California is embarking on a revolutionary initiative to install solar panels over 6,400 km of open canals, potentially generating up to 13 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy. The project, called Project Nexus, is a collaboration between the University of California-Merced, the California Department of Water Resources, the Turlock Irrigation District, and Solar AquaGrid. By covering the state’s extensive canal network with solar panels, the project aims to harness unused infrastructure to generate clean energy, while also addressing the region’s water scarcity challenges by reducing water evaporation from the canals.
The benefits of the project extend beyond renewable energy production. The solar panels will not only create a significant amount of electricity, but they will also provide shade to the water below, decreasing evaporation by as much as 30%. This could lead to significant water savings in a state facing frequent droughts. Additionally, the project makes use of existing infrastructure, reducing the need for new land development and making it a more sustainable and cost-effective solution. If successful, Project Nexus could serve as a blueprint for other states and countries facing similar issues, demonstrating how to combine energy generation and water conservation in an efficient, scalable way. More