Most people who can see auras, see nuclear power plants with all kinds of dark, negative energy flowing around them. This could be that these things attract negative entities. (there are stories of such in old texts) It could be from these things destroying space in their vicinity. For this reason, i believe that we should not have nuclear power plants... at all.
But, i can reach the same conclusion looking at all the destruction to mine and enrich plutonium. And then the potential destruction if anything goes wrong doesn't help the story any. Add on top of that, the waste containment and disposal, and i am firmly against this.
If these negatives weren't in play, i would totally agree with you. Nuclear is great for a power plant, and ICE is far better in cars.
Did you know that before photovoltaic panels there was solar power? This company had little trough mirrors making steam running a little steam engine. The only problem with it is that it need more and constant maintenance.
I have thought of plans to go against the overlords. A charismatic person should be able to get a huge number of people behind them to actually create green, continuous energy. But, in this path, you usually find it crash because of greed and death.
They just need to chant and wave amethyst crystals, burn some sage, and we're all good.
Solar thermal power has been used for millennia. It was used to light ships afire back in the day. However, it's still not possible to print bronze mirrors today, but we can print solar panels.
Regarding hordes of followers, this is a problem for people that want to lead and rule. I just want my neighbors to be free and prosperous. I don't want to rule them.