Landmark Sustainability Project Replaces Roof and HVAC Systems with 5,355 Solar Panels Generating Clean Energy for Long Beach and Surrounding Metros
Over 5,000 solar panels were installed as part of LCEC’s three-phase infrastructure and sustainability initiative. Photo courtesy LCEC
The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center (LBCEC), a City of Long Beach-owned venue, today announced the completion of a three-phase infrastructure and sustainability initiative totaling $33 million. 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 566,000 square feet of roofing was replaced under a new Cool Roof System, improving the campus’s insulation, preventing leaks, and reducing the load-bearing weight of the structure by more than 707,000 pounds.
Thirty-two Air Handling Units (AHUs) were delivered and installed by helicopter. Photo credit: Jose Cordon, LBCEC
In December 2025, 32 Air Handling Units (AHUs) – the venue’s first HVAC replacement in 35 years – were delivered and installed by helicopter due to the scale and rooftop location of the equipment, delivering 952,320 cubic feet per minute of airflow capacity at 20–25% greater efficiency than the systems they replaced.
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, contributing to the City of Long Beach’s broader sustainability and carbon reduction commitments. Combined with the more efficient HVAC infrastructure, the venue anticipates a substantial reduction in overall energy consumption year over year.
“This $33 million 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 modernizing 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 Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center has always been a cornerstone venue in our portfolio, and this infrastructure transformation reinforces our commitment to sustainable venue operations across North America,” said Josh Kritzler, president, North American venues & content for Legends Global, which manages the venue. “Projects like this demonstrate how our venues can partner with municipalities to modernize older facilities while simultaneously advancing environmental goals. The combination of energy-efficient systems and renewable energy generation sets a benchmark for the entire industry, proving that convention centers can be both operationally excellent and environmentally responsible.”
The LBCEC hosts hundreds of events annually, including the Long Beach Grand Prix, major conventions, and entertainment productions. As a city-owned facility, the center’s infrastructure improvements reflect a long-term commitment by the City of Long Beach to modernize its public assets, reduce operating costs, and invest in a more sustainable future for the community.
“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 modernizing the facility, we’re establishing a new operational standard for convention centers 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.”
