5 kW cost scenarios
| Installed $/W | System price |
|---|---|
| $2.00/W | $10,000 |
| $2.50/W | $12,500 |
| $3.00/W | $15,000 |
| $3.50/W | $17,500 |
These are arithmetic scenarios, not quoted market averages. Battery storage, financing fees, electrical upgrades, roof work and verified incentives are not included.
How many panels for 5 kW?
| Panel rating | Approx. panels | Actual DC size after rounding |
|---|---|---|
| 400 W | 13 | 5.20 kW |
| 440 W | 12 | 5.28 kW |
| 470 W | 11 | 5.17 kW |
At roughly 21.5 ft² per 440 W module, the modules alone occupy about 258 ft². Real required roof area is higher because setbacks, spacing, access paths and obstructions reduce usable space.
Annual production scenarios
A 5 kW system does not produce the same amount everywhere. The table below shows simple first-year production at three solar-yield scenarios:
| Solar yield | Annual production |
|---|---|
| 1,200 kWh/kW/yr | 6,000 kWh/yr |
| 1,500 kWh/kW/yr | 7,500 kWh/yr |
| 1,800 kWh/kW/yr | 9,000 kWh/yr |
Make the estimate specific to your home
Use the Home Solar Calculator for ZIP-specific PVWatts production, the Roof Solar Calculator for roof-area planning, and Real Solar Prices as our homeowner quote dataset grows.