Meta partners with Silicon Ranch on $100M solar farm for AI center
Meta has signed a $100 million agreement with solar developer Silicon Ranch to build a 100-megawatt solar farm in South Carolina, the companies announced yesterday. The project will supply renewable energy to Meta’s upcoming $800 million AI data center in the state, with both facilities expected to begin operations in 2027.
According to the companies, most of the equipment for the solar installation will be manufactured in the U.S., aligning with domestic supply chain and clean energy policy priorities.
This marks the eighteenth partnership between Meta and Silicon Ranch, which says the series of deals has driven more than $2.5 billion in investment to date.
Meta has been aggressively expanding its renewable energy footprint in 2024. The company has added over 2 gigawatts of solar capacity this year alone, with agreements spanning multiple states:
- In June, a deal with developer Invergy advanced projects in Ohio.
- In May, Meta partnered with AES to deliver 650 MW across Kansas and Texas.
- Ongoing collaborations in Texas with Engie and Zelestra aim to develop nearly 800 MW of additional capacity.
The push reflects broader trends among hyperscale data center operators. By tapping renewable sources like solar, Meta is working to honor its net-zero emissions commitments while also addressing a more immediate challenge: securing affordable, scalable energy for rapidly growing AI infrastructure. Solar in particular is attractive because of its low cost and fast deployment timelines, reducing the “time-to-power” bottleneck that often delays large data center projects.
With South Carolina’s new solar farm, Meta is not only fortifying its energy strategy for AI expansion but also reinforcing its role as a major driver of U.S. renewable investment.
