California’s Groundbreaking Solar-Over-Canal Project Powers Up, Generating Electricity and Conserving Water
MERCED COUNTY, Calif. – In a landmark achievement for renewable energy and water conservation, California’s pioneering solar-over-canal project, Project Nexus, has begun generating electricity. The initiative, situated along the Turlock Irrigation District’s (TID) canals in Central California, marks a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the state.
Project Nexus, a collaborative effort between TID, Solar AquaGrid, UC Merced, and the California Department of Water Resources, is designed to test the feasibility and benefits of installing solar panel canopies over irrigation canals. The project, funded by the state, aims to generate clean energy while simultaneously reducing water evaporation.
“This location is about 1400 linear feet, and we have two different directions, so the solar panels are facing south in one direction and west in the other, so we’re able to figure out what site generates the most power,” explained Josh Weimer, director of external affairs for TID.
The concept for Project Nexus stems from a 2021 study by UC Merced alumna and project scientist, Brandi McKuin, which highlighted the potential of solar-covered canals to reduce evaporation, generate power, and offer additional benefits. “The shade also limits the light available for photosynthesis, which means less aquatic weed growth and can improve water quality, reduce canal maintenance. It also saves land; we can avoid taking our prime farmland out of production,” McKuin stated.
While the current pilot project is relatively small, the vision is expansive. The UC Merced study estimated that covering all 4,000 miles of California’s exposed canals with solar panels could potentially supply enough electricity and conserve enough water to power two million homes annually. However, as McKuin pointed out, “That’s one of the things we are trying to learn from this study. We’d like to validate the results of our study but also learn by a scale up analysis where it makes sense to put the solar panels and where it doesn’t make sense.” 
The project utilizes various tools to meticulously measure water savings and electricity generation. “We estimate it’s about 1.3 gigawatt hours annually at this site,” McKuin revealed. The generated energy is integrated directly into the TID’s electrical grid.
TID, the first publicly-owned irrigation district in California, is uniquely positioned to pilot this project, with its extensive network of 250 miles of canals and its role as a retail electricity provider. The project aims to determine the viability of expanding solar-over-canal technology to other locations within TID’s service area.
Project Nexus, expected to be fully completed and commissioned by 2025, represents a significant step forward in integrating renewable energy and water conservation efforts. The initiative’s success could pave the way for widespread adoption of this technology, offering a brighter and more sustainable future for California. This project is a first of its kind in the nation, and is a collaborative effort between public, private, and academic sectors. The project is also planning to incorporate energy storage in the future.
