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 installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment includes industry leaders and topics associated with speeding up a fair and just shift to an eco-friendly energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and always look for chances to serve others– be it by providing exceptional client service, language translations, or merely sharing understanding with others. My personal objectives and desire to assist others led me to work in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our companys objective is basic: we desire to make solar simple and economical every step of the way. We mostly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers understand and embrace sustainable energy as a lifestyle, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards developing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha moment” when you decided to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my business partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with a very appealing little solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic community a top priority for SUNTEX?
Number One: 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 personally experienced a lack of care and interaction from those that can not relate to our culture. We understood that solar advantages everybody, despite race or background, which our people would require a lot of support to comprehend how to obtain this advantage for their houses.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our customers includes its own set of obstacles. However, the best challenge we face is shared by a variety of small businesses: turnover. Additionally, although solar power has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. So, we have to invest a lot amount of time training sales staff to make certain they have the ability to supply a high level of customer care.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our sincere values. I have learned throughout my life that in company, there is no other way to do it right however to be sincere. While others may take shortcuts, the reality constantly dominates.
Please show us a current business success story.
During our preliminary consultation, I kept in mind that they could only achieve about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We talked about a few additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to minimize energy intake, which might provide a greater energy balanced out. Angela at first flinched at the idea of investing more cash into the house, but eventually she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades.
During the setup, we ended up spending for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel up until their upgrades and inspections were complete to ensure they were comfortable throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical energy utilized in her home. Thanks to the Air Conditioner upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy consumption 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 imply 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 homeowners that we go to are fortunate to own a home, yet much of them have actually not received solar due to a number of combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit report, lower yearly household income, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of available loan programs. These neighborhoods require more assistance and education on the importance of installing a planetary system that can save them cash. We require to provide more individuals with chances to adopt renewable energy with fewer hassles.
How has your Accelerate subscription helped your organization?
By empowering us to think that there is someone there to support our development in this industry, and providing us the chance to satisfy others in the exact same boat. Now I know that there is wish for minority small companies in the renewable resource industry.
How can potential partners do company with you?
It is very important that we share the same values and mission to assist others, even if it means getting out of our convenience zones. It may cost a bit more for us to do service, but its worth it in the end for our consumers. If youre prepared to start there, we d like to meet to talk about possible collaboration opportunities.
Exists anything else you want to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are truly grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the opportunities you have supplied. I understand this is just the beginning, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I look forward to ending up being a sponsor to assist lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my consumers and collaborators at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the mission!
For more information about SUNTEX, visit 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. During our preliminary consultation, I noted 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 went over a couple of additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to lower energy intake, which could supply a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first cringed at the idea of investing more money into the house, however ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the Air Conditioning upgrade, they have reduced their energy usage greatly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.