5KW Solar Battery: Prices & What They Power

A 5kW solar battery is an entry level battery designed for small properties. If your solar panel system is (or is likely to) produce more electricity at times than you'll use, a solar battery is the place you need to store it. 

Whilst any battery will help reduce your reliance on the grid dramatically, a 5kW unit is limited in exactly what it can power. For small-medium sized properties with average electricity demand, a 10kW battery is usually better suited.

This is especially the case for homeowners using multiple appliances (at the same time) that provide heating or cooling such as: fridge freezers, electric cookers and kettles. Generally, any appliance providing heating or cooling consumes a lot of electricity.

In this guide, we'll uncover 5kW battery prices, what they can power and compare them directly to 10kW units. 

And remember, installing a battery alongside your solar panel system on day 1 is a lot cheaper than retrofitting at a later date. Given the upfront expense, it's worth taking the time to decide which battery size is best suited, rather than having to add it to your system in the future. 

Don’t want to read our big guide? Jump over to our solar panel tool here. There, you’ll be able to compare prices for 5kW vs 10kW batteries, self-sufficiency ratings and exactly what they can power to decide which unit is best for you.

5KW Solar Battery Prices

A 5kW solar battery (usually 5-5.3kW) is an entry level unit suitable for small properties. Typically, the average UK home is better suited to a 10kW unit, which we've compared directly to the 5kW below. 

Our 5kW battery prices start at £2,495. This is a battery installation as part of a new solar panel installation. It's a lot cheaper to get a battery installed on day 1, rather than adding it to a system at a later date. 

When installed as part of a new system, cost savings can be had thanks to:

• Installation team are already on site
• Running cables is simplified 
• Commissioning is done once, not twice

Retrofitting a 5kW battery to an existing system is likely to cost more, with many companies charging £3,500-£5,000. Alongside the above, there will be other things to consider when retrofitting a battery, after a solar panel system has already been installed. 

These include the likes of: 

• Inverter not being "battery ready"
• Upgrades needed (consumer unit)
• Cable runs need to be added to, in order to connect the battery

As a bolt-on to a solar panel package our 5.3kW battery costs just £2,495. And as part of that, you’ll get all of the following:

• 5.3kW Sunsynk battery
• Power management system
• Inverter
• Labour
• Mounting and wiring
• Commission and testing

Check how prices vary for a 5kW, 10kW and 15kW storage battery using our solar panel tool here. 

5kW vs 10kW

Below we’ll compare 5kW and 10kW solar storage batteries directly, covering the likes of: 

• What appliances each unit can power
• Differential in prices
• Self-sufficiency ratings

What Can Solar Batteries Power?

The kW output referenced by installers and manufacturers dictates the maximum power output of your battery at a singular point.

For example, if an appliance is rated as 5kW and you have a 5kW battery, that’s all you’ll be able to power.

Essentially, the combination of appliances (and their rated usage), needs to be below the battery output you’re looking at buying. If it’s not, that’s not particularly an issue, but you’ll draw energy from the grid (that you’ll pay for).

As a guide, here are some rough examples of typical items we use at home and the power they’ll consume:

• LED lights (per room): 50–100 W
• Phone & laptop chargers: 50–150 W
• Wi-Fi router: 10–15 W
• TV: 100–200 W
• Fridge / freezer: 150–250 W (600 W startup)
• Microwave: 800–1,500 W
• Washing machine: 1000–2,000 W
• Kettle: 2,000–3,000 W
• Electric oven: 1,800–3,500 W
• Washer / dryer: 2,250–3,500 W

The most popular battery sizes are small (5kW), medium (10kW) and large (15kW). 

To make the most out of your solar panel system, we’d suggest a medium (10kW) as a minimum. You can see exactly what that’s able to power and compare that to 5kW and 15kW units using our clickable tool here. 

What Will A 5kW Solar Battery Power?

A 5kW solar storage battery is perfect for households looking for light daily use. Typically, you'd expect a 5kW solar storage battery to power the likes of: 

• Lights and plug sockets
• Vacuum cleaner
• Games console
• TV
• Chargers (phone, tablet and laptop)

Appliances that use heating or cooling (microwaves, ovens, kettles and fridge freezers) are generally high wattage. Whilst a 5kW battery would be able to power 1-2 of these appliances, it won't be able to power all of them alongside the list above. 

What Will A 10kW Solar Battery Power?

A 10kW solar storage battery will be able to power all basic household appliances. 

It will also be able to power a couple of higher wattage appliances such as: 

• Iron
• Electric oven
• Fridge freezer
• Dishwasher
• Kettle

However, you’ll need to check the rating of each appliance. If the appliances you want to use in conjunction with each other are in excess of 10kW, you’ll need a large 15kW battery instead.

Compare exactly what a 5kW vs 10kW battery powers here. Or, if you already know you need a bigger battery, jump over to our 10kW battery guide here. 

How Much Does A 5kW vs 10kW Battery Cost?

Expect 5kW solar battery prices to be anywhere from £2,495-£3,995 from reputable UK suppliers.

A 10kW unit generally starts at £3,745, but expect to pay anywhere up to £5,000 including installation alongside your existing solar panel setup.

Electricity Self Sufficiency

If you’re looking to be independent from the grid, incorporating a solar storage battery into your setup is essential.

A basic solar panel setup without a battery is likely to provide you with approximately 20% self-sufficiency. Essentially, you’ll still need to buy 80% of your electricity from your supplier. 

The bigger the storage battery you install, the more self-sufficiency you’ll have. As a guideline, expect self-sufficiency to jump to the following: 

• Small 5kW battery: 50% or higher 
• Medium 10kW battery: 65% or higher
• Large 15kW battery: 70% or higher

Obviously you’ll need to balance this with cost. A solar battery is likely to cost a minimum of £2,495 and prices rise quickly the larger the battery is!

Best 5kW Solar Batteries

Whether you choose to go for a 5kW, 10kW or 15kW solar storage battery, they're not cheap. Expect prices to be in the region of £2,500-£5,000. So, you'll want to make sure the battery you're installing is up to standard. 

A high quality unit from a top solar battery brand will offer: 

• High levels of efficiency
• Better depth of discharge
• More charge and discharge cycles (longer lifespan)

There are 3 leading brands currently being offered in the UK including: 

• Sunsynk
• Enphase
• AlphaESS

As long as you stick to these leading brands, you won’t go far wrong.

Using Sunsynk as an example, it’s easy to see why they’re a popular choice for both installers and homeowners. When fitted by an MCS qualified engineer, you'll benefit from 0% VAT on materials. And once fitted, Sunsynk solar panel batteries come with the likes of: 

• 10-year warranty
• Logger Battery App (to monitor and optimise your electricity usage)
• Competitive prices (with 5kW batteries costing as little as £2,495 including installation)

Use our clickable tool to get prices on solar panels including a 5kW-15kW battery.