Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Ally Mendoza, CEO of SUNTEX
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the fourth installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation includes market leaders and subjects connected to accelerating an equitable and just transition to a renewable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are growing in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and always look for opportunities to serve others– be it by providing remarkable customer care, language translations, or merely sharing understanding with others. My personal goals and desire to help others led me to operate in the sustainable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our companys mission is simple: we wish to make solar easy and affordable 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, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha minute” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my company partner and I had the opportunity to join an extremely promising little solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As an outcome, my partner and I integrated his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my customer support expertise to produce SUNTEX where “the client is the reason we exist as a business”. Our focus is linking the Hispanic community and our consumers with excellent customer care.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a priority for SUNTEX?
Number One: it remains in our blood. My service partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can identify well with our individuals and their worldview. Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and interaction from those that can not relate to our culture. We knew that solar advantages everybody, despite race or background, and that our individuals would need a great deal of assistance to comprehend how to get this advantage for their houses.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a small business with a high level of service expectations for our customers comes with its own set of difficulties. Furthermore, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not widely taught in school.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By merely measuring up to our truthful worths. I have actually found out throughout my life that in company, there is no other way to do it best however to be honest. While others may take shortcuts, the fact constantly dominates.
Please share with us a recent company success story.
Recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in 2 of her houses, she referred a brand-new client called Angela to us. Throughout our initial consultation, I noted that they might just attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a couple of additional energy effectiveness upgrades to your house to decrease energy intake, which might provide a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially flinched at the thought of investing more money into the house, but ultimately she called me back and said she wanted to progress with the solar and energy performance upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her usage was so high and found that her home required a larger air conditioner unit, plus extra ducts to distribute the air conditioner uniformly throughout your house. We also told her that the finance partner might include the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she might certify for a lower interest rate than any other house enhancement loan for that AC upgrade. She took my guidance and chose to move on and was, in reality, able to minimize her loan rates of interest.
Throughout the setup, we wound up spending for Angela and her elderly mother to remain in a hotel till their evaluations and upgrades were complete to guarantee they were comfortable throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electricity used in her house. Thanks to the air conditioning upgrade, they have lowered their energy intake considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar. This is what we imply by “client service.”
From a national point of view, how can we improve access to eco-friendly enery?
Most of the property owners that we go to are lucky to own a home, yet numerous of them have actually not certified for solar due to a number of combined or separated aspects such as subprime credit score, lower yearly family income, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of readily available loan programs. We need to offer more individuals with chances to embrace sustainable energy with fewer troubles.
How has your Accelerate subscription assisted your organization?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our growth in this market, and giving us the chance to meet others in the very same boat. Now I know that there is expect minority small companies in the renewable energy industry.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is necessary that we share the very same values and mission to assist others, even if it suggests leaving our comfort zones. It may cost a little more for us to do business, but its worth it in the end for our customers. If youre prepared to begin there, we d enjoy to meet to discuss possible partnership chances.
Is there anything else you want to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the chances you have actually supplied. I understand this is just the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; nevertheless, I anticipate becoming a sponsor to help lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my consumers and collaborators at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To get more information about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
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In addition, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not extensively taught in school. During our preliminary visit, I kept in mind that they might only 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 went over a few extra energy performance upgrades to the home to lower energy usage, which might provide a higher energy offset. Angela at first cringed 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 efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the A/c upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy usage considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar.