Overview Energy plans to collect sunlight in orbit and send it to Earth, giving Meta early access to a new source of round-the-clock power
Updated
April 29, 2026 3:20 PM
A corona mass ejection erupts from our sun. PHOTO: UNSPLASH
Overview Energy, a startup focused on space-based power systems, has announced a new agreement with Meta to develop a new source of electricity for data centers. The partnership centres on space solar energy, with an orbital demonstration planned for 2028 and commercial power delivery targeted for 2030.
The deal gives Meta early access to as much as 1 gigawatt of future capacity from Overview’s system. That matters because large technology companies are searching for reliable power sources as demand rises from AI computing and data center expansion.
Overview’s idea is straightforward, though the engineering is ambitious. The company plans to place satellites in orbit that collect sunlight continuously in space. That energy would then be sent to existing solar sites on Earth, where it would be converted into electricity.
Unlike ground-based solar farms, which only generate power when the sun is shining locally, a space-based system is designed to extend power generation beyond daylight hours. In theory, this could help solar facilities produce electricity around the clock without using extra land.
"Space solar technology represents a transformative step forward by leveraging existing terrestrial infrastructure to deliver new, uninterrupted energy from orbit. We're excited to partner with Overview Energy to pioneer innovative energy solutions to advance our AI ambitions and infrastructure", said Nat Sahlstrom, VP of Energy and Sustainability, Meta. "This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to innovation – leveraging cutting-edge technology to strengthen America's energy leadership".
For Meta, the agreement is less about a near-term energy fix and more about securing future options. Major data center operators are increasingly competing for electricity as AI systems require more computing power and more cooling capacity. Traditional energy projects can take years to build, making alternative supply models more attractive.
Overview says its system is designed to work with solar projects that already exist. Instead of building entirely new power plants, the company aims to increase output from current sites by adding energy received from orbit.
"Space is becoming part of America's energy infrastructure", said Marc Berte, CEO of Overview Energy. "Our approach to space solar energy enables hyperscalers and technology providers to secure clean power with reliable siting, and speed to power.” "Together with Meta, we're looking beyond traditional constraints on where and when power can be delivered to meet the growing demand for electricity".
The larger significance of the partnership is what it signals about the energy market. As AI infrastructure expands, companies are beginning to look beyond conventional grids, gas plants and land-based renewables. Technologies once considered experimental are now being explored as part of long-term infrastructure planning.
There is still a long road ahead. Space solar power has been discussed for decades, but commercial deployment remains unproven. Launch costs, regulation and system reliability will all matter.
Even so, the Meta-Overview agreement shows how rising demand for constant power is reshaping where the technology sector looks for its next energy source.
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Rethinking 3D modelling for a world that generates too much, too quickly.
Updated
January 8, 2026 6:32 PM
A hologram in the franchise Star Wars, in Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando. PHOTO: UNSPLASH
MicroCloud Hologram Inc. (NASDAQ: HOLO), a technology service provider recognized for its holography and imaging systems, is now expanding into a more advanced realm: a quantum-driven 3D intelligent model. The goal is to generate detailed 3D models and images with far less manual effort — a need that has only grown as industries flood the world with more visual data every year.
The concept is straightforward, even if the technology behind it isn’t. Traditional 3D modeling workflows are slow, fragmented and depend on large teams to clean datasets, train models, adjust parameters and fine-tune every output. HOLO is trying to close that gap by combining quantum computing with AI-powered 3D modeling, enabling the system to process massive datasets quickly and automatically produce high-precision 3D assets with much less human involvement.
To achieve this, the company developed a distributed architecture comprising of several specialized subsystems. One subsystem collects and cleans raw visual data from different sources. Another uses quantum deep learning to understand patterns in that data. A third converts the trained model into ready-to-use 3D assets based on user inputs. Additional modules manage visualization, secure data storage and system-wide protection — all supported by quantum-level encryption. Each subsystem runs in its own container and communicates through encrypted interfaces, allowing flexible upgrades and scaling without disrupting the entire system.
Why this matters: Industries ranging from gaming and film to manufacturing, simulation and digital twins are rapidly increasing their reliance on 3D content. The real bottleneck isn’t creativity — it’s time. Producing accurate, high-quality 3D assets still requires a huge amount of manual processing. HOLO’s approach attempts to lighten that workload by utilizing quantum tools to speed up data processing, model training, generation and scaling, while keeping user data secure.
According to the company, the system’s biggest advantages include its ability to handle massive datasets more efficiently, generate precise 3D models with fewer manual steps, and scale easily thanks to its modular, quantum-optimized design. Whether quantum computing will become a mainstream part of 3D production remains an open question. Still, the model shows how companies are beginning to rethink traditional 3D workflows as demand for high-quality digital content continues to surge.