Go Solar Power For Homes

This week, Pope Benedict XVI leads by example when he activates a massive solar power for homes system that will power a number of important Vatican buildings. 

Over the last few weeks, the giant roof of Vatican’s auditorium, also known as the Nervi, has been covered with 2,400 photovoltaic solar panels. As this is the roof of the Paul VI auditorium, the Vatican City’s papal audience hall, this is probably the most famous solar power installation in the world, ever!

In the short term, by converting sunlight into electricity, these solar roof panels (aka photovoltaic cells) will create and capture enough solar power to light, heat or cool the 6,000 seat hall. It is projected that, over time, this solar power for homes system will provide electricity for some of the Vatican’s most important buildings, delivering as much as 300 kilowatts per hour of clean energy throughout the year.

When the hall is not in use, the surplus solar energy produced will be redirected into the Vatican’s power network, generating year round savings.

The new solar power for homes system will reduce the Vatican’s carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 225 tons, giving out the equivalent of 70 tons of oil. It is projected that, by 2020, roughly 20 percent of the Vatican’s energy needs will be derived from the Pope’s solar power program. In keeping with all solar power for homes units, this system is expected to have very low maintenance costs, producing clean, renewable energy for the next 25 years and beyond.

The complete solar power for homes system was donated as a gift to the Pope by the Bonn-based solar power for homes company, Solar World. The Vatican intends to mount more solar panels on other buildings in Rome. In case you’re worrying, he will not be using the roof of St. Peter’s Basilica. The total installation costs amounted to US$1.5 million.

This is not the first time Pope Benedict XVI has embarked on an eco-friendly project. Indeed, conserving global resources has long been a priority for the German-born Pope. The Vatican is already involved in another major environmental project, planting a forest to offset its carbon emissions, creating a zero carbon footprint on its territory.

Since he was elected in 2005, German-born Benedict XVI has criticized “the unbalanced use of energy” in the world, stating that environmental damage was making “the lives of poor people on earth especially unbearable”. Now he has acted on his words, giving the green light for others to install solar power for homes all around the world.

We acknowledge Pope Benedict XVI as the first pontiff to harness solar power for homes. By doing so, he is taking the case for solar power for homes to a new level, sending such a positive message around the world by his adoption of alternative renewable energy.

Everyone at Go Solar Power For Homes Dot Com salutes the Pope for this landmark installation and look forward to the day when many other major statesmen follow his shining example by joining the movement to go solar power for homes.

We like the Pope. The Pope provokes hope!

From Sam Deane,
your solar power for homes guide,
at www dot go solar power for homes dot com.

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Pic via: iStockPhoto
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by Sam Deane, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

 

 

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