Complete 5kW Whole-Home Off-Grid Solar System Design
Full off-grid home with refrigerator, freezer, washer, LED lighting throughout, electronics, well pump, and normal household loads. Approximately 10–15 kWh per day.
Quick Answer
A 5,000W array generates 15,000–32,500Wh per day across US regions (3–6.5 peak sun hours). Daily home consumption of 12,000Wh is covered in all regions with surplus for battery charging. The 938Ah 48V LiFePO4 bank stores 3.75 days of full-home autonomy — enough for a winter storm event. Two parallel MPPT charge controllers handle the 5,000W array at 48V. The Victron MultiPlus-II inverter-charger combines inverter and generator interface in one unit for the critical load management a whole-home system requires. The plug-and-play solution is the EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra + 400W Solar Panel ($5,799), which delivers 6,144Wh of storage and 7,200W of AC output with solar recharge built in.
System Specification
Sized for 12,000Wh/day at 48V.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Daily Energy Use | 12,000 Wh/day |
| Solar Panel Array | 5,000W |
| Battery Capacity | 45,000Wh (938Ah at 48V) |
| Charge Controller | 80A MPPT |
| Inverter | 6,000W Pure Sine Wave |
| System Voltage | 48V DC |
Option 1: EcoFlow All-in-One Bundle (Easiest Setup)
EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra + 400W Solar Panel
6,144Wh modular whole-home station with 7,200W output. The highest-capacity portable system available.
- Capacity: 6,144Wh
- AC Output: 7,200W continuous
- Price: $5,799
No wiring required. Plug the solar panel into the station and plug appliances into the AC outlets.
Option 2: DIY Mid-Range Build (Best Long-Term Value)
Higher upfront cost than a bundled station but significantly more capacity and expandability. Best for permanent installations.
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Option 3: DIY Budget Build (Lowest Upfront Cost)
The lowest-cost path to solar power. AGM batteries cost more to operate long-term due to shorter cycle life, but work well for occasional or seasonal use.
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Why This System Works
A 5,000W array generates 15,000–32,500Wh per day across US regions (3–6.5 peak sun hours). Daily home consumption of 12,000Wh is covered in all regions with surplus for battery charging. The 938Ah 48V LiFePO4 bank stores 3.75 days of full-home autonomy — enough for a winter storm event. Two parallel MPPT charge controllers handle the 5,000W array at 48V. The Victron MultiPlus-II inverter-charger combines inverter and generator interface in one unit for the critical load management a whole-home system requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 5kW solar system enough for a whole home?
For an energy-efficient off-grid home using propane for cooking, water heating, and primary heat, 5kW of solar covers 10–15 kWh of daily electrical load. Average US home consumption is 30 kWh/day — well beyond what solar alone can cover at that price point. Off-grid whole-home solar requires aggressive efficiency: LED lighting, Energy Star appliances, no electric resistance heating, and no electric clothes dryer. With these choices, a 5kW system achieves full energy independence in most US regions.
How many batteries does a whole-home solar system need?
For 3 days of autonomy at 12,000Wh/day with LiFePO4 at 80% DoD: (12,000 × 3) / 0.8 = 45,000Wh. At 48V, that is 938Ah. Four LiTime 200Ah 48V LiFePO4 batteries (800Ah, 38,400Wh usable) covers 3.2 days. Battery cost at current pricing: $8,000–12,000. This is typically the largest single line item in a whole-home solar budget. The battery bank is sized for worst-case winter cloud events — in summer, the array produces so much excess that the batteries rarely drop below 60%.
Do I need a generator with a 5kW off-grid solar system?
In most US regions with 4+ average peak sun hours, a 5kW array provides sufficient annual average production. However, for northern installations (Maine, Washington, Minnesota) with December sun hours averaging 2–3 hours per day, a generator provides critical backup for the 6–8 week winter minimum. A 7,500W propane generator running 4 hours per day during the winter trough supplements the solar system cost-effectively and provides full energy independence even in the worst-sun months. Budget $1,500–2,500 for a Kohler or Generac propane generator as part of the whole-home system.
Different loads? Customize for your setup.
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