The North Carolina Solar Center, located in Raleigh, N.C., celebrated its 15th anniversary with the dedication of its Alternative Fuels Vehicle (AFV) Facility. The keynote address was given by Kim Kristoff, president of Gemtek Products and the chairman of the Biobased Manufacturers Association, who spoke on realizing the potential of biomass technologies. State Representative Joe Tolson was honored with an award for his leadership in the promotion of alterative fuel use in North Carolina. Guests of the dedication also had the opportunity to see the facility's small-scale biodiesel processing facility, a 1-kW Bergey wind turbine, and six alternative fuel vehicles.

The facility has hands-on displays and guided tours to explain alternative fuel use, production, and impact. Roof integrated photovoltaic panels are used to provide a portion of the electrical energy needed to charge the batteries of the demonstration electric vehicles.

- J.J. Siegel

Publication date: 12/15/2003