The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) has reached an exciting clean energy milestone with the completion of its 2.2 Megawatt (MW) rooftop solar installation, which is one of the largest of its kind in Florida. The upgraded system more than doubles the Convention Center’s previous solar generation while using the same rooftop footprint, marking a significant step forward in the facility’s long term sustainability strategy.

Developed in partnership with SolarEdge and Advanced Green Technologies, the project was unveiled during the OCCC’s Great Solar Celebration on April 24. The event brought together local leaders, industry experts, and sustainability advocates to highlight the continuing role the Center plays in advancing renewable energy solutions across Central Florida.

A Smarter, More Powerful Solar System
The new 2.2 MW Direct Current (DC) solar array spans multiple rooftop zones of the North-South Building and is equipped with cutting-edge SolarEdge inverters, power optimizers, and real time monitoring technology. This intelligent system boosts performance, simplifies maintenance, and enhances daily operations at one of North America’s largest convention centers, home to roughly 2.3 million attendees each year and a $5 billion regional economic impact.

Engineered to address the rooftop’s expansive footprint, the project includes an innovative combiner box configuration designed specifically for the OCCC. The installation also complemented the facility’s LEED Gold-certified North-South Building renovation, reinforcing the Center’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.

A Full Circle Sustainability Moment
As part of a major infrastructure upgrade in 2024, the OCCC replaced its aging rooftop and original solar panels. The commercial roofing work, completed by Advanced Roofing, Inc., was carefully coordinated within an occupied building, ensuring minimal disruption to the Center’s active event schedule. Rather than sending thousands of still-functional modules to a landfill, the facility chose to give them a second life. In February 2025, the OCCC partnered with the Orlando-based environmental nonprofit IDEAS For Us to launch The Great Solar Giveaway, redistributing 5,800 decommissioned solar panels to more than 120 Florida residents, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. The initiative diverted thousands of pounds of electronic waste from landfills while expanding access to solar energy across the region.

“Upgrading our rooftop solar array was never just about improving the facility. It was about giving back to the community, reducing our environmental footprint, and continuing to lead by example,” said Mark Tester, OCCC Executive Director. “This project reinforces our commitment to sustainability not only in the state of Florida, but across the global convention industry. We’re proud to demonstrate how large-scale public venues can operate responsibly while delivering meaningful impact to the people they serve.”

As the Convention Center prepares for future expansion, its solar energy leadership continues to serve as a model for convention centers worldwide, combining operational excellence, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

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About the Orange County Convention Center The award-winning Orange County Convention Center provides approximately $3.9 billion in economic impact to Central Florida annually. In recent years, the Convention Center has averaged nearly 200 events, including 115 conventions and tradeshows that attract more than 1.5 million attendees to the region each year. For more information about the Orange County Convention Center, visit www.occc.net.