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.
