Volkswagen powered up its new solar park Wednesday morning.

Volkswagen today powered up its new solar park at its Chattanooga factory, the largest such facility at a U.S. auto plant.

Frank Fisher, chief executive of Volkswagen's operations in Chattanooga, said the solar park is "another proof point of Volkswagen's worldwide commitment to environmental protection."

The 9.5 megawatt solar system will provide 12.5 percent of the plant's electric needs. The solar park, estimated to cost about $25 million, occupies 33 acres next to the VW factory.

The solar park contains 33,600 solar modules, according to VW.