Solar on the White House Campaign Heats Up

Hi:

Obama, no different than any other pres., is interested in what he HAS TO BE interested in... SO, if they end up there it is because he was prodded into it... Personally, I would find an irrevocable bill from Congress stating that all Federal buildings must provide 50% or greater of their energy usage (unless physically impossible, situation by situation) from RE far more meaningful... but this makes for good Press... It should be solar thermal first, then PV considered....BTW, if it is to be in REALITY anything more than a PR push for the PV industry...

.....Bill

Bill,

This isn't just about PV. Solar hot water is definitely included in the initiative. Free Hot Water (who's now become a client of mine) was one of the first to sign up. Check the comments of my original REWorld blog post:

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2010/02/yes-we-can-help-obama-put-solar-panels-on-the-whitehouse-again-

You can read more about the system being donated here: http://www.freehotwater.com/blog/free-hot-water-offers-free-solar-hot-water-system-to-the-white-house-and-we-mean-it/

Any solar is good solar in my book. PV, thermal, CSP, CPV, we need attention and support for all of it. You won't be seeing any environmentally disasterous sun or wind spills from any of these technologies, just the good kind of sun and wind spills: a sunny, breezy day. :)

Hi Fred:

Yes, I know there is a token amount of ST in the mix... not really my point...
What I am saying broadly is that I wish the WH "solution" was balanced by Engineering rather than the size of the pocket books contributing, which really creates the system based on who has the most muscle in the current market rather than on the "real energy" needs of the structure...
This fact makes the initiative really more about PR than energy conservation, which is fine as long as people recognize it as such....

.....Bill

I think it's a great idea, good for the country, the environment and most importantly it's taking a stand for other country to follow. If the USA is constantly talking about the need for renewables energy I think it's only right to show example and one that works perfectly. I support the panel installation on the white house. How about make it a project for the unemployed graduates of the industry that way it's also helping these students at these challenging times.

There is already a significant solar PV installation on the White House grounds. A 167-panel system was installed in 2003 on a maintenance building. It was put up when George W. Bush was President. The installation is visible in the satellite photo of the white house on google; it's by the tennis court.

I would doubt solar panels would be allowed on the actual white house building itself. I would think they would get in the way of the snipers that are on the roof during public events.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/27/technology/how-it-works-from-a-white-house-roof-solar-power-proclaims-gains.html?scp=5&sq=evergreen%20solar&st=cse

Hey, Paul. All your points have been discussed in the previous White House posts here on REWorld. You also forgot to mention the solar thermal panels on the pool's cabana.

The point here is to make solar a visible symbol of America's new and permanent commitment to RE, as well a public education initiative about solar power and all of the programs that go with it, namely PACE, RECs, as well as energy efficiency. As for security measures, I'm sure there's a way to accommodate that, as well. Not as if the panels have to be on the edge of the roof.

Hi, Kevin,

I agree that this is a publicity stunt, but it's not so short and simple.

There's a reason publicity stunts like this are needed right now, namely because gas, coal and oil companies can buy publicity to greenwash themselves, but solar can't afford those millions.

This publicity stunt issue has been addressed in a recent blog post here on REWorld. Please read, and keep in mind that it was written even before the recent oil spill.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2010/04/give-a-hand-to-these-17-solar-pros-and-companies-offering-free-solar-systems-and-services-to-the-white-house.

I agree with Solar Fred -- this is what he's been saying all along. It's a PR campaign to the fullest! That's the whole point. Creativity is something we need badly in this industry. This is creativity.

Absolute nonsense. This is not Obama's personal house, as someone suggested. The White House belongs to the American people and is made available to the current president while he hold the office. The White House is a symbol for the American people, not an outdoor poster for any organization or group interest. Leave the White House alone. Start working on the one thing that will help renewable energy -- a law requiring the federal government to be a leader in cutting/stopping the use of coal and oil as heating fuels.

This is not nonsense even though I agree that we need legislation to make the federal government follow through with sustainable 'best practices' that will save ALL tax payers money by reducing costs and increasing efficiency and effectiveness of the government in ALL areas. If you don't believe me read Factor Four by Lovins printed in 1998 where they show scientifically with the technology THEN that ALL energy efficiency could be cut in half and effectiveness doubled. We can do better than that NOW. The PERCEPTION that the President of the US is using alternative energy processes is a BIG deal one that can help to spur on the legislation we sorely need. It also promotes the alternative energy industry and companies that are available which help to promote jobs. This effect is synergistic and exponential. Lets not argue (IMHO) over what others are doing; lets make sure we talk about what WE are doing to promote sustainable 'best practices' in our communities (local, national or world-wide). One person cannot do it all but one person can show many what THEY are doing and be an example. Very powerful, as it is how you show your children how to eat and how to speak. Like Nike says - Just do it!

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I also agree that this is a good move by Obama and a great publicity stunt to promote cleaner energy. I think the UK and other nations should embark on similar campaigns to promote a greener environment and further boost the sale of solar panels.

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