LG255S1C-G3 Used Solar Panel Advice
- Thread starter Storm
- Start date
MIKEDALLAS
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2019
- Messages
- 7
Newer technology is less effected by shade and shadows.
gnubie
Solar Wizard
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2019
- Messages
- 3,847
IMO $100 a panel is way too much. LG does make good panels, but 9 years is 9 years.
If you were to go ahead,
- check the back of the panel for any damage
- check the front of the panel for any discolouration around the edge of the sheet where it meets the frame. That can be an indication of moisture ingress and that has leakage implications
- check glass for any damage at all, if water has gotten into the front of the panel, forget it, the leakage will be bad
- check the cells and their interconnection wires to make sure there isn't any damage
- connect a multimeter and check the Voc is within cooee of the label
- if you have a meter that can handle the short circuit current of one panel measure the amps with the panel in full sun and compare to the label
- if you have a high voltage meter ( a megaohm meter, the sort of thing sparkies use to test earth rods ) check the panels for leakage current
- check the MC4 connectors, if the contacts are shiney they need to be replaced
- if the connection box on the back is not potted (filled with rubber / hard stuff ) check the insides for corrosion
If you were to go ahead,
- check the back of the panel for any damage
- check the front of the panel for any discolouration around the edge of the sheet where it meets the frame. That can be an indication of moisture ingress and that has leakage implications
- check glass for any damage at all, if water has gotten into the front of the panel, forget it, the leakage will be bad
- check the cells and their interconnection wires to make sure there isn't any damage
- connect a multimeter and check the Voc is within cooee of the label
- if you have a meter that can handle the short circuit current of one panel measure the amps with the panel in full sun and compare to the label
- if you have a high voltage meter ( a megaohm meter, the sort of thing sparkies use to test earth rods ) check the panels for leakage current
- check the MC4 connectors, if the contacts are shiney they need to be replaced
- if the connection box on the back is not potted (filled with rubber / hard stuff ) check the insides for corrosion
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jasonhc73
Cat herder, and dog toy tosser.
9-year-old, still under the 10-year original warranty. Look like 255-watt panels. They should be capable of about 233-watts peak today.
That is essentially 43 cents per watt. New panels at wholesale solar go for 70 cents to 1.11 dollars per watt.
I'd probably buy em.
There are panels from the 70's getting recycled and just resold for about 44 cents a watt in California.
Go shop a little for used panels on ebay. They are in the 20 to 30 cent per watt range.
That is essentially 43 cents per watt. New panels at wholesale solar go for 70 cents to 1.11 dollars per watt.
I'd probably buy em.
There are panels from the 70's getting recycled and just resold for about 44 cents a watt in California.
Go shop a little for used panels on ebay. They are in the 20 to 30 cent per watt range.
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jasonhc73
Cat herder, and dog toy tosser.
Optimizers and micro-inverters take care of any type of shading. If you string up a brand new 2019 panel without an optimizer or micro inverter, it will work fine, until a shadow gets on any of it, then the entire string will nose dive.
Thank you all for your input. Good to have knowledgeable people to ask.
Still negotiating on panels, but he sold me all the racking and hardware for the 30 panel setup for $50. Feel I made out well on that deal. Have not priced it out but it seems the box of SS lag screws are worth that alone.
Have a Happy New Year
Still negotiating on panels, but he sold me all the racking and hardware for the 30 panel setup for $50. Feel I made out well on that deal. Have not priced it out but it seems the box of SS lag screws are worth that alone.
Have a Happy New Year
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