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 basics of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. During our preliminary visit, I kept in mind that they could just achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a couple of extra energy performance upgrades to the house to decrease energy intake, which might provide a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially flinched at the thought of investing more money into the home, but 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 lowered their energy usage considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the 4th installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation includes industry leaders and topics connected to accelerating an equitable 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 flourishing in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and constantly search for opportunities to serve others– be it by offering extraordinary customer care, language translations, or simply sharing knowledge with others. My individual goals and desire to assist others led me to operate in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our companys mission is simple: we wish to make solar easy and budget friendly every step of the method. We mostly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace sustainable energy as a lifestyle, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you decided to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the opportunity to join a really appealing small 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 integrated his experience in offering to the Hispanic market with my customer support knowledge to produce SUNTEX where “the consumer is the factor we exist as a business”. Our focus is linking the Hispanic community and our clients with exceptional consumer service.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a priority for SUNTEX?
Number One: it is in our blood. My service partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can recognize well with our individuals and their worldview. 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 understood that solar benefits everyone, despite race or background, which our individuals would require a great deal of assistance to understand how to get this benefit for their houses.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our clients comes with its own set of challenges. Furthermore, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not extensively taught in school.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By just measuring up to our honest values. I have discovered throughout my life that in organization, there is no other method to do it best however to be sincere. While others may take faster ways, the truth constantly dominates.
Please share with us a current business success story.
Recently, after helping a customer “go solar” in two of her houses, she referred a brand-new customer called Angela to us. Throughout our initial visit, I kept in mind that they might only accomplish about 56% of solar power offset due to their houses consumption rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a couple of additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to decrease energy consumption, which might offer a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first cringed at the idea of investing more cash into the house, however eventually she called me back and stated she wished to progress with the solar and energy performance upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and found that her home needed a larger AC unit, plus extra ducts to disperse the air conditioning uniformly throughout your house. We likewise informed her that the financing partner could include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she could get approved for a lower rates of interest than any other house enhancement loan for that a/c upgrade. She took my suggestions and decided to move forward and was, in fact, able to reduce her loan rates of interest.
Throughout the installation, we ended up paying for Angela and her senior mother to remain in a hotel until their upgrades and examinations were total to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical power utilized in her house. Thanks to the a/c upgrade, they have lowered their energy consumption 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 mean by “customer support.”
From a national viewpoint, how can we improve access to sustainable enery?
Many of the homeowners that we check out are fortunate to own a house, yet numerous of them have not qualified for solar due to numerous combined or isolated elements such as subprime credit score, lower yearly household earnings, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of offered loan programs. We need to supply more individuals with opportunities to adopt renewable energy with fewer troubles.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your organization?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our growth in this market, and giving us the opportunity to meet others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is hope for minority small companies in the eco-friendly energy industry.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is essential that we share the very same values and objective to help others, even if it implies getting out of our convenience zones. It might cost a little more for us to do service, however its worth it in the end for our clients. We d love to fulfill to discuss possible cooperation chances if youre willing to begin there.
Exists anything else you wish to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are truly grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the opportunities you have actually provided. I understand this is only the start, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I eagerly anticipate ending up being a sponsor to help pave the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my clients and partners at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To read more about SUNTEX, go to https://suntexllc.com/.
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