Switching to solar energy is a significant decision for any homeowner or business. A 5kW solar system is a popular choice due to its balance between affordability and energy output. A 5kw solar system can generate 600 kWh of electricity per month. It costs about $6,500 to $10,500 and requires 13 to 17 solar panels (depending on the wattage of the solar panels you choose).
How Much Energy Does a 5kW Solar System Produce?
On average, a 5kW system produces about 20 kWh per day in areas with an average of 4 to 5 hours of peak sunlight, which translates to around 600 kWh per month and 7,300 kWh per year. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that a 5kW solar system can generate roughly 7.3 MWh annually in locations with good sunlight exposure, such as Arizona or Nevada (Energy.gov). Proper installation and optimal panel orientation are key to maximizing energy production, and tools like the PVWatts Calculator from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory can help provide more accurate estimates based on your specific location.
How Much Does a 5kW Solar System Cost?
As of 2024, the typical cost of a 5kW solar system in the United States ranges between $10,000 to $15,000 before any tax credits, incentives, or rebates. Recommended reading: Solar Panel Cost Guide
Key Breakdown:
- Base cost: $10,000 to $15,000
- Federal Tax Credit (30%): $3,000 to $4,500
- Net cost after incentives: $6,500 to $10,500
Average Solar System Costs by State (for a 5kW system)
The cost of a 5kW solar system vary significantly depending on the state due to factors such as local solar incentives, installation costs, labor rates, and available sunlight. Here's a general breakdown of solar system costs in different U.S. states, using average prices as of 2023:
| State | Pre-Incentive Cost (5kW System) | Post-Incentive Cost (After Federal Tax Credit) |
|---|---|---|
| California | $11,000 - $14,000 | $7,700 - $9,800 |
| Florida | $10,500 - $13,500 | $7,350 - $9,450 |
| Texas | $10,000 - $12,500 | $7,000 - $8,750 |
| New York | $11,500 - $15,000 | $8,050 - $10,500 |
| Arizona | $9,500 - $12,000 | $6,650 - $8,400 |
| Nevada | $9,000 - $12,000 | $6,300 - $8,400 |
| Colorado | $9,500 - $12,500 | $6,650 - $8,750 |
| Illinois | $10,000 - $14,000 | $7,000 - $9,800 |
| Massachusetts | $12,000 - $15,500 | $8,400 - $10,850 |
| Washington | $10,000 - $13,500 | $7,000 - $9,450 |
What Appliances Can a 5kW Solar System Run?
| Appliance | Average Power Consumption | Hours of Operation (Approx.) | Total Energy Consumption (kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 100 - 800 watts | 24 hours (on/off cycle) | 1 - 2 kWh/day |
| Air Conditioner (Central) | 3,000 - 5,000 watts | 4 - 8 hours | 12 - 40 kWh/day |
| Washing Machine | 500 - 1,500 watts | 1 - 2 hours | 0.5 - 2 kWh/cycle |
| Dishwasher | 1,200 - 1,500 watts | 1 - 2 hours | 1 - 3 kWh/cycle |
| Electric Water Heater | 3,000 - 4,500 watts | 2 - 3 hours | 6 - 13.5 kWh/day |
| LED Lights (10 bulbs) | 8 - 12 watts per bulb | 6 hours | 0.5 - 0.7 kWh/day |
| Microwave | 600 - 1,200 watts | 0.5 - 1 hour | 0.3 - 1.2 kWh/day |
| TV (LED) | 100 - 300 watts | 4 - 6 hours | 0.4 - 1.8 kWh/day |
| Electric Oven | 2,000 - 5,000 watts | 1 hour | 2 - 5 kWh/meal |
| Ceiling Fans (4 fans) | 75 - 100 watts per fan | 6 - 8 hours | 0.4 - 0.8 kWh/day |
| Laptop/PC | 50 - 150 watts | 6 hours | 0.3 - 1 kWh/day |
How Much Can a 5kW Solar System Power?
A 5kW solar system produces about 20-25 kWh per day on average, depending on factors like location, panel orientation, and sunlight exposure. To give you an idea of how long it can run the above appliances:
- Refrigerator: Can run 1-2 refrigerators for 24 hours.
- Air Conditioner: Can run an air conditioner for about 4-8 hours a day (depending on power usage).
- Washing Machine: Can run 2-4 cycles of the washing machine per day.
- Dishwasher: Can run about 4-6 loads of dishes per day.
- Electric Water Heater: Can support about 1-2 days of usage for an electric water heater, depending on the tank size and heating requirements.
How Many Solar Panels Are Needed For a 5kW Solar System?
To install a 5kW solar system, you will need approximately 13 to 17 solar panels, depending on the wattage of the panels. For example, if you choose 300W panels, you'll need around 17 panels, while 350W panels would require about 15 panels, and 400W panels would only need 13 panels. The exact number of panels will depend on the specific wattage of the panels you select, which typically ranges from 300W to 400W per panel for residential systems. Recommended reading: How many solar panels do I need?
Space Required for the Panels
In terms of space, each solar panel generally occupies about 1.7 square meters (around 18.3 square feet). For a 5kW system, the total area required will range from 22.1 m² (238 ft²) for 13 panels (400W each) to 28.9 m² (310 ft²) for 17 panels (300W each). This space calculation assumes standard panel dimensions and orientation for optimal installation.
What Size Battery Do I Need For a 5kW Solar System?
Choosing the right battery size for your 5kW solar system depends on your energy storage needs, daily energy consumption, and whether you want to go completely off-grid or use the battery for backup power during outages. A battery allows you to store excess solar energy generated during the day for use at night or during cloudy periods when solar production is low.
To determine the appropriate battery size, you first need to calculate your daily energy consumption. On average, a typical household consumes between 20 to 30 kWh of electricity per day. If your 5kW solar system produces around 25 kWh per day, and you want to store all the energy for later use, you would need a battery that can store at least 25 kWh.
However, most homeowners do not need to store 100% of their daily energy consumption. Instead, many aim to store enough energy to cover their nighttime usage or to have a reliable backup during power outages. For instance, if you typically use about 10 kWh of energy during the night, a 10 kWh battery sufficient. You can check out our home energy storage series.
What Size Inverter Do I Need For a 5kW Solar System?
For a 5kW solar system, you would want an inverter that can handle slightly more than 5kW of power. This is because solar panels often produce more power than their rated capacity under ideal conditions. A common recommendation is to choose an inverter rated for 5 to 6 kW. For example, if your panels can output 5.5kW under optimal sunlight, a 6kW inverter would be a good fit, providing room to handle that peak output.
Type of Inverter:
- String Inverter: A 5-6kW string inverter would work well for this system size.
- Microinverters: If you're using microinverters, each one typically handles one or a few panels, so you'd need to install enough microinverters to support the total wattage (e.g., if each microinverter is rated for 300-350W, you'd need around 15-17 microinverters for a 5kW system).
- Recommended reading: Solar Inverter Sizing Guide
Is a 5kW Solar System Enough to Power a Home?
The average U.S. household uses about 899 kWh of electricity per month, which works out to about 30 kWh per day. In comparison, a 5 kW solar system produces about 18 to 25 kWh per day. This means that a 5 kW system can meet a large portion of the average household's electricity needs, but it's not enough to power an entire home, especially during peak demand times.
If your peak usage is in the evening, after the sun has set, you need to draw more power from the grid or rely on a battery storage system to meet your needs. For households seeking to go off-grid or have a reliable backup during power outages, a 5kW solar system paired with a battery storage solution can provide a substantial amount of power. You can check out our 5kw solar system kits.
