Sungevity Wants to Put Free Solar Panels on White House
Sungevity wants to install solar panels on the White House roof…for free. That’s right. The Bay Area residential solar power installer is willing to donate a 17.85-kilowatt solar system to the Obamas at no cost to the first family, government or American taxpayers. The panels, according to Yahoo Green, would cut electricity costs at the White House by 81 percent. Amazing!
In total, it’s a $107,900 donation, covering purchase and installation of the 102 solar panels that could put the White House on the solar map. It sounds like an offer no family could refuse, but just in case, Sungevity is also offering the Obamas a 10-year, $537/month lease option that includes monitoring and maintenance, which would be the only costs involved if the donation is accepted.
Should we the people want to encourage President Obama to accept the best deal a solar homeowner can get, Sungevity has started a website to put the word out. At SolarOnTheWhiteHouse.com you’ll find the company’s full quote on the proposed system, including financial factors, utility savings, technical information and environmental benefits. You’ll also find a petition to sign asking Obama to accept the offer.
There are already three separate solar systems at the White House: two solar thermal systems providing hot water for landscaping crews and the presidential pool and spa, and a small photovoltaic array that is more of a symbolic gesture than real contributor to White House energy consumption. Those systems, believe it or not, were installed by notably non-environmental president George W. Bush. Former president Jimmy Carter once installed panels on the White House, but those were actually removed by his successor Ronald Reagan — probably about the same time he killed federal solar incentives that Carter instated during solar power’s first and much smaller rise to prominence during the energy crisis of the 1970s.
None of those solar systems were offered for free. So let’s hope President Obama says yes (and his successor doesn’t tear down a free cash cow). The estimated 81-percent reduction in energy costs would save the White House $1,610 per month.
Photo Credit: Chip Neal & commentaryoutofgas
Posted on April 28th in Solar Politics by Dan.
April 29th, 2010 at 9:43 am
This is a great tool to use to encourage the use of Solar in America. Can this type of offer be used on other residences and businesses too.
April 29th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Although I support the sentiment of solar on the whitehouse, I would like to point out that a 17.85kW system will come nowhere near offsetting $1,610 per month. Even assuming an optimal orientation a system this size would only produce between 1,300 kWh and 2,200 kWh in any given month (depending on the time of year). At an average retail rate of ~9 cents per kWh in DC the offset value is going to be below $200/month. That’s fudge factor of 10x being propagated by Sungevity and the media reporting this story! The ‘Free Solar on the Whitehouse’ piece has been gaining momentum in the RE press and it is deeply unfortunate that it is marred by such misinformation.
Another thing I find frustrating about this story is that it calls the existing 9kW PV system “more of a symbolic gesture than real contributor to White House energy consumption” Not only do i not agree with this statement, it seems to me that if 9kW is essential nothing then 17.85 isn’t a whole lot better. Of course I agree that the Obama administration should make a firm statement and get more solar on the whitehouse judging from these reports perhaps you get what you pay for. It seems to me that the people behind this are more interested in giving themselves free publicity then giving the whitehouse free solar.
September 11th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Bush walks the environmental walk, Gore just talks the talk. Fact!