12 — VICTORIA ADVOCATE, Sunday, June 27, 2021
VictoriaAdvocate.com
OVER 40: THE NAME OF THE GAME IS SOLAR EDUCATION FOR THOMAS RENDON
Thomas Rendon, left, stands next to his friend, business partner and first customer Trinidad Ramos III. Through Hurricane Harvey, much of Ramos’ house was damaged, he said. But his s an early adopter of solar panel technology in Victoria, Thomas Rendon, solar panels stayed “perfectly good,” he 53, believes in helping folks under- said, and have continued to slash his elecstand more about little-used energy source tric bill which accommodates an in-ground at their homes and businesses pool and an old house with poor insulation. Rendon is the president and owner of While standing outside the McFaddin Sweetwater Energy Services, which installs Building along Forrest Street, Rendon and maintains solar panels while also edu- said a lot of people thought he was crazy cating customers and the general public. for going into his new career, as sunshine Though he is not an electrician, he said his added enough energy to the building’s soprior career experience has helped Sweetlar panels to add to the electric grid, rather water grow with the Victoria community. “We’re here to educate people that solar than using energy from it. Previously in the finance and banking inis an answer and help with electricity probdustry, Rendon said as a businessman, he lems,” said Trinidad Ramos III, a business partner of Rendon and his first solar cus- saw an opportunity to get in on the industomer. “We’re not only helping the envi- try with the support of strong electricians ronment, but we’re also helping our fellow and other local electrician businesses who brothers and sisters.” he has made friendships with. By Geoff Sloan | gsloan@vicad.com
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Working together with those other electrician businesses has been important, he said. He and his team have trained workers at other electrician businesses and often provide information sessions for the public about solar energy. “My wife is like, ‘why would you do that?’” Rendon said. “If you have four companies talking, preaching, practicing, promoting and pitching solar, it’ll be four times the marketing and advertising to promote the solar business.” Both Rendon and Ramos are faith based and said that God pointed them in the direction of Sweetwater. “He’s a God fearing man, and that’s one reason why I went with him,” Ramos said. Connect with Sweetwater Energy Services on Facebook and learn more about In the foreground, solar panels sit on top information sessions at www.facebook. of the McFaddin building, ahead of the com/SWES.SouthTexas. old federal building in Victoria.
