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 installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features market leaders and subjects connected to accelerating 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 business are flourishing in the sustainable energy sector.
What inspired you to start 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 supplying extraordinary client service, language translations, or just sharing understanding with others. My individual goals and desire to help others led me to work in the renewable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss mission is easy: we wish to make solar easy and budget-friendly every action of the method. We largely serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and adopt renewable resource as a way of life, helping generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey towards developing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha minute” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my business partner and I had the chance to sign up with an extremely appealing small solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced an absence of care and interaction from those that can not recognize with our culture. We knew that solar advantages everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our individuals would need a lot of support to understand how to acquire this advantage for their homes.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our customers features its own set of challenges. The biggest difficulty we deal with is shared by a number of little companies: turnover. In addition, despite the fact that solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. So, we need to invest a lot amount of time training sales staff to make certain they are able to provide a high level of client service.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our truthful worths. I have found out throughout my life that in business, there is no other method to do it best but to be honest. While others might take shortcuts, the reality constantly prevails.
Please share with us a current company success story.
Just recently, after assisting a customer “go solar” in 2 of her homes, she referred a brand-new client called Angela to us. Throughout our preliminary consultation, I kept in mind that they might just attain about 56% of solar power balanced out due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a couple of extra energy efficiency upgrades to your home to minimize energy consumption, which might offer a greater energy offset. Angela at first flinched at the idea of investing more cash into the home, but ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to progress 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 house needed a bigger air conditioner unit, plus additional ducts to distribute the air conditioner equally throughout your house. We also informed her that the finance partner could include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she might receive a lower rates of interest than any other home improvement loan for that a/c upgrade. She took my suggestions and chose to move forward and was, in truth, able to minimize her loan rate of interest.
During the installation, we ended up spending for Angela and her senior mother to remain in a hotel until their upgrades and inspections were total to guarantee they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electricity used in her house. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy consumption significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we suggest by “client service.”
From a nationwide viewpoint, how can we enhance access to sustainable enery?
Many of the house owners that we go to are lucky to own a house, yet many of them have not certified for solar due to a number of combined or isolated elements such as subprime credit rating, lower yearly household earnings, self-employment, or a lack of understanding of offered loan programs. We need to supply more individuals with opportunities to embrace eco-friendly energy with less inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate subscription helped your company?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our development in this industry, and providing us the chance to meet others in the very same boat. Now I understand that there is wish for minority small companies in the eco-friendly energy market.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is very important that we share the same worths and objective to assist others, even if it implies getting out of our comfort zones. It might cost a bit more for us to do organization, however its worth it in the end for our consumers. We d enjoy to satisfy to go over possible collaboration chances if youre ready to begin there.
Is there anything else you want to share with 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 start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I look forward to 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 partners at SUNTEX, since they are the fuel that drives the objective!
For more information about SUNTEX, go to https://suntexllc.com/.
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In addition, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our preliminary consultation, I kept in mind that they could only accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the home. We talked about a few additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to reduce energy consumption, which could provide a greater energy balanced out. Angela at first winced at the thought of investing more cash into the home, but eventually she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioner upgrade, they have lowered their energy intake significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar.