Ikea is to sell solar panels directly to shoppers across its UK stores as it attempts to capitalise on growth in the green energy market.

The furniture giant will sell solar panels, made by Chinese firm Hanergy Holding Group, in all of its 17 UK stores over the next 10 months.

Ikea’s Southampton store began selling the panels today.

The roll out follows a pilot at Ikea’s Lakeside store where the retailer said it sells one photovoltaic (PV) system almost every day.

Entry prices of Ikea’s solar panel packages begin at £5,700 for 18 panels, which it expects would allow shoppers to recoup their investment in seven years.

Shoppers will receive a package that includes in-store consultation, installation and maintenance of the panels.

Ikea UK and Ireland head of sustainability Joanna Yarrow said: “We’re excited to be able to help customers take positive actions at home for both the environment and their wallets.

“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.”