IKEA To Start Selling Solar Panels

IKEA has announced that it will begin selling solar panels in UK stores.

“We will evaluate the success of the UK roll out before making this decision on a market-by-market basis about rolling out in other countries,” an IKEA spokesperson said.

According to The Wall Street Journal, IKEA began selling the solar panels to customers in UK stores Monday.

The report continues on to say that sales start Monday and will be rolled out to 17 U.K. stores in coming months.

According to ABC News, customers can buy a standard 3.36kW photovoltaic (PV) system for a semi-detached home for as little as about $9,200.

The report continued on to say:

“Full installation is offered in collaboration with Chinese energy giant Hanergy, IKEA says. ‘Highly trained Solar Advisors’ will design a system for a home using a simulation tool from the store. Then there is a ‘straightforward nine-step installation process, fully managed by a personalized Hanergy Web Portal.'”

The Guardian reported that Britain’s solar market it small compared with green energy leaders such as Germany and Spain, “but it has posted regular growth, with year-on-year installations rising 25% in September to 1.7 gigawatts.”

“We know that our customers want to live more sustainably and we hope working with Hanergy to make solar panels affordable and easily available helps them do just that,” said Joanna Yarrow, IKEA’s head of sustainability in the UK and Ireland.

ABC News continues on to report Yarrow saying:

“We want to make a greener, more sustainable way of life attractive and easy for as many people as possible, so in addition to our collaboration with Hanergy, we’re dedicated to expanding our range of sustainable products that help customers save energy, water and sort waste four-fold by 2020,” she said.

What do you think of IKEA‘s new plan to start selling solar panels? Could IKEA’s brand help further the green initiative?

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