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 market leaders and topics connected to speeding up an equitable and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are growing 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 search for chances to serve others– be it by offering remarkable customer service, language translations, or simply sharing understanding 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.
Tell us about SUNTEX?
Our companys objective is simple: we want 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 comprehend and adopt renewable energy as a lifestyle, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey toward developing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha moment” when you chose to focus on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my service partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with a very promising little solar installation business in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity 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 customer support proficiency to develop SUNTEX where “the consumer is the factor we exist as a company”. Our focus is connecting the Hispanic neighborhood and our clients with exceptional client service.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have actually personally experienced a lack of care and interaction from those that can not recognize with our culture. We knew that solar benefits everybody, regardless of race or background, and that our people would need a lot of assistance to comprehend how to obtain this advantage for their houses.
What challenges do you face? Why?
Being a small company with a high level of service expectations for our consumers features its own set of challenges. The biggest obstacle we face is shared by a number of little services: turnover. Furthermore, despite the fact that solar power has been around for a while, the basics of these jobs are not widely taught in school. We have to spend a lot amount of time training sales personnel to make sure they are able to supply a high level of consumer service.
How are you making an impact through SUNTEX?
By merely living up to our sincere values. I have learned throughout my life that in company, there is no other way to do it right however to be truthful. While others may take faster ways, the fact constantly dominates.
Please show us a current business success story.
During our preliminary appointment, I noted that they might just achieve about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes usage rates and shading from trees on the home. We discussed a couple of extra energy efficiency upgrades to the house to lower energy usage, which could supply a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially winced 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 installation, we ended up spending for Angela and her senior mother to remain in a hotel till their upgrades and examinations were complete to ensure they were comfortable throughout the process.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical power used in her home. Thanks to the air conditioning upgrade, they have decreased their energy usage considerably, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying before setting up solar. This is what we imply by “customer care.”
From a national viewpoint, how can we enhance access to eco-friendly enery?
From my experience, there is a large gap in gain access to. The majority of the property owners that we go to are lucky to own a house, yet numerous of them have not qualified for solar due to a number of combined or isolated aspects such as subprime credit report, lower annual household income, self-employment, or a lack of understanding of readily available loan programs. These neighborhoods require more support and education on the significance of setting up a solar system that can conserve them money. We require to supply more individuals with opportunities to adopt sustainable energy with fewer hassles.
How has your Accelerate subscription helped your service?
By empowering us to think that there is someone there to support our growth in this market, and giving us the chance to meet others in the exact same boat. Now I know that there is hope for minority little companies in the renewable energy market.
How can possible partners work with you?
It is very important that we share the exact same worths and objective to assist others, even if it implies getting out of our comfort zones. It may cost a little bit more for us to do company, but its worth it in the end for our clients. If youre willing to start there, we d like to fulfill to discuss possible partnership chances.
Exists anything else you want to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are truly grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have offered. I know this is just the start, and we have a long road ahead of us; nevertheless, I eagerly anticipate becoming a sponsor to assist pave the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my consumers and partners at SUNTEX, because they are the fuel that drives the mission!
For more information about SUNTEX, see https://suntexllc.com/.
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Additionally, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not commonly taught in school. During our preliminary consultation, I noted that they might only attain about 56% of solar energy balanced out due to their houses usage rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We went over a couple of extra energy efficiency upgrades to the house to reduce energy usage, which could provide a higher energy balanced out. Angela initially winced at the idea of investing more money into the house, but ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades. Thanks to the AC upgrade, they have lowered their energy usage greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before setting up solar.