Overview
- A moving aircraft transmitted near-infrared power to a ground receiver from about 5,000 meters, converting it to electricity in a test described as delivering multiple thousands of watts.
- Overview’s concept collects continuous sunlight in geosynchronous orbit and sends low-intensity near-infrared light to existing utility-scale solar farms to provide round-the-clock power.
- The company characterizes the beam as passively safe and low intensity, while acknowledging near-infrared cannot penetrate clouds and proposing a network of receivers to maintain availability.
- A low Earth orbit demonstration using the same class of lasers and optics is slated for early 2028 on SpaceX’s Bandwagon-7, with initial GEO spacecraft designed to deliver at least a megawatt as soon as 2030.
- Overview has raised about $20 million from investors including Engine Ventures, Lowercarbon Capital, Prime Movers Lab, EQT Foundation, Earthrise Ventures, and Aurelia Institute, following origins inside Vast and guidance from advisor Mike Griffin.