Why Did Reagan Remove Solar Panels

Author natalie goldstein wrote in global warming.

Why did reagan remove solar panels.

In 1986 when the price of energy was temporarily cheaper and americans minds were less focused on environmental issues president reagan ordered the panels removed from the white house roof. The average solar panel from the era produces approximately 1 05 kwh of energy every day. Barry commoner a distinguished scientist and strong solar advocate was surprised and troubled by the smallness of both the proposed solar research budget and expected results he wanted to see the data from the national science foundation that supported the atomic energy commission s dismal view of the future of solar power especially since solar subpanel ix the scientific panel. 365 days a year 24 year that s 294 336 kwh of dirty energy bought and burned because of one bad decision by ronald reagan.

They were put in a warehouse in virginia and forgotten. In 1986 ronald reagan removed the solar panels installed by jimmy carter from the white house. Dirck halstead getty images. Obama assumed office in 2009 and his order for solar panels atop.

That system is working. Originally panels were installed in the late 70s during president jimmy carter s administration but president ronald reagan removed them in 1986 because of a roof leak and decided not to. President ronald reagan took office in 1981 and the solar panels were removed during his administration. Reagan was quoted as saying the panels were unsightly and unnecessary.

And in 1986 the reagan administration quietly dismantled the white house solar panel installation while resurfacing the roof. But in a curious parallel with the current occupant of the white house the panels weren t actually removed until 1986 five years after reagan took office. Multiply by reagan s 32 solar panels and you get 33 6 kwh of clean energy every day for free. Reagan s political philosophy viewed the free market as the best arbiter of what was good for the country.

Carter shows off his new solar panels at the installation ceremony in 1977. Reagan saw the solar panels installed by carter for what they were a public relations stunt and ordered them dismantled. It was clear reagan had a completely different take on energy consumption.