The Turlock Irrigation District has completed Project Nexus, a $20M, 1.6-MW pilot putting solar panels directly over canals in California’s Central Valley. (Canary Media)
The system—only the second canal-based solar array in the US—is designed to power canal pumps and equipment while testing benefits like reduced evaporation and cooler, more efficient panels.
While costs remain higher than ground-mounted arrays, backers say covering existing waterways avoids land-use fights slowing utility-scale solar.