DOI Announces Funding for Solar Panel Installation in Gila River Indian Community

On December 8, 2023, DOI announced $5.65 million from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to the Gila River Community in Arizona to fund solar panel construction and installation over the Casa Blanca Canal. This innovative practice conserves water through reducing evaporation losses of the canal, increases efficiency and production of solar panels from the cooling effect of the water, creates land savings for open space and agricultural use, and reduces the energy footprint and carbon emissions needed to operate and maintain the Canal. DOI’s Bureau of Reclamation will work with the Gila River Indian Community to cover 2,782 linear feet of the canal with approximately 2,556 solar panels which will generate 1.31 MW of clean energy and provide 2.26 million kWh of annual electricity to the community. This pilot will serve as a five-year study period to provide information about future solar projects over canals. IRA section 50232 provided DOI with $25 million to fund the design and implementation of projects covering canals and other water conveyance facilities with solar panels.