Solar Power Hour

Illinois power customers keep hearing about a “25% increase” in rates—but that’s only part of the story. In this episode, William and Austin break down what’s really happening to Ameren and ComEd customers, why total bills could climb 30–40%, and how AI data centers, plant shutdowns, and bad policy are colliding into a full-blown energy crunch. We walk through real-world examples—from an ambulance...

In Episode 28 of the Solar Power Hour, William Grant and Austin Bare debut two new segments—real customer review breakdowns and a rapid-fire solar FAQ—while unpacking how AI data centers, grid strain, and sloppy out-of-town installers are driving Illinois power bills through the roof. From an AI mega–data center in Joliet that will use as much power as every home in Peoria combined, to real one-st...

In Episode 27 of the Solar Power Hour, William Grant and Austin Bare pull back the curtain on everything wrong with the solar industry — and they are not holding back. From federal legislation removing homeowner tax credits to leasing companies funneling your payments into PAC funds, from disrespectful door-to-door reps making the industry look bad to a competitor paying an overseas phone farm to...

Description: In Episode 26 of The Solar Power Hour, host William Grant and co-host Austin Bare unload on what they see as the darkest side of the solar industry: leases, PPAs, and third‑party ownership that strip homeowners of control while lining the pockets of banks and big solar companies. William calls the industry “toxic” and a “cancer,” and backs it up with numbers—showing how a system that...

In Episode 25 of The Solar Power Hour, host William Grant sits down with Jessica Linder Gallo from the Peoria Chamber of Commerce to unpack a topic most business owners misunderstand—what a Chamber of Commerce actually does and why it matters more than ever. Jessica breaks down the real role of the Chamber: advocacy, business resources, talent retention, and community development. She explains why...

In Episode 24 of The Solar Power Hour, host William Grant sits down with Mick Coluccio from Aspire Contracting to talk about something bigger than solar or roofing—how to build a company that scales without losing its soul. Mick shares his origin story of coming into roofing broke, learning the hard way, and building a team that produced millions—then realizing the industry’s biggest flaw: most co...

In the first episode of 2026, hosts William Grant and Austin Bare kick off Episode 23 of The Solar Power Hour with a straight, no-fluff conversation about what’s happening to your electric bill, and why the “writing on the wall” says it’s not slowing down. From Illinois’ newly passed Clean & Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA) to rising demand from AI data centers, EVs, and grid upgrades, t...

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 co...

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...

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 ma...

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 ho...

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 growt...

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—bu...

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...

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 exp...

As controversial policies continue to shape the future of solar, we explore the complex and often contentious relationship between politics, energy policy, and the power that fuels our daily lives. From simple energy economics to an executive order poised to send us back to the stone age, we’ll break down how these forces influence the cost of energy, the pace of clean technology adoption, and the...

What if one friendly knock on your door could help you lower your electric bill — or even spark your next career move? In this episode, our guest speaker, Fabian Witte, pulls back the curtain on the day-to-day life, challenges, and rewards of working on the front lines of the solar industry. Whether you’re a homeowner curious about going solar or someone looking for a fast-paced career in door-to-...

Following the House’s passing of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” we’ll analyze the economic impact on consumers, utility companies, and the solar industry alike, should the bill become law. 2025 Deadline & Elimination: Heightened sense of urgency and concern amongst consumers as potential policy changes hang in the balance, notably the accelerated deadline to claim the 30% solar tax credit b...

In Episode 11 of the Sun Collectors / Solar Power Hour Podcast, founder William Grant and co-host Austin Bare break down what tariffs really mean for the solar industry right now — and why being proactive instead of reactive could save you thousands. They cover how tariffs are hitting panels, batteries, and inverters, what that means for equipment costs, and why the company got ahead of it by stoc...

In this episode of The Solar Power Hour, William Grant (12 years engineering + 6 years running Sun Collectors) and Austin Baer (5-year solar consultant) break down: 🔥 The truth behind “free solar” ads 🔥 Why leases & PPAs can trap homeowners for 25+ years 🔥 How deceptive companies hide real long-term costs 🔥 Why ownership beats leasing every single time 🔥 How the Illinois incentives actual...

By special request, our hosts help real estate agents navigate the solar playing field. Homes with solar panels can be a faster, more lucrative sell if you have all the facts. This episode covers everything realtors need to know, including these hot topics: ⚡Impact of solar panels on property value ⚡Transfer of ownership ⚡Sales tips and resources

In Episode 8 of The Solar Power Hour, hosts William Grant and Austin Bare break down the question everyone’s asking: Do I qualify for solar—and how do I avoid getting burned by the wrong company? They explain what actually makes a homeowner a strong solar candidate (credit, roof age, sun exposure, time in the home, tax liability), why Sun Collectors focuses on ownership over leasing, and how “lock...

In Episode 7 of The Solar Power Hour, hosts William Grant and Austin Bare break down the new mission behind Sun Collectors: repairing the reputation of solar in Central Illinois. After six years in the community, they explain why that mission matters now more than ever. With solar companies pulling out of the market, homeowners being left without support, and misinformation still spreading, this e...

In Episode 6 of the Sun Collectors / Solar Power Hour Podcast, founder William Grant and co-host Austin Bare unpack one of the most confusing topics in solar right now: what’s really happening with the federal Investment Tax Credit, the Inflation Reduction Act, and Illinois Shines/SREC incentives. They walk through how the ITC evolved, why it’s now tied to the IRA, and what the current political “...

In Episode 5 of the Sun Collectors / Solar Power Hour Podcast, founder William Grant and co-host Austin Bare kick off 2025 with a candid look at where the solar industry stands after a massive year-end push before Illinois’ net metering changes. They rewind through a strong Q4, talk about companies that didn’t survive 2024, and explain why the outfits still thriving are the ones focused on best pr...