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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

In addition, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our preliminary visit, I noted that they might only attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a couple of extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to decrease energy usage, which might offer a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially flinched 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 effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the A/C upgrade, they have minimized their energy usage considerably, 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 happy to share the 4th installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features market leaders and subjects related to speeding up an equitable and simply transition to an eco-friendly energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies 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 always search for chances to serve others– be it by supplying extraordinary customer care, language translations, or just sharing knowledge with others. My personal goals and desire to assist others led me to work in the eco-friendly energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our companys objective is basic: we desire to make solar easy and budget friendly every step of the method. We mostly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace sustainable energy as a way of life, assisting generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha minute” when you decided to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the chance to join an extremely promising little solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a top priority for SUNTEX?
Number One: it is in our blood. My company partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can identify well with our individuals and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not recognize with our culture. We knew that solar advantages everybody, despite race or background, and that our individuals would need a great deal of assistance to understand how to obtain this advantage for their houses.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Being a little business with a high level of service expectations for our consumers includes its own set of obstacles. The biggest difficulty we face is shared by a number of small organizations: turnover. Furthermore, although solar power has been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not commonly taught in school. So, we need to spend a lot amount of time training sales personnel to make sure they have the ability to offer a high level of client service.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our honest values. I have found out throughout my life that in business, there is no other method to do it best however to be sincere. While others might take shortcuts, the fact constantly dominates.
Please share with us a current business success story.
Recently, after assisting a customer “go solar” in two of her homes, she referred a new customer called Angela to us. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I noted that they could just attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the home. We went over a couple of additional energy performance upgrades to your home to decrease energy usage, which might offer a higher energy offset. Angela at first cringed at the idea of investing more money into the home, however eventually she called me back and stated she desired to progress with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and discovered that her home needed a larger Air Conditioning unit, plus additional ducts to distribute the AC equally throughout your home. We likewise told her that the finance partner might include the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she might get approved for a lower rate of interest than any other house enhancement loan for that AC upgrade. She took my advice and chose to move forward and was, in reality, able to lower her loan rate of interest.
Throughout the installation, we ended up spending for Angela and her elderly mother to stay in a hotel until their upgrades and examinations were total to ensure they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electricity used in her home. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy usage significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar. This is what we suggest by “client service.”
From a nationwide perspective, how can we enhance access to renewable enery?
From my experience, there is a huge space in gain access to. Most of the house owners that we visit are fortunate to own a house, yet much of them have actually not received solar due to several combined or separated elements such as subprime credit rating, lower yearly home earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of readily available loan programs. These communities require more support and education on the importance of setting up a planetary system that can save them cash. We require to offer more people with chances to embrace renewable resource with less hassles.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your service?
By empowering us to think that there is someone there to support our growth in this industry, and offering us the opportunity to satisfy others in the exact same boat. Now I know that there is hope for minority small companies in the eco-friendly energy market.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is essential that we share the same worths and mission to help others, even if it suggests leaving our comfort zones. It might cost a bit more for us to do service, but its worth it in the end for our customers. If youre prepared to begin there, we d like to satisfy to talk about possible collaboration opportunities.
Exists anything else you wish to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have actually offered. I know this is just the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I anticipate becoming a sponsor to assist lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my customers and collaborators at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To get more information about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
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