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 installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features market leaders and subjects connected to speeding up a fair and simply transition to a sustainable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and constantly search for opportunities to serve others– be it by providing remarkable customer care, language translations, or just sharing understanding with others. My personal goals and desire to assist others led me to work in the renewable energy sector, where I can pursue this dream on a bigger scale.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss mission is simple: we wish to make solar simple and budget-friendly every step of the way. We largely serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers comprehend and embrace renewable resource as a lifestyle, helping generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey toward establishing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha moment” when you chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with an extremely promising little solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As an outcome, my partner and I combined his experience in offering to the Hispanic market with my customer care expertise to develop SUNTEX where “the client is the factor we exist as a company”. Our focus is linking the Hispanic community and our clients with excellent client service.
Why is focusing on the Hispanic community a priority for SUNTEX?
Primary: it remains in our blood. My company partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can determine well with our people and their worldview. Second: in the past, we have personally experienced an absence of care and communication from those that can not relate to our culture. We understood that solar benefits everybody, despite race or background, and that our individuals would require a lot of assistance to understand how to obtain this benefit for their homes.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
Being a little company with a high level of service expectations for our consumers comes with its own set of difficulties. In addition, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not widely taught in school.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By just living up to our truthful values. I have discovered throughout my life that in company, there is no other method to do it ideal however to be honest. While others may take faster ways, the fact constantly dominates.
Please share with us a current company success story.
Just recently, after assisting a client “go solar” in 2 of her homes, she referred a new customer called Angela to us. During our initial appointment, I kept in mind that they might just achieve about 56% of solar power offset due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the property. We went over a couple of additional energy performance upgrades to your home to reduce energy consumption, which could provide a greater energy offset. Angela initially cringed at the thought of investing more cash into the house, but ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move on with the solar and energy performance upgrades. We completed a Home Energy Audit to see why her use was so high and found that her house needed a larger a/c system, plus extra ducts to distribute the air conditioning equally 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 qualify for a lower rates of interest than any other home improvement loan for that air conditioning upgrade. She took my recommendations and chose to move forward and was, in reality, able to reduce her loan rate of interest.
During the setup, we wound up spending for Angela and her senior mother to remain in a hotel up until their examinations and upgrades were complete to ensure they were comfortable throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical energy utilized in her home. Thanks to the a/c upgrade, they have decreased their energy usage significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying before setting up solar. This is what we suggest by “consumer service.”
From a national viewpoint, how can we improve access to renewable enery?
Many of the property owners that we check out are lucky to own a house, yet numerous of them have not qualified for solar due to a number of combined or separated elements such as subprime credit rating, lower annual household earnings, self-employment, or an absence of understanding of available loan programs. We require to provide more people with opportunities to embrace renewable energy with fewer inconveniences.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your organization?
By empowering us to believe that there is somebody there to support our development in this industry, and offering us the chance to meet others in the exact same boat. Now I know that there is expect minority little companies in the eco-friendly energy industry.
How can potential partners work with you?
It is essential that we share the same values and mission to help others, even if it indicates leaving our convenience zones. It may cost a little more for us to do organization, but its worth it in the end for our clients. We d like to satisfy to discuss possible collaboration opportunities if youre ready to begin there.
Exists anything else you want to show ACORE members and partners?
We are really grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the chances you have offered. I know this is just the start, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I eagerly anticipate ending up being a sponsor to assist lead the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with an unique thanks to all of my customers and partners at SUNTEX, since they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To find out more about SUNTEX, go to https://suntexllc.com/.
###

In addition, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the basics of these tasks are not extensively taught in school. Throughout our initial visit, I kept in mind that they could just achieve about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a few extra energy efficiency upgrades to the home to reduce energy intake, which could provide a greater energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the idea of investing more money into the house, however eventually she called me back and stated she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the Air conditioner upgrade, they have decreased their energy usage significantly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.