In a groundbreaking initiative to promote sustainability and reduce E-waste, the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) has partnered with Orlando-based environmental nonprofit, IDEAS For Us, to distribute nearly 6,000 decommissioned solar panels to Florida residents and fellow nonprofit organizations at no cost.

The Great Solar Giveaway, held on Feb. 1 and 2, 2025, represented the largest solar panel redistribution effort in Florida's history. The initiative helped to prevent functional solar equipment from entering landfills while empowering communities to harness solar energy for creative and practical applications.

"This initiative transforms what could have been E-waste into an opportunity for thousands of Floridians to explore renewable energy in creative ways," said IDEAS For Us Representative Clayton Louis Ferrara, CEO. "From powering community garden irrigation pumps, to off-the-grid solar charging stations, and everything in between, these panels will find new life in projects across the Sunshine State."

The solar panels, which were removed from the Convention Center's North-South Building roof after 19 years of service, remain functional and suitable for various applications. Over the course of this two-day event, 5,800 solar panels were distributed to 120 residents, organizations and businesses. Participants were allowed to collect up to 100 panels per vehicle, further fostering community engagement in renewable energy projects

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"This isn't just about giving away solar panels," added Ferrara. "It's about inspiring our community to think creatively about renewable energy and demonstrating that old solar panels can have a second life."

For more information, visit ideasforus.org/solargiveaway.

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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.

About IDEAS For Us
IDEAS For Us is Orlando's premier environmental nonprofit organization, founded as a student club at UCF in 2008. Since then, IDEAS For Us has grown to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and United Nations Accredited NGO. IDEAS For Us advances sustainability in nearly 40 countries around the world with their flagship programs like the IDEAS Hive and Fleet Farming. IDEAS For Us is celebrating their 17th year as a movement in 2025 and proudly held over 100 environmental-action projects in Central Florida in 2024.