A new approach to renewable energy and water conservation

Solar panel installations over water canals represent an innovative solution to address two critical challenges: climate change and resource scarcity.

A pivotal study by the University of California, Merced, in 2023 has drawn attention to a new innovative way to generate clean energy and conserve water. The study estimates that covering California’s canals with solar panels has the potential to produce 13 gigawatts of power, enough energy to meet the needs of cities like Los Angeles for nearly a year. Reducing evaporation from the state’s extensive canal system would also conserve up to 63 billion gallons of water—with the potential to irrigate 50,000 acres of farmland or provide water to more than 2 million homes.

This new approach is currently being implemented in the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona. The project, funded by $6 million from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), covers 2,782 feet of the Casa Blanca Canal with 2,556 solar panels. According to the Department of the Interior, the project is expected to generate 1.31MW of clean energy for the tribal nation—and reduce water evaporation by as much as 50 percent.

Projects such as this are vital for Arizona right now. The Central Arizona Project, which oversees the canals in Arizona that span a 336-mile stretch, estimates that the state loses 25,000-acre feet of water every year from evaporation and seepage.

The Gila River Indian Community project’s results so far are impressive: Water evaporation has been reduced by 50 percent, and 1.31MW of clean energy has been generated.

Implementing this approach in California

“This methodology should prove effective in other regions of the country where water shortages are a chronic problem, especially in light of the extreme heat resulting from climate change,” said Dominic DiMare, Principal, BEI Construction. “BEI is getting ready to embark on a groundbreaking solar project over water canals in California, marking an important step in sustainable construction in this state. We are very excited about the potential of this upcoming initiative—the ability to combine energy production and water conservation will be transformative.