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 installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation includes industry leaders and topics related to speeding up a fair and simply shift to a renewable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are flourishing in the eco-friendly energy sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and constantly search for opportunities to serve others– be it by providing exceptional client service, language translations, or just sharing knowledge with others. My individual objectives and desire to help 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 businesss objective is basic: we want to make solar simple and inexpensive every step of the way. We mainly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers comprehend and adopt renewable resource as a way of living, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the chance to sign up with a really promising small solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community. As an outcome, my partner and I combined his experience in offering to the Hispanic market with my client service competence to produce SUNTEX where “the customer is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic community and our clients with outstanding customer service.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced an absence of care and communication from those that can not identify with our culture. We understood that solar advantages everybody, regardless of race or background, and that our individuals would need a lot of support to understand how to acquire this benefit for their homes.
What difficulties do you deal with? Why?
Being a little business with a high level of service expectations for our clients includes its own set of challenges. Nevertheless, the best obstacle we face is shared by a variety of small companies: turnover. Furthermore, although solar power has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. So, we need to spend a lot amount of time training sales staff to make certain they have the ability to supply a high level of consumer service.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By just living up to our truthful values. I have actually learned throughout my life that in company, there is no other method to do it best but to be honest. While others may take shortcuts, the fact always prevails.
Please share with us a recent company success story.
Recently, after helping a client “go solar” in 2 of her houses, she referred a brand-new customer called Angela to us. During our initial visit, I noted that they might just 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 went over a few additional energy efficiency upgrades to your house to reduce energy intake, which could provide a greater energy offset. Angela at first cringed at the idea of investing more money into the home, but eventually she called me back and said she desired to move on with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her usage was so high and found that her home required a larger air conditioning unit, plus additional ducts to distribute the AC equally throughout your home. We also informed her that the financing partner might include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she could qualify for a lower rates of interest than any other home enhancement loan for that a/c upgrade. She took my suggestions and decided to progress and was, in reality, able to lower her loan rates of interest.
During the setup, we wound up paying for Angela and her elderly mother to remain in a hotel until their evaluations and upgrades were total to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the procedure.
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 monthly that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar. This is what we mean by “customer support.”
From a national point of view, how can we enhance access to eco-friendly enery?
Many of the homeowners that we visit are fortunate to own a home, yet many of them have actually not qualified for solar due to a number of combined or separated aspects such as subprime credit score, lower annual family earnings, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of available loan programs. We require to provide more individuals with opportunities to adopt sustainable energy with fewer troubles.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your organization?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our development in this market, and offering us the opportunity to fulfill others in the same boat. Now I understand that there is wish for minority little organizations in the renewable resource market.
How can prospective partners work with you?
It is essential that we share the same worths and objective to assist others, even if it suggests getting out of our convenience zones. It may cost a bit more for us to do business, but its worth it in the end for our clients. If youre willing to begin there, we d enjoy to meet to go over possible cooperation opportunities.
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 opportunities you have offered. I know this is only the beginning, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; nevertheless, I anticipate ending up being a sponsor to assist pave the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my clients and collaborators at SUNTEX, since they are the fuel that drives the objective!
For more information about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
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In addition, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I noted that they could just achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses consumption rates and shading from trees on the property. We went over a few extra energy performance upgrades to the home to lower energy intake, which might offer a higher energy offset. Angela initially flinched at the thought of investing more money into the home, however ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioner upgrade, they have lowered their energy consumption considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.