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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not extensively taught in school. Throughout our initial consultation, I noted that they might only achieve about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a few additional energy performance upgrades to the house to minimize energy usage, which could supply a higher energy offset. Angela at first cringed at the idea of investing more money into the home, however ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy usage significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the fourth installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features market leaders and subjects related to accelerating an equitable and simply shift to a renewable resource 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 chances to serve others– be it by providing extraordinary customer support, language translations, or just sharing knowledge with others. My personal goals 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 objective is simple: we wish to make solar easy and inexpensive every action of the method. We mostly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace sustainable energy as a way of living, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my company partner and I had the chance to join a really promising little solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As an outcome, my partner and I combined his experience in offering to the Hispanic market with my customer care know-how to create SUNTEX where “the consumer is the factor we exist as a business”. Our focus is linking the Hispanic community and our consumers with excellent customer care.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic neighborhood a top priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced an absence of care and communication from those that can not recognize with our culture. We knew that solar advantages everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our people would need a lot of assistance to comprehend how to acquire this benefit for their houses.
What obstacles do you face? Why?
Being a little business with a high level of service expectations for our clients includes its own set of obstacles. The greatest difficulty we face is shared by a number of small businesses: turnover. Additionally, although solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not widely taught in school. So, we need to spend a lot quantity of time training sales personnel to make sure they are able to supply a high level of client service.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By merely measuring up to our truthful worths. I have found out throughout my life that in business, there is no other way to do it ideal but to be honest. While others may take shortcuts, the fact constantly dominates.
Please show us a recent company success story.
Recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in 2 of her houses, she referred a brand-new customer named Angela to us. Throughout our initial visit, I kept in mind that they might only achieve about 56% of solar power balanced out due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the home. We talked about a few extra energy performance upgrades to your home to decrease energy intake, which could supply a greater energy offset. Angela initially cringed at the idea of investing more cash into the house, however ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to move on with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her usage was so high and discovered that her home required a bigger air conditioning unit, plus extra ducts to distribute the AC evenly throughout the home. We also informed her that the finance partner could include the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she could get approved for a lower rates of interest than any other house enhancement loan for that air conditioner upgrade. She took my guidance and chose to progress and was, in fact, able to minimize her loan rates of interest.
During the installation, we ended up spending for Angela and her elderly mother to remain in a hotel till their assessments and upgrades were total to ensure they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical energy utilized in her home. Thanks to the a/c upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy usage considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar. This is what we imply by “consumer service.”
From a national point of view, how can we improve access to renewable enery?
Most of the property owners that we go to are lucky to own a home, yet many of them have actually not qualified for solar due to numerous combined or separated elements such as subprime credit score, lower annual family earnings, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of offered loan programs. We need to supply more people with chances to adopt eco-friendly energy with less troubles.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your business?
By empowering us to believe that there is someone there to support our growth in this industry, and providing us the opportunity to fulfill others in the same boat. Now I understand that there is expect minority small businesses in the renewable resource industry.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is necessary that we share the exact same worths and objective to assist others, even if it indicates getting out of our convenience zones. It may cost a little more for us to do organization, but its worth it in the end for our consumers. If youre willing to start there, we d like to satisfy to go over possible partnership chances.
Exists anything else you would like to show ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the opportunities you have offered. I understand this is only the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; nevertheless, I eagerly anticipate becoming a sponsor to assist lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my consumers and collaborators at SUNTEX, because they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To read more about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
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