IKEA Solar Panels UK: What Happened & The Best Alternatives

Written by

Hannah Maza

Last updated

13 March 2024

IKEA, the Swedish furniture giant, made headlines when it began selling photovoltaic panels and solar batteries in UK stores in 2017. The move aimed to encourage homeowners to switch to renewable energy sources and reduce their carbon footprint. 

However, IKEA’s ambitious venture into the solar market stopped in 2019, leading the company to halt solar panel sales in the UK. But what led to this decision after a successful solar campaign?

In this article, we will explore why IKEA discontinued its solar panel sales, whether they are likely to return to the market, IKEA’s price for solar panel installation, and highlight some of the best available alternatives for homeowners looking to switch to solar power.

While IKEA’s exit from the solar panel market may have disappointed many homeowners in the UK, it doesn’t mean that solar renewable energy options are no longer available. Several trusted solar panel companies offer reliable alternatives for all budgets and needs, allowing homeowners to continue their sustainable journey and lower their energy bills.

If you’re curious about finding some of the best solar panel companies and models available on the market, GreenMatch is an excellent resource to help you kickstart your solar panel journey by getting quotes. 

You can get up to 3 different quotes from trusted solar installers for free and without any obligation. That way, you get the freedom to choose what quote is the best deal for you.

Just click the button below and start getting solar panels today!

IKEA and solar panels: What happened?

IKEA’s decision to stop selling solar panels in the UK coincided with the end of the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) on 31 March 2019. 

As many of their customers were interested in earning money from solar panels, IKEA announced that they felt the payoff from solar panels post Feed-in Tariff was less valuable. In the run-up to the closure of the Feed-in Tariff, IKEA’s installation slots were completely booked as customers wanted to continue to benefit from the FIT.

IKEA released the following statement.

“At this point in time, we do not feel that the majority of new home solar customers will get a good deal, making the commercial offer unviable until the UK solar market landscape improves”

Does IKEA still sell solar batteries?

In short, yes. You are still able to buy both IKEA solar panels and solar batteries. However, if you’re looking to make these purchases in the UK, you’re out of luck. While IKEA stopped selling solar battery storage in the UK in March 2019, it continues to sell its solar products in several countries in Europe and Australia.

Solar batteries and solar panels from IKEA are currently still being sold in the following countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Australia.

Will We See The Return of IKEA Solar Panels in the UK?

While this isn’t the first time IKEA halted the selling of solar panels in the UK, it’s unclear if they will resume selling solar panels on the UK market. The first time IKEA sold solar panels in the UK was from 2014 to 2016. They stopped in 2016 after deciding to not renew their contract with their Hong Kong partner firm. 

Spectators predict that it’s only a matter of time before IKEA reenters the UK market. The presence of new government schemes and grants makes investing in solar panels more valuable than before. For instance, the Smart Export Guarantee came into effect on 1 January 2020 – it replaces the now-expired Feed-in Tariff.

There are also other opportunities to reduce the initial cost of solar panels through the ECO4 scheme and the VAT reduction on energy-saving products.

So while it may be only a matter of time, it’s difficult to predict when, or even if, IKEA solar panels will return. We wouldn’t hold our breath for it, especially when there are many other solar panel alternatives currently on the market that can help you reap the benefits of solar panels today. More on this can be found in our ‘solar energy advantages and disadvantages‘ guide.

How much did IKEA solar panels cost in the UK?

IKEA is known for their affordable prices, especially targeted toward DIY enthusiasts. And when it came to selling solar panels in the UK, they didn’t disappoint. IKEA’s solar panels’ cost included the cost of the panels, the inverter, installation, and set-up. For those who had an IKEA Family Member card, you could also get discounts up to 15% off the normal cost of IKEA solar panels.

If you wanted a set of 10 polycrystalline solar panels from IKEA with 2.6kWp (kilowatt ‘peak’ power output) in 2019, prices started at £5,230. While 10 monocrystalline black solar panels with a peak power of 2.8kWp started at £5,578. For additional costs, you could also have an IKEA solar battery installed alongside your solar system.

Solar panel prices always depend on where you live in the UK, but these average numbers hopefully give you a rough estimation. If you’re looking for accurate prices that reflect your specific demands and current market prices, we recommend getting quotes from local solar installers.

In fact, we recommend getting multiple quotes so that you’re able to compare your bespoke quotes to choose the best one. GreenMatch makes this process as easy as taking less than a minute to fill in a solar form. We’ll take it from there and you can expect to receive up to 3 free, no-obligation quotes.

Start getting free comparison quotes today. Just click the button below.

IKEA solar panels: Best alternatives

Although IKEA was a reputable solar panel supplier, there are many other great companies that you can still buy solar panels from. The growing solar industry has seen the emergence of new companies with good reputations, offering efficient and high-quality solar panels.

If you’re looking for other options for solar panel suppliers, here are a few popular companies in the UK that you might consider:

Sharp solar panels

With over 60 years of experience in the global solar industry, this Japanese company prides itself on adhering to strict high-quality standards and policies. That means that Sharp customers only receive their best products.

Here are some key points that make Sharp stand out from its competitors:

• 15-year EU product guarantee
• Guaranteed minimum power output of 98% in the first year
• 0.54% maximum annual degradation after the first year
• Minimum of 85% efficiency after 25 years

SunPower solar panels

SunPower is an industry leader in solar sustainability and social responsibility. With more than 1,000 patents for solar innovation, combined with 30+ years in the solar industry, it offers a wide range of solar products.

Here are some key points that make SunPower stand out from its competitors:

• A single comprehensive product, power, and labour warranty for all components that lasts for 25 years
• One of the lowest degradation rates in the industry
• Their M Series has one of the highest efficiency AC solar panel power at 440 – 420 watts

Panasonic solar panels

You might know Panasonic from their electronic products, but since 1975 they’ve expanded to researching and providing solar panels. This Japanese company’s reputation and dependable designs means you have peace of mind when it comes to their solar panels’ performance and reliability.

Here are some key points that make Panasonic stand out from its competitors: 

• Up to 25 year product, labour and performance warranty for its solar modules and batteries
• 0.25% maximum annual degradation
• Slim solar panels allow them to match the module efficiency of larger panels

These are just a few examples of the many reputable companies beyond IKEA to choose a reliable solar panel from. Ideally, you’re going to want to compare them all by price, quality, and suitability for your home so that you can get the best deal.

But as you can imagine, this involves a lot of hours of research. And without knowledge of the solar panel market, it’s difficult to know what’s a good deal or if you’re being overcharged. That’s why we’ve made it easy for you to compare quotes and get the best deals.

All you need to do is spend less than a minute filling out our solar form. We’ll then connect you with up to 3 fully vetted solar panel installers from our network. They’ll offer you their best quotes and from there you’re free to choose the best deal. All of these quotes are for free and come without any obligation to accept them.

Ready to easily find the best deal on new solar panel systems? Just click the button below.

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