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Meta Secures 1 GW Space Solar Deal for AI Data Centers

4/27/2026

Summary

Meta Secures Solar

Meta Platforms signed an agreement with Overview Energy to secure 1 GW of space-based solar power for its AI data centers.
Overview Energy will launch satellites at 22,000 miles, demo in 2028 and deliver by 2030.
The satellites will convert continuous sunlight into near-infrared beams that feed solar farms, creating a 24/7 renewable baseload for AI data-center power.
Its advisory board includes former NASA admins Jim Bridenstine, Mike Griffin and former FERC chair Joseph Kelliher.

Summary

Energy Launches Satellites

Overview Energy plans to launch up to 1,000 geosynchronous satellites to continuously illuminate about one-third of Earth.
Meta’s AI data centers used about 18,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity in 2024, enough for 1.7 million U.S. homes.
Analysts warn the satellite plan underscores an AI energy crisis that could render traditional solar plus storage too costly.
A low-Earth-orbit demo is set for January 2028, preceding a geosynchronous service slated for 2030.

Summary

Meta Adds Nuclear

President Donald Trump said the Louisiana data center will cost $50 billion and cover an area comparable to much of Manhattan.
Meta has partnered with nuclear firms Vistra, Oklo and TerraPower, becoming a leading corporate buyer of nuclear power.
Meta’s March deal with Entergy Louisiana is projected to save customers $2 billion.
The Louisiana project reflects Meta’s strategy to diversify energy sources by adding nuclear and utility contracts to its renewable mix.

Summary

Meta Powers Satellites

Meta has signed an agreement with Overview Energy that links the company to a power-delivery model operating outside conventional utility regulation.
Overview Energy describes the contract as a wager on transmitting space-based energy as a new utility layer.
The satellites use a wide infrared beam to boost solar-farm output only during local evenings and nights, giving Meta flexible power access across several regional markets.

History

Historical Context

In 1973 Peter Glaser patented the solar-power satellite, leading NASA and the DOE to launch extensive studies that envisioned a gigawatt-scale GEO array. Ongoing NASA SERT work and JAXA’s 2015 microwave-beaming test kept the idea alive. In 2024 Meta teamed with Overview Energy to deploy a 1-GW constellation to power AI data centers.

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Meta Secures Solar

Meta Platforms signed an agreement with Overview Energy to secure 1 GW of space-based solar power for its AI data centers.
Overview Energy will launch satellites at 22,000 miles, demo in 2028 and deliver by 2030.
The satellites will convert continuous sunlight into near-infrared beams that feed solar farms, creating a 24/7 renewable baseload for AI data-center power.
Its advisory board includes former NASA admins Jim Bridenstine, Mike Griffin and former FERC chair Joseph Kelliher.

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