Commercial-grade light pipe system designed to outperform other tubular day-lighting devices
MANITOWOC, Wis. — Orion Energy Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: OESX) on Dec. 29 was awarded a utility patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark office for the company’s direct renewable Apollo solar light pipe system. A utility patent protects the way a product is used and works.
Orion’s Apollo solar light pipe system harvests daylight and directs it to the work area of a facility using no electricity. When the Apollo is integrated with Orion’s intelligent control system and ambient light sensors, and the illumination levels from the light pipe reach a desired set point, the electrical lights automatically shut down, all or in part, until needed again. The Apollo can also be easily integrated into other existing lighting systems.
“Our Apollo solar light pipe is designed to provide maximum daylight inside a facility without using electricity during peak hours, saving our customers money and reducing pressure on the grid,” said Orion CEO Neal Verfuerth. During our fiscal second quarter, we shipped 1,300 light pipes, more than doubling our fiscal first quarter shipments.”
This patent validates our leadership position in the direct renewable solar industry and recognizes the unique benefits of the Apollo technology over other devices available on the market,” said Verfuerth.
Apollo solar light pipe systems have been successfully installed in facilities for companies like Polo-Ralph Lauren, Sysco Foods and Apple. A Coca-Cola facility in Milwaukee, Wis., reported the light pipes provide sufficient, natural daylight for up to 10 hours a day.
In third party tests, the commercial grade Apollo solar light pipe was proven to withstand harsh weather conditions, and has been impact-tested to four times the force of golf ball size hail.
The seamless, one-piece spun aluminum roof flashing allows for weatherproofing installation to the facility, regardless of roof material. Because it’s constructed with aluminum, the light pipe resists corrosion, rust and condensation.
In 2008, the Apollo solar light pipe was awarded the prestigious Platts Global Energy Award for the single most innovative and sustainable technology of the year and the Plant Engineering Product of the Year Grand Award.
The patent marks the 26th for Orion, which also has 22 patents pending.
Orion has deployed its energy management systems in 5,082 facilities across North America, including 120 of the Fortune 500 companies. Since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 477 megawatts, saving customers more than $710 million and reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 6.1 million tons.
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, intelligent wireless control systems and direct renewable solar technology for commercial and industrial customers without compromising their operations. For more information, visit http://www.oesx.com.
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