California’s farming heartland goes solar

By Camille von Kaenel, Wes Venteicher | 10/31/2024 06:08 AM EDT

The state’s largest water district is hedging its bets as it comes to terms with its water-strapped future.

Aerial photo shows solar panels and green fields.

A massive proposed solar installation that Westlands Water District is promoting in California's San Joaquin Valley, pictured from above, could help growers adapt to reduced water allocations. Wes Venteicher/POLITICO

FIREBAUGH, California — Facing a future with less water, the country’s largest agricultural water district is turning from growing nuts, vegetables, fruit and beef to a new crop: solar power.

Westlands Water District, which supplies some of California’s driest farmland, is making plans to convert some 200 square miles of it — an area roughly the size of Detroit — into what would be the largest solar installation in the world.

Under pressure, Westlands, more usually known for its ties to former President Donald Trump and for fighting aggressively for every extra drop of water it can get, is diversifying both economically and politically.

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“We have this survival strategy now, with our limited water supply,” said Allison Febbo, the hydrologist-by-training at the head of Westlands.

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