The Pump Handle

Solar Panels (Finally) Coming Back to White House

Posted by Liz Borkowski on October 5, 2010
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Jimmy Carter put solar panels on the White House roof; Ronald Reagan took them down. Today, at the GreenGov Symposium (taking place here at George Washington University), Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced that the Obama administration will install solar panels and a solar hot water heater on the White House roof by the end of this spring. (Visit Adam Werbach’s blog for a video of the announcement.)

This doesn’t address the problem of Congress being unable to pass the climate legislation we need, but it does show that the Obama administration recognizes the importance of renewable energy. It’s a very small, long overdue step in the right direction.

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Comments

  1. #1 Malcolm Mowbray
    October 6, 2010

    Glad to know that the U.S. is starting to catch up with Cyprus where 90% of houses have solar water heaters.

  2. #2 darwinsdog
    October 6, 2010

    Palin, or whoever replaces Obama in 2012, will just have ‘em pulled down again.

  3. #3 uk visa lawyer
    October 8, 2010

    Democrats build… Republicans tear down… It’s a shame 330 million Americans get such a limited choice.

  4. #4 yogi-one
    October 9, 2010

    It’s a very small, long overdue step in the right direction.

    Unfortunately, this is all too charcteristic of the ‘change’ we all hoped for in 2008.

    Any one else feeling snookered?

  5. #5 Daniel Amram
    October 18, 2010

    I agree with Ms. Borkowski’s statement that “Obama’s administration recognizes the importance of renewable energy,” obviously because action is finally being taken by the government to set an example of efficient, organic energy use. However, I question what major good will this do? After contemplating the benefits, I found that really there aren’t many pros, other than the portion of energy the White House is saving. I believe it is necessary for the administration to push more towards solar energy by having a stronger stand. Maybe a good place to start would be providing solar panels at a reasonable cost to schools around the nation. Perhaps it is investing more money and time into discovering how to make hybrid, solar powered, or hydrogen run cars that are less expensive than most gasoline-taking cars. Or another strategy might be educating youth and/or families on ways to conserve energy, reduce the emission of CO2 , or how to buy certain items that are produced in an eco-friendly way. Basically, there are dozens of ways that the government can work to reduce the use of nonorganic energy and promote the use of natural energy. In my opinion, installing solar panels for the White House to set an example for our country is ineffective and a waste of money. Instead, research to create an eco-friendly way for America to function and the education of American citizens on how to reduce the harm we create in our environment is a much better plan of action.

  6. #6 DIY Solar Kits
    June 15, 2011

    Solar panel is one way of providing us with efficient energy from day to day. With that the White House has also come up with the idea of having it also as a source of energy. When fuel will further decrease then having an option may greatly help us in the future.