Watch Out For Used Solar Panels

Research solar power for the home and you’ll quickly find out that the cost is prohibitive. Over 50% of the cost is in the panels.

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. That’s because not all solar panels are the same, and no two solar installation projects are the same. Projects will vary by the location of the project and how much direct sunlight it gets and by the amount of energy you need to produce.

Particularly with used solar panels, the condition, prior usage history, type and age must all be taken into account before deciding whether or not the panel is right for the project. Now on to evaluating used solar panels.

A solar panel is just a frame that holds a number of individual solar cells all connected together. The energy from the sunlight is collected by these individual cells and then moved along through the panel and out into the system. Generally, panels with higher numbers of cells can collect more energy and that corresponds to a higher wattage rating for that panel, but there are some important exceptions to that rule.

Keep in mind that even new solar panels are only usually warranted to produce some number below the stated wattage (as an example, a 200 watt panel may only be warranted to 180 watts). This is helpful to know when evaluating a used panel. 

A panel’s efficiency rating describes the amount of power per square inch that the cells can be expected to produce. This matters because a large panel with a lower efficiency rating could possibly output less power than a smaller panel with a higher efficiency rating. Panels rated as less efficient will require more roof space to generate the same amount of electricity as higher rated panels.

It is also important to keep in mind that the inverter used has an impact on the true panel performance. Briefly, the inverter is what changes the energy from direct current (DC) to Alternating current (AC). Like the panels, inverters have an efficiency rating to consider. A higher rated inverter will lose less of the generated power than will a lower rated inverter.

The age and usage history of the panel are the next items to scrutinize. Each solar panel has an expected lifespan and is usually guaranteed for 25 years when purchased new.  Solar panels should be expected to lose performance after being placed into service and by general comparison. This is something to keep in mind when inquiring about used solar panels for sale.

Buying the wrong solar panels can end up costing you a lot of wasted money in the long run, while buying the correct panels for your project can drastically reduce the cost of installing solar power in any home. You can learn a lot more about used solar panels, and building your own DIY solar energy system here.