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 “pause” actually means for people who already went solar or are thinking about it.

From there, they zoom out to the bigger picture—rising electric demand from EVs, heat pumps, and data centers, Illinois’ aggressive renewable goals, and why programs like Illinois Shines exist to keep solar economically feasible even as policies change. They also explain how these incentives are funded through the line items on your power bill, why utility rates keep climbing, and how batteries plus solar help protect both your home and the grid as talk of time-of-use pricing and possible brownouts/blackouts grows louder.

Episode Highlights:

⚡ How the federal solar tax credit got to 30% and why it’s now tied to the Inflation Reduction Act

⚡ What the current IRA “pause” does (and doesn’t) mean for existing and future solar customers

⚡ How Illinois Shines/SREC incentives work—and real-world payouts like a ~$20,000 check

⚡ Why you’re effectively paying into solar programs through your power bill whether you have panels or not

⚡ The impact of electrification: EVs, data centers, and rising grid demand in Illinois and beyond

⚡ Why utilities are moving toward time-of-use rates and how batteries can protect you from peak pricing and outages

⚡ Why William and Austin remain optimistic that solar and incentives aren’t disappearing overnight, especially for those who act now

📍 Serving Peoria & Central Illinois

To learn more about federal solar subsidies and Illinois incentive programs visit https://suncollectors.solar/illinois-solar-incentives/

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 practices, service, and long-term relationships—including keeping extra materials on hand and actively picking up abandoned customers left behind by failed installers.

They also share takeaways from Door to Door Con, discuss the rise of a new industry association and accreditation/blacklist system designed to weed out bad actors, and explain why consulting for solar is getting harder—in a good way. Austin and William dive into their local Peoria roots, the role of Oasis Electric as a backbone service company, their philosophy of hiring reps from outside traditional sales, and success stories like Fabian sprinting to the stage at the convention. The episode closes with a forward look at batteries becoming standard (from 5% to ~95% of installs), SREC step-downs, why January is prime time to start a project, and their mission to make 2025 the “year of healing” for solar’s reputation.

Episode Highlights:

⚡ Why some solar companies failed—and what the successful ones are doing differently

⚡ Oasis Electric as the backbone: servicing both their own and abandoned systems

⚡ Industry consolidation, service gaps, and building a dedicated service department

⚡ The “gold rush” mentality in solar and why many short-term players are exiting

⚡ New industry association, certifications, and an informal “blacklist” for unethical reps

⚡ Hiring philosophy: training from the ground up vs. chasing “used car” sales types

⚡ Austin’s and Steven’s paths into solar and why local roots matter in Peoria

⚡ Batteries going from ~5% to ~95% of installs and how that changes the pitch

⚡ Why January sign-ups align with spring overproduction and summer savings

⚡ Upcoming power rate increases and what they mean for homeowners

⚡ Inviting community questions to clear up misinformation and repair solar’s reputation

📍 Serving Peoria & Central Illinois

In Episode 4 of the Sun Collectors Podcast, William Grant sits down with Pam Perrilles, Executive Director of CASA of the Peoria Area, to talk about how everyday people can become a voice for kids in the abuse and neglect court system. Pam shares what CASA volunteers actually do, why there are 1,700 pending cases across five counties, and how a small team is working to give more children someone in their corner.

They also dig into Sun Collectors’ long-term support of CASA, the Merry and Bright Christmas initiative, and Tipping Big for the Community—with real stories of kids, parents, and servers whose lives were changed by simple acts of generosity. It’s a grounded, emotional look at how local businesses, volunteers, and listeners can create real ripple effects in their own backyard.

Episode Highlights:

⚡ What CASA is and how volunteer advocates give children a voice in abuse/neglect court

⚡ The scale of need: 1,700 pending cases across five counties vs. current capacity

⚡ Volunteer requirements: age 21+, background check, and 32 hours of national CASA training

⚡ What volunteers actually do: monthly child visits, information gathering, and court reports

⚡ Why the child’s wishes are the most important part of every CASA court report

⚡ William’s childhood story: instability, DCFS involvement, and a grandmother who became his “CASA”

⚡ The goal to recruit 100 new volunteers and serve 300 more children this year

⚡ CASA Peoria’s 20-year journey—from a one-person office to a multi‑county program

⚡ Key fundraising events: Cocktails for CASA, Sip Savor Smoke, the golf outing, and Casablanca

⚡ How fundraisers, grants, and in‑kind donations each supply one-third of CASA’s budget

⚡ The Merry and Bright Christmas initiative and its impact on kids and struggling families

⚡ Emotional stories: basic needs, diapers, shoes, grieving kids, and “favorite Christmas ever” moments

⚡ Tipping Big for the Community and why small personal gifts can have huge ripple effects

⚡ Building a company culture of giving back—employees attending events and sponsoring families

⚡ A call to action: why now is the time to consider becoming a CASA volunteer

Whether you’re a parent, community leader, business owner, or just someone who cares about kids, this episode shows exactly how ordinary volunteers and local businesses can change the trajectory of children’s lives—and how you can plug in, from becoming a CASA to supporting events or simply showing up for one family at a time.

To learn more about CASA and how you can help change a child's story, call (309) 669-2939 or visit https://casaofthetenth.org/

📍 Serving Peoria & Central Illinois

👉 Subscribe for more local solar education & homeowner/business insights: youtube.com/@solarpowerhour

Episode 3 of the Sun Collector Podcast, hosts William Grant and Austin Bare break down the real money behind going solar in Illinois — from the 30% Federal Tax Credit to the Illinois Shines SREC program and everything in between.

They walk through exactly how the federal tax credit works, what the taxable liability requirement means for you, and how to roll it over if you can't use it all at once. They also cover the Illinois Shines upfront payment, how battery incentives stack, and REAP grants for farmers — plus why acting now matters more than ever with potential legislative changes on the horizon.

If you're a homeowner, business owner, or farmer in Illinois wondering whether solar actually pencils out, this episode gives you the full picture — no hype, no shortcuts.

Episode Highlights:

⚡ How the 30% Federal Tax Credit works — and who qualifies

⚡ Taxable liability explained: what it means and what to do if you don't have enough

⚡ Illinois Shines / SREC program: getting paid upfront for 15 years of production

⚡ How much of your system cost the state incentive can cover (25–45%)

⚡ Battery incentives: AC vs. DC coupled, the Ameren rebate, and smart inverter credits

⚡ REAP Grants for farmers and rural businesses — and how to maximize them

⚡ Why power rates keep rising and how solar eliminates most of those fees

⚡ The "solar coaster" — how legislation has changed before and could again

⚡ Why spring and summer are the best time to go solar in Illinois

⚡ Tax strategy tips and when to loop in your CPA

This episode is for anyone who's been on the fence about solar and wants to understand the numbers before making a move.

📍 Serving Peoria & Central Illinois

In Episode 2 of the Sun Collectors Podcast, founder William Grant and co-host Austin Bare slow things down to answer the big question: how does solar actually work, and what does the real process look like from first conversation to final inspection?

Austin walks through the full journey—reviewing power bills, projecting future usage, designing custom systems, and even explaining when solar is not a good fit because of trees, shading, or roof orientation. William breaks down how photons become usable power, how inverters and batteries interact with the grid, and why “max out the roof with cheap panels” is a recipe for long-term headaches.

They also tackle the myths and money side: why there’s no one-size-fits-all system, how batteries provide peace of mind during outages, and why waiting for “better tech” can actually backfire as incentives step down and labor/material costs keep rising. The episode closes with a candid look at warranties, stranded customers, and how Sun Collectors and Oasis Electric are set up to support systems for decades—with 30-year parts, labor, and diagnostics coverage backed by insurance.

Episode Highlights:

⚡ How a solar project really starts: bills, usage, and future plans (EVs, pools, additions)

⚡ When solar doesn’t make sense: trees, shading, roof direction, and red flags

⚡ Custom design vs. cookie-cutter “max out the roof” installs

⚡ How panels, inverters, batteries, and the grid work together day and night

⚡ Using apps to see panel-by-panel production and battery state of charge

⚡ Ways to shrink or grow a system: LEDs, insulation, EVs, heat pumps, more loads

⚡ The “I’ll wait for better technology” myth vs. incentives and rising costs

⚡ Illinois incentives and tax credits covering 40–75% (or more) of system costs

⚡ Why labor, material, and supply chain inflation change the timing equation

⚡ 30-year warranties, insurance backing, and avoiding becoming a stranded customer

Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or farmer, this episode gives you a clear, no-hype roadmap for going solar the right way—so you can ask smarter questions, avoid common pitfalls, and decide if solar actually makes sense for your property and your future plans.

📍 Serving Peoria & Central Illinois

In Episode 1 of the Sun Collector Podcast, founder William Grant and co-host Austin Burke rewind to where it all started—before 3,000+ installs—to share how a small solar company survived and grew in Peoria, Illinois.

William explains how he went from electrical engineer to knocking doors in Colorado and Nevada, seeing firsthand how big solar companies ignored the communities that needed help most. Austin shares his own unexpected entry—from serving tables at Jim’s Steakhouse during COVID to helping hundreds of local families go solar.

Together, they break down why they chose Peoria over bigger markets, how they’ve navigated COVID, incentive shutdowns, and net metering changes, and why they refuse to push leases or “too good to be true” deals. They also introduce Oasis Electric and their community-first efforts like Tipping Big and Merry & Bright Christmas.

Episode Highlights:

⚡The leap from engineering and restaurants to full-time solar in Peoria

⚡What big solar often gets wrong about smaller and rural communities

⚡Why Peoria (not Chicago) became home—and why this market is so tough

⚡Living through COVID, SREC program pauses, and constant incentive changes

⚡Ownership vs. leases/PPAs—and who really benefits from each

⚡Building a career in solar: time freedom, responsibility, and local roots

⚡Advanced training on batteries and life after net metering

⚡The role of Oasis Electric in helping stranded solar customers

⚡Community impact: big tips, Christmas sponsorships, and long-term ripple effects

This episode sets the tone for the series: no hype, no shortcuts—just the real story of building a mission-driven solar company in central Illinois.