New Solar Panel Installations Along State Route 87

April 17, 2026

GRIN Staff

Drivers traveling along State Route 87 in the Gila River Indian Community will notice a new stretch of solar panels being installed over a major irrigation canal, a significant step toward expanding clean energy and conserving water. The project focuses on sustainable infrastructure and long-term stewardship of Community resources.

Unlike traditional ground-mounted arrays, these panels sit directly above the canal’s surface. From a distance, they resemble long, dark quilts laid gently across the water. Up close, the design becomes more apparent: each platform forms a grid of 12 panels across and seven panels long. Each of those larger panels is built from smaller components made up of six narrow lines holding 13 solar tiles. Engineers say the structure offers two key benefits, generating renewable electricity while reducing water loss from evaporation. In the desert climate, where every gallon matters, shading the canal can help preserve significant volumes of water throughout the year.

The system is engineered to withstand high temperatures, monsoon winds and fluctuating water levels. For the Community, the installation represents more than an infrastructure upgrade. Leaders describe it as an investment in future generations, aligning cultural values of protecting the land with forward-looking innovation.

The full array will continue taking shape along SR 87 in the coming months. As the panels rise, they signal a vision rooted in tradition, technology and environmental responsibility, a reflection of the Gila River Indian Community’s ongoing commitment to progress.