For Immediate Release

Green initiatives the ‘right thing to do,’ says sports complex VP

INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. — The new Charlotte, N.C., area sports complex will not only help individuals become fit, but also will help the environment get in shape using energy-efficient technology to reduce its carbon footprint.

Carolina Courts has implemented numerous green initiatives in the construction of the 44,000-square-foot facility that features five basketball courts that double to 10 volleyball courts. The facility is set to open this winter.

Carolina Courts will offer basketball and volleyball programs for youths and adults including league play. Carolina Courts also will offer camps and parties, and Rhymer Fitness and Athletic Republic fitness training. Group and personal fitness programs and sports instruction also will be available.

Scott Chitwood, executive vice president and director of operations, said implementing energy-efficient technology is “the right thing to do.”

“We’re using new waterless urinals because we’re in a drought-prone area, along with dual flush toilets,” Chitwood said. “We have zoned HVAC so we don’t have to heat or cool unused areas to the same level as those we’re using and waste energy, which increases pollution. We’re even using the high-velocity hand dryers that don’t have needless heating coils.”

Carolina Courts also has installed a state-of-the-art high intensity fluorescent (HIF) lighting system that will use approximately 65 percent less energy than high-intensity discharge (HID) lights traditionally used in gymnasiums. Despite the reduction in energy consumption, the HIF lights provide more and better quality light.

“Right from the get-go we knew fluorescent lighting was the best way to go because it was the brightest, most natural light we could get,” Chitwood said. “And, using half the power of the usual HID systems, HIF is economical and green.”

Had Carolina Courts decided to install the traditional high intensity discharge lighting, the system would have consumed about 241,000 kilowatt-hours more annually, which translates to nearly $17,000 in additional energy costs a year.

As a result of the reduced energy consumption, Carolina Courts will indirectly prevent 164 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere as a byproduct of electricity production. Other harmful greenhouse gases, like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides also will not enter the atmosphere as a result of the lighting project.

Lou Verrone, Regional Director with Southpoint Solutions of Fort Mill, S.C, worked closely with Carolina Courts on the final design of the energy efficient lighting system manufactured by Orion Energy Systems Inc. of Manitowoc, WI.   “Based on our recommendation, Carolina Courts elected to install the InteLite® wireless control system.   By going wireless, Carolina Courts can easily modify how the facility lighting is controlled and will eliminate costly re-wiring of the facility should changes be required down the road”, stated Verrone.

“With the InteLite^® control system, we can wirelessly control all five courts individually to be on, off or reduce lighting to about 60 percent when we don’t need all the lights, ” Chitwood said. “The system will also save even more because unused lights will automatically turn off, reducing the risk of someone accidentally leaving them on overnight.  Of course, for security, some fixtures will remain on at all times.” 

Southpoint Solutions has been installing energy-efficient lighting primarily in six southeastern states, including North and South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Southpoint Solutions’ projects have significantly reduced light-related energy costs for companies like US Food Service, Energizer, Stanley Tools, Hyundai and Cessna to name a few.

“Being engineers by trade, we’ve analyzed other lighting technology and control systems,” said Jeff Hickman, president of Southpoint Solutions of Fort Mill, S.C. “Orion makes the most efficient products and easy-to-use control systems on the market; the kind of innovative technology that we can use to bring substantial energy savings to new construction or existing buildings where the traditional HID systems are still in place.”

“We applaud Carolina Courts for keeping the environment in mind when constructing their new facility,” said Orion CEO and President Neal Verfuerth. “Carolina Courts is leading the way in energy efficiency and is a shining example of what companies big or small can do to reduce their carbon footprint while reducing their energy bills.”

Carolina Courts is a modern two-sport athletic complex just southeast of Charlotte, N.C., that provides a positive, energetic environment for athletes of all ages to learn the games of basketball and/or volleyball through healthy competition, excellent instruction, and experienced coaching that focuses on the building of self-confidence and self-esteem. Carolina Courts also aims to provide nationally recognized programs, camps, clinics and speakers tailored for the development of youth and adult athletes and general fitness, in a first-class facility. For more information, visit www.carolinacourts.com.

Southpoint Solutions, based in Fort Mill, S.C., just south of Charlotte, N.C., is an energy services company specializing in power technologies that dramatically reduce energy and operational costs. The company provides design and turnkey installation for their products and can ship internationally. Southpoint Solutions’ mission is to provide the highest quality and most cost-effective solutions for today’s business challenges utilizing innovative and proven products that deliver guaranteed results. Visit its Web site at www.southpointsolutions.com for more information.

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. Orion has deployed its energy management systems in 4,068 facilities across North America. Since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 386 megawatts, saving customers more than $455 million and reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 4 million tons. For more information, visit www.oesx.com.

Media Contact

Carolina Courts

Scott Chitwood

Executive Vice President and

Director of Operations

Cell: (704) 619-3028

scott.chitwood@carolinacourts.com

Southpoint Solutions

Jeff Hickman

President

803.802.7330, ext. 106

jeff.hickman@southpointsolutions.com