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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

In addition, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. During our initial visit, I kept in mind that they could just achieve about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the home. We discussed a few extra energy efficiency upgrades to the house to lower energy intake, which might provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially cringed at the thought of investing more money into the house, however ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy intake considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the fourth installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation includes industry leaders and subjects connected to accelerating a fair and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are growing 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 search for opportunities to serve others– be it by providing extraordinary client service, language translations, or merely sharing knowledge with others. My personal goals and desire to help others led me to work in the eco-friendly energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our companys mission is basic: we wish to make solar easy and economical every step of the method. We mainly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers understand and embrace renewable resource as a lifestyle, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha moment” when you chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the opportunity to join a really promising small solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a priority for SUNTEX?
Primary: it remains in our blood. My business partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can identify well with our people and their worldview. Second: in the past, we have personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not relate to our culture. We understood that solar advantages everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our individuals would require a great deal of support to comprehend how to get this advantage for their homes.
What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our clients includes its own set of difficulties. The biggest obstacle we deal with is shared by a number of little services: turnover. In addition, despite the fact that solar power has been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. We have to invest a lot quantity of time training sales staff to make sure they are able to supply a high level of client service.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By just measuring up to our honest values. I have found out throughout my life that in business, there is no other way to do it ideal but to be truthful. While others may take shortcuts, the fact constantly prevails.
Please show us a current business success story.
Just recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in 2 of her houses, she referred a brand-new customer named Angela to us. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I noted that they could just achieve about 56% of solar power balanced out due to their houses consumption rates and shading from trees on the property. We discussed a couple of additional energy efficiency upgrades to the home to minimize energy consumption, which could provide a greater energy balanced out. Angela at first cringed at the thought of investing more money into the home, but ultimately she called me back and stated she wished to progress with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and discovered that her home needed a larger a/c unit, plus extra ducts to disperse the AC uniformly throughout your home. We likewise informed her that the finance partner could include the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she could certify for a lower interest rate than any other home enhancement loan for that a/c upgrade. She took my advice and decided to move on and was, in reality, able to reduce her loan interest rate.
Throughout the installation, we ended up spending for Angela and her senior mom to stay in a hotel up until their upgrades and examinations were total to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical power used in her house. Thanks to the air conditioning upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy consumption greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment every month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar. This is what we imply by “customer support.”
From a national point of view, how can we improve access to sustainable enery?
Many of the house 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 household earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of offered loan programs. We need to supply more people with opportunities to adopt sustainable energy with less inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your service?
By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our development in this industry, and giving us the chance to meet others in the exact same boat. Now I know that there is hope for minority little organizations in the eco-friendly energy industry.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is essential that we share the exact same values and mission to help others, even if it means getting out of our comfort zones. It may cost a little more for us to do business, however its worth it in the end for our consumers. If youre prepared to start there, we d enjoy to fulfill to go over possible cooperation chances.
Is there anything else you would like to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the chances you have actually offered. I know this is just the start, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I anticipate ending up being a sponsor to assist pave the method for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my customers and collaborators at SUNTEX, because they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To get more information about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
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