Little Bit of Green

Assembling the items you need to build your solar energy generator is one of the first things you do when starting a project, after you have read the do-it-yourself guide. So you start putting your shopping list together and find out that solar cells can be costly if you buy them new – no worries, with the right information you can find used solar cells. So keep reading and learn where to find those used solar cells that won’t cause pain in your wallet.

EBay – home to just about anything you could possibly find and that includes homemade power items, so it is the first place you should check. You can use other online auctions, but EBay is the most widely used and as so will most likely have more solar cells than you need. Note that you don’t purchase them individually, they are usually sold in groups (or lots).

When you find the solar cells you want, don’t rush into buying them until you have investigated what you are bidding on. If there are quality pictures on the auction study them for cracks and chips. Read the description thoroughly and check the user’s feedback. If you have any doubts, contact the auctioneer and ask for confirmation. If the cells are cracked or chipped they can be repaired.

A quick word on cracked or chipped solar cells; you should be able to get a very good deal on a lot of them. You will have to take the time to fix them but in the end the savings are worth it. Just make sure you know what you are paying for, the devil’s in the details as they say.

Now it’s time to visit your local solar energy installer. Ask around and find out who most of your community uses. Particularly if you noticed someone getting new ones installed. Go to the installer and ask him how he disposes of the used solar panels. Ask if you can have them. They will probably give them to you to keep from hauling them off. You can salvage the used solar cells and repair those that need it – you might get lucky and salvage some panels.

The installer might not have any at the time you call or visit, but leave your name and number and ask them to call you. Check back on occasion so they don’t forget you.

Finding your used solar cells should be paying off at this point. But keep going there’s another place to investigate. Your local county highway department’s maintenance department.

Go in person, you’ll get much more accomplished. Ask what they do with damaged road warning signs, the ones that are solar powered. Ask if you can have them to recycle the parts. Once again, you are going to salvage the solar cells from the damaged equipment. Check with them often if they don’t have any at the time.

Lastly, research retailers of solar cells and get some contact information. Explain that you are looking for damage or used solar cells. Offer to buy any that they have had to take back due to cracks or bad packing causing damage. They will probably be happy to give them to you for nothing more than shipping costs.

Taking the time to make repairs to cracked and used solar cells and doing some legwork to find those solar cells can add up to substantial savings for your solar energy generator project. Keep your eyes open for that steal of a deal and happy hunting.

I have actually built my very first solar power system using the excellent Earth 4 Energy renewable energy guides and videos. I recommend you checkout this independent Earth4Energy review for further details.

Further resources on Solar Power Systems can be found here: Solar Energy Systems.

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