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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

Furthermore, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I noted that they might only accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses consumption rates and shading from trees on the home. We talked about a few additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to decrease energy intake, which might offer a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially flinched at the idea of investing more cash into the house, however ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the A/c upgrade, they have decreased 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.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the fourth installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features industry leaders and topics related to accelerating an equitable and simply shift to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are thriving 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 search for opportunities to serve others– be it by supplying exceptional customer care, language translations, or merely sharing understanding with others. My personal objectives and desire to help others led me to operate in the sustainable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our companys mission is basic: we wish to make solar simple and cost effective every step of the way. We mainly serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace renewable resource as a way of living, helping generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey towards developing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you decided to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my business partner and I had the chance to sign up with a very promising small solar setup business in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a priority for SUNTEX?
Top: it is in our blood. My organization partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can determine well with our people and their worldview. Second: in the past, we have personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not identify with our culture. We understood that solar benefits everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our individuals would require a lot of support to understand how to obtain this benefit for their houses.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Being a little business with a high level of service expectations for our clients includes its own set of challenges. However, the greatest obstacle we deal with is shared by a variety of small companies: turnover. Additionally, despite the fact that solar power has actually been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. So, we need to invest a lot quantity of time training sales staff to make sure they have the ability to offer a high level of consumer service.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By just measuring up to our truthful values. I have actually discovered throughout my life that in organization, there is no other method to do it right but to be honest. While others may take faster ways, the truth always dominates.
Please share with us a recent company success story.
Recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in two of her houses, she referred a brand-new customer called Angela to us. During our preliminary appointment, I noted that they could only attain about 56% of solar power offset due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a couple of extra energy performance upgrades to the house to minimize energy consumption, which might supply a higher energy offset. Angela at first flinched at the thought of investing more cash into the home, however eventually she called me back and stated she wished to move on with the solar and energy performance upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and discovered that her home needed a bigger air conditioner unit, plus extra ducts to distribute the a/c evenly throughout the 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 could get approved for a lower interest rate than any other house improvement loan for that AC upgrade. She took my suggestions and decided to move on and was, in fact, able to lower her loan rate of interest.
During the setup, we ended up spending for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel up until their upgrades and examinations were complete to ensure they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electricity utilized in her home. Thanks to the air conditioning upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy consumption significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment every month that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we suggest by “customer support.”
From a national viewpoint, how can we improve access to sustainable enery?
From my experience, there is a huge gap in gain access to. The majority of the property owners that we go to are lucky to own a home, yet a lot of them have not received solar due to several combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit score, lower annual home earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of available loan programs. These neighborhoods require more assistance and education on the importance of installing a solar system that can conserve them cash. We need to offer more people with opportunities to adopt renewable resource with fewer troubles.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your service?
By empowering us to think that there is someone there to support our growth in this industry, and providing us the chance to satisfy others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is hope for minority little organizations in the renewable resource market.
How can potential partners do business with you?
It is very important that we share the exact same worths and mission to assist others, even if it indicates getting out of our comfort zones. It may cost a little bit more for us to do organization, however its worth it in the end for our customers. We d enjoy to meet to discuss possible cooperation opportunities if youre prepared to begin there.
Exists anything else you want to show ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the opportunities you have offered. I understand this is only the beginning, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I eagerly anticipate 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 find out more about SUNTEX, see https://suntexllc.com/.
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