Cheap Solar Panels: Buy Used or Build Your Own - By: Brent Crouch

Many do-it-yourself homeowners are interested in trying out solar power to learn about the technology and perhaps to provide energy for limited-use applications. There are a variety of ways to find cheap solar panels, including buying used and building your own with factory seconds. Both methods will save money while forcing you to learn the ins-and-outs of a solar power array.

We've all seen solar-powered street signs or photovoltaic panels being used for various purposes at remote locations. When those units become cracked or chipped and are considered "unsafe," companies are compelled to replace them, generally to avoid liability issues. Because it's difficult to dispose of PV panels, many companies, if approached, are willing to give them away or to sell them for modest prices.

Depending on the degree of damage present, expect to see performance degradation in the range of 10% to 60%. If you find a lightly used 22-watt panel and subtract 10% for chips or a crack, you're still looking at a productive capacity of roughly 19 watts. A multimeter can be used to test the panel for amp and wattage capacity before buying. If the panel's free, take it anyway. It could still be useful in a home solar project.

A solar panel is really nothing but a box serving as a container for an array of solar cells. Factory second solar cells are routinely sold on eBay at a fraction of their regular cost. The cells come in a variety of sizes. You will need to figure out how much power a single cell produces to determine how many will need to be wired together to form an array. A 3 x 6 cell will produce roughly .5 volt, so 36 would be needed to generate 18 volts of power.

A simple search of the Internet will reveal numerous sites detailing home solar panel projects. Do-it-yourself enthusiasts are generally quite generous in supply photographs of their work and narrative of what went wrong and right with the project.

Acquiring cheap solar panels with slight imperfections, either used or through sales of factory seconds, is a perfect solution for home-built renewable energy projects. The high number of solar enthusiasts online provide a wealth of useful information. Only limited carpentry and soldering skills are required, plus an understanding of the rudimentary wiring involved. All are well within the talents of almost any home handyman. Beyond the satisfaction of having completed the project, you'll come away with a functional solar panel that, when connected to a deep discharge battery, will be a source of power for use around the house or at remote locations.

About the Author

How To Save Electricity
Lower your electric bill and save the planet at the same time. Residential solar energy systems continue to fall in price and become more available to the average homeowner.

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