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Enlightened Solar
San Clemente’s Power Specialists
by Victoria Kertz
There’s never been a better time to go solar. With California poised to reduce incentives for future solar panel installations, homeowners are rushing to install rooftop systems to beat the clock. The environmental benefits of solar are evident, but proposed legislation to increase electric bill rates and fees is a game changer for customers. If you’ve ever contemplated residential solar, now’s the opportune time to act.
In an analysis published last year, Morgan Stanley wrote that the proposed changes by the California Public Utilities Commission would “largely to completely eliminate the economic benefits of rooftop solar in California.” Fortunately, a grace period of about 90 to 120 days, during which customers can install solar panels and enjoy the financial benefits of previous years, goes into effect after the changes are approved in Sacramento.
Brett Jarman, co-founder of San Clemente-based Enlightened Solar, says the state’s proposed changes are generating a flurry of activity, but he and his team are ready for the rush. For 13 years, family-owned Enlightened Solar has led the way in professional and clean rooftop installations throughout Southern California. If you’ve ever noticed an unattractive solar panel setup, it wasn’t done by Enlightened. They’re known for creating some of the most beautiful rooftop systems under the sun, at equally attractive prices.
“Orange County is one of the best solar climates in the U.S.,” Brett says. “The location is almost always sunny and panels can be installed on any roof material and face any direction.” Brett is working diligently to meet with interested homeowners prior to when the new legislation goes into effect. “As long as a contract is signed before the state’s grace period ends, they can enjoy the environmental and financial benefits of solar,” he adds.
Brett wants customers to understand that solar installation isn’t exactly a weekend project. The entire process takes between 6 to 10 weeks, from signing a contract and drawing up engineering plans to getting permits and connecting the panels.
Enlightened’s team completes each stage of the project in-house, including the construction. Brett does not use subcontracted labor, and his busy team of 16 dedicated professionals is quickly growing. His team is committed to installing customized systems to suit the needs of each and every homeowner he serves.
“Solar is not a commodity,” Brett emphasizes. “The components that capture sunlight are, but who installs it, and how it’s installed are what matter most. Some installs cost the same,” he says, “but the finished product may look radically different based on the company that performed the work.”
“Solar is a complex, energy-generating home improvement,” Brett adds, and one that everyone sees when they pass by. He says it’s difficult to convey the importance of workmanship before an installation, but at the end of the day, homeowners generally don’t want to skimp on a large, roof-mounted design that, if done improperly, is something they could regret for the next 25 years.
No matter which solar company a homeowner chooses, Brett advises everyone to ask this difficult questions, especially when it comes to appearance. The educated sales team at Enlightened has detailed information, mock-ups, and more to give customers the peace of mind they need to move forward. Whether it’s financial or technical, the Enlightened team provides honest answers about what to expect with a solar system.
The natural benefits of solar, like pollution-free energy from a renewable source, are clear, but if you’re interested in panels for your house, call Brett and his trusted team at 949.426.7096.
Enlightened Solar
927 Calle Negocio Unit D, San Clemente
949.427.8400 | EnlightenedSolar.com
In 2021, a year that didn’t exactly go as planned, Triton Air beat revenue projections, increased the number of employees, and acquired Ocean Air from the Kopp family in Laguna Niguel. But if you ask Mike Nicolai, founder of Triton Air, he’d say the highlight was his July trip to Malawi, Africa. In a remote part of the country, he and his wife Kim are working to fund a unique all-terrain, 4×4 ambulance used to transport expectant mothers and other women to the hospital. This area suffers from heavy rains, washed out dirt roads, and a high infant mortality rate due to the lack of dependable transportation. As a result, mothers often walk for miles or take an ox cart to the hospital in Livingstonia.
