This is something Ed and I just discussed as we drove to Arizona and saw open canals in the desert. Why not cover the canals with solar panels?
Well, they are trying it in the Central Valley right now. The image below shows a football field-sized set of panels. Apparently, they reduce evaporation by about 70%, help to slow or stop algae build-up, and generate a lot of energy. Why don't they put they everywhere now?
Well, right now, they only make sense where there is infrastructure to use that energy. So you put it where electricity hookups already are, like pumping stations along the route. They are also looking at installing charging stations near them and bringing infrastructure closer as it is updated.
Generates electricity, saves water. Win win.
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