KENNEWICK -- The promo for Extreme Makeover, Home Edition shows the crew stopping by the White House.

They aren't actually "doing" that residence as a makeover project, but that doesn't mean the most famous address in America has nothing "green" going on.

The White House is getting its solar panels installed and getting the "green machine" flowing. While largely symbolic, that's what its meant to be.

Household solar panels and the related hook up hear are not cheap. The start up costs still vary wildly. Estimates for households are anywhere from $12,000 to $26,000. The wide gap can be determined by what type of system you are tying to install.

Say you want to get off the power grid and be independent. You are probably looking beyond the $26K figure.

If you are trying to augment, or just run part of your home on this source, maybe just the hot water heater, you may well get by at $12K or even less.

Problem is, for the costs initially, how much are the average home owners going to gain? Studies are showing its about a seven-year return on the investment. Most of us don't want to make car payments that long!

Technology is also making this a tough call. About the time it looks good to get your own system started, someone develops better storage capacity. Longer-lasting solar panels better able to withstand the elements pop up. Computer software, the vanguard of rapid change, develops a new controls system.

Still, home owners shouldn't be totally discouraged. The upside potential is huge. The source is renewable; it will last forever. Panels are getting warranties that last 25 years. That fits pretty well with a 30-year mortgage. If you are "off the grid", self-sustained, your costs are pretty fixed. Doubt you will be giving yourself periodic rate increases!

Outside of initial costs, which are substantive, you must take into consideration where you live. Average sunlight for your area is huge. Too many cloudy days alone might not make this the best call for you. Snow significant in the winter? Hey, someone is going to have to get up on that roof and remove the white stuff from the panels. At approximately $5,000, an inverter, a thunderstorm and well-placed lighting can do a financial number on your system.

So once the panels are up on the most famous roof in America, if you want to follow suit, there is some research and work to do before you call out your own make over crew!