Virginia Startup Beams Solar Power from the Sky in Breakthrough Test

A Virginia-based company has taken a major step forward in space solar power. Overview Energy recently completed a test where an aircraft beamed thousands of watts of electricity to a ground receiver using a near-infrared laser. The trial marks progress toward the firm’s goal of supplying clean energy from space by 2030. The test involved an aircraft flying at 5,000 metres, transmitting power via laser to a receiver on the ground. This method sets Overview Energy apart from other space solar projects, as it aims to send energy directly to existing solar farms rather than building new infrastructure.

Founder Marc Berte began developing the concept in 2017 before launching the company in 2021 with private investment. Former NASA Administrator Mike Griffin has publicly supported the project, adding credibility to its ambitious plans. The next milestone is a low Earth orbit satellite demonstration, scheduled for early 2028. If successful, the company intends to launch its first operational spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit by 2030. This satellite would deliver at least a megawatt of electricity to the grid, matching the output of some terrestrial renewable sources. To fund these efforts, Overview Energy is preparing another investment round. The money will support satellite development and new production facilities. Currently based in Ashburn, Virginia, the firm employs around 25 people but expects rapid growth as its technology advances. The company’s long-term aim is to make space-based solar power cost-competitive with other carbon-neutral options, such as geothermal, nuclear, and ground-based solar.

Overview Energy’s recent test proves that wireless power transmission from the air is possible. With further funding and successful satellite trials, the company could begin supplying grid-scale electricity from space within the decade. The technology may eventually offer a new way to meet global energy demands without carbon emissions.