tech
April 27, 2026
Meta signs a deal to beam solar energy from space to its AI data centres
Overview’s satellites will collect sunlight continuously in geosynchronous orbit and beam it as near-infrared light to existing ground solar installations, which convert it to electricity. The approach extends solar farm output through the night without new land, new grid connections, or new infrastructure on the ground.
TL;DR
- Meta has contracted with Overview Energy for up to 1 gigawatt of space-based solar power, with commercial delivery expected in 2030.
- The deal addresses the critical need for continuous power for AI data centers, overcoming the intermittent nature of terrestrial solar and wind.
- Overview's technology beams near-infrared light from geosynchronous orbit to existing solar farms, extending their generation into the night.
- This method avoids the technical, safety, and regulatory challenges associated with laser or microwave power beaming, and does not require new ground infrastructure.
- An initial orbital demonstration is planned for January 2028.
- Meta's data centers consumed over 18,000 gigawatt-hours in 2024, and the company aims for 30 gigawatts of renewable capacity.
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