Is cheaper solar power possible? How and where can you buy the equipment cheaper?

Question

I know companies are working on ways of producing panels cheaper etc. etc... But I would like to know if anyone knows where or how one could purchase used or "second hand" materials such as panels, inverters, meters, etc. Any ideas!?

Answer 1

I don't know about buying used or recycled solar panels,but the overall price of silicon is supposed to be coming down a lot in 2008.  This will make most solar panels cheaper because silicon is the main material in these panels.  

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea...

Answer 2

I think the panels themselves are getting cheaper and more efficient, so I wouldn't shop for an old one. Used Inverters and meters should be a good deal.

Answer 3

solar power is free the equipment costs money

Answer 4

You get what you pay for, just like everything else.  With renewable Energy, you pay for it up front, then it's paid for.  With the usual way, you just keep paying more and more every year, and it never goes away.  Every dollar you save in consumption, you save five in production.

Answer 5

Like computers and TVs and all kinds of electronics, used equipment is never a good deal because the new stuff is better and cheaper. If you are rich and want to be the greenest person on your block, go solar now. If you are not rich, conserve power as well as you can and wait for cheaper solar equipment to become available. Billion are being spent by numerous high tech companies on the effort and solar cells are expected to come down in cost by a factor of 3 in a few years, according to a friend of mine who just got a job building a new solar cell factory.