At present the Vatican already has a solar power generator on the top of the Paul VI audience hall, producing approximately 300,000 kilowatt-hours of energy annually. The roof of the Paul IV Auditorium is covered by 2,700 solar panels, which save on hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide each year. The Pope VI Auditorium has been fitted with over 2,000 solar roof panels, which were donated to the Vatican by SolarWorld AG, this system is estimated to generate approximately 315,000 kwh per year. The solar energy is used to power the lighting, heating and cooling inside the Pope VI Auditorium which is used for weekly worship services, when the weather is not favorable for outside services. When the Auditorium is not in use, the energy produced by the solar energy system is supposedly sent to the Vatican's energy network to help provide energy for other buildings in the Vatican City.
The Vatican’s staff cafeteria is also going to go green, as a solar heating system is going to be installed. Vatican engineers are even looking into converting the horse stables at the Pope’s summer home into a methane powered bio-fuel plant.
SolarWorld AG has recently advised the Pope to go even greener by using an electric car in place of the white armored Mercedes- Benz used by the Vatican at present and calling this new car the “popemobile”.
The Pope and the Vatican are respected by many worldwide so it is possible that many Catholic Churches and individuals alike will follow the example set by Pope Benedict XVI and install solar energy systems of their own.
