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 4th installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation includes industry leaders and topics connected to accelerating a fair and simply transition to a sustainable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are flourishing in the sustainable energy sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and constantly try to find chances to serve others– be it by supplying exceptional client service, language translations, or simply sharing knowledge with others. My personal goals and desire to assist others led me to operate in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss mission is easy: we desire to make solar easy and economical every action of the method. We mainly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers understand and embrace renewable resource as a lifestyle, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards developing 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 chance to join a really appealing small solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a top priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced an absence of care and interaction from those that can not identify with our culture. We knew that solar benefits everybody, regardless of race or background, and that our people would require a lot of support to comprehend how to obtain this benefit for their houses.
What difficulties do you deal with? Why?
Being a small business with a high level of service expectations for our clients comes with its own set of obstacles. Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not widely taught in school.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By simply living up to our honest values. I have actually found out throughout my life that in company, there is no other method to do it best however to be honest. While others may take faster ways, the fact constantly dominates.
Please share with us a recent company success story.
Recently, after assisting a customer “go solar” in 2 of her houses, she referred a new client called Angela to us. During our preliminary appointment, I noted that they could only attain about 56% of solar power offset due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We talked about a few additional energy performance upgrades to the home to reduce energy intake, which might offer a higher energy offset. Angela at first cringed at the idea of investing more cash into the house, however ultimately she called me back and said she wished to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and found that her house needed a bigger AC system, plus extra ducts to distribute the air conditioner equally throughout your home. We also informed her that the financing partner might include the expense of that upgrade to the solar loan– which in doing so, she could get approved for a lower interest rate than any other house improvement loan for that air conditioner upgrade. She took my advice and chose to move on and was, in fact, able to decrease her loan rate of interest.
Throughout the setup, we wound up paying for Angela and her senior mother to remain in a hotel until their examinations and upgrades 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 air conditioning upgrade, they have decreased their energy intake greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar. This is what we suggest by “consumer service.”
From a national perspective, how can we enhance access to sustainable enery?
From my experience, there is a large gap in gain access to. Many of the homeowners that we check out are lucky to own a home, yet a lot of them have not gotten approved for solar due to a number of combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit history, lower yearly household earnings, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of offered loan programs. These communities require more assistance and education on the value of installing a planetary system that can save them money. We need to supply more people with opportunities to adopt renewable resource with fewer hassles.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your organization?
By empowering us to think that there is someone there to support our growth in this industry, and providing us the chance to meet others in the exact same boat. Now I understand that there is hope for minority small organizations in the renewable resource market.
How can potential partners do business with you?
It is very important that we share the exact same values and mission to help others, even if it suggests getting out of our convenience zones. It may cost a little bit more for us to do company, however its worth it in the end for our consumers. We d enjoy to satisfy to talk about possible cooperation opportunities if youre ready to begin there.
Exists anything else you want to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have actually provided. I understand this is only the start, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I look forward to ending up being a sponsor to help pave the method for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my consumers and partners at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
For more information about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
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Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. During our preliminary consultation, I noted that they could only accomplish about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the home. We went over a few extra energy efficiency upgrades to the house to reduce energy usage, which might provide a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the thought of investing more money into the house, but eventually she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioner upgrade, they have actually decreased their energy consumption significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar.