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 site series.
Each installation includes industry leaders and subjects related to accelerating an equitable and simply transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the eco-friendly energy sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and always look for chances to serve others– be it by supplying remarkable consumer service, language translations, or just sharing understanding 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 larger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss objective is simple: we desire to make solar simple and affordable every step of the method. We largely serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers understand and embrace renewable energy as a way of living, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey towards establishing 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 opportunity to sign up with a very appealing little solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic community a top priority for SUNTEX?
Number One: it remains in our blood. My service 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 interaction from those that can not recognize with our culture. We understood that solar benefits everyone, no matter race or background, and that our individuals would require a great deal of support to comprehend how to get this benefit for their homes.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a little company with a high level of service expectations for our consumers features its own set of difficulties. The biggest challenge we deal with is shared by a number of small companies: turnover. Additionally, although solar power has been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. So, we need to spend a lot amount of time training sales staff to make certain they have the ability to provide a high level of customer support.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply measuring up to our sincere values. I have found out throughout my life that in service, there is no other way to do it right however to be sincere. While others may take shortcuts, the truth constantly dominates.
Please share with us a current company success story.
Throughout our initial visit, I noted that they could just accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We talked about a couple of extra energy performance upgrades to the home to lower energy intake, which could offer a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first cringed at the idea of investing more cash into the house, but ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades.
During the installation, we wound up paying for Angela and her elderly mother to stay in a hotel until their evaluations and upgrades were complete to ensure they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical power utilized in her house. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have lowered their energy consumption considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we indicate by “client service.”
From a national viewpoint, how can we improve access to sustainable enery?
Many of the homeowners that we visit are fortunate to own a home, yet numerous of them have actually not certified for solar due to numerous combined or separated factors such as subprime credit rating, lower annual home income, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of readily available loan programs. We need to supply more individuals with opportunities to adopt eco-friendly energy with less hassles.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your service?
By empowering us to think that there is someone there to support our development in this market, and offering us the opportunity 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 work with you?
It is essential that we share the same values and objective to assist others, even if it indicates leaving our comfort zones. It may cost a bit more for us to do company, however its worth it in the end for our customers. If youre prepared to begin there, we d love to satisfy to discuss possible cooperation chances.
Exists anything else you would like to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the opportunities you have supplied. I understand this is just the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I eagerly anticipate becoming a sponsor to help lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my consumers and partners at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
For more information about SUNTEX, go to https://suntexllc.com/.
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Furthermore, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I kept in mind that they might just accomplish about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a few extra energy performance upgrades to the home to lower energy intake, which could provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially flinched at the thought of investing more cash into the home, however eventually 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 prior to installing solar.