FS: 2x 200W solar panels — collection only

Got a pair of 200W monocrystalline panels gathering dust since I upgraded to a larger array for the static caravan — they're just taking up valuable shed space now.

The goods:

• 2x 200W monocrystalline panels (generic Chinese manufacture, but they've been solid)
• Installed 2019, removed last summer
• Still pumping out decent wattage — I'd estimate 85-90% capacity based on my Victron monitoring
• No physical damage, minor dust marks (nothing a quick rinse won't sort)
• Comes with brackets and all original hardware

Why I'm shifting them:
Went full Victron setup with better panels and honestly can't justify storing dead weight. These are perfectly capable for a cabin setup or as a backup array.

The ask:
£280 for the pair — that's roughly £70 per 100W, which I reckon is fair for used kit that actually works. New 200W panels are going for about £180-200 each these days, so you're getting decent value.

Collection only from the South West — I'm not equipped to ship panels safely, and courier quotes are mental anyway. Happy to help load them into your van though. Can arrange a time that suits.

If anyone's local and wants to test them before committing, bring a multimeter and we'll check the open circuit voltage together.

Drop a message or reply here if interested. First serious offer gets them.

What's the efficiency rating on those? And are they framed or just the bare panels? Asking because I'm looking at beefing up my narrowboat's array before winter, but I need to know if they'll fit the mounting brackets I've already got installed.

Also — what part of the country are you in? Collection only makes sense for something this size, but I'd rather not drive four hours only to find they're slightly damaged or the specs don't match what I need.

How long have they been sat in the shed? Any visible wear, delamination, that sort of thing?

Those are decent panels if they're actually putting out full rated wattage still. Have you tested them since upgrading? I'd be curious what the actual Voc and Isc are reading under load — panels left sitting can sometimes degrade faster than expected, especially if there's been temperature cycling in the shed.

@BurnWalker makes a good point about the frame. If they're unframed, shipping's a nightmare and you'll struggle to mount them properly without building a custom frame. That said, collection-only is sensible for 200W panels anyway.

I've got a similar setup in my shepherds hut where I started with 2x 200W before adding a third. At that wattage you're looking at roughly 16–18A maximum on a decent day — fine for basic 48V setups with Victron charge controllers, but don't expect miracles in winter if you're in the north.

What part of the country are you in? Might help someone on here figure out whether collection's viable.

@BurnWalker — fair questions, though @VanKen hasn't answered yet. Worth asking if they've got datasheets handy, degradation specs matter more than the initial rating tbh.

@JA_Solar — spot on. A quick I-V curve with a decent multimeter would settle it. Two 200W panels dropping to 180W each is still workable depending on your setup, but claiming full output when you've sat them in a shed for two years? Unlikely.

For £ terms, I'd factor in maybe 10-15% annual degradation as baseline, so you're realistically looking at 170W panels if they're a few years old. Not a dealbreaker — I've got a Victron MPPT that honestly doesn't care if it's getting 390W or 350W from a pair, but transparency's everything in second-hand kit.

@VanKen — seriously though, test them before the buyer turns up. You'll shift them faster and avoid the awkward "yeah mate, these are only doing 60% capacity" conversation on the driveway.

What's the condition of the junction boxes on these? I'm asking because I've had a couple of older panels where the connectors started corroding — bit of a nightmare to swap out if you're mid-install.

Also, are they the same brand? I'm currently running a mixed array in my motorhome setup and it's created some headaches with MPPT charge controller compatibility, so worth checking if you're planning to wire them together.

If they're genuinely putting out their rated wattage, they're decent units for the money — especially for a tiny house or van build where space is tight. Just depends on where you're located for collection really, and whether you've got documentation on manufacture date. Panels degrade about 0.5% annually, so if they're a fair bit older it's worth factoring that in.