1kW Solar System in the Philippines
A 1kW (1,000W) system is the smallest setup that still feels "real" — it can run a household without aircon and survives multi-day brownouts with the right battery. It is the most common entry-level off-grid build in the Philippines because the total cost is approachable and the wiring is friendly to a first-time DIY builder.
Daily output and what it covers
At 4-4.5 peak sun hours and 75% efficiency, a 1kW array delivers roughly 3-4 kWh per day — about 100-120 kWh per month. Realistic loads:
- 5-8 LED lights (~10W each) running 6 hours/day
- 2 electric fans running 10 hours/day
- 1 inverter refrigerator running 24/7 (the biggest single load)
- 1 LED TV for 5 hours/day
- 1-2 laptops + phone charging
- WiFi router 24/7
No aircon. No electric water heater. No clothes dryer. Those need 3kW+. For sizing math against your actual appliances, use the appliance-based DIY Builder.
Bill of materials for a 1kW off-grid system
- Panels: 2 x 500W or 5 x 200W (1.0 kWp). For panel comparison see 500W or 200W.
- Inverter: A 1-1.5kW pure sine wave or hybrid inverter. Hybrid is worth the small premium if you want grid-tie or battery backup.
- Battery:A 12V 200Ah LiFePO4 (2.56 kWh) or 24V 100Ah LiFePO4 covers a full day's consumption. See the 12V LiFePO4 page.
- Charge controller: 40A MPPT. PWM is acceptable for 12V/1kW but MPPT gains 15-25% more energy from the same panels.
- Wiring: 10 AWG PV wire, 6 AWG battery cable, fuses, and a small DC disconnect. Cross-check the wire sizing chart.
When 1kW is not enough
If you want any aircon use, electric cooking, or full whole-house Meralco offset, 1kW is too small. Step up to 3kW for partial whole-house, or 5kW for full coverage including aircon. The architecture decision (off-grid vs hybrid vs grid-tie) is in the Meralco solar guide.
Plan your 1kW build
Use the DIY Builder to lock in panels, battery, inverter, and controller for a 1kW system.