5 kW solar panel system: Is it right for your home?

✔ 5 kW solar panel systems cost around £9,837

✔ Four-bedroom homes are best suited for 5 kW systems

✔ A 5 kW solar panel system will generate around 3,703 kWh per year

In most residential cases, solar panel costs tend to range between £4,216 and £9,837. 

A 5 kilowatt (kW) solar panel system is usually more suitable for larger homes, typically four or more bedrooms, and cost roughly £9,837 to install.

Want to learn more about 5 kW solar panel systems? We’ve covered everything there is to know about 5 kW solar panel systems here, including how many panels you’ll need, how much electricity they can generate, whether you should get a solar battery to go with them, and if you can go off-grid with a 5 kW system.

It’s easy to compare solar panel prices too, with our help. Simply enter a few details about your home in the form, and our expert installers will get in touch with bespoke quotes for you to compare.

What is a 5 kW solar system?

A 5 kW solar system has a power output of 5 kilowatts, which can generate roughly 3,073-kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, about the same as the average electricity consumption of a four-bedroom house.

5 kW solar panel systems work just like any other solar panel system — they convert sunlight into clean electricity, so you can power your home without relying on the grid.

Even if you can’t fully power your home with a 5 kW system, you’ll still drastically reduce your grid reliance. You’ll shrink your carbon emissions too, with a 5 kW system saving one tonne of CO2 every year.

You can find out more about solar panel costs with our detailed guide on what you’ll likely spend on your own solar panel system.

How many solar panels are in a 5 kW solar system?

There are approximately 14 solar panels in a 5 kW system, with each solar panel having a power rating of around 350 watts.

Monocrystalline solar panels — also known as black solar panels — could reduce the number of panels you need too. They’re one of the most efficient types of solar panels around, and despite being more expensive, monocrystalline is the way to go if you have limited roof space and need the same power output.

It’s also possible to have a 5 kW system using thin-film solar panels, but you’ll use more space to achieve 5 kW because thin-film panels are typically less efficient than regular panels, meaning they produce less electricity.

Our article on how many solar panels you’ll need is a great way to find out how big your system should be.

Do you need a 5 kW solar panel system?

You’ll need a 5 kW solar panel system if your home’s annual electricity consumption is around 4,100 kWh. You can work out how much power you use on a monthly basis by either looking at your energy bill, or having a smart meter installed.

The average UK household’s consumption is 2,700 kWh – the typical electricity consumption of a three-bedroom home.

If you live in a four-bedroom property and it’s likely your electricity consumption exceeds 4,100 kWh, meaning a 5 kW solar panel system would be ideal for your needs.

If your property is slightly smaller, you might find that a 4kW solar panel system will suit you better.

What’s the average price of a 5 kW solar system?

Expect to pay an average of £9,837 for a 5 kW solar panel system, which is roughly £703 per panel.

This price includes installation as well, but solar panel costs may vary, depending on who you choose to install your solar panel system and the type of panels you go for.

You’ll break even on your 5 kW system in 15.66 years, on average, and make £222 a year by selling excess energy back to the grid via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).

How much electricity can a 5 kW solar system produce?

A 5 kW solar panel system will generate around 3,703 kWh per year, or around 10.1 kWh per day.

The amount of electricity your solar panel system generates daily will depend on the conditions — bright, sunny days will mean your panels generate more electricity.

But don’t worry about solar panels not working in dull weather, because solar panels do work on cloudy days. Efficiency will drop by roughly 23% in light cloud cover, falling to 66% under heavy clouds, meaning solar panels will still work in the UK.

So they’ll still work even in adverse weather conditions, but you might need to fall back on some electricity from the grid to meet your needs.

Should you get a battery with your 5 kW solar system?

You should get a solar battery with your 5 kW solar panel system if you want to store electricity for use at night.

Having a battery will further reduce your grid reliance and you can save around £725 every year on your electricity bill.

A solar battery will also allow you to use 80% of your total solar power (according to our calculations), on average, instead of having it go to waste.

The break-even point of a solar panel system with a battery is 31.7 years, which is much longer than if you just had solar panels. This is because you’ll need to purchase a minimum of two solar batteries within the typical 25-year lifespan of your solar panels.

If you still want to press ahead, check out our guide to the best solar batteries.

Could you have a 5 kW off-grid solar system?

A 5 kW solar panel system could power a complete off-grid setup, but you would need a solar battery to ensure you can power your home at night.

You’d also want to make sure your daily electricity consumption falls below the typical daily power output of 10 kWh, which your 5 kW solar panel system would produce.

This is because you’ll need to account for the fact there’ll be days when your solar panels don’t benefit from optimal conditions and will generate less electricity than on a day with lots of sunshine.

Going off-grid with a 5 kW solar panel system and a battery will cost you around £25,837 — that pays for one solar panel system, plus two solar batteries throughout the system’s typical 25-year lifespan.

Summary

A 5 kW solar panel system is the ideal size for a four-bedroom property with an average electricity consumption of 4,100 kWh per year.

Your energy bills will shrink, as will your carbon emissions, and you’ll be generating your own clean electricity using only the power of the sun — a win-win for your bank account and the environment.

Ready to start comparing solar panel prices? We can help — just enter a few details about your home and we’ll connect you with our expert suppliers. They’ll contact you with bespoke solar panel quotes for you to compare.

Written by

Tom Gill Writer

Tom joined The Eco Experts over a year ago and has since covered the carbon footprint of the Roman Empire, profiled the world’s largest solar farms, and investigated what a 100% renewable UK would look like.

He has a particular interest in the global energy market and how it works, including the ongoing semiconductor shortage, the future of hydrogen, and Cornwall’s growing lithium industry.

Tom also regularly attends Grand Designs Live as a Green Living Expert, where he provides expert solar panel advice to members of the public.

He frequently focuses on niche environmental topics such as the nurdle problem, clever ways to undo the effects of climate change, and whether sand batteries could store energy for clean heating in the winter.

If there’s an environmental niche to be covered, it’s a safe bet Tom’s already thinking of how to write about it.

You can get in touch with Tom via email.

More about

Reviewed By

Tamara Birch Senior Writer

Tamara is a London-based journalist and has written about environmental topics for more than four years. This includes advising small business owners on cost-effective ways, like solar panels and energy-efficient products, to help them become more sustainable.

She has used her journalist and research skills to become highly knowledgeable on sustainable initiatives, issues, and solutions to help consumers do their bit for the environment - all while reducing monthly costs.

In addition to adopting sustainable practices in her personal life, Tamara has worked in the retail B2B space to help independent retailers think about their environmental choices and how they can help improve their business. She now uses this knowledge to help consumers do the same.

Her passion for sustainability and eco-friendly solutions stems from a long obsession with nature and animals and ensuring they feel looked after. In her free time, Tamara enjoys reading fantasy novels, visiting the gym, and going on long walks in new areas.

You can get in touch with Tamara via email at tamara.birch@mvfglobal.com.

More about