"Arizona Tribal Community Harnesses Solar Canopy to Reduce Irrigation Canal Water Losses"
The Gila River Indian Community in Arizona has begun construction on a solar array that will cover a section of irrigation canal, aiming to reduce water losses from evaporation. The first phase of the project, expected to be completed in 2025, will cover approximately 1,000 feet of canal and add 1 MW of solar capacity. The initiative, supported by a grant from the Bureau of Reclamation, aims to demonstrate the feasibility of solar-topped canals and potentially lead to the expansion of solar canals in subsequent phases. The project is among the first of its kind in the US and could serve as a model for other regions seeking to combine water conservation and clean energy goals.