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 fourth installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation features market leaders and topics associated with speeding up an equitable and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and constantly try to find chances to serve others– be it by supplying exceptional customer support, language translations, or merely sharing understanding 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 larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our companys mission is basic: we desire to make solar simple and economical every step of the method. We mainly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace renewable resource as a lifestyle, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey toward developing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha moment” when you chose to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the opportunity to join an extremely promising little solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a priority for SUNTEX?
Top: it is in our blood. My organization partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can determine well with our people and their worldview. Second: in the past, we have personally experienced an absence of care and communication from those that can not recognize with our culture. We knew that solar advantages everyone, no matter race or background, and that our individuals would need a great deal of assistance to understand how to acquire this benefit for their houses.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
Being a little business with a high level of service expectations for our consumers features its own set of difficulties. The biggest challenge we face is shared by a number of small services: turnover. In addition, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not widely taught in school. We have to spend a lot amount of time training sales staff to make sure they are able to supply a high level of client service.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our honest values. I have discovered throughout my life that in business, there is no other method to do it right but to be truthful. While others may take faster ways, the reality constantly dominates.
Please show us a current company success story.
Throughout our preliminary 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 couple of extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to minimize energy usage, which could offer a higher energy offset. Angela initially winced at the idea of investing more money into the home, but ultimately she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades.
Throughout the setup, we ended up paying for Angela and her senior mother to stay in a hotel up until their evaluations and upgrades were total to ensure they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical energy utilized in her home. Thanks to the air conditioning upgrade, they have actually lowered their energy intake significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment every month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar. This is what we mean by “customer service.”
From a national point of view, how can we improve access to renewable enery?
Many of the homeowners that we visit are lucky to own a home, yet numerous of them have actually not certified for solar due to numerous combined or separated aspects such as subprime credit score, lower yearly family income, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of readily available loan programs. We require to supply more people with chances to adopt sustainable energy with fewer inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your organization?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our growth in this industry, and providing us the chance to fulfill others in the very same boat. Now I know that there is hope for minority small companies in the eco-friendly energy market.
How can potential partners do business with you?
It is crucial that we share the very same worths and mission to help others, even if it implies leaving our convenience zones. It may cost a little bit more for us to do service, but its worth it in the end for our clients. If youre ready to start there, we d enjoy to fulfill to discuss possible collaboration chances.
Is there anything else you would like to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are truly grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the opportunities you have offered. I understand this is only the beginning, and we have a long road ahead of us; however, I anticipate ending up being a sponsor to help pave the method for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my clients and partners at SUNTEX, because they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To find out more about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
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Furthermore, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not widely taught in school. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I kept in mind that they might just attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a few extra energy efficiency upgrades to the home to decrease energy usage, which might supply a higher energy offset. Angela initially winced at the idea of investing more money into the house, but ultimately she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioning upgrade, they have reduced their energy usage considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar.