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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not widely taught in school. During our preliminary visit, I noted 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 performance upgrades to the house to minimize energy intake, which might offer a greater energy balanced out. Angela at first winced at the idea 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 efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the A/c upgrade, they have actually lowered their energy consumption greatly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the fourth installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation includes market leaders and subjects related to speeding up an equitable and just shift to a renewable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are flourishing in the eco-friendly energy sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and constantly look for chances to serve others– be it by supplying exceptional customer support, language translations, or just 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 bigger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our companys mission is easy: we wish to make solar simple and cost effective every step of the method. We largely serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers understand and adopt renewable resource as a way of life, assisting generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha moment” when you chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with an extremely promising little solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not identify with our culture. We understood that solar benefits everybody, regardless of race or background, and that our people would need a lot of support to understand how to acquire this advantage for their homes.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our customers comes with its own set of difficulties. Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not widely taught in school.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By just measuring up to our truthful worths. I have found out throughout my life that in service, there is no other method to do it right but to be honest. While others might take faster ways, the fact always prevails.
Please show us a recent company success story.
Recently, after assisting a customer “go solar” in 2 of her houses, she referred a new client named Angela to us. Throughout our preliminary consultation, I kept in mind that they could only achieve about 56% of solar power offset due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the home. We went over a couple of extra energy performance upgrades to your home to reduce energy consumption, which might provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first winced at the idea of investing more cash into the house, however ultimately she called me back and said she wished to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her usage was so high and discovered that her house required a larger AC system, plus additional ducts to disperse the air conditioner equally throughout the home. We likewise informed her that the finance partner could include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she could get approved for a lower interest rate than any other home improvement loan for that air conditioner upgrade. She took my guidance and decided to progress and was, in fact, able to decrease her loan rates of interest.
During the installation, we ended up paying for Angela and her elderly mother to remain in a hotel till their upgrades and inspections were total to ensure they were comfortable throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical energy utilized in her house. Thanks to the a/c upgrade, they have reduced their energy intake considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment every month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar. This is what we mean by “customer care.”
From a nationwide point of view, how can we improve access to eco-friendly enery?
From my experience, there is a vast space in gain access to. The majority of the property owners that we visit are fortunate to own a house, yet numerous of them have actually not received solar due to several combined or separated aspects such as subprime credit history, lower yearly household income, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of readily available loan programs. These communities require more assistance and education on the importance of setting up a solar system that can save them money. We require to provide more people with chances to adopt renewable resource with less troubles.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your service?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our growth in this industry, and giving us the opportunity to satisfy others in the exact same boat. Now I know that there is hope for minority small companies in the sustainable energy industry.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is very important that we share the very same worths and mission to assist others, even if it suggests getting out of our comfort zones. It might cost a little more for us to do business, but its worth it in the end for our consumers. If youre prepared to begin there, we d love to meet to go over possible cooperation opportunities.
Is there anything else you want to show ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have offered. I know this is only the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; nevertheless, I eagerly anticipate ending up being a sponsor to assist pave the method for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my consumers and partners at SUNTEX, since they are the fuel that drives the objective!
For more information about SUNTEX, go to https://suntexllc.com/.
###