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A 5 kW solar system makes about 20.0 kWh a day at 5 peak sun hours, the US average. That is about 608 kWh a month and 7,300 kWh a year. In Australia it makes about 24.0 kWh a day, in Canada 15.2, in Germany 13.2 and in the UK 11.6. At US-average sun it runs a full set of household basics plus a dryer load and about 30 miles (50 km) of daily EV charging, using 18.0 kWh.
5 kW is the most common home size in Australia and a strong mid-size option in the US and Canada. In the UK and Germany it covers more than a typical home uses over a year. Here is what it can run.
What will my solar system run?
Estimates use the formulas explained in this guide. Plan a complete system with the all-in-one calculator →
What a 5 kW system includes
- Panels: 12 × 420 W (5.04 kW). In Australia the usual setup is 6.6 kW of panels on a 5 kW inverter.
- Roof space: about 27.5 m² (296 sq ft), including gaps.
- Inverter: a 5 kW string or hybrid inverter, or micro-inverters. A hybrid lets you add a battery.
- Battery (optional): 10 to 13.5 kWh is a common match.
kWh per day by country
kWh per day = 5 kW × Peak sun hours × 0.8
| Country | Peak sun hours | kWh per day | kWh per month | kWh per year | Darkest month (per day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 5.0 | 20.0 | 608 | 7,300 | 10.0 |
| United Kingdom | 2.9 | 11.6 | 353 | 4,234 | 3.2 |
| Canada | 3.8 | 15.2 | 462 | 5,548 | 4.4 |
| Australia | 6.0 | 24.0 | 730 | 8,760 | 16.8 |
| Germany | 3.3 | 13.2 | 401 | 4,818 | 3.6 |
US cities range widely: about 23.2 kWh a day in Los Angeles (5.8 sun hours), 18.4 in New York (4.6) and 15.2 in Seattle (3.8). In Toronto (3.9) a 5 kW system makes about 15.6 kWh a day. See peak sun hours.
What 5 kW runs every day
At 5 peak sun hours the system makes 20.0 kWh. A realistic mix:
| Appliance | Quantity | Hours/day | kWh/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED bulbs (10 W) | 14 | 5 | 0.70 |
| Refrigerator (150 W) | 1 | 24 | 1.26 |
| Wi-Fi router (12 W) | 1 | 24 | 0.29 |
| TV 43–55″ (90 W) | 2 | 4 | 0.72 |
| Laptop (60 W) | 2 | 6 | 0.72 |
| Microwave (1,200 W) | 1 | 0.25 | 0.30 |
| Washing machine (500 W) | 1 | 1 | 0.35 |
| Dishwasher (1,200 W) | 1 | 1 | 0.72 |
| Ceiling fans (60 W) | 3 | 8 | 1.44 |
| EV charging, about 30 mi / 50 km (7 kW) | 1 | 1.3 | 9.10 |
| Clothes dryer, electric (3,000 W) | 1 | 1 | 2.40 |
| Total | 18.00 of 20.0 |
UK-style sun (2.9 hours): 5 kW makes about 11.6 kWh a day. Take the EV off the list and add a 12,000 BTU mini-split for 4 hours (2.42 kWh). The total is 11.32 kWh, which fits.
One appliance on its own
How many of one appliance 5 kW can power at 5 sun hours. “At once” uses the about 4,000 W the panels give at noon.
| Appliance | Hours/day | How many, all day | How many at once |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED bulbs (10 W) | 5 | 400 | 400 |
| Refrigerator (150 W) | 24 | 15 | 26 |
| Chest freezer (90 W) | 24 | 30 | 44 |
| Desktop PC + monitor (200 W) | 5 | 20 | 20 |
| Ceiling fan (60 W) | 8 | 41 | 66 |
| Dishwasher (1,200 W) | 1 | 27 | 3 |
| Electric clothes dryer (3,000 W) | 1 | 8 | 1 |
| Electric oven (2,400 W) | 1 | 16 | 1 |
| Electric kettle (2,000 W) | 0.2 | 50 | 2 |
| Mini-split 12,000 BTU (1,100 W) | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| Central AC 3-ton (3,300 W) | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Heat pump heating (3,000 W) | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| Electric water heater (4,000 W) | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Heat pump water heater (500 W) | 4 | 12 | 8 |
| EV charging (7 kW) | 1.3 | 2 | 0 |
| Pool pump 1.5 HP (1,100 W) | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Well pump 1/2 HP (900 W) | 1 | 22 | 4 |
The EV row shows the two limits again. 5 kW makes enough energy for two cars’ daily 30 miles, but a 7 kW charger draws more than the 4 kW the panels give at noon. The grid or a battery covers the gap, or you set the charger to a lower rate to follow the sun. See how many solar panels to charge an EV.
Running air conditioning on 5 kW
- Central AC, 3-ton: about 13.86 kWh for 6 hours. 5 kW can carry one on a sunny day, with about 6 kWh left for the rest of the house. It draws 3,300 W, which fits under the 4,000 W noon output.
- Mini-splits, 12,000 BTU: about 4.84 kWh each for 8 hours. 5 kW can run up to four on energy alone, or two alongside normal household loads.
Cooling demand peaks on sunny afternoons, which is when solar output is high. That makes AC one of the best loads to pair with solar. See mini-split on solar and air conditioner wattage.
Battery backup
Count 85% of a battery as usable. “Essentials” is a fridge and chest freezer (averaged), Wi-Fi, 5 LED bulbs, a TV and a laptop, about 292 W.
| Battery | Usable energy | Essentials (about 0.3 kW) | Evening load (1 kW) | Central AC (3.3 kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 kWh | 8.5 kWh | about 29.2 hours | about 8.5 hours | about 2.6 hours |
| 13.5 kWh | 11.5 kWh | about 39.4 hours | about 11.5 hours | about 3.5 hours |
A 5 kW array makes enough on an average US day to run the house and refill a 13.5 kWh battery. In a UK or German winter, at 3.2 to 3.6 kWh a day, it cannot. See is one Powerwall enough and home battery backup size.
Worked example: a 5 kW system in Sydney
Sydney gets about 4.9 peak sun hours.
- Daily: 5 × 4.9 × 0.8 = 19.6 kWh, about 596 kWh a month and 7,154 kWh a year.
- Compared with use: a typical Australian home uses about 15 to 18 kWh a day, so 5 kW covers it over a year with a surplus to export.
- The common 6.6 kW setup: 6.6 × 4.9 × 0.8 = about 25.9 kWh a day before the 5 kW inverter trims the midday peak. Real output is a little lower, but mornings and cloudy days improve.
- Cost: at an assumed A$1 per watt after the STC rebate, 6.6 kW costs about A$6,600. The STC scheme ends in 2030. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program has helped with battery costs since 1 July 2025, with reduced support from 1 May 2026.
See solar panels in Australia.
Is 5 kW right for you?
| Country | Typical home use per day | 5 kW makes | Share covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | about 29 kWh | 20.0 kWh | about 69% |
| United Kingdom | about 8 kWh | 11.6 kWh | about 145% |
| Canada | about 25–30 kWh | 15.2 kWh | about 51–61% |
| Australia | about 15–18 kWh | 24.0 kWh | about 133–160% |
| Germany | about 9–11 kWh | 13.2 kWh | about 120–147% |
- US: 5 kW covers about 69% of a 10,500 kWh home. At an assumed $2.50 to $3.50 per watt it costs $12,500 to $17,500. The 30% federal credit no longer applies to systems bought and installed after December 31, 2025. See solar panels in the USA.
- Canada: about half to three-fifths of a typical home. At an assumed C$2.50 to C$3.50 per watt, about C$12,500 to C$17,500. The federal Greener Homes grant and loan have closed, so check provincial rebates and net metering. See solar panels in Canada.
- UK and Germany: more than a typical home uses, which makes sense with an EV, heat pump or battery.
Common mistakes with 5 kW systems
- Charging the EV at night without a battery. That uses grid power. Charge at midday when you can.
- Expecting 5 kW at noon. Expect about 4 kW on a good day.
- Ignoring winter in the north. In Canada, the UK and Germany winter output can fall to about a quarter of the average.
- Undersizing for future loads. If a heat pump or second EV is coming, plan for 7 to 10 kW.
FAQ
How many kWh does a 5 kW solar system make per month?
About 608 kWh a month at US-average sun, 730 in Australia, 462 in Canada, 401 in Germany and 353 in the UK.
Can a 5 kW solar system charge an electric car?
Yes. About 30 miles (50 km) of daily driving uses about 9.1 kWh, under half of what 5 kW makes on an average US day.
Can a 5 kW solar system run central air conditioning?
Yes, one 3-ton central AC for about 6 hours on a sunny day uses about 13.86 kWh. That leaves about 6 kWh for everything else.
How many panels do I need for 5 kW?
About 12 × 420 W panels, on about 27.5 m² (296 sq ft) of roof.
Related guides
- What Can a 10kW Solar System Run? kWh per Day, Central AC, EV and Whole-Home Loads
- What Can a 3kW Solar System Run? kWh per Day, Appliances and Battery Backup
- What Can a 1kW to 20kW Solar System Run? kWh per Day and Appliance List
- What Can a 1kW Solar System Run? kWh per Day for Cabins, RVs, Sheds and Backup
Sources and further reading
- NREL PVWatts Calculator: solar output estimate for any address.
- U.S. EIA: How Much Electricity Does an American Home Use?: average household use, about 10,800 kWh a year.
- Alternative Fuels Data Center: Charging EVs at Home: home charging levels and power.
- U.S. DOE Energy Saver: Air-Source Heat Pumps: how heat pumps and ductless mini-splits work.