“In the [future], the solar water heater you see behind me that is being dedicated today will still be here, supplying cheap, solar 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.”
-Jimmy Carter, White House Solarthermal Dedication Ceremony, 1979
We often think of solar panels as space-age, cutting-edge technology; the wave of the future. But it might surprise you to learn that Jimmy Carter installed solar panels on the White House roof in 1979.
See, the idea of conserving fuel due to high gas prices and harmful environmental concerns is just history repeating. The gas crisis of the late seventies had Carter donning a sweater, turning down the thermostat and, yes, installing solar panels.
But in 1986, Ronald Regan had the panels removed when the gas crisis ended and oil was again cheap and afordable. To call the move short-sighted seems almost obvious now but at the time, little was known about solar energy, its efficiency and its potential for the future.
In the new documentary “A Road not Taken”, swiss artists Christina Hemauer and Roman Keller travel back to the end of the disco era, and to the beginning of what activists at the time called the Solar era. Following the route the panels took, Hemauer and Keller trace their journey from the roof of the most recognizable building in the world to the roof of a cafeteria at Maine’s Unity College. And the worst part is they are not even in service anymore.
What is even more concerning is that little has changed. Currently, the White House has solar panels, both as PV and solarthermal, used to heat the White House pool and spa. But due to their angle on the roof and their lack of maintenance, it is believed these panels generate very little energy. In 2003, when the new panels were installed, there was widespread agreement that the installation was a drop in the bucket for the White House’s total energy needs. SEIA spokesman Michael Paranzino said at the time “I think the symbolic nature of this exceeds the actual kilowatts produced.” Without commitment, solar energy is simply a novelty. Are we doomed to repeat these mistakes?
Hemauer and Keller interview those involved, chronicling the oil crisis, and commenting on how we are both witnessing the consequences of past actions and repeating the mistakes ourselves. The documentary is still in the works and will be about 70 minutes long.
Thanks to the Huffington Post for the story.
We have installed a solar water heater at home and it is also as good as conventional water heaters..`,
i just wish that they could soon reduce the cost of solar panels coz it is still expensive.~-
solar panels for homes are still expensive and requires some large capital to install:’,
solar panel prices are getting lower and lower, soon we can afford to buy those high power solar panels,-’
solar water heaters are also energy savers, they help me save electricity bills from each month’;*
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the good thing about solar water heaters is that they can help you conserve energy “;`
I don’t think people realize just how important alternative energy and solar energy in particular is. Just wanted to say thanks for posting this.