FBST Fiberstars (MM)

Solar consortium achieves 42.8% conversion efficiency SOLON, Ohio, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Energy Focus, Inc. (NASDAQ:EFOI), formerly Fiberstars, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBST), a global leader in energy efficient lighting, today announced the breakthrough milestone of a 42.8% efficiency solar cell achieved by the Very High Efficiency Solar Consortium (VHESC), part of the R&D work Energy Focus has been involved with through a DARPA contract. The VHESC Consortium is led by the University of Delaware and involves a number of leading organizations from academia, industry and government. "We are thrilled that the solar consortium has demonstrated a world record breaking 42.8% efficiency," Roger Buelow, chief technology officer of Energy Focus commented. "With Dr.Allen Barnett, University of Delaware professor of electrical and computer engineering, the project's principal investigator, we believe that this is a major step in reaching our 50% or greater efficiency goal. With efficiencies three to four times that of today's solar products, this milestone highlights the potential for commercial solar installations to have pay back periods of less than three years, compared to the decade or so long ROI we are seeing today. There is still a ways to go to get to commercialization of the VHESC device, but we are excited about the opportunity to help accelerate solar's move into the mainstream." The highly efficient VHESC solar cell uses a novel lateral optical concentrating system that splits sunlight into three different energy bins in order to optimize absorption and conversion. The stationary VHESC optical system is capable of absorbing large amounts of light without the use of a complicated tracking device. "We are delighted to be a part of the esteemed solar consortium working with the leading minds in the solar R&D space to improve solar cell efficiency," said John Davenport, Energy Focus CEO. "Solar power combined with energy efficient lighting can help reduce the environmental footprint of buildings around the world. We are happy to be at the forefront of the cutting edge research and look forward to the long-term potential of this project." About Energy Focus, Inc. Energy Focus, Inc.(NASDAQ:EFOI) is the leading supplier of fiber optic lighting and the world's only supplier of EFO(R), a lighting technology which is more efficient than conventional electric lamps. Energy Focus products are designed, manufactured and marketed for the commercial lighting, sign and swimming pool, and spa markets. Energy Focus fiber optic lighting provides energy savings, aesthetic, safety and maintenance cost benefits over conventional lighting. Customers include supermarket chains, retail stores, fast food restaurants, theme parks and casinos, hotels, swimming pool builders, spa manufacturers and many others. Company headquarters are located at 32000 Aurora Rd., Solon, OH 44139. The Company has additional offices in Pleasanton, CA, United Kingdom and Germany. For more information, see http://www.energyfocusinc.com/. Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the goals and business outlook for 2007 and thereafter, future pool market sales, the expected growth of and percentage of the Company to be represented by EFO, expected product development and introductions, and expected overall sales growth and profitability, and expected benefits, revenues. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted. Risk factors that could affect the Company's future include, but are not limited to, a slowing of the U.S. and world economy and its effects on Energy Focus' markets, failure to develop marketable products from new technologies, failure of EFO or other new products to meet performance expectations, unanticipated costs of integrating acquisitions into the Energy Focus operation, delays in manufacturing of products, increased competition, other adverse sales and distribution factors and greater than anticipated costs and/or warranty expenses. For more information about potential factors which could affect Energy Focus financial results, please refer to the Company's SEC reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Energy Focus disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. DATASOURCE: Energy Focus, Inc. CONTACT: Alanna Gino of Antenna Group, +1-415-977-1918, for Energy Focus Web site: http://www.energyfocusinc.com/

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