Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Ally Mendoza, CEO of SUNTEX

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 16, 2021

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 initial consultation, I kept in mind that they might only achieve about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses intake rates and shading from trees on the home. We discussed a few extra energy efficiency upgrades to the home to decrease energy usage, which might offer a greater energy offset. Angela at first winced at the idea of investing more cash into the home, but ultimately she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the A/c upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy consumption greatly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying prior to installing solar.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the 4th installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features market leaders and subjects associated with speeding up an equitable and just shift to a renewable resource 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 start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and always search for chances to serve others– be it by offering extraordinary client service, language translations, or just 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 companys objective is easy: we desire to make solar easy and affordable every step of the way. We largely serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers understand and embrace renewable resource as a way of living, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward developing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you decided to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the opportunity to join a very promising small solar setup business in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community. As a result, my partner and I combined his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my client service competence to produce SUNTEX where “the consumer is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is linking the Hispanic neighborhood and our consumers with outstanding consumer service.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a top priority for SUNTEX?
Number One: it is in our blood. My service 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 a lack of care and communication from those that can not relate to our culture. We understood that solar advantages everybody, despite race or background, which our individuals would require a lot of assistance to comprehend how to obtain this advantage for their homes.
What difficulties do you deal with? Why?
Being a small business 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 basics of these tasks are not commonly taught in school.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By simply measuring up to our honest values. I have actually discovered throughout my life that in service, there is no other method to do it best but to be sincere. While others may take shortcuts, the truth always dominates.
Please share with us a current business success story.
Recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in two of her houses, she referred a new customer named Angela to us. During our initial appointment, I kept in mind that they might only attain about 56% of solar power balanced out due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the home. We discussed a couple of extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to decrease energy intake, which might supply a greater energy offset. Angela at first flinched at the thought of investing more cash into the house, however ultimately she called me back and said she wished to progress 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 house needed a larger AC system, plus extra ducts to disperse the air conditioner uniformly throughout your house. We also informed her that the financing partner could include the cost of that upgrade to the solar loan– and that 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 suggestions and chose to move on and was, in truth, able to minimize her loan interest rate.
Throughout the installation, we ended up paying for Angela and her elderly mother to remain in a hotel until their examinations and upgrades were total to ensure they were comfortable throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical energy utilized in her house. Thanks to the air conditioning upgrade, they have actually lowered their energy intake significantly, 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 suggest by “client service.”
From a nationwide perspective, how can we improve access to renewable enery?
Most of the property owners that we go to are lucky to own a house, yet numerous of them have actually not certified for solar due to several combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit score, lower annual household income, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of offered loan programs. We need to supply more people with opportunities to adopt renewable energy with less inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your business?
By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our growth in this market, and giving us the opportunity to fulfill others in the very same boat. Now I understand that there is expect minority little businesses in the renewable resource market.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is necessary that we share the exact same worths and mission to help others, even if it suggests getting out of our convenience zones. It may cost a little more for us to do business, but its worth it in the end for our consumers. If youre willing to begin there, we d love to meet to talk about possible collaboration opportunities.
Exists anything else you want to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are truly grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the chances you have supplied. I understand this is only the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I look forward to ending up being a sponsor to help pave the method 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 objective!
For more information about SUNTEX, check out https://suntexllc.com/.
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