The White House Goes Green

Mar, 15 2014 01:03

Late last year, the Obama Administration announced that they are installing a new set of solar panels on the roof of the White House.

Solar Panels At The White House
This isn't the first time the White House has taken steps to harness the sun's energy. Jimmy Carter put solar panels on the roof of the White House during his administration in 1979, but President Regan took them down in 1986.

Energy Savings At College
Those solar panels didn't go to waste. They ended up at Unity College in Maine, and had been used to hear water in the cafeteria for many years. When this news came to light, a petition was signed by over 50,000 people asking President Obama to put solar panels back on the roof of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. And though it took several years, the President is finally following through.

Commitment to Energy Savings
This move by the President highlights his commitment to renewable energy in the United States, and leading by example is the best way he can show the American people that conservation, renewable energy and thinking green is the way of the future for the country.

Solar Panels Across the U.S.
And solar energy isn't just for the White House. What was essentially an experiment for Jimmy Carter in 1979 has now gone mainstream, with almost two million homes in the United States now boasting solar panels on their roofs and lower energy bills in their mailboxes. And the U.S. doesn't even lead the pack on this one – Germany is closing in on ten million residential solar panels installed!

The Growing Market
The growth in the market is evident if you look at how many providers there are for solar panels in the U.S. In 2000, there were 21 companies manufacturing solar panels in the States. In 2009, that number had jumped by 5 times to 101!

Save Money
Why the huge jump? Because as energy consumption increased, energy bills increased. And a lot of people have realized that a small outlay of money up front can save them a lot of money on their energy bills in the long run.

Solar panels aren't just for other people, and the President of the United States. They are for you too! Call your local Building Energy Pros affiliate, or call Building Energy Pros central office at 1-800-309-6006 or visit www.buildingenergypros.com to find out how you can start saving money too.