Overview Energy Aims to Beam Solar Power from Space to Earth

Overview Energy has emerged from stealth with an innovative plan to beam solar energy from space to Earth. The startup aims to utilize large solar arrays positioned in geosynchronous orbit, about 22,000 miles above the Earth, to harvest sunlight.

The collected energy will be transmitted using infrared lasers to utility-scale solar farms on the ground, enabling nearly round-the-clock power supply. Overview Energy has raised $20 million to date, funding an airborne demonstration of their power-beaming technology, where a light aircraft successfully transmitted power over a distance of 5 kilometers.

The company plans to launch a satellite into low Earth orbit in 2028 and hopes to start transmitting megawatts of power from geosynchronous orbit by 2030. However, challenges remain, including the high costs of deploying solar panels in space compared to those on Earth, and the infancy of wireless power transmission technology.

While infrared lasers are sensitive to weather conditions, other companies like Aetherflux are exploring microwave-based approaches that are less affected by clouds. The successful implementation of this technology could revolutionize energy distribution and help address global energy challenges, but Overview Energy must also navigate public safety concerns regarding energy beams from space.