Sunlight Electric

02/20/2026

09/05/2025

My thoughts on Energy Policy from a Business Owner and Christian Dad's perspective.

I want to be clear up front: I’m not against mining, nuclear, or geothermal. All of them have value and play a role in our energy mix. And I support solar and wind as well. Being “for” one source doesn’t make you “against” another.

What worries me is the how often energy policy swings from one direction to another. One year, renewables get support; the next, it’s mining or nuclear. Then it changes again. That **flip-flopping creates instability**, which doesn’t just impact politicians or big companies—it trickles down to **higher energy costs for families and small businesses** like mine.

Here’s the reality: electricity demand is rising steadily, around 2% per year on average, and forecasts suggest it's climbing even more. On top of that, average electricity rates in the U.S. have also been increasing—by about 2.85% per year over the past 25 years. When supply can’t keep pace—because projects are stalled or support disappears—prices go up. It’s basic supply and demand.

As a small business owner, planning ahead is everything. As a Christian dad, I think about what we’re leaving for our kids. Energy isn’t something we should be gambling with. We need a steady, balanced approach that supports all our reliable sources—solar, wind, geothermal, nuclear—and yes, the mining needed for critical materials.

We don’t need politicians pushing the agenda of one industry or comforting their big donors while the rest of us end up paying more. We need consistent leadership that looks out for families, small businesses, and future generations—not just the biggest players in the room.

08/25/2025

A lot of truth here. Just about everyone can own their power and not rely on Chevron, BP, or OPEC regulating prices for everyone.

08/20/2025

For anyone who doesn’t understand where we are as a country as far as infrastructure goes right now, let me break it down.

Housing:
Home prices are sky-high. Why? It’s not simply that there aren’t enough homes. The reality is, plenty of homes exist—but more and more are being snapped up by corporate investors and turned into rentals. In some areas, investors own 1 in 5 homes, and in certain cities it’s much higher. Add in the boom of short-term rentals like Airbnb—something that barely existed 15 years ago but is now everywhere—and you’ve got one of the biggest drivers of the housing shortage and inflated prices.

Energy:
Just a few weeks ago, an AI data center was announced just south of Cheyenne, Wyoming. That single facility will use more electricity than every home in the entire state of Wyoming combined. And that’s only at the first stage—it could eventually scale to double the state’s total power use.

Here’s the problem: electricity isn’t magic. It has to be produced and delivered. Think of it this way: what if you dropped the entire Boise metro area into Idaho Falls overnight? The infrastructure wouldn’t handle it. And building that kind of capacity doesn’t happen in a year or two—it takes decades of planning.

Money & Power:
The richest people in the world—Bezos (Amazon), Zuckerberg (Meta), Musk (Tesla, SpaceX, X)—are at the center of these new power-hungry industries. When demand for electricity, natural gas, and water turns into a bidding war, do you think the average working family can compete with these companies? Absolutely not.

California and Texas already see rolling blackouts because the grid can’t keep up. What’s coming will make those issues look small.

The Solution:
We need an all-hands-on-deck energy plan:

Keep producing oil and natural gas to secure short-term supply.

Build more nuclear power (the cleanest and most reliable, but it takes years).

Expand solar and wind immediately.

Upgrade our utility grid yesterday.

And here’s the kicker: none of this gets done without skilled labor. Right now, for every 5 journeyman electricians retiring, we’re only replacing them with 1. AI can help with design and planning, but it’s not out there pulling wire or installing panels.

Every photo you upload, every video you stream, every website you click—electricity makes it possible. And our infrastructure was already considered “old” back in the 1970s.

If Washington can’t stop arguing and start leading, we’re going to be in a whole lot of trouble—and soon.

Sources:

https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-106643

https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/how-investors-affect-housing-shortage/

https://apnews.com/article/44da7974e2d942acd8bf003ebe2e855a

https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/artificial-intelligence/power-usage-in-wyoming-ai-data-center-could-eclipse-consumption-of-the-states-human-residents-by-5x-tenant-of-colossal-investment-remains-a-mystery

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2025/07/ai-in-wyoming-may-soon-use-more-electricity-than-states-human-residents/

08/19/2025

Folks, I want to share the latest news that hits close to home for Idaho’s farm families and rural communities.

On August 19th, the USDA announced it will no longer fund solar projects on productive farmland through the REAP program.

For Idaho farmers, this matters. Many rely on REAP to help offset the rising costs of power with renewable systems that make their operations more affordable and competitive. When those tools are taken away, energy bills keep climbing — and eventually those costs ripple outward, impacting the price of food and the stability of rural economies.

This isn’t about politics — it’s about families, farmers, and working people. Programs like REAP don’t just help put panels on barns. They mean lower operating costs for agriculture, more resilience for local businesses, and stronger communities across our state.

At the end of the day, Idaho needs affordable energy and good jobs. Rolling back programs that help achieve both is a step in the wrong direction. Our farmers, our tradespeople, and our small towns deserve better.

That’s why it’s time we start reaching out to our elected officials — asking them where they stand on these issues, and why. Idahoans deserve clear answers about who is fighting to protect jobs, lower costs, and keep opportunity here at home.

And it’s fair to ask a bigger question: Have you ever wondered if politicians — local or national — truly care about you, your family, and your community? The choices they make have real consequences for all of us. It’s time we hold them to it.

08/16/2025

Folks, I want to share something important that affects working families right here in Idaho.

Over the past year, several major energy projects were lined up for our state — the Lava Ridge wind project, the Solar for All program, new EV charging stations, and expanded solar credits for homes and businesses. Together, these projects would have meant:

Hundreds of good-paying construction jobs (electricians, operators, laborers, truck drivers).

Prevailing wage work — meaning paychecks strong enough to support families, not just low-bid wages.

Millions of dollars circulating in our local economy — money spent in diners, hardware stores, supply houses, and schools.

With the cancellations and rollbacks, much of that opportunity has vanished. By conservative estimates, Idaho workers are missing out on hundreds of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in payroll that would have flowed into our communities.

This isn’t about politics — it’s about jobs. Whether you’re for or against wind or solar, the reality is: projects like these bring work to Idahoans. And right now, we’re losing that work.

I don’t post this to stir division. I post it because the men and women in our trades, our apprentices, our small businesses, and our rural towns deserve to know what’s at stake when these projects get canceled.

At the end of the day, Idaho needs jobs. Let’s keep our focus on making sure those jobs stay here, in our communities.

04/22/2025

As I have been reminded by one of our Project Managers here at the shop the voting shall go on. We appreciate each and every one of you who has taken the time to vote for us as the best electrical contractor in Idaho Falls. You can vote daily through May 14th.

04/20/2025

We would appreciate your votes for us as the best electrical contractors in idaho falls. You can vote daily.

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, we provide trusted electrical & energy management solutions to residential & commercial properties throughout Idaho Falls, Rexburg, Blackfoot, Pocatello, Ashton, and southeastern Idaho.

04/16/2025

We are HIRING!!!

Not a seasonal position – work year round.



Positions: Outside Sales

Location: Idaho Falls and surrounding areas

Pay: Commissions - 70k up to 120k (all WARM leads, no cold calls)

Start Date: May 6th - paid training



What We're Looking For:

Valid driver's license & ability to pass a background test
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to maintain customer database and stay organized
Energetic and outgoing with the ability to work independently & proactively
Previous experience in sales or customer service preferred


Why Join Us?

✅ Stay LOCAL w/a family owned company

✅ NO High Pressure Sales

✅ Friendly and supportive work environment



If you're ready to make some money, avoid all the pressures, and work with an awesome team, we'd love to hear from you! Email [email protected]