The Vatican goes solar

Not only is Pope Benedict the first pope to comment on the "unbalanced use of energy" in the world, but now he's really pushing for green cred with the installation of a 2,400-panel solar PV array atop Nervi Hall.

The project cost $1.6 million and is expected to generate about 300 MWh per year. The energy will light, heat or cool Nervi Hall, an auditorium used when the pope speaks to general audiences. When the building is not in use, the energy will be fed into Vatican City's grid.

The project was funded by German companies SolarWorld and SMA Solar Technology and will prevent the emission of 200 tonnes of CO2 every two weeks.

While the Vatican remains conservative on most issues, this pope has been willing to speak on topics usually considered off-limits. It's a great sign that the environmental crisis is being recognized as a global, human crisis, regardless of religious or political affiliation.

via Inhabitat