First Solar Completes 10MW Thin Film Solar Power Plant for Sempra Generation

First Solar Completes 10MW Thin Film Solar Power Plant for Sempra Generation

TEMPE, Ariz.--Dec 22 2008 - First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) today announced the completion of its first 10 megawatt (MW) ground-mounted photovoltaic power plant for Sempra Generation near Boulder City, Nevada. This project is the largest thin film solar power plant in North America. First Solar served as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for this PV power plant and will provide monitoring and maintenance services for the plant over its lifetime. This project was constructed in less than six months.

The project was developed by Sempra Generation, which will own and operate the PV power plant. First Solar constructed the 10 MW PV power plant adjacent to Sempra’s existing 480 MW El Dorado Energy power plant about 40 miles southeast of Las Vegas. The solar modules deployed in this ground-mount project were produced at First Solar's manufacturing facility in Perrysburg, Ohio.

First Solar is the world’s leading supplier of thin film PV modules, stemming largely from the superior product design and unique semiconductor technology that makes First Solar modules the most cost-effective on the market. Underlying First Solar’s success is a commitment to product life cycle management, as illustrated by the solar industry’s first comprehensive module collection and recycling program. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life collection and recycling, First Solar is focused on creating cost-effective renewable energy solutions that protect and enhance the environment.

“The build out of this 10MW solar power plant from start to finish in less than six months marks the successful completion of our first utility scale EPC project,” said John Carrington, First Solar executive vice president marketing and business development. “We applaud Sempra’s commitment to expand their renewable energy portfolio—investing in clean energy infrastructure while creating green jobs and addressing climate change and energy independence.”

“This is a significant step in the development and deployment of renewable solar power,” said Michael W. Allman, president and chief executive officer of Sempra Generation. “It reflects the commitment by Sempra Generation and western U.S. utilities to meet the challenges posed by climate change with reliable, renewable energy. The size and scope of this new solar generation facility clearly demonstrates that we can build projects on a scale that helps utilities meet their renewable energy goals.”

About First Solar

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) manufactures solar modules with an advanced thin film semiconductor technology and provides comprehensive PV solutions that significantly reduce solar electricity costs. By enabling clean, renewable electricity at competitive prices, First Solar provides an economic and environmentally responsible alternative to existing peaking fossil-fuel electric generation. First Solar PV power plants operate with no water, air emissions or waste stream. First Solar set the benchmark for environmentally responsible product life cycle management by introducing the industry's first comprehensive collection and recycling program for solar modules. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life collection and recycling, First Solar is focused on creating cost-effective renewable energy solutions that protect and enhance the environment. For more information about First Solar, please visit www.firstsolar.com, or www.firstsolar.com/media to download photos.

For First Solar Investors

This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward-looking statements in this release do not constitute guarantees of future performance. Those statements involve a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including risks associated with the company's business involving the company's products, their development and distribution, economic and competitive factors and the company's key strategic relationships and other risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. First Solar assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release or with respect to the announcements described herein.



Contacts First Solar, Inc.Lisa Morse602-414-9361lmorse@firstsolar.com




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