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 series.
Each installation features market leaders and subjects connected to accelerating an equitable and simply transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the renewable energy sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and always try to find opportunities to serve others– be it by offering extraordinary customer care, language translations, or simply sharing understanding with others. My individual goals and desire to assist 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 basic: we wish to make solar easy and economical every step of the way. We mostly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace renewable resource as a way of life, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha minute” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my company partner and I had the chance to sign up with an extremely appealing small solar setup business in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community. As a result, my partner and I integrated his experience in offering to the Hispanic market with my customer care knowledge to create SUNTEX where “the client is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is linking the Hispanic neighborhood and our clients with outstanding client service.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a top priority for SUNTEX?
Number One: it remains in our blood. My organization 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 an absence of care and communication from those that can not relate to our culture. We understood that solar advantages everybody, regardless of race or background, which our people would need a great deal of support to comprehend how to get this benefit for their houses.
What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
Being a small business with a high level of service expectations for our clients comes with its own set of challenges. Furthermore, 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 merely measuring up to our truthful worths. I have actually learned throughout my life that in business, there is no other way to do it best but to be truthful. While others might take faster ways, the truth constantly dominates.
Please share with us a recent company success story.
Throughout our initial consultation, I noted that they might just achieve about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a few additional energy efficiency upgrades to the house to minimize energy intake, which might provide a greater energy offset. Angela initially flinched at the idea of investing more money into the house, but ultimately she called me back and said she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades.
Throughout the setup, we ended up spending for Angela and her senior mother to remain in a hotel up until their upgrades and examinations were complete to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical power utilized in her home. Thanks to the air conditioner upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy consumption significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar. This is what we imply by “customer care.”
From a national viewpoint, how can we enhance access to renewable enery?
Many of the property owners that we go to are lucky to own a house, yet many of them have actually not qualified for solar due to several combined or separated elements such as subprime credit score, lower yearly home earnings, self-employment, or a lack of understanding of readily available loan programs. We need to provide more individuals with opportunities to embrace sustainable energy with less hassles.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your organization?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our development in this industry, and giving us the opportunity to fulfill others in the very same boat. Now I know that there is hope for minority small businesses in the renewable resource market.
How can potential partners work with you?
It is essential that we share the very same worths and objective to help others, even if it indicates leaving our convenience zones. It may cost a little bit more for us to do organization, but its worth it in the end for our customers. If youre willing to begin there, we d like to satisfy to talk about possible partnership opportunities.
Exists anything else you want to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the opportunities you have offered. I know this is only the start, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I look forward to 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 clients and partners at SUNTEX, because they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To find out more about SUNTEX, see https://suntexllc.com/.
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Furthermore, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not extensively taught in school. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I noted that they might only accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We discussed a couple of extra energy performance upgrades to the home to decrease energy usage, which could supply a higher energy offset. Angela at first cringed at the thought of investing more money into the home, but eventually she called me back and said she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioner upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy consumption greatly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar.