Meta inks deal for solar power at night, beamed from space

In a groundbreaking move to enhance energy supply for AI models, Meta has formed a partnership with startup Overview Energy. This collaboration aims to utilize a constellation of satellites to transmit infrared light, enabling solar farms to generate electricity even after dark. In 2024, Meta’s data centers consumed over 18,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity, equivalent to the annual power needs of approximately 1.7 million American homes. As demand for computational strength continues to soar, the company is dedicated to developing 30 gigawatts of renewable energy, primarily through large-scale solar power initiatives. Traditionally, data centers relying on solar energy face challenges in accessing power at night, often resorting to battery storage or alternative generation methods. However, Overview Energy, a Virginia-based startup that emerged from stealth in December, has introduced an innovative approach. The company is designing spacecraft capable of capturing solar power in space and converting it into near-infrared light, which can then be beamed to substantial solar farms on Earth. By employing a broad infrared beam, Overview aims to bypass the complex technological and regulatory hurdles associated with high-power laser or microwave power transmission to Earth. CEO Marc Berte assures that the infrared beam will be safe for direct viewing. This technology has the potential to enhance the profitability of solar farms while decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, contingent upon successful large-scale implementation. Overview Energy has already demonstrated its capability to transmit power from an aircraft and plans to launch a satellite into low Earth orbit by January 2028 to test power transmission from space. In a recent announcement, Meta revealed it has signed a capacity reservation agreement with Overview, allowing it to receive up to 1 gigawatt of power from the satellites, although financial details remain undisclosed. To facilitate this agreement, Overview introduced a new measurement called megawatt photons, which quantifies the amount of light necessary to produce a megawatt of electricity. Berte anticipates that the first satellites will be launched by 2030, with a long-term plan to deploy 1,000 satellites into geosynchronous orbit, where they will maintain a fixed position relative to the Earth. Once operational, this satellite fleet is expected to cover about one-third of the globe, starting with an area stretching from the U.S. West Coast to Western Europe. As solar farms transition into evening hours, Overview’s satellites will provide additional light, enhancing their electricity generation capabilities. Berte envisions a future where this technology not only generates energy but also facilitates its transmission to meet demand across various energy markets, maximizing efficiency and value.