Consequently, more and more owners and operators of solar in the United States will decide to go for system repowering over the next five years. This shift will result into a corresponding increase of decommissioned solar materials though not all of the equipments will make their way to the recycling process. Dealers in used solar items are observing that high-quality equipment that is usually presumed to be in the waste stream is actually being retired considerably early than its rated life expectancy, with second-hand modules frequently being recycled after only two years.
Its said that one of the online exchanges has seen a huge interest in these second-hand modules, which are usually transacted in quantities of several megawatts. There are some measures installers can take in order to ensure that the energy producing decommissioned modules they have to sell goes to the secondary market as Solar Industry Watch has observed.
The Repowering Trend
The repowering phenomenon of solar systems is expected to reach its apex in the current decade based in the United States. The Gx movement has been triggered mostly by aging components. Wood Mackenzie estimated that 800GWDC of solar capacity will be repowered between 2021 to 2025 as circuit inverters last approximately 10 years.
Others are in the likeliness of advancement in the technology and the ever-changing solar policies. These new technologies, bifacials, and high MVWC modules, next-generation microinverters, and solar batteries, have a beneficial effect on the repowering process because of the decreasing cost. In addition, renewable portfolio standard (RPS) mandates are pushing faster repowering, about 50 percent of the US renewable energy growth after 2003 attributed to these policies.
In addition to describing repowering processes, the study has also identified that many systems are actually decommissioned before they have reached the alleged lifespan of the system. This can happen as a result of property sales, or demolition of buildings and structures, even full reinacement due to disasters among others. Panels exist that remain disconnected since the deals did not go through in some cases.
There is a rising supply of Second-Hand Modules; Introduction
As the amount of second-hand modules rises, such sources as EnergyBin noted that the proportion of such modules listed for resale is also growing. Another MM is Renee Kuehl, the sale and marketing director of EnergyBin, was happy to testify that many of such modules are sold within a week of posting, pointing to the fact that there is high demand for quality pre-owned items.
Given above facts, it is identified that the following are the few parameters that drive the demand for second hand modules:
The third party market for used PV panels is yet in its infancy. Brokers are gaining wealth from the economical aspects of remarketing retired panels.
As one informant noted, ‘non-shattered panels always have ready market and can be sold to interested persons for reuse,’ according to Jay Granat, the owner of Jay’s Energy Equipment, a solar brokerage firm. He pointed to soaring demand for second-hand panels in 2020 which he said will be prevalent for the rest of the decade.
Factors Driving Demand for Second-Hand Modules
The major international regions that import these second-hand panels are the Middle Eastern countries, the African countries, Latin American and the Caribbean countries, while the leading importer currently is Afghanistan. Being in regions with high amounts of sunlight for power generation, the buyers of these products, including those looking for solar power systems for home use, do not emphasize warranties as much as they do functionalities
Economic Drivers
The increased demand for second-hand modules is influenced by three main economic factors:The increased demand for second-hand modules is influenced by three main economic factors:
- Grid Reliability: People are keen on producing their power in homes and other premises in areas prone to power disruptions, for example through storms.
- Preparedness: Other event such as the COVID-19 have also in one way or the other created awareness for off-grid energy solution.
- Budget Constraints: A large number of consumers are now looking for cheap sources of energy that would help them to minimize their costs.
The majority of used panels are applied to off-grid applications: home power, solar pumping for wells, Wi-Fi islands, and watering. Off-grid is estimated to be at $1 by the World Bank and this is evidently true given the current market trends. 75 billion.
Considerations for Buyers
In the case of second-hand modules, several factors are taken into account by the consumers when purchasing them and these are the age, efficiency, the price and its state. The annual degradation rate of photovoltaic panels is less than one percent; so, panels that are one to nine years old perform efficiently and cost only 50-75 percent lower than new modules.
EnergyBin second-hand modules start between $0. 10/W. Although non-transferable warranties keep some buyers away, the appealing low price is usually enough to entice the buyers.
Quality Assurance
Used panels are sometimes tested for safety and output before being resold with minimal warranties and even money-back guarantees where ascertainable.
Laid Sahraoui of R3 Tech Limited has also seen more vendors being interested in second-hand panels. He recently was able to source a large order of about 25 MW of “like new” panels that were retired because of an insurance issue. These panels were then exported to areas such as Afghanistan that has a high demand for renewable energy.
Employment with Solar Equipment Brokers
The solar installers who are engaged in the degrementing process can rely on the assistance from the experienced brokers in the solar equipment. The brokers know the international customers, are aware of market conditions and can advise on equipment for reselling or recycling.
But Sahraoui puffed, “Any panel that has 10 to 12 years of energy production remaining has re-sale value. ” Brokers make sure that equipment that is no longer required is classified correctly and directed to the right place and brokers also offer cold cash for complete lots of equipment.
Sahraoui and Granat see secondary market as a waste-cutting opportunity for the solar
industry Watch and share the same responsibility of forging an industry with a circular economy.
“Any panel that does not appear to be broken or cracked is useful to somebody, somewhere,” stressed Granat.
Guidelines and suggestions for homeowners with intended equipment for sale
Concerning referrals, Solar Industry Watch suggests that the sellers of used equipment use EnergyBin’s referral service to get in touch with the counterparts who can assist in inspection, testing, and appraisal, as well as logistics and remarketing.
However, for information on can i sell my solar panels, homeowners and businesses may use the energy Bin phone number, email or use the contact form as provided.
This article underlines the issue of second-hand PV market and increases awareness of organisations such as Solar Industry Watch in the sphere of solar industry.
