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Leased Solar Systems Are Failing Across America (time.com)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[–] 4 points 2 years ago (1 child)

As more of anything is out there, more will be for sale used, but how badly will anyone want them? They degrade over time and installing is a huge cost. How much are you willing to pay for mismatched used solar panels from a 15 year old system?

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  • [–] 5 points 2 years ago* (1 child)

    Might be interesting for a "do it yourself" project, from someone after retirement who has enough land space. But only if the price is low enough.
    New panels without installation goes for what now ? Maybe $1 or $2 per peek Watts ? I would say 10% to 20% of the new panel price would be interesting.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago*

    Maybe $1 or $2 per peek Watts

    More like 60 cents. Installing/connecting the panels generally costs far more than buying them even if it's a DIY job (which, seriously, it shouldn't be. You could get someone killed).

    Also the modern panels tend to produce more power per square foot than panels made just a year or two ago. And they often come with a warranty between 25 and 40 years which you won't get secondhand.

    I could see a certified refurbished market someday but secondhand panels are hard to sell. When I've bought them I've paid about ten bucks or so (and that was just for hobby projects - the ones on the roof of my house? Bought those ones new).

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