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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

Furthermore, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not extensively taught in school. During our preliminary appointment, I noted that they might just accomplish about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the home. We talked about a couple of extra energy efficiency upgrades to the home to minimize energy usage, which might supply a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially cringed at the thought of investing more cash 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 Air Conditioner upgrade, they have reduced their energy usage greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.

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 topics related to accelerating a fair and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and always search for chances to serve others– be it by supplying remarkable customer care, language translations, or merely sharing knowledge with others. My individual goals and desire to help others led me to operate 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 inexpensive every step of the way. We mainly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace renewable resource as a way of living, assisting generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with a very appealing small solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community. As an outcome, my partner and I combined his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my client service knowledge to create SUNTEX where “the consumer is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is linking the Hispanic community and our customers with exceptional client service.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a top 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 understood that solar advantages everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our people would need a lot of support to understand how to acquire this advantage for their houses.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our clients features its own set of challenges. However, the biggest difficulty we deal with is shared by a number of small companies: turnover. Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not commonly taught in school. We have to spend a lot quantity of time training sales staff to make sure they are able to supply a high level of consumer service.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By merely living up to our sincere worths. I have actually learned throughout my life that in business, there is no other method to do it best but to be truthful. While others might take faster ways, the fact always dominates.
Please share with us a current business success story.
Just recently, after helping a customer “go solar” in two of her homes, she referred a brand-new customer called Angela to us. During our preliminary appointment, I kept in mind that they could only achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We went over a couple of extra energy efficiency upgrades to the home to lower energy usage, 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 said she wished to progress with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her usage was so high and found that her house required a bigger AC system, plus additional ducts to disperse the Air Conditioner equally throughout your home. We likewise informed her that the finance partner could add the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she might receive a lower interest rate than any other home improvement loan for that AC upgrade. She took my guidance and decided to move on and was, in truth, able to lower her loan rate of interest.
Throughout the installation, we wound up paying for Angela and her elderly mom to remain in a hotel until their upgrades and inspections were total to ensure they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical power utilized in her house. Thanks to the Air Conditioner upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy consumption considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment every month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar. This is what we imply by “customer care.”
From a national point of view, how can we improve access to renewable enery?
Most of the property owners that we check out are fortunate to own a home, yet many of them have not certified for solar due to several combined or isolated factors such as subprime credit rating, lower yearly home earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of available loan programs. We require to supply more individuals with opportunities to embrace sustainable energy with less troubles.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your service?
By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our growth in this industry, and giving us the opportunity to meet others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is wish for minority little organizations in the renewable resource industry.
How can prospective partners work with you?
It is necessary that we share the same worths and objective to help others, even if it means 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 customers. If youre ready to begin there, we d love to fulfill to go over possible cooperation chances.
Exists anything else you want to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the opportunities you have supplied. I know this is just the beginning, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; nevertheless, I look forward to ending up being a sponsor to assist lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my consumers and partners at SUNTEX, since they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To get more information about SUNTEX, go to https://suntexllc.com/.
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