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 fourth installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation includes industry leaders and subjects connected to speeding up a fair and simply transition to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and always search for opportunities to serve others– be it by providing remarkable customer care, language translations, or simply sharing knowledge with others. My personal objectives and desire to assist others led me to operate in the eco-friendly energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our companys objective is basic: we wish to make solar simple and cost effective every step of the method. We largely serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers understand and adopt renewable resource as a way of living, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha moment” when you decided to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the chance to join a very appealing little solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community. As an outcome, my partner and I combined his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my customer care knowledge to develop SUNTEX where “the client is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic neighborhood and our consumers with outstanding customer care.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic neighborhood a concern for SUNTEX?
Top: it remains in our blood. My company partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can determine well with our people and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced a lack of care and interaction from those that can not relate to our culture. We understood that solar benefits everyone, regardless of race or background, which our people would need a great deal of assistance to understand how to obtain this benefit for their houses.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our consumers comes with its own set of difficulties. Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not extensively taught in school.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our honest worths. I have discovered throughout my life that in service, there is no other method to do it right but to be sincere. While others might take faster ways, the reality always dominates.
Please show us a current business success story.
During our preliminary visit, I kept in mind that they could only attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a couple of additional energy performance upgrades to the home to decrease energy consumption, which could provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially flinched at the thought of investing more cash into the house, however ultimately she called me back and said she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades.
During the installation, we wound up paying for Angela and her elderly mom to stay in a hotel till their upgrades and evaluations were complete to guarantee they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electricity used in her house. Thanks to the air conditioner upgrade, they have reduced their energy usage significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment every 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 enhance access to renewable enery?
Many of the property owners that we visit are fortunate to own a house, yet many of them have actually not certified for solar due to numerous combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit score, lower yearly household earnings, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of available loan programs. We require to provide more people with chances to adopt sustainable energy with less troubles.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your company?
By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our growth in this industry, and offering us the opportunity to satisfy others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is wish for minority small businesses in the renewable resource industry.
How can prospective partners work with you?
It is very important that we share the very same worths and mission to help others, even if it implies leaving our comfort zones. It may cost a bit 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 satisfy to talk about possible partnership opportunities.
Exists 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 opportunities you have actually provided. I know this is just the beginning, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I eagerly anticipate ending up being a sponsor to help pave the method for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my customers and partners at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To get more information about SUNTEX, go to https://suntexllc.com/.
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In addition, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I noted that they could just achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the property. We discussed a couple of extra energy efficiency upgrades to the home to lower energy intake, which might provide a higher energy offset. Angela initially cringed at the idea of investing more money into the home, however ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioning upgrade, they have lowered their energy intake considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.