Clarian is betting that most homeowners would warm to solar panels if it weren’t for the hefty price of installing them. Starfish, the firm’s micro-inverter tech is designed to help DIY types piece together the building blocks of a solar system at much lower costs, and for some, without the need to hire an electrician.

The New York Times’ Green Blog today spotlights the Seattle-based startup’s solar system, which starts at $799, connects up to five panels and can be set up in about an hour.  It also offers home energy management connectivity (think Google PowerMeter) via Wi-Fi.

Currently, Clarian is working toward Underwriters Laboratory certification, but once that’s out of the way, it plans to market Sunfish by Spring of 2011. And don’t be too surprised if you find Sunfish at Costco or Lowe’s. Both retail chains have expressed an interest in carrying Sunfish.

Question is, can Clarian make solar installations sexy among the home improvement set?