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 series.
Each installment features industry leaders and topics related to accelerating a fair and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are thriving 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 look for chances to serve others– be it by supplying remarkable client service, language translations, or just sharing understanding with others. My personal objectives and desire to assist others led me to operate in the eco-friendly energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our companys objective is easy: we wish to make solar easy and economical every action of the method. We mainly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers comprehend and adopt renewable resource as a lifestyle, helping generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey toward developing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you decided to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my business partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with a very promising little solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic neighborhood a concern for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not identify with our culture. We knew that solar benefits everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our individuals would require a lot of support to comprehend how to acquire this advantage for their homes.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
Being a small business with a high level of service expectations for our customers includes its own set of difficulties. However, the biggest obstacle we face is shared by a number of small companies: turnover. Furthermore, despite the fact that solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not widely taught in school. So, we need to invest a lot amount of time training sales staff to make certain they have the ability to supply a high level of client service.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our honest values. I have discovered throughout my life that in service, there is no other method to do it ideal but to be sincere. While others might take faster ways, the fact constantly prevails.
Please share with us a current company success story.
Just recently, after helping a customer “go solar” in two of her houses, she referred a new client named Angela to us. During our initial visit, I noted that they might only attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a couple of extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to minimize energy consumption, which might offer a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially cringed at the idea of investing more money into the home, but eventually she called me back and said she wished to move on with the solar and energy performance upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and found that her home needed a larger AC system, plus extra ducts to distribute the AC uniformly throughout your house. We likewise told her that the financing partner could add the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she could receive a lower interest rate than any other home enhancement loan for that air conditioning upgrade. She took my recommendations and chose to move forward and was, in truth, able to reduce her loan rates of interest.
Throughout the installation, we ended up spending for Angela and her elderly mother to remain in a hotel until their upgrades and evaluations were total to guarantee they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical power utilized in her home. Thanks to the air conditioner upgrade, they have lowered their energy intake considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar. This is what we indicate by “client service.”
From a national point of view, how can we enhance access to renewable enery?
From my experience, there is a huge gap in gain access to. Most of the homeowners that we visit are lucky to own a home, yet a number of them have actually not gotten approved for solar due to numerous combined or separated aspects such as subprime credit report, lower yearly home earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of available loan programs. These communities require more support and education on the importance of setting up a solar system that can save them money. We need to supply more individuals with chances to embrace eco-friendly energy with less troubles.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your business?
By empowering us to believe that there is someone there to support our growth in this industry, and providing us the chance to meet others in the same boat. Now I know that there is expect minority small companies in the sustainable energy industry.
How can prospective partners work with you?
It is crucial that we share the exact same values and objective to assist others, even if it indicates getting out of our convenience zones. It may cost a bit more for us to do organization, but its worth it in the end for our clients. If youre willing to start there, we d like to meet to go over possible partnership opportunities.
Exists anything else you wish to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the chances you have offered. I understand this is just the start, and we have a long road ahead of us; however, I anticipate becoming a sponsor to help lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my clients and collaborators at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To get more information about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
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In addition, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I kept in mind that they could just attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses consumption rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We went over a couple of additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to decrease energy consumption, which could provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first winced at the idea of investing more cash into the house, but ultimately she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioner upgrade, they have reduced their energy intake considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar.