From Spelacchio to Photovoltacchio, this is how Rome’s Christmas tree always ends up in trouble: “A fake environmental battle”
There is new controversy aboutChristmas tree of the Municipality of Rome. This time, standing in Piazza Venezia is not «Spelacchio», as was the case with the unfortunate fir tree that arrived already bare in 2017the administration’s second Christmas Raysbut «Photovoltaic». At the center of attention are the two large photovoltaic panels placed at the base of the conifer which supply energy to the luminous decorations. Those who contest them do so because – he reports the Corriere della SeraRoma – installations of this type are not permitted in sites protected by Unesco.
Sgarbi: «A fake environmentalist, harmful battle»
The Undersecretary for Culture stood up as the champion of the square’s decorum, Vittorio Sgarbi., which defines solar panels «a fake environmentalist, maleducative battle». The art critic claims that he will ask the Special Superintendency of Rome for clarification. «An idea Greta Thunberg… as if it were enough to put two panels there for four balls while the compactors stop on the Janiculum Hill, in front of the Acqua Paola Fountain [di rifiuti, ndr] of the Ama», continues Sgarbi. The critic doesn’t agree with the choice of placing the panels in «a monumental square»when there would be so many alternatives: «They put photovoltaic panels on the Fuksas Cloud, on the endless warehouses along the highways… I have already fought a historic battle for agricultural centres, I will try to make an agreement for the protection of the landscape».
Gualtieri: «Reducing CO2 emissions by 17 kg per day»
The mayor defends the decision Robert Gualtierimore pragmatic. This «intends to strongly promote a culture of sustainability as well taking into account the delicate historical moment linked to the war in Ukraine“, explains. Then he rattles off the data: «The tree will consume 5.5 kilowatt hours which, instead of arriving from the grid, will be self-produced by the photovoltaic system. Not only: thanks to the storage capacity supplied with excess energy with savings of up to 27 kilowatt hours per day and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of over 17 kilos per day».
The administration: “Exceptional decision”
For its part, the administration explains the choice, made «in consideration of the delicate historical moment and the particularly critical international context due to the continuation of the war and the consequent problem of expensive energy», reads the minutes of the table of decorum in which the Superintendence invoked by Sgarbi also participates. The document clarifies: «The use of photovoltaic panels must be considered an exception and in no case can the use of this technology have a precedent within the historic center of Rome-Unesco site».
Cover photo: Imagoeconomica