Used Solar Panels — How To Find Them

Are you thinking of buying used solar panels instead of new ones? Then one of the frustrations you may face is where to find panels that are in good condition to generate electricity for your home. Some ideas here may help you in your search.

Pre-owned photovoltaic panels can be found in the most common places and from various sources. You can look for homeowners with photovoltaic panels that look old. You can also try your luck at recycling centers where broken photovoltaic panels can occasionally be found.

Yet the most effective way is to contact contractors or agents who specialize in photovoltaic panel installations. Many used solar panels are thrown away before new ones are installed for the customer. Another source to get used solar panels are building contractors. They often renovate houses installed with photovoltaic panels and are glad to have someone dispose such items for them.

Most of these people may give you their used solar panels provided you offer to transport them away from the site. Some may be unwilling to give you their pre-owned photovoltaic panels…perhaps a small monetary compensation may motivate them to part with their stock.

In case your search for a pre-owned photovoltaic panel leads you to a free, beat-up model, you can always dismantle the good photovoltaic cells to build your own homemade panel.

As you hunt for used solar panels, remember to look out for fatal flaws that may render your photovoltaic cells unusable. Here are some tips on what to look out for:

1. Cracked glass, condensation under glass and broken connections are common problems that cause owners to discard their solar panels. Fortunately there is a remedy to rectify these failures.

2. Loose connections between solar cells may go unnoticed as you inspect them visually. Such faults can be picked up using a resistance meter, and joints with high resistance can be re-soldered together.

Even though pre-owned solar panels are inexpensive, they have their shortcomings. One of the most obvious is the decrease in power output. After being exposed to harmful radiation under the sun for one or two decades, photovoltaic cells deteriorate. Although marginal, you have to take this degradation into consideration, as you’ll need more solar panels as a result. Used solar panels also have a shorter lifespan, thus they can only serve you for their remaining years.

Needless to say, the low price of used solar panels allure many people to buy them. If the cost per watt can justify the purchase and they still have many more years to go, they can be excellent investments.

Therefore if you intend to install a used solar panel for your home, the payback period can be shorter than when you buy new ones. A trusted contractor is able to help you look out for used solar panels that are relatively and without damage. Keep in touch with these experts, because they can teach you a few insider secrets only told to friends. And through them, you’ll never lack good-as-new solar panels when you need them.

About the Author

John Greenspan is an expert in building DIY solar panel and has made several solar power generators over the years. Are you interested in building DIY Solar panels? Pick up your FREE “How To Build Solar Panels” eBook at => http://www.diysolarpanelsworld.com

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