Four Elements Energy spreads the message of renewables

For the past two and a half years Four Elements Energy in Lawrence has been steadily growing its business, making renewable energy available to residential and commercial users. 

 

The company of three -- Dan Alway, Art Toy and Lloyd LaZotte -- has chosen a path designed to keep it from the ups and downs of many startups. They take on projects they know they can handle, rather than ones that would require them to staff up and then layoff employees as the work is completed.

 

"We've all come from businesses where we laid off and we don't want to have to do that to people," Toy says.

 

So far, it's been a course that has worked for the company that specializes in solar and wind systems designs and installation. They can install solar photovoltaic panels, solar hot water, wind electric systems and masonry heaters. 

 

Business has been steady. They will be working on wind energy project for Jackson Community College next week and this week have been finishing up work on a solar energy system at the Cass County Jail and Animal Control building.

 

The company also has recently been working with homeowners and companies to install systems that feed energy back to Consumers Energy and are paid by Consumers for that energy. Currently, the utility company pays 25 cents a killowatt for electricity that costs the residential consumer 12 cents. 

 

Known as feed-in tariffs, the program helps the utility company meet requirements that a percentage if the energy it generates be from renewable resources. A renewable system "pays for your electric bill for the rest of your life," Alway says.

 

Current prices to install some renewable energy solutions intially may seem prohibitive, but the return on investment currently is better than most certificates of deposit, Toy says. In some cases, the company also can help find assistance programs designed to offset the price of installation. 

 

Not only does the company work to find the right renewable energy solution for its customers, it also is dedicated to educating as many people as possible regarding the possibilities of solar, wind and other energy alternatives. They attend county fairs and fairs dedicated to renewable energy, where information is exchanged between those in the business and those wanting to learn more about the possibilities.

 

Alway lives off-grid near Gobles. He has been installing renewable energy systems for more than 38 years and teaches solar energy courses at the Kalamazoo Math and Science Center. 

 

Toy has more than 26 years of experience in research, development, production, manufacturing and project management. He assisted with Pfizer Inc.'s Climate Change, Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency initiatives. His home is equipped with a wind turbine, solar water heater and geothermal heating/cooling system that feed electricity to Consumers Energy.  

 

LeZotte is a licensed architect and licensed builder with more than 26 years of experience in building design and construction in Michigan. He has installed wind turbines, solar electric systems and solar thermal systems for homes.

 

The systems they install and recommend, Alway says, are those that they have installed in their own homes or those they would like to have someday.