Meta Invests in Space Solar: A Game-Changer for 24/7 Clean Energy?

This week’s climate tech developments spanned a range of ambitious, long-researched technologies—from space-based solar power to weather modification—though funding announcements remained scarce amid a challenging fundraising climate for early-stage venture funds.

Here’s a breakdown of the most notable updates:

Meta Backs Space Solar for 24/7 Data Center Power

While terrestrial solar paired with battery storage is often seen as sufficient for round-the-clock clean energy, Overview Energy believes space-based solar could offer a critical advantage. The startup uses lasers to beam solar power from space directly to existing ground-based solar arrays, enabling large-scale power delivery even at night.

Meta has now signed a first-of-its-kind agreement with Overview Energy, securing early access to up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of capacity from the startup’s system. This deal marks a significant step forward for space-based solar, an idea long dismissed due to economic and logistical hurdles.

Overview Energy’s approach hinges on two key innovations:

• Geographic untethering: The ability to direct beams to solar arrays worldwide based on demand.
• High-efficiency lasers: Converting near-infrared light into electricity more efficiently than sunlight alone.

Initial orbital demonstrations are planned for 2028, with commercial power delivery targeted for 2030. Overview Energy aims to achieve a cost of $60 to $100 per megawatt-hour by 2035, positioning itself to supply gigawatts of space solar to the grid.

“It’s 5 o’clock somewhere. You’re profitable at $100 bucks a megawatt-hour somewhere, instantaneously, all the time.”

Marc Berte, Founder and CEO of Overview Energy

The startup has already booked a 2028 launch with SpaceX, and its model sidesteps two major terrestrial constraints: land use and prolonged grid interconnection timelines. While space solar remains unproven at scale, Meta’s investment suggests growing confidence in its feasibility.

Zap Energy Shifts Focus from Fusion to Fission

Fusion startup Zap Energy is pivoting its near-term strategy toward the more established fission sector. The company, known for its innovative fusion approach, will now prioritize developing advanced nuclear fission technologies as a stepping stone toward its long-term fusion goals.

Weather Modification Gets a Quantifiable Boost

A weather modification company has made progress in quantifying the impact of cloud seeding, a practice with roots dating back roughly 80 years. While cloud seeding has been used for decades, its effectiveness has often been difficult to measure. This development could provide critical data to support its broader adoption.

Sodium-Ion Batteries Gain Momentum

Amid a string of setbacks for alternative battery chemistries, the sodium-ion battery sector has seen multiple breakthroughs this week. These advancements could offer a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries, particularly for grid-scale storage.

Overview Energy has already raised a $20 million seed round, led by Lowercarbon Capital and Prime Movers Lab, signaling strong investor interest in its space solar vision.