Word To Obama: Put Solar Panels On the White House

Bill McKibben, author and environmentalist, will make a road trip with Maine-based Unity College students as part of the Put Solar On It tour. Making the trip with McKibben and the students will be one of the solar panels former President Carter installed at the White House in 1979. The tour will start on September 7 and the White House will be its last stop on September 10.

While appearing on the Late Show With David Letterman, McKibben said, “We’re taking them back to the White House…It’s time to put these back up.”

Solar companies, headed by Sungevity, started a campaign called Globama, a few weeks ago as part of a campaign to get the Obama administration to install solar panels at the White House. The website contains a petition to Obama. Website visitors can even link their social network accounts (including Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube) to the campaign.

Sungevity offered the White House free rooftop solar panels. The company says its 102 panel, 17.85 kilowatt solar power system would reduce White House energy bills by 81 percent, around $102,000 a year, or $1,610 a month. If the Obama administration is not comfortable accepting a free system, Sungevity will offer 10-year lease of system for $537 a month, which includes maintenance.

President Obama signed an executive order requiring federal agencies to increase energy efficiency in its almost 500,000 buildings on October 9, 2009. The executive order required federal agencies to implement a 2030 net-zero-energy building requirement.

The White House is one of the federal government’s buildings, and to date it is not powered by solar energy as it was during the Carter’s presidency. President Ronald Reagan had the panels removed in 1985, after letting Carter’s solar tax credits expire.

Sign the Care2 petition, Tell Obama to Put Solar Panels Back on the White House!

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Jeremiah A.

7:05AM PDT on Jun 12, 2011

Spring of 2011!!! Anytime now they should be going up! Another great example of democracy in action!

send a green star

criss S.

11:29AM PDT on Sep 16, 2010

This would be great if the panels wouldn't be removed again.

10:39AM PDT on Sep 11, 2010

I agree - President Obama could be a real role model. Mind you, as a UK citizen, I can think of other places where solar panels would not come amiss. Buckingham Palace, perhaps?

Borg D.

3:15AM PDT on Sep 10, 2010

Thanks !!

Jessica P.

4:05PM PDT on Sep 9, 2010

Solar panels on the White House would stand as a great example to the American people.

nora l.

6:44AM PDT on Sep 9, 2010

Thank you so much for this.

Patricia L.

7:46PM PDT on Sep 8, 2010

He could set a fine example for industries and rich alike by doing this.We are too poor to make it feasible for us and we don't own our own home.But,hey they are offering it to you for free.Don't you want to save government monies?

evelyn m.

5:34PM PDT on Sep 8, 2010

that would great idea!!! i hope they do soon enough!!!

5:33PM PDT on Sep 8, 2010