In a bold and mathematically grounded statement, Elon Musk recently claimed that “all energy generation will be solar” in the future. The comment, made on the social platform X, is rooted in a vision that aligns technological advancement with cosmic principles — namely the Kardashev Scale.
The billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX argues that once society understands this scale — a framework used to measure a civilization’s energy consumption capabilities — the dominance of solar energy becomes a clear inevitability. “Once you understand the Kardashev Scale,” he stated, “it becomes utterly obvious that essentially all energy generation will be solar.”
Musk Says the Math Is Simple, but Often Ignored
Musk’s claim isn’t just philosophical — it’s grounded in physical calculations. He explained that “just do the math on solar on Earth,” and it quickly becomes clear that “a relatively small corner of Texas or New Mexico can easily serve all U.S. electricity.”
According to his figures, one square mile on Earth receives roughly 2.5 gigawatts of solar energy, with values approximately 30% higher in space. After accounting for panel efficiency (25%), packing density (80%), and about six usable daylight hours per day, the result is a practical estimate of 3 GWh of energy per square mile per day.
Musk emphasized how straightforward these calculations are, stating that it’s “easy math,” but lamented that “almost no one does these basic calculations.” His point: the potential of solar is already here, if we only choose to see it through data.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 26, 2024Once you understand Kardashev Scale, it becomes utterly obvious that essentially all energy generation will be solar.
Also, just do the math on solar on Earth and you soon figure out that a relatively small corner of Texas or New Mexico can easily serve all US electricity.
Connecting Energy and Civilization Levels
The Kardashev Scale, introduced by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964, measures how advanced a civilization is based on its energy consumption. Civilizations are ranked from Type I (planetary), to Type II (stellar), and Type III (galactic).
Musk sees solar power as a necessary stepping stone to becoming a Type I civilization, one that harnesses all available energy from its planet. His logic draws a line between massive, scalable solar installations and humanity’s broader progress toward interplanetary capabilities.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 26, 2024One square mile on the surface receives ~2.5 Gigawatts of solar energy. That’s Gigawatts with a “G”. It’s ~30% higher in space. The Starlink global satellite network is entirely solar/battery powered.
Factoring in solar panel efficiency (25%), packing density (80%) and usable…
He believes the transition to solar is not merely a question of climate or economics, but part of a larger technological trajectory. His company Tesla continues to back this vision, with its Tesla Energy division offering solar panels, solar roofs, and home battery systems like the Powerwall.
Solar Power Already Drives Musk’s Vision
Solar energy is already a central component of Musk’s operational ecosystem. The Starlink satellite network, for example, is entirely powered by solar panels paired with battery systems in orbit.
This is consistent with Musk’s push for renewable solutions at every scale, from individual households to global satellite operations. It reinforces the idea that the solar revolution is not speculative, but already well underway in his portfolio of technologies.
Still, the large-scale implementation of this model faces significant challenges — particularly in energy storage, grid integration, and regulatory adaptation. Yet Musk remains confident that addressing these barriers is simply a matter of will and engineering.
In framing energy consumption as a marker of civilization, Elon Musk is not just promoting solar power — he’s proposing a roadmap for the future of humanity.
