IKEA is known for furnishing everything under your roof and now the store wants to put its products on your roof too. The company has begun selling solar panels in branches of stores in the United Kingdom. The new product line is part of a partnership with Chinese energy company Hanergy and includes an in-store designed system for the consumer’s home.
Many people are put off by solar panels due to the cost, says IKEA in a statement about the partnership. A study conducted by the Swedish furniture giant stated only 6% of those surveyed have made the switch.
The new deal with IKEA aims to “bring home solar into the mainstream”, offering full installation of the panels as well, “at a price they can afford directly from the high-street, cutting out the middle-man”, according to the press release. IKEA is reportedly selling a full-home installation of the solar panels for £5,700 ($9,106 USD).
IKEA cites evidence that installing solar panels allows people to cut their home energy bills by nearly half and money spent on the panels could possibly be recouped in seven years.
The products were launched in at IKEA’s Lakeside store in Essex. With the pilot project’s success, the solar panels and installation services will now be rolled out to all 17 IKEA stores across the UK within the next 10 months.
“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,” explained Joanna Yarrow, Head of Sustainability IKEA UK and Ireland, “We’re dedicated to expanding our range of sustainable products that help customers save energy, water and sort waste fourfold by 2020.”
Irish journalist writing on business, tech and engineering.
