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Solar Power On the White House

Posted by samzenpus on from the red-white-and-green dept.

CartaNova writes "The Obama administration has announced plans to install solar panels and a solar hot water heater on the White House. The Carter administration had previously installed a 32-panel solar system at the White House — which was quietly removed during Reagan's tenure in office. Solar hot water and Photovoltaic firms had been campaigning on this issue for some time."

4 of 405 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why do Americans have problems with solar power by feepness · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Why do Europeans have problems not generalizing about Americans?

    I just signed a contract to get solar power installed, and the sales guy said business was booming. His phone didn't stop buzzing the entire time.

    Also, our President is getting solar power, if you hadn't heard.

  2. Re:Why do Americans have problems with solar power by nacturation · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I am curious, not trying to bust your chops or anything but how can you justify the cost on something that will never pay a return? I cannot see it ever being a good investment at todays prices at least.

    Depending on where you live (ie: depends on how much sun you get and the cost of electricity) as well as what government subsidies for solar installations are offered, it is possible to get a loan for solar equipment today and have the savings on your electric bill completely cover the cost of the loan with savings to spare. So you're not actually spending money out of pocket... it pays for itself and then some.

    The downside to this approach is that in a few years, solar panels will be even cheaper and more efficient and the resulting loan payment will be even less and you'll be stuck saving less than you could have saved had you waited. In other words, do you want a net savings of $30/month starting today for 20 years, or wait 3 years and have a net savings of $50/month for 20 years?

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  3. Re:solar hot water by MichaelSmith · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I hope the power companies don't retaliate

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  4. Re:Actually G W Bush installed solar by Trailer+Trash · · Score: 3, Interesting

    G W Bush's house in TX is also one of the most environmentally friendly houses on the planet. Al Gore, on the other hand, lives in a mansion here in Nashville that is 3 times the size of my house but with 10 times the energy usage. He also has another mansion in CA that's comparable in size.

    Sometimes it's what you *do* rather than what you *say* that tells me everything I need to know about you...

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