UPDATE 2-Lighting company Orion Energy soars in debut

(Recasts with Orion Energy and Gushan's first-day performance; adds analyst comment, byline; updates share prices)

By Lilla Zuill

NEW YORK, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Orion Energy Systems Inc (OESX.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) soared in its market debut on Wednesday, signaling strong interest in energy efficient "green stocks," while a newly listed Chinese biodiesel producer rose only moderately, a sign that investors are cooling on new Chinese issues.

Orion, which sells efficient lighting systems to companies such as Coca-Cola Inc (KO.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Kraft (KFT.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), closed 65 percent higher than its $13 initial public offering price, at $21.41 on Nasdaq.

Coca-Cola alone bought enough Orion light fixtures to account for 20 percent of the company's revenue in the six-month period ended Sept. 30, helping to expand sales by 75 percent to $35 million. Net income for the period was $1.8 million, compared with $5,000 during the same period a year ago.

"With its patented products that enable electricity cost savings as well as a sharp reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, it (Orion) is a recipe for success," said Scott Sweet, managing director of IPOboutique.com.

Orion has installed its lighting systems in more than 2,100 companies, including Fortune 500 corporations.

On Tuesday, the Plymouth, Wisconsin-based company raised $100 million with a 7.7 million share offering that priced in the middle of expectations.

Underwriters led by Thomas Weisel Partners have the option to purchase an additional 1.2 million shares to cover overallotments.