19/08/2026
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We installed a small 3 kW solar system. And right away, here comes the question people usually ask us: what does 3 kW actually mean, and what can you do with it? Let me explain.
3 kW isn't a constant power output pumping non-stop 24/7. It’s the peak maximum output the panels generate when the sun shines directly on them with not a cloud in sight, usually for about two to three hours around noon. In the morning and evening, the output is lower, which makes sense since the sun is lower and the angle isn't optimal.
Looking at the whole day, here in Finestrat, a system this size generates an average of 12 to 15 kilowatt-hours during the summer, depending on placement... in winter, of course, it's a bit less. Over the year, it adds up to around 4,000 to 4,500 kilowatt-hours. For comparison, a standard home without a pool or non-stop air conditioning uses about 2,500 to 3,500 kWh annually. That means a system of this size comfortably covers a home's baseline energy consumption.
Now, let's break it down by appliances so it's crystal clear. A refrigerator draws around 100–150 W on average; the compressor runs in cycles rather than continuously, so its actual daily energy use is quite modest, and the solar system powers it effortlessly. A washing machine uses about 2,000 W during a cycle, but it only runs for an hour to an hour and a half. A single-room air conditioner takes 800–1,200 W. An electric water heater, however, is a bigger deal: a typical unit draws around 1.5–2 kW, and if it heats water for an hour or two, it takes half or nearly all of the system's power capacity at that moment. An electric kettle also draws 1.5–2 kW, but it boils water quickly.
And here’s a crucial point that many people overlook: at night, the solar system generates absolutely nothing. The sun is down, and the panels are simply asleep. Without a battery, you will still draw power from the regular grid at night, just like before. To avoid this, you need to install a battery storage system that charges from excess energy during the day and feeds that stored power back to your home in the evening and night. That’s how a solar system can truly cover almost the entire 24-hour cycle, not just the daylight hours.
