Orion Energy Systems: OES VP to moderate Midwest U.S.-Japan panel discussion about sustainability

Trip to Japan, China designed to increase awareness of energy efficiency and the role it plays in the global economy

MANITOWOC, Wis. — Sept. 11, 2009 — Orion Energy Systems’ (Nasdaq: OESX) vice president of business development and governmental affairs will moderate a panel discussion regarding sustainability at the 41st annual Japan – Midwest US Conference, a joint meeting between Japanese and U.S. business and governmental leaders in Tokyo.

Orion’s Kevin Crawford will moderate the panel discussion on Monday, Sept. 14, which is part of the three-day conference “Challenges and Changes in an Expanding Global Economy” designed to discuss growth and progress of economic relations of the Midwest and Japan.

Orion 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.

The panel session, titled “Strategies for the Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection,” will include Tsunehisa Katsumata, chairman of Tokyo Electric Power Co. and Toru Nagashima, chairman of Teijin, representing Japan and Gerald Hane, president and CEO of Battelle-Japan and Kevin Kriegel, president and CEO of Stonewater Control Systems, representing the U.S.

Attendees of the three-day conference include Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, Kikkoman Corp. Chairman and CEO Yuzaburo Mogi, Toshiba’s former chairman Tadashi Okamura, and other elite Japanese and U.S. business and government leaders.

“There has never been a time when sustainability was more central to the way a company thinks about its business,” Crawford said. “There is a growing realization that green means not only environmentally friendly, but also profitable and full of opportunity for job creation. As companies work their way through the present world while planning for what lies ahead, the key challenge is to maximize potential gains in energy efficiency while ensuring adequate new electric generation to maintain reliability and meet future demand.”

Following the conference in Tokyo, Crawford will travel to China on a trade and investment mission with Wisconsin officials including Doyle, Commerce Secretary Dick Leinenkugel and Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Rod Nilsestuen.

The goals of the mission are to increase sales of Wisconsin products and services, to encourage foreign direct investment in the state, assist Wisconsin leaders in learning more about market potential in China, address obstacles to trade and assist with issues, programs and policies.

The trip affords Orion the opportunity to meet with influential policy-makers and business leaders, and increase awareness of energy efficiency and the role it plays in expanding the global economy by providing jobs and decreasing energy costs — all the while improving the environment.

Through its own energy-efficient technology, Orion has created about 250 jobs at its Manitowoc, Wis.-based headquarters and provides approximately 50,000 hours of labor a month to contractors nationwide installing Orion’s proprietary technology that reduces energy costs and increases light levels.

Earlier this year, Orion’s innovation and technology 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 4,796 facilities across North America. Since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 459 megawatts, saving customers more than $642 million and reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 5.5 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 platforms, wireless controls systems and direct renewable solar technology for commercial and industrial customers without compromise. For more information, visit http://www.oesx.com.

Media Contact

Linda Diedrich

Director Corporate Communications

(920) 482-1988

ljd@oes1.com