To demonstrate President Barack Obama’s commitment to “green” power solutions, the administration’s top energy official promised 10 months ago that solar technology would be installed on top of the White House by the start of summer.

 

With summer nearing an end, Energy Secretary Steven Chu’s pledge has not been realized, as no solar panels have been added to the White House roof.

 

What happened?

 

Well, no one in the administration is saying exactly. According to the Energy Department, the project is mired in the “competitive procurement process,” and no timeline has been offered for the start or completion of the work.

 

If the equipment is installed, it won’t mark the first time solar has come to the White House.

 

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter had 32 panels put up; President Ronald Reagan had them removed in 1986. Then, during the George W. Bush administration, the National Park Service installed solar panels on a maintenance building near the White House and on the president’s cabana to heat water for the outdoor presidential pool.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Summer's Almost over, and Still No Solar Panels on White House Roof (by Lauren Biron, Medill News Service)

Where Are the White House Solar Panels Obama Promised This Spring? (by Bill McKibben, AlterNet)

An Update on White House Solar Panels and Our Solar Program (by Ramamoorthy Ramesh, Department of Energy)