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 installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features market leaders and topics related to accelerating a fair and simply shift 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 renewable energy sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and always look for chances to serve others– be it by supplying extraordinary customer support, language translations, or just sharing knowledge with others. My personal objectives and desire to assist others led me to operate in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our companys mission is basic: we desire to make solar easy and inexpensive every action of the method. We mainly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers understand and adopt renewable resource as a lifestyle, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha minute” when you chose to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the opportunity to join a very promising little solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity readily available 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 care knowledge to develop SUNTEX where “the consumer is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic community and our customers with outstanding customer care.
Why is concentrating 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 identify well with our people and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced an absence of care and communication from those that can not identify with our culture. We knew that solar advantages everyone, despite race or background, and that our people would require a lot of support to comprehend how to obtain this benefit for their houses.
What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
Being a little business with a high level of service expectations for our customers includes its own set of difficulties. The biggest obstacle we deal with is shared by a number of small companies: turnover. Additionally, although solar power has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. We have to invest a lot quantity of time training sales personnel to make sure they are able to supply a high level of consumer service.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By merely living up to our sincere worths. I have learned throughout my life that in company, there is no other method to do it right but to be truthful. While others may take faster ways, the reality always dominates.
Please share with us a current company success story.
Throughout our initial visit, I noted that they might only 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 went over a couple of extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to lower energy consumption, which might supply a greater energy offset. Angela initially flinched at the thought of investing more money into the home, but eventually she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades.
During the installation, we wound up paying for Angela and her elderly mom to remain in a hotel until their examinations and upgrades were complete to guarantee they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electricity used in her house. Thanks to the air conditioning upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy consumption significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar. This is what we mean by “customer care.”
From a nationwide perspective, how can we enhance access to renewable enery?
Most of the property owners that we check out are fortunate to own a home, yet many of them have not certified for solar due to several combined or isolated elements such as subprime credit score, lower annual family income, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of available loan programs. We need to provide more individuals 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 someone there to support our development in this market, and offering us the chance to fulfill others in the exact same boat. Now I know that there is wish for minority small companies in the eco-friendly energy industry.
How can potential partners work with you?
It is essential that we share the same values and mission to help others, even if it means leaving our convenience zones. It might cost a little more for us to do business, however its worth it in the end for our customers. If youre willing to start there, we d love to satisfy to talk about possible cooperation chances.
Is there anything else you would like to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have actually supplied. I understand this is only the start, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I eagerly anticipate becoming a sponsor to help lead 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 mission!
To discover more about SUNTEX, see https://suntexllc.com/.
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Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not widely taught in school. During our preliminary appointment, I kept in mind that they might only achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a few additional energy performance upgrades to the home to lower energy intake, which might provide a greater energy offset. Angela initially cringed at the thought of investing more money into the home, but ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioning upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy consumption considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar.