Within the next 10 months, all 17 UK IKEA stores will stock, sell and install solar PV modules.
The move forms a wider part of the Swedish furniture giant’s partnership with Chinese solar manufacturer, Hanergy Holding Group Ltd.
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IKEA made the decision to stock solar in all its stores after a successful pilot project at its Lakeside store in East London sold around one solar PV array every day.
Members of the UK IKEA FAMILY loyalty programme will be able to purchase a 3.36kW PV system for £5,700 including VAT, or opt for a solar finance package that would require no upfront payment.
Hanergy will be offering a “full solar service” in-store, including consultation and design service as well as installation, maintenance and ongoing energy monitoring.
Commenting on the announcement, Joanna Yarrow, head of sustainability IKEA UK and Ireland said: “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.
“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 fourfold by 2020.”
A recent survey of IKEA shoppers, revealed that only 6% had solar panels installed with two thirds saying the cost of solar was prohibitive. A key concern highlighted by those quizzed was that solar panels were ‘ugly’. Hanergy hopes to overcome this issue by offering its all black line of PV modules.
Toby Ferenczi, co-CEO of Hanergy Solar UK concluded: “Our collaboration with IKEA has the right ingredients to become a significant step forward for the renewable energy industry. Both Hanergy and IKEA are convinced that we have the best package for customers on the market to allow homeowners across the UK to profit from energy independence.”
IKEA has already installed over 500,000 solar panels across its stores worldwide and aims to produce as much energy as it consumes by 2020.