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 4th installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment includes market leaders and subjects connected to speeding up an equitable and simply shift to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the sustainable energy sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and always search for chances to serve others– be it by supplying exceptional customer care, language translations, or merely sharing knowledge with others. My personal goals and desire to help others led me to work in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our companys objective is basic: we wish to make solar easy and economical every step of the way. We largely serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers understand and embrace sustainable energy as a method of life, assisting generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha minute” 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 very appealing little solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community. As a result, my partner and I combined his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my customer service knowledge to develop SUNTEX where “the customer is the reason we exist as a business”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic community and our clients with exceptional customer care.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack 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 people would require a lot of assistance to understand how to get this advantage for their houses.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Being a little company with a high level of service expectations for our clients comes with its own set of obstacles. Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not widely taught in school.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By just living up to our sincere worths. I have discovered throughout my life that in service, there is no other way to do it right but to be truthful. While others might take faster ways, the truth always dominates.
Please show us a recent company success story.
Just recently, after assisting a customer “go solar” in 2 of her homes, she referred a new client named Angela to us. During our initial appointment, I noted that they might just achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the property. We went over a couple of extra energy performance upgrades to your home to lower energy intake, which might provide a greater energy offset. Angela at first winced at the thought of investing more cash into the home, but 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 usage was so high and discovered that her home required a bigger A/C unit, plus extra ducts to distribute the Air Conditioning equally throughout your house. We also informed her that the finance partner might add the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she could get approved for a lower rates of interest than any other house enhancement loan for that Air Conditioner upgrade. She took my recommendations and decided to move on and was, in reality, able to lower her loan rate of interest.
During the setup, we wound up paying for Angela and her senior mother to stay in a hotel until their upgrades and assessments were complete to guarantee they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical energy utilized in her home. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy usage greatly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we indicate by “client service.”
From a nationwide viewpoint, how can we enhance access to sustainable enery?
Most of the property owners that we go to are fortunate to own a home, yet numerous of them have not certified for solar due to several combined or isolated elements such as subprime credit rating, lower annual family earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of readily available loan programs. We require to supply more people with chances to embrace renewable energy with fewer inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your business?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our growth in this industry, and providing us the chance to satisfy others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is wish for minority small companies in the renewable resource industry.
How can possible partners do organization with you?
It is very important that we share the very same values and objective to help others, even if it means getting out of our convenience zones. It might cost a little bit more for us to do business, but its worth it in the end for our consumers. We d love to satisfy to talk about possible collaboration opportunities if youre ready 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 opportunities you have actually offered. I understand this is just the beginning, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I look forward to 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!
For more information about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
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Furthermore, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. Throughout our initial appointment, I kept in mind that they might just accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the property. We discussed a couple of extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to decrease energy intake, which might supply a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the thought of investing more money into the house, but eventually she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the A/C upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy intake considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar.