The 5K is the smallest all-in-one Sol-Ark makes, and it exists for the projects where a 12K would be overkill: a cabin, a workshop, a small off-grid home, an outbuilding, a backup system for a defined set of circuits. Same design philosophy as the larger units — charge controllers, battery charger, transfer switch and protection all pre-wired in one NEMA 3R enclosure — at 53 lbs and a fraction of the footprint.
5,000W continuous with 7,200VA of five-second surge, two MPPTs accepting up to 10,400W of solar, 120A of battery charge and discharge on a 48V bank, and a 5ms transfer to backup. 97.6% peak efficiency and the same 10-year warranty as the rest of the range. Renewable Outdoors is an authorized Sol-Ark dealer — call us at (303) 876-7654 and we'll confirm it suits your project.
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Expert Support: (303) 876-7654
Why the Sol-Ark 5K
All-In-One at Small Scale
Charge controllers, battery charger, transfer switch and protection in one pre-wired enclosure — a one-box install.
10.4kW of Solar on a 5kW Inverter
Two MPPTs with two strings each, so you can heavily oversize the array to carry short winter days.
53 lbs
Light enough for a straightforward single-person wall mount, at 23.6 by 13 by 9.3 inches.
5ms Transfer, 97.6% Efficiency
Backup switchover fast enough for electronics, with efficiency matching the larger Sol-Ark units.
120A Battery Charge and Discharge
A 48V architecture that works with standard server-rack and wall-mount lithium banks.
IP65 / NEMA 3R, 10-Year Warranty
Outdoor-rated from −40°C to 60°C, with the same warranty as Sol-Ark's flagship units.
What's Included
In the Box
1 × Sol-Ark 5K hybrid inverter (5K-1P), pre-wired
Mounting hardware
Installation manual and warranty documentation
Batteries, PV modules, current transformers, disconnects and conduit are separate purchases. Sol-Ark builds this platform in more than one output configuration, so call us at (303) 876-7654 before you order and we'll confirm the exact unit that matches your service.
Cabins, workshops, garages, outbuildings, small off-grid homes, and backup for a defined critical-loads panel rather than a whole house. If you're running an air conditioner, an electric range and a well pump simultaneously, you want the 12K or larger. If you're running lighting, a refrigerator, a pump, tools and electronics, the 5K is well matched and considerably cheaper.
Why can it take 10.4kW of solar on a 5kW inverter?
Deliberate oversizing. A 5kW inverter rarely sees its array produce 5kW — that only happens in perfect conditions at the right time of year. Fitting more panel means you reach useful output earlier in the morning, later in the afternoon and on overcast days, which is what actually determines how much energy you harvest across a year. Sol-Ark supports the oversizing explicitly.
Which batteries does it work with?
48V lithium banks with BMS communication — server-rack batteries, wall-mount units, and most of the common brands. The 120A charge and discharge limit is what to size against: a bank rated well above that gives you headroom, and a bank rated below it becomes the bottleneck.
Can it run without a grid connection at all?
Yes. It works fully off-grid, forming its own AC supply from solar and battery. That's a common use for this size of unit — a cabin or a workshop with no utility service at all. It also works grid-tied, or as backup on a grid-connected building.
How does it compare with the 12K?
The 12K gives you nearly twice the continuous output, split-phase 120/240V, larger surge, more solar, and a much bigger battery charger. The 5K gives you the same architecture, warranty and reliability at a fraction of the cost and weight. Buy on what you actually need to run at once — most people who over-buy regret the cost, and most people who under-buy regret it more.
Is 7,200VA of surge enough to start a pump?
For a modest shallow-well pump or a small compressor, usually yes. For a deep-well submersible or a large air conditioner, probably not — those are the loads that push people to a 12K or a 15K. Tell us the pump's locked-rotor amps on (303) 876-7654 and we'll check it properly rather than guessing.
Do I need a licensed electrician?
For any grid-connected installation, yes — it ties into your service and that is permitted, inspected work everywhere in the US. For a fully off-grid cabin with no utility connection the rules vary by jurisdiction, but the wiring still needs to be done to code and we'd strongly recommend a qualified installer regardless.
Can it be mounted outdoors?
Yes. IP65 / NEMA 3R, rated from −40°C to 60°C. As always, shade helps in hot climates and makes the unit's own cooling job easier.
Do you offer financing or price matching?
Yes. We offer 0% APR financing options through Affirm at checkout, and our Price Match Guarantee applies — if you find this cheaper at another authorized dealer, call us at (303) 876-7654 before you order and we'll take care of it.
