Hard Fork AI xAI Builds Independent Solar Loop for Colossus to Support Grok
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Dec 5, 2025 xAI is creating an independent solar energy loop to ensure steady power for its Colossus center. The plan includes an 88-acre solar farm to supply about 10% of the data center's needs. Currently, reliance on gas turbines raises local controversies. Future plans feature a 100 MW solar installation paired with Tesla battery storage, backed by significant federal funding. The discussion reveals potential benefits for local communities and highlights broader industry implications, encouraging more sustainable practices in data centers.
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Work From Hotel, Beach Distraction
- Jaeden recounts working from a Hawaii hotel and noticing low motivation with the beach nearby.
- He uses this personal example to segue into returning to podcast work and current news.
On-Site Power Eases Grid Strain
- Building on-site power reduces strain and subsidy burdens on local grids around massive AI data centers.
- Jaeden Schafer highlights Colossus's solar plan as an industry signal toward self-supplied generation.
Infrastructure Powering Grok's Rise
- XAI's Colossus data center used clever GPU sourcing and rapid build to accelerate Grok's rise.
- Jaeden connects facility scale and engineering choices to model performance and adoption.