IKEA is no longer selling solar photovoltaic panels and systems in its UK stores following on the somewhat recent slashing of solar subsidies there, according to recent reports.
Previous to the decision, IKEA stores in the UK had offered solar panels produced by the Chinese company Hanergy — the company’s contract with Hanergy was not renewed when it expired last November, though. The decision not to renew the contract followed closely on the slashing of solar subsidies in the UK, by the incumbent David Cameron–led administration.
IKEA will reportedly begin selling solar photovoltaic (PV) panels again later this year, according to a company spokesperson. Presumably, the supplier will be a new one, rather than Hanergy — with rumors being that a number of different Chinese suppliers are competing for the contract. The company rep quoted by the Guardian didn’t provide a reason for the decision to stop carrying solar PV panels in the UK’s 17 IKEA stores until then.
The IKEA spokesperson commented: “Based on the successful roll-out (of solar) and to ensure IKEA Group has a growth plan in place for the future, we have evaluated our business model, starting in the UK. A new business model has been decided upon, which included the decision not to renew the contract with Hanergy Solar UK when their current contract ended on 1 November 2015.”
The UK’s new feed-in-tariff (FiT) program offers rates that are 65% lower than the previous program, and also features a new installation cap. Considering IKEA’s comments about selling solar panels again starting later this year it may simply be, though, that the company backed off of solar because of Hanergy’s ongoing problems.
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