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 installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features industry leaders and topics related to speeding up a fair and just transition to a sustainable energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are growing in the renewable energy sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and always try to find opportunities to serve others– be it by offering remarkable consumer service, language translations, or merely sharing understanding with others. My individual goals and desire to assist others led me to operate in the eco-friendly energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our companys objective is simple: we want to make solar easy and budget-friendly every step of the way. We largely serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers understand and embrace renewable energy as a way of life, helping 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 company partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with a very appealing small solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a concern for SUNTEX?
Number One: it is in our blood. My business 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 communication from those that can not determine with our culture. We understood that solar benefits everybody, no matter race or background, which our individuals would require a great deal of support to understand how to get this benefit for their homes.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a little company with a high level of service expectations for our customers comes with its own set of difficulties. However, the biggest obstacle we face is shared by a number of little companies: turnover. In addition, although solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not widely taught in school. So, we need to invest a lot quantity of time training sales staff to make certain they have the ability to provide a high level of customer support.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our sincere worths. I have actually learned throughout my life that in business, there is no other way to do it best but to be sincere. While others may take shortcuts, the truth always prevails.
Please show us a recent company success story.
Recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in two of her homes, she referred a new customer called Angela to us. Throughout our preliminary consultation, I noted that they could only attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a few extra energy effectiveness upgrades to your home to lower energy intake, which could provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first flinched at the thought of investing more cash into the house, however eventually she called me back and stated she desired to move on with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her usage was so high and found that her house required a bigger AC system, plus additional ducts to disperse the AC uniformly throughout your house. We likewise informed her that the finance partner could add the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she might get approved for a lower rate of interest than any other house enhancement loan for that air conditioner upgrade. She took my suggestions and chose to move on and was, in truth, able to reduce her loan rate of interest.
Throughout the setup, we ended up spending for Angela and her elderly mom to remain in a hotel until their upgrades and assessments were total to ensure they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical energy used in her house. Thanks to the a/c upgrade, they have reduced their energy intake greatly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment every month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar. This is what we suggest by “customer care.”
From a national viewpoint, how can we enhance access to sustainable enery?
Most of the property owners that we visit are lucky to own a house, yet many of them have actually not qualified for solar due to numerous combined or separated factors such as subprime credit score, lower annual family earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of offered loan programs. We require to provide more people with chances to adopt renewable energy with fewer hassles.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your organization?
By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our growth in this market, and offering us the opportunity to fulfill others in the very same boat. Now I understand that there is hope for minority small services in the renewable resource industry.
How can prospective partners work with you?
It is necessary that we share the exact same values and objective to assist others, even if it means getting out of our convenience zones. It might cost a little more for us to do organization, however its worth it in the end for our clients. If youre prepared to start there, we d enjoy to meet to go over possible collaboration opportunities.
Exists anything else you want to show ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have actually offered. I understand this is just the beginning, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I look forward to becoming a sponsor to assist lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my clients and partners at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To get more information about SUNTEX, see https://suntexllc.com/.
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Furthermore, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not widely taught in school. During our preliminary appointment, I kept in mind that they might just attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We went over a few extra energy efficiency upgrades to the home to decrease energy usage, which could supply a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially flinched at the idea of investing more money into the house, however eventually she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioning upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy usage significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.