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Here's the Story...
Four Elements Energy FIRST to Install
Dual Meter in Consumers Energy Feed-In Tariff Program (18 JAN 2010) (Lawrence, Michigan 6 January 2010)
–In the Fall of 2009, Four Elements Energy successfully installed the first Residential Consumers Energy Michigan wide
Dual Meter Feed-In Tariff Solar Electric System in Otsego, Michigan. The 2.5 Kilowatt solar photovoltaic electric system sits atop the garage roof of a home in Otsego, Michigan.
The system is now part of the Consumers Energy Experimental Alternative Renewable Program, EARP. The EARP is a program designed
by Consumers Energy to achieve its state mandate to provide 10% of its electrical power by renewable means by 2015. All the
electricity that the solar PV array produces will be paid $0.65 a kilowatt/hour to this home owner for the next 12 years by
Consumers Energy. Just as a comparison, most residential Consumer’s Energy customers are currently paying Consumer’s
Energy just under $0.12 a kilowatt/hour for electricity. Based on the projected annual electrical output, the projected pay back for this solar PV array while participating
in the EARP, including a 30% Federal Tax Credit is approximately 9 years. For commercial solar electric installations, the payback is expected to be even shorter based
upon the benefits of the Feed-In Tariff, Federal Tax Credits, Accelerated Depreciation of the Capital Equipment and the added
benefit of businesses located in Smart Zones. Larger arrays would have an even shorter payback. This program is modeled after the very successful Feed-In Tariff program
in Germany. To view a more complete description of this project with pictures, please go to: www.fourelements-energy.com 
Art Toy [L] and Lloyd LeZotte [R] with Four Elements Energy installs a 2.5 Kilowatt solar photovoltaic
electric system connected to the Consumers Energy grid atop a home in Otsego, Michigan. Consumers Energy will pay the home
owner $0.65/ kilowatt hour for the next 12 years for the electricity generated by this system.About Four Elements Energy, Inc.
– Four
Elements Energy, Inc. installs solar electric systems, solar thermal systems, micro-hydro and wind turbine systems. The company
provides on-staff
licensed architectural services for green building & net-zero building design, green energy consulting, system design, project management,
site assessments, grant writing and installation services. They also conduct residential and commercial solar/wind site and
energy efficiency assessments.
Kalamazoo HOME EXPO-(18 JAN
2010) FOUR ELEMENTS ENERGY will be at the Home Builders Association of Greater
Kalamazoo HOME EXPO during March 17-20th this year. We will be again, presenting seminars about 'Renewable Energy
Basics' Wind Energy, Solar PV, Solar Thermal and Solar Air Heating. In mid-February, we will be installing a functional
Bergey XL at the Home EXPO Site (former Sam's Club location in Portage). The Bergey XL-1 will be up for the duration
of the Home EXPO.
Renewable Energy Conferance at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute-(18 JAN 2010) Four Elements Energy will be presenting
at the 8th Annual Renewable Energy Conference, March 20th, 2010 at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute 8:30am-4:00pm. The Renewable
Energy Conference is shaping up to be a wonderful informational event. Dan Alway will be presenting "Introduction
to Renewable Energy in Your Home" at 11:00 am. For Conference Details- Check Here
GREEN LIVING SERIES at the Kalamazoo
Nature Center 03 NOV 09 Topic:
"An Energy Efficient Home on a Dime" Tuesday, November 3rd from 6:30pm
to 8:00pm at the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Come join the Four Elements Energy
team in a lively and informative discussion/presentation on NO-cost & LOW-cost ways to save money on your energy bills. Hot
Water Tips, Heating and Cooling Tips, Kitchen Tips, Weatherization Tips & General Tips. Just bring your dime (just kidding) It's FREE. Question and Answer portion to follow the presentation.
MICHIGAN SUSTAINABLE HOME AND BUSINESS TOUR 02
SEPT 09
Neighbors Band Together to Create World’s
Largest Solar Energy Event - Saturday October 10th More Than 5,000 Homes, Schools & Businesses
Participating In
14th Annual ASES National Solar Tour To Help Southwest Michigan
Residents
Combat Rising Energy Prices & Improve Property Values Lawrence, MI, September 2, 2009
– Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) and
the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) are bringing together more than 5,000 homes, schools and businesses –
in Southwest Michigan and across the U.S. –- to introduce neighbors to the solar
technologies they are using to 1) drastically reduce monthly energy bills, 2) reduce harmful carbon emissions, and 3) enjoy
rich tax credits and cash incentives as they improve their property values.
Local
residents fed up with fossil fuel prices will join more than 150,000 participants nationwide to discover the latest real-world
insight on how neighbors can use solar energy and energy efficiency and become more energy independent.
“In
the wake of national polls revealing that runaway energy costs is the economic issue Americans believe most personally affects
them, the ASES National Solar Tour brings real-life examples of how neighbors are harnessing free energy from the sun to generate
electricity, warm and cool their homes, heat water and slash monthly utility bills,” said Neal Lurie, Director of Marketing
for the American Solar Energy Society.
On Saturday October 10, 2009,
from 10am - 4pm, the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association is organizing open house tours of
homes and businesses in the greater Southwest Michigan area.
The FREE self-guided
tours, which last year attracted more than 140,000 people in 49 U.S. states, afford participants the direct perspectives of
homeowners and installers about the costs, components, and economic and environmental benefits of going solar. Presented by the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA), the tours will feature local spaces which
are energy efficient, use renewable energy, and which feature sustainable building practices. Learn how your neighbors
made the step to sustainable energy use, what difficulties they faced, and what rewards they have reaped. Meet people
who make some or all of their electricity from the sun and the wind. You'll also meet people who save substantially
on their energy bills by making their homes more efficient. Regional tours include: Ann Arbor, Detroit,
Lansing, Grand Rapids, Marquette, Traverse City, Northwest Michigan, Central Michigan and Southwest Michigan.
“The tours also give Southwest Michiganders a
glimpse at how an increasing number of local families are going solar,” said Art Toy of Four Elements Energy. “It’s part of a national
collaboration of unprecedented proportion to help Americans address a critical problem, while introducing them to an array
of clean, effective solutions that generate ongoing economic and environmental rewards.
This event -- billed as
the largest grassroots solar energy event in the history of the United States -- is FREE and open to the public. Details are
available at: http://www.glrea.org/events/solarBuildingTour2009/ or call 1-800-434-9788.
ABOUT GREAT LAKES RENEWABLE
ENERGY ASSOCIATION:The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association is a non-profit organization that educates, advocates, promotes,
and publicly demonstrates renewable energy technologies.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY:
For more than 50 years the American Solar Energy Society
has been leading the renewable energy revolution. It is the nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the use of solar
energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies across the U.S. ASES leads national efforts to promote solar
energy education, public outreach, and advocacy. www.ases.org
Four Elements Energy adds Bio-Mass
& Radiant Heater Design Services Aug 17, 2009 Four Elements Energy is excited to announce the
additional of Masonry Heater Design Services with Doug Hren, owner of Masonry Heater Design House. Doug's experience in the hearth industry
is primarily with Tulikivi masonry heaters, wood and gas fireplaces and stoves and venting products. Knowledge of other types
of masonry heaters, bake-ovens, cook-tops and "alternative" energy products comes from a life time of interest in
the industry both from a grass roots and manufacturing perspective. Seven years in the hearth industry designing, installing,
and troubleshooting the requests and wishes of prospective buyers of wood burning hearth products, made it clear to Doug that
masonry heating is often overlooked and misunderstood in North America. For that reason, the Masonry Heater Design House was created. A place to express your fireplace ideas in three dimensions, define the major components of the project, create
a project plan, and begin thinking about financial considerations and resources available. An early assessment of the project
can help offset costs and provide opportunities to enhance design, use and enjoyment for the people living in the home. CredentialsDoug
is a member of the Masonry Heaters Association (MHA) and the American Society of Metals (ASM). He has a bachelor of materials
engineering degree from Western Michigan University, with experience in alternative energy technologies, metallurgy and failure
analysis. In addition, he travels nationally and internationally, to see, attend or participate in masonry heater installations,
workshops, showrooms, expos, and manufacturers facilities. This experience gives him a broad sense of the terms
"masonry heater" and "sustainable" and a better understanding of the many design choices and installation
methods available worldwide to potential masonry heater owners.
Shoppers at the Lawrence Farmers’ Market- July 31, 2009 CONTACT: Jan Petersen, market
master, petersen@btc-bci.com Shoppers at the Lawrence
Farmers’ Market will witness the harmonic convergence of three great forces of nature when fresh locally grown
food, solar power, and rock and roll come together during the market Saturday, August 15th. Local band, The Hackneyed Quips, will play a mixture of classic and original tunes with their amps hooked up to photovoltaic
panels provided by Four Elements Energy of Lawrence. Four Elements Energy specializes in the design and installation
of renewable energy systems. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions and provide information for businesses or
homeowners. The Lawrence Farmers’ Market features fresh fruits, veggies, flowers, plants and other
delightful local products. The market runs every Saturday from 9am-1pm downtown Lawrence in the park along
Red Arrow Highway. The market is sponsored by the Lawrence Downtown Development Authority.
For more information call Jan at 269-674-8730.
Four Elements Energy provides Solar Power
for the Michigan Energy Fair 26 JUN 09 At this year's 4th Michigan Energy Fair held at the Manistee County Fairgrounds,
Four Elements Energy provided solar power to fair exhibitors including Michigan's Public Service Commission (MPSC) and Michigan's
Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG). The company set up two 64 watt solar PV panels with all the
bells and whistles. Excess electricity was stored in two 12 volt deep-cycle gel cells. This demonstration project
provided fair goers with a true example of solar power in Michigan. The Michigan Energy Fair is sponsored each year by the
Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (www.glrea.org). Plan to attend next year... it's always the fourth weekend in June.
Four Elements Energy receives Certification
as ARE and Bergey dealers. 10 JUN 09
Four
Elements Energy is proud to announce that the company has received certified training and authorized dealerships for both
Abundant Renewable Energy (ARE) and Bergey Wind Systems. Abundant Renewable Energy is manufactured & located in Newberg, Oregon. ARE provides a 2.5 kW and 10 kW
wind turbines, worldwide. Bergey Windpower is manufactured & located in Norman, Oklahoma and is one of
the world’s leading suppliers of small wind turbines (1 kW & 10 kW). With 30 years experience, installations in
all 50 U.S. States and more than 100 countries, and an international network of 500 dealers. Bergey has the products
and experience to put the wind to work for you.
New
Business Educates their Customers in Renewable Energy- 02 MAY 09 Kalamazoo
Gazette by Jane C. Parikh, jparikh@kalamazoogazette.com
Lawrence- Art Toy's belief in the
benefits of renewable energy is visible across his 11-acre property on 60th Streetnwhich which houses his home and a new business
venture dedicated to wind, geothermal and solar power. Read more....
Four Elements Energy to be at The Michigan Energy Fair
01MAY09
The Michigan
Energy Fair is a premier renewable and sustainable energy fair held on June 26- 28th at the Manistee Fairground in beautiful
northern Michigan. This event drew over 6000 Michiganers last year and this year looks to be even better. Come
see and hear the newest information on Michigan renewable energy resources for the home or business. Leading renewable
energy experts will be on hand to answer your questions. This
year we welcome, Four Elements Energy from southwest Michigan. They will be demonstrating solar PV, solar Themal and
windpower for Michigan's climate and answering questions at their booth # 12. Follow the link to the Great Lakes
Renewable Energy Association's web site (GLREA) for directions to the fairgraound and more information about the fair.
Four Elements Energy to be at the Kalamazoo Home EXPO 03 MAR 09 Four
Elements Energy will be at the 2009 Kalamazoo Home EXPO in the Cole Auto Mall in Portage, MI. The Kalamazoo
Home EXPO runs from March 11th thru March 14th, 2009. The Renewable Energy Professional will be there to answer your
questions. Mr. Alway and Mr. Toy will be giving a seminar on Renewable Energy in Michigan on Friday March 13th at 4:00pm
at the Home Expo. Come see what Renewable Energy solutions can do for you.
A
Renewable Energy Company is formed to serve Michigan - 03 MAR 09
CONTACT:
Art Toy
Four Elements Energy, Inc.
269.267.1804
Email
Address: info@FourElements-Energy.com
Website URL: www.FourElements-Energy.com
(3 March 2009) – Four Elements Energy, Inc. provides green energy consulting, design, project management, site
assessments, and installation services. The company installs solar electric systems, solar thermal systems, and wind turbine
systems. They also conduct residential and commercial solar/wind site and energy efficiency assessments.
Principal
owners Dan Alway, Lloyd LeZotte and Art Toy have modeled the company's goals and principles after their personal and professional
commitments to a cleaner, greener world.
Dan Alway [BS from Western Michigan University] lives off-grid near Gobles,
Michigan and participated in the rebirth of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association. Mr. Alway has been installing renewable
energy systems for over 36 years as well as teaching solar energy courses at the Kalamazoo Math & Science Center. He has
designed and manufactured custom built high efficiency low energy Direct Current refrigerators for off grid homes and boats
for clients around the world. He has given presentations on energy conservation and renewable energy topics throughout the
mid-west.
Lloyd LeZotte [BS/BArch from Lawrence Technological University] a licensed architect and licensed builder
has over 24 years of experience in building design and construction in Michigan as well as having installed wind turbines,
solar electric systems and solar thermal systems for homes. Mr. LeZotte is currently designing a two-story Earth-sheltered
home with Passive & Active Solar, Wind Energy and Masonry Stone heat. He also drives a VW Beetle powered with Bio-diesel
and is an active member of the Bio-diesel Coop of Kalamazoo. He is NABCEP certified in Solar Photovoltaic Systems.
Art Toy [BS/MS from UCLA] has over 26 years of experience in research, development, production, manufacturing and project
management as well as having assisted with Pfizer Inc’s Climate Change, Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency initiatives.
Mr. Toy also has 13 years of military leadership experience with his most recent assignment as an artillery officer with the
Michigan Army National Guard. He is NABCEP certified in Solar Photovoltaic Systems. You can take a virtual tour via
the Internet of Mr. Toy’s on-grid home equipped with a 10KW wind turbine, solar water heater and geothermal heating/cooling
system as part of CNN’s “Planet in Peril” series. The link to the virtual tour is at this location:
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-9941
You can talk with members of the Four Elements Energy team at the 2009 Kalamazoo
Home Expo from March 11th through March 14th. Dan Alway and Art Toy will be presenting an overview in the use of solar electric,
solar heating and wind turbine power at the Kalamazoo Home Expo on Friday March 13th at 4pm. Four Elements Energy Inc. is
a member of the Kalamazoo Home Builders Association. About Four Elements Energy, Inc. – Four
Elements Energy, Inc. provides green energy consulting, design, project management, site assessments, and installation services.
The company installs solar electric systems, solar thermal systems, and wind turbine systems. They also conduct solar/wind
site assessments and energy efficiency assessments for residential homes and commercial businesses.
Four Elements
Energy, Inc. is located at 54630 60th Ave, Lawrence, MI 49064.
Their website is: www.FourElements-Energy.com
Their e-mail is: info@fourelements-energy.com
Their phone number is: 269.267.1804
NABCEP
Certification 28 FEB 09 Four Elements Energy is proud to announce that two of it's
team members have received the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification in Solar Photovoltaic
Systems. Mr. Toy and Mr. LeZotte completed the training in February 2009. NABCEP is the national certification organization
for professional installers in the field of renewable energy. NABCEP is committed to providing a certification program of quality and integrity for the professionals
and consumer/public it is designed to serve. Professionals who choose to become certified demonstrate their competence in
the field and their commitment to upholding high standards of ethical and professional practice.
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The Clean Energy Jobs Rally was a resounding success! Thanks to all of you who came out to show your support for Michigan’s
clean energy future. There was great music and exceptional speakers throughout the day; the sun was shining AND powering the
media tent, so many of you could take action by emailing Governor Jennifer Granholm to stop the Michigan coal rush. 
