Overview Energy’s spacecraft will beam infrared light at solar farms, providing a novel solution for nighttime energy needs.
Meta, a leading tech company, has signed an agreement with Overview Energy to receive up to 1 GW of satellite-powered energy. This innovative solution involves spacecraft collecting solar power in space and beaming it down as infrared light to power existing solar farms.
Overview Energy’s technology sidesteps the challenges associated with transmitting high-power beams directly to Earth, which have hindered previous attempts at space-based solar power. Instead, the company uses a wide, infrared beam that can safely illuminate large areas of solar panels.
Meta’s commitment to renewable energy is underscored by its plans to build 30 GW of industrial-scale solar power plants by 2028. This deal represents a crucial step towards achieving this goal and reducing reliance on fossil fuels for data center operations.
Overview Energy has already demonstrated the feasibility of its technology, successfully transmitting power from an aircraft to the ground. The company is planning to launch its first satellite in January 2028, which will perform the first power transmission from space to a solar farm.
What matters
- Meta aims to power its data centers with 30 GW of renewable energy by 2028.
- Overview Energy’s technology could increase the efficiency and ROI of solar farms.
- The deal marks a significant step towards large-scale deployment of space-based solar power.
Why it matters
The deal marks a significant step towards large-scale deployment of space-based solar power.
This GenAI News article was prepared in original wording using reporting and materials published by TechCrunch AI. Source reference: https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/27/meta-inks-deal-for-solar-power-at-night-beamed-from-space/.
Drafted by the GenAI News review pipeline.