5kW Solar Panel Kit — Complete System for Residential Homes

What's Included in the 5kW Solar Kit

Component	Quantity	Description	Price
Solar Panels	13 × 400W	Trina Solar Vertex S+ or Qcells Q.PEAK DUO	$1,300–$1,950
String Inverter	1	SolarEdge HD Wave 6kW or Fronius Primo 5kW	$1,800–$2,200
Power Optimizers	13	SolarEdge P505 (if using SolarEdge inverter)	$520–$780
Racking System	1 kit	IronRidge or Unirac roof mount, rails, clamps, flashing	$400–$600
DC/AC Disconnect	1 each	NEC-compliant disconnect switches	$100–$150
Conduit & Wiring	1 kit	UV-rated conduit, 10AWG PV wire, connectors	$200–$300
Monitoring	1	Inverter app-based monitoring (included)	$0
Total Equipment Cost	Equipment Only		$4,320–$5,980
Commercial Price (after 30% Section 48E)	Business installations only		$3,024–$4,186

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: 5.2 kW DC (13 × 400W panels)
• Annual Production: 6,500–7,500 kWh (varies by location)
• Monthly Production: 540–625 kWh
• Estimated Annual Savings: $750–$1,100 (at $0.12–$0.15/kWh)
• Payback Period: 6–9 years
• System Lifespan: 25–30 years (panels), 10–12 years (inverter)

Who Is This Kit For?

Small to Medium Homes

This 5kW kit is ideal for homes using 500–700 kWh per month. It covers 50–80% of a typical home's electricity needs, depending on usage and location. For homes in sunny climates (Arizona, California, Texas), this kit can produce 80%+ of your electricity.

DIY Solar Installers

All components in this kit are designed for DIY installation. The SolarEdge HD Wave includes a detailed installation manual, and our technical support team is available at (888) 876-0007 to help with string sizing, wiring, and commissioning.

First-Time Solar Buyers

A 5kW system is the perfect entry point into solar. It provides meaningful savings without the complexity of battery storage or oversized systems. You can always add panels or batteries later.

Recommended Upgrades

• Add Battery Backup: Add 2–4 EG4 LifePower4 batteries ($2,400–$4,800) and upgrade to a Sol-Ark 12K hybrid inverter ($3,500) for backup power during outages. Shop EG4 Batteries →
• Expand to 8kW: Add 7 more panels and upgrade to a 10kW inverter for larger homes or electric vehicle charging. Shop More Panels →
• Ground Mount: Replace roof racking with a ground mount system for properties with adequate land. Request a Quote →

Installation Requirements

• Roof Space: 300–350 sq ft of unshaded south-facing roof (east/west acceptable with 10–15% production loss)
• Electrical: 200A main panel recommended (150A minimum). Licensed electrician required for AC connections and utility interconnection.
• Permits: Electrical permit and utility interconnection agreement required in most jurisdictions. We can provide line drawings and specifications for permit applications.

Recommended Products

Complete Bill of Materials (BOM)

Every component needed for a code-compliant 5kW residential grid-tied solar installation. 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	Monocrystalline 400W	Trina Vertex S+ / Qcells Q.PEAK DUO	13
Inverter	String Inverter 5–6kW	SolarEdge HD Wave 6kW / Fronius Primo 5kW	1
Optimizers	Module-level Power Optimizer	SolarEdge P505 (if SolarEdge)	13
Racking	Roof Mount Rails & Flashing	IronRidge SXR / Unirac SolarMount	1 kit
Racking	L-Foot & Standoff Hardware	IronRidge UFO clamps (mid + end)	1 kit
Breakers	PV Input Breaker	30A DC breaker (per string)	1
Breakers	AC Output Breaker	30A 2-pole AC breaker	1
Wire	PV String Wire (DC)	10 AWG PV Wire, black/red, USE-2	200 ft
Wire	Home Run Wire	10 AWG TC-ER, in conduit	100 ft
Wire	Equipment Ground Wire	6 AWG bare copper	100 ft
Conduit	Rigid / EMT Conduit	1" EMT with fittings	50 ft
Disconnects	DC Disconnect	30A non-fused safety switch	1
Disconnects	AC Disconnect	30A 2-pole non-fused, NEMA 3R	1
Monitoring	Inverter Gateway / Comms	SolarEdge SetApp gateway or Fronius Datamanager	1
BOS	Cable Management & Labels	UV-rated zip ties, arc-flash labels	1 kit

System Diagram & String Layout

NEC Compliance Checklist (5kW System)

• NEC 690.8 — Circuit Sizing: PV circuit conductors sized at 156% of ISC (short-circuit current). 10 AWG PV wire rated for 40A satisfies the 13-panel string current (ISC ≈ 11A × 1.56 = 17.2A).
• NEC 690.9 — Overcurrent Protection: Series fuse rating per panel datasheet (typically 20–25A). String breaker sized to protect conductor ampacity.
• NEC 690.10 — Stand-Alone Systems: Not applicable (grid-tied). Inverter anti-islanding per IEEE 1547.
• NEC 690.12 — Rapid Shutdown: SolarEdge optimizers provide module-level rapid shutdown within the 1-ft array boundary (PV Hazard Control compliant). Conductor reduction to 30V/240W within 30 seconds.
• NEC 690.31 — Wiring Methods: PV wire (USE-2 / RHW-2) for exposed array conductors; EMT conduit for home runs through the building. MC4 connectors listed to UL 6703.
• NEC 690.43 — Equipment Grounding: 6 AWG equipment grounding conductor bonded to racking rails, inverter chassis, and AC disconnect. Racking listed to UL 2703.
• NEC 690.46 — Grounding Electrode System: Inverter AC grounding bonded to building grounding electrode system per NEC 250.
• NEC 705.12 — Point of Connection: Back-fed 30A breaker in the 200A main panel. Panel busbar rated ≥ sum of main breaker + PV breaker (200A bus + 30A PV ≤ 200A × 1.20 = 240A ✓).
• NEC 110.3(B) — Listing: All equipment UL 1703 (panels), UL 1741 (inverter), UL 2703 (racking), UL 6703 (connectors).

Estimated Annual Production by U.S. Region

Production estimates based on a 5.2 kW DC array (13 × 400W), fixed south-facing tilt at latitude, system derate factor 0.82. Actual output varies with shading, orientation, and weather.

Region	Representative City	Peak Sun Hours	kWh / Year	Est. Annual Savings*
Southwest	Phoenix, AZ	6.5	~10,100	$1,400
West	Los Angeles, CA	5.8	~9,000	$1,350
Mountain	Denver, CO	5.5	~8,500	$1,060
South	Dallas, TX	5.2	~8,000	$1,040
Northeast	Boston, MA	4.5	~7,000	$1,190
Midwest	Chicago, IL	4.2	~6,500	$845

*Savings based on regional average residential electricity rates (2025). Does not include the 30% federal solar tax credit.

ROI Calculation Example

Shop This System — Component Cross-Links

Installation Timeline & Steps

1. Day 1 — Site Prep & Racking (4–6 hrs): Mark roof layout, install flashings and L-feet at rafters, mount IronRidge rails, verify plane and spacing.
2. Day 1 — Panel Installation (3–4 hrs): Place 13 panels with mid/end clamps, torque to spec, bond racking to equipment ground.
3. Day 2 — DC Wiring (2–3 hrs): Connect optimizers, string PV wire in UV-rated conduit, install DC disconnect, label per NEC 110.21.
4. Day 2 — Inverter Mount & AC Tie-in (2–3 hrs): Mount inverter, run AC whip to 30A back-fed breaker, install AC disconnect, bond grounds.
5. Day 2 — Commissioning (1–2 hrs): Verify string voltage & polarity, energize inverter, pair optimizers via SetApp, confirm production on monitoring portal.
6. Day 3 — Inspection & PTO (variable): Schedule AHJ electrical inspection, submit utility interconnection docs, receive Permission to Operate (PTO) — typically 2–4 weeks.

Typical crew: 2 installers. Total on-roof time: ~1.5 days. Equipment ships in 7–10 business days from order.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much roof space do I need for a 5kW system?

Approximately 290–340 sq ft of unshaded, south-facing roof. The 13 panels (each ~6.5 ft × 3.3 ft) require about 280 sq ft plus racking margins.

2. Will a 5kW system power my whole house?

It offsets roughly 50–70% of an average U.S. home's consumption (~10,000–12,000 kWh/yr). It is ideal for small homes, supplementing grid power, or as a starter system you can expand later.

3. Do I need a battery with this kit?

No — this grid-tied kit operates without batteries. For backup power, add a SolarEdge Home Battery or consider our 10kW Solar + Battery Kit. Net metering credits excess daytime production for nighttime use.

4. What permits are required?

An electrical permit and utility interconnection agreement are required. Some jurisdictions also require a building/roofing permit. We provide single-line diagrams, spec sheets, and BOM to streamline permitting.

5. Can I expand this system later?

Yes. The SolarEdge 6kW inverter can accept additional optimizers (up to its max panel count). You can add panels and optimizers up to the inverter's rated capacity without replacing the inverter.

Ready to Order Your 5kW Solar Kit?

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

Shop Solar Panels → | Shop Inverters → | Shop Batteries →