Arizona's solar-over-canal project will tackle its major drought issue. 11/28/2023

November 24, 2023
By Can Emir

Arizona's solar-over-canal project will tackle its major drought issue.

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In a transformative move to combat water scarcity and harness renewable energy, the Gila River Indian Community, in collaboration with the US Army Corps of Engineers, has initiated a solar-over-canal project in the arid landscapes of Arizona, the Arizona Department of Water Resources announced.

With much of the state currently experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions, this project aims to generate clean energy and address the critical issue of water evaporation in the region.

With a budget of $6.74 million, the project stands as the first of its kind in the United States, breaking ground on a concept that holds immense promise for sustainable energy solutions.

Interestingly, a similar project in California is still in the planning stages, making the Arizona endeavor a trailblazer in the nation's quest for innovative, environmentally conscious energy solutions.

The initial phase's primary focus is installing solar photovoltaic shades along a significant stretch—1,000 feet (305 meters)—of the 1-10 Level Top canal. This strategic positioning of solar panels not only harnesses the abundant sunlight in the region but also acts as a barrier, curbing the detrimental effects of water evaporation in the scorching desert heat.

The economic viability of this solar-over-canal approach is a key aspect. The need to acquire additional land is eliminated by utilizing the existing canal infrastructure, making the project considerably more cost-effective than traditional solar farms. This cost efficiency is critical in ensuring the scalability and replicability of such projects on a larger scale.

Professor Roger Bales, known for his significant contributions to a similar solar canal project in California, highlights the potential ripple effects in an article published in the Conversation, "Covering all 4,000 miles [6,437 kilometers] of California’s canals with solar panels would save more than 65 billion gallons of water annually by reducing evaporation."

This underscores the broader implications of canal-based solar projects, not only in Arizona but potentially across the arid regions of the United States.

The benefits of the solar-over-canal initiative extend beyond power generation. The shade the solar panels provide acts as a protective layer for the water beneath, preventing excessive evaporation.

This dual-purpose function aligns with the need for effective water conservation measures, especially in a state like Arizona, which has been grappling with an "extreme long-term drought," according to a study conducted last year.

Moreover, the water underneath the solar panels plays a crucial role in maintaining the optimal operating temperature of the panels. Professor Bales and his team estimate that this cooling effect could contribute to a remarkable ~3 percent boost in power production.

This balance between energy generation and water conservation exemplifies the potential for sustainable, integrated solutions to climate challenges.

Tom Buschatzke, Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, lauded the project's ingenuity, stating, "This is the type of creative thinking that can help move all of us toward a more sustainable future." Leveraging existing infrastructure, such as the Level Top Canal, to provide sustainable and dependable energy is a win-win scenario, fostering cooperation and innovation.

While the Arizona project is the first in the United States, it draws inspiration from overseas endeavors. The Canal Solar Power Project in Gujarat, India, initiated in 2012, is an early example of successfully implementing solar panels on canal surfaces.

However, the financial challenges faced by SunEdison, the company overseeing the project, led to bankruptcy in 2016, putting a halt to further expansion.

As the Gila River Indian Community's solar-over-canal project takes center stage, it signals a significant step toward addressing energy needs and water conservation in the region.

With completion scheduled for 2025, the project represents a beacon of hope for sustainable initiatives, setting the stage for future endeavors that prioritize environmental stewardship and innovative problem-solving in the face of pressing climate issues.

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