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 installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features industry leaders and subjects connected to accelerating an equitable and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are thriving in the renewable energy sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and constantly try to find chances to serve others– be it by offering exceptional customer care, language translations, or simply sharing knowledge with others. My individual goals and desire to help others led me to operate in the sustainable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our companys mission is easy: we wish to make solar easy and budget-friendly every action of the method. We largely serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace renewable resource as a lifestyle, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards developing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha minute” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my business partner and I had the opportunity to join an extremely appealing small solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity 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 support expertise to create SUNTEX where “the client is the factor we exist as a business”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic community and our consumers with exceptional client service.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a concern for SUNTEX?
Primary: it remains in our blood. My service partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can identify well with our people and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not identify with our culture. We understood that solar advantages everybody, despite race or background, and that our individuals would require a lot of assistance to understand how to get this benefit for their homes.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a little business with a high level of service expectations for our consumers features its own set of obstacles. However, the greatest difficulty we deal with is shared by a number of little companies: turnover. Additionally, even though solar power has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. So, we have to spend a lot amount of time training sales personnel to make sure they are able to offer a high level of customer support.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By just living up to our honest worths. I have discovered throughout my life that in service, there is no other method to do it best however to be truthful. While others may take faster ways, the fact constantly dominates.
Please share with us a current company success story.
During our preliminary visit, I kept in mind that they might just attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a few extra energy efficiency upgrades to the home to minimize energy intake, which might supply a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the idea of investing more money into the home, but eventually she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades.
Throughout the setup, we ended up spending for Angela and her elderly mom to remain in a hotel up until their assessments and upgrades were total to guarantee they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical energy used in her home. Thanks to the a/c upgrade, they have reduced their energy consumption greatly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we suggest by “customer support.”
From a nationwide point of view, how can we improve access to sustainable enery?
Most of the property owners that we go to are fortunate to own a house, yet numerous of them have actually not qualified for solar due to several combined or separated elements such as subprime credit score, lower annual family income, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of readily available loan programs. We require to offer more people with opportunities to adopt eco-friendly energy with fewer troubles.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your business?
By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our growth in this industry, and giving us the opportunity to meet others in the same boat. Now I understand that there is expect minority small companies in the sustainable energy industry.
How can prospective partners work with you?
It is necessary that we share the same worths and mission to assist others, even if it indicates leaving our convenience zones. It might cost a little bit more for us to do business, but its worth it in the end for our clients. If youre willing to begin there, we d love to fulfill to talk about possible collaboration chances.
Is there anything else you would like to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the chances you have actually offered. I understand this is just the beginning, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I anticipate ending up being a sponsor to assist lead the way 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 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 essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. During our initial consultation, I kept in mind that they could only achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the property. We went over a few additional energy efficiency upgrades to the house to reduce energy intake, which might offer a higher energy offset. Angela at first winced at the thought of investing more money into the house, but eventually she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the A/c upgrade, they have decreased their energy consumption considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar.