News | Science Magazine | March 2025

Collaborative Efforts of Seven Top Research Universities Propel Solar Array Innovations Over California’s Canals

In California’s relentless pursuit of innovative renewable energy solutions, the California Solar Canal Initiative (CSCI) stands at the forefront, combining the realms of water and energy in a strikingly effective manner. This ambitious initiative is spearheaded by a coalition of seven prestigious research institutions, including six from California, aiming to harness the state’s extensive network of canals for solar energy generation. The sheer potential of this project is both impressive and vital, as it intertwines ecological conservation with sustainable energy production, addressing two of the most pressing challenges of our time: climate change and water scarcity.