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 installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment includes industry leaders and subjects connected to speeding up a fair and simply transition to an eco-friendly energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are growing 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 search for opportunities to serve others– be it by offering extraordinary client service, language translations, or merely sharing knowledge with others. My personal goals and desire to assist others led me to operate in the eco-friendly energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss objective is simple: we desire to make solar easy and inexpensive every step of the way. We mostly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace renewable energy as a way of living, assisting generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha moment” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my business partner and I had the chance to join an extremely appealing little solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community. As a result, my partner and I integrated his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my client service competence to develop SUNTEX where “the client is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is linking the Hispanic community and our consumers with exceptional client service.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic neighborhood a concern for SUNTEX?
Top: it remains in our blood. My company partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can recognize well with our people and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced an absence of care and interaction from those that can not recognize with our culture. We understood that solar benefits everybody, despite race or background, which our people would require a great deal of assistance to comprehend how to get this advantage for their homes.
What obstacles do you face? Why?
Being a little company with a high level of service expectations for our consumers comes with its own set of obstacles. Furthermore, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not extensively taught in school.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By merely living up to our truthful worths. I have discovered throughout my life that in organization, there is no other method to do it right but to be sincere. While others may take shortcuts, the reality always dominates.
Please show us a current company success story.
Recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in 2 of her homes, she referred a new client named Angela to us. During our preliminary visit, I noted that they might just accomplish about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a few extra energy performance upgrades to your home to reduce energy intake, which might supply a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially cringed at the thought of investing more money into the house, however eventually she called me back and said she desired to progress with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her usage was so high and discovered that her house required a larger AC system, plus extra ducts to distribute the a/c evenly throughout your home. We likewise informed her that the financing partner might include the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that in doing so, she might receive a lower rate of interest than any other home enhancement loan for that AC upgrade. She took my suggestions and chose to progress and was, in reality, able to decrease her loan rates of interest.
During the setup, we ended up spending for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel till their upgrades and inspections were complete to guarantee they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical power utilized in her home. Thanks to the a/c upgrade, they have reduced their energy usage significantly, 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 suggest by “customer support.”
From a nationwide viewpoint, how can we improve access to sustainable enery?
Most of the homeowners that we visit are lucky to own a home, yet numerous of them have actually not qualified for solar due to numerous combined or separated factors such as subprime credit rating, lower annual household income, self-employment, or a lack of understanding of readily available loan programs. We require to supply more people with chances to embrace renewable energy with fewer inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your service?
By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our growth in this industry, and providing us the opportunity to satisfy others in the same boat. Now I understand that there is wish for minority little companies in the renewable resource market.
How can potential partners work with you?
It is essential that we share the exact same worths and objective to assist others, even if it implies getting out of our comfort zones. It may cost a bit more for us to do organization, but its worth it in the end for our customers. If youre ready to start there, we d love to satisfy to go over possible partnership chances.
Exists anything else you would like to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the opportunities you have provided. I know this is just the beginning, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; nevertheless, I look forward to 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 consumers and collaborators at SUNTEX, since they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To read more about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
###

In addition, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our preliminary consultation, I kept in mind that they could just attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the property. We discussed a couple of extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to decrease energy intake, which could provide a greater energy balanced out. Angela at first cringed at the thought of investing more money into the home, however ultimately she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioning upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy intake considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.