
How many solar panels do you need for a 3kw system in Australia? In this blog post, we will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about a 3kw solar system.
We will also give you detailed facts and figures about how much power a 3kw system can generate and how much it will cost you.
So, whether you are thinking of installing a solar panel system or just want to learn more, read on!
Click below to jump to each section:
- How many panels?
- How much cash?
- How before it pays itself?
- How power does it generate?
- How much does it cost?
- What can I run?
- Is 3kw enough?
How many solar panels for a 3kw system?
The number of solar panels you need for a 3kW solar system depends on the wattage and efficiency of the panels you select. Most panels on the market today (2022) are around 370 watts.
If you use 370-watt solar panels, you’ll need at least 9 panels to reach 3 kW solar system.
That is with a big “if” though.
The number of panels required for your project depends on several factors including:
– The average daily sun hours in your area
– The tilt and orientation of your roof
– The shade from trees or other buildings
– The efficiency of the solar panels
So in a perfect world, your 9 panels will get the maximum amount of sun, have the perfect orientation, no shade, and be quality, highly efficient tier 1 panels.
Unfortunately, that is almost never the case.
So while on paper 9 panels = 3kw, it all really depends on your unique property. However, if you are looking for a solar quote, you can expect around 9-11 panels to be quoted.
While we’re on that topic, we have a network of pre-vetted solar installers all around Australia. We trust them with our own solar systems so you can, too. When you’re ready, we can get you 3 FREE quotes from them right away.

How much cash will a 3kW solar system earn?
The average 3kW solar power system will offset about 75% of a typical Australian home’s power usage in perfect conditions.
This means that if you use an average of 16 kWh of electricity per day, your 3kw solar system will generate 12 kWh of power per day and you’ll only need to purchase 4 kWh from the grid.
A 3kW system will not, in fact, decrease your power bill by 75%. It all depends on how much solar energy you use in your home, and how much you export back to the grid.
You make the most savings if you use all of your solar power while it is being produced during the day. (assuming you do not have a battery)
This is because the 8c per kWh that most states in Australia pay for exported electricity is much less than what you buy from the grid, which is 32c per Kwh (2022).
Lets Conder These Scenarios
1) You use 100% of the solar-generated from your panels. This means that if it’s mostly daylight hours when everyone in this household is home or working from your home then we’ll be saving around $1500 every year.
2) You export 50% of your energy (most likely scenario). This means that you would run most appliances during the day but you or your family are not home during the day. You would save around $900-1000 a year.
3) If you 100% exported your power generated by a 2kw system, you would make $350-450 a year.
Get 3 Solar Quotes From Quality Local Installers.
How long before a 3kW solar power system pays for itself in Australia?
The average price of a solar panel has fallen by more than 70% since 2009 and the cost of a typical residential installation has dropped by around 50%.
If an Australian household consumes an average of 16kWh per day and the average retail electricity price is 32c/kWh, a standard-sized (around 10 panels) grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) 3kwh system will cost between $3000 and $4000.
At current rates, the payback period for a 3kw solar system would be between 4-5 years, depending on how much you paid for it. If you’re able to get an interest-free loan or lease the system, it could pay for itself even sooner.
However, with the current energy crisis (2022) the cost of electricity is expected to rise considerably.
How much power does a 3kwh system generate in Australia?
In Australia, a typical solar 3kw solar PV system will generate around 11 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day.
This is enough to cover the 75% needs of an average Australian household, which uses about 16 kWh of electricity per day.
Keep in mind that this is an average your actual results may vary depending on your location and the amount of sunlight that you get.
How much does a three-kilowatt solar panel system cost?
The price of a 3 kWh solar panel system in Australia can range from $3500 – $4500 after incentives.
This price varies due to the different rebates and feed-in tariffs in each state. You will also get some fluctuations in price for the solar installation process. That is why we recommend getting a few different quotes for different 3kwh solar installers.

What can I run on a 3kW solar system?
A three-kilowatt (kW) solar system will cover most of the daily needs of a small Australian home. It can run all the essentials like lights, fridge, aircon, TV, and computer.
Although 3kwh solar panels will not completely eliminate your power bill, installing a larger solar system can be more cost-effective. The rebates you receive increase with the number of kwh you install. Increasing power output and decreasing payback periods.
If you are looking to go completely off-grid, then you might need a larger system. But for most people who just want to lower their power bills, a three-kilowatt system is a good starting point.
Is 3kW enough to run a house?
A three-kilowatt solar system will cover around 75% of the power needs for an average Australian home. This means that you will still need to use some grid-supplied electricity, but your bills will be lower.
If you are looking to cover all of your power needs, then you might need a larger system or to supplement your solar power with other renewable energy sources.
Now that you know how many solar panels are needed for a three-kilowatt system, how much power it generates, and how much it will cost, you can decide if this is the right size system for your needs.
We’ll help you every step of the way to make sure you get the most out of your investment. Give us a call today to learn more about solar energy and how it can benefit you. Thanks for reading!
Other Types of Solar Systems
– How Many Solar Panels For a 2kw System?
– How Many Solar Panels for 5kw System?
– How Many Solar Panels for 6.6kw System?