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 4th installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation features market leaders and topics associated with 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 business are flourishing in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and always search for opportunities to serve others– be it by supplying extraordinary client service, language translations, or merely sharing knowledge with others. My personal goals and desire to assist others led me to operate in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our companys mission is basic: we want to make solar simple and inexpensive every action of the method. We largely serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers understand and embrace renewable resource as a way of living, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha minute” when you decided to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the chance to join a really appealing small solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As a result, my partner and I integrated his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my customer support know-how to produce SUNTEX where “the client is the factor we exist as a business”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic community and our clients with exceptional customer service.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a priority for SUNTEX?
Primary: it remains in our blood. My company partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can identify well with our people and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced an absence of care and interaction from those that can not determine with our culture. We understood that solar advantages everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our people would need a great deal of support to understand how to get this advantage for their homes.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our customers features its own set of obstacles. The biggest obstacle we deal with is shared by a number of small services: turnover. Additionally, although solar power has been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not widely taught in school. So, we have to spend a lot amount of time training sales staff to make certain they have the ability to offer a high level of client service.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our sincere values. I have found out throughout my life that in organization, there is no other way to do it ideal but to be truthful. While others might take shortcuts, the fact always prevails.
Please show us a recent company success story.
During our preliminary consultation, I noted that they might just accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We talked about a couple of additional energy performance upgrades to the home to lower energy consumption, which could offer a greater energy offset. Angela at first flinched at the idea of investing more cash into the home, however eventually she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades.
Throughout the setup, we ended up spending for Angela and her elderly mother to remain in a hotel up until their upgrades and assessments were total to ensure they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical power utilized in her home. Thanks to the air conditioner upgrade, they have decreased their energy intake significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar. This is what we mean by “customer care.”
From a nationwide viewpoint, how can we improve access to sustainable enery?
From my experience, there is a large gap in access. The majority of the homeowners that we check out are fortunate to own a home, yet numerous of them have actually not certified for solar due to a number of combined or isolated factors such as subprime credit report, lower annual household income, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of readily available loan programs. These communities need more support and education on the value of setting up a planetary system that can conserve them money. We require to supply more individuals with opportunities to adopt renewable resource with less troubles.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your service?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our growth in this industry, and providing us the opportunity to satisfy others in the very same boat. Now I understand that there is wish for minority small companies in the renewable resource market.
How can prospective partners work with you?
It is necessary that we share the same worths and mission to help others, even if it suggests leaving our comfort zones. It may cost a bit more for us to do company, but its worth it in the end for our customers. We d enjoy to meet to discuss possible collaboration opportunities if youre prepared to start there.
Is there anything else you want 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 supplied. I know this is only the beginning, and we have a long road ahead of us; however, I eagerly anticipate becoming a sponsor to assist pave the method for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my consumers and collaborators at SUNTEX, since they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To get more information about SUNTEX, go to https://suntexllc.com/.
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Furthermore, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our preliminary visit, I noted that they might just accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We went over a few additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to minimize energy consumption, which might supply a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially flinched at the idea of investing more cash into the house, but eventually she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have decreased their energy consumption greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.