The 2.2 MW DC system, powered by SolarEdge inverters with power optimisers, more than doubles the centre’s solar energy production while maintaining the same rooftop footprint.
This milestone will be celebrated during the Great Solar Celebration event hosted by the Orange County Convention Centre on April 24, bringing together local government leaders, sustainability advocates, and industry partners to highlight the project’s role in advancing renewable energy across Central Florida.
The installation supports the Convention Centre’s LEED Gold certification and long-term sustainability strategy while helping power daily operations for one of the largest convention facilities in North America. The OCCC welcomes approximately 2.4 million attendees annually and generates nearly $5 billion in economic impact for the region.
“When we started in the solar business nearly 20 years ago, the original installation was something of a holy grail at that time — a project we all looked up to” said Clinton Sockman, Executive Vice President at Advanced Green Technologies. “To come in all these years later, tear it out, and reinstall something over double its original capacity was a full-circle moment for us. To now deliver one of the largest rooftop solar projects in Florida, while working around a packed event calendar, is a true milestone for commercial solar in our state. The commercial roofing work, completed by Advanced Roofing, Inc., was a critical part of the coordination effort required to execute a project of this scale within an occupied, fully operational building.”
Key Features of the OCCC Solar Project:
2.2 MW DC rooftop solar array installed across multiple roof zones using Hanwha Q CELLS modules and SolarEdge inverters with power optimisers.
Doubles onsite solar generation while maintaining the facility’s existing rooftop footprint.
Innovative combiner box configuration engineered with SolarEdge to efficiently transmit energy across a 700–800-foot rooftop span.
Real-time monitoring through the SolarEdge monitoring platform to maximise performance and simplify maintenance.
Integrated with the LEED Gold-certified renovation of the Convention Center’s South Building.
Supports Orange County’s broader sustainability and carbon reduction goals.
“This project exemplifies how smart solar technology can help large facilities operate more efficiently while advancing meaningful sustainability goals” added Charles Ellis, VP Sales, CC&I at SolarEdge. “We’re proud to support the Orange County Convention Center in demonstrating how large-scale venues can integrate innovative clean energy solutions without disrupting operations.”
As part of a major infrastructure upgrade, the Orange County Convention Center replaced its aging rooftop and original solar panels. Rather than sending thousands of still-functional modules to a landfill, the facility chose to give them a second life.
In February of last year, 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 organisations. 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” said Mark Tester, OCCC Executive Director. “It was about giving back to the community, reducing our environmental footprint, and continuing to lead by example. 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.”
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