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 series.
Each installation includes market leaders and subjects connected to speeding up a fair and just shift to a sustainable energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions 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 look for opportunities to serve others– be it by offering extraordinary customer service, language translations, or just sharing understanding with others. My individual objectives and desire to help others led me to operate in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss mission is simple: we wish to make solar easy and cost effective every action of the method. We mainly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace eco-friendly energy as a lifestyle, assisting generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward developing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha moment” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the chance to join an extremely promising little solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic community a top priority for SUNTEX?
Primary: it is in our blood. My company partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can determine well with our individuals and their worldview. Second: in the past, we have personally experienced an absence of care and communication from those that can not identify with our culture. We understood that solar benefits everybody, despite race or background, which our individuals would require a lot of support to comprehend how to obtain this advantage for their houses.
What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our clients includes its own set of obstacles. The greatest difficulty we deal with is shared by a number of little businesses: turnover. Furthermore, although solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not widely taught in school. We have to invest a lot amount of time training sales personnel to make sure they are able to offer a high level of client service.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our sincere worths. I have learned throughout my life that in business, there is no other way to do it right however to be truthful. While others might take shortcuts, the reality always dominates.
Please show us a current business success story.
Throughout our preliminary appointment, I kept in mind that they could only attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We went over a few additional energy performance upgrades to the house to reduce energy consumption, which might supply a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first flinched at the thought of investing more money into the house, however ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades.
During the installation, we ended up paying for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel up until their upgrades and inspections were complete to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical power utilized in her house. Thanks to the Air Conditioner upgrade, they have lowered their energy intake greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar. This is what we indicate by “customer support.”
From a national point of view, how can we improve access to renewable enery?
Most of the house owners that we go to are fortunate to own a house, yet many of them have actually not certified for solar due to a number of combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit rating, lower yearly family earnings, self-employment, or a lack of understanding of offered loan programs. We need to offer more individuals with chances to embrace sustainable energy with fewer hassles.
How has your Accelerate subscription helped your service?
By empowering us to believe that there is someone there to support our growth in this market, and providing us the chance to fulfill others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is expect minority little companies in the eco-friendly energy market.
How can potential partners do service with you?
It is necessary that we share the very same worths and objective to help others, even if it means leaving our convenience zones. It might cost a little more for us to do business, however its worth it in the end for our clients. If youre ready to begin there, we d like to meet to discuss possible partnership chances.
Is there anything else you wish to show ACORE members and partners?
We are truly grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the opportunities you have offered. I know this is just the beginning, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I look forward to becoming a sponsor to assist lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my clients and collaborators at SUNTEX, because they are the fuel that drives the objective!
For more information about SUNTEX, see https://suntexllc.com/.
###

Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I kept in mind that they could just accomplish about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We went over a couple of additional energy efficiency upgrades to the house to minimize energy intake, which could provide a greater energy offset. Angela initially cringed at the thought of investing more money into the house, however eventually she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have minimized their energy consumption considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.