Episode notes
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
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