TURLOCK, Calif. —

The Turlock Irrigation District has completed a $20 million solar canopy over canals, marking a milestone in generating clean energy and promising water savings in the Central Valley city.

"The Project Nexus—it is truly a pilot project. It is the first project of its kind in the state of California," said Brandon McMillan from the Turlock Irrigation District.

The project offers significant renewable energy benefits, serving both electricity needs and irrigation water on the canal side.

McMillan said the potential reduction in evaporation is a key interest of the project.

"It limits the light available for photosynthesis. So it could reduce the amount of aquatic weed growth, which is a major canal maintenance issue. It also saves land," explained Brandi McKuin, a proj

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