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How Many Solar Panels for 5kw in Australia? Facts and Figures 2022

How Many Solar Panels for 5kw in Australia

Looking to install a 5kw solar system in Australia? This article will provide you with all the information you need to size your solar system correctly.

We’ll go over how many solar panels are needed for a 5kw system, as well as other factors such as how much cash you will earn and how much a 5kw system will cost.

So whether you’re just starting out or you’ve already got some ideas, read on for everything you need to know about a 5kw solar panel system.

Click below to jump to each section:

How many solar panels for 5kw system in Australia?

The number of solar panels you need for a 5kW 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 14-18 panels to reach 5 kW solar system.

That is with a big “if” though. 

The number of panels required for a home solar project can vary depending on a number of factors: including

  • the average daily sun hours in your area,
  • the tilt and orientation of your roof,
  • the amount of shade from trees or other buildings,
  • and the efficiency of the solar panels.

In a perfect world, your panels would be exposed to the maximum amount of sunshine, have the ideal orientation, be free of shade, and be top-tier quality, highly efficient tier 1 panels.

That is, however, not always the situation. So while 14 panels might equal 5kw on paper, it all depends on your property in practice.

However, if you are looking for a solar quote for 5kw of solar panels in Australia, you can expect around 14-18 panels to be quoted.

Get 3 Solar Quotes From Quality Local Installers.

How many solar panels for 5kw system in Australia?

How much cash will a 5kW solar system earn?

If you’ve been considering 5kw solar energy for your home, you’re probably wondering how it will affect your electricity bill. After all, if the system offsets your energy usage, then surely it will eliminate your bill entirely, right? Not quite. Here’s a breakdown of how a 5kW solar PV system will impact your bill.

Assuming you get paid about 8c per kWh for exported energy (some retailers offer more) compared to 32c per kWh (2022 average) to buy electricity back from the mains grid, let’s explore how the 5kW system payback works in 3 different scenarios. 

  1. Unless you have a very specific and unique electricity-consuming situation at home, it is unlikely that you will be able to use all the solar electricity by the 5kW systems in your home. Even with running a small business operating from your home, it is still difficult to completely consume all the solar electricity generated by a 5kW system. However, if you are able to do so, you could save a significant amount of money on your electricity bill. In the first year, you would save approximately $2100, and over 20 years, you could save around $67,000. These savings are significant and worth considering if you are able to use all the solar electricity generated by a 5kW system in your home.
  2. If you export 50% of your energy at 8c per kWh, you will save over $1400 in your first year. (this is the most common situation)
  3. You could save approximately $700 over the first year by exporting all of the power generated.

Exporting all of the power generated is not recommended as it means you are not using all of the free solar electricity that you are generating, and so are missing out on potential savings.

How long before a 5kW solar power system pays for itself in Australia?

Over the last decade, there has been a dramatic reduction in the cost of solar panels. In 2009, the average price of a solar panel was $4.50 per watt. Today, that figure has fallen to just $0.70 per watt, a reduction of more than 70%.

A standard-sized 5kw PV system will now cost between $4000 and $6000, which is around 50% cheaper than it was just a few years ago. This includes the maximum solar rebate.

This varies by which state you are in and by the type of installer. However, if you are looking for a quote for a 5kw solar system, this is what you can expect.

On that topic, we have a network of pre-vetted installers all around Australia. We trust them with our own systems so we’re confident in their abilities. When you’re ready, we can get you 3 FREE quotes from them right away.

How much does a 5kw solar panel system cost? 

After subsidies, the cost of a 5 kWh solar panel system in Australia may range from $4000 to $6000.

The cost of a 5kw solar panel system fluctuates based on the various rebates and feed-in tariffs in each state. The cost of installing a solar system is also subject to considerable variation. That’s why we propose obtaining several estimates from various 5kwh solar installers.

What can I run on a 5kW solar system?

What can I run on a 5kW solar system

To put it simply, a lot! The average Australian home uses around 16-20kWh of electricity per day.

This means that a standard-sized, properly installed, and maintained solar system will typically generate enough power to cover around 70-90% of a household’s total electricity usage.

You’ll be able to easily compensate for any air conditioner, refrigerator, washing machine microwave, or other power-consuming devices.

This is based on the typical household so if you run a small business from home or a large family you might need to consider a larger system.

Is 5kW solar panel array enough to run a house?

A 5kw solar system will usually be enough to cover around 70-90% of a household’s total electricity usage. This would be a family of 3-4 with normal power usage.

But if you have a large family, run a small business from home, or consume more power than the average household, then you might need to consider a larger system.

For example, in South Australia, the average residential customer uses around 18kWh per day while commercial customers use an average of around 85kWh per day. In this instance, a commercial-grade solar PV system would be needed to make a significant dent in the customer’s electricity bill.

Check your power bill if you’re unsure of how much kwh your home consumes.

Other Types of Solar Systems

– How Many Solar Panels For a 2kw System?
– How Many Solar Panels for 3kw System?
– How Many Solar Panels for 6.6kw System?