[RE-wrenches] Disposal of large scale PV installation?
Ray
ray at solarray.com
Thu Apr 20 11:10:29 PDT 2017
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" <Allan at sindelarsolar.com
> <mailto:Allan at 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*
> allan at sindelarsolar.com <mailto:allan at 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
>> gpcross at aol.com <mailto:gpcross at 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
>> <offgridsolar at sti.net <mailto:offgridsolar at 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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