The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center (LBCEC), in California, USA, a City of Long Beach-owned venue, has announced the completion of a three-phase infrastructure and sustainability initiative totalling $33m. The final phase, the installation of 5,355 solar panels across the venue’s roof, is now live, feeding clean energy directly into the public grid and establishing the LBCEC as one of the most energy-forward convention facilities on the West Coast.
The project unfolded across three stages beginning in Q3 2025 when over 52,500sqm of roofing was replaced under a new Cool Roof System.
In December 2025, the venue’s first HVAC replacement in 35 years was installed by helicopter due to the scale and rooftop location of the equipment.
The third and final phase, now complete, sees the Convention Center and Terrace Theater rooftops covered in solar panels capable of generating an estimated 4.6 to 4.8 gigawatt-hours of electricity per year.
At full output, the solar installation is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 700 homes annually. The system feeds directly into the municipal grid.
“This $33m infrastructure transformation at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center demonstrates our city’s unwavering commitment to environmental leadership and fiscal responsibility,” said mayor Rex Richardson. “By modernising this iconic waterfront facility with cutting-edge HVAC systems and transforming our roof into a solar power plant, we’re not only reducing operational costs for taxpayers – we’re generating clean energy that powers hundreds of Long Beach homes. This project exemplifies how we can upgrade our public assets to serve today’s needs while building a more sustainable future for generations of Long Beach residents.”
The LBCEC hosts hundreds of events annually, including the Long Beach Grand Prix, major conventions, and entertainment productions.
“This project represents a transformative moment for the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. By replacing critical infrastructure that has served us for decades and adding a substantial solar installation, we’re not just modernising the facility, we’re establishing a new operational standard for convention centres nationwide,” said Robert Smit, general manager of the LBCEC for Legends Global. “Guests will benefit from improved climate control and reliability, while the City of Long Beach gains a venue that actively contributes clean energy back to the community. It’s an investment that will pay dividends for generations.”
