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 installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features market leaders and topics associated with accelerating a fair and just shift to a sustainable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are flourishing in the eco-friendly energy sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and constantly try to find opportunities to serve others– be it by offering exceptional customer care, language translations, or merely sharing knowledge with others. My personal objectives and desire to assist others led me to operate in the eco-friendly energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our companys objective is basic: we desire to make solar simple 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 renewable resource as a lifestyle, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the opportunity to join a really appealing small solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a top priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not recognize with our culture. We knew that solar benefits everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our people would need a lot of assistance to understand how to obtain this benefit for their homes.
What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
Being a little business with a high level of service expectations for our consumers comes with its own set of obstacles. In addition, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not commonly taught in school.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By just measuring up to our sincere values. I have actually found out throughout my life that in business, there is no other way to do it best but to be honest. While others may take faster ways, the reality constantly dominates.
Please share with us a current business success story.
Just recently, after helping a client “go solar” in 2 of her houses, she referred a brand-new customer named Angela to us. During our initial visit, I kept in mind that they might only accomplish about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We went over a couple of extra energy performance upgrades to your house to reduce energy consumption, which could supply a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first winced at the idea of investing more cash into the home, however eventually she called me back and said she wished to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and found that her home needed a larger a/c system, plus additional ducts to disperse the air conditioner equally throughout your home. We likewise informed her that the finance partner might include the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she could receive a lower rate of interest than any other house improvement loan for that AC upgrade. She took my guidance and decided to move forward and was, in fact, able to decrease her loan interest rate.
Throughout the setup, we wound 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 procedure.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electricity utilized in her home. Thanks to the a/c upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy usage greatly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we imply by “customer support.”
From a nationwide viewpoint, how can we improve access to eco-friendly enery?
Most of the homeowners that we go to are lucky to own a house, yet many of them have actually not certified for solar due to numerous combined or isolated factors such as subprime credit rating, lower yearly household earnings, self-employment, or a lack of understanding of readily available loan programs. We need to provide more people with opportunities to adopt eco-friendly energy with fewer inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your business?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our growth in this industry, and providing us the chance to meet others in the very same boat. Now I understand that there is wish for minority small companies in the renewable resource market.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is essential that we share the same worths and mission to assist others, even if it implies leaving our comfort zones. It might cost a little more for us to do company, but its worth it in the end for our clients. If youre prepared to start there, we d love to satisfy to go over possible partnership opportunities.
Is there anything else you would like to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the chances you have actually supplied. I know this is just the beginning, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I anticipate becoming a sponsor to help pave the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my consumers and partners at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To find out more about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
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In addition, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. During our preliminary consultation, I noted that they could only accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a couple of extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to lower energy usage, which could offer a higher energy offset. Angela at first winced at the thought of investing more cash into the house, however ultimately she called me back and said she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioning upgrade, they have decreased their energy usage significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar.