$19M From US Agenda for Innovative Canal Solar Panels
TL/DR –
The US Department of the Interior has announced a $19m investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to install solar panels over irrigation canals in California, Oregon, and Utah. These projects aim to reduce the evaporation of water supplies while promoting clean energy goals. The largest project, the Delta-Mendota Canal floating solar project in California, is set to receive $15m in funding and will test the viability, costs, and benefits of floating solar over canal technologies on large conveyance facilities.
Investment in Solar Panels Over Canals Boosts Renewable Energy and Water Conservation
The Department of the Interior has announced a $19 million investment, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, for the installation of solar panels over irrigation canals in California, Oregon and Utah. This initiative aims to advance renewable energy goals while decreasing evaporation of critical water supplies.
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Michael Brain, and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner, Camille Calimlim Touton, announced this at the Delta-Mendota Canal floating solar project, which is set to receive $15 million from this funding.
Michael Brain highlighted that this historic investment will help Western communities become more resilient to drought and climate change. Commissioner Touton stressed the importance of collaboration for the success of this project, which aims to generate renewable energy and conserve water. The impacts of these projects will be studied and made publicly available.
Key benefits of installing solar panels in irrigation canals are generating renewable energy, reducing evaporation losses, increasing solar panel efficiency due to the cooling water effect, land savings, reducing facility maintenance, and reducing energy footprint and carbon emissions.
President Biden’s Investing in America agenda offers the largest investment in climate resilience in history. The projects in California, Oregon and Utah are part of an initiative funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides $25 million to cover water conveyance facilities with solar panels.
Today’s announcement builds on the previously announced $5.65 million for the Gila River Indian Community to construct solar panels over Casa Blanca Canal. President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative also aims at directing 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments to disadvantaged communities.
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