today’s price on each listing, and check the energy label photo matches the model code you’re buying.

Bottom line

For solar, the aircon matters as much as the panels. Choose a true inverter unit and rank by CSPF within your HP class, then by rated watts. The TCL TAC-11CSD/P7 (1HP) and TCL TAC-14CSD/P7 (1.5HP) lead our verified list for rooftop and hybrid systems. The Kolin KA-100GQAIINV32 is the easiest 1HP window unit to run from a power station. Skip “inverter grade” units, air coolers and savings percentages, and read the yellow label instead.