A month ago students from Unity College visited the White House to try and convince them to install solar panels on the roof similar to what ex President Carter had done more than 30 years ago. At that time the White House refused the request.
But, on October 5th 2010 Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that indeed solar panels will be installed on the roof as well as a solar powered water heater.
Chu commented "This project reflects President Obama's strong commitment to U.S. leadership in solar energy and the jobs it will create here at home," said Secretary Chu. "Deploying solar energy technologies across the country will help America lead the global economy for years to come."
By installing solar panels on arguably the most famous house in the country, his residence, the President is underscoring that commitment to lead and the promise and importance of renewable energy in the United States."
The photovoltaic system will convert sunlight directly to electricity. The solar hot water heater will have a solar collector facing the sun that will heat water for use in the White House Residence. The Department of Energy will now begin a competitive procurement process to select the company responsible for the installations.
This announcement is made on the one-year anniversary of President Obama's Executive Order 13514 on Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance, which called on the Federal Government to lead by example towards a clean energy economy and reduce, measure and report direct and indirect greenhouse gas pollution. In support of this goal, the Department of Energy also released "Procuring Solar Energy: A Guide for Federal Facility Decision Makers" to support the use of solar energy throughout the Federal Government.
Here's the database of state by state incentives to promote energy efficiency at DSIRE.org.
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