The Gila River Indian Community and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have signed an agreement that will start construction on the first phase of what is to be the country’s first solar-over-canal development.
Looking to address both water conservation and energy production, the initial phase of the Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project Renewal Energy Pilot Project will install solar panels over part of the Community’s Interstate 10 Top Level canal, which will generate power for the reservation, reduce water evaporation in the canal and minimize water use needed for power production.
The first phase will cover more than 1,000 feet of canal with solar panels, generating up to 1MW of renewable energy and saving approximately 200 acre-feet of water per year.
GRIC has more than 150 miles of canal that could eventually be topped with panels, according to project representatives. (Source)
