Used Solar Panels

August 11th, 2010

Used Solar Panels

Photo Credit: basykes

Used solar panels are a little bit like used cars with one very big difference. The rate of depreciation is a big unknown with solar panels whereas depreciation is the major consideration with used cars. Some of the earliest solar panels still function with a measurable but small drop in efficiency. If you have an unlimited area for your panels, efficiency is not a factor. The measurement that you need to compare is dollars per watt.

If you are shopping in person for a used car, you will most certainly check to see if it runs. The same is true for solar cells and it is pretty simple. You bring a meter with you. If the panels put out some volts and amps when in full sun, you are good to go. Educate yourself about your meter and the expected currents from solar panels beforehand. Frying an Amp Meter will surely ruin your day of solar panel shopping. If there is no electricity generated, you should probably walk away. You cannot predict how much time and effort it would take to repair them or if it is even possible. An exception to this is burned-out bypass diodes. If you can identify this problem as the reason for a solar panel malfunction you may be able to pick up some bargains from people who think that the panels are irreparable. It is a common problem and it is not expensive to fix. Condensation under the glass is something that you want to avoid.

Panels do not degrade in storage. Some types of used solar panels may have a plastic substrate that has turned brown after years of exposure to sunlight. While this makes them look less attractive to buyers, it is not a reason to walk away. If they generate watts when you test them in the sun, you should still include them in your comparison shopping. Remember to compare dollars per watt generated.

If you test a panel and you are surprised by how much electricity you get, be aware that the nominal rating is lower than actual output in full sun.

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