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 fourth installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation features industry leaders and subjects associated with accelerating an equitable and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are growing 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 try to find chances to serve others– be it by offering exceptional customer care, language translations, or merely sharing understanding with others. My personal objectives and desire to assist others led me to work in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our companys objective is easy: we wish to make solar simple and budget friendly every step of the method. We largely serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and adopt renewable resource as a way of living, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha moment” when you decided to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my business partner and I had the chance to join an extremely appealing small solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community. As an outcome, my partner and I integrated his experience in selling 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 connecting the Hispanic neighborhood and our consumers with excellent customer care.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic community a concern for SUNTEX?
Primary: it remains in our blood. My business partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can recognize well with our individuals and their worldview. Second: in the past, we have personally experienced an absence of care and interaction from those that can not relate to our culture. We understood that solar advantages everybody, no matter race or background, and that our people would require a lot of support to understand how to obtain this benefit for their houses.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
Being a little company with a high level of service expectations for our customers comes with its own set of challenges. Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not widely taught in school.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By merely living up to our truthful values. I have learned throughout my life that in company, there is no other method to do it ideal however to be honest. While others might take shortcuts, the fact constantly dominates.
Please share with us a recent company success story.
During our preliminary appointment, I noted that they might only attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the home. We went over a few extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to reduce energy intake, which might provide a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially flinched at the idea of investing more money into the home, but ultimately she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades.
During the setup, we wound up paying for Angela and her senior mom to stay in a hotel until their upgrades and evaluations were complete to ensure they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical energy utilized in her house. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have reduced their energy intake significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying before setting up solar. This is what we mean by “customer care.”
From a national point of view, how can we enhance access to renewable enery?
From my experience, there is a vast space in access. Many of the property owners that we check out are fortunate to own a house, yet much of them have actually not gotten approved for solar due to numerous combined or isolated elements such as subprime credit report, lower yearly family income, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of offered loan programs. These communities need more support and education on the significance of installing a solar system that can save them money. We need to supply more people with opportunities to adopt sustainable energy with less troubles.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your service?
By empowering us to believe that there is someone there to support our development in this industry, and offering us the chance to satisfy others in the exact same boat. Now I know 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 exact same worths and mission to assist others, even if it implies getting out of our convenience zones. It might cost a little more for us to do organization, however its worth it in the end for our clients. We d love to fulfill to discuss possible collaboration opportunities if youre ready to begin there.
Exists anything else you wish to show ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the opportunities you have actually supplied. 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 help pave the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my clients and collaborators at SUNTEX, because they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To find out more about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
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Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not extensively taught in school. During our preliminary appointment, I kept in mind that they might just accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the home. We discussed a few additional energy efficiency upgrades to the house to lower energy consumption, which could provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first winced at the idea of investing more cash into the house, however eventually she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioner upgrade, they have decreased their energy consumption considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.