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 includes market leaders and topics connected to speeding up a fair and simply shift to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the sustainable energy sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and always look for opportunities to serve others– be it by offering remarkable customer service, language translations, or simply sharing understanding with others. My individual goals and desire to assist others led me to work in the eco-friendly energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our companys mission is easy: we wish to make solar simple and affordable every step of the way. We largely serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers comprehend and adopt renewable resource 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 opportunity to join an extremely appealing little solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic community a priority for SUNTEX?
Number One: it remains in our blood. My organization partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can identify well with our people and their worldview. Second: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not relate to our culture. We understood that solar benefits everybody, despite race or background, and that our individuals would require a lot of assistance to comprehend how to obtain this advantage for their homes.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a little company with a high level of service expectations for our clients comes with its own set of obstacles. Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not widely taught in school.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply measuring up to our honest values. I have discovered throughout my life that in service, there is no other way to do it ideal however to be honest. While others might take faster ways, the reality constantly dominates.
Please share with us a current company success story.
Recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in two of her houses, she referred a new customer called Angela to us. Throughout our preliminary consultation, I noted that they could just accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a couple of additional energy efficiency upgrades to the house to decrease energy usage, which might supply a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially cringed at the thought of investing more money into the home, but ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and discovered that her house needed a bigger a/c unit, plus extra ducts to distribute the a/c uniformly throughout your house. We likewise told her that the finance partner could include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she might certify for a lower interest rate than any other house improvement loan for that a/c upgrade. She took my advice and decided to move on and was, in truth, able to minimize her loan rate of interest.
During the installation, we ended up paying for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel until their upgrades and evaluations were complete to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical energy used in her house. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have decreased their energy intake significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar. This is what we mean by “customer support.”
From a national viewpoint, how can we enhance access to renewable enery?
Many of the property owners that we go to are fortunate to own a home, yet numerous of them have actually not qualified for solar due to numerous combined or separated aspects such as subprime credit rating, lower yearly home earnings, self-employment, or a lack of understanding of available loan programs. We need to provide more people with opportunities to adopt eco-friendly energy with fewer inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your company?
By empowering us to think 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 hope for minority little organizations in the renewable resource market.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is crucial that we share the very same values and objective to assist others, even if it suggests leaving our convenience zones. It may cost a little bit more for us to do business, but its worth it in the end for our customers. If youre willing to start there, we d love to meet to go over possible collaboration chances.
Is there anything else you wish to show ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have supplied. I understand this is just the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I anticipate becoming a sponsor to help lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my customers and partners at SUNTEX, since they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To read more about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
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Furthermore, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not commonly taught in school. During our preliminary visit, I kept in mind that they might only attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a few additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to reduce energy intake, which could offer a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the idea of investing more cash into the house, but ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the A/c upgrade, they have minimized their energy usage significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.