How much does a 5kW solar system cost?
Priced June 2026
A 5kW solar system costs £7,500–£9,800 installed — about 12 panels, generating ~4,250 kWh a year.
Best suited to 3 bed home, higher usage. Payback is typically 8–12 years.
| Typical installed cost | £7,500–£9,800 |
| Number of panels | ~12 panels |
| Annual generation | ~4,250 kWh |
| Typical payback | 8–12 years |
| Best suited to | 3 bed home, higher usage |
| Roughly per kW | £1,700/kW |
A 5kW system sits in the middle of typical UK home installs. The price covers the 12 panels, the inverter, mounting and scaffolding, certified labour and MCS certification — at 0% VAT until 31 March 2027. Here's how it compares to other system sizes:
| System | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3kW | £5,000 | £5,500 | £6,500 |
| 4kW | £6,000 | £7,000 | £8,000 |
| 5kW | £7,500 | £8,500 | £9,800 |
| 6kW | £9,000 | £10,000 | £11,500 |
| 8kW | £11,000 | £12,500 | £14,500 |
| 10kW | £13,000 | £15,000 | £17,000 |
Whether a 5kW system is right for you depends less on your property type than on how much electricity you actually use. Put your own usage into the free calculator to see your cost, saving and payback, or see the full cost-of-solar breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 5kW solar system cost in the UK?
A 5kW solar system typically costs £7,500–£9,800 installed in 2026 (panels only, 0% VAT), using around 12 panels — roughly £1,700 per kW.
How much electricity does a 5kW system generate?
A 5kW system generates about 4,250 kWh a year in the UK (south-facing, unshaded), enough for 3 bed home, higher usage.
How long does a 5kW system take to pay back?
Typically 8–12 years on panels alone, depending on how much generation you use yourself, your tariff and your region.