Blog: California water district plans country’s 1st solar canopy project covering canals
Turlock Irrigation District (TID) in Turlock, California, is planning the country’s first pilot project to build solar panel canopies over a portion of the water utility’s existing canals. Project Nexus is planned as a multi-use solar project, assessing water evaporation reduction from mid-day shade and wind mitigation; improvements to water quality and reduced canal maintenance through reduced vegetative growth; and generating renewable energy.
Related articles:
- Turlock Irrigation District: Turlock Irrigation District selected to pilot first-in-the-nation water-energy nexus project involving solar panels over canals
- CA Department of Water Resources: Innovative Solar Project Awarded State Funds: DWR Funds Turlock Irrigation District to Install Solar Panels Over Canals
- CalMatters: Opinion: Should the Central Valley remain dependent solely on agriculture?