Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Ally Mendoza, CEO of SUNTEX

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

Furthermore, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not commonly taught in school. During our preliminary visit, I kept in mind that they could just attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a couple of extra energy efficiency upgrades to the house to minimize energy consumption, which could offer a greater energy offset. Angela initially flinched at the idea of investing more cash into the home, but ultimately she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioner upgrade, they have lowered their energy usage significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the 4th installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation features market leaders and topics associated with speeding up a fair and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and constantly look for opportunities to serve others– be it by offering exceptional client service, language translations, or simply sharing understanding with others. My personal objectives and desire to help others led me to operate in the eco-friendly energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss objective is basic: we want to make solar simple and inexpensive every step of the method. We mainly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace eco-friendly energy as a lifestyle, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha minute” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my company partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with an extremely appealing small solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic neighborhood a priority for SUNTEX?
Primary: it remains in our blood. My service partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can recognize well with our individuals and their worldview. Second: 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, despite race or background, and that our individuals would require a lot of support to understand how to get this benefit for their houses.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
Being a little company with a high level of service expectations for our consumers includes its own set of challenges. The greatest difficulty we face is shared by a number of small services: turnover. Furthermore, despite the fact that solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. We have to spend a lot amount of time training sales personnel to make sure they are able to offer a high level of client service.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By just living up to our honest worths. I have discovered throughout my life that in organization, there is no other way to do it best but to be honest. While others might take shortcuts, the fact constantly dominates.
Please share with us a recent business success story.
Just recently, after assisting a customer “go solar” in 2 of her houses, she referred a new customer called Angela to us. During our initial consultation, I kept in mind that they could only attain about 56% of solar power offset due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the home. We talked about a few extra energy performance upgrades to your home to reduce energy consumption, which could provide a higher energy offset. Angela initially flinched at the thought of investing more cash into the house, however eventually she called me back and stated she wished to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and discovered that her house required a larger AC unit, plus extra ducts to distribute the a/c evenly throughout the house. We likewise told her that the finance partner might include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she could get approved for a lower rates of interest than any other home enhancement loan for that air conditioning upgrade. She took my recommendations and chose to move forward and was, in truth, able to minimize her loan rates of interest.
Throughout the setup, we ended up paying for Angela and her senior mother to remain in a hotel up until their upgrades and examinations were total to guarantee they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electricity utilized in her home. Thanks to the air conditioner upgrade, they have actually lowered their energy usage considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar. This is what we imply by “customer support.”
From a national point of view, how can we enhance access to sustainable enery?
From my experience, there is a vast gap in access. Many of the property owners that we go to are fortunate to own a home, yet numerous of them have not certified for solar due to a number of combined or separated aspects such as subprime credit score, lower yearly home earnings, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of available loan programs. These neighborhoods require more assistance and education on the importance of setting up a solar system that can save them cash. We require to supply more people with chances to adopt renewable energy with fewer inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your service?
By empowering us to think that there is someone there to support our growth in this market, and offering us the chance to fulfill others in the same boat. Now I understand that there is expect minority small companies in the renewable energy industry.
How can prospective partners do company with you?
It is essential that we share the exact same values and mission to assist others, even if it indicates getting out of our convenience zones. It may cost a little more for us to do company, however its worth it in the end for our consumers. We d like to satisfy to discuss possible cooperation chances if youre prepared to begin there.
Exists anything else you wish to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have offered. I know this is only 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 a special thanks to all of my customers and partners at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To find out more about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
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