New Solar Canopies Shine Among Sustainability Efforts at Long Beach Airport

Underscoring the City of Long Beach’s commitment to environmental stewardship, two large solar canopy installations were recently installed and are now fully operational on top of the parking structures at Long Beach Airport (LGB), where City officials gathered for Earth Day to celebrate the completion of the sustainable project.

“By harnessing the power of the sun at our award-winning municipal airport, we are taking proactive steps to reduce our carbon footprint while ensuring operational resilience,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. "The completion of this solar project at LGB marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards a greener, more sustainable future.”

Long Beach Airport’s new solar canopies are poised to generate renewable energy that will meet approximately 70% of LGB's electricity demands for its public facilities and airfield.

“We are embracing renewable energy solutions,” said Fifth District Councilwoman Megan Kerr. “This project really highlights the City's proactive and creative approach to achieve meaningful progress in mitigating climate change and advancing sustainability.”

The new panels at LGB are part of the Citywide Solar Project, a Department of Public Works program to install solar canopies at 11 locations throughout the City. Luminace, a Brookfield company, is the owner-operator of the solar installations and, through a power purchase agreement, funded all capital for design, construction and maintenance of the system. A small amount of Cap-and-Trade funds from Assembly Bill 32 funded the City’s project management and other overhead expenses.

"Our commitment to renewable energy is not just an investment in the present—it's a legacy we leave for generations to come," said Fourth District City Councilman Daryl Supernaw.

Of the 11 projects, nine are currently operational. The last two installations, located at the Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Utilities, are scheduled to come online later this year. The LGB solar canopies are the largest among the City’s projects and cover nearly 133,000 square feet of rooftop space on the airport’s two parking structures.

“I’m so proud of how Long Beach Airport and the City of Long Beach recognize the importance of integrating sustainable practices into our operations,” said Airport Director Cynthia Guidry. “This solar project exemplifies our dedication to innovation and environmental responsibility, and it goes a long way toward helping us meet our ACA emissions targets. We look forward to continuing our efforts to make LGB a model of sustainability within the aviation industry."

The project is in line with the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program efforts to reduce emissions from 2016 levels, on a per passenger basis, by 20% in 2025 and 40% in 2030—with a goal for the Airport to eventually become a carbon-neutral facility.

“It was a pleasure for the Public Works department to collaborate with Long Beach Airport to bring this project to fruition,” said Public Works Director Eric Lopez. “The Citywide Solar Project is a tangible demonstration of the City's dedication to innovation and environmental stewardship. We will continue to seek opportunities to invest in infrastructure that enhances sustainability initiatives and reduces environmental impact for the betterment of our Long Beach community.”

In addition to generating renewable energy, the solar canopies provide shade for cars parked on top of the Airport’s two parking structures, which provide ample parking within convenient walking distance to the Ticketing Lobby.

“We are excited to announce the completion of the solar portfolio for the City of Long Beach, as they join our expanding group of long-term commercial and municipal customers throughout Southern California,” said Brendon Quinlivan, CEO, Luminace.  “To date, Luminace has deployed over 220 megawatts of similar on-site energy solutions throughout the state, for which careful attention is given to ensure the projects are crafted to meet the specific decarbonization goals of our customers.”

Situated at a central position between Los Angeles and Orange counties, Long Beach Airport provides a distinctively stress-free journey and a first-class customer experience. Air carriers currently offer service to 24 nonstop destinations around the nation, which is more nonstop service than at any time in LGB’s 100-year history.