California’s Solar Canals Could Save 63 Billion Gallons of Water Annually While Generating 1.6 MW Clean Power

California’s Solar Canals Could Save 63 Billion Gallons of Water Annually While Generating 1.6 MW Clean Power

California has fully operationalised Project Nexus, the United States’ first large‑scale initiative to install solar panels over irrigation canals, marking a significant step in integrating renewable power generation with water conservation. The pilot project in the Central Valley’s Turlock Irrigation District now generates around 1.6 megawatts of clean electricity while reducing water evaporation from the canals. Officials, researchers and stak…