3kW Solar Systems

Last updated: January 28, 2026

Entry-level solar for essential backup. Powers lights, TV, fridge, and WiFi during load shedding.

Quick answer: 3kW is for essentials only; upgrade to 5kW if you want more appliances on backup. A 3kW solar system is the entry point for meaningful backup power. It won't run your whole house, but it will keep essentials running during load shedding and reduce your Eskom bill by 40-60%.

What 3kW Powers

Realistic expectations:

LED lights throughout the house - Yes
TV and decoder - Yes
WiFi router - Yes
Fridge (efficient model) - Yes
Phone/laptop charging - Yes
Microwave - One at a time, briefly
Kettle - No (too high demand)
Air conditioning - No
Pool pump - No (use timer for grid hours)

Typical 3kW System

component	specification	examples
Inverter	3kW/3kVA Hybrid	Deye, Sunsynk, Growatt
Panels	5-6 x 550W	JA Solar, Canadian Solar
Battery	5kWh Lithium	Hubble, Pylontech
Daily Generation	12-15 kWh	Summer average
Backup Time	4-8 hours	Depends on usage

componentInverter

specification3kW/3kVA Hybrid

examplesDeye, Sunsynk, Growatt

componentPanels

specification5-6 x 550W

examplesJA Solar, Canadian Solar

componentBattery

specification5kWh Lithium

examplesHubble, Pylontech

componentDaily Generation

specification12-15 kWh

examplesSummer average

componentBackup Time

specification4-8 hours

examplesDepends on usage

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Who Should Get 3kW

Best suited for:

Small homes or apartments
Budget-conscious buyers wanting to start solar
Those who mainly need load shedding backup
Households with low daytime electricity use
Future expansion planned (buy bigger inverter now)

Price Disclaimer: Prices shown were verified on 29 January 2026. Prices may change without notice. We earn affiliate commissions on qualifying purchases.

All prices are in South African Rand (ZAR) unless otherwise stated. Shipping costs may apply depending on your location.

5kW Systems System Prices 3kW Inverters

3kW Solar Systems FAQs

For essentials (lights, TV, fridge, WiFi), yes. For full house including geyser, kettle, and air conditioning, no. Most families find 5kW is the minimum for comfortable backup. 3kW is ideal for small homes or as a starting point.

For essentials (lights, TV, WiFi, fridge): 3-5kW. For average home with some backup: 5-8kW. For full home including high-demand appliances: 8-10kW+. Calculate based on your monthly kWh usage from your Eskom bill.

3kW system: R45,000-R70,000. 5kW system: R80,000-R120,000. 8kW system: R120,000-R180,000. 10kW system: R150,000-R250,000. Prices include panels, inverter, battery, and installation. Quality and battery size affect final cost.

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