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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

Furthermore, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not widely taught in school. During our preliminary visit, I kept in mind that they might just attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We went over a couple of extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to lower energy usage, which could supply a higher energy offset. Angela at first flinched at the idea of investing more cash into the home, but ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioning upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy intake greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the fourth installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features industry leaders and topics connected to speeding up a fair and simply transition to a sustainable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are prospering in the eco-friendly 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 chances to serve others– be it by offering exceptional customer support, language translations, or simply sharing knowledge with others. My individual 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 companys mission is simple: we wish to make solar easy and budget friendly every action of the way. We mainly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers understand and embrace sustainable energy as a method of life, assisting generations to come.
Please share with 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 business partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with a very promising little solar setup business in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community. As an outcome, my partner and I combined his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my client service competence to create SUNTEX where “the consumer is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic neighborhood and our consumers with exceptional client service.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic neighborhood a top priority 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 everybody, regardless of race or background, and that our people would need a lot of assistance to understand how to obtain this benefit for their houses.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Being a little business with a high level of service expectations for our consumers features its own set of obstacles. The biggest difficulty we face is shared by a number of small businesses: turnover. In addition, even though solar power has been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. So, we have to invest a lot quantity of time training sales personnel to ensure they are able to offer a high level of customer support.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By merely measuring up to our honest values. I have found out throughout my life that in organization, there is no other method to do it right but to be honest. While others might take shortcuts, the truth always prevails.
Please show us a recent business success story.
Recently, after assisting a customer “go solar” in 2 of her houses, she referred a new client called Angela to us. Throughout our initial consultation, I noted that they could just accomplish about 56% of solar power balanced out due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a few additional energy effectiveness upgrades to your home to lower energy consumption, which could supply a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially flinched at the thought of investing more cash into the home, however eventually she called me back and stated she wished to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and found that her home required a larger air conditioning system, plus extra ducts to distribute the AC equally throughout your house. We likewise told her that the finance partner could add the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she might receive a lower rate of interest than any other home improvement loan for that a/c upgrade. She took my recommendations and chose to move forward and was, in fact, able to decrease her loan rates of interest.
During the setup, we wound up paying for Angela and her elderly mom to remain in a hotel up until their upgrades and inspections were complete to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electricity used in her house. Thanks to the air conditioning upgrade, they have actually lowered their energy usage significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar. This is what we mean by “client service.”
From a nationwide viewpoint, how can we enhance access to eco-friendly enery?
Many of the homeowners that we visit are lucky to own a house, yet numerous of them have actually not qualified for solar due to several combined or isolated factors such as subprime credit rating, lower annual home income, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of offered loan programs. We require to provide more individuals with chances to embrace renewable energy with fewer hassles.
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 opportunity to fulfill others in the very same boat. Now I know that there is expect minority small services in the renewable energy industry.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is necessary that we share the very same worths and mission to assist others, even if it means getting out of our comfort zones. It might cost a bit more for us to do business, however its worth it in the end for our consumers. We d like to fulfill to talk about possible cooperation opportunities if youre prepared 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 offered. I know this is just the beginning, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I eagerly anticipate becoming a sponsor to help lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my consumers and partners at SUNTEX, because they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To get more information about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
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