“Affordable Solutions for Better Living”

Swedish based home furnishings store IKEA lives up to its motto with its latest announcement to start carrying solar panels in some of its U.S. and European stores. The Swedish manufacturer plans to invest roughly $75 million in a handful of cleantech startups, focusing on the areas of solar energy, lighting, sustainable materials, energy efficiency, and water conservation. With 270 stores in 35 countries, the idea of “green living” , which has already become a standard in some cities, will hopefully reach a wider spectrum of homeowners. With Austin paving the way as one of the nation’s greenest cities, I wouldn’t be surprised if we started seeing solar panels for sale in our Round Rock IKEA.