2kW Solar System in the UK: A Complete Guide in 2024
As one of the smallest solar panel system sizes, a 2kW solar system in the UK is best suited for smaller households. So, if your home has 1-3 people and is interested in generating their own renewable energy to reduce your carbon footprint and energy bill, then you’ll want to continue reading. Now is one of the best times to invest in solar because of the grants and schemes available, such as the Smart Export Guarantee.
Ready to go solar? Your first step is finding a local, reliable, well-priced solar panel installer. As one of the smaller sizes, you’ll have many solar installers to choose from. While that gives you many options, it also means you’ll need to sort through all of them to find the ones with the best prices, quality, and services tailored to you and your home.
Solar Guide is designed to make this experience streamlined and easy for you. With our network of vetted installers, we can guarantee you get up to 4 reliable quotes that you can compare. This entire service is free and comes with no obligations. So, there’s nothing to lose, only solar panel benefits to gain. Start going solar by clicking the link below.
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2kW Solar system: Solar panels and batteries in the UK
A complete 2kW solar panel system with solar batteries in the UK consists of several key components. In this section, we’ll briefly explain how all of the components work together to make a seamless renewable energy system.
The system starts with solar panels, which convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter then transforms this DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity, making it usable for your home. The solar-generated AC electricity is connected directly to your home’s fuse box, powering your appliances and lights with clean energy.
To monitor performance, a meter measures both the energy produced by the solar panels and the energy consumed by your home. Additionally, charge controllers regulate the energy flow into the batteries, preventing overcharging and ensuring the system’s efficiency, particularly for off-grid setups.
A feature of solar systems connected to the national grid is the ability to send excess energy that you generate to the grid if you produce. You benefit from earning credits or receiving payment for the surplus energy. On the flip side, on cloudy days when solar generation may not be sufficient, you can still access electricity from the national grid to meet your energy needs.
The number of solar panels and batteries required for this 2kW system will depend on your energy consumption and preferences. We’ll discuss this more in the next sections.
If you have high energy demand however, you might want to consider something more powerful, such as a 4kW solar system.
How many solar panels are in a 2kW solar system?
How many solar panels you need for your 2kW solar system is determined by the watt size of the individual panels. In today’s market, most residential solar panels are rated to produce electricity in the range of 250W to 400W each. This wattage rating helps you to calculate the overall capacity of your solar installation and ensure it meets your energy needs.
However, it’s not just the wattage that matters; you must also take into account the amount of available roof space for these panels. The available roof area can become a limiting factor, particularly in the case of adding solar panels for flats or properties with limited rooftop space.
In the table below we’ve summarised how many solar panels and surface area you need depending on the solar panel watt size.
| Solar panel watt size | Number of panels required | Surface area required |
|---|---|---|
| 250W | 8 panels | 12.8m² |
| 300W | 7 panels | 11.2m² |
| 350W | 6 panels | 9.6m² |
| 400W | 5 panels | 8m² |
*Assumes standard solar panel dimensions are 1.6m x 1m = 1.6m²
To learn more about sizes, check out our guide titled “How many solar panels do I need?”.
How many batteries are in a 2kW solar system?
How many batteries you need for a 2kW system largely depends on your energy consumption and how much energy you want to store. If you want to store all of the electricity generated by your 2kW system directly into the battery, then you’ll only need 1 battery, such as the Tesla Powerwall 2 which has a total usable capacity of 13.5kWh.
For most residential solar systems you’re not immediately storing all the energy you generate. You’ll likely actively use energy and store the remaining energy for the nighttime. So it’s likely you’ll want either more solar panels to match your battery size or you’ll want a smaller battery to only store surplus energy.
How much will a 2kW solar panel system save me in the UK?
Once you buy and install your 2kW solar panel system you’ll be able to generate your own renewable energy for free because it’s all powered by the sun. To calculate how much you’ll save annually with a 2kW solar panel system in the UK, you’ll need to first start with solar panel prices.
While 2kW solar panel system prices in the UK usually starts at £2,000, once you include the average installation cost you’re more likely to pay, on average, £3,000 in total.
We estimate that you’ll be saving about up to £400 every year on electricity prices just by switching to a solar system. This is based on a 2kW system generating 8kWh every day from 4 hours of sunlight. That means 2,920kWh is generated per year.
We calculated this from the current fuel price (Ofgem) of 24.50p per kWh for the standard electricity rate. To generate 2,920kWh would cost you £715 in electricity costs. That means you can break even from your initial investment cost after 4 years!
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) grant
With a 2kW solar system, it’s probably not likely that you’ll be generating much excess electricity. However, it is possible depending on how large your household is and your energy demand. If you produce excess electricity, you can sell this back to the National Grid via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) for a profit.
How much money you can earn from this depends on two factors:
- how much electricity you’re exporting
- what rate your SEG Licensee is offering.
You can shop around for different SEG Licensees offering the best rates. Generally, the rate will range between 1p and 7.5p per kWh exported.
If you exported all of the electricity you generated from your 2kW solar system, the Smart Export Guarantee could earn you up to £219 every year (assuming a 7.5p per kWh rate). But of course, you still want to be able to use a portion of the energy you generate and even store some for the night too. So realistically you’ll earn less than the amount provided.
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How much power does a 2kW solar system produce per day?
Solar panel energy generation is dependent on the amount of sunlight you receive. On average, the UK receives about 4 hours of sunlight a day. This means a 2kW will generate 8kW every day. Multiply that by 365 days in a year and your 2kW is estimated to produce 2,920kWh every year.
How much power your solar system can produce also depends on if your solar panels are positioned in the most optimal placement. Finding the most optimal panel placements and angles is something that solar installers are experts in.
If you’re ready to get a 2kW solar panel system knowing that it’s being positioned and angled by only the best local installers, then your first step is to get comparison quotes. It’s no use optimising the efficiency of solar panels and their placement if you’re not going to maximise your savings through competitive quotes.
With our help, you can be connected with up to 4 solar professionals who will offer market-competitive quotes so that you know you’re not overpaying, and are getting one of the best prices on the market. It’s as easy as clicking the link below and taking 30 seconds to answer a few simple questions about your energy demands.
Is a 2kW solar system worth the investment in 2024?
Yes, a 2kW solar system can be worth the investment in 2024, especially for homes with 1-3 people. With a 2kW system, you can generate all of your energy in a sustainable and cheaper manner, especially compared to traditional gas boilers.
Factors such as reduced installation costs, advancements in solar technology, and potential government incentives can make it a financially viable and environmentally friendly option for homeowners or businesses looking to generate clean energy and reduce electricity bills.
However, conducting a personalised cost-benefit analysis based on individual energy needs and local conditions is essential to make an informed decision. Part of this process is to properly estimate how much it will cost you to buy and install a 2kW system. To do this, you need accurate and reliable quotes from professionals in your area. In the next section, we’ll explain the smartest strategy used by homeowners to go about this.
Get quotes for 2kW solar systems with batteries in the UK
Looking to install a 2kW solar system with batteries in the UK? Comparing quotes is a smart strategy to ensure you get the best-priced offer. Not only does it allow you to see if you’re overpaying, but it also gives you the freedom to choose a quote that is tailored to your energy needs.
While looking for quotes online and calling local installers can be a lengthy research process that takes hours on end, it doesn’t have to be. We can connect you with up to 4 local solar professionals who will each offer their most competitive quote.
The best part is that it’s free and there are no obligations! You can decide on the quote that suits you best without any pressure. We only connect you with reliable installers, providing you with the opportunity to explore up to 4 quotes and only choose one if it’s within your price range.
Just click the link below to start comparing quotes.
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FAQ
How much power will a 2kW solar system generate?
You can expect a 2kW solar system to generate 2,920kWh annually. However, it ultimately depends on the placement of your panels and the amount of sunlight they receive.
What can be run on a 2kW solar system?
For a home with 1-3 people, a 2kW solar system can power the energy demands of almost the entire house. Power things like simple light bulbs to complex washing machines and refrigerators.
How many panels are required for 2kW?
Anywhere between 5 and 8 panels can be needed to run a 2kW solar system. How many solar panels you’ll need for a 2kW system depends on many factors, such as the watt size of the solar panels.
Is a 2kW solar system worth it in the UK?
For almost all houses with 1-3 people, yes, a 2kW solar system is worth it in 2024. With many financial incentives and environmental benefits, going solar is one of the best energy investments you can make in 2024.
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