Let the Sunshine In ... More Solar for White House

In June 1979, the Carter administration had 32 solar panels placed atop the White House West Wing, along with thermal hot water solar system. In 2003 during George W. Bush's tenure, the National Park Service installed solar photovoltaic panels at the White House to show its commitment to renewable energy.

The Washington Post reports the Obama administration has agreed to install solar panels on the White House roof.

In June 1979, during the Carter-era administration, 32 solar panels were placed atop the White House West Wing, along with thermal hot water solar system. The panels heated water for the staff mess and other areas of the White House. Pres. Carter said at the time: ''In the year 2000 this solar water heater behind me will still be here supplying cheap, efficient energy. A generation from now this solar heater can either be a curiosity, a museum piece, an example of a road not taken, or it can be just a small part of one of the greatest and most exciting adventures ever undertaken by the American people.''

The Carter solar panels supported the spirit of his $100-million ''solar energy bank'' initiative. The goal was to generate 20 percent of U.S. power from alternative energy sources by 2000, and fund it by taxing domestic oil producers. He also proposed subsidizing developers to install solar panels on new and existing buildings.

Well, we know Carter's vision was nixed, and salt poured into that wound when Pres. Ronald Reagan had the panels removed. The solar system was put in federal storage for nearly a decade, then donated to Unity College in Maine. The environmentally-conscious college placed the panels on the school's cafeteria (they were removed in 1986). One of the panels is indeed a ''museum piece'' at the Carter Library in Atlanta.

Environmental activists have been encouraging the Obama administration to reinstall solar panels on the White House roof. One ploy was to bring back one of the original White House solar panels and display it outside the White House to garner some press attention.

Obama vowed to give solar another try at the White House. On Oct. 5 it became official. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced solar panels would be installed by spring 2011. There will again be water heaters, supplying hot water for the first family and some electricity, too.

It should be noted in 2003 during George W. Bush's tenure the National Park Service installed solar photovoltaic panels at the White House to show its commitment to renewable energy. It was a modest system that included two smaller solar thermal systems to heat water, one for landscape maintenance personnel, the other for the presidential pool and spa. The Bush Administration never ''announced'' the project, but industry trade journals picked up the story.