Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Ally Mendoza, CEO of SUNTEX
By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021
Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not widely taught in school. During our preliminary consultation, I noted that they might only accomplish about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We talked about a few additional energy efficiency upgrades to the home to minimize energy consumption, which might provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the idea 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 efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the Air Conditioner upgrade, they have minimized their energy consumption significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar.
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the 4th installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features industry leaders and subjects connected to accelerating a fair and just transition to a renewable energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are growing in the eco-friendly energy sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and constantly try to find opportunities to serve others– be it by supplying exceptional client service, language translations, or merely sharing knowledge with others. My personal objectives and desire to assist 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 basic: we want to make solar easy and cost effective every step of the method. We mainly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers understand and adopt renewable resource as a way of life, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey toward developing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha minute” when you chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my company partner and I had the chance to join a very promising small solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As a result, my partner and I integrated his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my client service know-how to produce SUNTEX where “the consumer is the factor we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic neighborhood and our consumers with exceptional consumer service.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic community a priority for SUNTEX?
Number One: it remains in our blood. My business partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can determine well with our individuals and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced a lack of care and interaction from those that can not recognize with our culture. We knew that solar benefits everybody, no matter race or background, and that our individuals would require a lot of support to understand how to acquire this advantage for their houses.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a small business with a high level of service expectations for our clients comes with its own set of obstacles. 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 merely measuring up to our honest worths. I have actually learned throughout my life that in company, there is no other method to do it right but to be truthful. While others might take faster ways, the fact constantly prevails.
Please share with us a current company success story.
Just recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in 2 of her houses, she referred a brand-new customer named Angela to us. During our initial visit, I noted that they could just accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a few additional energy efficiency upgrades to your home to lower energy intake, which might provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first cringed at the idea of investing more cash into the house, but eventually she called me back and said she wished to progress with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and found that her home needed a larger Air Conditioning system, plus extra ducts to distribute the AC uniformly throughout your home. We also told her that the financing partner might add the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she could certify for a lower rates of interest than any other home enhancement loan for that Air Conditioning upgrade. She took my suggestions and decided to progress and was, in reality, able to minimize her loan rate of interest.
During the installation, we wound up paying for Angela and her elderly mother to remain in a hotel till their assessments and upgrades were total to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electricity used in her house. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have lowered their energy intake 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 mean by “customer support.”
From a national viewpoint, how can we improve access to renewable enery?
Many of the homeowners that we check out are fortunate to own a house, yet numerous of them have actually not certified for solar due to a number of combined or separated elements such as subprime credit score, lower annual home earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of available loan programs. We require to supply more individuals with chances to adopt sustainable energy with less hassles.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your company?
By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our growth in this market, and providing us the chance to meet others in the very same boat. Now I understand that there is expect minority small services in the renewable resource industry.
How can prospective partners work with you?
It is crucial that we share the exact same worths and objective to assist others, even if it suggests 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 like to satisfy to discuss possible partnership chances if youre willing to begin there.
Exists anything else you would like to show ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the opportunities you have provided. I understand this is only the beginning, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, 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 customers and collaborators at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To read more about SUNTEX, see https://suntexllc.com/.
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