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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the 4th installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment includes industry 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 prospering in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and always search for opportunities to serve others– be it by supplying exceptional customer support, language translations, or just sharing knowledge with others. My individual objectives and desire to assist 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 simple: we desire to make solar simple and inexpensive every step of the method. We mostly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers understand and adopt eco-friendly energy as a way of life, assisting generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward developing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha minute” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the opportunity to join a very appealing little solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As a result, my partner and I combined his experience in offering to the Hispanic market with my client service expertise to produce SUNTEX where “the client is the reason we exist as a business”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic community and our customers with exceptional client service.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic neighborhood a top priority for SUNTEX?
Primary: it is in our blood. My business partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can determine well with our people and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not relate to our culture. We understood that solar benefits everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our people would require a lot of assistance to comprehend how to get this benefit for their homes.
What obstacles do you face? Why?
Being a little company with a high level of service expectations for our clients comes with its own set of challenges. Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not commonly taught in school.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By just living up to our sincere values. I have actually found out throughout my life that in service, there is no other way to do it ideal however to be honest. While others may take faster ways, the fact constantly prevails.
Please share with us a recent company success story.
Just recently, after helping a client “go solar” in 2 of her homes, she referred a new customer called Angela to us. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I kept in mind that they might just achieve 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 couple of extra energy performance upgrades to your home to reduce energy usage, which might offer a higher energy offset. Angela at first winced at the idea of investing more money into the house, but ultimately she called me back and said she wished to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and discovered that her house required a bigger A/C unit, plus extra ducts to distribute the AC uniformly throughout your house. We likewise informed her that the financing partner could include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she could receive a lower rates of interest than any other house improvement loan for that A/C upgrade. She took my advice and decided to move on and was, in fact, able to decrease her loan rates of interest.
Throughout the setup, we wound up paying for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel until their evaluations and upgrades were complete to ensure they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electricity utilized in her home. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have lowered their energy consumption significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment every month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar. This is what we imply by “client service.”
From a national perspective, how can we improve access to renewable enery?
From my experience, there is a large gap in access. The majority of the homeowners that we go to are fortunate to own a house, yet a lot of them have not qualified for solar due to a number of combined or separated elements such as subprime credit rating, lower yearly home income, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of readily available loan programs. These communities require more support and education on the significance of installing a planetary system that can save them cash. We require to offer more people with chances to embrace renewable resource with less inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your company?
By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our development in this industry, and providing us the opportunity to satisfy others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is wish for minority small companies in the sustainable energy market.
How can possible partners do service with you?
It is necessary that we share the very same worths and objective to assist others, even if it suggests getting out of our convenience zones. It might cost a little more for us to do company, but its worth it in the end for our clients. If youre ready to start there, we d like to fulfill to go over possible partnership chances.
Is there 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 actually offered. I understand this is just the beginning, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I eagerly anticipate 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 consumers and partners at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
For more information about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
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Furthermore, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our initial consultation, I noted 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 talked about a few extra energy efficiency upgrades to the house to lower energy intake, which could offer a greater energy offset. Angela at first winced at the thought of investing more cash into the home, however eventually she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have lowered their energy consumption considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.