Vatican officials have estimated it will cost under 100 million euros ($114 million) to develop the solar farm, and that once it is approved by the Italian parliament, the contracts to do the work could be put up for bids. The Holy See has pledged to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% from 2011 levels by 2030 and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050—the latter in line with broader European ambition. While not yet fully powered by renewables, the Vatican has steadily expanded its solar infrastructure since 2008:. ROME (AP) — Italy agreed Thursday to a Vatican plan to turn a 430-hectare (1,000-acre) field north of Rome, once the source of controversy between the two, into a vast solar farm that the Holy See hopes will generate enough electricity to meet its needs and turn Vatican City into the world's first. Thanks to a unique photovoltaic plant installed on the roof of the Vatican Audience Hall, the Papal State has been producing 300 MWh of solar energy every year since its installation in 2008. The project was planned and managed by BayWa r. with the PV modules, inverters and its installation. Vatican City now runs fully on solar power. Credit: Petr Polak Most people would not expect the world's smallest country, with fewer than 1,000 residents, to lead the global energy conversation. A full transition. systems (like solar) to get credits on their electric bills for excess power sent back to the g id irrespec-tive of ownership of the system, by the resident or has achieved complete energy independence per Pope Francis' goal before he passed. By Christopher Wells Highlighting the need “to.
