Flint Hills Resources has commissioned a new 27-megawatt solar installation at its Corpus Christi West refinery, marking a first-of-its-kind project for refineries in Texas. The $53 million development spans 100 acres and includes over 56,700 solar panels, supplying up to 28% of the refinery's power needs.

The installation, built by DEPCOM Power, can produce enough electricity to power more than 5,100 homes annually. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on the utility grid, lower production costs, and improve operational efficiency.

"This is a major step forward in our efforts to improve efficiency and competitiveness," said Rodney Dillon, Vice President and Manufacturing Manager for Flint Hills Resources Corpus Christi.

The Corpus Christi site is the second Flint Hills Resources refinery to feature large-scale solar generation. Its Pine Bend refinery in Minnesota was the first in the U.S. to integrate solar power at a 45-megawatt scale.

The project follows the refinery's recent achievement of the EPA's ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry, with a 10.3% reduction in energy intensity over three years. Alongside its existing 30-megawatt combined heat and power system, the facility can now meet up to 60% of its power needs on-site.

Flint Hills Resources has reduced air emissions by approximately 70% since 2000 while increasing production at its Corpus Christi operations.