What is the source of energy for autotrophs

I’m pretty sure it is the sun

"I am as confident as I am that God governs the world that America will never be happy till she gets clear of foreign dominion. Wars without ceasing will break out till that period arrives, and the continent must in the end be conqueror; for though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire."

Paine uses metaphor to demonstrate that