By C. O’Keefe |
1/8/2010
For the first time, homeowners can purchase high-performing, easy-to-install solar panels off the shelves of a major retailer, announced Akeena Solar, a leading installer and manufacturer of solar power systems. The Andalay AC panels are available at 21 Lowe's home-improvement stores throughout California. The panels are featured as part of Lowe’s Energy Center at the stores.
“The PC revolution in the computer industry occurred when new technology made PCs easy to use and affordable,” says Barry Cinnamon, CEO of Akeena Solar. “Likewise, with panels becoming plug-and-play appliances, the solar revolution has started. The availability of solar panels in Lowe’s stores makes it easy for homeowners to go solar and is a big step toward getting solar on every sunny rooftop."
The Lowe’s Energy Center offers an information kiosk with a touch-screen display to help customers evaluate their home’s solar and wind potential, and the Energy Center features products that help them measure their energy use, reduce energy consumption and generate clean energy. The Energy Center will be in additional U.S. and Canadian stores in 2010.
“Buying panels off the shelf at Lowe’s offers solar options to homeowners that they didn’t have,” says Cinnamon. “Homeowners now can get a system as small as one panel. With Andalay’s safe household AC power design, they are the only real choice for do-it-yourselfers."