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 series.
Each installment features market leaders and subjects related to accelerating a fair and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and constantly try to find chances to serve others– be it by supplying exceptional client service, language translations, or simply sharing knowledge with others. My individual 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.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our companys mission is basic: we wish to make solar simple and affordable every step of the method. We largely serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers understand and embrace renewable resource as a method of life, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward developing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha moment” when you chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my company partner and I had the chance to join a very appealing little solar setup 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?
Number One: it remains in our blood. My company 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 advantages everybody, no matter race or background, which our people would need a lot of assistance to comprehend how to acquire this advantage for their houses.
What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
Being a little business 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 essentials of these tasks are not widely taught in school.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply measuring up to our sincere worths. I have actually discovered throughout my life that in company, there is no other method to do it best however to be honest. While others might take faster ways, the fact always prevails.
Please show us a current company success story.
Recently, after helping a client “go solar” in two of her houses, she referred a brand-new client called Angela to us. During our preliminary appointment, I noted that they might only achieve about 56% of solar power balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We went over a couple of additional energy efficiency upgrades to your house to reduce energy intake, which might supply a greater energy balanced out. Angela at first flinched at the thought of investing more cash into the house, however eventually she called me back and said she desired to move on 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 needed a larger Air Conditioner unit, plus extra ducts to disperse the AC equally throughout your house. We likewise told her that the financing partner could add the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she might get approved for a lower rates of interest than any other home enhancement loan for that Air Conditioning upgrade. She took my recommendations and chose to progress and was, in fact, able to decrease her loan rates of interest.
During the setup, we wound up spending for Angela and her elderly mom to remain in a hotel until their upgrades and assessments were total to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electricity utilized in her home. Thanks to the Air Conditioner upgrade, they have minimized their energy usage considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment every month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar. This is what we indicate by “customer support.”
From a national viewpoint, how can we improve access to eco-friendly enery?
Many of the homeowners that we go to are fortunate to own a house, yet numerous of them have not certified for solar due to numerous combined or separated aspects such as subprime credit rating, lower annual family income, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of offered loan programs. We require to supply more people with opportunities to adopt eco-friendly energy with fewer troubles.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted 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 hope for minority small organizations in the renewable resource market.
How can possible partners do business with you?
It is necessary that we share the very same worths and objective to help others, even if it implies getting out of our convenience zones. It might cost a little bit more for us to do organization, however its worth it in the end for our customers. We d like to meet to discuss possible cooperation chances if youre prepared to begin there.
Is there anything else you wish to show ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the chances you have supplied. I understand this is only the beginning, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; nevertheless, I eagerly anticipate ending up being a sponsor to assist lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my consumers and collaborators at SUNTEX, because they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To find out more about SUNTEX, see https://suntexllc.com/.
###

Furthermore, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not extensively taught in school. During our initial consultation, I noted that they could just attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the property. We discussed a couple of additional energy performance upgrades to the house to reduce energy intake, which could provide a higher energy offset. Angela initially cringed at the idea of investing more money into the house, but ultimately she called me back and said she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the Air Conditioning upgrade, they have lowered their energy usage greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.