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For the average 2-3 bedroom house
5kW Solar System in the UK: Costs & Output (December 2024)
- A 5kW solar panel system costs between £7,500 - £8,500 and can save you up to £16,500 annually.
- A 5kW system can last up to 30 years and you will likely break-even after 10 years.
- Most 5kW solar systems are well-suited for homes with 3 to 4 bedrooms.
Larger homes need a larger set of solar panels. That’s where 5kW solar panel systems come in. These heavy-duty systems can be ideal for homes with over 4 bedrooms or, alternatively, for generating a lot more solar panel output in exchange for money. Let’s go over the costs, benefits, downsides, and more.
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5kW solar system with battery in the UK
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 A 5kW solar system with a battery can be an ideal solution for medium to large sized homes, such as 4 bedroom homes. Not only will this allow for more than enough energy generation, it will also enable energy storage for use at night. The average battery size needed for a 5kW system is 11kWh to 12kWh but a larger one can be beneficial for more extensive needs such as off-grid systems.
This size of the system can provide more than enough energy to the average home in the UK, which usually has 3 bedrooms. Aside from the savings on electricity, a 5kW system with a battery can also allow for earnings from solar panel grants and schemes like the Smart Export Guarantee. This allows homeowners to export energy back to the grid to the tune of £830 annually.
How many solar panels are in a 5kW solar system?
5kW solar panels will normally have 10 to 13 solar panels. With any 5kW solar system, how many panels you need will depend on the capacity per panel, requiring more 350W panels than 450W panels. The system will take up roughly 20m2 to 26m2 of space, with the total system weight being about 180kg to 275kg (18 to 21kg per panel).
The following numbers do have some caveats, however. They assume all the panels are monocrystalline and on-roof solar panels. These are the standard types of solar installations. Other types of panels can be less efficient, which would mean more individual panels would be needed to meet a 5kW capacity.
How much does a 5kW solar system with battery in the UK cost?
The price of 5kW solar panels can be £7,500 - £8,500, while the appropriately sized battery for the panels (11 to 12kWh) will cost £9,000 to £10,000. The cost of 5kW solar systems will also depend on the prices the installer charges, whether you opt for a battery or other peripheral parts, and the type of panels, i.e. standard on-roof panels or integrated solar panels.
| System size | Solar battery size | Solar battery cost | Solar panels cost | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5kW | 11 - 12kWh | £9,000 – £10,000 | £7,500 - £8,500 | £16,500 - £20,500 |
In comparison, a 6kW solar system can cost £9,500 - £10,500 and is recommended for larger 4 to 5 bedroom houses. While a 4kW solar system can also suffice for 3-bedroom homes, a 5kW system will provide better energy generation, more savings, and better SEG earnings.
While most batteries will operate with a 5kW system, an 11 to 12kWh battery is recommended. This can add to the cost of solar panels, but it can be ideal for 4 bedroom homes and can maintain charge for an extended period of time. You can also save about £250 annually by storing energy from off-peak hours for use during peak hours.
The prices listed above are estimates. For more accurate numbers, you can consult professional installers but they can be hard to find on your own. Instead, our handy service can be a far quicker way, providing you with up to 4 free, non-binding quotes. All it takes is 30 seconds, so click the button below to get started.
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Break-even point and return on investment for 5kW solar systems
The break-even point for a 5kW solar panel setup is around 10 years, with a return on investment of £8,000 - £9,000. The best solar panels have a product warranty of 25 years usually, indicating that they can be profitable for many years past the break-even point.
| System size | Solar panels cost | Savings after 25 years | Break-even point | Return on investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3kW | £4,500 - £5,500 | £11,000 | 9 | £5,500 - £6,500 |
| 4kW | £5,000 - £6,000 | £16,500 | 8 | £10,500 - £11,500 |
| 5kW | £7,500 - £8,500 | £16,500 | 10 | £8,000 - £9,000 |
You can also decrease the price of your solar panel systems with the aid of grants and schemes. For smaller system sizes, it is possible to obtain free solar panels with many of these policies. Be sure to contact an installer to see if you are applicable.
It’s also important to take SEG earning into account. If you choose to export energy back to the grid, here is what you could be earning on top of the ROI:
| House size | System size | Annual SEG earnings | SEG earnings after 25 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small; 1-2 bedrooms | 3kW | £520 | £13,000 |
| Medium; 2-3 bedrooms | 4kW | £735 | £18,375 |
| Medium; 2-3 bedrooms | 5kW | £830 | £20,750 |
How much does a 5kW solar system generate per day, month and year?
A 5kW solar panel system generates approximately 20kWh on a good day with sunshine and around 4,250kWh of electricity is generated throughout the year. The real power generated will depend on various factors such as the location, performance of the equipment and the installation. The power produced by a 5kW unit makes it a sufficient system to meet the needs of a large household in the UK.
The size of a system will determine how many solar panels you need. A 5kW solar system is made up of 20 solar panels, assuming that the panels have 250-watt capacity. The size of each panel will be approximately 1.6 m x 1 m, so at least 32 m² of roof space is needed to suit the space needs of this system.
Pros and cons of a 5kW solar panel system
- High energy output
- Long-term energy savings
- Increases house value
- Energy independence
- High initial cost
- Requires more roof space
Pros:
- High energy output: With 5kW worth of solar panels, you can generate about 20kWh of electricity per day, or 4,250kWh annually. An average 2 to 3-bedroom house requires 2,700kWh of electricity per year.
- Long-term energy savings: Solar panels are guaranteed to last at least 25 years, with an estimated lifespan of 40 years. With a 5kW system, these will be significantly more than smaller systems.
- Increases house value: A 5kW solar panel system would add more value to the home it is installed on. According to MakeUK, surveys show highly positive perceptions of green technologies among prospective homeowners.
- Energy independence: A 5kW system is enough to make a household independent from the grid, supplying sufficient energy for this to occur.
Cons:
- High initial cost: The average 5kW solar system cost in the UK will be high compared to standard system sizes. Costing between £7,500 - £8,500, it can be a significant investment, so it’s best to be sure the ROI will be worth it.
- Requires more space: Compared to the most common systems (3kW to 4kW), a 5kW system takes up more space. You will require 20m2 to 26m2 of roof space to install them. This can be even higher for flat roof solar panels since you have to space them out more than on-roof installations.
Is a 5kW solar system worth it for UK households?
For larger homes (4+ bedrooms), a 5kW system can be a great addition. For smaller homes, the excess energy can be returned to the grid for extra earnings. For larger homes, a 5kW system is an ideal choice if you plan to install a solar battery in the future, as it can minimise wasted energy and let you store it for later use.
The average lithium-based solar battery size for a UK household is between 11kWh and 12kWh, based on the amount consumed by 3- and 4-bedroom households. That way, any produced energy stays stored up for when the sun goes down. You can check our dedicated reviews to learn more about the best battery for solar panels.
While the average home can manage with a 4kW setup, a 5kW system ensures that your home receives adequate solar power. If the initial cost is not too expensive or if you’re interested in earning money back via the grid, it is a solid investment.
However, finding the best system for your needs can be more complicated, and that’s why it’s best to find a reliable installer to advise you. While finding one can ordinarily take a long time, it doesn’t have to. Fill out a 30-second form and we’ll get back to you with the best prices from vetted installers. Click the button below to receive up to 4 free quotes with no payment obligation.
- Quotes from local engineers
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