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 installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation features market leaders and topics related to accelerating an equitable and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 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 constantly look for opportunities to serve others– be it by offering exceptional customer service, language translations, or merely sharing knowledge with others. My personal goals and desire to assist others led me to work in the renewable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss objective is simple: we wish to make solar easy and inexpensive every step of the way. We largely serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers understand and adopt renewable energy as a method of life, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you chose to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with a really promising small solar installation business 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 combined his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my customer support knowledge to create SUNTEX where “the client is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic community and our clients with excellent customer support.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a concern for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced an absence of care and interaction from those that can not identify with our culture. We understood that solar benefits everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our people would need a lot of support to comprehend how to get this advantage for their homes.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
Being a small business with a high level of service expectations for our consumers comes with its own set of obstacles. 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 merely measuring up to our honest values. I have actually found out throughout my life that in company, there is no other method to do it best however to be honest. While others might take shortcuts, the reality constantly prevails.
Please share with us a recent business success story.
Recently, after helping a client “go solar” in two of her homes, she referred a new customer called Angela to us. During our initial visit, I kept in mind that they could just achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a couple of extra energy efficiency upgrades to the home to lower energy intake, which could supply a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the thought of investing more money into the home, but ultimately she called me back and stated she wished to move on with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and discovered that her home required a larger air conditioning unit, plus extra ducts to distribute the a/c equally throughout your home. We also informed her that the finance partner might add the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she might get approved for a lower rate of interest than any other house improvement loan for that air conditioner upgrade. She took my suggestions and chose to progress and was, in fact, able to reduce her loan rate of interest.
Throughout the setup, we ended up spending for Angela and her elderly mother to stay in a hotel up until their examinations and upgrades were total to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electricity utilized in her home. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have decreased their energy intake considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment every month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar. This is what we indicate by “client service.”
From a national viewpoint, how can we enhance access to sustainable enery?
Many of the homeowners that we go to are lucky to own a house, yet many of them have not qualified for solar due to numerous combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit score, lower yearly household income, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of readily available loan programs. We require to supply more people with opportunities to embrace sustainable energy with fewer inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your organization?
By empowering us to think that there is someone there to support our growth in this market, and providing us the chance to satisfy 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 possible partners do company with you?
It is essential that we share the same values and objective to help others, even if it suggests leaving our comfort zones. It might cost a little bit more for us to do organization, however its worth it in the end for our customers. If youre ready to start there, we d enjoy to fulfill to discuss possible collaboration opportunities.
Exists anything else you wish to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the opportunities you have actually provided. I know this is only the beginning, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I eagerly anticipate ending up being a sponsor to help pave the method for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my customers and collaborators at SUNTEX, since they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To find out more about SUNTEX, see https://suntexllc.com/.
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Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not widely taught in school. Throughout our initial appointment, I kept in mind that they might just attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a few additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to lower energy usage, which could provide a higher energy offset. Angela initially cringed at the idea of investing more money into the house, however eventually she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioning upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy consumption greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.