How to Get Free Used Solar Panels
The cost of new solar panels can be prohibitive for many people who are looking to go green. Finding a way to get free or even cheap used solar panels can be a great way to do it on a small or nonexistent budget. All it takes is some ingenuity and perhaps some work on your part, but in the end, you will be able to start living the green life that you always wanted. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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How to Get Free or Cheap Used Solar Panels
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Contact your local renewable energy retailers/installers.
One of the best ways to get free or cheap used solar panels is to contact your local renewable energy retailers and installers. Many companies and individuals use solar panels, and they have to purchase them from a retailer and have an installer put them in. These people are your best resource, because their customers will eventually need to replace their solar panels due to normal wear and tear or a desire to upgrade. Offer to do the work of removing the panels yourself, which may lower the price even more.
Sometimes, retailers also get damaged or imperfect solar panels, and if you have built up a relationship with these people, they may offer them to you at a fraction of the cost because they can't sell them as new.
Keep in mind that most used or damaged solar panels still have plenty of life in them even if they look less than attractive.
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Advertise, advertise, advertise.
A second way to find free or cheap used solar panels is to advertise in renewable energy publications such as Mother Earth News, Backwoods Magazine or similar publications. Other options may include freecycle or online forums that cater to the green crowd.
It is better not to ask for free used solar panels, but offer to pay a reduced price for used ones or again, offer to barter for the solar panels. For instance, if you have construction skills, offer to help build a greenhouse in exchange for the used solar panels. One of the best things about people who want to live green is that many of them love the barter system!
The use of social media sites such as Facebook, Craigslist and Twitter are also a good way to advertise for free used solar panels.
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Look at what eBay has to offer.
A third option to think about is eBay. Keep in mind that you will not find free used solar panels listed to bid on. But you can find used ones at cheap prices, and new ones at reasonable prices. Some people find that buying a panel here and a panel there doesn't make for a perfect looking house, but it can get them to their goal of being more self-sufficient.
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Talk to the highway department in your state.
The highway departments use small solar panels for emergency phones and sign lighting. They also have to replace their solar panels when they are damaged or old. You can talk to them and see if you can purchase these solar panels that are taken out of use for a low price or even get them for free.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are determined to find free or cheap used solar panels, you need to get creative and be persistent.
If you want to be able to use the government incentives to purchase solar panels, it only applies to new purchases, not used solar panels.
Used solar panels can be cracked, have broken panels, browning and normal wear and tear, which can be dangerous as they are not completely intact. However, these used solar panels will still help reduce your energy costs, even if they are not as efficient as they once were. Use due diligence to make sure that your used solar panels are installed and maintained to keep them as safe as possible.
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- Photo Credit Solar energy image by lefebvre_jonathan from Fotolia.com
