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 4th installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features industry leaders and topics associated with speeding up a fair and just transition to a sustainable energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
What inspired you to begin 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 offering exceptional customer service, language translations, or simply sharing understanding with others. My individual goals and desire to help 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 companys mission is easy: we wish to make solar simple and cost effective every step of the method. We mainly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– assist Spanish speakers understand and adopt renewable energy as a way of life, helping generations to come.
Please show us more about your journey toward developing SUNTEX. Was there an “aha moment” when you chose to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my organization partner and I had the chance to sign up with an extremely promising small solar setup business in Houston. Through this work we saw the chance offered to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) neighborhood. As a result, my partner and I combined his experience in selling to the Hispanic market with my customer support expertise to produce SUNTEX where “the consumer is the reason we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic neighborhood and our customers with exceptional client service.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic neighborhood a concern for SUNTEX?
Primary: it remains in our blood. My organization partner and I are native Spanish speakers, and we can determine well with our people and their worldview. Second: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and communication from those that can not determine with our culture. We understood that solar advantages everyone, no matter race or background, which our individuals would need a great deal of assistance to understand how to acquire 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. Furthermore, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not extensively taught in school.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By merely living up to our truthful values. I have found out throughout my life that in service, there is no other method to do it ideal however to be truthful. While others might take shortcuts, the fact always dominates.
Please show us a current company success story.
During our initial appointment, I noted that they could only achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses consumption rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We discussed a few additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to decrease energy consumption, which might offer a greater energy offset. Angela at first cringed at the idea of investing more cash into the home, but eventually she called me back and stated she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades.
During the setup, we wound up paying for Angela and her senior mom to remain in a hotel up until their upgrades and inspections were complete to ensure they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas planetary system covers 100% of the electrical power utilized in her house. Thanks to the a/c 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 before setting up solar. This is what we suggest by “customer support.”
From a national perspective, how can we improve access to eco-friendly enery?
Many of the homeowners that we go to are fortunate to own a home, yet numerous of them have actually not qualified for solar due to a number of combined or isolated factors such as subprime credit score, lower annual family earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of offered loan programs. We require to supply more people with opportunities to adopt eco-friendly energy with less hassles.
How has your Accelerate subscription helped your organization?
By empowering us to believe that there is someone there to support our growth in this industry, and giving us the chance to meet others in the same boat. Now I understand that there is expect minority small services in the renewable resource industry.
How can prospective partners work with you?
It is very important that we share the same worths and mission to help others, even if it suggests getting out of our convenience zones. It might cost a little bit more for us to do company, however its worth it in the end for our consumers. If youre ready to start there, we d love to meet to go over possible partnership chances.
Is there anything else you wish to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate subscription program and for all of the chances you have provided. I know this is only the beginning, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I anticipate 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 clients and collaborators at SUNTEX, considering that they are the fuel that drives the mission!
To read more about SUNTEX, go to https://suntexllc.com/.
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Furthermore, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. Throughout our initial visit, I kept in mind that they could just attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their homes intake rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We talked about a few additional energy effectiveness upgrades to the home to decrease energy usage, which might provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially flinched at the thought of investing more money into the home, however eventually she called me back and said she wanted to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the A/c 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 prior to setting up solar.