AI illustration: Solar a plurality of US power within 20 years (2013)
Pending

Solar a plurality of US power within 20 years (2013)

“I'm extremely confident that solar will be at least a plurality of power, and most likely a majority, and I predict it will be a plurality in less than 20 years.”
Video: TED 2013 — 'The mind behind Tesla, SpaceX, SolarCity' (Chris Anderson interview)
▶ WATCH HIM SAY IT — TED 2013 — 'THE MIND BEHIND TESLA, SPACEX, SOLARCITY' (CHRIS ANDERSON INTERVIEW)
The fine print

Quote verified word-for-word against the official TED YouTube upload's subtitles. He also said the bet was 'roughly 18 years' out (~2031); the entry uses the explicit 'less than 20 years' phrasing.

The Progression

Feb 27, 2013
The promise: “I'm extremely confident that solar will be at least a plurality of power, and most likely a majority, and I predict it will be a plurality in less than 20 years.” · TED 2013 — 'The mind behind Tesla, SpaceX, SolarCity' (Chris Anderson interview) ↗
Today · Jun 12, 2026
Status: Pending · 2,452 days left. Still waiting.

At the TED 2013 conference, while chairman of SolarCity, Musk told Chris Anderson he had bet that solar would become the single largest source of US electricity within about 18-20 years. Solar generation has grown rapidly since, but supplied roughly 7% of US electricity by the mid-2020s, while natural gas remained the largest source. The 20-year window runs to early 2033.

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LAST CHECKED 2026-06-12

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