Orion Energy Systems: Manitowoc mayor to join Orion Energy Systems upon completing his sixth term in office

Mayor Kevin Crawford to spearhead government relations, policy initiatives and strategic business development on local, regional and national levels

MANITOWOC, Wis. — Feb. 17, 2009 — Orion Energy Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: OESX), a leading provider of energy management solutions to the commercial and industrial sectors, announced today that Kevin Crawford will join the company upon completion of his sixth term as Mayor of the City of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Mayor Crawford will serve as a vice president of business development, responsible for working with local, state and national governments, regulatory agencies, utilities, industry associations, communities and other organizations in the United States to further the role of energy efficiency as a clean, low-cost and effective energy solution.

Mayor Crawford is completing his twentieth year leading the City of Manitowoc, having been re-elected to office in six challenged elections. Since his election in 1989, Mayor Crawford’s economic development and job creation initiatives have increased the assessed value of the City of Manitowoc by over 275 percent while keeping Manitowoc the lowest taxed major city in the state of Wisconsin. Under his leadership, the Manitowoc Public Utilities has grown to become the largest municipally-owned electric generating facility in the state of Wisconsin. In addition to serving on numerous commissions, policy councils and task forces on the state and national levels, Mayor Crawford has worked internationally, having welcomed international delegations to Manitowoc as well as establishing meaningful sister-city relationships with the City of Kamogawa, Japan, and Sindian, Taiwan.

“Kevin transformed the City of Manitowoc from ‘down and out’ to ‘up and coming’ during his six terms in office, demonstrating that he is not afraid to put his helmet on, get in the game and effect positive change,” commented Neal Verfuerth, CEO of Orion Energy Systems. “Moreover, his years overseeing Manitowoc Public Utilities afford him deep utility and energy industry experience. We continue to believe that energy efficiency is the lynchpin for solving this nation’s energy and environmental challenges and we are confident that Kevin will bring his experience, reputation and energy to bear on this important issue.”

Mayor Crawford’s first day of work at Orion will be April 22, 2009.

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 4,387 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