I spent $400 on a home solar kit that never worked right

Bought one of those DIY solar panel kits online about two years ago, thinking I'd cut my power bill. The panels were cheap and the instructions were a mess... I spent a whole weekend trying to get it hooked up. In the end, the inverter fried after a month and the company ghosted me. Should have just saved up for a proper install. Anyone know a good way to recycle old solar gear?

3 comments

3 Comments

loganburns3mo ago

Used to think those kits were a smart way to save a buck. Your story is exactly why I changed my mind. That cheap gear is just e-waste waiting to happen. Check with your local scrap yard, some of them take the aluminum frames and glass. The rest probably has to go to a special e-waste drop off.

sarahh483mo ago

Wait, scrap yards take the glass? I mean, I always figured the whole panel was just trash. That's actually kind of a relief if some of it can get recycled properly.

blair_allen20d ago

Yeah loganburns is spot on about the aluminum frames and glass being recyclable. The problem is most people don't realize the wiring and silicon cells inside are full of heavy metals and need special handling. I'd call your local e-waste center first and ask if they take the whole panel or if you gotta break it down yourself. Some places charge a small fee for the toxic bits but it beats just trashing it. Also check if any solar installers nearby have a take back program, sometimes they'll accept old gear even if they didn't install it.