a236  1501  22 Aug 86
AM-White House-Solar,0270
White House No Longer Has Solar System
    WASHINGTON (AP) - In the energy-conscious time seven years ago, the
Carter administration installed a solar water-heating system in the
White House and said it would save $1,000 a year in heating costs.
    Now workmen have dismantled the panels in order to fix the roof
underneath and the Reagan administration has decided, said spokesman
Dale Petroskey, that ''putting them back up would be very unwise,
based on cost.''
    There was a bit of embarrassment about all this. On Thursday, when
the General Services Administration was asked if the panels would be
replaced, spokesman Joe Slye said they would.
    On Friday, Slye said the person who had given him the information
had been mistaken and that a decision on replacement would be made
after the roof repairs were done.
    But Petroskey said ''it was decided not to put them up and that they
will be given to the National Park Service for them to find a better
place.''
    What about all those savings that were forecast?
    ''Negligible,'' said Petroskey.
    The system, which used 32 solar collectors to supply about 75
percent of the hot water used in the presidential offices and staff
mess, cost about $30,000. Jimmy Carter's cousin, Hugh, who handled
payroll and expenses at the White House during the Carter
administration, conceded at the time that the panels would be a
losing proposition.
    But, he said, the symbolism quotient was high.
    ''Putting it here, the president would display wenough leadership to
emphasize his solar energy policies,'' Hugh Carter said.
    ''We wanted to set the example because solar energy is the coming
thing.''
    
AP-NY-08-22-86 1800EDT
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