I've been involved with re-purposing modules a few times; back at the
turn of the century, the idea of selling modules for $1/ watt even used,
was exciting. Now a days with some cheap brands going for 50 cents/
watt new, its getting harder to make it work. Labor, transportation, and
storage costs quickly eat up the value.
I'm not sure what the answer is moving forward, but it costs money even
to haul them to the dump which is a horrifying thought too. Maybe we
could offer a "pick your own modules" day, and let folks come and haul
off modules for their own use: no charge, no warranty, sign this
liability waiver.
This is something I think about often, because in places like Haiti,
they would love to have our old equipment. Once again though, shipping,
import duties, and getting the BOS equipment can make it easier to just
bring in new equipment. I don't have answers, but its definitely
something we need to be thinking about as an industry. The better
quality modules ( like Sunpower) might make usable power for another 50
years.
R. Ray Walters
Chief Technical Officer, RemoteSolar.com
BS Mech Engineering, 1988
Former NABCEP Certified, 2004-2016
Licensed Master ELectrician, Colorado
303 505-8760
On 4/19/17 10:00 PM, Dan Fink wrote:
I believe PV module recycling is on the Solar ABCs latest "gap" report
-- their wishlist of stuff that needs to be addressed.
Dan Fink
Professor of Solar Energy Technology, the Ecotech Institute, Aurora,
Colorado
Executive Director, Buckville Energy Consulting LLC
NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers
IREC Certified Instructor for:
- PV Installation Professional
- Small Wind Installer
970.672.4342
On Apr 19, 2017 7:21 PM, "Sindelar Solar" <al...@sindelarsolar.com
<mailto:al...@sindelarsolar.com>> wrote:
This is from August 2015:
Hello Wrenchers,
Our solar non-profit is accepting donations of modules in
exchange for a tax deduction off of your taxes. If you have
clients wanting to replace old modules, customers wishing to
abandon their PV array (for some odd reason), have encountered
modules with broken glass or bent frames, we can take them off
your hands and give you a tax credit in the amount of the
module's retained worth; as determined by you/ the donor. As
long as the modules are still producing power, we can find
appropriate projects that can utilize them despite their
unsavory appearance. Currently we have projects in Rwanda,
Ecuador, India, and here in the USA. We donate materials and
labor to communities, schools, medical facilities, and tribal
nations. Help us help those in need. Don't throw it away,
recycle it!
Eric Stikes
Founding Director
Good Sun Solar, A CA non-profit corp.
www.goodsun.life <http://www.goodsun.life>
(530)798-3738 <tel:%28530%29%20798-3738>
And Pvrecycling.com appears to now be a dead link.
Allan
--
*Allan Sindelar*
al...@sindelarsolar.com <mailto:al...@sindelarsolar.com>
NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Founder (Retired), Positive Energy, Inc.
*505 780-2738 <tel:%28505%29%20780-2738> cell*
On 4/18/2017 11:52 AM, Stephen K wrote:
Dan,
Just in case, two other possible options for recycling modules
(not sure if these folks are still in business or not)...
*Imagine Solar*
Genevieve Cross
gpcr...@aol.com <mailto:gpcr...@aol.com>
510-414-8376 <tel:%28510%29%20414-8376>
-OR-
*Acute Solar Inc*
http://www.webuysilicon.com
We have also taken modules to *Goodwill Electronics Recycling* in
Denver who tell us they dismantle the frames for recycling. Not
sure how verifiable that is or if a Goodwill in PA does something
similar.
Best of luck!
Stephen Kane
Namaste Solar
Boulder, CO
On Mon, Apr 17, 2017 at 4:02 PM, Off Grid Solar
<offgridso...@sti.net <mailto:offgridso...@sti.net>> wrote:
The guy who does buy this kind of gear is John Kimbal at Sun
Electric in
Miami.
https://sunelec.com/
> Greetings Wrenches;
>
> Not the first time I've been asked this question; I can
often find homes
> for smaller installations with various aid groups I've
worked with on
> Indian Reservations, but this one is big, and it's
"everything must go"
> including mods, wiring, racking etc.
>
> It's just over 1mW of Sunpower 327w modules with
microinverters (3200
> modules), the land has sold and the project (it's in PA)
has already met
> its goal RECs.
>
> Anyone know if anyone buys this sort of equipment, or can
it be recycled?
> The demolition company won't store it, so it'll go to the dump.
>
> Dan Fink
> Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute
> IREC Certified Instructorâ„¢ for:
> ~ PV Installation Professional
> ~ Small Wind Installer
> Executive Director, Buckville Energy
> NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providersâ„¢
> 970.672.4342 <tel:970.672.4342>
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