Everything Solar Forum

Hi Luther,

My doctoral research is on reuse of solar PV systems for social and ecological benefit and I run a nonprofit program called Equitable Solar Solutions(TM) https://www.linkedin.com/company/equitable-solar-solutions/

The short answer is that, yes some solar PV modules, inverters and rails can be reused but not all of them. There are differences in quality/reliability between manufacturers and even within various models/technologies within a single manufacturer. There are also differences based on the environment where solar arrays have been installed and how they were installed. Screening and characterization of reuse PV equipment is critical to ensure that only the good stuff that will last an additional 20 years gets repurposed onto rooftops. Functional equipment that does not met the highest standards might still be repurposed for a few years in agricultural and other environments where damage of the equipment is best targeted at used equipment than something brand new. 

Equipment that can't/shouldn't be reused should be send to electronic recycling (inverters) or PV recycling (will likely charge you a fee per panel for true recyclers vs conventional companies that may strip the aluminum frame and copper cables and send the rest to landfills).

Regards,
Rich


------------------------------
Rich Stromberg
ESS Program Director
Equitable Solar Solutions(TM)
ess@coldharbourinstitute.org / restromberg@alaska.edu
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 7/22/2022 12:47:00 PM
From: Rich Stromberg
Subject: RE: Do solar panels ever actually, really die?

Hi Luther,

My doctoral research is on reuse of solar PV systems for social and ecological benefit and I run a nonprofit program called Equitable Solar Solutions(TM) https://www.linkedin.com/company/equitable-solar-solutions/

The short answer is that, yes some solar PV modules, inverters and rails can be reused but not all of them. There are differences in quality/reliability between manufacturers and even within various models/technologies within a single manufacturer. There are also differences based on the environment where solar arrays have been installed and how they were installed. Screening and characterization of reuse PV equipment is critical to ensure that only the good stuff that will last an additional 20 years gets repurposed onto rooftops. Functional equipment that does not met the highest standards might still be repurposed for a few years in agricultural and other environments where damage of the equipment is best targeted at used equipment than something brand new. 

Equipment that can't/shouldn't be reused should be send to electronic recycling (inverters) or PV recycling (will likely charge you a fee per panel for true recyclers vs conventional companies that may strip the aluminum frame and copper cables and send the rest to landfills).

Regards,
Rich


------------------------------
Rich Stromberg
ESS Program Director
Equitable Solar Solutions(TM)
ess@coldharbourinstitute.org / restromberg@alaska.edu
------------------------------

There are a small percentage of PV panels (modules) that die, mostly due to the fact that the resin
that seals the glass over the solar material has microscopic holes which allow moisture to penetrate
inside the PV module itself and shorts-out connections.  This happens less and less frequently as
our PV manufacturing quality has improved as a global industry.

I have Solarex polycrystalline modules installed on my house in 1985, and they have lost 11% of their
output,, so still going strong. - Scott

Scott Sklar, President, The Stella Group, Ltd.

Arlington, VA 22201, E-mail:   solarsklar@aol.com

The Stella Group, Ltd.. is a global strategic technology optimization owner's rep firm for 

clean energy users and companies, with a focus on system standardization, 

modularity and web-enabled diagnostics.  Scott Sklar is an Adjunct Professor at 

The George Washington University teaching three unique interdisciplinary 

sustainable energy courses,



------------------------------
Scott Sklar
President & Adj Professor
The Stella Group, Ltd, GWU EEMI
Arlington, VA
solarsklar@aol.com
------------------------------

You can have catastrophic failure of any solar system part, including the panels. Gradual degradation of the pv panel itself in theory may curve out for over a century, eventually ending in point failure. For a person putting up a new array where labor is the big cost, I think the barrier is that a new install wants the biggest bang for their money. Highest power per area. On my house when I get my roof expansion done, I will be adding my old pv array panels (255 watt'ers) on to it. But I already paid for them and all the labor cost is me. Just the racking cost and a new inverter.

------------------------------
william fitch
Owner
www.WeAreSolar.com
fcfcfc@ptd.net
------------------------------