Solar Canals: Phoenix's Answer to Running Out of Water

Phoenix recorded 113 consecutive days above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in 2024, more than 600 heat-related deaths, and peak power demand that hit a new record. It is also sitting on a shrinking river, growing at 4 percent per year in energy demand, and being flooded with data centers that consume both electricity and water to run AI workloads. In this video, we break down how the Salt River Project — one of the only utilities in America that manages both water and power for the same city — is now partnering with Arizona State University to find out whether covering its 131 miles of Phoenix canals with solar panels could cool the water, cut evaporation, generate electricity, and take the edge off the urban heat island all at once. The hottest big city in America is running out of easy options. The canal that built Phoenix might be the thing that saves it. Watts Around The World covers clean energy solutions from every corner of the planet every week. Subscribe so you don't miss what's next.