The Untapped Potential of Canal Solar Panels: A Closer Look at Their Absence in Mass Implementation

In the throes of a relentless drought back in 2015, California was compelled to introduce drastic measures, including a first-of-its-kind 25% reduction in household water usage, directed by then-Governor Jerry Brown. The farming community, known for its heavy water usage, also opted to voluntarily reduce consumption to evade more severe obligatory reductions.

At the same time, Governor Brown charted a course for the state to derive half of its power from renewable sources, a pressing requirement in the face of escalating climate change.

One solution—establishing solar panels above irrigation canals—however, found no takers, despite its promise.

Fast forward to 2023, and the landscape has shifted. Intense heat, record wildfires, the impending crisis of the Colorado River, growing climate change awareness, and a burgeoning movement have culminated in Solar AquaGrid and its partners preparing to commence the inaugural solar-paneled canal project in the U.S.

Harris, a key figure in the venture, reflects on the urgent need to address these converging issues.

The concept is uncomplicated: install solar panels over canals in areas where sunlight is abundant and water scarce, thus conserving water through reduced evaporation while simultaneously generating electricity.

A study from the University of California, Merced gives credence to this initiative, suggesting that covering California’s 4,000 miles of canals could conserve approximately 63 billion gallons of water. Furthermore, the extensive installation of solar panels could generate a significant quantity of electricity.

However, these estimates, along with other potential advantages, remain largely unproven scientifically. That’s about to change with Project Nexus set to launch in California’s Central Valley.

GAINING TRACTION

The notion of canal solar installations has long been considered a dual-purpose solution in California, where both water and affordable land for energy projects are scarce commodities. Despite this, the concept remained largely theoretical until recently.

Harris, previously a record label executive, and Raj, who worked on sustainability campaigns for businesses, recognized the need for a trusted endorsement to boost their idea. They secured funding for UC Merced to examine the impact of solar-paneled canals in California, with encouraging results.

This promising data caught the attention of Governor Gavin Newsom, who urged his secretary of natural resources, Wade Crowfoot, to expedite the project’s implementation.

Simultaneously, Turlock Irrigation District, a provider of power and irrigation, sought to construct a solar project to align with the state’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045. Given the high cost of land, the idea of building atop existing infrastructure became appealing, as was the possibility that shade from the panels could control weed growth in the canals—a recurring problem that drains $1 million from their budget annually.

State funding of $20 million transformed this pilot into a tripartite collaboration among private, public, and academic sectors, and preparations are underway to install solar panels along a 1.6-mile stretch of canals.

The UC Merced team will explore impacts on evaporation, water quality, and other factors, under the guidance of Brandi McKuin, the lead researcher on the study.

LEARNING FROM GLOBAL EXPERIENCES

California isn’t the first to implement this technology. Gujarat, a western state in India, pioneered canal solar installations on a large scale. However, high capital costs, maintenance issues, and a clunky design have hampered its wider adoption.

Despite these challenges, California’s Project Nexus aims to improve upon India’s model with better materials and a more practical design.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Project Nexus could soon have company. The Gila River Indian Community has secured funding to install solar panels on their canals, and the Salt River Project, one of Arizona’s largest utilities, is researching the technology with Arizona State University.

However, as Representative Jared Huffman, D-Calif, observes, water infrastructure is traditionally resistant to rapid change.

Huffman has been promoting the technology for almost a decade and has managed to secure a $25 million provision for a pilot project for the Bureau of Reclamation.

Moreover, over 100 climate advocacy groups have urged Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Bureau Commissioner Camille Touton to expedite the implementation of solar photovoltaic energy systems over the Bureau’s canals and aqueducts, which could generate over 25 gigawatts of renewable energy and save tens of billions of gallons of water.

Covering every canal is the ultimate goal, according to Huffman, who feels that it’s high time we begin to leverage this technology more broadly.

Correction: An earlier version of this article erroneously stated that panels over California’s canals could generate 13 gigawatts of power. This has been amended to reflect that the accurate term is gigawatt-hours, and to clarify that the exact amount of potential energy generated has not been definitively calculated.

This report is made possible by the Walton Family Foundation’s support of water and environmental policy coverage. All content is solely the responsibility of the AP. Visit the Big Big News for all of AP’s environmental coverage.

Reported by Arasu from Bengaluru, India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Canal Solar Panels

More about Canal Solar Panels

• Solar Power and Water Conservation
• The Role of Solar Power in Drought Management
• California’s Renewable Energy Initiatives
• India’s Solar Canal Projects
• University of California, Merced Research on Solar Panels on Canals