Eco Factor: 2,400 photovoltaic panels mounted atop one of the city state’s main buildings.
The Vatican, the world’s smallest independent state, has shown its green side by installing a photovoltaic system on one of the city state’s main buildings. The system will cut its carbon emissions by 225 tons a year, which is equivalent to saving 80 tons of oil. The architects have made sure that the panels are not visible from ground level, something that could have spoiled the striking skyline of the Vatican.
The system consists of 2,400 solar panels that have been designed by a Germany-based company. The panels will collectively generate about 300 MWh of clean energy annually, which will not only be sufficient for all the electricity needs of the building on which the system has been mounted, but will also provide electricity for several surrounding buildings.
The Dark Side:
Photovoltaic setup of this stature would cost much more than what developing nations, which are more in need of green electricity, can afford. Moreover the system does not make use of any solar concentrator technology, which would render it highly inefficient.
Via: Telegraph
