Module Capacity Leaps to Number One in Taiwan by Global Operation and Local Delivery
HSINCHU, Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- The Global leading Display and Solar Solutions provider AU Optronics ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today announced that it has successfully accomplished the first 1.2 MW solar project in South Africa with EKSOM, the biggest utility in South Africa, before the 2011 United Nations 17th Conference of the Parties (COP 17)(*1) . The project includes a tracking system PV power plant in Lethabo and a ground-mounted PV power plant in Kendal. By using AUO's high-efficiency solar module SunForte PM318B00, two power plants can generate 2,200,000 kWh for 1,500 households. This is AUO's first expansion into the African market after having finished a near 5MW project(*2), the largest solar park in the United Kingdom. To fulfill customers' needs worldwide, AUO will work to continuously increase its capacity of high-efficiency PV modules.
South Africa is not only the host of COP17 but also proactively develops its renewable energy recently and drives its first local solar utility project. This is a 1.2 MW project which includes two power plants, one is a 600kW tracking system PV power plant with AUO's high-efficiency module SunForte PM318B00 in Lethabo, which can generate 1,200,000 kWh for 800 households; the other is a 600kW ground-mounted PV power plant in Kendal that can generate 1,000,000 kWh for 700 households in the region nearby.
AUO has started to develop its solar business in 2008 and formed a high-efficiency vertical solar value chain to provide customers with high quality modules and solar power project services. With its global operation and local delivery, AUO's module capacity leaps to the leading position in Taiwan(*3). The company focuses on high-efficiency solar modules which are well-known and popular worldwide. AUO's back content solar modules that reach more than 19.5% conversion efficiency rate have been successfully produced in Taiwan. To meet the demand of Asian customers for high-efficiency utilities and large-scaled projects, AUO will increase its capacity by more than 50MW in the first quarter of 2012.
"Global Operation, Local Delivery" is AUO's business strategy. In Czech Republic, the company's PV factory has recently obtained Italy's ICIM and Germany's TUV Rheinland certifications to prove its "Made in Europe" modules. AUO's high-efficiency modules are of great quality and widely acclaimed in Europe. The capacity of the PV factory in Czech Republic is currently full. To fulfill the European orders, the company will install new equipments in Czech's PV factory to boost its capacity this quarter.
In addition to the increase of module capacity, AUO's module technology is in line with the latest global green trends. AUO takes the lead in developing and introducing high quality lead-free manufacturing process into solar modules, and has successfully obtained UL1703 certification in the U.S. Customers will be offered clean and environmentally friendly solar products to lower the impact of natural environment. AUO will continue to provide high-efficiency, high quality, lead-free and environmentally friendly solar modules, and customized first-class solar total solutions to clients.
(*1) The 17th UN Conference of the Parties (COP17) Climate Change Conference will be held from Nov. 28 to Dec. 9 in Durban, South Africa. This conference will discuss the framework of global CO2 emission that will be the world's focal point.
(*2) AUO cooperated with partners to finish a near 5MW solar park project. This is the largest solar park in United Kingdom with 16 hectares by using AUO's high-efficiency solar modules.
(*3) Based on available market research information as of Dec.1st, 2011.
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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 71 inches. AUO generated NT$467.2 billion (US$16 billion) in sales revenue* in 2010 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.
* 2010 year end revenue converted at an exchange rate of NTD29.14:USD1.
About AUO Solar Business
AUO Solar Business combined M.Setek, AUO crystal, and AUO SunPower to form a high-efficiency vertical solar value chain from polysilicon, ingot, wafer, solar cell, PV module and project business. AUO has successfully accomplished many large solar power plants projects in Europe, Asia and Africa. The company has three PV factories in Taiwan, China and Czech Republic and adopts "global operation, local delivery" model to provide worldwide customers total solar solutions. Please visit AUOSOLAR.com.
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 3rd, 2011.
