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 installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features market leaders and topics connected to speeding up an equitable and simply shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the eco-friendly energy sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and always look for chances to serve others– be it by providing exceptional consumer service, language translations, or simply sharing understanding with others. My individual objectives and desire to help others led me to work in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our companys mission is easy: we want to make solar easy and budget friendly every step of the method. We mostly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace renewable resource as a lifestyle, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey toward developing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha moment” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the chance to sign up with an extremely appealing little solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As a result, my partner and I combined his experience in offering to the Hispanic market with my client service proficiency to develop SUNTEX where “the customer is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic community and our clients with outstanding client service.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic neighborhood a priority for SUNTEX?
Primary: it remains in our blood. My business partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can identify well with our people and their worldview. Second: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not recognize with our culture. We understood that solar benefits everybody, regardless of race or background, which our people would require a great deal of support to understand how to get this advantage for their houses.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a small business with a high level of service expectations for our consumers comes with its own set of difficulties. The biggest challenge we face is shared by a number of small organizations: turnover. Furthermore, despite the fact that solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not extensively taught in school. We have to spend a lot quantity of time training sales personnel to make sure they are able to provide a high level of customer service.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our honest worths. I have learned throughout my life that in organization, there is no other method to do it right however to be sincere. While others might take faster ways, the truth constantly dominates.
Please show us a recent company success story.
During our preliminary 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 home. We talked about a couple of additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to minimize energy usage, which could offer a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the idea of investing more money into the home, however ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades.
Throughout the installation, we wound up spending for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel till their examinations and upgrades were total to ensure they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical power 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 each month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar. This is what we indicate by “client service.”
From a nationwide point of view, how can we improve access to sustainable enery?
From my experience, there is a large gap in gain access to. Most of the house owners that we go to are fortunate to own a house, yet numerous of them have not qualified for solar due to a number of combined or isolated elements such as subprime credit rating, lower yearly household income, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of available loan programs. These communities need more support and education on the value of installing a planetary system that can conserve them money. We require to provide more people with chances to embrace renewable resource with fewer troubles.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your service?
By empowering us to believe that there is someone there to support our development in this market, and providing us the chance to satisfy others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is wish for minority small businesses in the sustainable energy market.
How can prospective partners do company with you?
It is necessary that we share the same worths and mission to assist others, even if it suggests getting out of our convenience zones. It may cost a little bit more for us to do organization, however its worth it in the end for our customers. We d like to meet to discuss possible partnership chances if youre prepared to begin there.
Exists anything else you wish to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have supplied. I know this is just the beginning, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; nevertheless, I anticipate becoming a sponsor to help pave the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special 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, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
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Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our initial visit, I noted that they might just achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the property. We went over a few additional energy efficiency upgrades to the house to lower energy usage, which could supply a greater energy balanced out. Angela at first winced at the thought of investing more money into the home, but ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the A/c upgrade, they have actually lowered their energy intake significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar.