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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the 4th installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment includes market leaders and topics associated with accelerating a fair and just shift to a sustainable energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions 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 always set high expectations for myself and always search for chances to serve others– be it by offering extraordinary client service, language translations, or simply sharing understanding with others. My individual goals and desire to help others led me to operate in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss objective is simple: we desire to make solar easy and cost effective every action of the way. We mainly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and adopt eco-friendly energy as a lifestyle, assisting generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward developing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha minute” when you chose to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the chance to join an extremely promising small solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic community a 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 understood that solar benefits everybody, regardless of race or background, and that our people would need a lot of assistance to comprehend how to acquire this advantage for their houses.
What obstacles do you face? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our clients comes with its own set of obstacles. However, the biggest difficulty we face is shared by a variety of little companies: turnover. Furthermore, although solar power has been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. We have to spend a lot amount of time training sales staff to make sure they are able to provide a high level of customer service.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By just measuring up to our truthful values. I have discovered throughout my life that in business, there is no other way to do it best but to be truthful. While others may take faster ways, the reality always dominates.
Please show us a current business success story.
Just recently, after helping a client “go solar” in two of her homes, she referred a brand-new client named Angela to us. During our initial consultation, I kept in mind that they might only achieve about 56% of solar power balanced out due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a few extra energy performance upgrades to the house to minimize energy consumption, which might provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially cringed at the idea of investing more money into the home, however eventually she called me back and stated she wished to progress 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 house needed a larger a/c system, plus extra ducts to distribute the air conditioning equally throughout the house. We likewise told her that the finance partner might include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she could get approved for a lower rates of interest than any other home improvement loan for that air conditioning upgrade. She took my advice and chose to move on and was, in fact, able to lower her loan rates of interest.
Throughout the installation, we ended up paying for Angela and her senior mother to remain in a hotel up until their examinations and upgrades were total to ensure they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical power used in her home. Thanks to the air conditioner upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy intake greatly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment every month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar. This is what we suggest by “customer care.”
From a national viewpoint, how can we enhance access to sustainable enery?
Many of the homeowners that we visit are lucky to own a home, yet numerous of them have not certified for solar due to several combined or isolated elements such as subprime credit score, lower annual home earnings, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of available loan programs. We require to provide more individuals with chances to adopt sustainable energy with less inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your business?
By empowering us to believe that there is someone there to support our development in this market, and offering us the opportunity to fulfill others in the exact same boat. Now I know that there is expect minority small companies in the renewable resource market.
How can potential partners work with you?
It is necessary that we share the exact same values and mission to assist others, even if it means leaving our comfort zones. It might cost a little bit more for us to do organization, but its worth it in the end for our clients. If youre prepared to begin there, we d like to satisfy to discuss possible partnership opportunities.
Exists anything else you want to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the opportunities you have actually offered. I know this is just 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 customers and collaborators at SUNTEX, since they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To find out more about SUNTEX, go to https://suntexllc.com/.
###

In addition, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not extensively taught in school. During our initial consultation, I noted that they could just attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We went over a few extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to minimize energy intake, which could offer a greater energy offset. Angela initially cringed at the idea of investing more cash into the house, but ultimately she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the A/c upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy intake greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.