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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the fourth installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment includes industry leaders and subjects related to accelerating a fair and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the sustainable 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 opportunities to serve others– be it by providing extraordinary customer support, language translations, or just 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 bigger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our companys objective is basic: we want to make solar simple and economical every step of the way. We mostly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace renewable resource as a method of life, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with a really appealing small solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community. As a result, my partner and I combined his experience in offering to the Hispanic market with my client service competence to develop SUNTEX where “the customer is the factor we exist as a business”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic neighborhood and our consumers with outstanding client service.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic community a concern for SUNTEX?
Top: it is in our blood. My organization 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 personally experienced an absence of care and communication from those that can not relate to our culture. We understood that solar benefits everyone, despite race or background, and that our individuals would require a lot of support to comprehend how to acquire this advantage for their houses.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our customers features its own set of difficulties. However, the greatest difficulty we face is shared by a number of little businesses: turnover. In addition, although solar power has actually been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not extensively taught in school. So, we have to spend a lot quantity of time training sales staff to ensure they have the ability to offer a high level of customer care.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By just living up to our sincere values. I have actually discovered throughout my life that in service, there is no other method to do it right but to be honest. While others might take faster ways, the truth constantly dominates.
Please show us a current company success story.
Recently, after helping a client “go solar” in 2 of her houses, she referred a brand-new client named Angela to us. During our preliminary appointment, I kept in mind that they could just attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a couple of additional energy efficiency upgrades to the home to minimize energy intake, which could supply a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially cringed at the idea of investing more cash into the house, but ultimately she called me back and said she desired to progress with the solar and energy performance upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her usage was so high and found that her house needed a larger AC unit, plus additional ducts to disperse the AC equally throughout the home. We likewise told her that the finance partner might add the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she could get approved for a lower rate of interest than any other home improvement loan for that a/c upgrade. She took my recommendations and decided to progress and was, in reality, able to reduce her loan interest rate.
Throughout the installation, we wound up spending for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel until their upgrades and examinations were complete to ensure they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electricity utilized in her house. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy usage considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying before setting up solar. This is what we suggest by “customer support.”
From a nationwide viewpoint, how can we improve access to eco-friendly enery?
From my experience, there is a huge space in gain access to. The majority of the house owners that we go to are fortunate to own a home, yet numerous of them have actually not received solar due to several combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit report, lower yearly household earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of offered loan programs. These communities need more assistance and education on the importance of installing a planetary system that can save them money. We need to supply more individuals with chances to adopt renewable resource with less hassles.
How has your Accelerate subscription helped your company?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our development in this market, and offering us the chance to meet others in the very same boat. Now I understand that there is hope for minority little companies in the renewable resource market.
How can potential partners do organization with you?
It is essential that we share the exact same values and mission to help others, even if it implies leaving our comfort zones. It may cost a bit more for us to do business, however its worth it in the end for our customers. If youre prepared to begin there, we d enjoy to meet to go over possible partnership opportunities.
Exists anything else you wish to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have provided. I understand this is only the beginning, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I eagerly anticipate ending up being a sponsor to assist pave the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my customers and collaborators at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To find out 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 fundamentals of these jobs are not widely taught in school. During our initial appointment, I kept in mind that they could only accomplish about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a few additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to minimize energy usage, which could offer a higher energy offset. Angela initially winced at the idea of investing more money into the house, but ultimately she called me back and said she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have decreased their energy consumption considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar.