Ikea begins selling solar panels in the UK
theweathernetwork.com
Tuesday, October 1, 2013, 4:51 PM -
"Renewable energy" probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when one mentions "Ikea", but the Swedish furniture retailer is hoping to change that.
On Monday, the company started selling solar panels in its Southampton, England location.
The retail mammoth says it's the first step in introducing green energy to the mainstream consumer.
A standard system for a semi-detached home is retailing for £5,700 (approximately $9,545 CAD), a fee that includes a consultation, installation and maintenance.
IKEA Chief Sustainability Officer Steve Howard says that the solar panel system will be paid off after seven years of average use in Britain.
"If you are going to be in your house that long, your energy will be free after seven years," he told the Associated Press.
Howard says the company hopes to start selling solar panels in other countries as well.
With files from the Associated Press
