What Are Solar Canals and How Much Water Do They save?
Videos
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by The Kid Should See This
What it is
- This 2-minute video and associated article explain the idea of covering open water canals with solar panels so the panels generate renewable electricity while their shade reduces water lost to evaporation.
- Students learn how researchers modeled the effect of shading California's canal system and how a pilot project is testing different solar cover designs over sections of an irrigation district's canals.
Teaching tips
Classroom Implementation:
- Pause after the video introduces evaporation to check that students understand why open canals lose water in hot, sunny conditions.
- Have students identify the multiple benefits of solar canals described and discuss why solving several problems with one design is powerful, as well as what drawbacks might exist.
Options for Action:
- Have students engage in the engineering design process to develop an innovation that can solve multiple problems at once (multi-solving).
- Calculate the water and energy gains associated with covering local water bodies with solar panels.
Related Resources:
- Read this short news story about how solar can be used in cow farms to provide shade and prevent drought.
- Use resources by the Multisolving Institute, such as the Flower tool, to explore and map co-benefits.
Ready to use it?
Hosted on thekidshouldseethis.com
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
