Ikea launches range of Solstråle rooftop solar panels

The iconic furniture retailer Ikea has a new plan to help Australians save money on power bills. But not every state is included just yet.

Swedish furniture and homewares giant Ikea has a new plan to save Australians money on their electricity bill by selling solar panel solutions.

The retailer has teamed up with Australian solar energy specialists Solargain to offer the packages, designed to be an “affordable, turnkey home solar system”.

Ikea already offsets some of its energy usage with solar panels on its massive warehouse style stores.

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Ikea is selling two packages in the new Solstråle range.

The first is a simple rooftop solar package that can generate electricity from the sun during the day as well as feed electricity back into the grid (saving you money on your power bill).

The second package includes a battery storage system so you can bank up electricity to use at night or when the sun isn’t shining as much.

Ikea will also sell an add-on “smart meter” that you can use to monitor your energy consumption through an app so you can see how much you’re generating and using.

You can now get solar panels from the same place you get furniture and homewares.

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Ikea CEO and chief sustainability officer Jan Gardber said the launch was “an important day” for the company in Australia.

“We are proud have developed this offer in collaboration with our partner, and we hope that this will encourage our customers to live a more sustainable everyday life by removing the barriers to investing in renewable energy”, he said.

Solargain CEO Keera Single said the two companies had a shared vision to help Australians get the benefits of renewable energy.

“In working with a retailer like IKEA, we believe we can reach more households that are able to make the switch to solar, which is an exciting opportunity for us to be involved in.”

Rooftop solar is a big contributor to Australia’s renewable energy generation, and it’s on the rise.

The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources recently estimated the amount of energy produced by solar jumped 46 per cent last year, helping renewable energy’s contribution to the grid increase by a total of two per cent as well.

Ikea’s solar packages are currently available in Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne, with expressions of interest open for Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide.

Prices differ depending on how big your house is, the complexity of the installation, and the state you live in.

Government rebates are available in some areas to help bring down the cost of rooftop solar installations … for now. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

Early adopters in Melbourne will have the chance to save significantly on the two new solar packages if they purchase before July 1, when a government solar rebate is set to end.

Prices there start at $3227 for the 6.6kW package featuring 18 solar panels, when you factor in the $1888 Solar Homes Program Rebate, so long as you qualify for it.

The same system with an added 6.5kWh battery storage starts at $10,246.

In Perth, the packages start at $4005 and $10,952 respectively.

Brisbane shoppers will pay the most, with prices starting at $4364 and $11,240.

Are you interested in adding solar power to your home? Have your say in the comments below.