Solar over canals and aquaducts
August 30th, 2021
Why did it take so long for this to arrive here in the U.S., it took many years, and a release of a study pointing out the siting and efficiency advantages. Parking this here for future reference!
Why India’s Canals Could Help Fast-Forward Its Solar-Energy Plans
Renewable future: Gujarat govt to set up 100 MW solar power project atop Narmada canal
The ‘solar canals’ making smart use of India’s space
Overall, Gujarat has more than 80,000km of canals meandering through the state. According to Gujarat State Electricity Corporation, if 30% of this were converted to solar, 18,000MW of power could be produced, saving 90,000 acres of land.
This is not a new idea, a demonstration canal project was built in India in 2012:
Gujarat’s solar panels over canals project is a great idea for sustainable energy production
And almost a decade later, in California:
Study looks at covering California’s canals with solar panels
And the study:
Energy and water co-benefits from covering canals with solar panels
And in Popular Science: