The University of Southern California (USC) is leading a research initiative, the California Solar Canal Initiative (CSCI), to test the feasibility of installing solar panels on the state’s extensive network of canals to address two pressing issues: preserving water resources and transitioning to renewable energy. The project, launched by the Public Exchange at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and solar energy firm Solar AquaGrid, aims to maximize the use of existing infrastructure and infrastructure, reducing the need for new land acquisition.
The project involves a multidisciplinary team of researchers from seven research universities, including USC, University of California, Merced, University of California, Berkeley, and others. The goal is to identify prime locations and potential community benefits, providing data for policymakers to advance the deployment of solar power.
The initiative addresses the West’s water woes, as California faces increasing demands for water and energy while aiming to achieve 30% conservation of public lands by 2030. CSCI researchers will assess the potential of “solar canals” to meet growing energy demands, remain cost-competitive with other renewable energy sources, and deliver benefits to local communities.
The project is partnering with state agencies responsible for water, land, and energy, as well as a council of government, academia, and private sector experts to guide the research. California’s Natural Resources Agency Secretary, Wade Crowfoot, praised the initiative, stating that it highlights California’s commitment to innovative solutions to address climate change and strengthen water and energy resilience.
The CSCI initiative builds on the success of a 2023 pilot project, Project Nexus, which tested the feasibility of solar canal technology in the Central Valley. The USC researchers will now evaluate how to scale up this technology statewide, ensuring community input and equitable distribution of benefits. The project’s success would provide a blueprint for addressing complex challenges and turning them into actionable solutions, highlighting the importance of collaboration and communication among diverse disciplines. By leveraging existing infrastructure, CSCI aims to make California a leader in the renewable energy transition and conservation of its water resources.