Ratpope harnasses power of the sun

Bounty · Post by **Bounty** » 2007-06-06 02:24am

I'm not a big fan of Benny, or a fan at all for that matter, but it's nice to see a prominent religious leader who is doesn't share the American christian-right's idea of "use up the planet before teh Rapture!!!"

BBC wrote:Pope Benedict XVI is to become the first pontiff to harness solar power to provide energy for the Vatican, engineers say.

The deteriorating cement roof tiles of the Paul VI auditorium will be replaced next year with photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity.

The cells will generate enough power to light, heat or cool the hall, the Vatican engineers say.

Last year the Pope urged Christians not to squander the world's resources.

The BBC's David Willey in Rome says the Vatican is now setting an example to the rest of Italy, which has been slow in harnessing solar.

Surplus power

Pope Benedict has criticised "the unbalanced use of energy" in the world.

Last year he said environmental damage was making "the lives of poor people on earth especially unbearable".

The Paul VI auditorium was designed by architect Pier Luigi Nervi and built in 1969.

The cement panels on its roof have deteriorated and were due to be replaced anyway, said Vatican engineer Pier Carlo Cuscianna.

When the 6,000-seat hall is not in use, the surplus energy will be fed into the Vatican power network.

The Vatican is considering placing solar panels on other buildings although St Peter's Basilica and other historical landmarks will not be touched.

Eris · Post by **Eris** » 2007-06-06 02:31am

Goddammit! I wanted more Rat Pope! You disappoint me, Bounty, with your distinct lack of rodent hats.

That said, this seems like a fairly weak concession. It's nice to hear him say it I suppose, but just doing some upgrading that had to be done anyhow in a slightly more green fashion? Meh. Putting up cells on St Peter's, now that would be a message that you're serious about it. Besides, I'd like to see a full ou Techno-Cathedral. It would please me.

wautd · Post by **wautd** » 2007-06-06 02:32am

Even a broken clock is correct twice a day

Bounty · Post by **Bounty** » 2007-06-06 02:35am

The Vatican is also a major tourist destination. If they can prove they can reliable power (part of) their infrastructure with solar, others may follow.

Patrick Degan · Post by **Patrick Degan** » 2007-06-06 09:22am

I'll be impressed when the Vatican installs it's own nuclear reactor.

Cao Cao · Post by **Cao Cao** » 2007-06-06 09:30am

I kept reading that as "Ratpope harasses power of the sun"
I had an image in my head of Benni yelling at the sun with his fist raise, ala "Old man yells at cloud"

Zed Snardbody · Post by **Zed Snardbody** » 2007-06-06 09:31am

Patrick Degan wrote:I'll be impressed when the Vatican installs it's own nuclear reactor.

It already has one. Under the secret Vatican porn library, and the papal ninja armory.

Cao Cao · Post by **Cao Cao** » 2007-06-06 09:33am

Zed Snardbody wrote:
Patrick Degan wrote:I'll be impressed when the Vatican installs it's own nuclear reactor.
It already has one. Under the secret Vatican porn library, and the papal ninja armory.

Accessed via the Vatican condom dispenser, right?

White Haven · Post by **White Haven** » 2007-06-06 10:51am

One small step for a religious institution, one giant leap for the forces of Mechacatholicism.