The Cactus Flower Solar project will come before the Pinal County Board of Supervisors for a vote on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The proposal seeks to build a 270-megawatt solar facility with 270 megawatts of battery storage on 2,137 acres south of Eloy. Supervisors will consider two ordinances despite a 6-3 denial recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Site Location
The project site sits south of Eloy in the Friendly Corners area. The site abuts the Eloy Valley Solar project to the east.
Board Will Vote on Rezoning and Development Plan
The Board will consider two separate ordinances for the Cactus Flower Solar project. The first would rezone the land from General Rural to Industrial I-3. The second would apply a Planned Area Development overlay with specific development standards. The Board approved a comprehensive plan amendment for the site in October 2024, changing the land use designation to Green Energy Production.
Staff recommends approval of both ordinances despite the commission’s denial recommendation. The rezoning includes one stipulation requiring the applicant to secure all necessary permits and approvals from regulatory agencies. The PAD overlay includes 20 stipulations covering drainage, traffic, decommissioning, and other requirements.
Planning Commission Recommended Denial in September
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-3 to recommend denial on September 18, 2025. The Board of Supervisors will make the final decision.
During that hearing, commissioners raised concerns about fire safety, weed management, flood risks, and potential heat effects on nearby crops. They also questioned whether tax revenue would benefit local communities. Commissioner Tom Scott noted that existing solar projects show minimal direct local benefit despite initial projections.
Project Details and Economic Impact
Cactus Flower Solar, LLC is a subsidiary of Cypress Creek Renewables. The facility would connect to the regional grid through a 9-mile transmission line linking to APS’s system.
Developers estimate the project would create 400 construction jobs over 12 to 18 months. They also project lifetime tax revenue of approximately $50 million.
The Cactus Flower Solar items appear as items 10 and 11 on the December 3 agenda.
