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/

In this episode, host William Grant sits down with Joey Olson and Zak Edmonds of Country Financial to talk about one of the most important — and misunderstood — parts of homeownership: insurance. The conversation dives into how rising costs, storm damage, and inflation are reshaping premiums across Illinois, and why trusted, local relationships still matter more than ever.

Listeners will learn how to properly insure solar systems, what’s driving rate increases, how deductibles really work, and why both industries — solar and insurance — are rooted in education, transparency, and community.

Highlights:

• Why premiums and payouts are rising nationwide
• How local agents protect homeowners from being “nickel-and-dimed”
• The right way to insure solar and roofing systems after hail or storm damage
• The importance of reviewing policies every 3–5 years
• How Sun Collectors and Country Financial share a “local first” philosophy
• Community connection: Peoria families, farms, and small businesses helping each other thrive

👉 Subscribe for more local solar stories & energy insights: youtube.com/@suncollectors #SunCollectors #SolarPowerHour #GoSolar

Connect with our guests:

• Joey Olson: agents.countryfinancial.com/usa/il/peoria/joey-olson
• Facebook: facebook.com/JoeyOlsonCOUNTRY
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joey-olson-a7646756

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 Ben Wilson, owner of Wilson Services, to talk about what it really takes to build and sustain a business in Central Illinois. Together they dive into:

☀️ The realities of entrepreneurship — from mowing lawns at age nine to leading a 44-employee company.

☀️ How community involvement and long-term customer relationships fuel growth more than advertising ever could.

☀️ The business challenges facing service companies today — from labor shortages and employment gaps to skyrocketing material costs.

☀️ The process of business acquisitions, seller financing, and what it means to keep Peoria’s legacy companies local.

☀️ How strong community partnerships and people-first culture can future-proof any business.

This episode of Solar Power Hour blends business wisdom with local pride as William Grant and Ben Wilson unpack the intersection of entrepreneurship, community, and integrity.

It’s a grounded, eye-opening conversation about building teams, navigating costs, fighting misinformation, and keeping business in the hands of those who care about their community.

Connect with our Guest:

• https://wilsonservicesil.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/wilsonservicesil/
• https://www.facebook.com/wilsonservicesil

In this episode of the Solar Power Hour, William Grant sits down with Alex Carmona to talk about life, leadership, and the real challenges communities face. From his journey into local leadership to the rising costs of energy and everyday living, this conversation blends personal stories with practical insights.

Together they dive into:

• The power of focusing less on politics and more on people—building stability through honest conversations and community-driven solutions.
• How local stories and personal responsibility shape bigger issues like energy, cost of living, and future opportunities.

Solar power is just one piece of a bigger picture tied to Peoria’s future, city council decisions, and the broader push for renewable energy. With inflation, workforce shortages, and regulation shaping daily life, this episode shows why strong leadership, free market ideas, and community investment matter more than ever.

Connect with our Guest:

👉 https://www.oldschoolalex.com/

👉 https://www.instagram.com/therealoldschoolalex/

Are power rates about to double again in 2025?

In this episode of the Solar Power Hour, William Grant and Austin Bare break down why Illinois power costs keep rising, what rate negotiations in January and June could mean for your bills, and how solar + batteries can help offset the damage.

We’ll cover:

• Why winter rates dip but annual bills keep climbing
• How Ameren’s delivery fees & mandated charges have multiplied 5–7×
• The federal tax credit situation vs. remaining state/utility incentives
• What Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing could mean for your family
• Battery strategies: 1 vs 2+ units, backup hours, and peace of mind
• Why waiting for “the right time” often costs more in the long run
• Commercial solar surge in 2025 and how it may affect residential timelines
• Inflation, property values, and why high power bills can devalue your home

Don’t let rising rates decide your future — lock in your power costs and keep your money where it belongs.

In this episode of The Solar Power Hour, hosts William Grant and Austin Bare sit down with Andrew Cohen of the Peoria Rivermen—a longtime fan favorite, front office leader, and now a proud solar customer with Sun Collectors.

Together they dive into:

• Local Sports & Community: Partnership between Sun Collectors and the Peoria Rivermen, highlighting jerseys, sponsorships, and family-friendly experiences.
• Solar Education: Real customer experiences (Andrew Cohen’s solar installation), overproduction results, rebate success, and addressing myths around aesthetics and leasing.
• Community Impact: Sponsorships, giveaways, and how local fans support businesses that support the team.
• Financial Relief: Rising Ameren bills, solar as a long-term hedge against energy inflation, and examples of how solar frees up family budgets.
• Legacy & Growth: Rivermen’s championship culture and Sun Collectors’ role as the oldest standing solar company in Central Illinois.

It’s an energetic, community-driven conversation that connects hockey fans, homeowners, and solar advocates—showing how sports and sustainability team up to create real wins for Central Illinois.

Get ready to get Shine with Solar! Check out these resources for more information:

• Peoria Rivermen: https://www.rivermen.net/
• Sun Collectors’ Refer-A-Friend Program: https://suncollectors.solar/refer-a-friend/