Allan O’Shea started researching renewable energy options back in 1972 when the U.S. was faced with a foreign oil embargo.

He and his family run business – Contractors Building Supply, Inc. in Copemish – have long been advocates of alternative energy. In fact, he is also one of the founders of the annual Michigan Renewable Energy Fair held at the Ingham County Fairgrounds near Lansing.

“During the oil embargo in 1972 I was living in Detroit and started doing research on wind energy,” said Allan. “Two years later I founded the American Wind Energy Association. Then in 1976, I moved to northern Michigan to develop renewable energy components and systems.”

O’Shea and his company were logical choices when Cherryland Electric Cooperative sought a company to help them launch the state’s first community solar program two years ago. CBS Solar is also a long-time Cherryland Electric Cooperative member.

“Tony Anderson and the Cherryland board chose us to work with us to develop it,” he said. “Our son Devon is our engineer and he worked with them on it. We assisted in putting together education programs for the members. Then we worked with Cherryland and their power supplier, Wolverine, to develop some well thought out legal documents to finish our task.”

The solar array sits right in front of Cherryland’s office along U.S. 31 South in Grawn. There are 224 panels which produce an average of 300 kilowatt hours per panel. Fittingly, the first panel was energized on Earth Day – April 22, 2013.

Ironically, Contractors Building Supply was started 20 years ago to sell and distribute windows throughout northern Michigan, which they still do.

“But once we started working in the solar energy field, we also created CBS Solar to better define our efforts and, of course, our production of solar panels,” said O’Shea.

O’Shea said he employs 10-12 employees, including several family members. He calls his wife Lynda “the innovator” after she worked her way through the ranks at Ford Motor Co. in the 1970s to become a parts expeditor. Their son Aaron is a Navy veteran and an electrician who is the project manager for renewable installation at CBS Solar.

Devon O’Shea is an engineer and township board member. Tyson O’Shea is also a Navy veteran, master field repair technician and heads up the CBS window division.

Mary McGraw is also a key member of the management team. She recruits, supports and trains a dealer network of more than 40 installers across Michigan. O’Shea also lauded the efforts of employees Pam Garn, Tom Bigelow and Corey Bigelow.

“The demand for energy relief and efficiency improvements are on the rise and go hand in hand,” said O’Shea.

:We are achieving paybacks commercially in the 5-6 year range and residentially in the 8-9 year range or better. And the best part is, we’re a product that is made and utilized in Michigan and the Midwest. I’m proud of the fact we make the panels that make renewable electricity.”