Favorite Sun: Obama Will Have Solar Panels Installed at White House
- Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:05am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Solar power is coming to President Barack Obama’s house.
The most famous residence in America, which has already boosted its green credentials by planting a garden, plans to install solar panels atop the White House’s living quarters. The solar panels are to be installed by spring 2011, and will heat water for the first family and supply some electricity.
The plans will be formally announced later Tuesday by White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairwoman Nancy Sutley and Energy Secretary Steven Chu.
Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush both tapped the sun during their days in the White House. Carter in the late 1970s spent $30,000 on a solar water-heating system for West Wing offices. Bush’s solar systems powered a maintenance building and some of the mansion, and heated water for the pool.
Obama, who has championed renewable energy, has been under increasing pressure to lead by example by installing solar at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, something White House officials said has been under consideration since he first took office.
The decision perhaps has more import now after legislation to reduce global warming pollution died in the Senate, despite the White House’s support. Obama has vowed to try again on a smaller scale.
Last month, global warming activists with 350.org carried one of Carter’s solar panels — which were removed in 1986 — from Unity College in Maine to Washington to urge Obama to put solar panels on his roof. It was part of a global campaign to persuade world leaders to install solar on their homes. After a meeting with White House officials, they left Washington without a commitment.
That campaign followed calls by the solar industry for the White House to become a national billboard for solar power.
“Putting solar on the roof of the nation’s most important real estate is a powerful symbol calling on all Americans to rethink how we generate electricity,” Solar Energy Industries Association President Rhone Resch said.
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Comments (115)
extremist
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:51amAw, can’t NASA just focus a giant magnifying glass over all of D.C?
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 11:33amNo, that would interfere with NASA’s muslim-outreach priorities.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:00pmmaybe we can point it at the extremists too
Report Post »extremist
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:06pmSo you must be a cold extremist or you are presently untannable-kate?
Report Post »KCEddie
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:44amThe solar panels are probably made in China !
Report Post »aeronut44
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:39am“from Unity College in Maine to Washington to urge Obama to put solar panels on his roof ”
Since when is the White House Obama’s House????? That house belongs to the people NOT to Obama or Bush or Reagan…..That is OUR house!!!!!!!
Report Post »52tucker
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:28pmAeronut44- those are the words of the writer of the article, not anyone else. The writer, Jonathan M. Seidl is employed by The Blaze. He‘s calling it Obama’s house, not anyone else. Relax, or if you’d like, complain about the writer. Obviously won’t make much difference.
Report Post »52tucker
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:50pmLooks like the “Obama’s House” quote from the story actually comes from the AP writer, Dina Cappielo, so The Blaze is in the clear on this one. The Associated Press did the lead in, and you’re right, it’s not a good one.
Report Post »M-O-O-N Spells Moon
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:47pmOur President appears to have difficulty understanding the concept of the poeple’s property. It’s HIS house just like it was HIS bust of Winston Churchill that he packed up and sent back to the UK.
These panels were most likely made by prison inmates that the former Green Jobs Czar gave work to.
Report Post »Mr Sanders
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:39amWill the WH be thrown in jail if they sell their garden’s produce? Don’t give it away either – I think there’s jail-time there too?!
Yes, Mr. President! After two years of comparisson shopping, the announcement comes through!!! Glad you’re finally being a leader and doing what you say for us to do! The install ought to go well since the WH is facing due South and you have some spare basement space! (19% transfer rate & 3 months of 24 hour exposure for solar – that’s going to be great but you had better cutback on the latte-runs to starbucks on the People’s dime.) Now. Don’t forget, replace those light bulbs with CFL’s – GE will help you out on that. That ought to be a whopper of a bill for, what 1500-2000 lightbulbs? (oh, we pay that, forgot) That’s a lot of Mercury – better not eat canned Tuna for a while. What about the kids that put them together for pittens a day… in China? Can’t make them here, now can we – EPA and all that? (thanks for that Pres. Bush!)
Now Capitol Hill, are they going to follow suit, or are you going to keep that nasty mess of a power station open? Forgot! They pay carbon credits for worst polluter in the US power system. Why don’t they go green?? Wait…. wait for it….because its the new RED!
Report Post »GnomeChomsky
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:59pmWhat on Earth are “pittens”?
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:02pmpennies with pictures of baby cats on them
Report Post »tmh
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 7:06pm@gnome – I think he meant “pittance”
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:33amStupid is as stupid does.
Report Post »Marine4ever
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:11amI would like to see if the solar panels he installs are MADE IN CHINA!
Report Post »CoFX
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:05amAh, there is mention of 350.org again. I saw the story of them going to the White House the first time to try to get POTUS to install panels, but didn’t know who they were at the time. These are the people who support the 10.10 project, that eco-terrorist commercial on the site, and are also tied into the groups supporting the One Nation Rally.
“Mr. President – would you like to use our solar panels on the roof? No Pressure….”
Report Post »ccedge
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:02amI remember doing mission work in Guatemala and they had those water heaters on the tops of the roofs that were “heated” with the sun…IT WAS THE COLDEST SHOWERS I HAVE EVER, EVER HAD!
Report Post »scaanderson
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:59amMore ways to spend money for Obama. Just live it up while you can, Moron!
Report Post »TexasGranny
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:56amI don’t have a problem with using solar, wind, or geothermal energy. I tried to install geo for my new house but the cost was outrageous – same with solar and wind. The average middle class family or as in my case a senior simply doesn’t have the upfront money. I did install a high efficiency AC/Heat system and my electric bills for this hot Texas summer didn’t reach $130. Compared to my previous home that was never under $275. I’m simply not against conserving energy or using alternative methods but it has to be affordable before people switch. I also don’t want the Gov telling me “do it or else” which is what will happen if O gets his way. Voluntary participation with affordable cost will get him further – people in general would be happy to reduce their cost – more money to spend on other things – but FORCE makes us Texans “bow up”.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:57pmGotta agree with you TEXASGRANNY I live in Arizona and would love to use solar but I can’t afford it. I think if anybody really cared they could find a way for the solar companies to make it more affordable
Report Post »ILFarmer
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 7:01pmI agree, the upfront cost isn’t great. If you are one that wants to break off the grid, then the cost isn’t really your issue. But for the average joe, it’s a bit too much to pay to make it worthwhile.
Report Post »QweeQwa
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:55amGood.
Why anybody would have a problem with this is beyond me.
Report Post »onesoul
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:53amNo Pressure…
Report Post »LukeAppling
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:50amLet me, please, show you a study comparing various “green” energy vs good old oil and gas:
Report Post »Despite years of effort the results are as follows, based on a study in 2009 reported in the Wall Street Journal:
Traditional onshore wind power breaks even with gas at$8.33 or oil at $92; offshore winds breaks even with gas at $17.14 or oil at $189;solar thermal needs natural gas at $35.66 or oil at $393; good old photovoltaic solar[on rooftops everywhere] natural gas needs to be at $59.61 oil at $657/barrel today those costs are close to $3.00 and oil at $72.
For every green job created in Spain , financed by Spanish taxpayers,2.2 jobs were lost;the programs resulted in the destruction of 110,500 jobs; each green megawatt installed on average destroyed 5.39 jobs elsewhere in the economy and in the case of solar photovoltaic the number reaches 8.99 jobs per megawatt hour installed-Spain, Denmark, Germany all are closing their “green job” programs as far too costly with no results. This is taken from “Power Grab” By Christopher Horner [whom I trust far more than Gore, Obama, Kerry or the English "scientists" who fudged the numbers].
SnapTie
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:37amGreat give some more money to these companies.Siemens,Germany,Fotowatio,Spain,Heliotechniki S.A,Greece,Renewable Resorces LTD,China.Billions of stimulus money went to these firms so whats a few more million.
Report Post »Viana
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:36amLooks like he considers himself in posesion of the house for a long time, next will be change the name and the color in the name, it makes her uncomfortable everytime she has to say it, and having to live in it, is an affront, after all, she is the one running the business. But what do I know? I’m just the 800 pound gorila in the room. But I can see it coming!!!!. Oh well…..just say’ng
mutt
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:34amAnd he can start wearing a tin foil hat to keep all of those Conservative voices out of his head.
Report Post »Ohiowoman
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:30amWonder what he‘ll do when there’s a foot of snow on those panels?
Report Post »M-O-O-N Spells Moon
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:42pmWhy, give a speech of course.
Report Post »Wrella
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:30amJust read that Reagan quietly removed the Carter panels during a re-roofing project. I’d like to see the cost/benefit analysis on this but if it quiets the crazy enviro-wienies down for a bit, let ‘em have their solar panels.
Report Post »senah
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:30amI wonder if the government got a tax credit by installing these? By the way, did these come from China?
Report Post »Beverly Barnum
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 11:34amMost likely, they did come from China. When I bought mine, the contractor said mine from China were both cheaper and better than those made in the US. Sad state of affairs.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:20pmExactly.. my first thought.. and didn’t I read an article that OBAMA had nixed the idea of solar (before he changed his mind)..
Report Post »dressseller
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:22amI think they know something about future energy black-outs that they aren’t sharing with the rest of us. It‘s time that Americans really wake up and prepare for what’s ahead. Please just read this site and take from it what you feel led to take. Then please act on it accordingly. Now is the time to prepare. The ruling class has bought themselves time to prepare by propping up our phoney worthless dollar until such time as they know THEY will be OK. Then all bets are off and the rest of us will be left to fend for ourselves.
Could the ultimate power grab happen during all of this? ….All I know is that hyperinflation in Germany gave us Hitler.
http://www.inflation.us
RobR
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:21amI just can’t wait to see if , after Barack gets out of prison and returns to private life , he practices what he preac……..is shoving down our throats and up our a$$es , while in office………not that he is actually ever in the office….must be a black thang………anyone have doubts on the outcome?
heavyduty
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:39pmWhat ever it is, I don’t think I want anymore of it.
mizflame98
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:21amWell, if he wants to keep the oval office hot enough to grow orchids, he might as well use solar panels instead of doing it off the taxpayer’s dime.
Report Post »CoFX
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:01amIts still the taxpayer’s dime. You don’t really think Obama would reach into his own pocket for the new solar panels, do you?
Report Post »zagfan
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:18amI just hope they can install them with out showing when people go to see the White House. It’s probably a good idea, I’d like to see the cost on purchasing and installing them first before they are installed. I just hope it not a huge expense to the tax payers at this time.
Report Post »Beverly Barnum
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:58amI installed solar panels and a solar water heater on my house last year, together with a battery backup system and have virtually divorced my power company. However, I did it, not to go green, but as a response to Cap and Trade’s predicted expense and the coming inflation and thus disapperance of my saved dollars. When times get really bad, I can “barter” hot showers for food. I decided my savings were better spent in going off the grid with my own power and water capability. I was told wind will not work here as we don’t have enough, but the sun shines brightly in Texas.
Report Post »NoName22
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:48am“Obama, who has championed renewable energy, has been under increasing pressure to lead by example by installing solar at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, something White House officials said has been under consideration since he first took office.”
==============================================
Under increased pressure to spend tax dollars and affix panels to a historic building. Liberal pressure is the only pressure he knows.
Report Post »ILFarmer
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:11pmThe most efficient Solar Panels are Tracking panels. They produce about 30-40% more energy since they follow the direct sunlight longer. Those cost about $30k each in WI, not sure what the markup is for the East Coast and for the government. Still, you need about 3 of them to power a standard home and it’s wise to have a wind generator as well, since if it’s not sunny, it’s usually windy (or night, but that’s not the point). It really is a token response. But it is something. and if it helps them to be a little more self-sufficient (isn’t that what we are all working toward again as a country?)
What they have though are mostly water heating units, which can heat a home fairly well and reduce costs. You would however need to really upgrade the building to make it quite effective. I would think they are using above floor radiators (my parents old house had them) which are decent but not great. You would still need a large reservoir to hold a vast amount heat in water (like a battery) for when you have several days without sun. And having seen the last Winter on the East Coast, I would think you would want one large enough to keep the heat for a good week. And the best way to store that would be underground. (below the frost line you don’t get much colder than 52 degrees, which is why more and more farms are using geothermal to heat and cool their houses). I highly doubt that Obama is going to go that far so as to have the system be truly practical, especially with the size of the White House.
Going green does not mean you are a leftist liberal, often, it’s just the smart thing to do as it is usually cheaper in the long run. It should still be the choice of the individual on how far they want to go with it if at all.
Report Post »mizflame98
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:16amI thought Jimmy Carter already had solar panels installed on the roof of the White house.
Report Post »mizflame98
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:21amNevermind.
Report Post »stinkybisquit
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:23amBoth Carter and W. had them; Carter‘s were removed in ’86. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20101005/D9ILGAR04.html
Report Post »Paradigmm
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:25amRegan had them removed!
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:47amIt’s a historic building. Last time I checked you cannot retrofit federal historic buildings that remove from their tradition.
Report Post »tepartyblog.info
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:18amHe is our Cartixon, he can do what ever he wants to push his green agenda. Cartixon is beyond the morals and laws of men.
Report Post »AMERICA4EVER
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:26amIt’s union job, they are still fitting them.
Report Post »stinkybisquit
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:11amWhy do I have the feeling that 2011 will be the cloudiest year in history?
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:34amWe can only hope. Maybe a cold shower will do him some good – remind him of his days catching flies with chop sticks so he would have protein for dinner and taking a cold shower so the rats wouldn’t come looking for him.
other_box
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:57amhe’s never in the White House anyway
Report Post »beekeeper
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 11:14amI can’t wait for the installation of a windmill so the White House can pump up water from a well…
There is no way this effort is anything other than “token” – that building consumes an ungodly amount of electricity between metal detectors, x-ray machines, computers, lights, etc. I‘ll lay even money that the solar panels they put on the roof won’t even generate enough electricty to power the residence, let alone the offices, public areas, secure areas, off-limits areas, etc.
I think this will be as effective as putting a 2 foot square solar panel on top of a Prius to charge the battery on sunny days… It’ll generate a charge, but will it make a difference?
Report Post »Vast Right Wing Conspiracy Czar
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 12:08pmI wanna see a wind farm on the south lawn!
Report Post »caitlynsdad
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:22pm@Beekeeper
Report Post »And I presume the next step will be for the White House staff to start doing the president’s laundry in a wash basin and wringer.
NoMarxist
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:45pmAnd starting this weekend, all of Obama’s servants will be rquired to wear tin foil hats to prevent Glenn Beck from reading their minds.
Report Post »Compete or Lose
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 6:32pm.
.
.
Lets see now……Solar electricity costs 4 times what conventional electricity costs…..
That is a fact
So Mr. President, maybe it is time for you to hire some accountants and fire some lawyers!!
Good luck
RGS
Report Post »kgb58
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 2:26amIt’s a simple ALFOREithm…
Report Post »sodun
Posted on October 6, 2010 at 1:18pmObama is sooo GREEN!
Report Post ».
I mean the FACT that he sat on his butt for 45 days letting oil spill into the Gulf of Mexico when he had it in his power THE WHOLE TIME to try to curtail the spill AS IT ERUPTED FROM THE WELL!
.
His hypocrisy is S T A G G E R I N G !
.
But what can we expect from a President that has spent more money than every administration in the HISTORY of America, from Washington through Regan? And then has gall to tell us he’s doing us a FAVOR?
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What can we really expect from a President who endorses a Communist rally but not one dedicated to honor, morals, and the principals of integrity that built the most generous and prosperous nation the world has ever known?
.
Whew! That’s a lot of typing for an old fart like me. I think I’ll retire for a while and have tall cool glass of T E A !