MANITOWOC, Wis., Dec 15, 2008 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- Orion Energy Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:OESX), a leading provider of energy management systems to the commercial and industrial sectors, today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $10 million of its outstanding common stock. The action supplements the $20 million share repurchase authorization approved in July 2008 and which has been virtually fully utilized. Purchases by the Company under this program may be made from time to time in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated stock repurchase programs or otherwise, as determined by the Company's management. Through December 12, 2008, the Company had repurchased a total of 4,610,000 shares of common stock under its original repurchase program.

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 and controls and related services, for commercial and industrial customers without compromising their quantity or quality of light.

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Safe Harbor Statement

Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbors from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those expected, including, but not limited to, unpredictability and volatility of the price and volume of the Company's common stock. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are made only as of the date of this press release and Orion undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More detailed information about factors that may affect our performance may be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at http://www.sec.gov or at http://www.oriones.com in the Investor Relations section of our website.

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SOURCE: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.

Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
         Media Contact:
         Linda Diedrich, Director of Corporate Communications
           920.482.1988
           ljd@oes1.com
         Investor Relations Contact:
         Erik Birkerts, Chief Operating Officer
           920.482.1924
           ebirkerts@oriones.com

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