Enlightened Solar

by Victoria Kertz

There are two kinds of homeowners in California — those who have already installed solar panels and those who are contemplating it. If you’re in the latter group, San Clemente’s Enlightened Solar is your local source to guide you through the process. Now’s an ideal time to get started because the financial benefits will change dramatically as of April 14, 2023. 

Enlightened Solar has the experience to know exactly what needs to be done so that you’ll be grandfathered into receiving current solar incentives. The urgency comes from the California Public Utilities Commission’s decision to end net energy metering 2.0 (NEM 2.0) on April 14. Presently, most residential and commercial solar customers receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on power not utilized, which is sent back to the utility company. It’s one of the best solar incentive structures in the country, but under NEM 3.0, the credit will decrease so significantly that solar customers will have to wait even longer to see a return on their investment. 

“We believe more solar will be sold in the next 90 days than at any other time in history,” Enlightened co-founder Brett Jarman says, and with good reason. To be grandfathered into NEM 2.0 for the next 20 years, solar customers must sign a contract for the installation, have a system e-diagram created, and open a file for interconnection. 

The entire process takes roughly a week. The first step is easy; simply provide a single page of your current electric bill which shows the last 12 months of power usage in your home. Enlightened’s expert team will evaluate your current and future energy consumption, discuss the aesthetic changes to your home’s exterior, and factor in the age of your roof. 

Wondering if your house can accommodate solar? Systems can be installed onto any roof material that faces the sun, regardless of the direction. If you’re not sure whether you need solar or not, Brett suggests envisioning how much energy you’ll need in the future. Will you be charging an e-vehicle? Will you require a dialysis machine or other medical device that uses extra power? 

For over 14 years, family-owned Enlightened Solar has wowed homeowners with its professional and clean rooftop installations throughout Southern California. The company prides itself on delivering the most refined rooftop systems under the sun, all at an affordable price. They’re ready to assist customers with navigating through the new solar guidelines and are excited to introduce them to the advantages of incorporating clean energy into their homes. 

Potential customers should know that solar is not a weekend project. The first steps are completed within a week or two, but with a backlog of up to six months, the actual panel installation may be months down the road. There’s considerable engineering and manpower involved, but once you become your own power plant, the benefits are well worth the wait. 

Enlightened’s team completes everything in-house, including the construction. No step of an Enlightened install uses subcontracted labor. They’re committed to providing superior systems, matching the lifestyle and personality of each home. 

“Solar is a complex, energy-generating home improvement,” Brett says, and one that’s constantly on public display. He says it’s difficult to convey the importance of workmanship before an installation. Thankfully, 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. 

The natural benefits of solar, like pollution-free energy from a renewable source, are clear, but the financial perks are disappearing soon. If you’re interested in panels for your home, call Brett and his team at (949) 426-7096 to take advantage of current solar incentives before the deadline arrives. 

Enlightened Solar
927 Calle Negocio Unit D, San Clemente
949.427.8400
EnlightenedSolar.com