Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta to energy AI knowledge centres from house in ‘transformative’ transfer
Enough solar energy to power 750,000 homes will be captured by 1,000 satellites then beamed back down to Earth to fuel electricity-thirsty processing centres
Avi Loeb hopes we can solve the mystery of 31/ATLAS when it gets close to Jupiter in March(Image: Getty Images)
Social media giant Meta plans to power its AI data centres using solar energy harvested from space.
Facebook and Instagram owner Mark Zuckerberg has signed a deal with US firm Overview Energy to launch 1,000 satellites fitted with solar panels to soak up the Sun’s rays.
The energy will then be converted into low-intensity infrared beams that can be directed at solar panels on Earth. The move will harness one gigawatt of energy – enough to power 750,000 homes.
It will mean Meta should not risk overloading local power networks in the US. Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin and Google also plan to have solar-powered data centres.
Their satellites would use AI systems that have been launched into orbit and then transmit streams of data down to Earth.
Meta’s data sites would be on the ground in the US. Solar power can be collected far more efficiently in space as the Sun’s rays are stronger and unaffected by air pollution or cloud cover.
Satellites can be positioned in orbits where they experience almost 24 hours of direct sunlight.
Marc Berte, chief executive of Overview Energy, said: “Space is becoming part of America’s energy infrastructure.
“Our approach enables hyperscalers and technology providers to secure clean power with reliable siting and speed to power.”
Overview Energy plans to launch a demonstration satellite in 2028 before beginning commercial power generation for Meta from 2030.
Nat Sahlstrom, vice president of energy at Meta, said: “Space solar technology represents a transformative step forward by leveraging existing terrestrial infrastructure to deliver new, uninterrupted energy from orbit.”
