Why does the Vatican have a solar system?

The Vatican’s solar shift is a culmination of a political and spiritual mission years in the making. In 2024, the late Pope Francis issued an apostolic letter ordering the construction of an agrivoltaic solar plant to supply the Vatican with energy from Santa Maria di Galeria. On the same site, the new solar infrastructure now stands.

Does Vatican City have solar power?

Yes. Vatican City has joined Albania, Bhutan, Nepal, Paraguay, Iceland, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to become one of just eight countries in the world to generate 100% of its electricity from renewable sources. Several church organizations around the world are making the move to solar.

Where does Pope Francis build a agrivoltaic plant?

With the Apostolic Letter “Fratello sole,” issued motu proprio, Pope Francis provides for the construction of an agrivoltaic plant in the extraterritorial zone of Santa Maria in Galeria, where Vatican Radio maintains antennas for digital broadcasting. By Christopher Wells

Will a Vatican Radio station be installed in 2025?

The future installation would be projected to “ensure, not only the power supply of the radio station existing there, but also the complete energy support of Vatican City State,” he wrote. Fast forward to 2025, and the project is completed.

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.

How will the Vatican's new energy system work?

According to the Vatican’s press office, the installation will apply the most advanced solutions currently available, balancing clean energy generation with the preservation of agricultural use, the region’s hydrogeological stability, and the protection of its cultural and archaeological heritage (ZENIT News / Rome, 08.01.2025).-