The White House has announced that it will go solar next year – a small improvement for the Official Home, but a large symbolic step.
In 1979 President Jimmy Carter installed 32 solar panels on the White House roof which were used to heat the White House’s water, however they were removed in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan. The announcement that the solar panels are to be restored to the White House roof comes after two grass-roots organizations have been lobbying the President to show his support and commitment to alternative energy.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced Tuesday that a solar water heating system as well as solar energy panels will be installed. "This project reflects President Obama's strong commitment to U.S. leadership in solar energy and the jobs it will create here at home," Chu said.
Campaigners for solar energy are hoping the installation will have the same effect as the White House organic garden, which spawned thousands of organic gardens around the country.
Obama may be ahead of the majority of heads of states around the world, but he is outrun by Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed, who has just installed a solar photovaltic energy system on the official residence. Sungevity, a California based organization who lobbied in the US for solar at the White House, designed and installed the presidential system in the Maldives, which will cover half the energy needs of Nasheed’s residence.
The White House is expected to install some 50 solar panels, from a company chosen through competitive processes.
