Smithsonian adds solar panel to White House collection

Smithsonian adds solar panel to White House collection

Those planning a career in green technology may be interested to learn the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History has received a solar panel that was once installed on the White House.

It is one of 32 such panels installed on the roof of the executive mansion under the Solar America initiative undertaken by President Jimmy Carter. In 1991 the refurbished panels were relocated to Unity College where they heated water for the college cafeteria until 2005 when they reached their maximum lifespan.

"The White House solar panel is evidence of an American president leading by example to promote his administration's agenda," says Harry Rubenstein, chair of the division of politics and reform.

"It displays how President Carter reinforced his policies through a personal gesture taking place in his own home," he adds.

Although that particular panel may have become a museum exhibit, intense work is underway to develop the next generation of green technologies that will save our budgets and our planet.

Those who would like to prepare themselves for a lucrative career in this growing industry may consider applying to an engineering program. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for environmental engineers will grow by 25 percent a year until at least 2016.