AUO Corporation ("AUO" or the "Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today announced its decision, as resolved by its Board of Directors on June 19th, to subscribe new shares to be issued by M.Setek, which is a major polysilicon and monocrystal silicon wafers manufacturer in Japan. Such investment is for AUO to secure key materials in the solar industry and strengthen its strategic position in energy business. AUO’s preliminary plan is to invest US$125 million taking majority shareholding of M.Setek gradually, with investment amount to be finalized depending on future development of the investee.
Being a major supplier to renowned solar cell companies around the world, M.Setek is a company with leading technology that realizes high conversion rate of monocrystal silicon wafers for solar cells. Its capabilities and high-efficient products have always been highly recognized in the Industry. “This will mark a major step forward for AUO’s endeavor in energy business,” said K.Y. Lee, Chairman of AUO. “We are very much looking forward to collaborating with M.Setek, jointly bringing greater inputs to solar energy sources and providing better renewable energy solutions.”
Dr. L.J. Chen, President and CEO of AUO, also expressed that after extensive and careful planning, as well as the establishment of a dedicated R&D team, AUO’s energy business, guided by the strategy of total solution, has been proactively making sound presences throughout the value chain of energy business, aiming to offer the finest integrated technology and services to the world. This includes the collaborations with system house for photovoltaics (PV) in a bit to swiftly accumulate capabilities in system integration and design at the end market.
Furthermore, the Company has established a 100%-owned energy company called AUO Energy Taiwan Corp. (AET) presided by Max Cheng as the Chairman in May 2009, which dedicates to provide integrated technical supports in energy system. The AET will provide more extensive value-added services in the future, including installation of energy system fueled by solar or other renewable energies for power plants, industrial facilities, commercial buildings and households. Currently, the AET together with system providers is actively participating in relevant solar energy projects in Taiwan and around the world.
Chairman Lee also emphasized that AUO has already possessed sound energy- efficient technologies in TFT-LCD Industry and by acquiring integrated capacities in both solar upstream and downstream industry, it is hoped that AUO will swiftly establish its leading presence in energy Industry. “More importantly, by injecting more resources and efforts, we hope to see the realization of renewable energy products with higher efficiency in a bit to solve human beings’ energy needs in the long run, as well as to protect the Earth.” he added.