Solar panels are a great idea, but, are second hand solar panels ever a great idea? What are the pros and cons? Let's explore.
Installing solar panels is a big investment for most homeowners - and if it’s not for you, please contact us directly. We have some other expensive stuff we’d love to sell you.
While it can be a great investment and lead to a reduction in electricity bills in the long term, it still involves a costly upfront installation.
In fact, the average 350-watt solar panel costs between £150 to £300 alone.
The total supply costs of installing the average size 3.5 kW solar panel array (10 x 350-watt panels) will cost between £5,000 and £10,000 on average.
So, with such high costs involved, you may have considered going cheap with second-hand or used solar panels (don’t worry, your secret is safe with us).
But how much can you actually save? And what are some of the other pitfalls you need to be aware of?
And ultimately, are they worth it?
Let's explore…
PS We offer MCS-certified solar panel installation nationwide. Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and arrange your free design.
Used Solar Panels Key Points:
Second-hand solar panels may be cheaper than brand-new panels.
And while, like Macklemore, we also love green gator shoes and a leopard mink, second-hand isn’t always awesome- especially when it comes to solar panels.
However, second-hand panels are a risky investment – warranty, efficiency, potential faults and refund policies must be considered.
Additionally, an MCS-accredited installer can not certify a second-hand solar panel installation, which is essential to receive payments via the Smart Export Guarantee, as well as certain funding and insurance coverage.
What are second-hand Solar Panels?
...they're what they say on the tin.
Put simply, second-hand solar panels are those that have already been purchased and used previously.
Of course, solar panels will naturally lose their value over time, thus if resold after several years of use, they’ll be available for a significantly cheaper price than brand-new panels...kind of like those beanie babies your nan picked up for you 25 years ago.
But how much would they cost exactly?
On average, a used solar panel is likely to cost somewhere in the region of £50 to £150 (or approximately just 10% to 37.5% of the cost of a brand-new panel).
With that being said, are second-hand solar panels worth it? And what are the pros and cons you need to be aware of?
Still, learning about solar? Check out our guides on how many solar panels you need and how solar car charging works.
Here we explore the major pros and cons of buying and using old second-hand solar panels:
Pros and cons of second-hand solar panels
Cost is the main advantage of buying used solar panels, however, there are a few other benefits worth exploring, like finding out who your true friends are when you need help transporting them.
On the other hand, various downsides must be taken into account too.
And, either way, you should think carefully before deciding whether solar panels are right for you and ensure you consider the quality of any given panels in depth before making a purchase. Second-hand solar panels are like that rescue dog you just had to have… No returns.
Explore a Solar Case Study: Check out an insightful Q&A session featured in one of our detailed case studies on domestic solar panels. Hear directly from a Heatable customer in the UK and gain valuable perspectives on their experience here.
The image above shows a 23-panel solar installation, carried out by the MCS-certified solar team at Heatable, featuring the REA Fusion2 solar panels.
Pros of Second-Hand Solar Panels
Used Solar Panels Are Cheaper?
The fact that used solar panels are usually somewhere in the region of 2.5x to 10x cheaper than new solar panels is a major upside.
How cheap they’ll be would mostly depend on their quality, but with some good research and shopping around, you may find panels offered with even better value for money than you’d expect.
This could happen simply because the seller decides to slap a surprisingly low price on semi-decent panels, perhaps because they just want to get rid of them ASAP and make some quick cash to pay their bookie.
Faster ROI?
With a reduced upfront cost, used solar panels can offer a quicker return on investment or ROI, unlike those years of college tuition you paid for your son before he decided to become a social media influencer instead.
In fact, rather than waiting years for solar panels to pay for themselves (by lowering or eliminating electricity bills), used solar panels may be able to drastically reduce the break-even point.
Cons of Second-Hand Solar Panels
Installation costs will still be high
While the supply costs of second-hand solar panels are significantly lower than those of brand-new panels, the same doesn’t apply to labour costs.
Depending on how many panels you need to be installed, among other factors (e.g., where in the UK you are located), you’d likely spend somewhere in the region of £2,000 to £3,000 in labour costs to have a solar array installed (including scaffolding).
You can't mix & match solar panels
If you are looking to mix and match different solar panels – in terms of models and types, the bad news is that you won't be able to mix and match if you are using a standard string inverter, i.e. they will need to be of the same power output and voltage.
This isn't the case if you are using microinverters e.g. each panel will have its own inverter to convert DC to AC, so you can mix and match different panels in this case. However this is an added expense, but an important factor to be aware of.
Potentially more maintenance
Naturally, used solar panels will be worn down to some degree or another.
While solar panels tend to last decades before they have significantly lower efficiency and output levels than they did originally, used panels will likely be more prone to faults. It’s like buying a used car: It may look shiny from the outside, but little did you know that under the hood it’s guzzling oil faster than you can down a pint at the corner pub on a Friday night.
All in all, this may mean more maintenance. What’s more, you’ll probably need to replace these panels sooner than you would if go with brand-new panels.
Less efficiency and output
As touched on, second-hand solar panels may be less efficient and have a lower power output than they once did, which we can all probably relate to on a personal level.
However, if they are just a few years old and have no damage, it is possible that they’ll be nearly as good as new.
It simply depends on the panels in question and how well their previous owner maintained them.
Should I buy second-hand solar panels?
Buying solar panels second-hand is riskier than purchasing them first-hand or brand-new.
After all, you may not know exactly how worn down they are nor precisely how efficient they are.
What’s more, you also need to trust that the seller is being honest. To put it simply, you don’t know what kind of baggage they’re coming into this with.
Ultimately, buying solar panels second-hand comes with a unique list of advantages and disadvantages.
So, when deciding whether to buy solar panels second-hand, brand new, or not at all, it's best to carefully weigh everything up before you swipe right.
If you decide to buy second-hand, you should shop around and take your time evaluating different products and sellers before making a decision. After all, according to statistics, your relationship with your solar panels might exceed that of your spouse.
We’d argue that, if you are on a budget, buying second-hand solar panels is worth it. That is so long as you find decent products. If you buy poorly maintained panels, it could turn into a waste of money.
But ultimately, there are many used solar panels on the market which will likely offer a solid two decades of use and generally all for a fraction of the price of brand-new panels.
When looking to have second-hand panels installed, you should consult with a professional before they arrive for the installation.
After all, they’d need to evaluate how the solar panels you’ve purchased will work as part of a solar system.
Moreover, if in any doubt as to whether a used solar panel (or several) would suit your property, to begin with, you should ask a professional for their advice before spending your hard-earned money on panels that could prove unsuitable.
We have also reviewed the best solar panels and covered how long solar panels last in the UK.
Second-hand solar panels: warning signs
When buying used solar panels there are a few things to watch out for, including the following:
Loose wires/cables
Used solar panels may come with loose wires and cables. These solar panels are what we like to call “one fry short of a Happy Meal”. They are not okay.
Make sure to watch out for any signs of degradation like this, whether before purchasing or after.
If you spot them after purchasing, at least you’ll know that these must be repaired by the tradesperson you hire before they fit the panel(s) in place.
How does the warranty apply?
In most cases, the solar panels’ warranty will be nullified if they change hands. However, that’s not always true.
For that reason, you should look into the brand in question before purchasing to see whether or not their warranty covers solar panels when sold from one user to another.
Check for damage
You should evaluate solar panels for any general signs of damage. If you think the solar panels you’re about to purchase might ‘have a loose screw’, we suggest you not make any sudden moves, and back away slowly.
Again, if you only discover this after purchasing, make the installer aware in advance, so you can arrange to have them repaired before installation.
Where can you buy second-hand solar panels?
There are two primary solutions to buying used solar panels.
You could go with a solar panel retailer or use a buy & sell website such as eBay.
While you should proceed with caution, either way, you’d want to be especially careful if buying through a buy & sell website.
Here are some marketplaces where you might find used solar panels:
eBay
Gumtree
Facebook Marketplace
Preloved
Of course, with websites like eBay, you can filter your search results such that you can look for panels on sale in your local area and pricing. That way you don’t inadvertently buy your solar panels from a small island off the coast of Greece and then wonder why the shipping takes 6 months.
Beyond that, you could try contacting the seller for further details on the panel(s) they’re selling.
Still learning about solar panels? Explore our helpful guides on various topics, including solar panel grants, payback periods, the mechanics of solar energy, determining the number of panels you need, and solar car charging solutions.
Next Steps For Your Solar Journey:
When planning to install solar panels for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section, check out our YouTube channel for informative videos, or read a customer case study to see how others have benefited from their solar installation.
Get a Quote for Solar Today
Without boasting you should get your solar installed with us, here's why:
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Save Your Quote: You can save your quote and decide later.
Bespoke Design Tool: Draw your own conclusion (literally) on whether solar is worth it for you, here.
