TVA Makes $20K Gift to UNA Habitat Chapter's Solar-powered Home
Jan. 31, 2008
By Josh Woods
Director of University Relations
FLORENCE, Ala. — TVA has announced a $20,000 gift toward a solar-powered home project being spearheaded by the Habitat for Humanity chapter at the University of North Alabama. The gift is one of five — including two in the Shoals area — TVA is making in Tennessee and Alabama.
“TVA is a champion of renewable energy initiatives in the Tennessee Valley. We encourage you to visit our Web site to learn more about TVA Green Power programs,” said TVA community relations senior manager Katie Bell. “Team TVA volunteers look forward to teaming up with university volunteers to construct an energy-saving solar Habitat home for a deserving homeowner in the Shoals area. It’s another great part of TVA’s 75th anniversary celebration.”
TVA’s gift is in addition to a $26,342 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, secured by student members of the UNA Habitat chapter. The department’s Division of Weatherization and Technology was to award three Habitat zero-energy projects up to $75,000.
“We are grateful to TVA as well as ADECA for their support of this innovative project,” said Cynthia Burkhead, a UNA professor and sponsor of the university’s Habitat chapter. “We’re proud that the students of UNA are leading the way on this project, and we’re proud of the supporters teaming with us not only to benefit a deserving family in the Shoals but also the environment.”
The location for the Habitat home in Tuscumbia, Ala., is served by Sheffield Utilities, which will enable the homeowners to sell back any unused energy. The students will monitor the home’s energy consumption for the first year in agreement with ADECA.
The home is being designed by architecture students of Auburn University and will be built through Shoals Habitat for Humanity.
In addition to solar panels, the home will include all Energy Star appliances, reflective metal roofing, structurally insulated panels and other environmentally friendly materials.
