California Construction News staff writer
California has launched a pilot project to test solar panels installed over irrigation canals, aiming to generate clean electricity while reducing water loss in the state’s drought-prone Central Valley.
John Yarbrough, deputy director for the State Water Project at the Department of Water Resources, said the pilot offers an opportunity to test an emerging concept without expanding land use.
“DWR appreciates the opportunity to test an exciting idea in real-world conditions and learn more about how we might combine energy generation and reliable water deliveries without expanding our development footprint,” he said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the initiative, known as Project Nexus, as a first-of-its-kind effort to evaluate whether covering canals with solar infrastructure can help address both climate and water challenges.
Backed by a $20 million investment from the state and legislature, the project will examine how the system performs in real-world conditions, including how much electricity it generates and how effectively it limits evaporation before water reaches farms and communities.
“I’m proud of California for continuing to lead with innovative, outside-the-box solutions to our climate crisis,” Newsom said in a statement. “We remain committed to investing in clean energy and developing cutting-edge technologies to address climate and water challenges.”
The pilot is a partnership involving the California Department of Water Resources, Turlock Irrigation District, solar developer SolarAquaGrid LLC, and the University of California, Merced.
Project Nexus will measure several outcomes, including energy generation, water conservation from reduced evaporation, potential improvements in water quality, and whether covering canals can lower maintenance costs by limiting vegetation growth.
If successful, the approach could be scaled up to strengthen California’s water infrastructure as the state faces increasing pressure from rising temperatures and prolonged drought.
