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 installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment includes industry leaders and subjects related to 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 prospering in the renewable energy sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and always try to find chances to serve others– be it by supplying exceptional customer support, language translations, or just sharing knowledge with others. My personal objectives and desire to assist others led me to work in the renewable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss objective is basic: we wish to make solar simple and inexpensive every step of the way. We mostly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers comprehend and adopt renewable resource as a lifestyle, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha minute” when you chose to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my company partner and I had the opportunity to join a very promising small solar setup business in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As a result, my partner and I integrated his experience in offering to the Hispanic market with my customer support know-how to produce SUNTEX where “the customer is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is linking the Hispanic community and our customers with exceptional customer service.
Why is focusing 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 actually personally experienced a lack of care and interaction from those that can not determine with our culture. We understood that solar benefits everyone, no matter race or background, and that our individuals would need a lot of support to understand how to get this advantage for their homes.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Being a little company with a high level of service expectations for our consumers includes its own set of difficulties. The greatest difficulty we face is shared by a number of little businesses: turnover. Furthermore, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not widely taught in school. So, we need to spend a lot quantity of time training sales personnel to make sure they have the ability to provide a high level of customer service.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By just living up to our sincere values. I have found out throughout my life that in business, there is no other method to do it right but to be truthful. While others may take shortcuts, the reality constantly dominates.
Please share with us a recent business success story.
Just recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in two of her homes, she referred a new customer named Angela to us. During our initial appointment, I kept in mind that they could just achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses consumption rates and shading from trees on the property. We went over a few additional energy efficiency upgrades to your home to decrease energy usage, which might provide a greater energy offset. Angela initially winced at the idea of investing more money into the house, but eventually she called me back and stated she desired to move on with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and found that her house needed a larger a/c unit, plus extra ducts to disperse the AC uniformly throughout your home. We also informed her that the financing partner could include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she could receive a lower interest rate than any other house improvement loan for that air conditioning upgrade. She took my advice and chose to move on and was, in reality, able to reduce her loan rates of interest.
During the setup, we wound up spending for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel till their evaluations and upgrades were complete to ensure they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electricity used in her home. Thanks to the air conditioner upgrade, they have minimized their energy consumption significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar. This is what we imply by “customer care.”
From a national perspective, how can we enhance access to eco-friendly enery?
From my experience, there is a large space in access. The majority of the homeowners that we check out are lucky to own a home, yet a lot of them have not qualified for solar due to several combined or separated factors such as subprime credit rating, lower annual family earnings, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of available loan programs. These communities require more support and education on the value of setting up a planetary system that can conserve them cash. We require to provide more people with opportunities to adopt renewable energy with less hassles.
How has your Accelerate subscription helped your service?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our development in this industry, and giving us the opportunity to fulfill others in the very same boat. Now I know that there is expect minority small companies in the renewable resource industry.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is essential that we share the same values and mission to assist others, even if it suggests leaving our convenience zones. It may cost a little more for us to do business, but its worth it in the end for our consumers. If youre prepared to begin there, we d like to meet to go over possible collaboration chances.
Exists anything else you want to show ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the opportunities you have offered. I know this is just the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; nevertheless, I anticipate becoming a sponsor to help pave the method for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my clients and partners at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To get more information about SUNTEX, see https://suntexllc.com/.
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Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our initial consultation, I noted that they could just achieve about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a couple of additional energy efficiency upgrades to the house to decrease energy intake, which might supply a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially cringed at the idea of investing more money into the home, however eventually she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy intake significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.