This is not just about rooftop panels; it's about how science, sustainability, and faith can coexist and set the pace for the rest of the world to follow. Vatican City is powered by solar. On May 29, 2025, the Vatican City officially transitioned to solar power, marking a significant shift in the European energy landscape.
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.
The Vatican's commitment to green energy is further exemplified by its partnership with the utility company Acea, which now supplies the state with electricity exclusively from renewable sources. This shift ensures that all the energy consumed within the Vatican's walls is entirely green, setting a powerful example for the global community.
This project was carried out by ACEA, an Italian utility company, which installed systems to meet all of the Vatican's energy demands. What makes this significant is not the size, but that Vatican City is only 0.49km², and there was no loud campaign, no press tour, just action set in stone and implemented.
Pope Francis has renewables on his mind as he says he wants Vatican City to run on solar power. To achieve his aim, solar panels will be installed on a Vatican-owned property outside
Thanks to a unique photovoltaic plant installed on the roof of the Vatican Audience Hall, the Papal State has been producing 300 MWh of solar energy every year since its installation in 2008.
The world''s smallest country just made a big move: Vatican City is now powered entirely by solar energy, setting an example for global climate action.
This article explores how lithium-ion technology is reshaping energy management in religious and cultural hubs like the Vatican, while highlighting opportunities for global suppliers.
Part of Pope Francis'' dream was to ensure the city state in Rome ran on green energy. An agrivoltaic plant on Vatican property is the result.
The ''green'' revolution initiated by Francis and accelerated by Leo XIV will make the Vatican the world''s first zero-emissions state within a year. During a visit to Ponte Galeria three weeks ago, Leo XIV
Italy has agreed to a Vatican plan to turn a 430-hectare (1,000-acre) plot of land north of Rome into a vast solar farm that will generate enough electricity to meet the needs of Vatican City.
In a move that combines energy efficiency with aesthetic enhancement, St. Peter''s Basilica and St. Peter''s Square have been outfitted with energy-saving LED lighting.
In a letter to the church, the Pope said the project will be developed on Vatican-owned property outside of Rome that spans 424 hectares, adding further capacity to existing solar panel installations in the
Vatican City''s solar panels provide a significant portion of the energy needed for key buildings like the Paul VI Audience Hall, demonstrating a strong commitment to transitioning to renewable energy.
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