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 4th installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features market leaders and topics connected to accelerating an equitable and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are growing in the renewable energy sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and constantly try to find chances to serve others– be it by providing remarkable customer support, language translations, or just sharing understanding with others. My personal objectives and desire to help others led me to work in the sustainable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss mission is easy: we want to make solar easy and inexpensive every step of the method. We largely serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers understand and adopt sustainable energy as a way of living, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward 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 chance to sign up with a very promising little solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As an outcome, my partner and I integrated his experience in offering to the Hispanic market with my client service expertise to create SUNTEX where “the consumer is the factor we exist as a business”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic neighborhood and our consumers with outstanding customer care.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a top priority for SUNTEX?
Primary: it is in our blood. My service partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can recognize well with our people and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and interaction from those that can not recognize with our culture. We knew that solar advantages everybody, regardless of race or background, and that our people would need a lot of support to understand how to obtain this advantage for their homes.
What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our consumers comes with its own set of challenges. Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not commonly taught in school.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By merely measuring up to our sincere worths. I have actually learned throughout my life that in business, there is no other way to do it right however to be sincere. While others may take shortcuts, the fact constantly dominates.
Please show us a current company success story.
During our preliminary appointment, I noted that they might only accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a few extra energy performance upgrades to the home to minimize energy consumption, which could offer a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially cringed at the idea of investing more money into the house, however eventually she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades.
Throughout the installation, we wound up spending for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel till their upgrades and inspections were total to ensure they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical power used in her house. Thanks to the air conditioner upgrade, they have decreased their energy usage greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment every month that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we mean by “client service.”
From a national point of view, how can we improve access to eco-friendly enery?
Many of the homeowners that we check out are lucky to own a home, yet numerous of them have actually not certified for solar due to several combined or isolated factors such as subprime credit rating, lower annual household earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of available loan programs. We require to provide more people with opportunities to embrace renewable energy with fewer troubles.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your business?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our growth in this market, and providing us the opportunity to fulfill others in the exact same boat. Now I know that there is expect minority small companies in the renewable energy market.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is very important that we share the very same values and mission to help others, even if it indicates getting out of our convenience zones. It may cost a little bit more for us to do service, however its worth it in the end for our clients. We d like to fulfill to discuss possible cooperation chances if youre ready to start there.
Is there anything else you would like to show ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have supplied. I understand this is only the beginning, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I look forward to ending up being a sponsor to assist pave the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my clients and collaborators at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To learn more about SUNTEX, visit 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 extensively taught in school. Throughout our initial visit, I noted that they could just attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the home. We went over a couple of additional energy performance upgrades to the home to lower energy usage, which might offer a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the thought 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 performance upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioning upgrade, they have actually lowered their energy intake considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.