BARAGA – The Van Straten Bros. company is branching out to manufacture portable solar-power generation systems for Caterpillar, Inc.

“We’re pushing ahead,” George Van Straten said, adding the company plans to hire 15 to support the new endeavor.

Van Straten developed the first prototype nearly five years ago, and with the help of the Van Straten crew, it was built at the Van Straten Brothers’ facility on U.S. 41 in Baraga.

Earlier this year, Caterpillar Micro-grid Solutions tested a prototype Van Straten created using all Cat components at its Tucson proving ground before deciding to begin selling the hybrid solar-generator “micro-grid” systems next year. Operations at the proving ground had been solely powered by Cat’s diesel generators. By using solar, Cat cut generator use at the facility by one-third.

“Today, solar energy is a very cost-efficient form of energy, more efficient that running diesel generators all the time,” Cat’s Rick Rathe told the Arizona Daily Star for a May 1 story. Rathe is the managing director of microgram and energy storage for Caterpillar’s electric-power division. He said the new line will range from mobile trailer-mounted rigs to on-site installations.

Van Straten said the system is housed within a 20-foot shipping container with side-opening doors housing all the components, providing solar, and/or wind power, on battery reserves for reliable power when storage and renewables are not available. The system contains photovoltaic modules as the primary power source with energy storage and a standby generator set for power when PV energy is not available.

He added the benefits of the self-contained unit include immediate power upon site, linking capability to increase output, single power scaling, auto-deployment, maximum security and ease of transportation and numerous patented features.

The Baraga company applied for a $75,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. to start manufacturing unique solar panel units for Caterpillar from Van Straten’s location on the corner of Superior and Osterman avenues in Baraga village. The village and Baraga Township had to sign off on the grant application since the company has a facility in both municipalities.

The village established a commercial redevelopment district for Van Straten’s town shop building at 1026 Superior Ave. Tuesday, after holding a hearing to do so at its monthly meeting. The company’s main shop is located in the township, north of the village on U.S. 41.

At the meeting, the village also granted a company request for a tax abatement, which will freeze the property at its current taxable value for two years.