''Solar Park'' Is Just One Green Element of Volkswagen Chattanooga

The Volkswagen Chattanooga "solar park" contains 33,600 solar modules (JA Solar) designed to produce 13.1 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, equivalent to the energy consumed annually by about 1,200 homes in the area. The electricity produced will meet 12.5 percent of the plant's energy needs at full production. U.S.-based Phoenix Solar www.phoenixsolar-group.com designed and built the solar array. The plant employs about 3,200 people to manufacture the Passat sedan.

On Jan. 23, 2013, the Volkswagen facility in Chattanooga, Tenn. inaugurated the largest single solar installation at an automotive manufacturing facility in the U.S., and the biggest solar installation in the state.

The polycrystalline solar modules are mounted on a Unirac racking system. Ten SMA inverters convert the solar energy from DC to AC to power the electrical installations in the manufacturing plant.

The solar installation is in keeping with Volkswagen Chattanooga being awarding LEED Platinum certification by the U.S Green Building Council in late 2011. At that time, the USGBC called the facility "the world's greenest auto plant." The plant is still the only auto plant to have earned LEED Platinum certification.

The facility's other green elements (5 of 14) include:

• Two creeks restored during construction enhance the area's wildlife habitat and provide a wildlife "corridor."
• Reuse of rainwater for cooling and restrooms will save up to 350,000 gallons of water a month.
• LED street lighting saves about 100,000 kilowatt-hours per year, and reduces light pollution.
• Protected wetlands and habitats allow native vegetation to thrive.
• The white roof design reduces the heat island effect.