The US plans solar panels over canals on tribal land in Arizona

A pilot project on tribal land in Arizona will cover a half-mile of the Casa Blanca Canal with solar panels, aiming to generate clean energy and reduce water evaporation.

Eric Wesoff reports for Canary Media.

In short:

• The Casa Blanca Canal project will be the first U.S. solar-covered canal, generating 1.3 megawatts of power.
• The project, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to demonstrate benefits like reduced evaporation and algae growth.
• If successful, it could pave the way for similar installations nationwide, potentially generating 25 gigawatts of clean energy.

Key quote:

“Canal solar allows for greater power production per land size, cleaner water, less power transmission losses, and significant reduction in evaporation.”

— Ben Lepley, founder of Tectonicus

Why this matters:

Solar panels over canals offer a dual benefit of producing renewable energy and conserving water. This innovation could significantly contribute to the U.S. clean energy goals while addressing environmental concerns.