Boot Hill Solar, a project developed in partnership between Sunflower Electric Power Corporation and Alluvial Power, reached a significant milestone. Construction crews recently completed mechanical installation, allowing the project to advance into system testing and initial energization. Full synchronization to the electric grid and commercial operation are expected in January 2026.
Construction of the 150-megawatt facility began on February 15, 2025, with installation of the first solar panel occurring around May 15. Since then, crews completed installation of all major components across the 1,000-acre site located southeast of Dodge City near Sunflower’s Fort Dodge power generation station.
The Boot Hill Solar facility includes 394,960 bifacial, single-axis tracking panels; 39 inverters; seven weather stations; one substation; and 3.3 miles of new transmission line supported by 28 structures. At peak construction, the project employed approximately 360 workers.
“Reaching mechanical completion is a major step forward for this project and for the Sunflower system,” said Corey Linville, Sunflower Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Generation and Power Supply. “Boot Hill Solar will provide valuable on-peak energy and capacity during the hottest days of the year, complementing our diverse generation portfolio and helping maintain stable, affordable rates for our members.”
Once commissioning and performance testing conclude, the 150-megawatt (AC) facility is expected to generate nearly 400,000 megawatt-hours of energy annually, which represents roughly 9% of Sunflower’s current system needs. The project’s strategic location near existing Sunflower infrastructure enhances cost efficiency, reduces the need for additional transmission investment, and shortens the timeline to full operation.
Alluvial Power is designing, constructing, and will ultimately own and operate the facility. Sunflower will receive 100% of the power and renewable energy attributes produced by the facility for the benefit of its seven member utilities and the Kansas consumers they serve. The project is also being developed in partnership with the National Renewables Cooperative Organization (NRCO), continuing a successful partnership that helped bring the Johnson Corner Solar and Sunflower Electric Solar @ Russell projects to fruition.
Local support has remained strong throughout development and construction. The project is expected to provide more than $50 million in direct economic benefit to Ford County over its life, including more than $4 million during its first 10 years and more than $1.5 million annually thereafter. It will also generate more than $2 million for USD 443 during its first decade and contribute to local employment and business activity.
“We appreciate the collaboration of Ford County, Victory Electric Cooperative, and the many partners who helped Alluvial and Sunflower advance Boot Hill Solar to this stage,” Linville said. “This resource will serve Sunflower’s members for decades, enhancing reliability while capturing the economic efficiencies of solar generation.”
Once online in early 2026, Boot Hill Solar will join Sunflower’s existing and emerging solar resources, continuing Sunflower’s commitment to a balanced, reliable, and cost-effective generation portfolio.
