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US: AUO announces 9 MW PV project

In a bid to strengthen its U.S. presence, Taiwan-based AU Optronics Corp. has acquired a nine megawatt (MW) photovoltaic project in the state of Pennsylvania. The company has also officially launched its modules on the U.S. market.

AUO recognizes the importance of the US solar market.

AU Optronics Corp.

AUO will install the photovoltaic project in the Pennsylvania School District. When complete, it is expected to be the largest power plant of its kind in the state, as well as one of the largest school district projects nationwide.

Scheduled for completion in September, the plant will cover an area of 62 acres and include 37,500 of AUO’s photovoltaic modules. It will generate over 10 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually, which will be enough to meet the needs of five schools in the area.

Recognizing the importance of the U.S. market, the Taiwanese manufacturer says that, having achieved full capacity at its production Czech plant, it has since begun manufacturing modules in the States. According to the company, the modules have met the American Federal Acquisition Regulation’s Buy American Act (BAA) and Trade Agreements Act (TAA). They have also been listed by the California Energy Commission.

No further details about its module production or annual capacity were released. A spokesperson would only tell pv magazine that AUO's modules are being manufactured by a U.S. solar partner and are now ready for customers.