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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the 4th installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment includes industry leaders and subjects related to speeding up a fair and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are flourishing in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and always try to find opportunities to serve others– be it by offering exceptional client service, language translations, or simply sharing understanding with others. My individual goals and desire to assist 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 businesss objective is basic: we wish to make solar easy and economical every step of the way. We mostly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers understand and embrace eco-friendly energy as a way of living, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the chance to sign up with a really promising little solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a top priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not recognize with our culture. We understood that solar advantages everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our individuals would require a lot of support to understand how to obtain this advantage for their homes.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
Being a small business with a high level of service expectations for our clients features its own set of difficulties. The greatest challenge we face is shared by a number of little services: turnover. Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials 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 provide a high level of customer service.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By just living up to our truthful worths. I have learned throughout my life that in business, there is no other method to do it ideal but to be honest. While others might take shortcuts, the reality always dominates.
Please show us a current business success story.
Just recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in 2 of her houses, she referred a brand-new client called Angela to us. During our initial appointment, I kept in mind that they might only attain about 56% of solar power offset due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We went over a couple of additional energy effectiveness upgrades to your home to minimize energy intake, which could offer a greater energy offset. Angela initially flinched at the thought of investing more cash into the home, but ultimately she called me back and said she wished to progress with the solar and energy performance upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her usage was so high and found that her house needed a larger air conditioner system, plus additional ducts to disperse the AC equally throughout your house. We likewise informed her that the financing partner could add the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she might get approved for a lower rates of interest than any other house enhancement loan for that a/c upgrade. She took my suggestions and chose to move forward and was, in reality, able to reduce her loan rates of interest.
Throughout the setup, we ended up spending for Angela and her elderly mother to remain in a hotel up until their inspections and upgrades were total to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical power used in her house. Thanks to the air conditioning upgrade, they have reduced their energy intake considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar. This is what we mean by “client service.”
From a nationwide perspective, how can we enhance access to renewable enery?
Most of the property owners that we visit are fortunate to own a home, yet many of them have actually not certified for solar due to several combined or separated aspects such as subprime credit rating, lower annual family earnings, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of readily available loan programs. We need to provide more people with opportunities to embrace renewable energy with fewer inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your business?
By empowering us to think that there is someone there to support our development in this industry, and giving us the chance to satisfy others in the very same boat. Now I understand that there is expect minority small companies in the renewable energy market.
How can potential partners work with you?
It is essential that we share the very same worths and mission to assist others, even if it means leaving our convenience zones. It may cost a little more for us to do organization, but its worth it in the end for our consumers. We d love to fulfill to go over possible collaboration opportunities if youre willing to begin there.
Exists anything else you wish to show ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have supplied. I understand this is only the start, and we have a long road ahead of us; however, I look forward to ending up being a sponsor to help lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my customers and partners at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To find out more about SUNTEX, see https://suntexllc.com/.
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Furthermore, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not widely taught in school. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I kept in mind that they could just achieve about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We discussed a couple of extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to minimize energy consumption, which could offer a higher energy offset. Angela initially flinched at the thought of investing more money into the house, but ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have reduced their energy intake significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.