‘Elon Musk wants to squeeze the Sun’: Inside SpaceX boss’ bold push for a new energy source
Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Solar Belief
Elon Musk envisions the Sun as the key to humanity’s survival. He links solar energy to the Kardashev Scale, arguing that harnessing the Sun’s power is humanity’s gateway to progress.
Bold Aspiration
Musk believes properly implemented solar panels could power everything—homes, industries, and even interplanetary travel—highlighting the untapped potential of solar energy.
Dyson Sphere
He supports the concept of a Dyson Sphere, a hypothetical megastructure to harness all the Sun’s energy, a futuristic yet grounded solution inspired by science fiction.
Jupiter’s Role
Musk theorizes that resources for a Dyson Sphere could be sourced from Jupiter, providing the immense materials needed to create this energy-capturing megastructure.
Kardashev Scale
He ties his solar vision to the Kardashev Scale, which categorizes civilizations by energy use. Musk points out humanity hasn’t even achieved Type I, where Earth’s resources are fully utilized.
Solar Potential
Musk stated that a small solar-panel area in Texas or New Mexico could generate enough energy to power the entire United States, underscoring solar energy’s efficiency.
Path to Progress
Achieving Type I status on the Kardashev Scale requires maximizing solar energy use. Musk believes this step is critical for humanity’s eventual transition to Type II—harnessing stellar energy.
Rapid Growth
Global solar power capacity rose 73% in 2023, reaching 3,870 GW. Despite this progress, reliance on fossil fuels persists, even in solar leaders like the U.S., China, and Spain.
Future Focus
Musk’s advocacy for solar energy isn’t just about technology but about securing humanity’s future. By harnessing solar power, humanity can lay the groundwork for a sustainable and advanced civilization.