How Much Does A 5 kW Solar System Cost?

A 5 kW solar panel system costs between £8,500 and £10,000, including installation. A 5 kW setup is a popular option for busy homes with 3 to 5 bedrooms, consuming around 4,000 kWh of electricity per year. As trusted UK solar installers, Eco Happy has installed thousands of such systems, allowing homeowners to take control of their energy consumption.

In this guide, we’ll run through the cost of a 5 kW solar system, including battery and maintenance costs. We also discuss potential solar savings, how many panels a 5 kW installation needs, and how much electricity it produces.

Key takeaways:

• A 5 kW solar system costs between £8,500 and £10,000.
• A solar battery for the system costs £8,000 to £10,000.
• A 5 KW installation can produce over 4,000 kWh of electricity per year.
• The system is usually associated with larger 3 or 4-bedroom homes.
• Annual electricity bill savings from installing a 5 kW system are over £600.

How Much Does A 5 kW Solar Panel System Cost In the UK

As mentioned, the average cost of a 5 kW solar system in the UK, including installation, is around £8,500 to £10,000. Integrating a solar battery into the system costs an additional £8,000 to £10,000. 

Let’s break down the average cost of the main components:

5 kW System Components	Cost
Panels & installation	£7,500 – £8,500
Solar battery	£8,000 – £10,000
Solar inverter (or microinverters)	£1,000 (or £2,000)
Total cost:	£16,500 – £19,500 (or £17,500 – £20,500  with microinverters)

Solar battery cost for a 5 kW system

A solar battery for a 5 kW system costs between £8,000 and £10,000. A battery lets you store excess energy to use at your convenience.A battery with a capacity of 11kWh to 12kWh is generally suitable for a 5 kW system. The good news is, there is 0% VAT on solar panels and batteries until 31 March 2027.

It’s not necessary to have a battery as part of your solar system. However, research by the Independent shows that most homeowners opt for one. Batteries deliver great energy storage benefits, including:

• Enhanced energy independence.
• More flexibility regarding your electricity consumption.
• Cost savings from charging the battery using cheap overnight tariffs.
• Greater ability to sell excess electricity through the Smart Export Guarantee.

What Factors Affect the Cost of a 5 kW Solar Panel System?

Solar panel costs vary based on several factors:

• Location: Installation costs tend to be more expensive in London and the immediate surroundings.

• Panel type: There are three main types of solar panels with different price points.
  • Monocrystalline solar panels are the most expensive and provide the best quality and efficiency (up to 24%).
  • Polycrystalline solar panels are slightly less efficient (up to 21%) and are usually cheaper than monocrystalline.
  • Thin film solar panels are the cheapest option but are sometimes 50% less efficient than monocrystalline.
• Panel quality: Some solar panel manufacturers have a better reputation than others. Premium providers deliver a superior product. Many consumers are willing to pay a premium for this quality assurance.
• Solar inverter: A solar inverter (which converts DC electricity from the panels into AC electricity for the home) costs between £600 and £1,400. 
• Microinverters: Many modern systems feature multiple microinverters rather than one central inverter. Microinverters are small inverters installed on each solar panel. They boost efficiency by maximising the conversion of DC to AC for each panel. They may cost £150, making the bill for 13 inverters £1,950 – more expensive than a single unit.
• Number of solar panels: Generally more panels mean a higher cost
• System monitoring tools: A sophisticated solar monitoring system may also raise the final price tag.

How Much Does a 5 kW Solar System Save You?

Most properties can save more than £600 from a 5 kW solar panel system. A 5 kW setup lets households greatly reduce their reliance on the National Grid, especially from March to October.

A household with an electricity bill of £1,200 that generates its own electricity for 8 months of the year enjoys solar panel savings of £800. If they also earn £50 from selling their excess energy via the Smart Export Guarantee, the payback period for a £8,500 system will be 10 years.

Is a 5kW Solar Panel System Expensive To Maintain?

No, modern solar panels are relatively inexpensive to maintain. The annual upkeep of a well-installed 5 kW setup shouldn’t exceed £100 in the early years if you do an occasional clean yourself.

As the system ages, more major expenditure becomes necessary. Quality solar panels boast a lifespan of over 25 years but components like inverters and batteries need replacing every 10-15 years.

A solar panel system should ideally be professionally checked and cleaned once a year to ensure optimal functioning. This will ensure dirt buildup doesn’t become an issue. Loose connections, fittings, and structural wear can also be promptly addressed.

How Much Energy Does a 5 kW Solar Panel System Produce?

A 5 kW solar PV system converts sunlight into electricity with a maximum power output of 5 kW in perfect sunny conditions. Since conditions are not always perfect, the maximum output is often not achieved.

Let’s break down the average electricity production of a 5 kW solar panel system – on a daily, monthly, and annual basis.

• Daily production: 5 kW of solar panels produce on average 11.25 kWh to 13.75 kWh of electricity daily. Output may be higher than 13.75 kWh in summer and much lower than 11.25 kWh in mid-winter.
• Monthly production: The monthly production is 335 kWh to 420 kWh. Production peaks in July/August and falls substantially by year-end. December’s generation is often less than 25% of July’s peak.
• Annual production: Average annual generation is between 4,000 kWh and 4,500 kWh. A quality system in the south of England with optimal orientation and efficiency may achieve close to 5,000 kWh.

How Many Solar Panels Do You Need For a 5 kW Solar System?

The number of panels in a 5 kW solar panel system depends on the size (in wattage) of the panels. Panel sizes in residential solar systems range from 300 W to 450 W.

Here are the number of panels in a 5kW solar system based on different panel sizes:

• 300W solar panels – a minimum of 17 panels requiring approximately 34 sq m of roof space.
• 350W – a minimum of 15 panels occupying 30 sq m of roof space.
• 400W – a minimum of 13 panels taking 26 sq m of roof area.
• 450W – a minimum of 12 panels needing 24 sq m of space.

Considering A Solar Installation Quote?

To take the next step in your solar journey and access a quick non-binding quote for a solar installation, contact Eco Happy today. We will tailor a system and price to your needs. It’s our pleasure to help you lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint for the next decades!

Besides being an expert solar panel installer in England, Eco Happy provides comprehensive maintenance services to keep your solar panels in top nick. Don’t hesitate to contact us for your solar system cleaning and care needs.

FAQs

Will a 5 kW solar system run a house in the UK?

A south-oriented 5 kW solar system in the south of England will provide much of the electricity needs of a 3-4 bedroom house for 7 to 8 months of the year. It won’t be able to run the house in the winter months when sunlight is scarcer.

How long is the warranty on a 5kW solar panel system?

The best product warranties on solar panels will cover you for 15+ years. Good warranties for the solar inverter are usually between 5 and 10 years.

How many solar panels do I need for a 3-bedroom house?

A typical UK 3-bedroom home consumes approximately 3,000 kWh per year and will need a 3.5 kW to 4 kW solar panel system. This equates to 10-12 panels.

Is a 5kW solar panel system right for you?

A 5 kW system is generally suitable for households with 4 bedrooms with an annual electricity consumption of around 4,000 kWh. Adding your electricity bills from January to December provides an accurate indication of how many kWh you need for the year.

If your annual electricity consumption is between 4,000 kWh and 4,500 kWh, a 5 kW system may be ideal for your property assuming you have enough viable roof space to accommodate it.

Are grants available to install solar panel systems?

Government initiatives offer various grants for solar panels as well as loans to assist property owners in investing in solar energy.

You may qualify for thousands of pounds through one of the following: 

• Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4)
• Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan
• Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (for public sector bodies).

Final Thoughts

A 5 kW solar system is a popular choice for larger homes using around 4,000 kWh of electricity annually.

While the system costs between £8,500 and £10,000, it can offset electricity bills by over £600 per year. Many homeowners are able to pay back their solar installation within 10 years. Adding a solar battery for storage can cost an additional £8,000 to £10,000.