HSINCHU, Dec 23, 2010 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today announced that its multi-crystalline solar module EcoDuo PM 220 received UK MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certification and will expand into the British market recently. AUO will provide local residents with high quality, safe, and reliable solar modules. This is an important milestone for the Company's development in the European solar market.
MCS has been developed to provide consumers with an assurance that microgeneration products meet a robust set of standards, including module performance, manufacturing processes, materials and so on. AUO has met the quality and safety standards of MCS to sell its popular multi-crystalline solar module EcoDuo PM 220 in the local market. Besides MCS certification, EcoDuo PM 220 obtained the world's first carbon footprint verification for solar modules, passed IEC61215 and UL1730 standards, and offers clients environmentally friendly and long performance warranty.
The U.K. has 42% of home ownership, which is higher than Germany, Italy, France, and other European countries. In addition, since the solar power buy-back scheme has been implemented in 2010, total installed solar power capacity is growing significantly, making the country a promising solar market. Home owners purchase AUO solar module for rooftop system and can get feed-in subsidies from the government. Also, they may sell extra electricity to national smart grid and obtain benefits.
AUO works aggressively with European partners and has successfully participated in open-field PV system and rooftop solar system projects in Germany, Italy, Slovakia, and Czech. AUO integrates its solar modules, solar systems and PV projects to provide high quality solar total solutions. Currently, AUO cooperates closely with local agents in each country to jointly develop a comprehensive sales network of solar modules, so that even better and timelier energy services could be delivered to clients around the world.
ABOUT AU OPTRONICS
AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) is a global leader of thin film transistor liquid crystal display panels (TFT-LCD). AUO is able to provide customers with a full range of panel sizes and comprehensive applications, offering TFT-LCD panels in sizes ranging from 1.2 inches to greater than 65 inches. AUO generated NT$359.3 billion (US$11.2 billion) in sales revenue* in 2009 and now houses a staff of more than 42,000 employees, with global operations in Taiwan, Mainland China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the U.S., and Europe. Additionally, AUO is the first pure TFT-LCD manufacturer to be successfully listed at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). AUO extended its market to the green energy industry in late 2008. The Display and Solar businesses were established respectively as the Company's two core businesses in October, 2010. For more information, please visit AUO.com.
* 2009 year end revenue converted at an exchange rate of NTD31.95:USD1.
Safe Harbour Notice
AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO), a global leader of TFT-LCD panels, today announced the above news. Except for statements in respect of historical matters, the statements contained in this Release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements were based on our management's expectations, projections and beliefs at the time regarding matters including, among other things, future revenues and costs, financial performance, technology changes, capacity, utilization rates, yields, process and geographical diversification, future expansion plans and business strategy. Such forward looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including risks related to the flat panel display industry, the TFT-LCD market, acceptance of and demand for our products, technological and development risks, competitive factors, and other risks described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11th, 2010.
