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Will panels atop White House boost solar industry?

President Obama's 2010 promise is taking shape. Officials confirmed last Friday that solar panels -- made by a U.S. company -- will be installed atop the White House.

Wednesday, Aug 21 2013

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Solar in the News

The Philadelphia Inquirer

I haven't seen any photos yet, but supposedly workers are atop the building this week, installing the panels.

The White House used to have solar panels, during Jimmy Carter's presidency. (In truth, they provided hot water, not electricity.) But Ronald Reagan had them removed.

Eventually, they wound up at Unity College in Maine, where they provided hot water for a dining hall.

After Obama was elected, environmental groups put pressure on the White House to install new panels. Bill McKibben's 350.org group hatched a great publicity stunt -- bringing the old panels to the White House, accompanied by a petition with 50,000 signatures.