Despite mediocre poll numbers and the sense of doom clouding hopes for Democratic success in November, things may have gotten a little sunnier at the White House.
The Obama administration this week announced plans to install solar panels on the White House roof to demonstrate President Barack Obama’s commitment to low-carbon energy.
MarketWatch reports the Energy Department is seeking bids to install the panels, which will produce about 19,700 kilowatts per year of power.
The project will install two White House solar-panel systems, The Hill reported, “one that converts sunlight into electricity, and a solar hot-water heater for the White House residence.â€
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, who announced the move, said:
“This project reflects President Obama’s strong commitment to U.S. leadership in solar energy and the jobs it will create here at home. Deploying solar-energy technologies across the country will help America lead the global economy for years to come.â€
The announcement also marks the return of  solar panels to the Executive Mansion. President Jimmy Carter was the first to install the nascent energy source in the 1970s, but the panels were later removed by President Ronald Reagan. Under President George W. Bush, solar panels were used to heat the pool and a maintenance building, MarketWatch reported.
The panels are due to be installed by early next year, according to the Economic Times.
