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5kW Solar Systems

Last updated: January 28, 2026

The most popular solar system size in South Africa. Powers an average home during load shedding with room for most appliances.

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Quick answer: 5kW covers most households and is the most common size in SA. 5kW is the sweet spot for South African homes. It provides meaningful backup during load shedding, significantly reduces your Eskom bill, and handles most household appliances. It's the most commonly installed residential system size.

What 5kW Powers

Realistic expectations:

  • All lights - Yes
  • TV, decoder, sound system - Yes
  • WiFi and electronics - Yes
  • Fridge and freezer - Yes
  • Microwave - Yes
  • Washing machine - Yes (during solar hours)
  • Small pool pump - Yes (during solar hours)
  • Kettle - Yes, but avoid during battery backup
  • Air conditioning - Small unit, limited
  • Geyser - Only if solar geyser or scheduled

Typical 5kW System

componentInverter
specification5kW/5kVA Hybrid
examplesDeye, Sunsynk, Growatt
componentPanels
specification8-10 x 550W
examplesJA Solar, Canadian Solar
componentBattery
specification5-10kWh Lithium
examplesHubble, Pylontech, Freedom Won
componentDaily Generation
specification20-25 kWh
examplesSummer average
componentBackup Time
specification4-10 hours
examplesDepends on battery & usage

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5kW System Pricing

tierBudget
inverterGrowatt/Deye
battery5kWh
priceR80,000 - R95,000
tierMid-Range
inverterSunsynk/Deye
battery10kWh
priceR95,000 - R120,000
tierPremium
inverterVictron/SMA
battery10kWh+
priceR120,000 - R150,000

Price Disclaimer: Prices shown were verified on . 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.

Related Pages

8kW Systems3kW Systems5kW Inverters

5kW Solar Systems FAQs

8-10 panels of 550W each (4.4-5.5kW of panels). Installers often slightly over-panel (5.5kW of panels on 5kW inverter) to maximize generation during non-peak sun hours. This is normal and beneficial.
Minimum 5kWh for basic backup (2-4 hours). Recommended 10kWh for comfortable Stage 4 backup (6-10 hours). Consider your load shedding frequency - Stage 6 areas benefit from 15kWh+.
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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