Solar panels in the river generate electricity

Could solar power save California's canals?

The environmental payoff of solar canals is enormous. A 2021 study published in Nature Sustainability estimates that covering California's 4,000 miles of canals with solar panels could: Save 63 billion gallons of water annually. Generate 13 gigawatts of solar power—about half the state's current rooftop solar capacity.

Can solar panels save water in Central Valley?

The project is now installing solar panels over canals in the Central Valley, one of the state's most water-stressed agricultural regions. The goals are threefold: Generate clean, grid-connected electricity. Reduce water evaporation. Improve land-use efficiency—avoiding the need to convert farmland or natural habitats into solar farms.

Can solar canals save water?

With this one move, solar canals fight two battles simultaneously—generating renewable energy and conserving water. In hot, arid states like California, up to 63 billion gallons of water are lost annually due to evaporation from open canals. That's enough to meet the water needs of over 2 million people.

Can solar panels save water?

In hot, arid states like California, up to 63 billion gallons of water are lost annually due to evaporation from open canals. That's enough to meet the water needs of over 2 million people. By installing solar panels over these waterways, we could dramatically cut that loss while generating gigawatts of electricity.