Ikea Gets Into the Solar Panel Business
All 17 Ikea stores in Britain will begin selling solar panel packages within the next 10 months. The announcement by the Swedish retailer is "a sign of the growing mainstream appeal and affordability of solar energy," says Jessica Leber.
The equivalent of $9,200 U.S dollars will buy you 18 panels made by China's Hanergy Holding Group Ltd, including in-store consultation, installation and maintenance. The panels are expected to pay for themselves after seven years of energy savings.
"Ikea said it made the decision because solar panels are getting cheaper--from 2008 to 2012, for example, some smaller photovoltaic systems have dropped in price by 80%. Eventually, the Swedish chain plans to expand solar panels for sale globally, but for now it is starting in the U.K. because of government renewable energy subsidies and policies make it easy for consumers to go solar," explains Leber.
Published on Monday, September 30, 2013 in
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