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 installation includes market leaders and topics associated with speeding up a fair and simply transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are flourishing in the sustainable energy sector.
What inspired you to start 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 remarkable customer service, language translations, or simply sharing understanding with others. My individual goals and desire to assist others led me to operate in the renewable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss mission is simple: we desire to make solar simple and inexpensive every action of the way. We mostly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers comprehend and adopt renewable resource as a method of life, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha minute” when you chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with a really appealing little solar installation company 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 integrated his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my client service proficiency to produce SUNTEX where “the consumer is the factor we exist as a business”. Our focus is linking the Hispanic neighborhood and our customers with exceptional customer care.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a top priority for SUNTEX?
Primary: it remains in our blood. My organization partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can determine well with our individuals and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced an absence of care and interaction from those that can not relate to our culture. We knew that solar benefits everybody, no matter race or background, which our people would need a lot of assistance to understand how to obtain this benefit for their houses.
What obstacles do you face? Why?
Being a little 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 tasks are not commonly taught in school.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By simply measuring up to our honest worths. I have discovered throughout my life that in service, there is no other method to do it right however to be truthful. While others might take shortcuts, the reality always prevails.
Please share with us a current business success story.
Throughout our initial consultation, I kept in mind that they could only achieve about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a couple of extra energy performance upgrades to the home to minimize energy usage, which might provide a greater energy offset. Angela initially winced at the idea of investing more money into the house, however ultimately she called me back and said she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades.
Throughout the setup, we wound up spending for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel till their evaluations and upgrades were complete to ensure they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical power used in her house. Thanks to the a/c upgrade, they have reduced their energy intake considerably, 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 indicate by “customer care.”
From a nationwide point of view, how can we improve access to renewable enery?
From my experience, there is a vast space in gain access to. The majority of the house owners that we go to are fortunate to own a house, yet much of them have not certified for solar due to several combined or isolated elements such as subprime credit report, lower yearly home income, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of offered loan programs. These communities require more assistance and education on the significance of setting up a planetary system that can conserve them money. We require to supply more individuals with opportunities to embrace renewable resource with fewer troubles.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your service?
By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our growth in this market, and giving us the opportunity to meet others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is expect minority small companies in the renewable energy industry.
How can prospective partners work with you?
It is very important that we share the exact same values and objective to help others, even if it suggests leaving our convenience zones. It might cost a little more for us to do business, but its worth it in the end for our customers. We d love to fulfill to discuss possible cooperation chances if youre prepared to start there.
Exists anything else you wish to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are truly grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the chances you have actually offered. I know this is just the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I look forward to ending up being a sponsor to help pave the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my consumers and collaborators at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
For more information about SUNTEX, go to https://suntexllc.com/.
###

In addition, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. Throughout our initial appointment, I kept in mind that they could only attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a couple of extra energy efficiency upgrades to the house to reduce energy consumption, which might offer a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially cringed at the idea of investing more cash into the home, however ultimately she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the AC 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 setting up solar.