Solar News

Soly Word from The Holy Throne

Now you have a word from the serious opinion leader – The Pope! 

“Humanity has the technological means necessary to face this environmental transformation and its pernicious ethical, social, economic and political consequences and, among these, solar energy plays a fundamental role”. With these words, Pope Francis explains in the Apostolic Letter Fratello Sole (“Brother Sun”) the vital importance to start doing environmental steps instead of environmental talks.

Pope Francis has given orders to construct the agrivoltaic plant (the land will be used both for agriculture and solar panels) in the area Santa Maria di Galeria, the 424-hectare site where Vatican Radio installed the broadcasting equipment, thanks to a 1951 agreement between the Holy See and the Italian State. 

The new solar plant is intended to supply the energy needs of Vatican Radio and contribute to “the complete energy sustenance of Vatican City State.”

Vatican Solar Path

Building solar plants is a part of the Vatican’s historical plan to go green. In 1971 Pope Paul VI in 1971 said that «humanity risked destroying nature by exploiting it». However, the first materialistic steps were made only in 2008, when 2,400 solar panels were installed on the roofs of the Vatican’s Paul V Hall. It produces over 300 MWh per year.

Also, in 2016, the Vatican upgraded and renovated its recycling system, and in 2023 it adopted electric vehicles in partnership with Volkswagen.

Solar panels on the roofs of the Vatican Hall

Source National Catholic Reporter

Aren’t Pope’s words carrying enough argument to reach the best solar installers in your region? Visit Solar Power Systems and get a solar quote for free with the best personal calculation of the solar project.



Andy Worford

Founder and Chief Content Officer at Resident Solar Power. Andy's been following solar policy and technology long enough to know which trends matter and which ones are just noise. He writes about photovoltaic systems, policy changes, and green tech innovations - basically, anything that helps homeowners make smarter solar decisions.

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