How To: Cheap or Free Solar Panels
Once you’ve secured a source, it’s time to figure out if they’re worth your time and money. Buy or borrow a multimeter that can measure amps and watts. This will tell you if the solar panel can produce electricity in the sun, or if it’s beyond repair. It should have (+) and (-) contact points, like a big battery, on the sides. Set it in the sun and hook up the multimeter to see if it makes a charge. Even the oldest, brownest, most poorly solar panels can still generate energy. No one knows how long solar panels last and they have no moving parts. That means they’re also relatively easy to repair, if you’re the DIY type.
If you’re not up for that much time and effort, just take the most-intact solar panels and pat yourself on the back for finding a great deal. Even if you paid for them, you’ve just saved hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Well done!
Of course, if this sounds particularly onerous, you can always check out the group buying option. It’s easy to get a large discount on solar panels when you get enough people together. Learn more about the ‘bargaining power of the collective‘ from 1BOG’s video:
-1 Block Off the Grid’s solar group discount buying program.
So now what? You can lean them against your house if you want, but you might want to put them on the roof. You can to hire someone else to do it, but just in case here are a few DIY links:
- http://www.energyefficienthomearticles.com/Article/Considering-To-Install-a-Do-It-Yourself-Solar-Power-System—Saving-Resources–Saving-Money/5770
- http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/he_diagnostics/article/0,,DIY_13893_2277457,00.html
- http://www.solarexpert.com/instroof5.html
- http://www.yourgreendream.com/diy_panel_position.php
Used Solar Resources:
- http://www.drillingfab.com/solarpanels
- http://www.wiselivingjournal.com/energy-project-solar-panels-for-free/
- http://www.otherpower.com/otherpower_solar_used.html
(Image courtesy of WiseLivingJournal.com)
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February 7th, 2008 at 12:37 am
DIY: How to find free (or cheap) solar panels…
My cousin mentioned to me that her family wanted to install solar panels on their roof. She said it was a huge disappointment because it was far too expensive. It would take twenty years for them to regain the cost in energy savings, even with state so…
February 7th, 2008 at 1:49 am
As for the batteries you’ll need I have a friend that gets batteries from the power company they periodically replace back up batteries that are just simply scheduled to be replaced as part of routine, but still have lots of life left in them. Maybe talk to your local power company and see if they have any deep cell solar batteries they are getting rid of.
February 7th, 2008 at 2:28 am
Good post. I know I will looking into this more when I build my own house.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:44 am
[...] Continue ->> How to find free (or cheap) solar panels [...]
February 9th, 2008 at 8:09 am
I like how the “author” of this article essentially reworded the same thing from Wise Living Journal from almost 3 weeks ago.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
I wonder why they are giving them away.
They should sell them on eBay or at least contract a reseller company to do so !
February 12th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Natalay:
But if they did that they wouldn’t sell or give them to us!
February 13th, 2008 at 9:00 am
[...] original news source Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]
February 13th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
James:
I used WiseLiving as one resource (and credited them)but drew information from sources that they didn’t link/ include. If you think the “author” could have done more, please let me know how and include your resources.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
[...] in states with incentives to support renewable energy, it’s expensive. His view echoed my cousin’s frustration. Yet despite the initial cost, renewables are still an attractive option. As expensive as it may be [...]
March 28th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
[...] more about this idea at GreenTechnica. Digg [...]
March 31st, 2008 at 1:41 am
[...] where you live and what kinds of panels you buy, “long term” can mean 10-40 years. With cheaper solar panels, obviously you would regain your investment [...]
April 16th, 2008 at 8:21 am
This hopefully will all be a moot point soon as some smart guy from MIT just developed a new solar panel design that will make new panels of 50 watts cost around ten bucks instead of 300. This new material he found performs just about as well as silicone , but is very cheap to make. He claims you could put the chemicals into your ink jet printer and make your own panels by spraying the stuff on to a plastic paper and soldering wires on to a certain pattern. I saw the units on their web site and later in the same month I saw it again on a program on the history channel called green power I think. Anyway, I goggled the stuff and it was true, but a lot of big money was put into a large corporation and I’ll bet it will be years before we see this stuff because of all the damage it could do to our economy. It could cause everyone in the nation with sun to unhook from the grid and buy electric cars and how would all of the power companies make money? I hope you see my point instead of thinking I’m just paranoid. Well, look it up and maybe they actually have the stuff in production by now, as this was four months ago. Good Luck.
dennis
April 16th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Dennis,
It’s true that there are a lot of exciting innovations in solar technology right now. It’s getting cheaper and more efficient every day – with important announcements cropping up almost weekly. As for the economic impacts, electric companies actually save money when demand on their infrastructure decreases to a certain amount. It’s not just that they’re producing less, but they don’t have to produce more. Building new power plants of any shape or size is expensive. If they can keep what they have (without losing *all* of their business of course), they can spend more time earning profits instead of expanding and upgrading an already-stressed system.
May 10th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I think in my country Cape Verde I’m paying too much on electricity bills and I’m looking if I can get a deal with a solar panel? My output is 220 volts so tell me if you have something with total price and I’ll see if we do business.
May 12th, 2008 at 1:38 am
Jose,
I’d love to, but unfortunately I’m not a business. Just a humble blog. However, if you see anyone with solar panels in your country, ask them where they got them and for how much. They might know some way to get a great deal.
Actually, I have a friend in Cape Verde. She’s an English Teacher. Unfortunately, she probably doesn’t know anything about solar panels.
May 13th, 2008 at 1:21 am
I interested to solar energy then you will give some tips.
May 25th, 2008 at 10:41 am
We saw the same twenty year scentance, chained to a heavy repayment !
Guess what the price of power went up and in 4.5 years we are paid for and making a profit!
Do not be discouraged, just look at the pricwe of gas over the last 2 years!!!
Mike
June 11th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Michelle: thank you for the great post! I am in the market for some solar panels and seems that my financial whoes are echoed by many. This gives the opportunity to still pursue solar energy at a cost that is actually feasible for me. And Brent: thank you for the suggestion for batteries! Moving to sustainable energy is a great idea, it’s just so expensive initially, and it’s really exciting for me to hear that I also have all these alternatives to make sustainable living more affordable for the “fresh out of college” too.
Thank you!
July 14th, 2008 at 12:31 am
[...] How About Cheap or Free Solar? [...]
July 14th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I had read an article about this several years ago and did a lot of leg work on it. I found the contractors who rent/lease them in my state and talked with State/local highway departments. After contacting them and working with them for several months, I netted two very damaged panels. One 50 w panel produced < 0.1W and the other produced ~ 2 watts. Why so few panels available? The contractors were very thrifty, the panels are pretty standard, if one is badly damaged, it is replaced with another salvaged off another unit. May be different in other areas, but not much to be had in Massachusetts.
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:28 am
Just lower the prices of solar systems,and tell people about the advantages of solar power.
August 30th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Thank you. I have often wonder about the solar panels along the roads and if they ever had to replace them.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
[...] where you live and what kinds of panels you buy, “long term” can mean 10-40 years. With cheaper solar panels, obviously, you would regain your investment [...]
October 21st, 2008 at 1:16 am
though some options are expensive, there are cheaper routes. I know the system I put in my house was bid at over 9 thousand dollars but with what I was able to do, I brought the cost down considerably!
November 10th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
I don’t think your idea is any better than installing new solar panels.
You must have a certified solar panel reseller company (on your utility company approved vendor list) who could sell your the approved solar panels(on your utility company approved list), for any utility company to qualify you for your rebate.
Refurnbish solar panels would not qualify.
November 15th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Great story, Michelle.
An update, though: Since the bailout bill last month, we finally passed the solar tax credit, which reduces the cost of a solar roof by 33%.
That is the Federal tax credit.
Many states (like CA for instance) also have state reductions and even (here in Northern CA: PG&E) utilities who reduce the amount as well to encourage more people to lower electricity use.
So if you are not a DIYer, check to see what it would cost now, with the investment tax credit in place finally.
December 1st, 2008 at 12:38 am
[...] shipping company – Nippon Yusen KK – is going to be working with Nippon Oil Corp to develop solar panels capable of partially powering their [...]
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:22 am
I’M A THIRD GENERATION ELECTRICIAN/CONTRACTOR [AC ELECT. 50+ YRS.] AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INTRESTED IN NEW TECKNOWLOGY AND ECSPECALLY EFFICANCY. [POWER MANAGEMENT] RECENTLY, ME AND MY BROTHER DID A JOB FOR A COMP. THAT CONVERTS CARS,TRUCKS,EVEN A TRAIN TO L-ION IN MONROVIA,CA.. TODAY WE WIRED AN ARRAY OF APPROX. 72 PANELS ON THE ROOF TO THE INVERTERS,ISOLATION DELTA/WYE TRANS AND TO SOB PANEL. ALSO WIRED WAREHOUSE W/T-5 HO HIGHBAY LITES /1ST TIME AND IMPRESSED. OK NOW THAT IM DONE BABBLING—–IM COMPUTER WEAK, LIKED YOUR SIGHT, AND JUST NOTICED THE TIME. PLEASE SEND ME ANYTHING ON USED PANELS,ARRAYS AND SETUP MONITERING,EDISONKICKS, OTHER TECKS. WHATEVER YOU CAN.THANKS….IM TO OLD TO BE THIS INTERESTED/TO YOUNG NOT TO BE
February 19th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
I payed $49 for the same information at earth4ehergy
to bad I din’t search here ,well I thought i will get more for $49.99
March 11th, 2009 at 11:16 am
I wish I could have solar power or wind power for my home. Not just for my self, but to even give to others. And today jobs are hard to keep and money runs short. Most people cant afford to buy of install green energy.
March 15th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Does anyone know where we can get free solar panels from a company willing to showcase their products in a college/school community?
April 19th, 2009 at 5:25 am
Hey guys, Could you tell me where i can get the free panels, because i have seach all around i could not get it.
June 15th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I think cheap renewable energy should be disseminated climate change vulnerables in the thirdworld such as Bangladesh. We have chronic shortage of electricity among 65% rural farmers. most of them are victim of some kind of disaster based on geographical location. How can you help us in promoting cheap solar energy to eliminte sin of darkness from poor in Bangladesh.
I think a little collaboration to HRD and technical support would be good enough
Thank you for positive response.
Dr. Mahbub Hasan
Head, centre for water and Environment
BUP, Dhaka
Tel: 88028853958
cell:801925157199
July 5th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Thank you for the article it has given me some ideas to try following up. With the space I have for solar panels I don’t care if they put out 10% if they are really cheap!
Cheers and well done Michelle
July 19th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
i need solar panels at very cheap price that can be useful for people living in pakistan where electric power is in shortage send me response through ,mail and help people in hot summer you can send used but repairable ones free of cost as donation contact me at tayyab.urrehman@yahoo.com plz
July 20th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Learn to build a solar water pumps
July 29th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
How about today? Where are the least expensive solar panels?
Why is the solar power industry a fraud? Without government tax credits, the whole thing collapses.
Because it doesn’t make sense to pay $.20 a kilowatt for solar when you can buy $.15 grid power.
I have the technical ability to install solar power, but all I see are government style prices.
August 10th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
I used the plans at http://ambigrid-review.blogspot.com to build my own solar panels and solar water heater for under $80. I am getting enough energy to power half of my 1500+ Square Foot home in Florida!
October 2nd, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Is it worth installing Solar Panels on your Roof? Now you can decide for yourself.
————————————————————————- ———————————————————
Installing solar panels requires a big initial investment. Before you make this investment you should check to see if the money you will save by installing solar panels will pay for this investment. This website “www.MySolar2020.com ” provides you an opportunity to examine how much money you will actually save if you install solar panels.
To calculate your savings, the website considers the area (square feet) you currently have available to install solar panels. It looks at the available sunlight and its intensity in your state each month of the year. Based on this data the website (www.MySolar2020.com) estimates how much energy your solar panels will generate. It compares that with how much energy (kWh) you currently consume. You can find average energy (kWh) usage from your monthly utility bill. This data along with the savings is presented in a simple report on the website.
October 19th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I found the best DIY solar panel plans to be at http://ambigrid-review.blogspot.com
I was able to make my own panels for UNDER $100!
October 21st, 2009 at 2:30 pm
You can build your own solar panels for UNDER $100 and Solar Water Heater for about $7 with the Ambigrid Plans!
December 6th, 2009 at 4:27 am
Its a realy nice idea.
Could u please help me..I am looking for a cheap solar pump.
December 18th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Nothing wrong with the idea of using used panels, per se, but…. there are some tradeoffs.
- a random assortment of panels will not match well when hooked to a common inverter. You may need to buy several inverters or use micro-inverter technology.
- if you really can find cheap or free panels, great, but most markets are efficient most of the time. I’d bet that a used panel that runs at only 80% of rated power is going to sell at 70% or so of new price; at least once the secondary market begins to develop.
- Electricity is the most fungible commodity in the world; one kWH is pretty much identical to the next. Thus, panel prices tend to move to the point where the price of one panel, installled and making juice, nets the same cost per kWH as some other panel.
On the other hand, especially for a smaller installation, it could work very well.
AS for batteries, a used battery is no bargain. Batteries have well-known, and fairly rapid, wearout cycles. A corporation that is selling used backup batteries at a low price has probably done the calculation and knows that there isn’t much life left in the battery, either in terms of remaining amp-hours or remaining charge-discharge cycles.
Okay, I’ll stop being a wet blanket now.
George
December 21st, 2009 at 10:24 pm
my parents have solar panels and they dont know how to hook them up is their any info that i could send them that whould help them.
December 22nd, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I would also second what George says, I would rather deal with new parts that I know will work well to spec with no surprises.
I see lots of spam here already, like Ambigrid seems to be another “buy this book for secret info”, and the blogs that pump it are obvious shills. There are plenty of these “energy4free” books, stay away from them.
Anyway that said, you can buy the raw PV cells on Ebay for about $1/W. They usually come in 3″x6″ tiles about $2 each sometimes with minor cracks. The specs are 1.7W at 0.5V*3.5A. You solder 36 in series for an 18V stack. There is an Aluminum frame for about $35 to hold 36 of these. You buy tempered glass sheets locally, place in the frame and lay the PV cells over the glass, solder up the connections, and seal the whole thing with silicone?. A regular DIY might take a couple of hours per panel, more panels go faster.
After that you have a 60W panel for about $110. There are videos too on youtube. These panels can then be used to charge up a deep cycle battery pack and that will add more $ for the batteries, charger, inverter, wiring. The battery power though will only give about 40W per panel. You have to figure in your own time value, but you keep the savings.
I would do it myself except my house is a bad candidate, too little sun in the winter and I don’t fancy climbing up on the roof yet. If I had a better located roof or clear garden, I would put 25 of these panels up and wire it with the rest of the system for about $2500 for a 1KW system. I would use it to go half off grid, put all the electronics on separate solar AC outlets and leave the rest of the house on the grid. Start with 1 panel to get some experience and measure the results before going further.
To actually do a grid tie system means ruling out a DIY home build, I don’t think any utility would deal with that. That means looking at quotes that price like a luxury car installed by pros with a long payback time.
If you are going to pay contractors to build a solar system, you would get quicker payback to do solar thermal water heating. Also better payback by replacing energy guzzlers with lower power models.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:50 am
You can save a lot more money immediately through conservation and RECLAMATION, (extracting waste heat from furnaces, fireplaces, waste hot water and basically anything that uses a fuel to make heat. 20% of the heat you produce can be recovered with some innovative devices I found at greenhousecoalition.com and some other related sites. Some need custom fabrication, but make hot water like you know what. I have some links and more info and I can be reached at tmay dot greenhouse at roadrunner dot com One simple device installed on my shower reduced my electric bill by 20%. Another one reclaimed hot water from my washers, dish and laundry, increasing that enough to warrant investigation of meter tampering by the electric company. Im also working on a hydrogen powered generator which may eliminate it all. Wind power makes more juice anyway if you get up high enough, there’s always a breeze. Good luck and God bless.
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:15 pm
You can even earn a return on that investment – A friend recently told me that if you generate more power than you use, the utility company is required to pay you back for the energy you generate at cost (not market price).
There’s more info on the subject here:
http://www.solarpanelnexus.com/installsolarpanel/powercompany.php
February 18th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Great post. Thanks!
February 21st, 2010 at 1:15 pm
One of the healthiest options out there are green tea smoothies,it’s like my coffee in the morning now! p.s. great post