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 installation features industry leaders and topics related to accelerating an equitable and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment 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 look for opportunities to serve others– be it by supplying remarkable customer care, language translations, or simply sharing understanding with others. My individual objectives and desire to help others led me to operate in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our companys objective is simple: we want to make solar simple and cost effective every step of the method. We mostly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers understand and adopt renewable energy as a way of living, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards developing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha minute” when you chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the chance to join a very appealing small solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As a result, my partner and I integrated his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my client service expertise to produce SUNTEX where “the consumer is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic neighborhood and our customers with excellent customer service.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic community a concern for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not determine with our culture. We understood that solar benefits everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our individuals would need a lot of assistance to comprehend how to get this benefit for their homes.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our clients comes with its own set of difficulties. In addition, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not widely taught in school.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By merely living up to our truthful worths. I have actually discovered throughout my life that in organization, there is no other way to do it ideal but to be sincere. While others may take shortcuts, the fact always dominates.
Please share with us a current business success story.
Recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in 2 of her homes, she referred a brand-new customer named Angela to us. Throughout our initial consultation, I noted that they could just accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We went over a couple of additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to decrease energy consumption, which might provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first flinched at the idea of investing more cash into the home, however eventually she called me back and stated she wished to move on with the solar and energy performance upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and discovered that her home required a larger air conditioner system, plus additional ducts to disperse the a/c evenly throughout the home. We likewise informed her that the financing partner could add the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she could certify for a lower rate of interest than any other home improvement loan for that AC upgrade. She took my recommendations and chose to progress and was, in fact, able to lower her loan rate of interest.
Throughout the setup, we ended up paying for Angela and her elderly mother to remain in a hotel up until their upgrades and evaluations were total to ensure they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electricity used in her home. Thanks to the air conditioning upgrade, they have decreased their energy usage significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we imply by “client service.”
From a national perspective, how can we enhance access to sustainable enery?
Most of the house owners that we check out are lucky to own a house, yet many of them have not qualified for solar due to several combined or isolated factors such as subprime credit rating, lower yearly home earnings, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of readily available loan programs. We need to provide more people with chances to adopt sustainable energy with less hassles.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your company?
By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our development in this market, and providing us the chance to meet others in the very same boat. Now I understand that there is wish for minority small companies in the renewable resource market.
How can potential partners do service with you?
It is necessary that we share the very same worths and mission to help others, even if it implies getting out of our comfort zones. It might cost a bit more for us to do service, however its worth it in the end for our clients. If youre prepared to start there, we d love to satisfy to go over possible cooperation opportunities.
Is there anything else you want 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 offered. I know this is only the start, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I anticipate ending up being a sponsor to help pave the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my clients and partners at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To discover more about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
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In addition, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our initial consultation, I kept in mind that they could only achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the property. We went over a couple of additional energy efficiency upgrades to the house to reduce energy usage, which might supply a higher energy offset. Angela at first flinched at the idea of investing more cash into the house, however ultimately she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the A/c upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy consumption significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar.