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 installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment includes industry leaders and subjects associated with speeding up a fair and just transition to an eco-friendly energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the eco-friendly energy sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and constantly look for chances to serve others– be it by providing extraordinary client service, language translations, or merely sharing knowledge with others. My individual objectives and desire to help others led me to work in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our companys objective is basic: we want to make solar simple and inexpensive every action of the method. We mainly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers understand and embrace renewable resource as a way of living, assisting generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards developing SUNTEX. Was there 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 really appealing little solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As an outcome, my partner and I combined his experience in offering to the Hispanic market with my customer care know-how to create SUNTEX where “the consumer is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic community and our consumers with excellent customer care.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not identify with our culture. We knew that solar benefits everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our individuals would require a lot of support to comprehend how to get this benefit for their houses.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our consumers features its own set of challenges. The greatest difficulty we face is shared by a number of small services: turnover. Additionally, although solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. We have to invest a lot amount of time training sales staff to make sure they are able to provide a high level of customer service.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By merely living up to our truthful worths. I have actually discovered throughout my life that in organization, there is no other method to do it ideal however to be truthful. While others might take shortcuts, the reality constantly dominates.
Please share with us a recent business success story.
During our preliminary visit, I kept in mind that they could only accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses consumption rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a couple of extra energy efficiency upgrades to the home to lower energy usage, which might provide a greater energy balanced out. Angela at first cringed at the thought of investing more money into the house, but eventually she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades.
During the installation, we ended up paying for Angela and her senior mother to stay in a hotel until their upgrades and inspections were total to ensure they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical energy utilized in her home. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy intake significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying before setting up solar. This is what we indicate by “customer support.”
From a nationwide point of view, how can we enhance access to sustainable enery?
Most of the homeowners that we check out are lucky to own a house, yet numerous of them have actually not qualified for solar due to numerous combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit score, lower yearly home earnings, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of readily available loan programs. We need to provide more people with opportunities to adopt renewable energy with less hassles.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your organization?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our development in this market, and offering us the chance to satisfy others in the very same boat. Now I know that there is expect minority small companies in the eco-friendly energy industry.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is very important that we share the very same values and mission to assist others, even if it implies getting out of our comfort zones. It may cost a bit more for us to do business, but its worth it in the end for our customers. If youre willing to start there, we d enjoy to satisfy to discuss possible collaboration opportunities.
Exists anything else you wish to show ACORE members and partners?
We are truly 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 help lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my consumers and collaborators at SUNTEX, because they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To get more information about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
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Furthermore, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. During our preliminary visit, I noted that they could just accomplish about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the home. We went over a few extra energy efficiency upgrades to the home to decrease energy usage, which might provide a higher energy offset. Angela at first flinched at the idea of investing more cash into the home, however ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioner upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy usage greatly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.