Lowe's to Sell Do-It-Yourself PV Systems

A report by Akeena Solar Inc., Los Gatos, Calif., that it had inked a deal to distribute is solar panels in 21 home improvement stores throughout California sent the the company's stock soaring 57 percent on Dec. 10, according to the San Jose Mercury News and other online news feeds. The shares closed at $1.55 on Dec. 10.

The company's 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."