GE Press Release:

GE Donates Dollars, Labor to Solar Decathlon

Downloads

October 3, 2013

• Kentuckiana engineering students build house that could serve as replacement following a disaster
• GE engineers donate hundreds of hours helping students build solar-powered house
• Locally-built solar-powered house recognized as one to watch in national competition

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Oct. 3, 2013 — (NYSE: GE) — Scenes from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina may be etched on our minds forever. If such a disaster ever hits again, engineering students from the Universities of Louisville and Kentucky, and Ball State University believe they may have a good replacement to aid communities during the reconstruction period - their entry in this year’s Solar Decathlon competition.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Solar Decathlon is an international biennial competition that challenges 20 collegiate teams to design, build and exhibit fully functional solar-powered homes. Team Kentuckiana built its house on the University of Louisville (UofL) campus. The house was recently dismantled and shipped to Irvine, Calif., where it will be re-assembled for judging Oct. 3 through 13.

The two-bedroom house, which has already been recognized as one of the top five to watch, has a vaulted ceiling in the kitchen/living room area; a mechanical room; a bathroom, which doubles as a safe room; a closet that serves as a laundry room; and special siding built to withstand high winds. It features a deck all around with planter boxes, and is furnished with a full set of energy-efficient GE appliances, including the GeoSpring™ hybrid water heater.

GE supportWhen UofL announced its participation in the 2013 Solar Decathlon, vice president of technology Kevin Nolan helped secure a $85,000 GE gift to support the effort. The university students, however, needed even more help from GE. They needed expert advice from its engineers and eventually many hours of volunteer labor.

More than 50 GE engineers volunteered to help with the labor during three separate one-day blitzes. It is estimated that GE workers donated more than 500 man hours of labor during those three days, while some of the engineers worked many more hours, coming on their own time after work and on weekends to help.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or check out our website for more informationFriend GE Appliances on Facebook to view how-to videos, learn about new GE appliances and join in the discussion with other GE appliance owners. Join today and follow @GE_Appliances on Twitter or just locate detailed information about our products at www.geappliances.com.

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances is at the forefront of building innovative, energy-efficient appliances that improve people’s lives. GE Appliances’ products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, water filtration systems and water heaters. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information on GE Appliances, visitwww.ge.com/appliances.