On Wednesday, the Vatican activated a new solar energy system consisting of 2,400 photovoltaic panels on the massive roof of the 'Nervi Hall, where popes hold general audiences. The new system which will produce 300MW of energy is worth 1.2 million euro ($1.6 million) and was donated by German companies SolarWorld and SMA Solar Technology.
With this energy plan the 108 acre city- state has now cut down its carbon dioxide emissions by 225 tons and is saving the equivalent of 80 tons of oil every year.
After several weeks of testing, the system was finally, officially started on Wednesday during which time the pope addressed a general audience in the hall.
That's not all. The Vatican now proposes to set into motion an ambitious solar power project that will utilize 300 hectares (740 acres) of land that they own to the north of Rome, called Santa Maria di Galeria, which at present is used as a transmission center for Vatican Radio.
This plan will produce six times the amount of energy needed to power the transmission antennas thus the Vatican proposes to transfer the remaining energy to the Italian national grid.
The Vatican's famous skyline, especially St Peter's Basilica, will remain untouched.
Pic courtesy closelyobserved.com/ Christopher Walker from flickr.com
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