The SolLab Team — UDT- and SEP-certified installers, operating in Pomerania since 2011 · Over 1,200 installations in the region · Prices valid as of June 2026
Just two years ago, the question „how much does a 5 kW solar panel system cost?” had a simple answer. Today A photovoltaic system without energy storage is a rarity — like a car without air conditioning. The market has changed fundamentally: with the RCEm below 0.15 zł/kWh, energy sold back to the grid is worth a mere few groszy, and self-consumption is the cornerstone of any sensible installation. In this article, we provide prices and calculations for what SolLab customers will be buying in 2026 — namely, a PV system with energy storage.
Why is an installation without energy storage only half the solution these days?
With an RCE of 0.132 zł/kWh (April 2026) and a grid electricity price of 1.20–1.30 zł/kWh, the difference between the energy consumed on-site and that sold to the grid is close to 10-fold. A plant without a storage facility feeds 40–60% of its output into the grid — for next to nothing. It’s like digging your own well and selling water to your neighbours for 1 grosz a litre, whilst buying it yourself from the shop for 10 groszy.
A new market standard in 2026: SolLab carries out installations without a storage unit in only two cases: (1) the customer has very high daily consumption (home office, workshops) and self-consumption without a storage system exceeds 70%, or (2) the customer deliberately chooses a hybrid inverter with plans to purchase a storage system within a year. A string-based installation without the option of expansion is a service that quickly becomes obsolete.
5 kW solar panels with energy storage — configurations and prices in the Tri-City in 2026
Below are four real-world configurations that SolLab is implementing in the Tri-City. Gross prices including installation, VAT 8%:
| Configuration | Gross price | Self-consumption | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kWp + hybrid inverter (without storage — temporarily) | 22,000–25,000 zł | 25–30% | Inverter ready for the warehouse — you can add it later |
| 5 kWp + 5 kWh storage | 32,000–38,000 zł | 40–65% | Minimum for a house that is empty during the day |
| 5 kWp + 10 kWh storage (STANDARD 2026) | 40,000–48,000 zł | 50–75% | The ideal setup for most homes |
| 5 kWp + 15 kWh storage + EMS | 48,000–58,000 zł | 60–80% | A house with a heat pump or an EV |
SolLab guide prices, June 2026. VAT 8%. Installation on a standard pitched roof in the Tri-City.
Why a 5 kWp + 10 kWh system is the ideal solution for most homes: A four-person household with an annual consumption of 5,000 kWh needs a system that will generate energy and allow it to be used on-site. A 5 kWp system produces around 4,600 kWh per year in Pomerania. A 10 kWh battery storage system collects surplus energy at midday and releases it in the evening. Result: self-consumption of 80–90%, a real annual saving of 3,500–4,000 zł. Without a storage system — 1,500–1,800 zł.
What does the price of a 5 kW photovoltaic system with a 10 kWh battery include?
With a total cost of approximately 41,000 zł gross, the typical breakdown is as follows. Note: Energy storage accounts for around half of the total cost of the system:
| Ingredient | Estimated cost | Share | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photovoltaic panels (10–11 units, TOPCon 480–500 Wp) | 4,500–5,500 zł | ~18% | Technology of importance to Pomerania (IEC 61701) |
| Hybrid inverter | 4,500–6,000 zł | ~10% | Huawei, SolarEdge, Fronius, SigEnergy, FOX ESS |
| Energy storage 10 kWh | 15,000–25,000 zł | ~45% | Sigenergy, Huawei, FOX ESS |
| EMS / HEMS system | 0–2,000 zł | ~3% | Often built into an inverter or storage unit |
| Design, cabling, safety features | 6,000–8,000 zł | ~7% | A higher standard for the coastal area |
| Installation and commissioning | 4,000–5,000 zł | ~10% | EMS programming, warehouse calibration |
| Administrative procedures (OSD Energa, documentation) | 500 zł | ~2% | Registration of the warehouse with the OSD as well |
| VAT 8% | 3,000–4,000 zł | ~8% | Rate for residential construction |
How do you choose the right size of energy storage system for a 5 kW installation?
The size of the storage system depends on your home’s energy consumption profile — not on the system’s capacity. As a rule of thumb, the storage system should be able to absorb all surplus energy from the midday peak and balance out evening consumption. For a 5 kWp system in Pomerania, the peak surplus is around 8–12 kWh on a summer’s day.
| House profile | Recommended capacity | EMS Strategy | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| A two-person household, consumption 3,000–4,000 kWh/year | 5–7 kWh | Collect surplus produce from the south | Enough for the evening and night |
| A four-person household, consumption 4,500–6,000 kWh/year | 10 kWh | Full 24-hour autonomy | Ideal for most homes |
| A house with a heat pump (DHW + heating) | 10–15 kWh | Cooperation with HP in AI-TOU mode | Prioritising charging before prices peak |
| A house with an EV and a heat pump | 8–10 kWh | Smart EV charging using solar power | The need to expand the system to 8–10 kWp |
EMS, HEMS and AI — how does a smart system manage energy?
A modern photovoltaic system is not just about panels and storage. A key component is the energy management system (EMS/HEMS), which coordinates all the components. By 2026, most Tier-1 inverters will have a built-in EMS with artificial intelligence features:
AI-TOU (Time of Use)
The system analyses historical energy prices and automatically charges the battery during the cheapest hours (e.g. at night) and discharges it during peak pricing hours (17:00–21:00). With dynamic tariffs, this translates to a real saving of an additional 200–400 zł per year.
Weather forecast
EMS retrieves sunshine forecasts for the next 24–48 hours and plans its charging strategy. Before a cloudy day, it charges the storage system more aggressively from the grid at a low price.
Smart EV charging
If you have an electric car, the EMS prioritises charging it during peak PV generation hours and prevents it from charging from the grid when the price exceeds a certain threshold.
Integration with a heat pump
The system sets the heat pump to run between 10.00 and 14.00, when the PV system is generating at its peak and the energy is effectively free.
From our practice in the Tri-City: Customers with a built-in EMS AI achieve an average self-consumption that is 8–12% higher than with a standard string inverter. On an annual basis, this amounts to 350–550 kWh of additional self-consumption — 420–660 zł more in your pocket without any changes to your energy consumption. More information on the energy market and dynamic tariffs is published Energy Regulatory Office.
Payback calculation: 5 kW solar panel system without energy storage vs. with energy storage
| Indicator | 5 kWp without storage | 5 kWp + 10 kWh storage |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of the investment | ~22,000 zł | ~41,000 zł |
| Subsidy (PIT relief + NFOŚiGW warehouse) | ~2,500 zł | ~18,500 zł |
| Net cost | ~19,500 zł | ~22,500 zł |
| Self-consumption | 50–60% | 80–90% |
| Annual benefit (electricity + sales) | ~2,800 zł | ~4,500 zł |
| Payback period (net) | 7–8 years | 5–6 years |
Calculation for a 4-person household, consumption 5,000 kWh/year, Tricity, electricity price 1.23 zł/kWh, RCEm 0.132 zł/kWh.
The practical benefit for SolLab’s client: A 5 kWp system + 10 kWh battery storage for 44,000 zł gross. After the NFOŚiGW grant (–16,000 zł) = 28,000 zł. After the PIT relief (–3,360 zł) = 24,640 zł net cost. That’s less than the PV system itself – without storage – cost two years ago.
Subsidies for a 5 kW solar panel system with energy storage in 2026
- NFOŚiGW Programme — Energy Storage 2026–2030 — up to 16,000 zł in grants for an energy storage system. Eligible costs from 1 November 2025. Call for applications planned for the third quarter of 2026. Requirements: minimum 10 kWh, EMS system, off-grid operation
- Thermal modernisation allowance — a tax deduction of up to 53,000 zł from your PIT tax base. This covers both the solar panels and the storage facility. For an investment of 44,000 zł and a grant of 16,000 zł — you deduct approx. 12% from 28,000 zł = approx. 3,360 zł refund. At the second tax bracket (32%), the saving amounts to approx. 8,960 zł
- Combining programmes — The PIT relief and the NFOŚiGW grant can be combined. You cannot deduct from your tax the amount already covered by the grant
5 kW photovoltaic systems with energy storage in Gdańsk and Gdynia — local characteristics
- Wind Zone II (coastal strip) — The structural design must take higher wind loads into account. This affects the choice of assembly method
- IEC 61701 certification for panels — Coastal areas require panels that are resistant to salt spray. Not all models on the market have this certification
- Energa Operator — connection procedures — Registering an energy storage system with the DSO is an additional step that an experienced installer carries out as part of the service
- The warehouse as a backup during storms — The Tri-City is at the far end of the transmission system. During severe storms (which are common in autumn and winter), grid failures are more frequent than in the centre of the country. A storage facility operating in island mode offers real value
- Mobile app in Polish — Customers in the Tri-City area particularly appreciate inverters that come with a fully Polish version of the app (Huawei, Sigenergy) and the option to set up SMS alerts in the event of a fault
Summary — 5 kW solar PV system with energy storage in the Tri-City, 2026
- Standard 2026 is a PV system with energy storage — An installation without a storage facility is only half the solution when the RCE is 0.13 zł/kWh
- Price of a 5 kWp + 10 kWh system in the Tri-City: 40,000–48,000 zł gross; after subsidies, approx. 24,000–28,000 zł net
- Payback period (including subsidies): 5–6 years — shorter than without a warehouse, thanks to high self-consumption (80–90%)
- EMS and AI — built into modern inverters, they automatically optimise self-consumption and integration with heat pumps and EVs
- Funding: up to 16,000 zł per warehouse (NFOŚiGW) + thermal modernisation tax relief — a total of as much as 19,000–20,000 zł in support
Free quote for a 5 kW solar panel system + energy storage in the Tri-City — SolLab
We’ll tailor the system’s capacity and storage size to your energy consumption profile. We’ll provide you with a realistic cost estimate, taking into account grants and income tax relief. We operate in Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot, Pruszcz Gdański and throughout the Pomerania region.
Book a free quote → · +48 608 435 001 · biuro@sollab.pl
FAQ — 5 kW solar panel system with energy storage, 2026
How much will a 5 kW solar panel system, including installation and energy storage, cost in Gdańsk in 2026?
A complete 5 kWp system with a 10 kWh battery and a hybrid inverter costs between 40,000 and 48,000 zł (gross) in the Tri-City. After the NFOŚiGW subsidy for the battery (up to 16,000 zł) and the thermal modernisation tax relief, the net cost falls to around 25,000–28,000 zł. This is similar to the cost of a system without a battery three years ago.
Does a solar power system without energy storage make sense in 2026?
In most cases — no. With an RCE of 0.132 zł/kWh, every kWh sold to the grid is worth 9 times less than that consumed on-site. Without storage, self-consumption stands at 40–60%, which means that half of the energy generated is fed into the grid for next to nothing. The exception is homes with very high daytime consumption (home office, working from home).
Which energy storage system should I choose for a 5 kWp installation?
For most 4-person homes, the optimal capacity is 10 kWh. A smaller 5 kWh battery is sufficient for a small 2-person home. If you have a heat pump or are planning to get an EV, it’s worth considering 10–15 kWh. Key point: the battery must be compatible with the inverter and certified for off-grid operation.
What is an EMS, and is it necessary for a photovoltaic system with energy storage?
EMS (Energy Management System) is an energy management system that coordinates the operation of the solar panels, the battery storage, the inverter and the household loads. By 2026, most modern inverters (Huawei, SolarEdge, Sigenergy) will have a built-in EMS. The system automatically charges the battery when the sun is shining, discharges it in the evening and purchases cheap night-time electricity under dynamic tariffs.
How long does it take for a 5 kW solar panel system with a battery storage unit in the Tri-City to pay for itself?
Taking into account the grant (up to 16,000 zł per battery) and the thermal modernisation tax relief, the payback period for a 5 kWp system with a 10 kWh battery is 5–6 years. Paradoxically, this is shorter than for a system without storage (7–8 years), because high self-consumption (80–90%) means that every kWh is worth the full tariff price, rather than a symbolic RCEm.
Can I get a grant for a 5 kW solar power storage system?
Yes. The planned NFOŚiGW programme for 2026–2030 provides for grants of up to 16,000 zł per energy storage system. Eligible costs apply from 1 November 2025. The call for applications is planned for the second or third quarter of 2026. In addition, the thermal modernisation tax relief allows for a deduction of up to 53,000 zł from personal income tax (PIT) — the total support may amount to between 18,000 and 20,000 zł.
