Buying used Solar Panels has become a recent trend, following the customer buying psyche of buying used cars, mobile phones, etc. However, does it makes sense to buy a ‘Used Solar Panel?’
We will learn in this blog more about ‘how the unit economics changes if we buy used solar panels on the overall payback period’, ‘how the generation gets impacted from used versus new Solar panels,’ and other key comparisons.
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Solar panels that have been previously owned by a person or business, usually a utility company, are called used solar panels. A solar panel that has been purchased, taken out of the box, and never installed on a roof is still considered used. As the name implies, a "like new" solar panel is one that has never been used and performs as well as a new one. Solar panels that have been used for 15 years or more and have broken cells or worn-out frames are also considered used.
The lifespan of used solar panels is naturally reduced and may vary depending on the previous owner's use.
Moreover, most solar modules have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. As soon as this point is reached, degradation starts to accelerate. In other words, the solar system would not be able to perform to its full potential.
Does that mean used solar panels aren't good – of course not! There is no degradation rate greater than 0.7%. With electricity prices increasing by at least 3% per year, investing in a used solar panel seems like a great idea.
Let us understand more about the supply of Used Solar Panels. From where these Used Solar Panels are sold in the market?
With the ever-evolving PV module technology, Solar Power Developers are opting for higher-wattage of PV modules so that in the given land area they can generate more power. For saying currently an SPD has 330Wp Polysilicon PV modules installed and they want to replace it with 540Wp Bifacial PV modules in approx the same land area so they can achieve higher generation.
In the quest for this, these commercial power developers either dump, recycle or sell these lower capacity PV modules which then can be bought by residential house owners at cheaper rates.
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Check for optimal general from your string of solar panels which you purchase after the above checks while using monitoring apps by your inverter companies.
Cost
Refurbished: Refurbished solar panels cost 50%-70% less than new solar panels. Products are more expensive than used solar panels because they have been restored to an acceptable condition or standard.
Used: Expect to pay $0.10 to $0.60 per watt for used solar panels. The price range for used solar panels is wide as the condition of the products varies. Used solar modules are usually a mixture of "as new" used modules and heavily used modules. Before committing, it's important to understand exactly what type of used solar panel you're looking to buy.
Warranty
Refurbished: Some refurbished solar panels come with a refurbished warranty. These warranties have a shorter warranty period than new solar panels. The warranty period for refurbished solar panels ranges from 3 months to 9 years. Some refurbished panels come with no warranty at all.
Used: In most cases, solar panel warranties are transferrable. Warranty transfer is common when a home with solar panels is sold to a buyer who, by purchasing the home, also purchased a solar power system. However, used solar panels sold online or through marketplaces usually do not come with a warranty. This is because resellers buy used solar panels directly from people without a warranty.
Know what kind of used solar panels you need for your installation and where you can buy them. What now? It's time to dive into the actual product. There are a few things to consider and observe when buying used solar modules.
Uptime
Refers to the amount of time a roof module has generated solar power before being sold on the market. Shorter service times generally mean fewer worn parts in modules compared to modules exposed to longer service times. In some cases, if the seller is willing to negotiate, they can negotiate a price reduction because of the extremely long service times.
Reason for Sale
The reason for the sale of a solar module typically provides insight into the condition of the product. If the reason for the sale is to upgrade or move to a more powerful panel, the product should still be in good condition. Pay attention to and avoid factors that directly affect the health of your solar panels, such as storms, component damage, and performance issues.
The warranty
Used and overhauled solar modules usually do not come with a manufacturer's warranty. But if the second-hand online ads or listings you're looking at are, you should definitely consider them, as such listings are rare.
Cost
It's natural to be interested in used solar panels if your budget allows it. However, very cheap used solar panels can be lazy. The seller may be trying to hide something. B. Damaged wiring, depleted solar cells, or reduced output power due to panel removal. These highly lucrative ads usually lack clear pictures and detailed descriptions. Avoid this type of used solar panel at all costs.
Installation
It's hard to find a solar installer willing to undertake a project with used solar panels. This is because the quality and long-term performance of used PV modules are questionable. This can be a problem for companies that offer workmanship guarantees for solar power systems. Therefore, most of the local solar generators are very reluctant to put their name behind such projects.
DIY solar installation with used modules has its own risks. accompanies When connecting your system to your local grid, first check to see if a DIY solar system is legal in your area. Even small solar systems must obtain the proper permits and hire a local inspector for compliance. Proper technical knowledge is required to install, troubleshoot, maintain and repair systems over time. Using defective used panels can further complicate the installation as system components may be defective.
Used solar panels are a great addition to your home as long as you know exactly what you are buying. The deal for used solar panels can be very tempting at first, but in the long run, such products can be a headache and you may regret it. When buying used solar panels, Thoroughly research the website you are purchasing from, the seller, and the condition of the used item.
At Waaree you can enquire about used/refurbished solar panels, as buying from a trustable source is of paramount importance when it comes to used panels.
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Waaree Energies Ltd. is the flagship company of Waaree Group, founded in 1989 with headquarters in Mumbai, India. It has India's largest Solar panel manufacturing capacity of 5GWs at its plants in Surat and Umbergaon in Gujarat. Waaree Energies is amongst the top players in India in Solar Panel Manufacturing, EPC Services, Project Development, Rooftop Solutions, and Solar Water Pumps and is also an Independent Power Producer. Waaree has its presence in over 380 locations nationally and 20 countries internationally. Step on to your cleaner journey by contacting us at 18002121321 or mail us at waaree@waaree.com
