MANITOWOC, Wis., Aug 25, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- Coca-Cola Enterprises (NYSE:CCE) on Monday honored Orion Energy Systems Inc. (NYSE Amex:OESX) with its first ever 2009 Supplier Excellence Award for Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability.

The award recognizes a CCE supplier that "has consistently demonstrated the values and commitment to excellence that we as an organization (and our customers) demand as we strive to produce and distribute the highest quality products available in the beverage industry," according to CCE.

Orion Energy Systems is a leading power technology enterprise that designs, manufactures and deploys energy management systems, consisting primarily of high-intensity fluorescent and LED high-bay lighting systems, dynamic sensor and control technologies, direct renewable solar light pipes and photovoltaic generation technology.

"We are honored to be recognized by the world's top brand," said Orion Chairman and CEO Neal Verfuerth. "By deploying our technology at 350 facilities since 2005, we're helping CCE save $22.1 million every year by reducing their energy use by 128 million kilowatt-hours. And now that we've rolled out our entire suite of technology at CCE's Coachella, Calif., facility, we look forward to the opportunity to deliver dramatic savings to its other facilities."

CCE is leading the way in corporate responsibility and sustainability. By deploying Orion's energy-saving technology, CCE is preventing more than 125,000 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere every year. That's the air-scrubbing equivalent of a 25,500-acre forest, like removing nearly 21,000 cars from the road, or like saving 10.5 million gallons of gas a year.

In addition to installing Orion's Compact Modular(TM) high-bay lighting, several CCE facilities have deployed Orion's InteLite control technology, Apollo solar light pipes and Solyndra photovoltaic solar panels.

At CCE's Coachella, Calif., facility, the company has deployed Orion's entire suite of energy-saving lighting technology, and Orion's solar panels, which generate more energy than what's consumed at the sales center during certain times of the day. The installation of Orion's technology has helped the 60,000-square-foot facility earn LEED certification. It's the first CCE facility, and first in the city of Coachella to obtain the LEED rating.

In addition to the efficiencies deployed at CCE's Coachella facility, a distribution center in Milwaukee, Wis., has reported its electric lights were off for up to 10 hours a day, instead using the light delivered by Orion's Apollo solar light pipes.

"We are certainly excited to associate ourselves with a company that has the same passion that we do for corporate responsibility and sustainability," said David Bondi, director of supply chain procurement for CCE. "It's been a pleasure being associated with Orion Energy Systems, which is significantly improving the lighting for our employees in their environment."

Orion has deployed its energy management systems in 5,870 facilities across North America, including 123 of the Fortune 500 companies. Since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 551 megawatts, saving customers more than $935 million and reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 8 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.

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SOURCE: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.

CONTACT:  Orion Energy Systems, Inc.
Media Contact
Linda Diedrich, Vice President Corporate Communications
(920) 482-1988
ljd@oes1.com

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