California’s Solar Powered Delta-Mendota Canal

California’s greatest problems revolve around
power and water. Therefore, we have developed
the following concept: covering the Central
Valley’s Delta-Mendota Canal with a photovoltaic
canopy that generates clean, renewable,
electricity while protecting the water in the
Canal.

The multiple advantages are listed below:

(1) Location. The Delta-Mendota Canal runs
through desert-like conditions, and, more
important, there is no need to obtain new
land. Portions of the Canal adjoin an
existing transmission line corridor.

(2) Timing. The California Aqueduct system
is outdated and unprepared for drought,
flood and earthquake emergencies. It is
also slated for major reconstruction by
the U.S. Department of Reclamation, which
oversees the system.

In California, there is bipartisan support
for our concept. In 2005 the California
Legislature enacted a law promoting the
construction of photovoltaic coverings
over the State’s canal system: (AB 515,
Richman R).

(3) Water. With reduced evaporation, the
Canal will deliver more water to its
destination, the San Joaquin River. The
water will arrive cleaner and cooler,
aiding farmers and fisheries and helping
to prevent blooms of toxic algae.

(4) Photovoltaics. Photovoltaic generated
electricity consumes no water and
produces no greenhouse gas.

(5) Responsibility. Providing a safe water
infrastructure for us, our families
and future generations.

Here are some facts about the Delta-Mendota
Canal, followed by a more detailed analysis
of the five points listed above:

The Canal is a Federal project, part of the
Governor Edmund G. Brown California Aqueduct
system that collects water from the Sierra
Nevada Mountains and the valleys of Northern
and Central California and conveys it to
Southern California.

The Delta-Mendota Canal’s purpose is to
replenish the San Joaquin River with Delta
water. The Canal flows southward, delivering
most of it’s water into the Mendota Pond,
located 30 miles west of Fresno.

Construction period: 1946-1951

Length: 117 miles

Typical section:

Bottom width: 100 feet
Side slope: 3:01
Water depth: 14.3 feet

The Delta-Mendota Canal is mostly concrete-lined
and is operated by the United States Bureau of
Reclamation and the Delta-Mendota Water Authority.

Aerial Photo: Delta-Mendota Canal

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amenfoto/3285100067/

Aerial Photo: Delta Mendota Canal with windmills
in the Diablo Foothills.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amenfoto/3285469699/

(1) Location. The 117 mile Delta-Mendota
Canal is ideally situated in a sunny desert-like
environment.

Because of its proximity to the existing power
grid, little or no new land is required to
connect the Delta-Mendota Canal to the Path 15
transmission line corridor. Proximity to the
grid means that less electricity is lost during
transmission.

(2) Timing. The California Aqueduct system
is outdated and unprepared for drought,
flood and earthquake emergencies. As the
water system is being overhauled, it is the
appropriate time to cover appropriate sections
of the Delta-Mendota Canal with a photovoltaic
canopy.

The current state of affairs is described in
the article below:

Interior Chief Says California Water System Outdated

Samantha Young – Capital Press 4/15/09

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. (AP) – Interior Secretary
Ken Salazar urged California to modernize its
antiquated water system. He told reporters that
California’s massive system of reservoirs, pumps
and canals was outdated, built a half century
ago and designed for a population half the size
of today’s 37.7 million people. He pledged that
the federal government was ready to help California overhaul its system and deal with its drought.

“It is time to modernize, it is time to make hard
choices, and it’s time for the federal government
to re-engage in a full partnership with a 21st
century water system for the state of California,”
Interior Secretary Salazar said.

California is already on the forefront of such
modernization. In 2005 the State Assembly
unanimously passed AB 515.

The Bill, authored by Keith Richman (R), was
signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger. It
authorizes the Department of Water Resources to
“establish a program to lease space above State
Water Project conveyance facilities, such as
aqueducts, to private entities for installing
solar panels and generating electricity from
those panels. Chapter 368, Statutes of 2005

In addition, major conservation efforts are
underway that are relevant to the Delta-
Mendota Canal. Two major priorities are
restoring the salmon fisheries of the San
Joaquin River and protecting the various
Delta habitats.

(3) Water. With reduced evaporation, the
Canal will deliver more water to its destination,
the San Joaquin River. The water will arrive
cleaner and cooler, aiding farmers and fisheries
and helping to prevent blooms of toxic algae.

As the water flows southward, there is loss
to evaporation. A photovoltaic canopy placed
over long segments of the Delta-Mendota canal
can be designed to minimize these losses.

Besides saving water, the photovoltaic canopy
will keep the water cooler. The water that
re-enters the river system will also be
“softer” because of less salt, chemical and
mineral buildup due to evaporation.

The canopy will help to block airborne
particles, such as sand, soil, soot and
agricultural chemicals from entering the
Canal.

With our hot, dry summers and increasing
likelihood of a fourth year of drought,
California’s water supply is vulnerable
to over-growths of toxic blue-green algae.
Keeping the water cool and shaded will help
to prevent dangerous algae blooms.

The cleaner, colder water will benefit the
fish and other aquatic wildlife as it returns
to the Delta. This will help the current
attempt to restore the salmon population
of the San Joaquin River.

(4) Photovoltaics. Photovoltaic generated
electricity consumes no water and produces
no greenhouse gas.

America’s coal fired, oil fired, natural gas
and nuclear power plants use more than 136
billion gallons of fresh water daily in the
generation of greenhouse gas producing
electricity. Only agriculture uses more
water.

Energy Department officials have stated a
goal of achieving a 50 percent reduction
in fresh water usage by electrical power
plant by the year 2015.

Photovoltaics use no water in the generation
of electricity. In addition, they have no
moving parts, make no noise, cause no chemical
reactions, create no emissions and are virtually
maintenance free.

Calculating the true cost of electrical
generation, factoring in the value of the
water consumed, both now and in the future,
we conclude that water saving photovoltaic
technology is the sensible solution.

(5) Responsibility. Providing a safe water
infrastructure for us, our families and future
generations.

The Central Valley accounts for about a fifth
of the electricity used in California, much
of which is used to power water pumping stations.
More than ever, it is necessary for the Valley
to be responsible for reducing its vast carbon
footprint.

The emissions generated using conventional
methods accelerate global warming. This, in
turn, is responsible for the rapid melting
of the snow packs on California’s mountaintops,
which is the major source and reservoir of our
fresh drinking and irrigation water.

Water is life!

The Delta-Mendota photovoltaic canopy project
can be seen as a pilot concept for other
applications. It would also act as a “stimulus”
to California’s scientific and engineering
community, providing an opportunity to develop
new, cost-effective green technologies.

Finally, this project is unique among alternative
energy projects because it is designed to
protect California’s dwindling water resources,
while delivering clean, renewable electricity.

Harvey Sherback & David Cohn