southern's green initiative
Solar Panel System
Southern Adventist University recently installed a 200-kilowatt solar panel system on the roof of the Services Department building.
This considerable undertaking contributes to the institution’s strategic goal of taking on a greater role in environmental sustainability. Green electricity produced by Southern’s new system—enough to power 40 average-size houses—will be purchased by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a corporation providing power for nine million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA will then put the power on their transmission grid to be delivered to customers by local distributors such as Electric Power Board (EPB), a non-profit agency serving the City of Chattanooga.
This project’s principles and scale highlight the university’s commitment to resource stewardship.
Solar Panel Facts
These additional initiatives represent other ways the university is working to create space where students can live and learn in a beautiful, sustainable environment.
- 832 total panels / 200 kw system
- Second largest system in Chattanooga
- System lifespan: 25-30 years
- Idea originated with Enactus (formerly SIFE)