| One of the biggest misconceptions about the "green | | | | money back. Either way, again, more money you save. |
| power" movement is that the whole process of | | | | And if you think you're going to buy a lemon just |
| converting over to an alternative energy source has to | | | | because it's used, realize this: dealers need to make |
| be expensive. Massively expensive. Since it's still such | | | | sure that technology of this kind works like it should, |
| a "new" technology, and so advanced, at least | | | | because returns are bad for business. It's not like |
| according to some, then it's only accessible to the | | | | returning a toy to Wal-mart, this is an investment for a |
| people with vast amounts of money. | | | | dealer. |
| Nothing can be farther from the truth. When converting | | | | Also, used solar panels will generally be bigger than |
| a home to solar power, whether it's full "off the grid" | | | | modern ones, since the solar panels of yesteryear |
| power, or supplementing the energy you get from the | | | | were build much bigger than they are now. However, if |
| electric company to reduce costs, cheap solar panels | | | | you have the real estate on your roof or in your back |
| are out there and waiting for you to invest in them. | | | | yard, then going the used route can be a good bet. |
| Manufacturer's Overstock | | | | More than likely, the previous owners took care of the |
| The first thing you need to throw away is the idea that | | | | solar panels so they could get as much quality power |
| "cheap" is the same as low quality. On the contrary, | | | | out of them as they could. Taking care of something |
| there are various reasons that a company might be | | | | makes for better quality. |
| able to sell quality solar panels at a lesser cost. They | | | | Thin Film Panels |
| might have a special deal with the manufacturer that | | | | In the future, thin film solar panels will drive the prices |
| allows them to pay a lower price, so they pass the | | | | down even farther. These are panels that are made |
| savings on to you. They might be overstocked so they | | | | much like a newspaper. A sheet of steel or plastic is |
| want to clear out excess inventory. They might have | | | | sprayed with silicon or other such material. This |
| a shipment of newer and more advanced panels | | | | material can replace a steel roof or shingles, and some |
| coming in, so they want to clear old the older stock to | | | | varieties can even be overlaid on a window without |
| make room. Any way you slice it, it means saving you | | | | any loss of visibility. As technology advances and gets |
| money. | | | | better, it becomes smaller, and solar panels are |
| Used Solar Panels | | | | following that trend. You can expect prices to go |
| Another way of finding cheap solar panels is scour the | | | | down further in the next decade. |
| internet and your local phone book for used panels. | | | | With a little checking around, you can begin the |
| People upgrade technology all the time, and solar | | | | process of converting your home into a solar paradise |
| panels are no different. They might trade them in as | | | | for less than you think by installing cheap solar panels, |
| part of a deal in getting their new ones, or they could | | | | and your wallet will thank you for it. |
| sell the old ones once they upgrade just to get some | | | | |