California has reached a significant milestone in renewable energy innovation with the completion of construction on Project Nexus, a first-of-its-kind solar canal demonstration in the state’s Central Valley.
Launched in 2022, with construction beginning in 2024, Project Nexus is designed to evaluate the feasibility of installing solar arrays over irrigation canals. The pilot aims to generate distributed renewable electricity while simultaneously conserving water and reducing land use by leveraging existing infrastructure.
The project is a collaboration between the California Department of Water Resources, Turlock Irrigation District, Solar AquaGrid and the University of California, Merced. Together, the partners developed multiple solar configurations to assess performance across different canal types and conditions.
“With its 250 miles of canals of various widths and orientations, TID has been the ideal host for Project Nexus. This has allowed us to construct solar arrays over both narrow and wide canals, which represent a cross-section of California’s 4,000 miles of canals,” said Jordan Harris, CEO and co-founder, Solar AquaGrid. “Our aim has been to identify and test different prototypes to evaluate performance, benefits, and risks, and to ultimately define a set of solutions to meet different canal operator requirements.”
Initial research conducted by UC Merced suggests that solar-covered canals may deliver measurable environmental advantages. Early data indicates reductions in water evaporation and aquatic weed growth—two persistent challenges for irrigation systems in arid regions.
Preliminary findings from one irrigation season show that shaded canals experience less evaporation and reduced weed proliferation. These results align with a 2021 UC Merced study published in Nature Sustainability, which highlighted the potential of solar canals to conserve water resources.
Researchers are continuing to monitor additional variables, including water quality, maintenance requirements and electricity generation performance. A comprehensive report is expected later this year.
Project Nexus serves as a test bed for a variety of solar canal configurations, exploring both narrow- and wide-span installations. Key components of the project include:
With roughly 4,000 miles of open canals statewide, California presents a unique opportunity for scaling solar canal systems. By combining energy generation with water conservation, the project supports broader climate and infrastructure goals.
Project Nexus is also intended to provide real-world data for utilities and policymakers considering similar solutions. The initiative aligns with California’s target of achieving 100% clean energy by 2045 while addressing land-use constraints and water management challenges.
“I’m proud of California for continuing to lead with innovative, outside-the-box solutions to our climate crisis — including this first-of-its-kind solar-covered canal in the Central Valley,” said California Gov. Gavin Newsom. “We remain committed to investing in clean energy and developing cutting-edge technologies to address climate and water challenges. California is showing the world what’s possible when innovation meets action.”
Originally reported by Kelly Pickerel in Solar Power World Online.
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