Capstone Announces Expansion of Carb Emissions Certified Product Line to Operate in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

CHATSWORTH, Calif., Aug. 23, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.microturbine.com) (Nasdaq:CPST), the world's leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, today announced that it released the C30 and C65 natural gas fueled microturbines that meet extremely low global emission standards, including California Air Resources Board (CARB) requirements for New On-Road Heavy-Duty Engines for Urban Bus – Hybrid service.

The Capstone Natural Gas fueled microturbines are the only engines certified to the CARB On-Road Heavy-Duty Engine emissions levels for Model Year 2011 that operate with no exhaust aftertreatment. Test emissions from both the C30 and C65 Natural Gas microturbines measured dramatically less than the emissions levels set forth by the CARB standard including NOX at 75% and CO at 96% less than the required levels. Emissions were achieved using the next generation of Capstone's lean premix combustion technology. No aftertreatment equipment allows Capstone to achieve these emission levels without impact to product efficiency, additional cost or increased vehicle weight.

"Our engineering team continues to improve the microturbine combustion and controls technology to identify simple solutions that address technically challenging environmental requirements," said Mark Gilbreth, Capstone's Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. "Technologies to reduce harmful emissions, increase fuel efficiency, and reduce product cost continue to be the focus of our engineering development activities to advance our microturbine product to be the market leading engine technology."

"Hybrid Electric Vehicle applications are a significant opportunity for Capstone as countries continue to implement stringent emissions standards," said Darren Jamison, President and Chief Executive Officer of Capstone Turbine Corporation. "The ability to provide clean burning power generation helps meet California requirements today and sets the standard for other nations as they establish emissions requirements," added Jamison.

About Capstone Turbine

Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (Nasdaq:CPST) is the world's leading producer of low-emission microturbine systems, and was the first to market commercially viable microturbine energy products. Capstone Turbine has shipped over 5,000 Capstone MicroTurbine(R) systems to customers worldwide. These award-winning systems have logged millions of documented runtime operating hours. Capstone Turbine is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Combined Heat and Power Partnership, which is committed to improving the efficiency of the nation's energy infrastructure and reducing emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases. A UL-Certified ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certified company, Capstone is headquartered in the Los Angeles area with sales and/or service centers in the New York Metro Area, Mexico City, Nottingham, Shanghai and Singapore.

The Capstone Turbine Corporation logo is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6212

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is used in the federal securities laws, about reduced costs, the environmental advantages of our products, compliance with government regulations and increased sales in the hybrid electric vehicle market. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "objective," "intend," "targeted," "plan" and similar phrases. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties described in Capstone's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that may cause Capstone's actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied in such statements. Capstone cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Capstone undertakes no obligation, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

"Capstone" and "Capstone MicroTurbine" are registered trademarks of Capstone Turbine Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Capstone Turbine Corporation
         Investor and investment media inquiries:
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         ir@capstoneturbine.com

Released August 23, 2011