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 installment features industry leaders and subjects associated with speeding up a fair and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are growing in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and always search for opportunities to serve others– be it by supplying exceptional customer care, language translations, or just sharing knowledge with others. My individual objectives and desire to assist others led me to work in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our companys objective is basic: we want to make solar easy and budget-friendly every step of the way. We mostly serve the Hispanic neighborhood 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 developing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha minute” when you decided to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the chance to join a really promising small solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a top priority for SUNTEX?
Primary: it is in our blood. My company partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can determine well with our individuals and their worldview. Second: in the past, we have personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not relate to our culture. We understood that solar benefits everybody, no matter race or background, and that our people would need a great deal of assistance to comprehend how to acquire this benefit for their houses.
What difficulties do you deal with? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our clients comes with its own set of obstacles. Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not widely taught in school.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply measuring up to our sincere worths. I have actually discovered throughout my life that in business, there is no other way to do it ideal but to be truthful. While others may take faster ways, the fact always dominates.
Please share with us a recent business success story.
Recently, after helping a client “go solar” in two of her homes, she referred a brand-new customer named Angela to us. Throughout our initial appointment, I noted that they might only achieve about 56% of solar power offset due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a couple of additional energy effectiveness upgrades to your house to minimize energy intake, which might supply a greater 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 use was so high and discovered that her home needed a larger AC unit, plus extra ducts to distribute the AC uniformly throughout your home. We likewise informed her that the finance partner might include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she could qualify for a lower rates of interest than any other house enhancement loan for that air conditioner upgrade. She took my suggestions and chose to move forward and was, in truth, able to lower her loan rate of interest.
Throughout the installation, we wound up paying for Angela and her senior mother to remain in a hotel up until their upgrades and assessments were total to guarantee they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electricity utilized in her house. Thanks to the air conditioning 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 prior to setting up solar. This is what we suggest by “client service.”
From a nationwide point of view, how can we improve access to sustainable enery?
Most of the homeowners that we check out are fortunate to own a house, yet many of them have not certified for solar due to several combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit rating, lower annual household income, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of available loan programs. We require to supply more individuals with opportunities to embrace renewable energy with less inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your service?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our growth in this industry, and providing us the chance to fulfill others in the exact same boat. Now I know that there is expect minority small companies in the renewable resource market.
How can potential partners do organization with you?
It is important that we share the very same values and mission to assist others, even if it indicates getting out of our convenience zones. It might cost a bit more for us to do service, however its worth it in the end for our customers. We d enjoy to satisfy to go over possible collaboration opportunities if youre willing to begin there.
Exists anything else you wish to show ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the chances you have supplied. I understand this is just the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; nevertheless, I anticipate becoming a sponsor to help lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my customers and partners at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To get more information about SUNTEX, see https://suntexllc.com/.
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Furthermore, even though solar energy has actually 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 might just achieve about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the property. We went over a few additional energy efficiency upgrades to the home to lower energy usage, which could provide a higher energy offset. Angela initially cringed at the thought of investing more money into the home, 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 prior to setting up solar.