When the great one says it is “the stupidest idea ever”, those looking for future employment with his company, where several NASA higher-ups have gone, are going to ride that wave.
Terrestrial industry is overheating the planet so setting Space Solar up by way of lunar industry, as advocated by Gerard K. O’Neill, is the path to solving climate change. This makes comparisons to terrestrial economic models meaningless. The goal is to fix climate change, not profit off cheaper electricity.
It would be a dream come true for the environmental movement if Musk were to change his direction on Space Solar Power and support it as the solution to Climate change. He would then actually be the savior that many accuse him of fantasizing himself as. He would go from villain to superhero overnight.
Ice on the Moon 