The Vatican is going solar:
And then there was light -- and it was powered by the sun. The Vatican on Wednesday activated a new solar energy system and announced an ambitious plan that could one day make it an alternative energy exporter.The massive roof of the "Nervi Hall" where popes hold general audiences and concerts are performed, has been covered with 2,400 photovoltaic panels to provide energy for lighting, heat and air conditioning.
After weeks of tests, the system went on line at full throttle hours before Pope Benedict held what officials called the "first ecological general audience in the Vatican."
The new system on the 5,000 square meter roof will produce 300 kilowatt hours (MWh) of clean energy a year for the audience hall and surrounding buildings.
The 1.2 million euro ($1.6 million) system, devised and donated by German companies SolarWorld and SMA Solar Technology, will allow the 108-acre city-state to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by about 225 tons and save the equivalent of 80 tons of oil each year.
Way cool.
Sure, it's donated equipment, but here's hoping this somehow convinces other outdated institutions of wretched excess and waste end up seeing the light... and point solar cells at it.
Comments (2)
This morning at work I translated an article about a man who lives on a moshav here who installed solar panels in his home. The Israel Electric Corporation sent him a bill... where *they* paid *him!* He sells the clean energy he produces to the grid!
I would love to be able to do the same thing.
Posted by Rahel | November 26, 2008 12:00 PM
Posted on November 26, 2008 12:00
"outdated institutions of wretched excess and waste"
Come on now,the U.S. Gov't isn't that bad is it?
Posted by webelder | November 26, 2008 1:45 PM
Posted on November 26, 2008 13:45