Canals in California Fitted with Solar Panels for Water Saving and Renewable Energy Production
In the heart of California, a groundbreaking initiative is taking shape. Known as the California Solar Canal Initiative or Project Nexus, this project aims to cover irrigation canals with solar panels, marking a promising approach for both water conservation and renewable energy generation.
The brainchild of development firm Solar AquaGrid, based in the Bay area, this project is a collaborative effort with the University of California Merced, the California Department of Water Resources, and local water utility Turlock Irrigation District. The two pilot sites are currently under construction and set to come online next year, providing around 5 megawatts of power.
The idea for this innovative solution was first explored in a study conducted by researchers at the University of California Merced. Brandi McKuin, a scientist at UC Merced, was the lead author of the initial study, published in 2021. The research found that covering irrigation canals with solar panels could potentially generate a massive influx of renewable energy while significantly reducing water loss due to evaporation, a significant issue in California's arid climate.
The project's potential benefits extend beyond water conservation. Turlock Irrigation District, particularly excited about the project, highlights the added advantages such as reduced aquatic growth in the canals and renewable energy production without the need for excess land. This "all-of-the-above approach" to meeting California's climate goals, including a sixfold buildout of renewables, is emphasised by Josh Weimer, an external affairs manager at Turlock Irrigation District.
In 2022, Turlock Irrigation District secured a $20 million grant from the state to build solar panels at two canal sites, serving as proof-of-concept for the idea. The project's economic viability is underlined by Jordan Harris, a cofounder of Solar AquaGrid, who states that the economics of solar panels being more productive over water than over land are important.
Before the study, no rigorous analysis had been done to understand whether the idea of covering irrigation canals with solar panels was worth pursuing. However, the active interest and development in this technology, as demonstrated by its recent discussion at industry forums such as the CMUA 2025 Annual Conference, suggest that it holds practical potential worth exploring further.
While detailed performance metrics and cost-benefit analyses from Solar AquaGrid’s solution were not directly found in the search results, the fact that major irrigation districts and industry leaders are engaged in the project suggests that it is a promising avenue for sustainable water management and increased renewable energy output. The approach addresses two critical resource challenges simultaneously and exemplifies innovative infrastructure use.
This initiative, if successful, could save up to 63 billion gallons of water annually, enough for the needs of 2 million people. Covering irrigation canals with solar panels is indeed a promising integrated strategy supporting California's goals of sustainable water management and increased renewable energy output.
- The California Solar Canal Initiative, or Project Nexus, is a collaborative effort between Solar AquaGrid, the University of California Merced, the California Department of Water Resources, and local water utility Turlock Irrigation District.
- Brandi McKuin, a scientist at UC Merced, was the lead author of a study published in 2021 that first explored the idea of covering irrigation canals with solar panels.
- The project could potentially generate a massive influx of renewable energy while significantly reducing water loss due to evaporation, a significant issue in California's arid climate.
- Turlock Irrigation District secured a $20 million grant from the state in 2022 to build solar panels at two canal sites, serving as proof-of-concept for the idea.
- Josh Weimer, an external affairs manager at Turlock Irrigation District, emphasizes the "all-of-the-above approach" to meeting California's climate goals, including a sixfold buildout of renewables.
- If successful, the initiative could save up to 63 billion gallons of water annually, enough for the needs of 2 million people, making it a promising integrated strategy supporting California's goals of sustainable water management and increased renewable energy output.
