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 site series.
Each installation includes market leaders and topics related to accelerating an equitable and just transition to a renewable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are growing in the renewable energy sector.
What inspired you to begin SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and constantly look for opportunities to serve others– be it by supplying remarkable client service, language translations, or simply sharing knowledge with others. My personal goals and desire to help others led me to work in the sustainable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss objective is simple: we want to make solar simple and affordable every step of the way. We mostly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers understand and adopt renewable resource as a lifestyle, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey towards developing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha moment” when you chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my business partner and I had the chance to join an extremely appealing small solar setup business in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic neighborhood a top priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not determine with our culture. We understood that solar advantages everyone, regardless of race or background, and that our people would need a lot of support to comprehend how to acquire this benefit for their homes.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our clients features its own set of difficulties. Nevertheless, the greatest obstacle we face is shared by a variety of small services: turnover. In addition, despite the fact that solar power has actually been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not widely taught in school. So, we need to spend a lot amount of time training sales staff to ensure they have the ability to provide a high level of consumer service.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By merely measuring up to our sincere worths. I have actually learned throughout my life that in service, there is no other way to do it ideal however to be sincere. While others may take shortcuts, the fact always prevails.
Please share with us a recent business success story.
Throughout our preliminary visit, I kept in mind that they might just achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the property. We talked about a couple of additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to lower energy usage, which could offer a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first flinched at the idea of investing more cash into the home, but ultimately she called me back and said she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy performance upgrades.
Throughout the setup, we wound up paying for Angela and her senior mother to stay in a hotel until their examinations and upgrades were complete to ensure they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical energy utilized in her home. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy usage considerably, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment every month that is less than she was paying before installing solar. This is what we mean by “client service.”
From a national viewpoint, how can we enhance access to renewable enery?
Many 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 numerous combined or separated factors such as subprime credit rating, lower yearly home income, self-employment, or an absence of knowledge of readily available loan programs. We require to supply more individuals with opportunities to embrace eco-friendly energy with less troubles.
How has your Accelerate membership assisted your service?
By empowering us to think that there is somebody there to support our development in this industry, and giving us the opportunity to fulfill others in the very same boat. Now I understand that there is wish for minority small companies in the sustainable energy industry.
How can prospective partners do company with you?
It is very important that we share the very same values and mission to assist others, even if it means leaving our comfort zones. It might cost a bit more for us to do business, but its worth it in the end for our consumers. We d like to meet to talk about possible partnership chances if youre willing to start there.
Exists anything else you would like to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are truly grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the chances you have actually provided. I understand this is just the beginning, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I look forward to becoming a sponsor to help pave the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my consumers and collaborators at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To read more about SUNTEX, visit https://suntexllc.com/.
###

In addition, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the fundamentals of these jobs are not extensively taught in school. Throughout our initial visit, I noted that they could just attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses consumption rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a couple of extra energy performance upgrades to the house to lower energy consumption, which could provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first cringed at the thought of investing more cash into the house, but ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy efficiency upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioner upgrade, they have lowered their energy consumption greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar.