green energy
California – In a groundbreaking move to tackle climate change and enhance California’s energy and water resilience, a new initiative aims to install solar panels across the state’s vast network of canals. This project, spearheaded by the University of Southern California (USC) Dornsife Public Exchange and independent advisory Solar AquaGrid, involves a collaboration between researchers from seven universities and multiple state agencies.
The concept, rooted in a 2021 study by the University of California, Merced, seeks to transform California’s 4,000 miles of canals into renewable energy hubs. The study revealed that covering these canals with solar panels could have a massive impact—generating 13 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy annually, equivalent to about one-sixth of the state’s current installed solar capacity. This energy output would significantly help California meet its ambitious climate goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030.
The benefits of solarizing the canals go beyond clean energy generation. By placing solar panels over existing infrastructure, the project would conserve an estimated 50,000 acres of land, preventing the need for new land-based solar farms. Moreover, covering the canals helps reduce water evaporation, an important consideration for a state grappling with water scarcity issues. The project also supports the state’s commitment to combating air pollution.
The first tangible step in this initiative is Project Nexus, a $20 million pilot project being carried out by the Turlock Irrigation District in collaboration with the Department of Water Resources, Solar AquaGrid, and UC Merced. The project is already underway, with the construction of solar arrays over canals. Expected to be operational in the coming months, it will also explore the integration of energy storage systems to ensure grid stability, especially during periods of low solar production.
Looking ahead, the 2025 California Solar Canal Initiative (CSCI) will build on the findings from the initial study and Project Nexus. CSCI will focus on providing data to government agencies, utilities, and local communities to facilitate the expansion of solar on canals. The initiative will also involve further collaboration with the California Department of Water Resources, the California Natural Resources Agency, and the California Energy Commission, ensuring that the effort is aligned with the state’s broader environmental and energy strategies.
California has long been at the forefront of climate innovation, and this initiative represents another significant leap forward. “Science-driven collaborations like this one are critical to guide our path forward,” said CNRA Secretary Wade Crowfoot. With the expertise of top researchers and a vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future, the solar canals project could soon become a model for other states to follow.
