A 10-kilowatt system typically consists of 16 to 18 solar panels, requires approximately 50 to 60 square meters of roof space, and produces between 36 and 48 kilowatt-hours per day in Saudi Arabia after losses. This size is suitable for a villa with average consumption, a farm with a small submersible pump, or a daytime shop. Here, we explain how we arrived at these figures and what the system actually powers.
- Production: Approximately 36–48 kWh per day, or 1,080–1,440 per month.
- Panels: 16–18 panels of the 550–650 watt class.
- Area: Approximately 50–60 m² including corridors.
- It runs two 24,000 BTU air conditioners during the day along with the household appliances, or a submersible pump of around 9-10 horsepower without batteries.
How much does a 10 kW system produce?
Daily electricity production in the Kingdom ranges approximately between 4.5 and 6 kilowatt-hours, depending on the city, angle, cleanliness, and temperature. Assuming total losses of 20%:
| period | Minimum (4.5) | The upper limit (6) |
|---|---|---|
| daily | 10 x 4.5 x 0.8 = 36 kWh | 10 × 6 × 0.8 = 48 kWh |
| Monthly (x30) | 1,080 kWh | 1,440 kWh |
| Annually (x365) | 13,140 kWh | 17,520 kWh |
These are average figures for the entire year. On cloudy days or after a dust storm, production drops significantly, while on clear, mild days it approaches the upper limit. Therefore, it is advisable to base your decisions on the lower limit or close to it.
Number of panels and inverter
Number of panels = 10,000 watts ÷ panel power, rounded up to a number suitable for stringing in the inverter:
- 550W panels: 10,000 ÷ 550 = 18.2, i.e. 18 panels with a power of 18 × 0.55 = 9.9 kW.
- 600 watt panels: 10,000 ÷ 600 = 16.7, i.e. 17 panels with a power of 17 × 0.6 = 10.2 kilowatts.
- 650 Watt panels: 10,000 ÷ 650 = 15.4, i.e. 16 panels with a power of 16 × 0.65 = 10.4 kilowatts.
In a connected system, the inverter is chosen based on the panel's power rating. However, in a split or hybrid system, the inverter is selected based on the highest instantaneous load it will operate, not just the panel's power rating. For example, three air conditioners operating simultaneously, each with a power rating of 2.3 kW, require at least 6.9 kW, plus a margin for starting current.
Suitable space and structure
We calculate the area using the 5–6 m² rule per kilowatt, including the aisles: 9.9 × 5 = 49.5 m² and 9.9 × 6 = 59.4 m², or approximately 50–60 m². The net area of the panels alone is less; 18 panels, each approximately 2.6 m², cover about 46.8 m². However, the aisles and spacing between rows are necessary to avoid shading and facilitate cleaning.
Installation options
- Concrete surface: A structure inclined at an angle close to the city's latitude, for example, about 24° in Riyadh and 21° in Jeddah.
- Metal surface (warehouse or shop): Direct installation on the sheet metal with the same roof slope.
- Farm land: A ground-level structure, which is the easiest to clean and expand.
- Car umbrella: 18 panels covering approximately two to three parking spaces, depending on the design.
All these structures are manufactured by MITS from hot-dip galvanized steel with an aluminum option. To estimate structure quantities, please try Solar Mounting Structure CalculatorFor details on the types, read the article Solar panel mounting structures.
What does a 10 kW system power in a villa?
The following is an example of a villa operating its main loads during the day. The figures are hypothetical for illustrative purposes; please refer to your appliance labels.
| Pregnancy | the account | Daily energy |
|---|---|---|
| Two 24000 BTU split air conditioners | 2 x 2.3 kW x 6 hours | 27.6 kWh |
| Two refrigerators (as per the label) | default value | 3.0 kWh |
| LED lighting | 25 bulbs x 12 watts x 6 hours | 1.8 kWh |
| washing machine | default value | 1.0 kWh |
| 1 HP water pump | 0.746 x 1.5 hours | 1.12 kWh |
| the total | 34.52 kWh |
The total is 34.52 kWh, slightly below the minimum output (36 kWh). The system covers these loads for most of the year. However, if you add a third air conditioner of the same class for six hours (2.3 x 6 = 13.8 kWh), the total reaches 48.3 kWh, which is above the maximum output.
10 kW system for farm submersible pump
In solar submersible pumping systems, panels with a power rating 1.3–1.5 times that of the motor are typically used, along with a dedicated inverter or variable speed drive (VFD), and without batteries, because the water is pumped during the day and stored in a tank.
Conversely: if the panels are 10 kW, the appropriate motor power is approximately:
- 10 ÷ 1.5 = 6.67 kilowatts, which is approximately 6.67 ÷ 0.746 = 8.9 horsepower.
- 10 ÷ 1.3 = 7.69 kilowatts, which is approximately 7.69 ÷ 0.746 = 10.3 horsepower.
Therefore, 10 kW of panels will roughly correspond to a 9–10 hp submersible pump. The final choice depends on the well depth and the required daily water volume. More details are available on the page. Agricultural submersible pump systems.
10 kW system for shops and offices
A business or office operating during the day benefits directly from electricity production without batteries. In a grid-tied system, surplus electricity is exported and deducted from subsequent consumption according to approved settlement procedures. The regulatory framework covers systems from 1 kilowatt to 2 megawatts for all subscriber categories. Confirm the current procedures with the Electricity Regulatory Authority and the Saudi Electricity Company, and familiarize yourself with them. Business connectivity solutions.
How much does it reduce the bill?
The calculation is approximate and depends on your SIM card:
- At the price of the first residential tier (18 halalas): 1,080 x 0.18 = 194 to 1,440 x 0.18 = 259 riyals per month approximately.
- For villas whose consumption exceeds 6000 kilowatt-hours per month, if the system reduces the calculated quantity at a price of 30 halalas: 1,080 x 0.30 = 324 to 1,440 x 0.30 = 432 riyals per month approximately.
This is according to the tariff announced at the time of writing. For the current tariff, please refer to the Saudi Electricity Company. To compare this size to a smaller one, read about... 5 kW systemTo determine the exact size of your house, follow these steps Calculating the size of the solar system Or enter your numbers in Solar Energy Calculator.
Before you order a 10 kW system: Checklist
- Consumption: Add up your bills for 12 months and calculate your daily average. If it's between 36 and 48 kilowatt-hours, that's close to your total consumption needs.
- Area: Make sure there is 50–60 m² free of shade throughout the day, and pay attention to water tanks, stairwells and roof walls that cast a shade in the morning and afternoon.
- Direction: Ideally, the panels should face south. Facing them east or west results in a loss of approximately 10–15% of production.
- System type: Specify whether you want a grid connection, a standalone battery system, or a hybrid that combines both.
- Expansion: If you anticipate increased loads, choose an inverter that accepts additional panels from the start.
These points will save you a lot of time when requesting a price quote, because the engineer will need them all to design the system correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a 10 kW system require batteries?
In a grid-tied system, you don't need batteries. In a standalone or hybrid system, you need batteries with a capacity that depends on your nighttime usage.
Is 10 kilowatts enough for an entire villa?
A typical villa consumes around 36–48 kWh daily. Larger villas with multiple air conditioners often require more.
Can the panels be divided between the roof and the carport?
Yes, provided that each group is oriented in approximately the same direction and angle, or that each group is connected to a separate input in the inverter.
How much does the system's output decrease over the years?
The approximate annual degradation of the panels is 0.4–0.7%, and the performance guarantee typically ensures that 80–88% of capacity remains after 25–30 years.
Does the system work during power outages?
A standard grid-tied system will shut down during a power outage for safety reasons. If you need electricity during an outage, you need a hybrid system with batteries.
Do you need a suitable system? The MITS team designs and installs 10 kW systems for villas, farms and shops, from load studies to structural manufacturing and operation.
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