Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis, right, signed a partnership agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Thursday for the Solar Canal Project, launching Phase I of the Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project Renewable Energy Pilot. (Photo via Gila River Indian Community)
By Shondin Silversmith | Pinal Central
In an effort to address the ongoing drought affecting the Southwest, the Gila River Indian Community is taking an innovative step forward by launching its Solar Canal Project to construct the country’s first solar-over-canal project.
“A tribe is leading the way,” Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said, adding that the shovel-ready project will immediately address water conservation.
The Gila River Indian Community and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed an agreement on Thursday in Sacaton, kicking off construction on the first phase of the Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project Renewal Energy Pilot Project, which is expected to be completed in 2025.
