MANITOWOC, Wis., Mar 23, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- Orion Energy Systems' (Nasdaq:OESX) President and CEO Neal Verfuerth on Monday participated in a panel discussion at the White House addressing innovation and clean energy.

Following the panel, President Barack Obama addressed the media, panelists and those attending the discussion - including venture capitalists, scientists and entrepreneurs - touting clean energy, energy efficiency and his proposed budget that includes $150 billion over 10 years for clean energy and energy efficiency.

Obama talked about Orion Energy Systems and gave a brief history of the company during his 12-minute speech, which was broadcast live on national news programs, and can be seen on the Orion Web site at www.oesx.com.

"Innovators like you (Orion Energy Systems) are creating the jobs that will foster our recovery and creating the technology that will power our long-term prosperity, so I thank you for your work," Obama said. "You are helping us to build a cleaner, brighter future, and stronger, more prosperous economy and my administration and your country will support you in your work.

"We face an economic crisis unlike any we've known in a generation. You're helping us overcome this crisis."

"We appreciate President Obama's comments and the opportunity to partake in this important discussion," Verfuerth said. "Innovation in clean-energy technology is the driving force at Orion and we are well-positioned to be part of our country's economic recovery by providing good paying green collar jobs and a good value proposition to our customers throughout North America, who have saved more than $514 million in energy costs using Orion technology."

Orion's direct renewable Apollo(tm) Light Pipe was displayed on stage during the panel and Obama's comments. The Apollo(tm) Light Pipe harvests daylight and focuses it to a facility floor using no electricity. The light-capturing device has been proven to reduce a company's light-related energy costs to zero for up to 10 hours a day.

The panel moderator was Van Jones, a special advisor to the President on the White House Council on Environmental Quality and who is helping shape policy to get as many jobs as possible out of President Obama's climate and energy proposals. Jones is the founding president of Green for All, "a national organization dedicated to building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty," according to Jones' Web site.

Orion has deployed its energy management systems in 4,387 facilities across North America. Since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 423 megawatts, saving customers more than $514 million and reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 4.3 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.

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

SOURCE: Orion Energy Systems, Inc.

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

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