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 fourth installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment includes industry leaders and subjects related to accelerating a fair and simply transition to an eco-friendly energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are growing in the sustainable energy sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and constantly look for chances to serve others– be it by providing exceptional client service, language translations, or simply sharing knowledge with others. My individual goals and desire to help 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 businesss objective is simple: we desire to make solar simple and budget friendly every step of the method. We mostly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace renewable energy as a lifestyle, assisting generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards developing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha moment” when you decided to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my company partner and I had the chance to join a very appealing small solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community. As a result, my partner and I combined his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my customer support expertise to create SUNTEX where “the client is the factor we exist as a business”. Our focus is linking the Hispanic neighborhood and our consumers with exceptional customer care.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a top priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced an absence of care and interaction from those that can not identify with our culture. We understood that solar advantages everybody, regardless of race or background, and that our people would require a lot of assistance to comprehend how to get this benefit for their houses.
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 challenges. Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not widely taught in school.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By merely living up to our truthful values. I have learned throughout my life that in organization, there is no other way to do it right however to be honest. While others may take faster ways, the reality always dominates.
Please show us a recent company success story.
Just recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in 2 of her homes, she referred a brand-new client named Angela to us. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I noted that they might only accomplish about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the property. We went over a couple of extra energy performance upgrades to your house to reduce energy consumption, which might offer a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the thought of investing more cash into the home, however ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to progress 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 house needed a larger AC unit, plus additional ducts to disperse the AC uniformly throughout your house. We also told her that the financing partner could add the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she could qualify for a lower rates of interest than any other home improvement loan for that AC upgrade. She took my guidance and decided to move forward and was, in reality, able to minimize her loan interest rate.
During the installation, we ended up paying for Angela and her elderly mother to remain in a hotel until their assessments and upgrades were total to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electricity utilized in her home. Thanks to the air conditioner upgrade, they have reduced their energy intake considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment every month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar. This is what we imply by “client service.”
From a nationwide point of view, how can we improve access to renewable enery?
From my experience, there is a large space in gain access to. The majority of the property owners that we go to are lucky to own a home, yet much of them have not received solar due to a number of combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit history, lower annual household earnings, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of available loan programs. These communities require more assistance and education on the value of installing a solar system that can save them cash. We require to provide more individuals with chances to embrace sustainable energy with less hassles.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your organization?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our development in this industry, and providing us the chance to meet others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is wish for minority small organizations in the renewable energy industry.
How can possible partners do company with you?
It is necessary that we share the very same worths and objective to assist others, even if it means getting out of our comfort zones. It might cost a little bit more for us to do organization, however its worth it in the end for our consumers. We d enjoy to meet to go over possible partnership chances if youre prepared to begin there.
Is there anything else you wish to show ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the chances you have actually provided. I understand this is just the start, and we have a long road ahead of us; however, I eagerly anticipate becoming a sponsor to assist pave the method for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my consumers and partners at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To learn more about SUNTEX, see https://suntexllc.com/.
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In addition, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not widely taught in school. During our initial consultation, 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 talked about a couple of extra energy efficiency upgrades to the home to decrease energy consumption, which might provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first cringed at the idea of investing more cash into the home, but ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy intake greatly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.