White House solar panels are no-shows

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110625/business/706259968/

Article posted: 6/25/2011 6:00 AM

White House solar panels are no-shows

By Mark S. Smith

WASHINGTON — Last October, the Obama administration announced plans to install solar panels on the roof of the White House by the spring of this year, returning the power of the sun to the pinnacle of prominence a quarter-century after Jimmy Carter’s pioneering system was taken down.

Spring has come and gone, and the promised panels have yet to see the light of day.

Administration officials blame the complexities of the contracting process, and say the solar project is still an active one. But they can’t say when it’ll be complete.

Environmental groups say the symbolism is telling — and disappointing.

…

[polichick]

1. Just like he can't quite say he's for marriage equality, he can't quite say he's for green energy...

SHAME ON YOU, MR. COWARDLY PRESIDENT!!!

[mucifer]

2. just plain sad.

[obxhead]

3. But he got the girls a puppy so it all balances out.

[Enrique]

4. Secret Service won't allow it

it would put Obama in too much danger from oil company death squads.

[TexasProgresive]

5. From a thread yesterday

Sounds like the WH has solar and could have more-I guess we could hate that Bushbot installed them. :banghead:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x609328

NYC_SKP
Response to Original message

6. First, Carter installed solar water heaters, not solar photovoltaic (electric) panels. Second...

Presently, the White House buildings have BOTH. :P

The pool house has integrated water heating panels.

The park service building on the site has a big array on the roof generating electricity.

The White House itself even has modules mounted on the West Wing near the Rose Garden.

There's still plenty of room for more...
:toast:

Wed Jun-22-11 11:50 PM
Response to Reply #6
7. Installed in 2003 under Bush...

http://blog.coolerplanet.com/2008/03/08/solar-panels-at-the-white-house/

[OKIsItJustMe]

7. True but irrelevant

The solar panels Carter installed were water heaters. True. Even today, that's the most efficient choice (if your goal is to save power.) It was even more true when he did it.

Putting panels on a pool building does not have the same symbolism as putting them on the White House. (If it did, then why would President Obama make that pledge. He could have simply said, "We already have them!")

http://www.solardesign.com/projects/project_display.php?id=14

…

Special Features:
The National Park Service retained Solar Design Associates to design and install three solar energy systems at the Presidential compound. These systems demonstrate the most popular solar applications in use today.

• Two of the systems deliver thermal energy for hot water and pool heating and one produces electricity directly from the sun with photovoltaics.
• The PV system directly feeds solar-generated power into the White House distribution system, providing electricity wherever it is needed. PV Modules were provided by Evergreen Solar
• Solar thermal components were provided by SunEarth.
• DC/AC inverters were provided by SMA-America and consist of a bank of Sunny Boy 2500 inverter modules.

“I think it is important to the public to see the government embracing clean energy,” said Sam Vanderhoof of SMA-America. “SMA is proud to be a partner of the greening of the White House.”

…

Steven Strong was with President Carter when he dedicated the first solar energy application at the White House in June, 1979. The system, which provided domestic hot water for the West Wing, worked fine until President Reagan removed it shortly after he took office. The Carter-era solar collectors wound up in government surplus and were subsequently acquired by Unity College in Maine to heat the water for the school’s cafeteria.

It was fitting, then, that Strong should be invited back when solar energy returned to the White House.

…

[mopinko]

6. from the link

“To be honest, I am not surprised,” said Danny Kennedy, founder of Oakland, Calif., based Sungevity Systems, who said the delay’s likely due to the complexity of such a project at the White House. “They’re trying to get it right on the most famous home in the world, and there’d be all sorts of heritage rules and red tape.”
So when will the panels actually appear? The Energy Department says it’s “on the path” to completing the project. But details and timing can only be shared “after the competitive procurement process is completed.”


Read more: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110625/business/706259968/#ixzz1QIvXgIJn

[msongs]

8. our solar system was installed 6 days after the first phone call contact nt

[OregonBlue]

9. But I presume you don't live in a national monument. I'd guess the regulations regarding the White

are just a little stricter than for your home.

[RC]

10. So that's how He did it, way back when 6000 years or so ago.

:P

[Kolesar]

11. Let there be light induced charge separation

"It was good"

[MessiahRp]

12. Wait they can make solar panels out of clean coal! Holy shit!

Obama really DID back the right horse on energy! :)

Rp