Bill McKibben, the founder of 350.org, had led a group of environmental activists to Washington in a bio-diesel van hoping to persuade Obama to re-install a set of solar panels originally put up by Jimmy Carter.
The actual Carter-era solar panels - which weigh in at 55 kilograms and are nearly 2 metres long - are out-dated now. But campaigners had hoped that the White House would embrace at least the symbolism of going solar - much like Michelle Obama kicked off her healthy food movement by planting a vegetable garden.
No doubt if the Obamas had put up newer solar panels, the never-ending voices of the minority would have bashed them for "spending the money" to do so.
I'm sure there are post 9/11 security features on the roof that we are not aware of. And putting big solar panels on the White House would give the building a very glowing infrared heat signature.