First Solar

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) today announced the appointment of Dennis Fitzgibbons as vice president, federal affairs. In this new position, Fitzgibbons is responsible for leading the Company’s federal government affairs activities in the U.S. He will report directly to Mike Ahearn, First Solar chief executive officer.

First Solar, Inc., (Nasdaq: FSLR) has entered into a 25-year power purchase agreement with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., a wholesale electric power supplier serving more than 1.4 million consumers through 44 electric cooperatives and public power districts in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.

First Solar, Inc., (Nasdaq:FSLR) today announced that it has produced 1 gigawatt (GW) of its advanced solar modules since beginning commercial production in early 2002.

It took the Company more than six years to produce its first 500 megawatts (MW) and eight months to produce its second, creating today’s 1GW total. By the end of this year, the Company has announced it will have the capacity to produce more than 1GW per year— the equivalent of an average-sized nuclear power plant.

Company Firmly Establishes Itself as U.S. Photovoltaic Leader

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) today announced it has entered into an agreement to significantly expand its penetration within the U.S. utility solar power market with the acquisition of OptiSolar's solar project pipeline. The acquisition includes:

• A 550 megawatt (MW) AC solar development project under a power purchase agreement with PG&E
• A project pipeline of additional 1,300MW AC which are in negotiation with Western region utilities for solar development projects

Company Cuts Manufacturing Cost to 98 Cents Per Watt in Fourth Quarter

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) today announced it reduced its manufacturing cost for solar modules in the fourth quarter to 98 cents per watt, breaking the $1 per watt price barrier.

“This achievement marks a milestone in the solar industry’s evolution toward providing truly sustainable energy solutions,” said Mike Ahearn, First Solar chief executive officer. “First Solar is proud to be leading the way toward clean, affordable solar electricity as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.”

First Solar, Inc. (NASQAQ: FSLR) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended, December 27, 2008. Quarterly revenues were $433.7 million, up from $348.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 and up from $200.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. Revenues for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008 were $1,246.3 million, up from $504.0 million in fiscal year 2007.

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSLR) today applauded the creation of the new International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) as an important step in promoting investments in renewable energies worldwide.

IRENA is an international organization created to promote renewable energy options on a global scale. This ambitious initiative will offer both industrialized and developing nations advice and support when seeking renewable energy solutions.

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) will report financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 27, 2008, after market close on Tuesday, February 24, 2009. The Company will hold its quarterly and year end conference call to discuss these results at 4:30 p.m. EST. Investors may access a live web cast of this conference call on the Investors section of the Company's web site at www.firstsolar.com.

World's First Carbon-Neutral City Powered Entirely by Renewable Energy Sources

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.