Richard I. Bong Museum Unveils New Solar Powered System

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Richard I. Bong Museum is celebrating a new way to power the history it has on display there.

Half of the $10,000, 20-kilowatt solar array was funded by the ‘Solar for Good’ grant back in 2023.

As the staff learns the full capabilities of the new system, up to 80 percent of the Bong Center’s electricity will be powered by solar.

The solar array was original supposed to be on the roof, but structural integrity issues brought it to the ground.

The system went live on January 29th, and for Superior Mayor Jim Paine, this is just the beginning.

“It’s important for the museum to set an example of who we are as a community,” said Paine. “And that’s what this project really does. It says, they take a responsibility to our environment, our planet, as serious as they do their direct mission to support veterans and tell stories.”

The panels at the Bong Center run on UV Rays, instead of the sunshine light itself.

This allows the museum to stay lit even during those cloudy, stormy days.