Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Ally Mendoza, CEO of SUNTEX

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the 4th installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation includes industry leaders and subjects connected to speeding up an equitable and just transition 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 start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and constantly search for chances to serve others– be it by offering exceptional customer care, language translations, or merely sharing knowledge with others. My personal objectives and desire to help others led me to work in the eco-friendly energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our companys mission is easy: we wish to make solar easy and budget-friendly every step of the way. We mostly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers understand and adopt renewable energy as a method of life, assisting generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the opportunity to join a very appealing little solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity readily 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 care know-how 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 excellent customer care.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a priority for SUNTEX?
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 advantages everybody, regardless of race or background, and that our individuals would need a lot of support to understand how to get this benefit for their homes.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Being a small business 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 essentials of these tasks are not commonly taught in school.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our truthful worths. I have actually learned throughout my life that in business, there is no other way to do it best however to be truthful. While others might take faster ways, the fact always dominates.
Please show us a current company success story.
During our initial appointment, I kept in mind that they could just achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the home. We discussed a couple of extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to lower energy intake, which might supply a higher energy offset. Angela initially flinched at the thought of investing more money into the home, but ultimately she called me back and said she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades.
During the installation, we wound up paying for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel until their upgrades and inspections were total to ensure they were comfortable throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electricity used in her house. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy consumption significantly, 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 “customer support.”
From a national viewpoint, how can we enhance access to sustainable enery?
Many of the homeowners that we visit are lucky to own a house, yet numerous of them have actually not certified for solar due to a number of combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit score, lower yearly household earnings, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of readily available loan programs. We need to supply more individuals with opportunities to embrace eco-friendly energy with less hassles.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your organization?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our growth in this market, and offering us the opportunity to fulfill others in the exact same boat. Now I know that there is expect minority little services in the renewable resource market.
How can prospective partners work with you?
It is essential that we share the exact same values and mission to assist others, even if it indicates getting out of our convenience zones. It may cost a little more for us to do company, but its worth it in the end for our clients. We d like to meet to talk about possible collaboration opportunities 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 opportunities you have supplied. I know this is just the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I anticipate becoming a sponsor to assist pave the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my consumers and partners at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
For more information about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
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Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not extensively taught in school. During our preliminary appointment, I kept in mind that they could only accomplish about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a couple of additional energy performance upgrades to the house to minimize energy intake, which could provide a higher energy offset. Angela at first cringed at the thought of investing more cash into the home, however eventually 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 reduced their energy usage greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.