Dive Summary:
- 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has officially gone solar: three years after announcing its intent to do so, the White House has commenced with installing solar panels on the First Family's residence.
- An anonymous White House official explained that the project is “a part of an energy retrofit that will improve the overall energy efficiency of the building.”
- The Obama administration first announced its intent to install solar panels on the White House in 2010 to demonstrate its belief in renewable energy.
From the article:
At the time of the 2010 announcement, then-Energy Secretary Steven Chu and White House Council on Environmental Quality chair Nancy Sutley said the administration would conduct a competitive bidding process to buy between 20 and 50 solar panels. The officials did not identify the supplier or cost of the project, but wrote the White House “has begun installing American-made solar panels” and the initiative, “which will help demonstrate that historic buildings can incorporate solar energy and energy efficiency upgrades, is estimated to pay for itself in energy savings over the next eight years.” [...]
Back in 2010, Chu said, ”This project reflects President Obama’s strong commitment to U.S. leadership in solar energy and the jobs it will create here at home. Deploying solar energy technologies across the country will help America lead the global economy for years to come.”