Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI has announced plans to build a solar farm adjacent to its Colossus data center in Memphis, Tennessee, according to filings submitted to local city and county planners. The proposed solar installation would span 88 acres, located to the west and south of the massive data center—one of the largest facilities dedicated to training AI models in the world. The site borders a 136-acre vacant lot owned by the same developer responsible for the Colossus property. The solar farm is expected to generate approximately 30 megawatts of electricity—roughly 10% of the Colossus data center’s estimated power consumption. This initiative aligns with xAI’s broader plan to eventually transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. In September, the company revealed intentions to construct a separate 100-megawatt solar farm paired with 100 megawatts of grid-scale battery storage, aiming to deliver continuous, clean power around the clock. The project’s developer, Seven States Power Corporation, received $439 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including $414 million in an interest-free loan. This federal funding stands out amid broader rollbacks of clean energy incentives under the Trump administration, where many grants and loans were canceled or paused. Despite these renewable commitments, xAI has faced intense scrutiny over its use of natural gas turbines at the Colossus site. According to the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), the company has operated more than 400 megawatts of unpermitted turbines—specifically at least 35 units capable of emitting over 2,000 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOX) annually. NOX contributes to smog and respiratory illnesses. Residents in Boxtown, a predominantly Black neighborhood near the facility, have raised alarms about worsening air quality. Researchers from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, found that nitrogen dioxide levels surged by 79% in areas surrounding the data center after xAI began operations. Community members report a rise in asthma attacks and other respiratory issues. Local officials granted xAI a permit to operate 15 turbines through January 2027. The company maintains that its gas turbines are temporary and necessary while it secures additional power, though regulators do not track emissions from the 18 turbines labeled as temporary. Meanwhile, xAI has expanded its fossil fuel infrastructure in Mississippi, where its Colossus 2 data center now hosts 59 gas turbines. The company continues to face pressure from environmental advocates and civil rights groups, including the NAACP, who argue that the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities underscores broader environmental justice concerns. Tim De Chant, a senior climate reporter at TechCrunch and lecturer at MIT’s Graduate Program in Science Writing, has covered the intersection of technology, energy, and environmental policy extensively. He holds a PhD in environmental science, policy, and management from UC Berkeley and has contributed to publications including Wired, Ars Technica, and NOVA Next.