TAIPEI, Taiwan — AU Optronics Corp., Taiwan's largest manufacturer of thin film transistor liquid crystal display panels, has helped craft a “Solar Frisbee Roof” to canopy playground equipment at a Taipei schoolyard.
The project at the Taipei European School was co-financed by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology through the German Energy Agency (dena) Solar Roof Program. Abakus Solar AG and a2peak power also were project partners.
The goal was to create a canopy for playground equipment that would provide shade, a windbreak and shelter from poor weather for children during recess -- and, in doing so, also provide a green option for the school.
“AUO is devoted to being a global leader in green solutions,” AUO President and CEO Dr. L. J. Chen said in a statement on Tuesday to announce that the solar roof is ready go.
The firm formally founded its solar photovoltaic business unit in October, a move that also involved restructuring its energy office.
Although the company describes the structure as a “Solar Frisbee Roof,” it looks more like a three-sided shield with rounded edges
The roof was constructed from 32 21W photovoltaic modules, with an output of 6.8 kWp (kilo Watt peak). It can generate 6,205 kWh (kilowatt-hours) annually, which would result in an estimated reduction of 3.95 tons of carbon emissions, the firm said.
Images courtesy of AU Optronics.