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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the fourth installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features market leaders and subjects connected to speeding up a fair and simply transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and constantly try to find opportunities to serve others– be it by supplying exceptional customer support, language translations, or merely sharing knowledge with others. My personal goals and desire to assist 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 companys mission is easy: we wish to make solar simple and budget friendly every step of the method. We mainly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace renewable energy as a way of living, assisting generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha minute” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my company partner and I had the chance to sign up with a very appealing little solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a concern for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced an absence of care and interaction from those that can not determine with our culture. We knew that solar advantages everybody, regardless of race or background, and that our people would require a lot of assistance to understand how to obtain this benefit for their homes.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our customers includes its own set of obstacles. The biggest challenge we deal with is shared by a number of little services: turnover. Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. We have to invest a lot quantity 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 honest worths. I have actually found out throughout my life that in company, there is no other way to do it best but to be honest. While others might take faster ways, the fact always dominates.
Please show us a recent company success story.
Recently, after assisting a customer “go solar” in 2 of her homes, she referred a new client called Angela to us. Throughout our initial visit, I noted that they could only attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a couple of extra energy effectiveness upgrades to your house to decrease energy usage, which could offer a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the idea of investing more cash into the home, however ultimately she called me back and stated she wished to move on 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 required a larger air conditioning system, plus extra ducts to disperse the air conditioner evenly throughout your house. We likewise told her that the finance partner could include the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she might get approved for a lower rate of interest than any other home improvement loan for that AC upgrade. She took my recommendations and decided to progress and was, in truth, able to reduce her loan interest rate.
Throughout the setup, we ended up spending for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel till their examinations and upgrades were total to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical energy utilized in her home. Thanks to the air conditioning upgrade, they have minimized their energy intake significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we indicate by “customer support.”
From a nationwide perspective, how can we improve access to renewable enery?
From my experience, there is a vast gap in gain access to. Many of the house owners that we visit are lucky to own a house, yet numerous of them have not qualified for solar due to a number of combined or separated aspects such as subprime credit report, lower annual household earnings, self-employment, or a lack of understanding of available loan programs. These neighborhoods need more assistance and education on the significance of setting up a planetary system that can save them cash. We require to provide more people with chances to adopt renewable resource with less troubles.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your service?
By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our growth in this market, and offering us the chance to satisfy others in the exact same boat. Now I know that there is expect minority small services in the sustainable energy market.
How can potential partners do organization with you?
It is very important that we share the very same values and objective to help others, even if it indicates leaving our convenience zones. It may cost a little bit more for us to do organization, however its worth it in the end for our consumers. We d enjoy to satisfy to go over possible collaboration opportunities if youre prepared to begin there.
Is there anything else you want to show ACORE members and partners?
We are truly 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 road ahead of us; however, I eagerly anticipate becoming a sponsor to help lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my consumers and collaborators at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To get more information about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
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Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our initial visit, I kept in mind that they might just accomplish about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We went over a few additional energy performance upgrades to the home to reduce energy usage, which might provide a greater energy balanced out. Angela at first flinched at the thought of investing more money into the home, but eventually she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the A/c upgrade, they have actually lowered their energy usage considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar.