5 KW Solar Systems
Does the thought of slashing your power bill by using a free resource bring a smile to your face?
Our 5kW solar systems can potentially reduce your power bill to zero. That’s why generating your own power from the sun is a no-brainer for most Australian homes.
Imagine having guilt-free access to as much hot water as you want or being able to turn on your AC unit when you need it. Solar power puts you in charge of your power bills.
You choose how much electricity you want to use and when you want it. Our 5kW solar systems put the power back into your hands.
Right now, solar systems prices in Australia are some of the lowest in the world. And installing a 5kW solar system makes real sense thanks to Australia’s:
- Long and regular periods of sunshine
- Low costs of solar installation
- Financial incentives
With our 5kW solar systems you can export any unused electricity you generate back to the Grid and be paid for it.
How much money you can make with the solar feed-in tariff (or solar buy back) will vary from State to State but in NSW you could get between 12.5 - 20 cents per kWh.
This can add up to a substantial sum over a 12-month period.
And thanks to the government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, installing a solar power system is even more attractive. A 5kW solar system is probably the most cost-effective size for medium sized Australian households and using the free, renewable energy of the sun is a real thumbs-up for the environment too.
5kW Solar System Price
So what does a 5kW solar system cost? Will it make financial sense for your situation?
The 5kW solar system is extremely popular for the average Australian household (using around 25kWh of power daily) because it provides an outstanding ROI (return of investment).
The high rates of power production easily balance out the relatively low cost of installation. And this means the system will usually pay for itself in as little as 3 to 5 years.
What's the 5kW System Cost?
There are a number of variables but 5kW solar systems generally cost in the range of $5,000 to $7,000. The final cost will vary according to the number and type of panels required, choice of inverter, and whether or not you need battery backup.
Factors that can affect these aspects of solar system design include the amount of sunshine your roof receives, roof angle, and whether it’s shaded as well as your specific energy requirements.
The inverter converts the sun’s rays into usable AC electrical current that will be suitable for your appliances. We recommend a Fronius 5kW primo inverter. Fronius is a premium European brand that has been manufacturing high-end solar energy components since 1992.
There are cheaper brands on the market but with Fronius you get exceptional performance and durability that will repay the initial outlay many times over.
Government subsidies are still available for solar system installations. These subsidies can add up to $3250 or more for a 5kW system.
Do I Need Battery Backup?
Adding battery backup can provide some real benefits but it pays to do your research because batteries are still relatively expensive.
A battery system for a 5kW solar unit costs generally between $1,300 to $2,000 per kWh.
So for a 5kW system you might be looking at a total for the battery storage of around $7,000 to $10,000.
The average time (industry wide) it takes to recover that initial outlay through reduced power costs is now below 10 years. We aim to design systems that will provide 100% payback in less than 4 years.
5kW Solar System with Battery Backup
Battery backup allows your system to store power generated during the day for release at night.
This is particularly useful if your peak power usage occurs at night time and if you want to avoid the peak power use rates. Battery backup can also offer a real advantage if you live in an area that is subject to frequent power outages. There are also other ways to find an alternative battery solution.
Battery Backup Products
We recommend that we consider a battery system as a separate module and hence like to put PV Solar Systems that are battery agnostic. In the future we can use Tesla, Samsung and LG lithium ion batteries.
These offer exceptional, highly efficient performance and are safer than the traditional lead/acid batteries. These batteries also charge faster and offer a much greater storage capacity.
Premium quality lithium batteries also provide a more consistent charge even at low charge levels and provide consistent output for high demand appliances such as heat pumps and dryers.
Lithium batteries offer better performance under extreme hot and cold temperature conditions.
What's the Battery Backup Cost?
The Lithium batteries are more expensive than older lead-acid batteries but the advantages pay for the additional costs many times over.
You can see what a typical lithium battery system might cost here.
5kW Solar System - How Many Panels?
Solar panels have dropped in price dramatically over the last few years.
But the fact is you do get what you pay for so it pays to buy good quality panels. The best solar panels look stunning, generate a high power output even on cloudy days, and offer outstanding durability with exceptional warranties for real peace of mind.
Solar Panel Products
We recommend Canadian Solar 310, LG NeON 335W, or Trinia 315 panels. These are highly regarded products from reputable brands.
Power output is 19% efficiency or higher and warranties start at 10 years and extend up to 25 years for the LG Solar panels.
How Many Panels Will I Need?
Typically you’ll need to allow for 18 x 310 watt Trina or Canadian Solar panels to produce 5.58kW or 16 x 335 watt LG neon solar panels for an output of 5.36kW.
Panels generally measure around 1.65m x 1m. So, you’ll need a roof area of 35 m2 for 20 panels or 1.75 m2 per panel.
Getting the right advice about which solar panels to go with is really important because the right panels can play a large role in the overall cost effectiveness of your new solar system.
Solar Panel Products
Canadian Solar 310
With Canadian Solar’s proprietary poly wafer and cell technologies we have developed an extraordinary module. HiKu is the first bifacial poly module exceeding 430 W and thus reaches one of the highest poly module power output in the solar industry.
LG NeON 335W
LG’s Best Selling Module
The LG NeON® 2 is LG’s best selling solar module. It received the acclaimed 2015 Intersolar award for featuring LG’s Cello Technology. It’s one of the most powerful and versatile modules on the market.
Trina 315 Panels
Trina panels are backed by an industry-leading 25-year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty and a strong track record of reliability and performance in the field. As a vertically integrated company, Trina Solar oversees the quality of its products across the supply chain, and all Trina panels undergo in-house testing and independent, third-party certification.
5kW Solar System - Output Per Day
Your average Australian home without a swimming pool uses around 20kWh (kilowatt hours) of electricity each day and a 5kW solar system is able to meet these needs easily.
However, the total output for any specific solar setup will depend on a range of factors including:
- Hours of exposure to peak sunlight
- Shade and temperature
- Orientation of the panels
Generally, a roof in Australia will receive an average of around 5 hours of peak sunlight per day. Under these circumstances, a north-facing 5kW solar system will produce around 15kWh of power per day in winter and around 26kWh in the summer.
The return on your investment (ROI) will depend on a number of factors but we aim to get your power bills close to zero so you can enjoy a payback period of less than 4 years.
Recently, we installed a solar system for the Vaucluse Yacht Club, Sydney. It returned a significant credit of more than $700 on their very first power bill.
Solar Panel Installation
Solar panels are usually installed on the roof, and most installations take one day.
Installing the solar panels on the roof makes sense for saving space, effective use of the available sunlight and for cost reasons. Ground mounted installations have some minor advantages but are not possible in most residential settings.
We can install roof support frames that tilt to achieve the optimal angle for collecting the sunlight. This is especially important where your roof line is not angled for optimal exposure to sunlight.
Most roof structures are strong enough to support solar panels but on very rare occasions council consent and engineering advice may be required.
We can organise this for you if it is necessary. Some additional costs may be involved where difficult conditions require extra roof safety requirements such as for extreme heights or steeply sloping roofs.
5kw Solar Systems in Sydney
AHE is a family-run business with more than 2 decades of experience in premium quality solar installations throughout the Sydney region.
We are proud of our reputation for delivering excellent service, professional workmanship, and outstanding backup and support along with good old-fashioned friendly advice.
We take the time to carefully assess your roof space and average daily power usage. We’ll explore with you ways to achieve your solar power vision and make recommendations based on your budget.
Our team members are all highly trained and qualified experts in major residential and commercial solar system installations. We are also proud to welcome TCC Solar to the AHE Group of companies.
We offer a vision of lower power costs for all and a healthier more environmentally friendly way to look after the planet’s natural resources. Join us on our mission to bring the sunshine in to your home where it can truly do a power of good.