IKEA has teamed up with solar panel provider Hanergy to offer panels (pictured) to householders at a cut price.

A standard 3.36kW system for a semi-detached house will sell for £5,700. But you won’t need to worry about inserting tab A into slot B as it’s not a flat pack system – and installation is included.

The Swedish firm is clearly hoping to overcome some typical reservations about solar panels. It said a poll of its shoppers showed two-thirds were put off by costs, with many concerned whether there was enough sunshine in the UK to power them and many more substantially underestimating the potential savings on their energy bills.

The initiative kicked off today at the company’s Southampton store and will spread to all 17 of its shops over the next 10 months. IKEA is giving Hanergy dedicated floor space from which to sell its wares. The service will include in-store consultation and design as well as installation, maintenance and energy monitoring.

Joanna Yarrow, Head of Sustainability IKEA UK and Ireland said: “At IKEA 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.”

She added: “We want to make a greener, more sustainable way of life attractive and easy for as many people as possible.”