In this special holiday episode of the Solar Power Hour, hosts William Grant and Austin Bare share how building a local solar company in Peoria has allowed them to give back over $70,000 to the community through grassroots initiatives like Tipping Big for the Community and and even more through Merry & Bright Christmas.

What started as a simple idea — taking care of the people who serve our community — has grown into a multi-year effort impacting dozens of families, service workers, and local businesses.

From surprise $100 tips to life-changing holiday moments for kids, this episode highlights the real human side of solar success.

The conversation also dives into the evolving solar landscape, including:

☀️Why solar batteries are becoming essential for peace of mind and backup power

☀️The difference between AC-coupled vs DC-coupled battery systems

☀️What commercial solar ROI really looks like heading into 2026

☀️How incentives, rebates, and smart energy storage affect homeowners and businesses This episode is a reminder that solar isn’t just about panels or power bills — it’s about stability, independence, and the ability to reinvest back into the community we call home.

🎄 Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the entire Sun Collectors family. Thank you for supporting local, and thank you for being part of the Solar Power Hour.

#SunCollectors #SolarPowerHour #gosolar

In this episode of The Solar Power Hour, William Grant and Austin Bare break down what’s really happening with energy costs in Illinois — and why homeowners and business owners need to pay attention right now.

We cover the recent Ameren-approved multi-billion dollar grid upgrades, including battery storage projects and transmission line expansions, and explain how those costs ultimately show up on your electric bill.

While these programs aim to move Illinois toward 100% renewable energy by 2050, they also mean rising delivery charges, added fees, and long-term rate increases for consumers.

William and Austin also explain how your electric bill actually works — breaking down delivery, supply, and state-mandated fees — and why simply switching suppliers doesn’t protect you from rising costs.

We discuss how solar ownership, battery storage, and Illinois incentives can help reduce exposure to future increases, even as the federal residential tax credit comes to an end.

The episode dives into:

☀️Why Ameren bills keep rising (and what’s changing behind the scenes)

☀️How Illinois grid upgrades affect homeowners and businesses

☀️The difference between ownership vs. leasing solar

☀️What incentives still exist at the state level

☀️Why commercial properties and farms still have major advantages

The Solar Power Hour Podcast is produced by Sun Collectors, a veteran-owned solar company based in Peoria, Illinois, helping local families, farms, and businesses achieve energy independence through education and community engagement.

In this Episode of The Solar Power Hour, William Grant sits down with:

John Morris - President & CEO, Peoria Riverfront Museum

Renae Kerrigan - Curator of Science and Planetarium Director

Anne Marie Miller - Vice President of Development

Together, they dive into:

🌍 How the Dome Planetarium represents the Sun in a to-scale model stretching across Central Illinois.

🧠 The museum’s mission to make science, art, and astronomy accessible to everyone.

🚀 How curiosity and education inspire the next generation of explorers.

💛 The power of community partnerships and philanthropy in driving cultural growth.

This episode of The Solar Power Hour takes viewers behind the scenes of the Peoria Riverfront Museum — home to the biggest solar system model on Earth. It’s a conversation that connects the stars above with the people who make science shine here on Earth.

Find out more info:

https://www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/

https://www.america250illinois.org/