How many solar panels do I need For a 5kw system?
Reviewed by Saba Arif
If you’re keen to get your 5kw solar setup up and running, brace yourself for a bit of a gathering task – you’ll need 16 of those smart 320W solar panels.
16 panels x 320w = 5120w or 5.1kW.
They measure 170cm x 100cm and when set up together in an array they cover 27m2 of roof space.
16 solar panels needed for a 5kW System
Roof space required = 27m2
If you have limited roof space, you can go with higher quality 370W panels. In this case, you will only need 14 panels, saving you 54m2 of roof space compared to the 320W panels.
Table of contents
What can a 5kW solar system run?
During peak out, a 5kW solar system will produce around 20kWh of usable energy, enough to run appliances like a washing machine, air conditioner, fridge, water heater, oven, and TV, etc.
See below for a full list of appliances a 5kW system can run, including their typical watt usage and the average hours a typical home will use that appliance for.
| Appliance | Watts per hour | Avg. Hours used daily | Total Watts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot water system (100L electric) | 1500 | 3 | 4,500 |
| Microwave | 1500 | 0.3 | 450 |
| Dishwasher | 18 | 1.5 | 2,700 |
| Freezer | 42 | 24 | 1,000 |
| Refrigerator | 35 | 24 | 900 |
| Washing machine | 500 | 0.5 | 250 |
| Clothes Dryer | 4000 | 0.3 | 1,050 |
| Central Air conditioner | 3200 | 2 | 6,400 |
| 2 x LCD televisions | 60 | 5 | 300 |
| 2 x Laptops | 200 | 6 | 1,200 |
| Lights for 4 bedroom home (10 x 7 Watt LED lights [60W equivalent per globe]) | 70 | 6 | 420 |
| Wifi | 6 | 24 | 144 |
| Total | 19,100 |
This is what it would look like on a roof
How much roof space do they need?
Here you can see that a regular 5kW system with 20 panels takes up 32m2 of roof space. Normally you would run them in two rows 10 panels on top and 10 on the bottom.
You can run them in different configurations and if you have an odd-shaped roof, you might be able to split them up into batches depending on the orientation of the various sections of the roof.
How much power will a 5kw generate per day?
On average, a correctly installed and well-oriented 5kW solar system has the potential to generate a minimum of 20kWh-22kWh per day.
The system is named 5kW because that is its peak capacity, typically achieved during 1-2 hours when the sun is at its zenith. While the system’s peak output is 5kW per hour, the total daily energy production depends on various factors, including weather conditions and the orientation of the panels.
It’s crucial to note that the actual daily production may vary, and achieving the maximum theoretical output may require optimal conditions and panel orientation. The importance of proper panel orientation cannot be overstated, as it significantly impacts the system’s overall efficiency.
What direction should they face?
It is advisable that the solar panels should face north all the time. This will ensure you get the maximum amount of sunlight on your panels with the natural swing of the sun through the sky during the day.
If you are unsure if your roof is suitable you can phone and speak to a local solar installer and ask them to check your roof. They will be able to go on google maps and check the orientation online.
