In case you're on the lookout for solar panels that could make your growing household an energy-efficient hub, a 5kW solar system might be something you need. This solar system is particularly well-suited for larger households with 4 or more people and typically costs between £6,000 to £7,000 on average.

Over the past few years, solar panels have become more affordable due to increased competition among solar panel installers in the UK and worldwide. This price reduction is a result of various factors, including solar panel grants, schemes, and an increase in solar panel manufacturers.

Moreover, the 5kW solar system qualifies for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme, which provides incentives to homeowners who supply surplus solar energy back to the grid. This additional benefit makes the 5kW solar panel system an even more appealing investment.

If you’re ready to make the switch to a 5kW solar system for your home, time to find the best solar prices near you. However, searching for quotes on your own is a daunting task that requires hours or days of dedicated searches. We bet that's not something you're up for on a Saturday night.

Thankfully, Solar Guide is here to guarantee stress-free searches for you. Fill in our quick 30-second form, and we'll provide you with up to 4 free, non-binding quotes from certified solar installers. By comparing these quotes, you’ll be able to find the perfect solar solution for your home. Click below to begin.

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5kW solar system: solar panels with a battery in the UK

A typical 5-kilowatt solar system is comprised of the following essential components:

• Solar panels: this solar system generally requires between 12 and 19 solar panels.
• Inverter: to convert direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity for household use.
• Mounting system: to ensure proper panel angles for maximising sunlight exposure.
• Battery (optional): to store excess energy generated by the solar panels.
• Electrical wiring and components: to ensure safe and efficient operation.
• Monitoring 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. This stored energy can be used during overcast weather or at night. Adding a battery offers backup power and increases the self-consumption of solar energy. Aim for the best solar batteries to ensure higher savings in the long run.

5kW solar panel systems utilise the 5kW inverter size which is crucial for the efficiency of solar panels. The output of a panel experiences a decrease due to efficiency loss when converted from DC to AC by the inverter. Typically, solar inverters operate with an efficiency of approximately 97%, causing the output to drop from 5kW under ideal conditions to 4.85kW.

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

You can calculate how many solar panels you need for your home by configuring your specific needs and budget. The number of 5-kilowatt solar panels largely depends on the wattage of the panels used:

The wattage of solar panels	Number of 5kW solar panels
265W	19
400W	13
450W*	12

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However, your energy consumption and budget aren't the final considerations in installing a 5kW solar panel system. There are also roof requirements you need to take into account:

• Roof area: for a 5kW solar system, you will typically need an area of around 25-35 m² on your roof.
• Panel size: the solar panels in a 5-kilowatt system are usually sized around 1.8 metres x 1.1 metres.
• Space considerations: for safety reasons, it is advisable to keep about 25% of the roof area free from panels when installing a 5kW solar system.
• Roof type: solar panels can be installed on different roof types, including asphalt shingles, tile, and metal roofs.
• Roof angle: the preferred roof inclination for solar panels is typically between 30-40 degrees.

How much will a 5kW solar panel system save me 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.

Before counting your solar panel savings, you should first check out the solar panel prices.

The cost of a 5kW solar system in the UK ranges from £6,000 to £7,000. A 5kW solar system with a battery increases the price to around £11,000. Installing a solar panel system varies from installer to installer but typically costs around £5,000.

5kW solar system	£6,000-£7,000
5kW solar system+installation	£11,000-£12,000
5kW solar system+battery	£11,000
5kW solar system+battery+installation	£16,000

A logical question when looking at solar panel total is: "How much will a 5kW solar system save me?"

Based on the assumption that a household is using the annual national average of 2,900kWh (Kilowatt hours) at a daily standing charge of £0.53 and available energy prices of £0.30/kWh (Ofgem, July 2023), a 5kW solar system can gradually save you around £1,700 a year.

With this in mind, investing in a 5-kilowatt solar system without a battery should break even in about 6.4-7 years.

Later on, the solar panel costs can turn into solar panel earnings thanks to the Smart Export Guarantee scheme.

Smart Export Guarantee government scheme

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government initiative designed to enable owners of small-scale low-carbon generation systems, such as solar panels, to earn payment tariffs for the surplus electricity they contribute to the National Grid.

This means that homeowners can generate income from their solar panels. The SEG is open to all those who have installed various technology types within Great Britain, including solar panels up to a capacity of 5MW (megawatts).

In essence, you can utilise a high-power commercial solar panel system to both benefit the community and earn money simultaneously. These are just some of the numerous solar panel benefits out there that you can enjoy when you have your own system.

If you’re considering purchasing solar panels, you have plenty of options available. However, finding the best quote can be a daunting task, requiring hours of research and potentially yielding no viable options.

Thankfully, our service can make this process much easier for you. Simply fill out our 30-second form to access the most competitive prices without any stress by providing up to 4 free, non-binding quotes from certified installers. Review the offered quotes with no obligation to accept any of them. Click the link below to streamline the selection process and secure direct deals from trusted installers.

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How much power does a 5kW solar system produce per day?

On a good day with ample sunlight, a 5-kilowatt solar panel system has the capacity to generate around 20kWh of electricity.

A UK family of four might need approximately 4,000 to 6,000kWh of electricity per year, equivalent to an average daily consumption of around 11 to 16kWh.

Thus, depending on variables such as weather conditions and energy usage patterns, a 5kW solar system has the potential to fulfil the daily electricity requirements of a family of four. This can depend on the region of the UK as well. For example, while solar panels in Scotland generally get enough sunlight in most of the region, the far north may have fewer sunlight hours total, leading to lower yield.

Is a 5kW solar system worth it for my UK household?

To conclude, installing a 5-kilowatt solar system in the UK may prove to be advantageous for your household, depending on various factors like energy consumption, location, and budget considerations.

• Lower electricity bills: with this solar system, you can generate a substantial amount of electricity, potentially covering a significant portion of your household’s energy needs, reducing dependence on grid electricity, and saving you up to £1,700 per year.
• Environmental advantages: solar energy is a clean and renewable energy source, leading to a reduced carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future.
• Potential income generation: through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme, you can earn money by exporting surplus solar energy back to the grid.

Quotes for 5kW solar systems with battery

To ensure you get the best possible price when choosing a 5kW solar system, you should get quotes from several local solar engineers in your area and compare them. We can help you with this.

Most homeowners will need to spend hours researching which installers service their area, tediously calling up several of these local installers and then individually requesting quotes so that they can compare them. But we know that no one wants to spend their precious free time doing this.

The easy (and fast!) way to get multiple quotes to compare is by filling in a 30-second form once and then letting us take it from there.

In return, you get up to 4 free quotes from local installers in our trusted network that you can compare to find the best price: no hassle, no unnecessary phone calls, and no obligation to accept any quotes. Just click the button below to get started.

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FAQ

Will a 5kW solar system run a house?
Yes, A 5kW solar panel system can produce around 20kWh per day on average, which can power standard household appliances such as washing machines, hot water heaters, and refrigerators and satisfy the needs of a family of four.
How much electricity will a 5kW solar system generate?
This solar system can generate up to 20kWh per day, depending on how much sunlight it receives. 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 hinges on the wattage of the individual panels selected. This figure typically ranges from 12 to 19 panels, varying in accordance with the wattage of the specific panels employed.
How many batteries are needed for a 5kw solar system?
The number of batteries required for a 5kW solar system depends on both the capacity of the batteries and the projected usage. An appropriate battery array for a 5kW solar system would be one with a capacity of approximately 17.5kWh, which accounts for an additional 20% above the expected usage.