5kW Solar System in the UK: A Complete Guide in 2024
- Installing a 5kW solar panel system costs £7,500 – £8,500 and can lead to annual savings of up to £600 on your energy bills.
- You can expect to break even on your investment in a 5kW solar system in about 13 years. At the same time, the return on investment your system will deliver by the end of its 25-year lifespan ranges from £6,500 to £7,500.
- With the 0% VAT on solar panels, you can save up to £2,850 on installing a 5kW solar system. Additionally, your annual savings with a 5kW system paired with payments from the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), can add up to £685 per year.
If you’re on the lookout for solar panels that can help your household on the path towards energy independence, then a 5kW solar system might be the thing for you. This system is particularly well-suited for medium to large households with 2-3 bedrooms, as it can attend to higher energy demands.
In terms of costs, solar panel prices have decreased noticeably over the past few years, with a 5kW solar panel system costing between £7,500 to £8,500 in the UK today. To make sure that you're not overspending on your installation, you'll want to compare the prices of multiple manufacturers and installers. We bet that’s not something you want to spend hours of your spare time doing!
Thankfully, we can do the heavy lifting for you and provide you with up to 4 free, non-binding quotes from certified solar panel installers. All you need to do is fill in our 30-second form to find the perfect solar solution for your home. Click below to get started!
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5kW solar system: solar panels with a battery in the UK
A typical 5kW solar system is comprised of the following essential components:
- Solar panels: This solar system generally requires between 10 and 13 solar panels.
- Inverter: Solar inverters convert direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity for household use.
- Mounting system: This ensures proper panel angles for maximising sunlight exposure and energy output.
- Battery (optional): With a solar battery, you can store excess energy generated by the solar panels. For a 5kW system, you'll need a battery with 11 – 12kWh storage capacity size.
- Electrical wiring: This connects the different parts of the solar system and ensures safe and efficient operation.
- Monitoring system: You can use this system to track the performance and energy production of your solar panels.
Optionally, you can invest in solar batteries to store excess energy generated by your solar panels for later use, such as during overcast weather or at night. Pairing a 5kW solar system with a battery in the UK allows you to significantly reduce your independence on the national electricity grid and lower your energy bills. To ensure higher savings in the long run, be sure to choose one of the best solar batteries on the market.
How many solar panels are in a 5kW solar system?
You can calculate how many solar panels you need for a 5kW solar system for your home by considering your specific needs and budget. The number of solar panels you'll require largely depends on the wattage of the panels:
| The wattage of solar panels | Number of solar panels in a 5kW system | Required roof space |
|---|---|---|
| 350W | 13 | 26m2 |
| 450W | 10 | 20m2 |
To determine the solar panel wattage you need, be sure to carefully consider your energy consumption requirements, your budget, and the state of your roof. Here are some additional factors to keep in mind:
- Roof area: For a 5kW solar system, you will typically need an area of around 20 – 26m² on your roof.
- Solar panel dimensions: The solar panels in a 5kW system are usually around 1.6 – 2m².
- Roof type: Solar panels can be installed on different roof types, including asphalt shingles, tiles, and metal roofs.
- Roof angle: The ideal roof inclination to ensure the efficiency of solar panels is between 30 – 40 degrees.
- Roof orientation: To maximise the output of your solar panels, the best direction for them to face is southward.
How much does a 5kW system cost in the UK?
There are multiple solar panel benefits to enjoy, but we’ll be real here: installing a solar panel system isn’t cheap. Especially if you're looking to pair your 5kW solar system with a battery. The system itself costs around £7,500 to £8,500, whereas a battery can cost up to £10,000.
You can find out more about solar panel prices below:
| 5kW system cost | Solar battery price (11 – 12kWh battery) | 5kW system with battery total cost |
|---|---|---|
| £7,500 – £8,500 | £9,000 - £10,000 | £16,500 – £18,500 |
To reduce the financial burden of investing in this form of renewable energy, you can make use of the government grants and incentives for solar panels currently available in the UK.
Grants for a 5kW solar system
Over the past few years, solar panels have become more affordable. Even so, they are still quite the investment. Fortunately, there are multiple solar panel grants and financial incentives available in the UK today. These are:
- 0% VAT: The zero VAT measure allows homeowners to save up to £2,850 on installing a 5kW solar panel system. This incentive will continue until March 2027.
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): This initiative was designed to allow homeowners to receive payments for transferring surplus generated electricity back to the grid. With a 5kW system, you can earn up to £85 per year by selling solar energy to the grid, based on an example tariff of 5.5p/kWh.
- Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Scheme: This scheme is open to low-income households and applicants may receive partial or full funding for a solar panel installation. It will be open for applications until March 2026.
- Home Upgrade Grant (HUG): With this grant, homes with energy performance ratings of D and lower can receive up to £10,000 towards installing a solar panel system. The grant will be available until March 2025.
- Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS): Exactly how much you can save with this scheme depends on the region you live in, so be sure to consult your local authorities to find out. You can apply for funding from the PSDS until April 2025.
Making use of these grants can significantly reduce the financial burden of investing in solar energy. However, they aren't the only way to minimise the cost of a 5kW solar system. To avoid overspending, you'll want to compare prices across multiple different manufacturers and installers. But who has the time to spend hours on such tedious research?
With our service, all you need is 30 seconds. By clicking below and filling in our short form, we can provide you with up to 4 free, non-binding quotes from certified installers. Then, just compare prices and secure the best deal for your new solar system in no time!
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5kW solar system savings and pay-back time
Once installed, a 5kW solar system can help you save up to £600 on your annual electricity bills. With such savings, you'll be able to break even on your investment in a 5kW system in about 13 years. Find out more about solar panel savings below:
| Annual Savings | Annual SEG Payment | Annual Savings with SEG | Break-even Point | Return on Investment (25 Years After Installation) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to £600 | Up to £85 | Up to £685 | 13 years | £6,500 – £7,500 |
How much power does a 5kW solar system produce per day?
During peak energy production periods (the summer months), a 5kW solar panel system can generate approximately 20kWh of electricity per day. On average, a 5kW system can produce around 4,250kWh of electricity throughout the year.
Considering that a 2 – 3 bedroom household consumes an average of around 2,700kWh of electricity per year, this means that a 5kW solar panel can easily attend to your everyday needs, while also generating surplus energy that you can either store with a solar battery or sell back to the grid using the SEG.
Pros and cons of a 5kW solar panel system
Solar panels come with impressive advantages, especially from a financial and environmental point of view. However, there are also some drawbacks that you should be aware of before investing in a 5kW solar panel system.
Here are some of the solar panel benefits to consider:
-
- Lower electricity bills: With a 5kW solar system, you can cover a significant portion of your household's energy needs, reducing dependence on grid electricity, and saving you up to £660 per year.
- Reduced environmental impact: Solar energy is a clean and renewable energy source, reducing your carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future.
- Potential income generation: Through the Smart Export Guarantee, you can earn up to £85 by exporting surplus solar energy back to the grid.
- Low maintenance: Once installed, your 5kW solar system will require little to no maintenance. You just need to make sure that the surface of the solar panels stays clean.
- Year-round efficiency: While solar panels produce the most energy during the summer months when they are exposed to sunlight the most, they can generate energy efficiently all year to attend to your household's needs.
Some of the disadvantages of a 5kW solar panel system include:
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- High cost: Solar panels are far from cheap. Installing a 5kW solar system will set you back about £7,500 to £8,500. Adding a battery to your system will cost another £9,000 - £10,000, so be sure to carefully consider your budget before making this investment.
- Space requirements: A 5kW solar system consists of 10 – 13 solar panels, which need about 20 – 26m² of space, meaning that they take up quite a lot of your roof.
- Potential placement issues: Some roofs may not be suitable for optimal solar panel performance, depending on the materials they're made of, the direction they're facing, and their angle.
Is a 5kW solar system worth it for my UK household?
If you're looking to lower your electricity bills and your carbon footprint, a 5kW system might just be the ideal choice for you! Once installed, your solar system can help you save up to £600 per year and reduce your reliance on the national electricity grid.
Ready to reap the benefits of installing a 5kW solar system but have no clue how to get started? Well, the first step is finding a professional you can trust to offer you the best, tailored advice, the lowest prices, and a safe solar system installation.
Not sure where to start? Fortunately, you don't have to look any further.
We work with a broad network of reputable specialists who can provide you with high-quality services. We can connect you with up to 4 local solar panel installers so that you can easily choose the one that meets all your requirements. Simply click below to get started today!
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FAQ
How long does it take to install a 5kW solar system?
Typically, it takes between 1 – 3 days to install a 5kW solar system. The exact duration will depend on your specific situation and the number of installers working on setting up your system. This may also have an impact on the total cost of your system.
Will a 5kW solar system run a house?
Yes! A 5kW solar panel system can produce around 4,250kWh per year on average, which can power standard household appliances such as washing machines, hot water heaters, and refrigerators and satisfy the needs of a medium to large household.
How much electricity will a 5kW solar system generate?
This solar system can generate up to 20kWh per day in summer, depending on how much sunlight it receives. It's worth noting that these figures depend on your location and daily light levels.
How many solar panels are needed for 5kW?
The quantity of solar panels necessary for a 5kW solar system depends on the wattage of the individual panels selected. This figure typically ranges from 10 to 13 panels, varying in accordance with the wattage of the specific panels you have.
How many batteries are needed for a 5kW solar system?
Generally, one battery with a storage capacity size of 11 – 12kWh should be enough for a 5kW solar system. However, if the battery you choose has a smaller capacity size, you'll need to invest in multiple batteries for optimal solar energy storage.
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