Some of you probably know that President Jimmy Carter installed an array of solar panels on the White House roof in 1979. You also may remember that they were unceremoniously removed in 1986 — about the same time that President Ronald Reagan allowed President Carter’s solar power tax credits to expire. Well, now a coalition of solar power companies led by Sungevity are calling on the American people to sign a petition to convince the Obama Administration to have a solar panel system permanently reinstalled on White House roof — one that would lower White House utility bills by 81%.
Sungevity and their coalition of solar companies are offering up a sweet energy deal to the President — they’ll install the entire system for free. In the event that he doesn’t want the freebie, they’re also offering to lease the system to the American Public for $537 per month with free maintenance and a full warranty. They’ve done the math and think the White House will require a 17.85 kW STC system. Including the monthly lease payment, the administration would save a whopping $1,610 in utility bills each month.
The Obama Administration has been offering tax incentives, rebates and programs to help the American public rely more on renewable energy in the last year, including yesterday’s “Retrofit Ramp Up” announcement. It’s about time they heed their own advice and get some clean green power on the most prominent of their structures. Powering the White House on the sun would not only save the country just over $19,000 in utility bills each year, but it would provide the most fitting example for the rest of us to follow suit.
Go to www.SolarOnTheWhiteHouse.com to sign the petition!
Via Renewable Energy World.com
I used this company for solar panels for my home – http://www.clearskysolaruk.com. It definitely pays in the long-run, financially as well as ecologically!
[...] the first home only to have President Ronald Reagan remove them unceremoniously. Coalitions — like this one — have been pushing for Obama to bring solar back to the first residence as a sign of his [...]
Hi:
It would be interesting to know the WH thermal load just for hot water, let alone space heating. Just the full time WH office staff numbers close to 500. With a full time kitchen, laundry and probably a dozen application loads I don\\\\\\\’t even know of, that would make the most sense to attack first, then PV after that…. That would allow for FAR bigger savings on the front end…
…..Bill
I think the Whitehouse should install wind turbines, but not in the classical sense. These would do the trick and give an added measure of airborne security: http://organicconnectmag.com/wp/2009/12/from-war-machine-to-clean-energy/
I live in a deep valley in western New York State. My 5.2 kw solar panels provide more electricity than I can use. A national push to get as many buildings as possible solarized could not only move us away from dependence on the mid-east, but could create tens of thousands of manufacturing and installation jobs. Please urge President Obama to lead this effort.
C’mon Mr. President…. Leading by example is very powerful. We need your bold leadership to address the most dire problem to have ever faced humankind. We are running out of time… and each day of delay means greater cost – both in dollars and lives.
Too bad the twit that had them removed is not around to pay to have them re-installed.
I hope the pentagon is next (if it has not already been done.)