Meta Platforms Partners with Overview Energy for Space-Based Solar Power

Apr 27, 2026, 10:14

Introduction

Meta Platforms has signed an agreement with Overview Energy, a startup based in Virginia, to purchase up to 1 gigawatt of electricity. This power will be generated by solar infrastructure in space to support Meta's data center operations.

Main Body

This agreement is part of a larger strategy by Meta to find sustainable energy sources as artificial intelligence increases the demand for electricity. In 2024, Meta's data centers used over 18,000 gigawatt-hours of power. To solve the problems of ground-based solar power, such as the need for batteries at night, the company is diversifying its energy sources. Furthermore, Meta is developing 30 gigawatts of renewable energy and partnering with nuclear energy providers like Oklo, TerraPower, and Vistra. Overview Energy plans to launch about 1,000 satellites into a high Earth orbit. These satellites will collect solar energy and send it to Earth using near-infrared light, which existing solar farms can then convert into electricity. CEO Marc Berte emphasized that using infrared beams avoids the safety and legal problems associated with microwaves or high-power lasers. The company has also created a new measurement called 'megawatt photons' to track the amount of light needed for power generation. Regarding the schedule, Overview Energy plans to launch a test satellite in January 2028, with commercial power delivery expected to start in 2030. Once active, the satellites will cover about one-third of the world, from the Western United States to Western Europe. Each satellite is expected to last more than ten years. This initiative aims to reduce the use of fossil fuels and lower the pressure on the U.S. power grid caused by the growth of massive data centers.

Conclusion

Meta has secured 1 gigawatt of future power from Overview Energy's planned space solar system. Commercial operations are expected to begin in 2030, following a test launch in 2028.

Vocabulary Learning

diversifying (v.)

to add variety or diversity / 多元化

Example:Meta is diversifying its energy sources by investing in solar and nuclear power.

infrared (adj.)

relating to the part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths longer than visible light / 紅外線的

Example:Infrared beams are used to transmit solar energy from space to Earth.

measurement (n.)

the act of measuring or the result of measuring / 測量

Example:The new measurement called 'megawatt photons' helps track the amount of light needed for power generation.

satellites (n.)

small artificial bodies placed in orbit around the Earth for communication or observation / 衛星

Example:Overview Energy plans to launch about 1,000 satellites into a high Earth orbit.

sustainable (adj.)

able to be maintained at a certain level or rate / 可持續的

Example:The company is looking for sustainable energy sources to reduce its carbon footprint.

Sentence Learning

Meta Platforms has signed an agreement with Overview Energy, a startup based in Virginia, to purchase up to 1 gigawatt of electricity.

Relative Clause: The clause "a startup based in Virginia" provides essential information about the noun "Overview Energy". It is a restrictive relative clause.關係子句: 此子句為 "Overview Energy" 提供必要的補充資訊，說明它是一家位於弗吉尼亞的創業公司。

This power will be generated by solar infrastructure in space to support Meta's data center operations.

Passive Voice: The verb phrase "will be generated" is in passive form, indicating that the action is performed on the subject by an agent (solar infrastructure).被動語態: 此句使用未來被動式，表示電力將由太空中的太陽能基礎設施產生，為 Meta 的資料中心運營提供支援。

These satellites will collect solar energy and send it to Earth using near-infrared light, which existing solar farms can then convert into electricity.

Modal Verb: The modal "can" expresses ability or possibility for solar farms to convert the light into electricity.情態動詞: 子句中的 "can" 表示現有太陽能農場有能力將近紅外光轉換為電力。

Once active, the satellites will cover about one-third of the world, from the Western United States to Western Europe.

Subordinating Conjunction - Time: The word "Once" introduces a time clause indicating that when the satellites become active, the coverage will happen.連接詞（時間）: "Once" 引導時間子句，說明衛星啟動後將覆蓋全球約三分之一。

Furthermore, Meta is developing 30 gigawatts of renewable energy and partnering with nuclear energy providers like Oklo, TerraPower, and Vistra.

Conjunctive Adverb: "Furthermore" is used to add information, linking this sentence to the previous context.連接副詞: "Furthermore" 作為連接副詞，用於補充說明，將此句與前文連接，表示 Meta 還在發展可再生能源並與核能供應商合作。