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 installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation includes market leaders and subjects related to speeding up an equitable 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 companies are thriving in the sustainable energy sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and always search for opportunities to serve others– be it by offering remarkable consumer service, language translations, or just sharing knowledge with others. My individual objectives and desire to help others led me to work in the renewable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss mission is easy: we wish to make solar easy and economical every step of the way. We largely serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers understand and embrace sustainable energy as a lifestyle, helping generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha minute” when you chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the opportunity to join an extremely appealing small solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As an outcome, my partner and I integrated his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my client service proficiency to create SUNTEX where “the consumer is the factor we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic neighborhood and our clients with exceptional client service.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic neighborhood a concern for SUNTEX?
Primary: it remains in our blood. My service partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can recognize well with our people and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced an absence of care and communication from those that can not identify with our culture. We knew that solar advantages everyone, regardless of race or background, which our individuals would require a lot of support to understand how to obtain this advantage for their houses.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a little business with a high level of service expectations for our customers includes its own set of difficulties. Nevertheless, the best difficulty we face is shared by a number of small companies: turnover. In addition, despite the fact that solar power has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not commonly taught in school. We have to invest a lot amount of time training sales personnel to make sure they are able to offer a high level of customer service.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By just measuring up to our truthful values. I have actually found out throughout my life that in organization, there is no other method to do it best however to be honest. While others may take faster ways, the fact always prevails.
Please show us a current business success story.
Just recently, after helping a customer “go solar” in 2 of her homes, she referred a brand-new client called Angela to us. Throughout our initial visit, I kept in mind that they could only accomplish about 56% of solar power balanced out due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the property. We went over a couple of extra energy effectiveness upgrades to your home to lower energy usage, which might supply a higher energy offset. Angela at first winced at the thought of investing more cash into the home, but ultimately she called me back and said she wished to move on with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her usage was so high and found that her home needed a larger air conditioning system, plus additional ducts to distribute the AC equally throughout your home. We likewise told her that the financing partner might add the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she could get approved for a lower rate of interest than any other home improvement loan for that air conditioning upgrade. She took my recommendations and decided to move on and was, in reality, able to minimize her loan rate of interest.
During the setup, we ended up spending for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel until their inspections and upgrades were complete to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical power utilized in her home. Thanks to the air conditioner upgrade, they have minimized their energy consumption considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment every month that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we suggest by “customer service.”
From a nationwide point of view, how can we enhance access to sustainable enery?
Most of the house owners that we go to are fortunate to own a home, yet many of them have not qualified for solar due to a number of combined or isolated elements such as subprime credit rating, lower yearly family income, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of offered loan programs. We need to provide more individuals with chances to adopt eco-friendly energy with fewer inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate subscription helped your organization?
By empowering us to believe that there is someone there to support our growth in this industry, and offering us the opportunity to satisfy others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is expect minority small companies in the renewable energy market.
How can prospective partners do organization with you?
It is essential that we share the very same values and objective to help others, even if it implies leaving our comfort zones. It may cost a little more for us to do service, however its worth it in the end for our consumers. We d enjoy to fulfill to discuss possible partnership opportunities if youre prepared to start 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 chances you have 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 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!
For more information about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
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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 appointment, I kept in mind that they could only accomplish 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 performance upgrades to the home to decrease energy usage, which could supply a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first winced at the idea of investing more cash into the home, but eventually she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioning upgrade, they have decreased their energy intake significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar.