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Using solar panels like THIS is a no-brainer! California’s doing it

@UCMerced scientists are thinking of other, smarter ways we can use #solar — like saving #water #California is about to try an idea that could save billions of gallons of water each year and produce enough clean energy to power a city the size of Los Angeles for nine months of the year. The simple but brilliant concept? Cover California’s roughly 4,000 miles of aqueducts with solar canopies. #solarenergy #waterconservation ➡️ Read more about this research at: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/fig1 ——— 📺 Subscribe! http://bit.ly/1fUWHyY Fig. 1 explores big ideas —from science to culture to history to psychology — and the brilliant minds behind it. 💡 Find more Fig. 1 at: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/fig1

Fig. 1 by University of California

1 day ago
- [Narrator] These solar panels don't just generate electricity they save cars from baking in the sun and UC scientists are thinking of other smarter ways we can use solar, and that includes protecting California's precious water supply. (upbeat music) (suspenseful music) California uses a system of canals to transport our water, but during the hot summer months, these canals lose water to evaporation. So, what if we covered them with solar panels to protect the water from the sun? - We could sa
ve water. So, we estimated that placing solar panels over the 4,000 miles of California's open canals could save upwards of 63 billion gallons of water annually. - [Narrator] This is Brandi McKuin, a co-author of a UC Merced study investigating the value of solar canals in California. She found that the water savings from this idea is enough for the needs of 2 million people. That's a lot. Imagine everyone in San Diego and San Francisco combined. And another surprising fact, solar panels actuall
y work better over water than on land. This is something people are beginning to explore with floating solar farms. On land, big solar farms take up a lot of space and often displace native animals and plants. Adding solar to existing water infrastructure could be a win-win. - You know, if you're gonna install solar panels in your home, you wouldn't put them in your backyard. So, by using the built environment, we can reach both our climate goals and our biodiversity goals. - [Narrator] Right no
w, the state of California is funding a pilot project to make solar canals a reality. It's known as Project Nexus. Brandi and a team of UC Merced researchers will evaluate the project and find ways to improve its effectiveness. - With more data, we can map out strategies for extending solar canal statewide and across the west. - [Narrator] The project is a big first step and a creative way to use solar energy for something beyond powering our lives. If you found this video useful, give us a like
, it'll help other people find us. We've also got links to more info about this research in the video description. And if you want more Figure 1, check out our video on why we need to burn California in order to save it.

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