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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

Furthermore, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our initial appointment, I noted that they might only attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We talked about a couple of additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to minimize energy consumption, which could provide a greater energy offset. Angela at first flinched at the idea of investing more cash into the house, however ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioning upgrade, they have lowered their energy usage greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the 4th installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation includes industry leaders and topics associated with accelerating a fair and just shift to a sustainable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are growing in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and constantly look for opportunities to serve others– be it by supplying extraordinary consumer service, language translations, or merely sharing understanding with others. My personal goals and desire to assist others led me to work in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss objective is basic: we want to make solar simple and budget-friendly every action of the way. We largely serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers understand and embrace renewable resource as a lifestyle, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha minute” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my company partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with a very appealing small solar setup business in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance offered 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 proficiency to develop SUNTEX where “the client is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic neighborhood and our customers with outstanding client service.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced an absence of care and communication from those that can not recognize with our culture. We knew that solar benefits everybody, regardless of race or background, and that our people would require a lot of assistance to comprehend how to acquire this advantage for their homes.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a small business with a high level of service expectations for our clients features its own set of difficulties. The greatest obstacle we deal with is shared by a number of small businesses: turnover. In addition, despite the fact that solar power has been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not commonly taught in school. We have to invest a lot quantity of time training sales staff to make sure they are able to offer a high level of customer service.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By just measuring up to our truthful values. I have discovered throughout my life that in service, there is no other method to do it best but to be sincere. While others may take faster ways, the truth always prevails.
Please show us a recent company success story.
Just recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in 2 of her houses, she referred a new client called Angela to us. Throughout our preliminary consultation, I noted that they might just attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a couple of additional energy performance upgrades to your house to minimize energy usage, which could provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially cringed at the thought of investing more cash into the house, however ultimately she called me back and stated she wished to progress with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her usage was so high and found that her house needed a bigger AC system, plus additional ducts to disperse the air conditioning uniformly throughout your house. We likewise told her that the finance partner could include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she could receive a lower interest rate than any other house improvement loan for that air conditioning upgrade. She took my recommendations and chose to progress and was, in fact, able to decrease her loan rates of interest.
Throughout the setup, we ended up spending for Angela and her elderly mother to remain in a hotel up until their upgrades and inspections were complete to ensure they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electricity utilized in her home. Thanks to the a/c upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy consumption greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar. This is what we imply by “client service.”
From a national viewpoint, how can we improve access to eco-friendly enery?
From my experience, there is a vast space in gain access to. The majority of the house owners that we go to are lucky to own a home, yet a lot of them have not certified for solar due to a number of combined or separated aspects such as subprime credit history, lower annual home earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of readily available loan programs. These neighborhoods require more assistance and education on the importance of installing a solar system that can save them cash. We require to supply more people with chances to embrace renewable resource with less hassles.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your business?
By empowering us to think that there is someone there to support our development in this industry, and offering us the chance to fulfill others in the same boat. Now I understand that there is expect minority small companies in the renewable resource industry.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is important that we share the same worths and mission to assist others, even if it indicates getting out of our comfort zones. It may cost a little more for us to do company, but its worth it in the end for our customers. We d enjoy to fulfill to go over possible cooperation chances if youre ready to begin there.
Exists anything else you would like to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the opportunities you have provided. I understand this is just the beginning, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I eagerly anticipate becoming a sponsor to help pave the method for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my clients and collaborators 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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