Solar canal
{{Short description|Renewable energy source and waterway}}
File:Solar-canal (16746105653).jpg
A solar canal is a canal fitted with solar panels, increasing their efficiency, and reducing evaporation and land usage. The first operative system was installed in Gujarat, India in 2014.
Benefits
By placing solar panels above water, evaporation is lessened. Studies from the Canal Solar Power Project in India, show that the resulting shade helps reduce weeds, as well as de-weeding costs. The photovoltaic panels benefit from evaporative cooling. The panels remain cooler, thus reflecting less light and thereby absorbing more energy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/california-is-about-to-test-its-first-solar-canals-180979637/|title=California Is About to Test Its First Solar Canals|first1=Roger|last1=Bales|website=Smithsonian Magazine|date=February 25, 2022}} Because solar collectors are often built on arable land or natural ecosystems, solar canals could reduce land lost to energy production, as well as conflicts with farmers and other stakeholders. Furthermore, land acquisition costs and land-use permitting issues may be circumscribed, if canals are already in operation.{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/827983/how-indias-canals-could-help-fast-forward-its-solar-energy-plans|title=How India's canals could help fast-forward its solar energy plans|author=Mukta Patil|website=Scroll.in|date=January 31, 2017}} Irrigation systems may benefit, given that pumps would be located within easy access of a power source. {{cite web | url=https://tectonicus.com/solarriver | title=Solar River }}
History
A large project in Gujarat, India was completed in 2014. That project utilizes pre-existing irrigation canals, thereby saving land and water, while generating electricity. The project's success led to the initiation of many other solar canals in India. {{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200803-the-solar-canals-revolutionising-indias-renewable-energy|title=The 'solar canals' making smart use of India's space|first=Kalpana|last=Sunder|website=BBC Online|date=August 3, 2020}} The state of Gujarat has plans to build 19,000 kilometers of solar canals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/green-tech/news/a16516/indias-ingenious-solar-canals/|title=India's Ingenious Solar Canals|first=Jake|last=Swearingen|date=July 17, 2015|website=Popular Mechanics}}
The first phase of a large project in Lebanon called the "Beirut River Solar Snake" began in 2013 and was completed in 2015.{{cite web|url=https://horizonweekly.ca/en/63881-2/|title=Solar Project in The Armenian Suburb of Bourj Hammoud Promises More Electricity for Lebanon|date=March 16, 2015|website=Horizon Weekly}} The project aimed to create solar power in a city where land costs are prohibitively high. {{cite web|last1=Owens|first1=John|title=Beirut Solar Project Aims to Slow Power Cuts|website=Voice of America News|date=April 3, 2015|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/beirut-solar-project-aims-slow-power-cuts/2706548.html}}
The state of California is moving ahead with plans to build large scale solar canals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/california-cover-canal-with-solar-panels-experiment-fight-drought-climate-change-2022-08-25/|title=California to cover canal with solar panels in experiment to fight drought, climate change|first=Nathan|last=Frandino|date=August 25, 2022|website=Reuters}} A pilot project in Turlock is set to be completed in 2025.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-solar-panels-canals-drought/|title=California to install solar panels over canals to fight drought, a first in the U.S.|website=CBS News|date=30 August 2022 }}{{cite web | title=Project Nexus | website=TID Water & Power | date=2024-10-31 | url=https://www.tid.org/current-projects/project-nexus/ | access-date=2025-01-28}}
Former Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon visited Gujarat's solar canals and declared that they should be adopted globally.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Ban-ki-Moon-commends-India-for-solar-initiative/article60333558.ece|title=Solar panels on top of canal impress U.N. chief|first=Meena|last=Menon|date=January 11, 2015|newspaper=The Hindu}}
Challenges
Solar canals are more costly to install than land-based solar collectors. They also incur higher maintenance costs. Canals that are quite narrow or quite wide can add to the costs of solar canals.Gupta, Uma. 2021. "Solar Arrays on Canals," PV Magazine.