Used Solar Panels
If you are thinking about converting your home to solar power and looking to save yourself some money at the same time, here is a little information about getting used solar panels. It is a great place to start and you can probably find them for next to nothing even if they need a little refurbishing it can still be a great deal.
Say you pass by a house that is getting new solar panels installed, maybe they would let you take the old ones off their hands so they do not have to dispose of them themselves. Or talk to the installation companies in the area, they could be great sources to tap for information on cheap or free solar panels. They know who is about to do an upgrade and can maybe hook you up.
Even if some of the panels you get do not work, big deal, cheap is cheap and free is free. Seems you come out ahead either way. Obviously, you do not ever want to buy anything that has visible damage and you really should ask how old the used panels are and rethink taking them if they tell you that the panels are over ten years old.
If you do not have a clue how to install them then either do some research online and figure it out for yourself or hire it done. The money you saved by finding cheap or free solar panels can be used for installation costs. Obviously you do not ever want to buy anything that has visible damage and you really should ask how old the used panels are and rethink taking them if they are over ten years old.
Just remember, used does not always mean damaged or not working. It could just mean that the previous owner did an upgrade to their system. Besides, if you get in touch with someone who is just about to replace the old with the new and the installation crew knows that the old ones are going to someone else, then they may be more careful when they remove the old panels from the roof of the house and not just drop them ten or twenty feet into a dumpster.
It may be a good idea to ask the previous owner of the used panels if they mind if you are there for the removal of the old panels. Just tell them that you’d like to be able to keep an eye on the crew during the removal and make sure things do not get intentionally broken.
Keep in mind, too, that with used panels you will not have any kind of warranty or any recourse if the old panels do not work. But, then again, if they gave them to you then you really are out nothing but a little time. Again, used solar panels may just be your ticket to joining the twenty-first century and beginning your journey into ‘going green’.