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 installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features industry leaders and topics related to speeding up a fair and just shift to a sustainable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are growing in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and always try to find chances to serve others– be it by providing remarkable customer care, language translations, or just sharing understanding with others. My personal goals 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 businesss mission is easy: we want to make solar simple and budget friendly every step of the way. We largely serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers comprehend and adopt renewable resource as a way of living, assisting generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha minute” when you decided to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my business partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with an extremely promising small solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic community a priority for SUNTEX?
Primary: it is in our blood. My service partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can identify well with our people and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not relate to our culture. We understood that solar advantages everyone, no matter race or background, and that our people would need a lot of support to comprehend how to get this benefit for their homes.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
Being a small business with a high level of service expectations for our consumers includes its own set of challenges. However, the best challenge we face is shared by a number of little organizations: turnover. Additionally, although solar power has been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. We have to spend a lot quantity of time training sales staff to make sure they are able to supply a high level of customer service.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By merely living up to our sincere values. I have actually found out throughout my life that in service, there is no other way to do it ideal however to be truthful. While others may take faster ways, the truth constantly prevails.
Please show us a current business success story.
Throughout our preliminary visit, I noted that they could just attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses consumption rates and shading from trees on the property. We went over a couple of additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to lower energy intake, which could offer a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially flinched at the thought of investing more cash into the house, however eventually she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades.
During the installation, we wound up spending for Angela and her elderly mother to stay in a hotel until their examinations and upgrades were total to guarantee they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary 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, foreseeable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar. This is what we indicate by “customer care.”
From a nationwide point of view, how can we enhance access to renewable enery?
From my experience, there is a vast space in gain access to. The majority of the homeowners that we check out are fortunate to own a house, yet a lot of them have not certified for solar due to numerous combined or separated factors such as subprime credit history, lower annual family income, self-employment, or a lack of understanding of readily available loan programs. These communities need more support and education on the significance of setting up a planetary system that can conserve them money. We need to provide more individuals with opportunities to embrace renewable resource with fewer troubles.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your service?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our development in this industry, and giving us the opportunity to fulfill others in the same boat. Now I know that there is hope for minority little businesses in the sustainable energy industry.
How can possible partners do service with you?
It is very important that we share the exact same worths and objective to help others, even if it implies leaving our convenience zones. It may cost a little more for us to do company, but its worth it in the end for our consumers. If youre prepared to start there, we d enjoy to fulfill to discuss possible partnership chances.
Is there anything else you want to show ACORE members and partners?
We are truly grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the opportunities you have actually provided. I know this is just the beginning, and we have a long road ahead of us; however, I look forward to becoming a sponsor to assist lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my clients and collaborators at SUNTEX, since they are the fuel that drives the objective!
For more information about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
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Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not widely taught in school. Throughout our preliminary visit, I noted that they could only accomplish about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the property. We discussed a couple of extra energy efficiency upgrades to the home to minimize energy usage, which could provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first winced at the thought of investing more cash into the house, but ultimately she called me back and said she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioning upgrade, they have lowered their energy usage greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar.