Used Solar Panels
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Many people who begin to research solar power for their homes quickly find out that the cost is prohibitive, and since the panels usually make up 50% of the cost, used solar panels are a great way to help make the entire project affordable.
However, before purchasing any used solar panels, the consumer must understand what to look for and whether the available panels will fit their need.
You see, not all solar panels are the same, and no two solar installation projects are the same. Projects vary by the amount of electricity you need to generate, the location of the project and how much direct sunlight it gets. As for used solar panels, the age, condition, type and prior usage history all factor into whether or not a panel will give the results needed in a given project.
There are a few excellent and inexpensive written guides on the market that help to make the decision process pretty much foolproof. Considering the cost of a solar energy installation project and the amount of money you can save by eliminating mistakes, these are a great up-front investment. We’ll discuss these products in greater detail further down in this article, but you can see our full reviews of each by using the menu links on the left hand side of this page. Now on to evaluating used solar panels.
However, before purchasing any used solar panels, the consumer must understand what to look for and whether the available panels will fit their need.
You see, not all solar panels are the same, and no two solar installation projects are the same. Projects vary by the amount of electricity you need to generate, the location of the project and how much direct sunlight it gets. As for used solar panels, the age, condition, type and prior usage history all factor into whether or not a panel will give the results needed in a given project.
There are a few excellent and inexpensive written guides on the market that help to make the decision process pretty much foolproof. Considering the cost of a solar energy installation project and the amount of money you can save by eliminating mistakes, these are a great up-front investment. We’ll discuss these products in greater detail further down in this article, but you can see our full reviews of each by using the menu links on the left hand side of this page. Now on to evaluating used solar panels.
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Briefly, the inverter is what changes the energy from direct current (DC) to Alternating current (AC). Inverters have their own efficiency ratings. An inverter with a lower efficiency rating will lose more of the generated energy than one with a higher rating.
Age and usage history: All solar panels have an expected lifespan and when new are usually guaranteed for 25 years. Panels tend to loose efficiency over time when placed into service and by general comparison, panels of the same age and type that have been sitting in storage will be a better value. This is something to keep in mind when inquiring about used solar panels for sale.
Age and usage history: All solar panels have an expected lifespan and when new are usually guaranteed for 25 years. Panels tend to loose efficiency over time when placed into service and by general comparison, panels of the same age and type that have been sitting in storage will be a better value. This is something to keep in mind when inquiring about used solar panels for sale.
Check ebay and other online auction sites. You might be surprised home much is available. Just make sure you thoroughly investigate each panels history, AND the shipping methods/costs involved.
Check with local highway departments and construction companies. A lot of times they have old panels that they will sell very cheap or even give away for free rather than disposing of them.
Buying the wrong panels for your project can end up costing you a lot of wasted money in the long run. the better you understand the characteristics described above, the more successful you will be. Investing in a good DIY guide will benefit most home owners in the long run because the good ones will help you locate sources for used panels, plus provide detailed instructions on how to put your system together, how the all the parts impact one another, and how to design your system correctly from the beginning.
Check with local highway departments and construction companies. A lot of times they have old panels that they will sell very cheap or even give away for free rather than disposing of them.
Buying the wrong panels for your project can end up costing you a lot of wasted money in the long run. the better you understand the characteristics described above, the more successful you will be. Investing in a good DIY guide will benefit most home owners in the long run because the good ones will help you locate sources for used panels, plus provide detailed instructions on how to put your system together, how the all the parts impact one another, and how to design your system correctly from the beginning.
Where To Find Used Solar Panels
Type: Simply put, a solar panel is just a frame that holds a number of individual solar cells all connected together. The individual cells are what “collect” the energy from the sunlight and move it along through the panel and out into the system. The higher the number of cells and their capacity to collect energy, the higher the wattage rating of the panel will be.
You need to know what the panels total wattage capacity is, and then you need to know what it is actually producing. Even new solar panels are only usually warranted to produce some number below the stated wattage (for instance, a 200 watt panel may only be warranted to 180 watts).
Efficiency ratings are also important because they describe the amount of power the cells can produce per square inch. So a smaller panel with a higher efficiency rating will output the same wattage as a larger panel with a lower efficiency rating. More efficiently rated panels means less roof space needed to generate the power you need.
Although outside the scope of this article, it is important to note here that the inverter used will ultimately impact the realized performance of the panels.
You need to know what the panels total wattage capacity is, and then you need to know what it is actually producing. Even new solar panels are only usually warranted to produce some number below the stated wattage (for instance, a 200 watt panel may only be warranted to 180 watts).
Efficiency ratings are also important because they describe the amount of power the cells can produce per square inch. So a smaller panel with a higher efficiency rating will output the same wattage as a larger panel with a lower efficiency rating. More efficiently rated panels means less roof space needed to generate the power you need.
Although outside the scope of this article, it is important to note here that the inverter used will ultimately impact the realized performance of the panels.