Overview Energy emerged from stealth with $250M to launch massive satellites that collect sunlight and beam it to Earth using high-efficiency near-infrared lasers. (Heatmap)
The hack: Instead of building expensive new receivers on the ground, Overview plans to aim the lasers directly at existing solar farms at night—because solar cells convert near-infrared light at 50% efficiency (vs. 20% for sunlight). If it works, it would effectively turn intermittent solar panels into 24/7 firm generation.
The business modelrelies on “geographic untethering” where satellites can chase peak demand around the globe—beaming power to Europe during its evening peak, then switching the laser to California as the sun sets there. Overview is aiming for a cost of $60–100/MWh by 2035.