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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our preliminary visit, I kept in mind that they might just achieve about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We went over a couple of extra energy efficiency upgrades to the house to reduce energy intake, which might offer a greater energy offset. Angela initially flinched at the idea of investing more money into the house, but ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioner upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy consumption 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 happy to share the fourth installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment includes market leaders and subjects associated with speeding up a fair and simply shift to a renewable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are flourishing in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to begin 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 extraordinary customer service, language translations, or merely sharing understanding with others. My personal objectives and desire to help others led me to operate in the sustainable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our companys objective is basic: we desire to make solar simple and affordable every step of the method. We mostly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace sustainable energy as a method of life, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha minute” when you chose to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the chance to sign up with a very appealing small solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As an outcome, my partner and I combined his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my customer care expertise to produce SUNTEX where “the client is the factor we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic neighborhood and our clients with outstanding customer care.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a priority for SUNTEX?
Number One: it remains in our blood. My company partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can identify well with our individuals and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced an absence of care and interaction from those that can not identify with our culture. We understood that solar advantages everybody, regardless of race or background, which our individuals would require a great deal of assistance to understand how to obtain this advantage for their homes.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our clients includes its own set of challenges. The greatest obstacle we deal with is shared by a number of small businesses: turnover. Additionally, despite the fact that solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not widely taught in school. So, we need to invest a lot amount of time training sales personnel to make certain they are able to offer a high level of customer support.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By merely living up to our honest values. I have actually discovered throughout my life that in organization, there is no other method to do it ideal but to be sincere. While others may take faster ways, the fact constantly prevails.
Please show us a recent company success story.
Just recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in two of her houses, she referred a brand-new client named Angela to us. During our initial appointment, I kept in mind that they might only accomplish about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a few additional energy effectiveness upgrades to your house to minimize energy consumption, which could offer a greater energy offset. Angela at first flinched at the thought of investing more cash into the house, but ultimately she called me back and said she desired to progress with the solar and energy performance upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and discovered that her house needed a larger a/c system, plus extra ducts to distribute the AC equally throughout your house. We also informed her that the finance partner might add the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she might get approved for a lower rate of interest than any other home improvement loan for that AC upgrade. She took my guidance and decided to move on and was, in fact, able to lower her loan interest rate.
Throughout the setup, we wound up paying for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel until their upgrades and evaluations were complete 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 reduced their energy intake significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar. This is what we indicate by “customer care.”
From a national perspective, how can we improve access to eco-friendly enery?
From my experience, there is a huge gap in gain access to. Many of the homeowners that we check out are lucky to own a home, yet many of them have not gotten approved for solar due to a number of combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit history, lower annual household earnings, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of available loan programs. These neighborhoods require more assistance and education on the significance of setting up a solar system that can save them money. We need to offer more individuals with chances to embrace renewable resource with less inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your organization?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our development in this industry, and offering us the opportunity to fulfill others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is hope for minority small companies in the renewable resource market.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is necessary that we share the very same values and mission to help others, even if it implies getting out of our convenience zones. It might cost a little bit more for us to do company, however its worth it in the end for our clients. We d like to satisfy to go over possible cooperation opportunities if youre willing to begin there.
Exists 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 provided. I know this is just the start, and we have a long road ahead of us; however, I eagerly 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 customers and collaborators at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To discover more about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
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