MAREC incubator to lead West Michigan's largest solar project

A business incubator at Grand Valley State University’s Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center will build the largest non-utility solar project in West Michigan at Agritek Industries, a manufacturing company in Holland.

Chart House Energy, LLC, will build the 505 kilowatt project, which will include 3,740 thin-film solar frameless modules. It will provide one-third of Argitek’s total annual power usage.

“This is yet another example of how MAREC offers an environment that helps companies move forward with development and commercialization of emerging energy technologies,” said T. Arnold (Arn) Boezaart, director of MAREC. 

Four years ago, Chart House Energy built the largest solar photovoltaic system in Michigan at Torresen Marine in Muskegon; the company became an incubator tenant at MAREC in 2013. 

Agritek and Chart House Energy are also working together to develop and implement a new tilting ground mount solar racking system, which will allow for quicker panel installations. 

“This installation method will increase power production by optimizing the angle of the panels throughout the year and reducing snow cover in winter months,” said Rob Rafson, founder of Chart House Energy. “A recent University of Wisconsin study indicated that tilt-able racking can increase solar power output performance by 15-20 percent.”

The non-utility solar project at Agritek Industries will move ahead later this year or in early 2015, pending completion of final approvals and permits. 

For more information, contact Arn Boezaart at (616) 331-6901 or [email protected].

About MAREC 

The Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center in Muskegon is an economic development initiative of the City of Muskegon in partnership with Grand Valley State University and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. MAREC offers a range of technology oriented business start-up and incubation opportunities with emphasis on renewable energy innovation and efficiency. MAREC operates in partnership with the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program.