Carlson Electric’s Groundbreaking Nonprofit Installation at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center
In Superior, Wisconsin, history and clean energy now stand side by side. Carlson Electric LLC has been named the U.S. Nonprofit Winner in APsystems’ 2024 Installation Awards for their thoughtful 21.6kW ground-mounted solar project at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center. The installation not only lowers operating costs for the Center but also demonstrates how solar power can educate and inspire an entire community.
The project began when the Bong Center applied for and received a Solar for Good Grant from the Couillard Solar Foundation, with support from RENEW Wisconsin. The grant covered half the cost of the solar panels, but the Center still needed an experienced local partner to bring the vision to life. Having already completed work for other Solar for Good recipients, Carlson Electric was the natural choice, bringing both expertise and a strong community connection.
Technical requirements made APsystems the clear solution. With the Center’s 3-phase, 208V service, options were limited, but APsystems’ QT2 microinverter proved to be a perfect fit. “The QT2 microinverter’s ability to handle 3-phase, 208V power was critical for this nonprofit site, making APsystems the ideal partner,” explained Dan Herscher, Sales Consultant at Carlson Electric. The QT2’s unique 4:1 panel-to-microinverter ratio also enabled faster, more efficient installation compared to traditional 1:1 microinverters, saving time and labor on-site.
For the Bong Center, solar was never just about offsetting bills. A key goal of the project is education: real-time monitoring of the system’s production will be displayed prominently in the Center’s lobby, giving visitors – school groups, veterans’ families, and community members alike – a window into renewable energy in action. “The Bong Center is pleased with the ability to monitor the solar production,” Herscher shared. “Displaying solar production on a monitor was a major requirement, and APsystems technology makes that possible.”
In April of this year a ribbon cutting featuring the Mayor of Superior, Chamber of Commerce representatives, local media, and other community leaders. Carlson Electric received a warm reception, as this community project represents both an investment in clean energy and a tribute to veterans through lower operating costs that help sustain the Center’s mission.
While Carlson Electric specializes in residential and small commercial projects, this installation reflects the company’s growing role in nonprofit and community-focused solar. Herscher and the team continue to build momentum, grateful for APsystems’ reliability and innovation. “We really appreciate having a 3-phase microinverter option,” Herscher added, underscoring how critical the QT2 has become to their work.
From lowering costs to educating visitors, Carlson Electric’s award-winning project shows how clean energy can do more than power buildings – it can power stories, legacies, and communities.
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