Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Ally Mendoza, CEO of SUNTEX

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the fourth installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation features market leaders and topics related to accelerating an equitable and just transition to an eco-friendly energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are thriving in the eco-friendly energy sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and constantly look for chances to serve others– be it by offering extraordinary customer support, language translations, or simply sharing knowledge with others. My individual objectives and desire to assist others led me to operate in the renewable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss mission is simple: we wish to make solar simple and cost effective every step of the method. We mainly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace sustainable energy as a lifestyle, helping generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha minute” when you chose to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my business partner and I had the chance to join a really appealing little solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As an outcome, my partner and I combined his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my customer support competence to produce SUNTEX where “the client is the factor we exist as a company”. Our focus is linking the Hispanic neighborhood and our clients with outstanding client service.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a concern for SUNTEX?
Primary: it is in our blood. My company partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can determine well with our people and their worldview. Second: in the past, we have personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not relate to our culture. We understood that solar advantages everybody, regardless of race or background, which our individuals would need a great deal of assistance to understand how to get this benefit for their homes.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
Being a little company with a high level of service expectations for our customers features its own set of obstacles. The greatest challenge we face is shared by a number of small organizations: turnover. In addition, although solar power has been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not widely taught in school. We have to invest a lot quantity of time training sales staff to make sure they are able to provide a high level of customer service.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our truthful values. I have discovered throughout my life that in company, there is no other method to do it ideal but to be sincere. While others may take faster ways, the fact always dominates.
Please show us a recent company success story.
During our preliminary consultation, I kept in mind that they might only attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We discussed a couple of additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to decrease energy intake, which might provide a greater energy offset. Angela at first flinched at the thought of investing more cash into the house, but ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades.
During the setup, we ended up paying for Angela and her senior mother to stay in a hotel till their evaluations and upgrades were complete to ensure they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical power utilized in her house. Thanks to the a/c upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy consumption considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we imply by “client service.”
From a national perspective, how can we enhance access to eco-friendly enery?
From my experience, there is a large space in access. The majority of the house owners that we visit are fortunate to own a home, yet a lot of them have actually not certified for solar due to numerous combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit report, lower yearly household income, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of offered loan programs. These neighborhoods need more assistance and education on the importance of installing a solar system that can save them money. We require to offer more people with chances to embrace renewable resource with less hassles.
How has your Accelerate subscription helped your business?
By empowering us to think that there is someone there to support our growth in this market, and providing us the opportunity to satisfy others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is hope for minority small companies in the renewable resource industry.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is crucial that we share the same worths and objective to assist others, even if it implies leaving our convenience zones. It might cost a little more for us to do company, but its worth it in the end for our customers. If youre willing to begin there, we d enjoy to satisfy to go over possible collaboration opportunities.
Exists anything else you wish to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have actually offered. I understand this is only the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I eagerly anticipate ending up being a sponsor to help pave the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my customers and collaborators at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To find out more about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
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Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our initial consultation, I kept in mind that they could just attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the home. We discussed a few extra energy performance upgrades to the home to reduce energy usage, which could supply a higher energy offset. Angela initially cringed at the idea of investing more money into the house, however eventually she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioning upgrade, they have decreased their energy usage greatly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.