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 4th installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment includes market leaders and topics connected to speeding up a fair and simply shift to a sustainable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies 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 always search for opportunities to serve others– be it by offering extraordinary customer support, language translations, or simply sharing understanding with others. My individual objectives and desire to help others led me to work in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss objective is simple: we desire to make solar simple and budget-friendly every action of the way. We largely serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers understand and adopt eco-friendly energy as a way of life, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards developing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the chance to sign up with a very appealing little solar installation 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 offering to the Hispanic market with my consumer service proficiency to produce SUNTEX where “the client is the reason we exist as a business”. Our focus is linking the Hispanic community and our clients with exceptional client service.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a concern for SUNTEX?
Number One: it remains in our blood. My service partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can recognize well with our individuals and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and interaction from those that can not relate to our culture. We understood that solar benefits everybody, regardless of race or background, which our individuals would need a great deal of support to comprehend how to get this benefit for their homes.
What obstacles do you face? Why?
Being a small business with a high level of service expectations for our clients comes with its own set of difficulties. Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not commonly taught in school.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By merely living up to our sincere values. I have found out throughout my life that in service, there is no other way to do it best but to be truthful. While others may take faster ways, the fact constantly dominates.
Please share with us a current company success story.
Recently, after helping a client “go solar” in two of her houses, she referred a new client called Angela to us. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I noted that they could only attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We went over a few additional energy performance upgrades to your house to lower energy intake, which might offer a greater energy balanced out. Angela at first cringed at the idea of investing more cash into the house, but eventually she called me back and said she wanted to move forward 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 bigger air conditioner unit, plus additional ducts to disperse the air conditioning equally throughout your home. We likewise told her that the finance partner could add the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she could get approved for a lower interest rate than any other house improvement loan for that AC upgrade. She took my guidance and decided to progress and was, in reality, able to lower her loan interest rate.
During the setup, we wound up paying for Angela and her elderly mom to remain in a hotel till their upgrades and evaluations were complete to guarantee they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical energy utilized in her home. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy usage significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying before setting up solar. This is what we suggest by “client service.”
From a national perspective, how can we improve access to renewable enery?
From my experience, there is a large gap in gain access to. Most of the homeowners that we visit are lucky to own a house, yet many of them have actually not received solar due to numerous combined or separated factors such as subprime credit rating, lower yearly family income, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of offered loan programs. These neighborhoods require more support and education on the importance of installing a planetary system that can save them money. We need to supply more individuals with chances to embrace renewable resource with fewer hassles.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your service?
By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our growth in this market, and providing us the opportunity to satisfy others in the very same boat. Now I know that there is wish for minority small businesses in the sustainable energy market.
How can possible partners do service with you?
It is necessary that we share the very same values and objective to assist others, even if it means leaving our convenience zones. It may cost a little more for us to do service, but its worth it in the end for our customers. We d enjoy to satisfy to discuss possible collaboration opportunities if youre ready to begin there.
Is there anything else you would like to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are truly grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have offered. I understand this is only the beginning, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; nevertheless, I look forward to ending up being a sponsor to assist lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my consumers and partners at SUNTEX, since they are the fuel that drives the objective!
For more information about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
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Furthermore, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not widely taught in school. Throughout our initial visit, I kept in mind that they might just accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the property. We discussed a few additional energy performance upgrades to the house to minimize energy usage, which could offer a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first flinched at the thought of investing more cash into the house, but eventually she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioner upgrade, they have lowered their energy usage considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.