(Image Source: Silicon Republic)

BY PAUL ROLFE

The White House is getting a green tint after Tuesday’s announcement that solar power will be installed on the roof. It may signal a push for clean energy policies by the Obama administration.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu made the announcement at a conference on greening up the federal government.

Chu: “I’m pleased to announce by the end of this spring, there will be solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity and a solar hot water heater on the White House... These two solar installations will be part of the Department of Energy demonstration project. The project will show that American solar technology is available, reliable, and ready to install in homes throughout the country.” (Planet Forward)


This isn’t the first time a president has tried solar. Fox News recaps the history of solar power and the White House.

“White House solar energy history dates back to 1979 when President Carter had a solar water heater installed for West Wing offices. Carter’s remembered for wearing a cardigan sweater and asking Americans to save oil by turning down their thermostats and driving less. President Reagan removed the solar panels when the roof was being repaired and oil prices had plummeted. Then President George W. Bush brought back solar power for a maintenance building, some of the mansion, and heating water for the White House pool.”


But CNN asks, why is Mr. Obama doing it now?


“Just last month an environmental group, brought one of the Carter solar panels down from Maine to Washington to lobby the White House to reinstall the solar panel and really make solar energy and clean energy and renewable energy more of a priority of the President. The administration though, says that the decision today, the announcement today had nothing to do with any outside groups.”


SolveClimate.com talked to Vermont Law School Professor Patrick Parenteau, who says, it may be an 11th hour push for climate legislation.

“‘Lately, he’s been talking about moving legislation incrementally, doing it in chunks. Well, he could start by making a major push for the renewable electricity standard. Then he can go out on the campaign trail and tell people what is going to happen on the energy and climate front.’”


At the same time, plans were also approved for the first-ever use of public lands for a solar energy plant. The project is expected to create 1,000 jobs and up to 754 MW of renewable energy. Grist’s Glenn Hurowitz is encouraged by the two big moves by the Obama administration.

“...presidents often act first in symbols -- and then have their administrations follow up with action. The administration showed that pattern with its dual announcements today.”


There’s no comment yet on how much the new system will cost, but the bidding process for who will install the panels has begun. Secretary Chu says the solar panels should be up by the end of next spring.