10kW Solar Kit with Battery Backup — Complete Energy

What's Included in the 10kW Solar + Battery Kit

Component	Quantity	Description	Price
Solar Panels	25 × 400W	Trina Solar Vertex S+ or JA Solar DeepBlue 440W	$2,500–$3,750
Hybrid Inverter	1	Sol-Ark 12K (12kW output, generator ready)	$3,500–$4,000
Battery Bank	4 × 5.12kWh	EG4 LifePower4 (20.5 kWh total storage)	$4,800–$5,600
Racking System	1 kit	IronRidge or Unirac roof mount for 25 panels	$700–$1,000
DC/AC Disconnect	1 each	NEC-compliant disconnect switches	$100–$150
Conduit & Wiring	1 kit	UV-rated conduit, 10AWG PV wire, connectors	$300–$400
Monitoring	1	Sol-Ark monitoring via app (included)	$0
Total Equipment Cost	Equipment Only		$11,900–$14,900
Commercial Price (after 30% Section 48E)	Business installations only		$8,330–$10,430

Tax Credit Note: The federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. Residential customers no longer qualify for a federal tax credit in 2026. Commercial customers can still claim 30% through Section 48E through 2027. Check your state incentives →

System Specifications

• System Size: 10 kW DC (25 × 400W panels)
• Annual Production: 13,000–15,000 kWh (varies by location)
• Monthly Production: 1,080–1,250 kWh
• Battery Storage: 20.5 kWh (4 × EG4 LifePower4)
• Backup Runtime: 1–2 days of critical loads (refrigerator, lights, well pump, internet)
• Estimated Annual Savings: $1,500–$2,200 (at $0.12–$0.15/kWh)
• Payback Period: 5–8 years
• System Lifespan: 25–30 years (panels), 15–20 years (batteries), 10+ years (inverter)

Who Is This Kit For?

Homes with High Electricity Usage

This 10kW kit is designed for homes using 1,000–1,500 kWh per month. It covers 80–100% of a typical home's electricity needs, including air conditioning, electric water heating, and appliances. For homes with swimming pools, electric vehicle charging, or well pumps, this kit provides the power you need.

Storm-Prone Areas

If you live in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, or the Carolinas, power outages are a regular threat. The 20.5 kWh battery bank provides 1–2 days of critical load backup, and the Sol-Ark inverter includes a generator port for unlimited extended backup. Never worry about hurricanes, ice storms, or grid failures again.

Time-of-Use Optimization

If your utility charges expensive peak rates (4 PM–9 PM), this kit lets you store cheap solar energy during the day and discharge it during peak hours. In California (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E), this time-shifting strategy can save $200–$400 per month.

Recommended Upgrades

• Double Battery Capacity: Add 4 more EG4 batteries (8 total = 41 kWh) for 2–4 days of backup power. Shop EG4 Batteries →
• Generator Integration: Add a 10kW portable generator ($2,000–$3,000) and the Sol-Ark auto-start kit ($300) for unlimited backup power during extended outages. Request a Quote →
• Expand to 12kW: Add 5 more panels (30 total) for 20% more production. Shop More Panels →
• Ground Mount: Replace roof racking with a ground mount for easier maintenance and optimal tilt angle. Request a Quote →

Installation Requirements

• Roof Space: 575–650 sq ft of unshaded south-facing roof (east/west acceptable)
• Battery Space: 10–15 sq ft of indoor space (garage, basement, utility room) for the EG4 battery rack
• Electrical: 200A main panel required. Licensed electrician required for AC connections and utility interconnection.
• Permits: Electrical permit, utility interconnection agreement, and possibly battery storage permit depending on jurisdiction. We provide line drawings and specifications.

Complete Bill of Materials (BOM)

Every component for a code-compliant 10kW solar + battery backup system. All items ship from our 50,000+ SKU inventory spanning 169 authorized brands, with 7–10 business days delivery nationwide.

Category	Component	Spec / Model	Qty
Panels	Bifacial 440–600W	Thornova TS-BBT54(440) / CW Energy CWT550	17–23
Inverter	Hybrid Inverter 12kW	Sol-Ark 15K-2P / EG4 12kPV	1
Battery	LiFePO4 Battery Bank	EG4 LifePower4 48V 100Ah (×4 = ~20kWh)	4–8
Racking	Roof Mount Rails	IronRidge SXR / Unirac SolarMount	1 kit
Breakers	PV Input Breaker	60A DC breaker (per MPPT)	2
Breakers	AC Output Breaker	70A 2-pole AC breaker	1
Breakers	Battery Breaker / Fuse	125A DC breaker (per battery bank)	1
Wire	PV String Wire (DC)	10 AWG PV Wire USE-2	300 ft
Wire	Battery Interconnect	2/0 AWG flex cable (inverter ↔ battery)	10 ft
Wire	AC Output Wire	6 AWG THHN (in conduit)	100 ft
Conduit	EMT / Rigid Conduit	1"–1.5" EMT with fittings	75 ft
Disconnects	DC Disconnect	60A non-fused safety switch	1
Disconnects	AC Disconnect	70A 2-pole non-fused, NEMA 3R	1
Disconnects	Battery Disconnect	125A DC disconnect (comb box)	1
Monitoring	Inverter Portal + ATS	Sol-Ark built-in / EG4 monitoring	1
BOS	Cable Management & Labels	UV ties, arc-flash & battery labels	1 kit

System Diagram & String Layout

NEC Compliance Checklist (10kW + Battery System)

• NEC 690.8 — Circuit Sizing: Each DC string conductor sized at 156% of ISC. 10 AWG PV wire (40A) satisfies typical 600W panel strings; 8 AWG for high-current bifacial.
• NEC 690.9 — Overcurrent Protection: 60A DC breaker per string; 125A battery breaker per NEC 690.9(B) for battery circuits.
• NEC 690.10 — Stand-Alone / Hybrid: Inverter listed to UL 1741-SA for grid-support and backup modes. Battery backup qualifies under 690.10 stand-alone provisions.
• NEC 690.12 — Rapid Shutdown: Sol-Ark / EG4 inverters support AC-side rapid shutdown. Module-level control via Tigo or inverter-integrated shutdown within NEC 690.12(2) boundary requirements.
• NEC 690.31 — Wiring Methods: PV wire (USE-2/RHW-2) for array; 2/0 AWG fine-stranded flex cable for battery interconnects (per manufacturer listing). Conduit (EMT) for all building-penetrating runs.
• NEC 706 — Energy Storage Systems: LiFePO4 battery listed to UL 1973 / UL 9540. Battery enclosure ventilated, with required working clearance (3 ft front, per NEC 110.26). Thermal runaway protection per UL 9540A.
• NEC 705.12 — Point of Connection: Back-fed 70A breaker in 200A panel. Busbar check: 200A main + 70A PV ≤ 200A × 1.20 = 240A ✓. Alternatively, line-side tap per 705.12(A).
• NEC 705.40 — Loss of Utility Power: Inverter anti-islanding per IEEE 1547; seamless transfer to battery within 16 ms for backup loads.
• NEC 110.3(B) — Listing: UL 1703 (panels), UL 1741-SA (inverter), UL 1973/9540 (battery), UL 2703 (racking).

Estimated Annual Production by U.S. Region

Production estimates based on a 10.2 kW DC array (17 × 600W bifacial, +7% bifacial gain), fixed south-facing tilt at latitude, derate factor 0.80. Actual output varies with shading, albedo, and weather.

Region	Representative City	Peak Sun Hours	kWh / Year	Est. Annual Savings*
Southwest	Phoenix, AZ	6.5	~19,400	$2,700
West	Los Angeles, CA	5.8	~17,300	$2,600
Mountain	Denver, CO	5.5	~16,400	$2,050
South	Dallas, TX	5.2	~15,500	$2,015
Northeast	Boston, MA	4.5	~13,400	$2,280
Midwest	Chicago, IL	4.2	~12,500	$1,625

*Savings based on regional average residential electricity rates (2025). Battery backup adds resilience value not reflected in kWh savings.

ROI Calculation Example

Shop This System — Component Cross-Links

Installation Timeline & Steps

1. Day 1 — Site Prep & Racking (5–7 hrs): Mark roof layout, install flashings/L-feet, mount rails across 575–650 sq ft, verify spacing for bifacial clearance.
2. Day 1–2 — Panel Installation (4–6 hrs): Place 17–23 bifacial panels, torque clamps, bond racking ground, route DC string wire.
3. Day 2 — DC Wiring & Combiner (3–4 hrs): Install 60A DC breakers per string, wire to inverter MPPT 1 & 2, install DC disconnect, label per NEC.
4. Day 2 — Battery Rack Assembly (2–3 hrs): Mount EG4 battery rack indoors, install 4–8 LifePower4 modules, interconnect with 2/0 AWG flex cable, install 125A battery breaker.
5. Day 3 — Inverter & AC Tie-in (3–4 hrs): Mount Sol-Ark/EG4 inverter, connect battery & PV inputs, run AC output to 70A back-fed breaker, install AC disconnect, bond grounds.
6. Day 3 — Commissioning (2–3 hrs): Verify polarity & voltages, configure backup loads panel, set charge/discharge parameters, test grid-failover transfer, confirm monitoring portal.
7. Day 4 — Inspection & PTO (variable): AHJ electrical inspection, utility interconnection, PTO in 2–4 weeks. Battery backup functions immediately upon commissioning.

Typical crew: 2–3 installers. Total on-site time: ~2.5–3 days. Equipment ships in 7–10 business days from order.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long will the battery backup last?

A 20kWh EG4 battery bank powers essential loads (fridge, lights, router, well pump, furnace fan) for 1–2 days. The solar array recharges it daily, extending backup indefinitely during sunny outages.

2. Can I go completely off-grid with this system?

Yes, the Sol-Ark 15K-2P and EG4 12kPV support off-grid operation. For full off-grid, size the battery to 2–3 days of autonomy (~40–60kWh) and ensure adequate winter production.

3. What is the difference between AC and DC coupling?

This kit uses DC coupling — panels feed the hybrid inverter directly, which charges the battery from DC (more efficient, ~97%). AC-coupled systems use a separate grid-tied inverter plus a battery inverter (better for retrofitting existing solar).

4. How does the 30% tax credit apply to batteries?

The federal solar tax credit (IRC §25D) covers battery storage charged by solar at ≥75%. Since this battery is primarily solar-charged, the full system — panels, inverter, battery, and installation — qualifies for the 30% credit.

5. Can I add more batteries or panels later?

Yes. The Sol-Ark 15K-2P supports up to 64kWh of battery. Additional EG4 LifePower4 modules can be added in parallel. Panel capacity can expand up to the inverter's 19.5kW DC input limit.

Ready to Order Your 10kW Solar + Battery Kit?

This kit is fully customizable — swap panel brands, adjust battery size, or upgrade the inverter. Call (888) 876-0007 to customize your kit, or get a custom quote tailored to your home and energy needs.

Shop Solar Panels → | Shop Sol-Ark Inverters → | Shop EG4 Batteries →