Going the green way, the White House will soon be installed with solar panels and solar heaters, in a reflection of the US President Barack Obama’s policy of promoting alternative and clean sources of energy.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu said the solar panels and solar water heaters are expected to be in place by early next year at the rooftop of the presidential residence.

The solar panels, however, are not new to the White House. They were first installed during the presidentship of Jimmy Carter, but were later removed during President Ronald Reagan regime.

“This project reflects President Obama’s strong commitment to US leadership in solar energy and the jobs it will create here at home,” said Chu.

“Deploying solar energy technologies across the country will help America lead the global economy for years to come,” he said.

These two solar installations will be part of a Department of Energy demonstration project showing that American solar technologies are available, reliable, and ready for installation in homes throughout America.

“President Obama has said the Federal Government has to lead by example in creating opportunity and jobs in clean energy,” said Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) Chair Nancy Sutley.

“By installing solar panels on arguably the most famous house in the country, his residence, the President is underscoring that commitment to lead and the promise and importance of renewable energy in the United States,” Sutley said.

The system will convert sunlight directly to electricity. The solar hot water heater will have a solar collector facing the sun that will heat water for use in the White House Residence.