Meta plans to beam solar energy from space to power data centres
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The news: Meta has announced partnerships with two companies as it seeks to power its AI data centres with solar energy collected in space.
The context: Meta said that it has secured a deal with startup Overview Energy, for up to 1 gigawatt of space solar energy. Overview aims to collect sunlight via satellites orbiting earth and convert this into electricity to support the grid. Overview, which came out of stealth mode in December last year, plans to beam the energy back to earth-based solar facilities as low-intensity, near-infrared light.
Overview’s thesis for a space-based power plant is still in development and testing mode and has plans to conduct its initial orbital demonstration in 2028.
The second partnership Meta announced is with Noon Energy, whose technology will allow Meta to reserve up to 1 GW/100 GWh of ultra-long-duration energy storage, providing Meta with power storage for its AI data centres.
Noon Energy’s demonstration project is also targeting 2028, with Meta stating that if the demonstrations are successful, commercial delivery to the US grid could begin as early as 2030.
The source: Meta press release
