MANITOWOC, Wis., Jul 8, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- The U.S. Patent and Trademark office on Tuesday, July 7, approved a design patent for Orion Energy Systems' (Nasdaq:OESX) fluorescent reflector in its retrofit kit.

The retrofit kit reflector patent marks the 20th patent for Orion, a leading power technology enterprise that designs, manufactures and deploys energy management systems, consisting primarily of high-performance energy-efficient lighting, intelligent wireless control systems and direct renewable solar technology for commercial and industrial customers.

The newly patented reflector is part of Orion's retrofit kit, designed to replace inefficient lighting in existing strip fixtures. Orion's retrofit kit is available in two sizes to fit the most common strip fixtures and is delivered in one piece, making installation significantly easier than other retrofit kits on the market which come in multiple parts that require assembly before installation.

Orion's reflector is shaped like a flattened, upside-down "w" and is coated with a highly reflective white gloss coating to maximize light output to the area needed. The reflector is aluminum, making the retrofit kit extremely lightweight.

The patent joins other Orion patents, including the design of its Compact Modular(tm) energy efficient lighting platform and its direct renewable solar Apollo(r) Light Pipe. Orion's technology is designed to reduce commercial and industrial energy consumption for lighting from 50 percent to 80 percent. Orion has 18 patents pending.

"Our growing patent portfolio validates Orion's thought leadership in the market and ongoing commitment to pioneering products that help companies save significantly on their energy costs without compromising their operations," said Orion President and CEO Neal Verfuerth. "At Orion, it's in our DNA to bypass the typical barriers to innovation and the result is breakthrough technology that is saving our customers more than $577 million and delivering more than 7.5 billion kilowatt-hours to the grid."

Orion's innovation and technology recently won the praise of President Barack Obama, who applauded Orion in a White House speech promoting clean energy, the creation of green collar jobs and the importance of energy efficiency. Obama challenged Orion and other clean energy companies to "mount a historic effort to end once and for all our dependence on foreign oil."

Orion has deployed its energy management systems in 4,581 facilities across North America. Since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 435 megawatts, saving customers more than $577 million and reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 4.9 million tons. Orion's technology was recently internationally recognized with a Platts Global Energy Award for the single most innovative and sustainable green technology of 2008.

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. For more information, visit www.oesx.com.

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

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.

Orion Energy Systems Inc.
          Linda Diedrich, Director Corporate Communications
          (920) 482-1988
          ljd@oes1.com

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