Overview Energy and Meta Announce First-of-Its-Kind Agreement to Advance Space-Based Solar Power for Data Centres
Overview Energy and Meta Platforms have announced a landmark partnership to develop space-based solar energy, in what the companies describe as a first-of-its-kind agreement aimed at supporting future data centre and artificial intelligence infrastructure with new forms of clean power generation.
The collaboration sets out plans for an initial orbital demonstration in 2028, with commercial power delivery expected by 2030. Under the agreement, Meta will gain early access to up to 1GW of capacity from Overview Energy’s space solar system, which is designed to collect solar energy in orbit and transmit it to ground-based solar facilities, where it is converted into electricity for use on existing grids.
The companies say the approach is intended to extend the operational hours of terrestrial solar installations by enabling them to generate power continuously, including during periods when sunlight is unavailable. By doing so, the system is expected to increase overall energy output without requiring additional land use or significant new grid infrastructure.
Meta’s vice president of energy and sustainability, Nat Sahlstrom, described the technology as a potential step change in energy infrastructure, noting its potential to deliver uninterrupted power from orbit and support the company’s expanding artificial intelligence ambitions. He said the partnership reflects Meta’s broader strategy of pursuing innovative energy solutions to strengthen access to reliable, scalable electricity.
Overview Energy’s chief executive, Marc Berte, said the project represents a shift in how energy infrastructure is conceptualised, arguing that space could become an integral part of the United States’ energy system. He added that the technology is designed to help large-scale energy users, including hyperscalers, secure clean power with improved reliability and faster deployment timelines compared with traditional generation and grid expansion projects.
The system is based on satellites positioned in geosynchronous orbit that collect continuous solar radiation and transmit energy to Earth using low-intensity, near-infrared beams directed at existing solar facilities. The energy is then integrated into conventional power systems. According to the companies, the beam is designed to be low intensity, passively safe, and compliant with regulatory and grid integration standards.
The agreement is positioned as a strategic move for Meta, giving the company early access rights to a potential new category of energy infrastructure at a time of rapidly growing electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence and large-scale data processing. It also reflects wider industry interest in securing long-term, high-capacity clean energy sources that can operate independently of terrestrial constraints.
Overview Energy has stated that its advisory board includes former senior figures from NASA and US energy regulation bodies, reflecting the project’s emphasis on both technological development and regulatory alignment. The companies have framed the partnership as an early step towards integrating space-based solar generation into mainstream energy systems, with the potential to support a more flexible and resilient electricity supply in the future.
