Pilot project in California will put solar panels over irrigation canals

[lucas80]

It would apparently cut down on water lost to evaporation, and provide dual use for the space taken up by canals.
I recall a story I read a few weeks ago that China and India are looking at building floating solar farms on the lakes formed by hydroelectric plants. The space is there, and the power transmission facilities are already there.
https://apnews.com/article/solar-pa...ate-solution-c57cac43b71a0edf76e62c4adc0f3ff7

 

[THE_DEVIL]

Seems like a no brainer.

 

[Hawki97]

Yeah. This seems logical. Let me put my MAGA brain on though so I can figure out if the panels will be used to funnel child blood to the Hollywood elite and I need to go shoot them up with my AR.

 

[IowaPackFan]

Yeah. This seems logical. Let me put my MAGA brain on though so I can figure out if the panels will be used to funnel child blood to the Hollywood elite and I need to go shoot them up with my AR.

Why the CAP isn't covered by solar panels

The concept of covering the CAP canal system with solar panels has been longstanding and arises frequently. The basic idea is usually that a solar panel-covered CAP canal would prevent evaporation and generate renewable power supplies that could be used to move water through the system. This...

knowyourwaternews.com

 

[billanole]

It would apparently cut down on water lost to evaporation, and provide dual use for the space taken up by canals.
I recall a story I read a few weeks ago that China and India are looking at building floating solar farms on the lakes formed by hydroelectric plants. The space is there, and the power transmission facilities are already there.
https://apnews.com/article/solar-pa...ate-solution-c57cac43b71a0edf76e62c4adc0f3ff7

This type of collaboration is desperately needed. On the surface, it seems like a win-win. I do wonder how maintenance, tho likely fairly uncommon, on the canals may be impacted.

 

[Hawki97]

Why the CAP isn't covered by solar panels

The concept of covering the CAP canal system with solar panels has been longstanding and arises frequently. The basic idea is usually that a solar panel-covered CAP canal would prevent evaporation and generate renewable power supplies that could be used to move water through the system. This...

knowyourwaternews.com

So…are we getting our ARs?

 

[mnole03]

Does this make it more or less likely that the water will turn kids gay?

 

[DooBi]

BuT WhOs GoInG tO pAy FoR iT?

 

[ThorneStockton]

BuT WhOs GoInG tO pAy FoR iT?

Mexico

 

[lucas80]

BuT WhOs GoInG tO pAy FoR iT?

It’s in the article, dummy.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

I've seen pictures (mainly in other countries) of solar panels over roadways and parking lots. Power, some protection from rain, and no intrusion into "regular" land use.

I have often wondered what crops would grow in the shade under solar panels. Use a bit of the power to run drip irrigation and grow some stuff.

 

[SSG T]

I've seen pictures (mainly in other countries) of solar panels over roadways and parking lots. Power, some protection from rain, and no intrusion into "regular" land use.

I have often wondered what crops would grow in the shade under solar panels. Use a bit of the power to run drip irrigation and grow some stuff.

I've been to a couple of Army posts that had solar panels over parking lots. Seemed like a pretty no brainer idea when I saw them. Lights were mounted on the posts under the panels, so plenty of light at night.

 

[billanole]

Post #4 link is pretty good input. The canals are wider than I remember, so spanning them is a very different animal compared to typical installs. Other factors are mentioned as well.
Not likely to happen, but as far as who would pay for it, the end users of course.
Edited.

 

[BioHawk]

Why the CAP isn't covered by solar panels

The concept of covering the CAP canal system with solar panels has been longstanding and arises frequently. The basic idea is usually that a solar panel-covered CAP canal would prevent evaporation and generate renewable power supplies that could be used to move water through the system. This...

knowyourwaternews.com

That article brings up some very real concerns that are good reasons to not put solar panels over the canals. However, they do not make it impossible, just challenging and expensive. As the climate continues to degrade the motivation to do something about it could change the equation and something could happen on it.

 

[funksouljon]

Yeah. This seems logical. Let me put my MAGA brain on though so I can figure out if the panels will be used to funnel child blood to the Hollywood elite and I need to go shoot them up with my AR.

You can't cover up the LA River, what about the fish!? < My guess on a response>

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

That article brings up some very real concerns that are good reasons to not put solar panels over the canals. However, they do not make it impossible, just challenging and expensive. As the climate continues to degrade the motivation to do something about it could change the equation and something could happen on it.

When it's a debated problem decades away it's easy to be dissuaded by costs and other problems.

When it's happening now and clearly getting more destructive, it's easier to "find" the money.

Question: If everybody is borrowing because no one wants to pay up front, who the eff is lending - and why are they lending?

I mean how high does the interest have to be - or what other collateral do you need - to lend trillions to countries who you have to know may never pay off their debts?

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

Yeah. This seems logical. Let me put my MAGA brain on though so I can figure out if the panels will be used to funnel child blood to the Hollywood elite and I need to go shoot them up with my AR.

Three posts into a non-political thread and welcome politics!! 😂

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

All good till it floods.

 

[Hawki97]

Three posts into a non-political thread and welcome politics!! 😂

Le duh. This is HORT!

 

[theiacowtipper]

I've been to a couple of Army posts that had solar panels over parking lots. Seemed like a pretty no brainer idea when I saw them. Lights were mounted on the posts under the panels, so plenty of light at night.

Our college has panels over one of the parking lots.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

Le duh. This is HORT!

Try to enjoy life.

 

[Hawki97]

Try to enjoy life.

Every day bub…to its absolute fullest!

 

[Dr. Spaceman]

It’s in the article, dummy.

That would require reading

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

Every day bub…to its absolute fullest!

I can tell.

 

[Hawki97]

I can tell.

Whatever makes you feel good about yourself fella. All the best.

 

[Jan Itor]

Post #6 link is pretty good input. The canals are wider than I remember, so spanning them is a very different animal compared to typical installs. Other factors are mentioned as well.
Not likely to happen, but as far as who would pay for it, the end users of course.

Post # 4. Post #6 was a goof ball response to that link

 

[Jimmy McGill]

Give me some seed money and I'll power Iowa and get rid of the pork

 

[billanole]

Post # 4. Post #6 was a good ball response to that link

Oops, good catch.
*goof ball

 

[stout1]

I have often wondered what crops would grow in the shade under solar panels. Use a bit of the power to run drip irrigation and grow some stuff.

There are conversations in my area about a couple of large solar projects that will use the area under panels for grazing of sheep. We are talking about thousands of acres and thousands of sheep.

 

[billanole]

There are conversations in my area about a couple of large solar projects that will use the area under panels for grazing of sheep. We are talking about thousands of acres and thousands of sheep.

Big project in South Georgia you may be interested in…
Gary Black, Georgia's Agriculture Commissioner, says 700 sheep will live here and graze the grass to keep the panels in the sun.
"Helping get the sheep industry back underway and getting to partner with solar energy, I think it's a pretty good marriage to celebrate today," Black said.

'Good marriage to celebrate today': Houston County celebrates completed solar project in Elko

There is no way to track which 11K homes will receive energy from the solar farm, but officials say it will make Central Georgia's energy more affordable over time.

www.13wmaz.com

 

[Slappy Pappy]

There are conversations in my area about a couple of large solar projects that will use the area under panels for grazing of sheep. We are talking about thousands of acres and thousands of sheep.

How about beer? Germans covering fields full of hops with solar panels.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/21/climate-beer-solar-panels-hops-germany/244ddd76-27f0-11ee-9201-826e5bb78fa1_story.html

 

[Slappy Pappy]

My preference is requiring solar on all warehouses or rooftops of a certain size. Building owners get a tax credit. Doesn't require new power lines and it saves thousands of acres of land from development. There is apparently enough warehouse roof space to power 20m homes in the US.

https://environmentamerica.org/center/resources/solar-on-warehouses/

 

[lucas80]

I've been to a couple of Army posts that had solar panels over parking lots. Seemed like a pretty no brainer idea when I saw them. Lights were mounted on the posts under the panels, so plenty of light at night.

Google quite a few military installations around the US and they have large solar fields.

 

[billanole]

Google quite a few military installations around the US and they have large solar fields.

Sierra Nevada outside of Asheville shades some of the parking area with panels. Double use of the same acreage.

Visit | Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Come visit Sierra Nevada to learn how we produce world-class craft beer. From taprooms to brewery tours, we have fun events at all of our locations.

sierranevada.com

 

[funksouljon]

There are conversations in my area about a couple of large solar projects that will use the area under panels for grazing of sheep. We are talking about thousands of acres and thousands of sheep.

I was talking to my kids about getting a couple goats if we ended up getting enough property at the new house. So started searching goats. Now Im getting bombarded with before and after videos of goats / sheep clearing land. They are very impressive in their effectiveness.