Does the Vatican have solar power?

While not yet fully powered by renewables, the Vatican has steadily expanded its solar infrastructure since 2008: over 2,394 photovoltaic panels—many atop the Paul VI Audience Hall—already generate around 300 MWh of electricity annually.

Will the Vatican build a solar plant in 2024?

In 2024, the Vatican announced a new solar plant to be built on Church-owned land outside Rome, positioning the city-state to become the eighth country in the world to run entirely on renewable electricity. The project will also include agricultural activity, creating an “agrivoltaic” site that combines solar energy production with farming.

Will a Vatican solar project be built outside Rome?

In an apostolic letter, the pontiff said the project will be constructed on Vatican-owned property outside of Rome that spans 424 hectares, adding capacity to existing solar panel installations in the city state.

How do Agrivoltaics work?

Agrivoltaics involves the dual use of land for solar energy production and agriculture. They are built with a series of solar panels that coexist with crops, livestock or both. Sometimes the solar arrays are situated on top of greenhouses, interwoven among crops, or elevated plants. Where is the Vatican’s solar installation located?

Will Vatican City become a fully solar-powered state in 2025?

By May 29th, 2025, that vision was fulfilled, and the Vatican City became one of the only fully solar-powered states in the world, setting a clear precedent on how belief and sustainability can align.

Does the Vatican have a low-energy lighting system?

The Vatican has introduced low-energy lighting systems; over 100,000 LED lights have replaced older fixtures, cutting energy consumption by up to 90% while protecting delicate frescoes from heat exposure. Villa Barberini, Pontificial Gardens at Castel Gandolfo: Photo by Sonse - Villa Barberini Pontifical Gardens, Castel Gandolfo, CC BY 2.0,