Kern County, CA
Buttonbush
Solar Center
Buttonbush Solar Center is a solar project under development in Western Kern County, California, near the community of Buttonwillow.
The multi-phase project will feature a photovoltaic (PV) solar array (no mirrors) essentially the same as those regularly installed on rooftops and parking lots, plus a battery system, with a total generation capacity of up to 2,000 Megawatts (MWac). If fully built out, Buttonbush would produce enough clean electricity to power over 950,000 homes, day or night.
MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM
Welcome! This website was created to serve as a place for Buttonwillow residents, the Greater Kern County community and others interested in the Buttonbush Solar Center. We look forward to working with the community to build a successful project that boosts the local economy and helps California meet its clean energy goals.
PROJECT LOCATION
Please see the aerial site map for a better sense of the project’s location.
Buttonbush is located on land north of Buttonwillow on both sides of Interstate 5 and is thoughtfully sited and designed to limit potential impacts to local residents.
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
Last year, we welcomed Buttonwillow Unified School District’s middle school students for an educational field trip to one of our Kern County solar projects, offering hands-on learning and an introduction to the county’s clean energy careers. The visit helped promote STEM education by connecting classroom lessons to the positive impacts of clean energy.
Project Snapshot
LOCATION
Near Buttonwillow, Kern County, CA
View the site map here
PROJECT OUTPUT
Up to 2,000 MWac
The initial phases, Buttonbush 1A and 1B, will generate a combined 800 megawatts (MW) of solar generation and 3,200 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage.
PROJECT FOOTPRINT
Approximately 12,000 acres of private land are permitted across all phases.
Buttonbush 1A and 1B are approximately 4600 acres combined.
DEVELOPER
Avantus Project Affiliates,
29SC 8me LLC, 158TD 8me LLC, and 47BT 8me LLC
POTENTIAL JOB IMPACT
Buttonbush 1A and 1B will create up to 900 union construction jobs and provide permanent operations and maintenance jobs for decades to come.
COMMUNITY BENEFITS
Sponsorships and contributions in partnership with local organizations to support facilities, programs, and services in Buttonwillow and Kern County.
STATUS
Buttonbush Solar Center received unanimous approval from the Kern County Board of Supervisors in March 2026.
Construction is expected to start in 2027 with commercial operations from the initial phases beginning in in 2029
Local Benefits
Avantus has deep experience in developing utility-scale solar and storage projects in California. With every project, we strive to collaborate with nearby communities to advance meaningful benefits.
Community Involvement
Avantus is committed to being a good neighbor, which means taking the time to understand Buttonwillow’s values and becoming a contributing member of the community.
Economic Opportunities
Buttonbush will create economic benefits for Kern County and the Buttonwillow community, including local jobs and hundreds of millions in tax revenue to fund county public services.
Environment
Buttonbush Solar Center is estimated to offset hundreds of thousands of metric tons of carbon dioxide a year, equivalent to planting tens of millions of trees or taking hundreds of thousands of cars off the road.
About Avantus
Avantus (doing business as Avantus Power LLC) is a California-based developer of solar and energy storage projects. We have more than a decade of experience developing and building safe, high quality and sustainable projects across the Western United States in partnership with utilities, landowners, communities, and other key stakeholders.
We have developed over a dozen operating projects throughout California. These projects have created thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities across the state and continue to generate significant tax revenue. We are proud of the relationships we’ve built and the track record we’ve earned and hope to expand upon this success with the Buttonbush Solar Center.
