Photo: Turlock Irrigation District
California has completed its first solar panel-covered canal project, known as Project Nexus, which is now fully operational. Located near Hickman in California's Central Valley, the project spans a 110-foot-wide section of the Turlock Irrigation District's canal system. This innovative installation generates 1.6 megawatts of clean energy and aims to conserve water by reducing evaporation.
Project Nexus, a $20 million state-funded initiative, is the second canal-based solar array in the United States. The first began operating in 2024 for the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona. By shading the canals, the solar panels not only generate electricity but also help prevent water loss and limit algae growth, making them particularly beneficial in drought-prone areas.
The decision to cover canals with solar panels was influenced by a 2021 study from the University of California, Santa Cruz. The study suggested that shading California's canals could save 63.5 billion gallons of water annually, enough to meet the residential water needs of over two million people. According to SFGate, the panels also increase efficiency by keeping the solar arrays cool.
While the initial costs of solar canals are higher than traditional solar installations, they offer a rapid path to clean energy development. The Turlock Irrigation District, which manages both the canals and local power supply, is eager to explore the project's long-term benefits. The success of Project Nexus could lead to more solar canal installations across California, as Grist reports.
This initiative represents a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions and water conservation in California's agricultural heartland. Researchers will continue to monitor the project's performance to assess its full potential and cost-effectiveness.