Photos: IDEC Corporation Receives Energy Makeover

REC Solar and Lime Energy team up to green Sunnyvale facility

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – Lime Energy (Nasdaq: LIME) and REC Solar, Inc., together with IDEC Corporation today announced the completion of a 162 kilowatt (DC) solar electric system and new efficient warehouse lighting system as part of IDEC’s mission to “green” its US corporate headquarters in Sunnyvale, California.

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“Between the efficiency and the solar, IDEC is really providing leadership in sustainability,” said Dan Parke, President and COO of Lime Energy. “IDEC really understands their electricity needs and how to make use of technology both in their electricity supply choices and their electricity-using equipment to come up with the best combination.”

“By combining energy efficiency with solar power, IDEC has taken a significant step in controlling their energy costs. Not only will they be able to reduce their energy expenses, but they will also enjoy a healthy return on investment, with significant benefits in the future as these systems have a life expectancy of more than 25 years,” said Angiolo Laviziano, President and CEO of REC Solar.

The combined savings from the efficient lighting plus the output of the 162 kW REC Solar electric system are projected to reduce IDEC’s electricity consumption from the local utility by about 25%. Savings in utility electricity costs should be closer to 35%, however, because most of the energy provided by the solar panels is produced during summer afternoons when electricity rates are highest.

In addition to the hard dollar savings for IDEC, the efficient lighting together with the energy supplied from solar power are estimated to avoid 280,650 kilowatt-hours per year of conventional electricity to provide the following environmental benefits each year:

      505,170 pounds of Carbon Dioxide
    - the leading cause of Global Warming

      6,415 pounds of Sulfur Dioxide
    - the leading cause of Acid Rain

      2,159 pounds of Nitric Dioxide
    - the leading cause of Smog and Acid Precipitation

      44 passenger cars removed from the road this year.

The lighting retrofit from Lime Energy involved replacing 400 watt metal halide lights in the warehouse to high-output fluorescent fixtures with motion sensors. “Metal halides start to deteriorate as soon as you first turn them on,” according to Lanny Schuberg, Product Engineering and Technical Coordination Manager at IDEC: “The new system gives us better lights and improved safety. Also, the existing lights needed to be moved into a better position over the aisles. Lime Energy did all of their work when we were closed at night and now everything is in the right place without disrupting our business.”

“People are much happier with the light levels; I have received many positive comments”, said Debbie Kranz, Administration Manager at IDEC. “I thought that some people might object to the sensors, but there have been no complaints. When someone starts to go down an aisle, the sensors detect that and the lights come on. It is great to see lights off when they are not needed and realize we are saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions.”

“For several decades IDEC has worked to develop industrial control devices ranging from relays and switches to sensors and programmable controllers which have helped manufacturing and factory automation industries. Since 1981, IDEC has provided LED indicator lamps for factory environments,” according to Toshi Funaki, CEO of IDEC Corporation. “IDEC prides itself as a technology innovator, constantly looking one step ahead to ensure safety, reduce energy consumption, and protect the environment. Its efforts go beyond product development. IDEC opened a new office building in Osaka, Japan, in March of this year, which is believed to be the first building in the world to be illuminated entirely by LED lighting. This bold project resulted in the reduction of polluting emissions by more than 40% in comparison with typical fluorescent lighting. So it was natural for IDEC to turn to renewable energy in its U.S. headquarters by installing highly efficient roof top solar panels and replacing warehouse lighting with a new energy efficient system.”

About IDEC

Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, IDEC Corporation is a global manufacturer known worldwide for over six decades for its reliable control and automation products. In the United States, IDEC has over thirty local sales offices to assist customers with choosing the right switches, relays, power supplies, PLCs, O/Is, sensors and more. A leader in the industry, IDEC produces only the highest quality products. For additional information, visit www.idec.com/usa.

About Lime Energy Co.

Lime Energy is a leading provider of energy efficiency solutions that enable our clients to reduce their energy-related expenditures and the impact of their energy use on the environment. Our clients include commercial and industrial businesses, property owners and managers and energy service companies serving government and educational institutions. Our core Energy Efficiency Services business provides energy engineering and consulting services as well as the development and implementation of energy efficiency lighting upgrade services, mechanical and electrical conservation services, water conservation services and renewable energy solutions. Through our Energy Technology business, we also offer a proprietary line of intelligent controllers that provide continuous management of HVAC and lighting equipment using wireless communication technology in order to reduce energy usage and improve system reliability. The company’s stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol LIME. Additional information is available at the company’s website at www.lime-energy.com or by calling 847-437-1666.

About REC Solar, Inc.

REC Solar is an industry-leading solar solutions provider specializing in grid-tied residential and commercial installations. With a local presence in all major solar markets in the USA and millions of watts installed, REC Solar is committed to lowering the cost of solar power through efficient processes, innovative products, and outstanding customer service. REC Solar is among the nation’s largest solar integrators and currently has over a dozen offices throughout 5 states (CA, CO, HI, OR and NJ). For additional information on REC Solar visit www.recsolar.com or call 1-888-OK-SOLAR (888-657-6527).

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including statements that reflect Lime Energy’s current expectations about its future results, performance, prospects and opportunities. Lime Energy has tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words and phrases such as “may,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plan,” “should,” “typical,” “preliminary,” “hope,” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Lime Energy and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause Lime Energy’s actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities in 2008 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward- looking statements. These risks are referenced in Lime Energy’s current Annual Report on form 10-K or as may be described from time to time in Lime Energy’s subsequent SEC filings; and such factors as incorporated by reference.

    Contact:
    Lime Energy
    Media Relations
    Carol Tong
    Bite Communications
    (415) 365-0396
    carol.tong@bitepr.com
    Investor Relations
    Glen Akselrod
    Bristol Capital Ltd.
    (905) 326-1888
    glen@bristolir.com
    REC Solar
    Isabelle Christensen
    (650) 815-6778
    ichristensen@recsolar.com
    IDEC
    Lanny Schuberg
    (800) 262-IDEC (4332)
    lanny@idec.com

SOURCE Lime Energy