MANITOWOC, Wis., Jul 13, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- Orion Energy Systems Inc. (NYSE Amex:OESX) announced that the company has contracted with PJM Interconnection, a regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity, to deliver dispatchable demand response into the PJM system, which includes the Midwest and Eastern United States.

"Our long-term plan has always been to enter into the demand response business," said Orion Chairman and CEO Neal Verfuerth. "Our penetration into more than 5,600 commercial and industrial facilities across North America uniquely positions us as a trusted resource to supply the revenue and energy savings that deploying a demand response strategy can deliver."

States in the PJM region include: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Demand response is the newest addition to Orion's suite of products and services that deliver permanent distributed load reductions including its Compact Modular(TM) high-intensity fluorescent and LED high-bay series lighting platforms, InteLite(R) dynamic sensor and control systems, direct renewable Apollo(R) solar light pipes and Solyndra photovoltaic panels -- all designed to save customers money, increase light levels, reduce load on the grid and decrease harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Orion has deployed its energy management systems in 5,612 facilities across North America, including 120 of the Fortune 500 companies. Since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 528 megawatts, saving customers more than $856 million and reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 7.4 million tons.

Orion Energy Systems Inc. (NYSE Amex:OESX) is a leading power technology enterprise that designs, manufactures and deploys energy management systems, consisting primarily of high-performance, energy-efficient lighting platforms, intelligent wireless control systems and direct renewable solar technology for commercial and industrial customers without compromising their operations. For more information, visit www.oesx.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.

The Orion Energy Systems, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4540

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SOURCE: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.

CONTACT:  Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
Linda Diedrich, Vice President Corporate Communications
(920) 482-1988
ljd@oes1.com
Scott Jensen, Chief Financial Officer
(920) 482-5454
sjensen@oriones.com

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