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Explainer
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/energy-renewable-solar-panel-close-up.jpg?itok=GORXnVto)
How Solar Panels Work
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are based on a high-tech but remarkably simple technology that converts sunlight directly to electricity.
Explainer
![A reactor under construction.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2022-08/reactor-construction.jpeg?itok=g4Gj6WTr)
Nuclear Power Cost
Nuclear power in the United States has consistently cost far more than expected, with taxpayers and ratepayers forced to pick up the tab.
Explainer
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/vehicles-m-how-plug-in-hybrid-electric-cars-work.jpg?itok=XaXPNB1_)
How Do Plug-in Hybrid Electric Cars Work?
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles combine a gasoline or diesel engine with an electric motor and a large rechargeable battery.
Explainer
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/energy-renewable-biomass-switchgrass-sun-blue-sky.jpg?itok=K4e7A3mu)
How Biopower Works
Biomass (plant material and animal waste) is the oldest source of renewable energy, used since our ancestors learned the secret of fire.
Explainer
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/gw-impacts-california-water-pipe.jpg?itok=KVpGramD)
Sustainable Groundwater Management in California
Resource center for effective implementation of California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, the first-ever statewide requirement for groundwater management.
Explainer
![An aerial view of a forest with a large square cleared out.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/tfci-drivers-soy-deforestation.jpg?itok=WZQQZVrK)
Soybeans
A hugely valuable crop with many uses, from animal feed to biofuels, soybeans also have an unfortunate by-product: tropical deforestation.
Explainer
![close up of solar panels at sunset](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/energy-renewable-sunset-solar-panel-close-up.jpg?itok=J0agrAoA)
The Solar Resource
Solar energy—power from the sun—is a vast, inexhaustible, and clean resource
Explainer
![Kiviõli Oil Shale Processing & Chemicals Plant in ida-Virumaa, Estonia](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/vehicles-fuels-what-is-oil-shale.jpg?itok=tIWZriMN)
What is Oil Shale?
Oil shale is a dirty and expensive source of unconventional oil.
Explainer
![An oil refinery at dawn](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2022-09/oil-refinery-at-dawn.jpg?itok=cChYnL9g)
Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Oil Use
Over a quarter of the oil consumed in the United States is used in our homes, businesses, and industries.
Explainer
![A smart growth street featuring multiple modes of transportation.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/vehicles-m-smart-growth-sidewalk.jpg?itok=4gLKH-4l)
Smart Growth
A better, smarter way to live.
Explainer
![Trains have a role in reducing oil use.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/images/vehicles-m-train-efficiency.jpg?itok=pukZ3B-t)
Plane, Train, and Ship Fuel Efficiency
Planes, trains, and ships all use huge amounts of oil. We can do better.
Explainer
![](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/scientific-integrity-abuses/2010-bp-oil-spill.jpg?itok=6ujWtoCx)
Hold Corporations Accountable for Climate Deception
An in-depth analysis of eight leading fossil fuel companies finds that none of them has made a clean break from disinformation on climate science and policy.