A little over a month ago, a group of students started lugging a Jimmy Carter-era solar hot water panel from Unity College in Maine to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. The aim of their 630-mile journey? Convince the Obama administration to install solar panels on the White House. At the time, their idea — which was shared by a host of other individuals and organizations – was rebuffed.

Now, however, it seems the administration has warmed to the idea, today announcing a plan to install a small solar energy system atop the White House. The move reverses the decision by the Reagan Administration in 1986 to take down the solar water heater installed by Jimmy Carter in the late 1970s.

Speaking at the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) 2010 GreenGov Symposium, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley did’t indicate which solar installation company would do the job. Aptly enough, however, it was revealed that American made solar technologies would feature prominently.

Obama will become the third U.S. President to install solar energy at the White House. As previously mentioned, President Carter installed a $30,000 solar water heater for the West Wing offices in the late 1970′s. Then, most recently, President George W. Bush installed a solar energy system that powers a maintenance building.

A number of variables related to the pending White House solar installation remain unknown. According to the Huffington Post, administration officials estimate the system will include anywhere from 25 to 75 panels and will generate 19,700 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each year. That would save a typical American household $2,300 on electricity bills each year — a hefty sum. Relative to the White House’s electricity consumption, however, these savings are likely to be modest. Nevertheless, kudos to the White House for putting it’s money where it’s mouth is by putting solar on it!