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 installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation includes industry leaders and topics associated with speeding up an equitable and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are prospering in the sustainable energy sector.
What inspired you to start SUNTEX?
As a natural-born leader, I always set high expectations for myself and constantly look for chances to serve others– be it by offering exceptional client service, language translations, or merely sharing understanding with others. My personal objectives and desire to assist others led me to work in the renewable resource sector, where I can pursue this dream on a larger scale.
Inform us about SUNTEX?
Our businesss mission is basic: we want to make solar simple and budget friendly every action of the way. We mostly serve the Hispanic community in Texas. That is what we do best– help Spanish speakers understand and adopt eco-friendly energy as a way of living, assisting generations to come.
Please share with us more about your journey towards establishing SUNTEX. Existed an “aha minute” when you decided to concentrate on solar?
Back in August of 2018, my company partner and I had the opportunity to sign up with a really appealing small solar installation company in Houston. Through this work we saw the opportunity readily available to bring solar into our (the Hispanic) community. As an outcome, my partner and I integrated his experience in offering to the Hispanic market with my client service know-how to create SUNTEX where “the client is the factor we exist as a company”. Our focus is linking the Hispanic neighborhood and our consumers with outstanding client service.
Why is concentrating on the Hispanic community a priority for SUNTEX?
Number Two: in the past, we have personally experienced a lack of care and interaction from those that can not identify with our culture. We knew that solar benefits 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 houses.
What obstacles do you face? Why?
Being a small business with a high level of service expectations for our clients features its own set of challenges. The greatest obstacle we face is shared by a number of small companies: turnover. Additionally, even though solar energy has actually been around for a while, the essentials of these jobs are not widely taught in school. So, we have to invest a lot quantity of time training sales personnel to make sure they have the ability to provide a high level of client service.
How are you making an effect through SUNTEX?
By just measuring up to our honest worths. I have learned throughout my life that in business, there is no other method to do it right however to be truthful. While others may take faster ways, the truth always prevails.
Please show us a current business success story.
During our preliminary consultation, I noted that they could just accomplish about 56% of solar energy offset due to their houses consumption rates and shading from trees on the residential or commercial property. We went over a few extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to minimize energy consumption, which might supply a higher energy balanced out. Angela at first winced at the idea of investing more cash into the house, however ultimately she called me back and said she desired to move forward with the solar and energy effectiveness upgrades.
Throughout the installation, we wound up spending for Angela and her elderly mom to remain in a hotel up until their upgrades and inspections were total to ensure they were comfy throughout the procedure.
Now, Angelas solar system covers 100% of the electrical energy utilized in her home. Thanks to the air conditioning upgrade, they have actually reduced their energy consumption greatly, and she has a flat, foreseeable solar payment monthly that is less than she was paying prior to setting up solar. This is what we suggest by “customer care.”
From a national perspective, how can we enhance access to renewable enery?
Most of the property owners that we check out are fortunate to own a home, yet numerous of them have actually not qualified for solar due to several combined or isolated factors such as subprime credit score, lower yearly home earnings, self-employment, or a lack of knowledge of available loan programs. We require to provide more people with chances to embrace eco-friendly energy with fewer hassles.
How has your Accelerate membership helped your service?
By empowering us to think that there is someone there to support our growth in this industry, and giving us the opportunity to meet others in the same boat. Now I know that there is expect minority little organizations in the renewable resource industry.
How can potential partners work with you?
It is necessary that we share the exact same values and objective to help others, even if it implies leaving our comfort zones. It may cost a little bit more for us to do organization, however its worth it in the end for our clients. We d enjoy to meet to go over possible partnership opportunities if youre willing to start there.
Exists anything else you would like to share with ACORE members and partners?
We are genuinely grateful for the Accelerate membership program and for all of the chances you have actually offered. I know this is just the beginning, and we have a long roadway ahead of us; however, I anticipate becoming a sponsor to assist pave the way for other Accelerate members in the future– with a special thanks to all of my customers and partners at SUNTEX, given that they are the fuel that drives the objective!
To find out more about SUNTEX, go to https://suntexllc.com/.
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Furthermore, even though solar energy has been around for a while, the fundamentals of these tasks are not widely taught in school. Throughout our initial consultation, I kept in mind that they could just attain about 56% of solar energy offset due to their homes consumption rates and shading from trees on the home. We talked about a few extra energy effectiveness upgrades to the house to decrease energy intake, which might offer a greater energy offset. Angela initially cringed at the thought 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 performance upgrades. Thanks to the A/c upgrade, they have actually minimized their energy intake significantly, and she has a flat, predictable solar payment each month that is less than she was paying before installing solar.