Jamie Duran: A Solar Opportunity
By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter
BRENTWOOD — Jamie Duran spent his early career working in an environment that stifled his entrepreneurial spirit, so when he saw an opportunity to start his own business, it was like a ray of sunlight piercing the dark. “Before getting into solar, I worked in finance,” he remembers. “I’ve always been very entrepreneurial, but there’s little opportunity to exercise that trait in the financial world. There are a lot of rules and, worse still, a lot of politics, so it was a constant uphill battle to affect any real, positive change.”
In the mid-2000s, Jamie took notice of an increasing trend toward clean energy, manifested by the rising popularity of electric vehicles and solar power. “As a resident of Brentwood, I was aware of the massive electricity bills local homeowners paid for heating and air conditioning, and I wondered whether solar power would be a good solution for them. After doing some research, I quickly concluded the answer was an overwhelming ‘yes.’ This, along with the significant environmental benefits offered by solar power, made me realize it was a perfect avenue for me to pursue professionally. In 2008, I founded Solar Harmonics Inc., and after more than a decade of perseverance and growth, we’re still going strong.”
Today, Jamie says his favorite part of his job is improving his clients’ lives. “For many of the people we work with, which includes young families, retirees and farmers, saving a few hundred dollars each month can make a substantial impact. It’s very rewarding to know the work we do directly enhances our customers’ quality of life.”
A lifelong resident of Brentwood (where he lives with his wife, Denise, and their three children), Jamie spends his time outside of work on a variety of pastimes. “Work is a huge part of my life, but I still make time for activities like cycling, skiing and traveling with my family. We like taking road trips to see national landmarks like Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone Park. Also, our kids are involved in theater, so we’re big supporters of that.”
When asked about a professional philosophy, Jamie espouses the importance of clear communication. “As a professional, if a customer asks you a question, you should respond, even if that answer is, ‘I don’t know, let me do some research to find out.’ Some questions can be satisfied with a short answer, whereas others require a long answer. With solar, it tends to be the latter. Personally, I love talking about solar—it’s my favorite subject. That’s why I’m always happy to answer my customers’ questions and educate them about the products and processes involved.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: Cre Asian in Brentwood.
Q: What’s your favorite sports team?
A: The Golden State Warriors
Q: Did you play any sports in high school?
A: I played tennis and was on the swim team.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Alaska. Our next family trip is going to be an Alaskan cruise, so that will be taken care of shortly.
Q: Music or talk radio?
A: Talk radio—podcasts, actually. I listen to a ton of podcasts and even host my own called Straight-Talk Solar Cast.
Q: What’s your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
A: An egg white omelet with bacon bits, cheese and Sriracha sauce.