Orion Energy Systems: Receives esteemed Platts Global Energy award

Orion’s integrated energy management system recognized internationally for the single most innovative advance in green technology

MANITOWOC, Wis. — Dec. 5, 2008 — Orion Energy Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: OESX) has received the prestigious Platts Global Energy Award for Sustainable Technology Innovation of the Year for its energy efficient and direct renewable technology.

The award recognizes the company that has made “the single most innovative technology advance in the area of green technology,” according to Platts. The award was presented at the Platts Global Energy gala Wednesday, Dec. 3, in New York City. Winners in other categories include Royal Dutch Shell, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Edison International, among others. The gala has been described as the Academy Awards and the World Series of the energy industry. Nearly 500 top executives from more than a dozen countries attended.

Orion Energy Systems, of Manitowoc, Wis., won the Sustainable Technology Innovation award for its integrated energy management system, which permanently reduces light-related electricity consumption when replacing traditional high-intensity discharge lighting systems.

The integrated system combines Orion’s high-performance Compact ModularTM fluorescent lighting platform, wireless InteLiteTM touch screen control system and direct renewable ApolloTM Solar Light Pipe to automatically replace electrical lighting with daylight in a commercial or industrial facility. Users of the integrated system have experienced light-related energy cost reductions of 50-80% without compromising their lighting needs.

“Our finalists and winners for 2008 are contributors at the very highest level to the energy industry,” said Platts president Victoria Chu Pao. When presenting the award, Platts referred to Orion’s integrated technology as “an extremely hard-nosed, clearly effective technological solution to an everyday problem – lighting efficiency.” Platts judges also cited the economic viability of the system as another point in Orion’s favor.

Orion’s integrated system can have a dramatic, sustainable impact on the environment by permanently relieving pressure on the electric grid, particularly during peak hours, and permanently reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 386 megawatts, saving customers more than $455 million, reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 4 million tons and indirect sulfur dioxide by more than 16,000 tons.

The integrated system has been installed in a number of Orion’s major customers, including facilities for Coca-Cola Enterprises, Sysco Foods, Apple, and Ralph Lauren Polo.

“We are extremely honored to have received this prestigious award in the company of some of the world’s most respected energy companies,” said Orion President and CEO Neal Verfuerth. “The award further validates our integrated technology, which is already saving our customers significant amounts of money, substantially reducing strain on the electric grid and decreasing the amount of harmful, greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere.”

Platts received nearly 200 applications from companies in more than 30 countries, vying for awards in 16 categories. The 2008 awards mark the 10th year Platts has been recognizing companies for their efforts.

About Platts

Platts, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is a leading global provider of energy and metals information. With nearly a century of business experience, Platts serves customers across more than 150 countries. From 17 offices worldwide, Platts serves the oil, natural gas, electricity, emissions, nuclear power, coal, petrochemical, shipping and metals markets. Platts’ real-time news, pricing, analytical services, and conferences help markets operate with transparency and efficiency. Traders, risk managers, analysts, and industry leaders depend upon Platts to help them make better trading and investment decisions. Additional information is available online at http://www.platts.com.

About Orion Energy Systems

Orion Energy Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: OESX) is a leading power technology enterprise that designs, manufactures and implements energy management systems, consisting primarily of high-performance, energy-efficient lighting systems, controls and related services for commercial and industrial customers without compromising their quantity or quality of light. Orion has deployed its energy management systems in 4,068 facilities across North America. For more information, visit http://www.oesx.com.

Media Contact

Linda Diedrich

Director Corporate Communications

(920) 482-1988

ljd@oes1.com