Meta signs space solar power deal with Overview Energy for nighttime data center power
Original: Meta inks deal for solar power at night, beamed from space
Why This Matters
First commercial deal for space-based solar power addresses growing AI data center energy demands.
Meta has signed an agreement with startup Overview Energy for up to 1 gigawatt of power from satellites beaming infrared light to solar farms at night. The deal aims to address Meta's growing electricity needs for AI data centers, which used over 18,000 gigawatt-hours in 2024.
Meta announced a capacity reservation agreement with Virginia-based Overview Energy to receive up to 1 gigawatt of power from satellites that beam infrared light to ground-based solar farms at night. Meta's data centers consumed over 18,000 gigawatt-hours in 2024, equivalent to powering 1.7 million American homes annually. The company has committed to building 30 gigawatts of renewable power sources. Overview Energy, which emerged from stealth in December, plans to collect solar power in space and convert it to near-infrared light beamed to large solar farms. CEO Marc Berte says the wide infrared beam is safe to look at directly. Overview has demonstrated power transmission from aircraft and plans to launch a test satellite in January 2028.