First Solar Begins Operation of 250 Megawatt Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project

U.S. Senators Dean Heller and Catherine Cortez Masto Join First Solar
and Moapa Band of Paiutes in Celebrating Commissioning of First
Utility-Scale Solar Project on Tribal Land

MOAPA, Nev.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) and the Moapa Band of Paiutes
joined Sen. Dean Heller, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Nevada State
Energy Office Director Angela Dykema, Clark County Commissioner Marilyn
Kirkpatrick, executives from the Los Angeles Department of Water and
Power (LADWP) and other community and energy industry leaders to
celebrate the commissioning of the Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project.
Officials from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Bureau of Land
Management and the Bureau of Indian Affairs also participated in this
event.

The Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project is a 250 Megawatt (MW) _AC
solar energy project capable of generating enough clean energy to power
an estimated 111,000 homes. Located on the Moapa River Indian
reservation approximately 30 miles north of Las Vegas, this facility is
the first-ever utility-scale solar power plant to be built on tribal
land and has a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with LADWP to
bring clean, renewable energy to Los Angeles residents.

“I’m proud to see the day has finally arrived to commission the Moapa
Southern Paiute Solar Project. The tribe is truly embarking on a new
journey while serving as a trendsetter with this venture. This project
is the first and largest utility-scale solar plant on tribal lands.
Nevada is no stranger to successful solar projects, and this is another
great example of that. Again, congratulations to the tribe on its
impending success,” said United States Senator Dean Heller.

“There is no doubt renewable energy is the way of the future for energy
sustainability, and Nevada has the unparalleled natural resources to be
a national leader in investment and development of clean energy
technology and job creation,” said Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. “The
Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project is the perfect example of this great
potential. I will continue to fight for commonsense policies and
projects like this one to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, invest
in clean energy, and create good paying jobs.”

For the Moapa Band of Paiutes, this solar energy project has proven to
be an ideal economic development opportunity, providing lease revenues
over the lifetime of the project and about 115 construction jobs for
tribal members and other Native Americans, while also preserving their
land and cultural heritage.

“As a first-of-its-kind project, the Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project
signifies our role as a leader in Indian Country, creating a template
for other tribes to follow,” said Darren Daboda, Chairman of the Moapa
Band of Paiutes Tribal Council. “If our small tribe can accomplish this,
then others can also. There are endless opportunities in renewable
energy, and tribes across the nation have the perfect areas in which to
build utility-scale projects.”

The Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project, constructed and operated by
First Solar, features more than 3.2 million advanced First Solar thin
film photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. This equates to more than 25
million square feet of solar panels, or enough to cover more than 450
NFL football fields. The energy will serve LADWP under a 25-year PPA.

“We look forward to doing more projects like this in Nevada,” said
Georges Antoun, Chief Commercial Officer for First Solar. “Our PV
technology is setting the standard for affordable, clean renewable
energy. By continuously innovating, we are driving down the cost of
solar electricity and providing a solution that addresses energy
security and water scarcity. We are delivering on our commitment to
build a more sustainable energy future.”

By using renewable energy from the sun, this project will avoid
approximately 341,000 metric tons per year of carbon dioxide emissions
that would have been produced if the electricity had been generated
using fossil fuels – the equivalent of taking nearly 73,000 cars off the
road. First Solar’s technology creates no air or water pollution and
uses no water to generate electricity.

“We are very excited to begin receiving this clean renewable energy from
the Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project, which will significantly help
the City of Los Angeles to achieve 33 percent of all energy from
renewable resources by 2020 and 50 percent by 2025,” said Reiko A. Kerr,
Senior Assistant General Manager, LADWP Power System.”

About First Solar, Inc.

First Solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic
(PV) solar systems which use its advanced module and system technology.
The company’s integrated power plant solutions deliver an economically
attractive alternative to fossil-fuel electricity generation today. From
raw material sourcing through end-of-life module recycling, First
Solar’s renewable energy systems protect and enhance the environment. www.firstsolar.com

About Moapa Band of Paiutes

The Moapa Band of Paiutes is part of the Southern Paiute Nation with a
mission to preserve its homeland, particularly the 72,000 acre Moapa
River Indian Reservation, by building an independent and self-governing
community and providing opportunities for economic, educational and
cultural growth. The Paiutes respect and honor the land and all living
things upon it, and the tribe has the ability to be a front runner in
the clean energy field. The tribe also operates farms, the Moapa Travel
Plaza, a sand and gravel operation and has other future plans for
expansion at the Valley of Fire area.

For First Solar Investors

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Contacts

First Solar Media
Bill Marion
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702-283-0813