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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

Furthermore, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our initial visit, I noted that they might just attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the home. We discussed a few extra energy efficiency upgrades to the house to reduce energy consumption, which might supply a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the thought of investing more cash into the home, but ultimately she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioner upgrade, they have lowered their energy usage significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the 4th installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation features industry leaders and subjects related to accelerating an equitable and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the renewable energy sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and constantly search for chances to serve others– be it by offering extraordinary customer support, language translations, or merely sharing understanding with others. My individual objectives and desire to assist others led me to operate in the sustainable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our companys mission is simple: we wish to make solar easy and cost effective every step of the way. We mostly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace eco-friendly energy as a way of living, assisting generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you decided to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my company partner and I had the opportunity to join a really promising small 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 selling to the Hispanic market with my client service knowledge to produce SUNTEX where “the customer is the factor we exist as a business”. Our focus is linking the Hispanic community and our customers with excellent consumer service.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a top priority for SUNTEX?
Number One: it remains in our blood. My business partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can identify well with our individuals and their worldview. Number Two: 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 advantages everybody, regardless of race or background, which our people would require a great deal of support to comprehend how to obtain this advantage for their homes.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
Being a little business with a high level of service expectations for our clients features its own set of obstacles. However, the biggest obstacle we deal with is shared by a variety of small companies: turnover. Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not extensively taught in school. So, we need to invest a lot amount of time training sales staff to make certain they are able to provide a high level of client service.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By just measuring up to our sincere worths. I have actually discovered throughout my life that in company, there is no other way to do it right however to be sincere. While others may take shortcuts, the reality always prevails.
Please share with us a recent business success story.
Just recently, after helping a client “go solar” in 2 of her homes, she referred a new customer named Angela to us. Throughout our preliminary visit, I noted that they might only achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a couple of additional energy effectiveness upgrades to your house to minimize energy usage, which could offer a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially flinched at the thought of investing more money into the house, however ultimately she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward 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 house needed a bigger a/c system, plus extra ducts to distribute the AC evenly throughout your house. We also informed her that the finance partner might include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she could get approved for a lower interest rate than any other house improvement loan for that air conditioning upgrade. She took my recommendations and chose to move forward and was, in reality, able to decrease her loan rates of interest.
Throughout the installation, we ended up spending for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel up until their assessments and upgrades were total to guarantee they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical power used in her home. Thanks to the air conditioning upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy intake greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we indicate by “consumer service.”
From a national point of view, how can we improve access to sustainable enery?
From my experience, there is a huge space in gain access to. The majority of the homeowners that we visit are lucky to own a house, yet much of them have actually not gotten approved for solar due to a number of combined or separated aspects such as subprime credit history, lower annual household income, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of readily available loan programs. These neighborhoods require more support and education on the importance of setting up a solar system that can conserve them cash. We need to offer more individuals with chances to adopt renewable resource with fewer troubles.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your company?
By empowering us to think that there is someone there to support our growth in this industry, and giving us the chance to satisfy others in the same boat. Now I know that there is wish for minority small companies in the sustainable energy market.
How can prospective partners do service with you?
It is necessary that we share the exact same worths and objective to assist others, even if it means leaving our comfort zones. It might cost a bit more for us to do service, but its worth it in the end for our clients. If youre ready to begin there, we d like to satisfy to go over possible collaboration opportunities.
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 actually supplied. I know this is only the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; nevertheless, I look forward to ending up being a sponsor to assist pave the method for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my consumers and collaborators at SUNTEX, since they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To read more about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
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