How Much Does a 10kW Solar System Produce?

Updated July 7, 2023

Solar panel sizes are not only getting large but also vary in terms of energy production and efficiency. Modern-day systems have gotten significantly more powerful than the standard 5kW solar panel systems that we’re all familiar with.

Solar technology is evolving rapidly and getting more advanced every coming year. These days, 10kW solar systems are increasingly popular for their power potential and energy production. They have become go-to for large homes, cabins, and small businesses and it’s easy to see why.

If you want to utilize an alternative to traditional energy sources, solar is the way to go, and having a 10kW system installed in your home ensures that all your energy needs are met with room to spare.

The energy that these systems produce is enough to power your home and eliminate your energy bills. However, calculating the energy produced by a 10kW system involves a few important factors that can’t be overlooked.

The following article dives into the benefits of a 10kW solar system. Most importantly, we discuss how much energy these 10kW systems can produce. This also aids you in determining if a 10kW system is suited for your household.

How Much Does a 10kW Solar System Produce?
How Big Is a 10kW System and How Much Space Do I Need?

How Much Does a 10kW Solar System Produce?

10kW solar systems are becoming more effective at storing solar energy given off by the sun, which is driving ongoing advancements in solar panel technology.

A 5kW solar system can run your appliances effectively, but a 10kW can off you so much more and more. That is why it’s important to understand the basics involved in 10kW systems and the amount of energy these systems produce.

The answer to these questions isn’t as straightforward as you might think. The amount of electricity produced by 10kW systems is between 45 to 55 kWh per day, which equates to approximately 11,000 to 15,000 kWh per year.

Remember, when it comes to kilowatts, always multiply it by 1,000 to get the total watts. This comes in handy when trying to figure out how much power 12kW systems or larger produce.

However, the actual amount of energy produced is dependent on a few very important factors. So, how much does a 10kW solar system produce? It depends on where you live and the amount of sun you get over a 24-hour day.

For example, areas that receive longer periods of direct sunlight produce more electricity than areas with less sunlight due to increased cloud cover and other weather conditions.

Your location is the most important factor to consider when deciding on what system will work for you. Additionally, seasons and high overlying trees will also affect the overall energy production.

If you’re having trouble finding a solar system that works for you, then you should visit our kit recommender page and take advantage of our custom solar solution quote, which will determine the best system dependent on your electrical needs.

How Many Solar Panels for a 10kW System

Generally, it takes 27 to 35 solar panels for your 10kW solar system to function at full capacity. However, the number of panels associated with 10kW solar systems depends on the wattage of each panel.

Let’s put it into perspective.

If you install an array of panels to your roof, each with an individual wattage of 400, then you need approximately 25 panels to allow your 10kW to reach its full energy potential.

If you have more money to spend then you could opt for a more powerful panel, which has 500 watts. In this case, you would only need 20 panels for your system to function efficiently.

How Big Is a 10kW System and How Much Space Do I Need?

Typically, for a 10kW solar panel system, you need anywhere between 475 and 620 square feet of free space on your roof.

It’s good practice to keep at least 25% of your roof free of solar panels. This is for safety and to ensure that you can easily repair the panels if there are any faults.

The actual space that you need on your roof depends on the wattage of each panel. Remember, lower wattage means more panels, while higher wattage generally means a larger initial investment.

Say you decide on a solar panel array where each panel is 400 watts. The average size of a panel is approximately 17 square feet, and we need 25 panels to supply the solar panel inverter with enough power.

With these measurements, you need at least 425 square feet. If you factor in the 25% of free roof space, then you are going to need 530 square feet of available space.

Additionally, you always want to ensure that your panels are installed facing south to maximize the time the panel has with direct sunlight.

How Much Does a 10kW System Cost?

When calculating the price of a system it’s important to price it according to the price per watt. For example, you might ask yourself how much a 4kW solar system costs compared to a 10kW one. The solution is simple, and we explain it below.

The demand for solar power systems is rapidly increasing with my households deciding to power their home sustainably. This resulted in the cost for a 10kW dropping significantly from $3 per watt in 2018 to $2.77 per watt in 2022.

This 23-cent drop might appear insignificant at first, but when you add it all up you’ll realize how much money you save. To put into perspective, an average 10kW system in 2018 would cost you a total of $30,000. After federal tax, your total would come to approximately $22,200.

The same 10kW system now, accounting for the 23-cent reduction, will cost $27,000 in total, saving you a massive $3,000. The price is even lower after federal tax, amounting to approximately $20,500. This final number could be even lower if you factor in government incentives and state rebates.

Not only is this a massive saving, it also decreases the time it takes for your solar investment to pay itself off.

So, if you want to know how much a 6kW solar system costs, all you need to do is apply the steps listed above.

how big is a 10kw solar system

Conclusion

Switching to solar energy is one of the best decisions you can make, not only for yourself but also for the environment. Solar energy has rivaled standard energy-producing systems and has become the primary source of electricity in many American homes.

The benefits associated with a solar system are vast, so why not increase the potential by going for a 10kW system? Your panel system will pay for itself and once it does you could be saving between $300 and $400 monthly.

Not only will you earn money back, but the value of your home will also increase once your solar system has been installed.

10kW systems are the most popular systems available and after reading this article you should be able to easily determine energy production. You should even be able to figure out how much a 3kW solar system produces, using the simple methods listed above.

If you would like any further information on solar panel maintenance, and installation, or if you’re having trouble deciding on which panel system is best for you, then visit ShopSolar.com and we can help you.

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Article by

Cody Oehm

Cody is the Head of Marketing at Shop Solar, and joined the company in spring of 2022.

He has an entrepreneurial background and has been in the ecommerce industry since 2015. With 4 businesses under his belt and a drive to make a bigger impact, he decided to team up with Shop Solar on their mission to make solar simple and affordable.