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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When farm challenges grow, smart tools need to grow with them.
Updated
January 8, 2026 6:32 PM
A drone spraying water over an agricultural field. PHOTO: FREEPIK
Farms today are under pressure. Fields are getting bigger, workers are harder to find and many jobs still rely on long hours of manual labor. XAG’s new P150 Max agricultural drone is designed for exactly this reality. Instead of replacing farmers, it takes over the heavy, repetitive fieldwork that slows them down, making farm operations more efficient and more precise.
The P150 Max is built around one simple idea: a single machine that can handle multiple farming tasks. Most farm drones focus only on spraying or mapping, but this one is fully modular. With a quick switch of attachments, it can spray crops, spread seeds or fertilizer, map fields or transport supplies. This flexibility helps farmers keep up with changing tasks throughout the day without needing different machines, improving both productivity and cost-efficiency.
A key challenge in agriculture is that fields are rarely smooth or predictable. Tractors can get stuck, smaller drones can’t carry much and some areas—like orchards or hilly plots—are simply hard to reach. The P150 Max fills that gap with an 80-kilogram payload and fast flight speed, letting it cover more ground per trip. Fewer takeoffs mean less downtime and more work completed before weather or daylight cuts operations short.
When it’s time to spray, the drone uses a smart spraying system that allows farmers to adjust droplet size based on the crop’s needs. This matters because precise spraying reduces waste and improves targeting. With an output of up to 46 liters per minute, the drone can serve both large open fields and dense orchards where consistent coverage is traditionally difficult.
The spreading system applies the same logic. Instead of dropping seeds or fertilizer unevenly, the vertical mechanism spreads material smoothly and resists wind drift. This ensures uniform application across irregular or hard-to-reach land—an ongoing challenge for modern farms aiming for higher yield and better resource use.
Another everyday issue for farmers is understanding and surveying the land before working on it. The P150 Max helps here with a built-in mapping tool that covers up to 20 hectares per flight and instantly converts the images into detailed maps. With AI detecting obstacles like trees or irrigation lines, the drone can plan safe and efficient autonomous routes, reducing manual planning time.
Beyond spraying and spreading, the drone can transport tools, produce and farm supplies using a sling attachment. This is particularly helpful after heavy rain, when vehicles cannot easily move across muddy or flooded fields.
Under all these functions is XAG’s upgraded flight control system, which provides centimeter-level accuracy even when network signals are weak. Integrated sensors—including 4D radar and a wide-angle camera—help the drone recognize hazards such as poles and wires. Farmers can manage all operations through the XAG One app or a handheld controller, both of which automatically generate the best route based on field shape and terrain.
Since long field days require long operating hours, the fast-charging battery system can recharge in about seven minutes using a dedicated kit. This supports continuous drone use throughout the day with minimal interruptions.
After years of testing, the XAG P150 Max is essentially an effort to make practical, scalable farm automation more accessible. By combining spraying, spreading, mapping and transport into one heavy-duty platform, it offers a way to ease labor shortages while keeping operations efficient and sustainable. Instead of focusing on one task, the drone aims to take over the time-consuming physical work so farmers can focus on decisions, planning and crop management.