Lining water channels with solar panels could prevent drought

Taking an innovative step to combat water scarcity and benefit from renewable energy, the Arizona Water Resources Department of the USA has launched a canal solar energy project in the dry lands of the region with the announced project. With much of the state currently experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions, this project aims to produce clean energy and address the critical issue of water evaporation in the region.

It is important to protect water resources

The project, the first of its kind in the United States with a budget of $6.74 million, appears to be a very promising concept for sustainable energy solutions. The project consists of several stages, and the first stage involves covering a significant 305-meter-long section of the state’s 1-10 Level Top canal with solar panels. The project is planned to be completed in 2025. Strategically positioning solar panels not only takes advantage of the abundant sunlight in the area, but also acts as a barrier that prevents the harmful effects of water evaporation in the scorching desert heat.

The economic feasibility of this canal-top solar energy approach is key. By using existing canal infrastructure, the need to acquire additional land is eliminated, making the project much more cost-effective than traditional solar farms. This cost-effectiveness also shows that such projects can be done on a larger scale.

A similar project is being carried out in the US state of California. According to reports, 6,437 kilometers of the canals in California will be completely covered with solar panels, thus saving 246 billion liters of water annually. This suggests that canal-based solar projects may be possible not just in Arizona, but potentially in regions at similar risk of water scarcity.

The benefits of an on-canal solar initiative extend beyond energy production. The shade provided by the solar panels acts as a protective layer for the water below, preventing excessive evaporation. Additionally, the water under the solar panels plays a very important role in maintaining the optimal operating temperature of the panels.