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Akeena Solar Begins Selling Plug-and-Play Panels at Lowe's

Homeowners can now purchase high-performing, easy-to-install solar panels off the shelves of a major retailer, announced Akeena Solar Inc., an installer and manufacturer of solar power systems. The Andalay AC panels are available at 21 Lowe's home-improvement stores throughout California. The panels, which were recently honored with a 2009 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Product award, 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," said 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 aims to empower customers to create an energy plan that fits their budget and home-improvement goals. An information kiosk offers 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.

Andalay AC panels, developed by Akeena Solar in Silicon Valley, have integrated racking, wiring and grounding -- reportedly reducing the overall parts count by 80 percent and protecting against performance-threatening breakdowns that could happen with ordinary DC power systems.

Andalay panels also have built-in inverters that produce household AC power, so there is no high-voltage DC wiring. These safety and reliability benefits are achieved without compromising performance. Akeena reports that Andalay AC panels produce 5 to 25 percent more energy output compared with ordinary DC solar panels. Because of the modular design of Andalay AC panels, homeowners could install a few panels now and gradually add on later, unlike DC systems that require a complete redesign when adding panels.

Ordinary DC solar power systems also require special installation skills. According to Akeena, innovations provided by Andalay's AC solar system deliver simplicity and safety so that electricians, HVAC contractors and experienced do-it-yourselfers can install a solar power system without specialized training.