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 commonly taught in school. During our initial visit, I kept in mind that they might only accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We discussed a couple of extra energy efficiency upgrades to the house to lower energy intake, which could supply a higher energy offset. Angela at first cringed at the idea of investing more cash into the home, but ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the A/c upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy consumption significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the 4th installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation features market leaders and subjects associated with accelerating a fair and just shift to an eco-friendly energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the sustainable energy sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and always try to find chances to serve others– be it by providing exceptional customer support, language translations, or simply sharing understanding with others. My individual objectives and desire to help others led me to operate in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss mission is basic: we wish to make solar simple and budget friendly every step of the way. We mainly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers comprehend and adopt renewable energy as a lifestyle, helping generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey toward developing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha minute” when you decided to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the opportunity to join an extremely promising little solar setup business in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic neighborhood a top priority for SUNTEX?
Number One: it remains in our blood. My organization partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can determine well with our individuals and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced an absence of care and communication from those that can not relate to our culture. We understood that solar benefits everyone, no matter race or background, and that our individuals would require a lot of support to understand how to acquire this advantage for their houses.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our customers includes its own set of obstacles. Nevertheless, the best difficulty we deal with is shared by a variety of little organizations: turnover. In addition, despite the fact that solar power has actually been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not commonly taught in school. So, we need to invest a lot quantity of time training sales personnel to ensure they are able to supply a high level of customer support.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By just measuring up to our sincere worths. I have found out throughout my life that in business, there is no other way to do it ideal however to be truthful. While others may take shortcuts, the reality constantly dominates.
Please show us a current company success story.
Recently, after helping a client “go solar” in 2 of her homes, she referred a brand-new customer named Angela to us. Throughout our initial consultation, I noted that they could just attain about 56% of solar power balanced out due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the property. We discussed a couple of additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to reduce energy intake, which might provide a greater energy offset. Angela at first cringed at the idea of investing more money into the home, but ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. We finished a Home Energy Audit to see why her usage was so high and found that her home needed a bigger air conditioning system, plus extra ducts to disperse the air conditioner equally throughout your home. We also informed her that the finance partner might include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she could get approved for a lower rate of interest than any other house enhancement loan for that air conditioner upgrade. She took my guidance and chose to move forward and was, in truth, able to lower her loan rate of interest.
Throughout the setup, we ended up paying for Angela and her senior mother to remain in a hotel till their upgrades and inspections were complete to guarantee they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical power utilized in her house. Thanks to the air conditioning upgrade, they have reduced their energy intake greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar. This is what we indicate by “client service.”
From a nationwide point of view, how can we improve access to sustainable enery?
From my experience, there is a huge gap in access. The majority of the homeowners that we visit are lucky to own a home, yet a number of them have not gotten approved for solar due to numerous combined or separated elements such as subprime credit history, lower yearly family income, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of readily available loan programs. These communities require more assistance and education on the value of setting up a solar system that can conserve them money. We need to provide more individuals with chances to embrace eco-friendly energy with fewer troubles.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your organization?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our development in this market, and offering us the chance to meet others in the very same boat. Now I understand that there is hope for minority small companies in the renewable energy market.
How can potential partners work with you?
It is necessary that we share the same values and objective to help others, even if it indicates leaving our comfort zones. It might cost a bit more for us to do organization, but its worth it in the end for our customers. If youre willing to begin there, we d enjoy to satisfy to talk about possible collaboration chances.
Is there anything else you want to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the opportunities you have supplied. I know this is just the start, and we have a long road ahead of us; however, I anticipate becoming a sponsor to help pave the method for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my customers and partners at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To read more about SUNTEX, see https://suntexllc.com/.
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