u/Remarkable_Paper8910

Situation: I'm in Lahore dealing with predictable daily loadshedding (typically 1-2 hours). I have a flexible budget and I'm thinking about a backup power solution, but I want something that makes economic sense over 3-5 years, not just a quick fix.

The dilemma: I'm torn between two options:

1. UPS route — Buy a decent UPS to keep essentials running during outages. Lower upfront cost, simple to set up, minimal maintenance. Downside: I'm replacing batteries every 2-3 years.
2. Inverter+Solar route — Invest in a 3kW inverter with battery backup + some solar plates. Higher upfront cost, but theoretically pays for itself over time and gives me energy independence. Downside: I'm not sure if it's actually worth it for just 1-2 hours daily, or if I'm overengineering the problem.

My actual questions:

1. Which option makes more financial sense for someone in Lahore with 1-2 hour predictable loadshedding? Should I think of solar as an investment, or just a quality-of-life upgrade?
2. If solar is worth it, which Pakistani companies are actually reliable? I see a lot of options online, but I want to know from real experience—who delivers quality without disappearing in 6 months? Any companies to avoid?
3. Any third option I'm missing? (Like hybrid approaches, or newer tech I haven't heard of?)

I'm looking for real-world experience and honest takes, not sales pitches. What would you do in this situation?

(PS: got help from AI to ask my queestion better)