can i really get solar panels for free?

Answer 1

Yes and No. There is a guy out there on the Internet with an ebook that says you can get them for free, and he'll tell you how if you buy the ebook.

Basically, you know those solar powered signs along the highway with flashing arrows? He says when those panels are damaged (like being hit by a vehicle), you can contact the local highway dept. or the company that they rent the signs from and get their used / damaged panels. The author of the ebook (Steve Harris) contends that the damage is usually minor cracks in the exterior glass that makes them less efficient, but still free.

However, what you need to know is that if you live in a state with incentives to people who implement solar power, most states will stipulate that in order to get their money, the panels need to be brand new, with at least a 20 year warranty, and that they are installed by a certified installer. So the used highway dept. panels would not qualify you for any state incentive money.

You get what you pay for and nothing in life is truly free.

You should also note that a certified installer or someone with experience in design, architecture, or engineering will be able to do the best job integrating these onto your house in a most aesthetic way while still keeping their performance high. I'm not a certified installer, but I am a design professional who owns a solar home that I think is quite spectacular looking. I can't say the same for the photos of the projects in the ebook I mentioned.

No offense to the author of the book - just my opinion. Hope this info helps. Thanks!

And the person above who says the federal government will give you half back in tax credits is incorrect. The federal tax credit on renewable energy components is up to $2000 for solar PV and up to an additional $2000 for solar hot water technologies. That person may be referring to a STATE of California incentive, which I am unfamiliar with. My state, Ohio, paid nearly 50% of my system (which is nowhere near free, I'll add). The person above is correct in that you pay for everything up-front, and then submit your expenses to the state for reimbursement. At least that's how Ohio works. My system is 4.4 kW and cost around $35K. The state paid a little over $18K of that, so yes, it's still expensive, but it's one of the few purchases that you'll ever make that begins MAKING you money immediately.

Think of it this way: the moment you drive a new car off the lot, it begins severely depreciating and COSTING you money - for the rest of the entire time you own it. There is no such thing as pay back on a car - nor most things that we buy. I have clients that ask me what the payback on a solar panel is and if it's that many years, why should they get them? I then ask them the payback on their granite counter tops or the Sub-Zero refrigerator? None. Yes, photovoltaics are expensive, but they begin making money immediately, and with a 20 year warranty or more, they will surely last years beyond their payback period, so beyond that, it's cash in your pocket. Think of it as buying a few years of electricity up front in order to lock in on a price and then get electricity for free for the rest of your life! Thanks!

Answer 2

It's possible but only if you know a lot about money.

For instance. Let's say you can purchase a solar panel and the deal with the local power company lets you sell the panel's capacity back to the power company for $2000/year. Let's say you also get a variety of tax reductions, credits and rebates for putting in a solar panel. You fold the costs of the panel into your mortgage. The additional mortgage costs (after taxes, depreciation etc.) is less than $2000/year.

If you could do that, then, yes, you got the panel for no cost, and you're making money off it.

Answer 3

It depends what kind of solar panels you are talking about. In the UK you can get a £400 grant towards installing solar panels for heating your water if you qualify. Photovelatic panels for generating electricity get a higher grant but they are very expensive. Just installed solar panels for heating our water along with a wood burner with back boiler for heating water and central heating and that cost around five thousand pounds but we figure it will pay for itself in twelve years as we used to use oil.

Answer 4

If you know of any free solar panels, please let me know. Otherwise, you pay to have them installed and the government gives you back half of that in tax credits. Half is almost free and worth it. You will start saving money that day, and you will continue having almost free electricity for life. They have new solar panels that just roll out onto your roof, and ones that work on cloudy days that they are using in Ireland right now.

Answer 5

No, solar panels are expensive. Unless you make one yourself.

Answer 6

Guide To Solar Power : http://SolarPower.duebq.com/?vYq

Answer 7

Some countries in Europe for example,
give - grants or tax breaks to invest in eco-home improvements etc ?

Answer 8

Nothing in this life is free, honey.

Answer 9

If you can, let me know where so I can get some too.

Answer 10

Yes, if you pay for them.