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.

www.canarymedia.com

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

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