Thoughts on used panels?

[NothingInCommon]

https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/eld/d/winter-park-solar-panels-for-sale-1200/6839287325.html

$120 for 350W Sunpower panels???

Is it worth the risk?

[John_Dumke]

That sounds like a great deal. My biggest concern would be that it is a scam. If you could pick them up in person or verify the validity of the seller somehow, I would consider going for it. There are probably escrow accounts that funds could be placed in, and then released when product is received.

I punched the number into my reverse phone look up system and got no information. While this isn't an indication of a fraudulent seller, if the seller had a business associated with the phone number then the number should show up.

[NothingInCommon]

That sounds like a great deal. My biggest concern would be that it is a scam. If you could pick them up in person or verify the validity of the seller somehow, I would consider going for it. There are probably escrow accounts that funds could be placed in, and then released when product is received.

I punched the number into my reverse phone look up system and got no information. While this isn't an indication of a fraudulent seller, if the seller had a business associated with the phone number then the number should show up.

I am in South Florida so I could check them out.

[John_Dumke]

Somebody here can probably tell you how to quickly tell if they work. Maybe a volt meter across the to terminals might work. Then I would probably go for it. My guess is panels like this would probably sell for new about $220. Maybe ask how he acquired them? Just to see that everything makes sense.

[Mike90250]

To test panels, you need good clear sun, and a volt/amp meter
First test is simple voltage, does the panel produce the voltage listed as Voc on it's sticker ?
2nd test is a bit tougher, you need to configure your meter for DC amps, AND aim the panel well at the sun,
connect the leads and you should get at least 80% of the Isc rating on sticker. Test for 5 min, let the panel get really heated up.

The common shipping scam is a bent or cracked panel - gee it was fine when I shipped it, sorry.

And there is a sun electric place in Fl, that has industrial quantities of new and surplus used panels, and they know how to ship safely, but shipping is not cheap

[J.P.M.]

Something doesn't look right. $120/panel ? Which ones, the 210 W or the 350's ? I don't think the 210 W Sunpower panel has been made for some time. That's an oldy and been around 12+ yrs. First 210 W S.P. panel I saw was in 2006. The 350's may be commercial. Nothing wrong w/either as far as it goes, but just so you know, they're most likely used and at least the 210's are kinda long in the tooth.

Also, looks like it's an all/nothing deal on quantity or at least implied as such and it reads to me like the seller isn't in a mood to negotiate about much of anything.

I appreciate the seller says the panels are in So. FL, but FWIW, there's not much around the shown site east of Orlando besides food joints, auto/cycle places, and junk yards or surplus vehicle inventory lots on the other side of the road.

Caveat Emptor.

[NothingInCommon]

To test panels, you need good clear sun, and a volt/amp meter
First test is simple voltage, does the panel produce the voltage listed as Voc on it's sticker ?
2nd test is a bit tougher, you need to configure your meter for DC amps, AND aim the panel well at the sun,
connect the leads and you should get at least 80% of the Isc rating on sticker. Test for 5 min, let the panel get really heated up.

The common shipping scam is a bent or cracked panel - gee it was fine when I shipped it, sorry.

And there is a sun electric place in Fl, that has industrial quantities of new and surplus used panels, and they know how to ship safely, but shipping is not cheap

So If I can test a random sample of panels and they all have the sunpower label + the meter reads right on everything i test .. should I buy them? I want anything over 12kw I was thinking about getting 40 (seller willing) .. comes out to $4800 or about half the price I was going to pay for new 345w Canadian solar panels. 50% off seems like a decent deal, however their life span might be many years shorter. ..trade offs

[littleharbor]

Sunpower brown cells (2).jpg Make sure they don't have a bunch of browned cells. If the cells are all black and you are getting good Voc. and Isc. I'd say you found a deal.

[NothingInCommon]

Sunpower brown cells (2).jpg Make sure they don't have a bunch of browned cells. If the cells are all black and you are getting good Voc. and Isc. I'd say you found a deal.

Man, now that you mention it they look a little brown in the pics in Craigslist. Maybe it's inevitable that they'll all get that way eventually?

[littleharbor]

Man, now that you mention it they look a little brown in the pics in Craigslist. Maybe it's inevitable that they'll all get that way eventually?

It may be ok if they are all consistently browned but I cant say for sure. I've read some articles online about this phenomenon But don't recall whether they are known to all brown. From the pics Ive seen of problem panels there is obviously something going on beyond simple aging.

Sunpower brown cells 2 (2).jpg

[bcroe]

I would not trust panels using older technology, with heavy frames and questionable cell sealing. Any
flaw in sealing is reason to reject. Bruce Roe

[motorcyclemikie]

You know, the price $.35 is good, you need to find out if they have transferable warranty, all mfr. labels are on them (necessary for grid tie), and ask what grade they are?

Those pictures certainly don't look like used panels, in fact I believe I have seen at least one of those pictures before. With Craigslist you have no buyers recourse like you do with eBay, so a mild warning is in order.

The good news about used panels is that they have already been through the largest killer of PV modules (infant mortality), the bad news is they may all be mortal.
You can find deals like that on eBay where do you have a little bit more control over the way it's purchased.

I don't like the fact that there are no close up pictures of the labels and no mention of what panel model number they are

[Ampster]

I recently bought used Sunpower panels from a seller on Craigslisr. The panels had reportedly come off a roof of an industrial building that was sold and needed a new roof. The seller was 60 miles away and also had a website and was selling the same panels on Ebay for more. At the time I only had tested them for voltage which is not as time consuming and works in less than full sun. As mentioned above to get a real sense for capacity you also need to measure Amperage in full sun. Based on my experience with this vendor I would buy more from him but caveat emptor always applies.

Also, I dont think it was mentioned, you cannot take the Federal Tax Credit on used panels.