The world's only LEED Platinum certified auto assembly plant is taking another step toward proving it deserves that high honor.
The Chattanooga Volkswagen plant will be partially solar-powered from now on.
V-W is asking the community to "think blue".
The Volkswagen plant at Enterprise South has already proven itself to be a successful operation.
It already has the highly coveted LEED Platinum certification and can call itself "the world's greenest auto plant."
Beginning immediately, it can add another honor---a 9-point-5 megawatt solar array on 66 acres adjacent to the billion-dollar assembly plant.
FRANK FISHER, C.E.O., V-W OF CHATTANOOGA "We promised for part of the platinum award, and we gave the commitment ..And now it will start to run."
The huge solar panel installation is the largest at any U.S. Auto plant in the United States, and the largest array in Tennessee.
The former head of the Tennessee Economic Development department joined Volkswagen executives in opening the new solar field.
Matt Kisber was part of the team that brought V-W to Chattanooga.
MATT KISBER, FORMER DIR., TENN. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT "Today, we celebrate, on an equally sunny day...their commitment to thinking blue-- To protecting our environment and showing that change can be a good thing renewable, clean generated electricity."
The solar field will provide 12.5 percent of the power needed for the home of the Volkswagen Passat.
MAYOR JIM COPPINGER, HAMILTON COUNTY "This solar park will contribute to Volkswagen's commitment to a 40% reduction in emissions from energy supplies by the end of this decade."
MAYOR RON LITTEFIELD, CHATTANOOGA "To tell people that here is an old industrial city ...that has gone from smokestacks to the next generation of industrial technology."
The plant has been using the solar panels since November of last year.
In addition to the assembly plant, the Volkswagen Academy nearby is also LEED Platinum certified.
CEO Frank Fischer says its part of the commitment to work in harmony with the environment.
