AUO Continues to Deploy High Performance Solar Power Plants in Taiwan with an Installed Capacity of 23.4MW

HSINCHU, Oct. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today announced its participation at PV Taiwan 2014, to be held from October 22 to 24 at TWTC Exhibition Hall. AUO's solar solution brand, BenQ Solar, will showcase a series of light-weight and high-efficiency solar modules. A scalable energy storage system as well as total solar solutions for different kinds of solar power plants will also be introduced. To meet the growing demand of solar power plants in Taiwan, AUO has deployed more than 130 solar projects with an installed capacity of 23.4MW.

Using Differentiation Through Light-weight and High-efficiency Solar Solutions to Establish an Advantage

In response to limited installation land space in densely populated areas, light-weight and high-efficiency solar modules have become a new trend in the market. BenQ Solar, the solar solution brand of AU Optronics, has developed an ultra-light solar module, Aer PM060M01. The module only weighs 10.5 kg and is embedded in ultra-thin glass. It is approximately 45 percent lighter than conventional counterparts, making it the world's lightest* among all 60-cell monocrystalline silicon modules.

Furthermore, BenQ Solar provides G-racking series for pitched rack mounting solutions that are compatible with common metal and bituminous roofing materials. Partnered with EASY ROOF EVOLUTION® mounting solutions, the integrated design of the racking system can retain architectural aesthetics after installation. BenQ Solar's light-weight and easy-to-install solar modules and racking systems can lower roof loads, save installation time and labor, and greatly reduce installation cost and enhance safety.

BenQ Solar continues to satisfy customers' needs in power plants and large-scale projects with high-efficiency solar modules. Using high-efficiency back-contact solar cells, the SunForte PM096B00 shows a module efficiency of 20.3 percent and power output of 330W. BenQ Solar has successfully developed another high-efficiency solar module adopting heterojunction solar cell structure. The module delivers a high efficiency of 20 percent and power output of 323W. The technology is mature enough for mass production.

Scalable Energy Storage System, A New Spotlight on the Renewable Energy Market

In view of the reliable and stable power generation requirements for power plants in Europe, America and Japan, AUO is unveiling a new scalable energy storage system, PowerRondo, a solution designed to meet various types of power management systems. The PowerRondo system can provide power plants with high quality and reliable power generation and is applicable to store both renewable and conventional energy. It is also suitable for residential, community and commercial applications on a daily basis. This scalable energy system can serve as back-up power to reduce the impact of electricity regulation and peak power consumption. With easy-installation and outstanding scalability benefits, PowerRondo offers an excellent solution for the renewable energy storage market.

One-Stop Service and Capability to Accomplish Different Kinds of Rooftop Power Plants

AUO has forged one-stop service for power plant planning and execution with a high-quality solar value chain and superior integration capability. In recent years, AUO has completed more than 130 projects in Taiwan with an installed capacity of 23.4MW.

In utility scale projects, the Sungen power plant, the largest rooftop solar power plant in Taiwan, which is built on AUO fabs, will accumulate total installed capacity of 16.3MW by the end of this year. It can generate around 55,800 kWh of electricity for 5,580 households' use on an average day. For public building projects, the solar system built on the rooftop of Taichung public housing, is expected to be completed by November this year. AUO has also accomplished the installation of 100 rooftop solar systems on aboriginal permanent housing in Chiayi and Pingtung, in an effort to promote community-based power plant programs. In addition, by utilizing the existing space of agricultural buildings and fish houses, AUO installed a solar power plant on the rooftop of fish farms in Pingtung. The solar plant can help fisherman to earn income by selling electricity back to the power grid.

In addition, to enhance the efficiency of power plant operations and maintenance, AUO's Smart Cloud Monitoring System allows users to ensure the maximum efficiency of power plants with immediate on-site tracking through the internet. The system is a convenient and time-saving tool for power plant management and has been implemented in more than 700 locations worldwide.

Please visit BenQ Solar's booth (#A0320, TWTC Hall 1) at PV Taiwan 2014 to find out more reliable, more efficient and more convenient solar energy solutions!

AUO photos can be downloaded at the Company's website: http://auo.com/?sn=479&lang=en-US

Any use of photographs must cite the source thereof is from AU Optronics Corporation.

ABOUT AU OPTRONICS

AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) is one of the world's leading providers of optoelectronic solutions. AUO offers a full range of panel sizes and comprehensive applications ranging from 1.5 inches to 75 inches. Based on its profound R&D and manufacturing experience, AUO continues to develop advanced display technologies of the next generation. AUO extended its market to the green energy industry in 2008. By building a vertically integrated high-efficiency solar value chain, AUO provides its customers with high-efficiency solar solutions. AUO now houses a staff of more than 45,000 employees, with global operations in Taiwan, mainland China, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, Czech and Slovakia. Additionally, AUO is the first pure TFT-LCD manufacturer to be successfully listed at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). AUO has also been named to Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for five consecutive years from 2010 to 2014. AUO generated consolidated revenues of NT$416,363 million (US$13,958 million) in 2013. For more information, please visit AUO.com.

About BenQ Solar

BenQ Solar is a division of AU Optronics Corp. AU Optronics manufactures and markets its PV products globally by using BenQ Solar as its solar product brand. As a total solution provider, BenQ Solar specializes in providing high efficiency solar solutions that cater to residential, commercial and utility customers. With a complete Solar Value Chain, including polysilicon, ingot, wafer, cell, module and system production, BenQ Solar prides itself on offering premium quality and reliable performance and has successfully accomplished many large solar power plants projects in Europe, Asia and Africa. BenQ Solar products meet and exceed internationally recognized standards, including JET, JPEC, IEC, UL, MCS and CEC. Please visit BenQSolar.com.

Safe Harbor 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 March 21st, 2014.

Related Links

http://www.auo.com