In this March 22, 2012, file photo, workers assemble a Passat sedan at Volkswagen AG's plant in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga today received a Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The annual awards recognize the country's leading green power users for their contribution to helping advance the development of the nation's voluntary green power market. Volkswagen Chattanooga was one of only four organizations nationwide to receive a Leadership Award for the on-site generation of green power during today's conference in Austin, Tex.

The award recognizes EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves using on-site renewable energy applications, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) or landfill gas. Volkswagen Chattanooga is currently generating more than 13 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually from its 30-acre solar farm at the VW plant in the Enterprise South Industrial Park. The solar farm generates about 12 percent of the power used in the VW assembly plant.

The Chattanooga VW plant is the first in the world to gain LEED Platinum certification for its energy efficiency and use of sustainable power sources.

"We are honored that the EPA has recognized us with a Green Power Leadership award for the renewable energy generated by the Volkswagen Chattanooga Solar Park," said Frank Fischer, president of VW in Chattanooga.