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A research consortium led by the University of Southern California is exploring an innovative plan to cover California's extensive canal network with solar panels, offering a dual solution to the state's water conservation and renewable energy needs.
The California Solar Canal Initiative aims to reduce water evaporation while generating clean power, using existing infrastructure without consuming additional land resources.
The initiative, organized by Solar AquaGrid and the Public Exchange at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, brings together researchers from seven universities to investigate how solar panel installations over canals could preserve water supplies, reduce pollution, and advance renewable energy production in the state.
The research team includes faculty from the USC, University of California campuses at Merced, Berkeley, and Irvine, UC College of the Law in San Francisco, San José State University, and the University of Kansas.
"This groundbreaking initiative highlights the power of innovation and collaboration to tackle our most urgent climate challenges," USC President Carol Folt said in a statement from the university. "The California Solar Canal Initiative is a testament to our dedication to pioneering bold, scalable solutions that advance sustainability and help build a more resilient, sustainable future for generations to come."
California faces increasing challenges in managing water resources for its nearly 40 million residents and agricultural industry while pursuing carbon neutrality by 2045 and land conservation goals. The state has limited land for new housing and renewable energy projects, making dual-use solutions increasingly valuable.
The consortium will assess whether solar canals can compete economically with other renewable energy sources while benefiting local communities. Researchers are working closely with key state agencies, including the California Department of Water Resources, the California Natural Resources Agency, and the California Energy Commission.
California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot expressed support for the project. "California is leading the way in exploring innovative solutions to tackle climate change and strengthen our water and energy resilience," Crowfoot said in a news release from the initiative. "Science-driven collaborations like this one are critical to guide our path forward."
The research builds upon Project Nexus, a 2023 pilot project in California's Central Valley that tested the feasibility of solar canal technology. USC researchers will use data from this pilot to evaluate the potential for statewide implementation, with particular attention to community input and equitable distribution of benefits.
Detlof von Winterfeldt, who holds positions at the USC Price School of Public Policy and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, is developing a comprehensive decision framework for the initiative.
"This project embodies a truly holistic approach, carefully balancing economic, environmental and community considerations to achieve sustainable and equitable outcomes," Winterfeldt said.
Beyond the technical aspects, researchers are focusing on community impacts. Santina Contreras, assistant professor of urban planning and spatial analysis at USC Price, leads the initiative's community resilience and benefits analysis portion. Her team will work with community stakeholders to ensure potential water and energy savings benefit the communities most affected by the projects and those with the greatest needs.
