According to data released by US Energy Information Administration in 2021, a US household consumes about 893 kWh of electricity per month and the cost is around $117,78/month. That means per day, 30 kWh is consumed.
If you are going for solar, the most common question asked is How much is 5kw of power? I am using a 5kW solar system that can generate between 15.00 kWh to 22.50 kWh daily. If we multiply this number by 365 days, it will be 5,475 to 8,212.5.
This article covers the following:
- How much power does a 5kw solar system produce per day, month, or year?
- The average power output of a 5kw solar system per day, month, year
- Average monthly and daily energy production in June and December for various us cities
- Average hourly energy consumption of common household appliances and electronics
- The estimated energy output of a 5kw solar panel system based on peak sun hours
- Cost range for 5 kw solar systems in various U.S. states
- The solar energy output of 5 kw solar panel systems in the U.S. cities
- Few tips to keep in mind when going for solar
How Much Power Does A 5kW Solar System Produce Per Day, Month, or Year?
A 5kW solar system can generate anywhere from 15.00 kWh to 22.50 kWh per day, depending on how much sunlight you get (solar irradiance). In a year that will be 5,400 kWh to 8,100 kWh.
Formula: 5kW Solar Output (kWh/Day) = Power Rating × Peak Sun Hours × 0.75
The peak sun hours will vary from location to location. So, check the peak hours of the location you live in. You can use a solar output calculator to get a more accurate calculation of how much power a 5kW solar system can produce per day.
Average Power Output Of A 5kW Solar System Per Day, Month, Year
- Per day: The solar output equation for a 5kW system in an area with 5 peak sun hours per day is 5kW × 5 hours × 0.75 = 18.75 kWh per day. So on an average day, a 5kW solar system in this area would produce 18.75 kWh of energy.
- Per month: Since there are 30 days in an average month, the total energy produced by a 5kW solar system in an area with 5 peak sun hours per day would be 18.75 kWh/day × 30 days = 562.5 kWh per month.
- Per year: Since there are 12 months in a year, the total energy produced by a 5kW solar system in an area with 5 peak sun hours per day would be 562.5 kWh/month × 12 months = 6,750 kWh per year.
Average Monthly and Daily Energy Production in June and December for Various US Cities
| City | Avg. Monthly Energy Production in June (kWh) | Avg. Daily Energy Production in June (kWh/day) | Avg. Monthly Energy Production in December (kWh) | Avg. Daily Energy Production in December (kWh/day) |
| Phoenix, Arizona | 870 | 29 | 610 | 19.5 |
| Austin, Texas | 710 | 23.5 | 490 | 15.75 |
| Tallahassee, Florida | 620 | 20.5 | 500 | 16.25 |
| Sacramento, California | 900 | 30 | 390 | 9.75 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | 650 | 21.5 | 300 | 9.75 |
| Reno, Nevada | 900 | 30 | 450 | 14.5 |
| Burlington, Vermont | 640 | 21.4 | 250 | 8 |
| Salt Lake City, Utah | 840 | 28 | 341 | 11 |
| Raleigh, North Carolina | 675 | 22.5 | 430 | 13.75 |
| Princeton, New Jersey | 680 | 22.6 | 310 | 10 |
| Santa Fe, New Mexico | 870 | 29 | 580 | 18.75 |
| Salem, Oregon | 720 | 24 | 185 | 6 |
Average Hourly Energy Consumption of Common Household Appliances and Electronics
| Appliance | Avg. Hourly Energy Consumption (Wh/hour) |
| Refrigerator | 50 – 100 |
| Washing machine | 500 – 1200 |
| Microwave | 600 – 1200 |
| Coffee maker | 150 – 400 |
| TV | 40 – 200 |
| Desktop computer | 100 – 400 |
| Laptop computer | 20 – 100 |
| Window air conditioner (5000 BTU) | 250 – 400 |
| Window air conditioner (12000 BTU) | 600 – 1000 |
| Central air conditioner (18000 BTU) | 800 – 1500 |
| Central air conditioner (24000 BTU) | 1000 – 1800 |
| LED light bulb | 5 – 20 |
| Incandescent light bulb | 25 – 100 |
Estimated Energy Output of a 5kW Solar Panel System Based on Peak Sun Hours
| No. Of Peak Sun Hours | 5kW Output Per Day | 5kW Output Per Month | 5kW Output Per Year |
| 4 hours | 15.00 kWh/Day | 450 kWh/Month | 5,400 kWh/Year |
| 4.1 hours | 15.37 kWh/Day | 461.1 kWh/Month | 5,533.2 kWh/Year |
| 4.2 hours | 15.75 kWh/Day | 472.5 kWh/Month | 5,670 kWh/Year |
| 4.3 hours | 16.13 kWh/Day | 483.9 kWh/Month | 5,806.8 kWh/Year |
| 4.4 hours | 16.50 kWh/Day | 495 kWh/Month | 5,940 kWh/Year |
| 4.5 hours | 16.88 kWh/Day | 506.4 kWh/Month | 6,076.8 kWh/Year |
| 4.6 hours | 17.25 kWh/Day | 517.5 kWh/Month | 6,210 kWh/Year |
| 4.7 hours | 17.63 kWh/Day | 528.9 kWh/Month | 6,346.8 kWh/Year |
| 4.8 hours | 18.00 kWh/Day | 540 kWh/Month | 6,480 kWh/Year |
| 4.9 hours | 18.38 kWh/Day | 551.4 kWh/Month | 6,616.8 kWh/Year |
| 5 hours | 18.75 kWh/Day | 562.5 kWh/Month | 6,750 kWh/Year |
| 5.1 hours | 19.13 kWh/Day | 573.9 kWh/Month | 6,886.8 kWh/Year |
| 5.2 hours | 19.50 kWh/Day | 585 kWh/Month | 7,020 kWh/Year |
| 5.3 hours | 19.88 kWh/Day | 596.4 kWh/Month | 7,156.8 kWh/Year |
| 5.4 hours | 20.25 kWh/Day | 607.5 kWh/Month | 7,290 kWh/Year |
| 5.5 hours | 20.63 kWh/Day | 618.9 kWh/Month | 7,426.8 kWh/Year |
| 5.6 hours | 21.00 kWh/Day | 630 kWh/Month | 7,560 kWh/Year |
| 5.7 hours | 21.38 kWh/Day | 641.4 kWh/Month | 7,696.8 kWh/Year |
| 5.8 hours | 21.75 kWh/Day | 652.5 kWh/Month | 7,830 kWh/Year |
| 5.9 hours | 22.13 kWh/Day | 663.9 kWh/Month | 7,966.8 kWh/Year |
| 6 hours | 22.50 kWh/Day | 675 kWh/Month | 8,100 kWh/Year |
Cost Range For 5 Kw Solar Systems In Various U.S. States
| STATE | 5 KW SOLAR SYSTEM PRICE RANGE |
| Arizona | $10,350 – $12,950 |
| California | $12,000 – $14,900 |
| Colorado | $14,100 – $17,200 |
| Florida | $10,700 – $13,700 |
| Maryland | $12,550 – $16,650 |
| Massachusetts | $13,750 – $17,350 |
| New Jersey | $12,000 – $15,900 |
| New York | $13,550 – $18,050 |
| Texas | $11,350 – $15,050 |
| Washington | $11,550 – $14,850 |
Solar Energy Output of 5 kW Solar Panel Systems in Top U.S. Cities
| CITY | AVERAGE DAILY KWH | AVERAGE MONTHLY KWH | AVERAGE ANNUAL KWH |
| Austin, TX | 20.3 | 617 | 7,405 |
| Boston, MA | 18.1 | 551 | 6,606 |
| Cleveland, OH | 16.6 | 506 | 6,071 |
| Denver, CO | 20.9 | 637 | 7,639 |
| Hartford, CT | 17.1 | 519 | 6,223 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 26.8 | 816 | 9,794 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 21.7 | 660 | 7,915 |
| Miami, FL | 20.0 | 609 | 7,313 |
| New York City | 17.5 | 531 | 6,372 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 17.9 | 543 | 6,513 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 23.7 | 720 | 8,643 |
| Seattle, WA | 14.9 | 454 | 5,447 |
Few tips to keep in mind when going for solar
- Before you go solar, it’s important to understand how much energy you use and when you use it. This can help you determine the size of the solar panel array you need and how much you can save on your energy bills.
- There are many solar panel manufacturers, installers, and financing options out there, so it’s important to do your research and find the best fit for your needs and budget. Look for reviews and ask for recommendations from friends or family members who have gone solar.
- Solar panel installation can be expensive, but it’s important to understand the potential long-term savings. Consider how much you currently pay for electricity and how much you could potentially save with solar. Many financing options, such as leasing or power purchase agreements can also help you save on upfront costs.
- Solar panel efficiency can vary depending on your location, other factors such as weather patterns and shading can affect how much energy your panels generate. It’s essential to work with an installer who understands your location and can help you optimize your solar panel array for maximum efficiency.
- While solar panels are relatively low maintenance, they do require occasional cleaning and inspections to ensure they are functioning properly. Make sure you understand the maintenance requirements of your solar panel array and factor those costs into your budget.
Conclusion
Now that you know how much is 5kW of power, it will be easy for you to analyze whether a 5kW solar system will fit to your requirements or not. It is advisable to do proper research and then make a decision. I believe that this capacity is enough for my requirements as it allows me to run heavy-load appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many solar panels do I need for a 5kw system?
To create a 5kW solar system, the number of solar panels required would vary between 14 and 25. However, it depends on the wattage of the individual solar panels chosen. If 250-Watt solar panels are used, 20 solar panels would be needed to achieve a 5kW system.
How much is 5kw of power?
A 5kW solar system can generate about 6,750 kWh per year.
How many air conditioners can 5kW run?
A 5kW solar system can run 2 to 3 air conditioners.
How much power can a 5kW system generate?
A 5kW system can produce around 20 kWh during sunny days and 4,500 kWh in a year.
