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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the fourth installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation features market leaders and topics associated with accelerating an equitable and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I constantly set high expectations for myself and always search for opportunities to serve others– be it by offering exceptional customer care, language translations, or merely sharing knowledge with others. My personal goals and desire to help others led me to work in the renewable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our companys objective is easy: we wish to make solar simple and cost effective every action of the method. We mostly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers comprehend and adopt sustainable energy 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 chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the opportunity to join an extremely promising small solar setup business in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As a result, my partner and I integrated his experience in offering to the Hispanic market with my client service proficiency to create SUNTEX where “the customer is the factor we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic community and our consumers with exceptional customer support.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic community a concern for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not determine with our culture. We understood that solar advantages everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our people would require a lot of support to comprehend how to obtain this advantage for their houses.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our customers comes with its own set of challenges. In addition, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not commonly taught in school.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By merely living up to our honest worths. I have actually learned throughout my life that in service, there is no other way to do it best however to be truthful. While others may take faster ways, the reality constantly dominates.
Please show us a current company success story.
During our preliminary consultation, I noted that they could just achieve about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a few additional energy efficiency upgrades to the house to decrease energy consumption, which might provide a higher energy offset. Angela at first winced at the thought of investing more cash into the house, however ultimately she called me back and said she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades.
During the setup, we wound up spending for Angela and her elderly mother to stay in a hotel until their inspections and upgrades were total to ensure they were comfortable throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical power utilized in her home. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy intake greatly, 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 imply by “customer support.”
From a nationwide perspective, how can we improve access to eco-friendly enery?
Most of the homeowners that we check out are lucky to own a house, yet many of them have actually not qualified for solar due to numerous combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit score, lower annual household earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of readily available loan programs. We require to offer more people with chances to embrace eco-friendly energy with fewer hassles.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your company?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our growth in this industry, and providing us the opportunity to fulfill others in the very same boat. Now I understand that there is expect minority small companies in the eco-friendly energy industry.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is very important that we share the same worths and objective to assist others, even if it indicates getting out of our convenience zones. It might cost a little bit more for us to do organization, but its worth it in the end for our customers. We d enjoy to satisfy to talk about possible partnership opportunities if youre willing to start there.
Exists anything else you want to show ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have actually supplied. I know this is just the start, and we have a long road ahead of us; however, I anticipate ending up being a sponsor to help lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my clients and collaborators at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To learn more about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
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Furthermore, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I noted that they could only attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses consumption rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a few additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to lower energy intake, which could offer a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the idea of investing more money into the house, however ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy usage significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.