US firm wants to beam solar power from space
Overview Energy, a US startup, has a bold idea: collect solar energy in space and send it down to Earth using infrared lasers.
Their plan is to launch giant solar panels into geostationary orbit (about 35405km up), so they can soak up sunlight all day and beam clean power straight to utility-scale solar farms—meaning electricity even when it's dark or cloudy.
Why now—and what's next?
With the cost of launching things into space dropping, this once sci-fi concept is starting to look real.
Overview Energy has already raised $20 million from backers like Aurelia Institute and Lowercarbon Capital, and they've managed to beam power over 5km on Earth in tests.
They're aiming for their first satellite launch by 2028 and hope to be fully up and running by 2030—though challenges like high costs and safety concerns with laser beams are still on their radar.