A project near Modesto, California, would generate renewable energy while saving water.

Solar panel canopies over sections of the Turlock Irrigation District’s canal system would generate renewable electricity, shade the sun, reduce evaporation and save water for district customers.

The Turlock Irrigation District is partnering with Solar AquaGrid, a Bay Area start-up, to build the project.

A series of canopies would cover more than a mile of canals, going online by 2024 with solar panels that would have a capacity of about 5 megawatts. The cost is estimated at $20 million, funded by the state government.

Read more: insideclimatenews.org