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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the fourth installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation features industry leaders and subjects related to accelerating a fair and simply transition to an eco-friendly 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 constantly set high expectations for myself and always search for chances to serve others– be it by offering exceptional customer support, language translations, or merely sharing understanding with others. My individual goals and desire to assist others led me to operate in the sustainable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss objective is simple: we want to make solar easy and inexpensive every step of the way. We mainly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace renewable resource as a method of life, helping generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha minute” when you chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my business partner and I had the opportunity to join a really promising little solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic neighborhood a top priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced an absence of care and interaction from those that can not recognize with our culture. We understood that solar benefits everybody, regardless of race or background, and that our people would need a lot of assistance to comprehend how to acquire this benefit for their houses.
What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
Being a small business with a high level of service expectations for our clients comes with its own set of obstacles. However, the best challenge we deal with is shared by a variety of little companies: turnover. In addition, although solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not extensively taught in school. We have to invest a lot quantity of time training sales staff to make sure they are able to offer a high level of consumer service.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our sincere worths. I have actually learned throughout my life that in business, there is no other way to do it right but to be honest. While others might take faster ways, the fact always prevails.
Please show us a recent business success story.
Recently, after helping a client “go solar” in two of her homes, she referred a brand-new customer named Angela to us. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I noted that they might just achieve about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a few extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to decrease energy usage, which could offer a greater energy balanced out. Angela at first winced at the idea of investing more money into the house, however ultimately she called me back and said she wished to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her usage was so high and discovered that her home required a larger air conditioning system, plus extra ducts to disperse the a/c evenly throughout your home. We also informed her that the finance partner might include the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she might certify for a lower interest rate than any other home improvement loan for that air conditioner upgrade. She took my suggestions and decided to progress and was, in fact, able to decrease her loan rates of interest.
Throughout the setup, we ended up paying for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel until their evaluations and upgrades were total to guarantee they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical power utilized in her house. Thanks to the air conditioner upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy intake considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar. This is what we suggest by “customer support.”
From a nationwide perspective, how can we improve access to renewable enery?
Many of the house owners that we go to are fortunate to own a house, yet many of them have not certified for solar due to several combined or isolated elements such as subprime credit score, lower annual home earnings, self-employment, or a lack of understanding of offered loan programs. We require to offer more people with opportunities to adopt sustainable energy with less hassles.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your organization?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our growth in this industry, and giving us the opportunity to fulfill others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is expect minority small companies in the renewable resource industry.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is very important that we share the same worths and mission to assist others, even if it suggests getting out of our comfort zones. It might cost a little bit more for us to do company, but its worth it in the end for our consumers. If youre willing to begin there, we d like to satisfy to discuss possible collaboration chances.
Is there anything else you want to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are truly grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have actually offered. I know this is only the beginning, and we have a long road 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 customers and collaborators at SUNTEX, because they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To find out more about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
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In addition, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. During our preliminary visit, I noted that they might only achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We went over a couple of extra energy performance upgrades to the home to minimize energy intake, which might offer a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the thought of investing more money into the house, however ultimately she called me back and said she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioning upgrade, they have actually lowered their energy consumption considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.