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Increase the value of your home by installing solar panels
As solar panels have become stronger, more high-end systems have become available. One of the largest systems available is a 10kW solar panel system, which can power even the largest homes on the market and generate 8,500kWh per year.
However, while the size is impressive, they might be overkill for most homes on the market. It’s important to have the right size system for your needs, considering the cost of the system. This page will discuss when a system of this size is appropriate, how to make the most of it, what it costs, and what other benefits come with it.
However, if you’re looking to understand what size solar panel will be most appropriate for your home, you may need a reliable installer to help you. Finding one can be a hassle if done on your own, requiring hours of research and calling up companies. Luckily, our service can cut your search time down to a few questions while we provide you with the best installers in your area.
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A 10kW system can run a large number of appliances and produce more energy than the average home uses. On average, a UK household uses 5kWh to 7kWh per day, while a 10kW system can produce up to 23kWh to 25kWh on average. Therefore, it can run most homes on an average day without much trouble (although energy generation can differ based on sunlight hours and season).
A 10kW system can power smaller homes off-grid as long as they consume 25kWh per day in total. It is an ideal choice for mobile homes with up to 2 people and all the basic necessities such as refrigeration, heat pump air conditioning, a freezer, and other key appliances.
Off-grid homes incur far higher energy costs since they are not on the gas grid and require electricity to make up for other utilities. This can push energy use up to 4 times as much as the average small home. This guide mainly talks about on-grid homes.
Overall, a 10kW system can run any standard household appliance and produces more than enough energy to run a small household. However, the main issue then becomes the amount of space required since a 10kW solar panel system requires between 40m2 and 50m2. Most homes do not have that much roof space, which is why you may need to add in a garden, backyard or ground floor area for solar arrays.
The cost of a 10kW solar system is around £10,000 - £11,000 on its own. This is most appropriate for homes with 6 to 8 bedrooms, where savings can be much higher due to higher energy consumption. Smaller homes may not benefit from such high energy generation for this reason.
System size | Energy generated | Max home size | Total cost | Annual savings |
---|---|---|---|---|
4kW | 3,400kWh | 2 to 3 bedrooms | £5,000 - £6,000 | £670 |
6kW | 5,100kWh | 4 to 5 bedrooms | £9,500 - £10,500 | £1,020 |
10kW | 8,500kWh | 6 to 8 bedrooms | £10,000 - £11,000 | £2,300 |
Adding a solar battery will add £10,000 or more to the bill. However, this can depend on how much storage you want. If you have a smaller home, you may not need a larger battery. If you have a larger home and want to run it on stored energy, you may need a battery with 14kWh to 20kWh capacity, which is best for homes with up to 6 bedrooms.
Battery size | Home size | Cost | Cost + 10kW solar system |
---|---|---|---|
9kWh - 10 kWh | 2 to 3 bedrooms | £8,000 - £9,500 | £18,000 - £20,500 |
13kWh - 14kWh | 5 to 6 bedrooms | £10,000 - £12,000 | £20,000 - £22,000 |
14kWh - 20kWh | 6 to 8 bedrooms | £12,000 - £16,000 | £22,000 - £27,000 |
10kW solar system costs in the UK can also vary depending on what your installer charges. This is why it is important to get a reliable one. Sadly, finding one isn’t easy, requiring digging through company registries and calling them up. You may still not get an accurate quote. That’s why you should let us handle it for you. Our free service uses a vast network of installers we’ve personally vetted to find you the best prices in your area.
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10kW solar panels can save up to £2,300 in electricity bills per year. It’s important to note that this will only benefit homes with a high energy consumption (unless you export energy back to the grid for cash). It can potentially break even in 5 to 6 years if your home consumes enough electricity to see that level of return. Over 20 years, this can amount to £46,000.
Cost | Annual savings | Break-even point | Savings after 20 years | Return on investment |
---|---|---|---|---|
£10,000 - £11,000 | £2,300 | 5 to 6 years | £46,000 | £36,000 - £35,000 |
Another aspect of calculating your return on investment is adding in potential Smart Export Guarantee earnings. Should you choose to buy a battery and smart meter, you can return energy to the grid and generate extra revenue.
The SEG is a policy that provides earnings for exporting energy back to the grid, allowing for between £0.05 to £0.30 in earnings. Rates can depend on your energy provider, but the average SEG tariff is about £0.10 to £0.11.
House size | Energy consumption | SEG earnings (£0.10/kWh) | Total annual savings |
---|---|---|---|
Medium; 2-3 bedrooms | 2,700kWh | £6,064 | £8,364 |
Large; 4-5 bedrooms | 4,100kWh | £4,752 | £7,052 |
Large; 6 bedrooms | 5,200kWh | £3,564 | £5,864 |
SEG earnings can be a great addition that you would definitely want to take advantage of with a 10kW system. With all that extra power, you can make back even more money than with the savings themselves.
There are numerous benefits to a 10kW solar system with battery backup in the UK:
A 10kW solar panel system requires 40m2 to 50m2 worth of space. This can be an issue for smaller homes with less roof space unless they have adequate space on the ground floor, garden, or other such open areas.
Solar system | Number of panels | Space required |
---|---|---|
4kW | 8 - 10 panels | 16m2 - 20m2 |
6kW | 12 - 15 panels | 24m2 - 30m2 |
10kW | 20 - 25 panels | 40m2 - 50m2 |
Even if you have the space to get the most out of this system, all of that space needs to allow for the right angle and orientation for the panels. In the UK, a solar setup requires a south-facing direction with panels oriented at between 30° to 45° angles to maximise output.
A 10kW solar system is more powerful than what most homes in the UK need, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be useful for the average home. This allows these homes to lower energy consumption to maximise savings from the Smart Export Guarantee or completely cover their energy needs.
Allowing for energy savings of £2,300, they are a great option for reducing the impact of energy costs or setting up a self-sufficient mobile home. It can run a large amount of appliances by itself, especially when paired with a battery.
While it is most suitable for houses that have more than six bedrooms or an off-grid setup, it is also a decent system for small businesses to take advantage of. While 10kW systems are on the smaller side when it comes to commercial solar panels, they are still great for small offices, clinics, and other practices with lower energy needs.
However, if you want to find out whether a 10kW solar panel system is right for you, you should contact an installer. A reliable one will give you the best prices and advise you about grants and installation options. Finding one is ordinarily a hassle, involving calling up companies and comparing prices on your own, which is why our service is a better option.
Fill out one quick, 30-second form, and we’ll handle everything using a network of installers we’ve vetted ourselves. Click the button below to receive up to 4 free, non-binding quotes.
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Yes, a 10kW solar panel system can power a house. It can easily power homes with more than 6 bedrooms or a smaller home outside the energy grid.
A 10kW solar panel system produces between 23kWh to 25kWh per day. This amounts to 8,500kWh per year and energy savings of £2,300 or even more with SEG earnings added.
A 10kW solar panel system costs £10,000 - £11,000. A 10kW solar system cost can be offset by numerous grants like the ECO4 scheme and Smart Export Guarantee.
Rawal is an ex-tech journalist with a passion for sustainable innovations, green policies, and their adoption. With a straightforward writing style meant to be easily digested but full of handy tips, they are geared towards readers of all levels of familiarity with the technologies and home appliances covered.