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 series.
Each installment features industry leaders and topics related to speeding up a fair and just transition to a sustainable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 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 constantly look for chances to serve others– be it by offering exceptional customer support, language translations, or simply sharing understanding with others. My individual objectives and desire to help others led me to work in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss mission is simple: we want to make solar simple and budget friendly every step of the way. We largely serve the Hispanic neighborhood in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace sustainable energy as a lifestyle, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you decided to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my business partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with a very promising small solar setup company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community. As an outcome, my partner and I combined his experience in offering to the Hispanic market with my customer care know-how to develop SUNTEX where “the consumer is the factor we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic neighborhood and our customers with excellent customer support.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not identify with our culture. We knew that solar advantages everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our people would need a lot of support to comprehend how to obtain this advantage for their houses.
What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
Being a small business with a high level of service expectations for our consumers features its own set of difficulties. Nevertheless, the best obstacle we face is shared by a variety of small companies: turnover. Furthermore, even though solar power has been around for a while, the essentials of these tasks are not widely taught in school. So, we have to spend a lot quantity of time training sales staff to make certain they are able to offer a high level of customer care.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our sincere values. I have learned throughout my life that in business, there is no other way to do it ideal however to be truthful. While others may take faster ways, the reality always dominates.
Please share with us a current company success story.
During our preliminary consultation, I noted that they might only attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the property. We discussed a few extra energy efficiency upgrades to the house to minimize energy consumption, which might supply a greater energy offset. Angela initially flinched at the idea of investing more money into the home, but ultimately she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades.
During the installation, we wound up paying for Angela and her senior mother to remain in a hotel up until their upgrades and inspections were complete to guarantee they were comfy throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical power used in her home. Thanks to the air conditioning upgrade, they have minimized their energy consumption significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we imply by “client service.”
From a national point of view, how can we improve access to renewable enery?
Many of the house owners that we visit are fortunate to own a house, yet numerous of them have not qualified for solar due to numerous combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit score, lower yearly family earnings, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of available loan programs. We require to supply more people with chances to adopt eco-friendly energy with less troubles.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your service?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our growth in this industry, and offering us the opportunity to fulfill others in the exact same boat. Now I know that there is expect minority little businesses in the renewable resource industry.
How can prospective partners work with you?
It is essential that we share the same values and objective to help others, even if it means leaving our comfort zones. It might cost a bit more for us to do service, however its worth it in the end for our customers. If youre ready to begin there, we d like to meet to talk about possible partnership opportunities.
Is there anything else you want to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the opportunities you have actually supplied. I understand this is just the start, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I anticipate becoming a sponsor to assist lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my customers and partners at SUNTEX, since they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To get more information about SUNTEX, go to https://suntexllc.com/.
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Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. Throughout our preliminary appointment, I kept in mind that they could just accomplish 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 couple of extra energy efficiency upgrades to the house to reduce energy usage, which could supply a greater energy balanced out. Angela at first flinched at the thought of investing more money into the house, however eventually she called me back and said she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioner upgrade, they have decreased their energy consumption considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.