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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

In addition, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our initial visit, I noted that they could just attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a couple of additional energy efficiency upgrades to the home to decrease energy consumption, which might offer a greater energy offset. Angela at first winced at the thought of investing more cash into the home, but ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioner upgrade, they have actually lowered their energy intake considerably, 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 happy to share the 4th installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features industry leaders and subjects related to speeding up an equitable and just shift to a renewable energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the eco-friendly energy sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and constantly try to find chances to serve others– be it by offering exceptional customer service, language translations, or simply sharing knowledge with others. My personal objectives 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 businesss objective is easy: we wish to make solar simple and economical every action of the way. We largely serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and adopt renewable resource as a way of living, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha minute” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my company partner and I had the chance to join a really promising little solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic neighborhood a top priority for SUNTEX?
Number One: it remains 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 determine with our culture. We understood that solar advantages everybody, no matter race or background, which our people would need a great deal of assistance to understand how to get this benefit for their homes.
What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our consumers comes with its own set of challenges. However, the best difficulty we deal with is shared by a number of small companies: turnover. In addition, despite the fact that solar power has actually been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not extensively taught in school. So, we have to invest a lot amount of time training sales personnel to make certain they are able to supply a high level of customer support.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our honest values. I have actually learned throughout my life that in business, there is no other method to do it right however to be truthful. While others might take shortcuts, the fact always prevails.
Please show us a recent company success story.
Recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in 2 of her houses, she referred a brand-new client named Angela to us. During our initial appointment, I kept in mind that they might just attain about 56% of solar power offset due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We talked about a few additional energy effectiveness upgrades to your house to lower energy intake, which could offer a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially flinched at the thought of investing more cash into the house, however ultimately she called me back and stated she wished to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and discovered that her house required a bigger air conditioner unit, plus additional ducts to distribute the air conditioning uniformly throughout the home. We also informed her that the finance partner could include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she could receive a lower interest rate than any other house enhancement loan for that air conditioner upgrade. She took my guidance and decided to move forward and was, in fact, able to reduce her loan rates of interest.
During the installation, we wound up paying for Angela and her elderly mother to stay in a hotel until their upgrades and assessments were total to ensure they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical energy utilized in her house. Thanks to the air conditioner upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy usage greatly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment every month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar. This is what we mean by “client service.”
From a nationwide point of view, how can we enhance access to renewable enery?
Many of the house owners that we visit are fortunate to own a house, yet numerous of them have not certified for solar due to numerous combined or separated factors such as subprime credit score, lower yearly home earnings, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of available loan programs. We require to supply more people with chances to adopt sustainable energy with fewer troubles.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your business?
By empowering us to believe that there is someone there to support our development in this market, and providing us the opportunity to meet others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is hope for minority little businesses in the sustainable energy market.
How can potential partners do business with you?
It is essential that we share the very same worths and mission to help others, even if it means leaving our convenience zones. It may cost a little bit more for us to do organization, but its worth it in the end for our clients. We d love to meet to talk about possible collaboration chances if youre prepared to start there.
Is there anything else you would like to show ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the opportunities you have actually provided. 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 help lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my consumers and collaborators 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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