Vatican's $117M solar investment targets carbon-neutral status for world's smallest state

Vatican City, covering just 109 acres, plans to spend roughly $117 million on an agrivoltaic plant built on a larger estate it owns outside Rome. The facility is expected to generate 80-90 megawatts, enough to power the microstate's residents and radio transmitter within two years. The project, initiated under Pope Francis and advanced by Pope Leo, aims to make the Vatican the first carbon-neutral nation.

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The agrivoltaic design combines solar generation with agricultural land use, a dual-purpose approach that distinguishes the project from conventional utility-scale solar farms. The Vatican's existing renewable infrastructure is minimal—a rooftop array installed in 2008—making the new plant a dramatic expansion of its generating capacity.

The project targets completion within two years, with output intended to serve roughly 800 residents and nearly 3,000 commuting workers. The Vatican's 2023 UN climate pledge commits to a 20% emissions