2008-10-30 梵蒂冈拥抱太阳能（在线收听）

The first solar panels have been installed on top of the Papal Audience Hall at Vatican City.  Each heavy panel holds photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity.

With this plant, if it’s working in about two weeks, we avoid 200 tons of carbon dioxide, and this is the equivalent to 70 tons of oil.

Workers say the sunny Roman climate makes the Vatican an ideal spot for solar panels. The panels were donated by a German-based company, as a gift to the Pope. 

The auditorium's roof needed repairs and the Papal Hall has been one of the Vatican’s largest energy guzzlers for heating and cooling according to a Vatican engineer. 

Pope Benedict XVI, who has indicated that conservation of natural resources is of global importance, is quickly earning a reputation as a “Green Pope”.

“On behalf of all, I hope that this cooperation is intensified so that the common good, development and the safeguarding of creation is promoted, strengthening the alliance between man and environment. ”

Solar panels are not the only environmentally friendly project that the Vatican is involved in. Through various projects the church hopes to counter the greenhouse gases emitted by the Vatican.