News | Fox26 News | April 2026

First-of-its-kind solar canal project completed in Central Valley

TURLOCK, Calif. (FOX26) — Governor Gavin Newsom announced the completion of California’s first solar-covered canal in the Central Valley, launching a first-of-its-kind pilot project aimed at saving water, generating renewable energy and reducing maintenance costs.

Known as Project Nexus, the $20 million initiative places solar panels directly over irrigation canals to test whether the approach can help California better manage water resources while expanding clean energy production.