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.