AUO Showcases the World's Highest Efficiency PV Module at SNEC 2011

HSINCHU, Taiwan, Feb. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) will attend 2011 SNEC 5th International Photovoltaic Power Generation Exhibition & Conference and showcase the world's highest efficiency PV module SunForte PM318B00 with a conversion rate up to 19.5% and eco-friendly PV modules. AUO will deliver low-carbon, advanced and high-quality total green solutions to clients through its world's highest efficiency vertical solar value chain.

AUO is a global leading low-carbon TFT-LCD corporation and has been developing proactively its solar business since 2008. The company, by acquiring M.Setek, and joint venturing with SunPower, has created the world's highest efficiency vertical solar value chain, including polysilicon raw material, solar cell, PV module and system projects. AUO has also established its first high-efficiency PV plant in Tianjin, which will be the first PV plant in China acknowledged by U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. The plant is designed to be a green facility, with construction and equipment installation expected to complete this year. Its total capacity will reach 1GW.

In addition to establishing green PV plants, AUO has engaged itself in promoting carbon footprint verification for products. AUO's EcoDuo PM220P00 is the world's first PV module to have passed PAS2050 carbon footprint verification by SGS, signifying a critical milestone for the PV industry. AUO will also benchmark all its future PV modules against this standard and devote itself to energy-saving designs, raw material reduction or replacement, and develop innovative R&D technologies to effectively lower total CO2 emissions and reduce carbon footprints in products.

In 2011 SNEC 5th International, AUO will display the high efficiency mono-crystalline SunForte PM318B00 that targets densely populated urban areas with smaller rooftops. The SunForte PM318B00 has a conversion rate as high as 19.5%, the world's highest for PV modules, and the output is approximately 40% higher than that of the conventional module in the industry with conversion rate of 14%. The product will maximize the solar power output for solar system users. Moreover, AUO will also demonstrate its PM240P00 PV module that could withstand salt corrosion and moisture in coastal or humid areas, making the power systems more efficient. All AUO high-efficiency PV modules are tested for power performance and durability in UL certificated laboratories, meeting CGC, TUV, UL, IEC standards to assure customers of excellent long-term first class power generation warranty. In the future, AUO will continue to take advantage of its world's highest efficiency vertical solar value chain to design low-carbon and high efficiency PV products, and offer high quality total green solutions to customers with its innovative R&D strengths and mature supply chain management systems.  

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 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 in sales revenue in 2010 (US$16 billion) 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.

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.

SOURCE AU Optronics Corporation