Haiti Relief Efforts Double with Installed Solar Lights

Haiti Relief Efforts Double with Installed Solar Lights Sol, Inc. donation allows hospitals, food distribution, and relief camps to operate past dusk


PALM CITY, Fla., Jan. 15 - Millions of dollars of relief may never reach Haitians in time unless roadways, relief camps, hospitals and distribution areas can operate past dark.
Donating $300,000 and organizing relief efforts for Haiti, Sol, Inc. is no stranger to the effect solar lights have on safety and security. With over 40,000 solar lighting systems installed in over 60 countries on six continents, Sol, Inc. CEO Rick Schuett knew that the Sol, Inc. team had the expertise and desire to make a real difference.


"The Board of Directors chaired by Michael Sonnenfeldt, along with Sol, Inc. employees felt compelled to assist the victims of this earthquake," said Rick Schuett, CEO of Sol, Inc. "We know that once our solar lighting systems are installed, we will effectively double the amount of available relief effort time by allowing aid workers and rescuers to work around the clock when previously operations had to cease at dusk. In addition, our lighting systems will provide safety and security as well as being a hallmark that civility is being restored to the area."
The total donation is expected to exceed $400,000 with assistance from suppliers, donations and a solar light matching program.
Facilitating the assistance to Haiti is not a small task.


Sol, Inc. is working with Florida Congressman Rooney's Stuart office, several relief agencies and government agencies to transport the solar lights from Florida and get them installed in Haiti as quickly as possible. Missionary Flights International - http://www.missionaryflights.org - based in Ft. Piece has graciously agreed to fly some of the solar lighting systems as well as Sol, Inc. volunteers. Sol, Inc. is working with other relief organizations such as World Vision - http://www.worldvision.org , Unicef - http://www.unicef.org and Hands On Disaster Response - http://www.hodr.org to coordinate the installation, local logistics and security for the traveling team.
In addition, Sol, Inc. is dispatching a 44' catamaran donated by local entrepreneur Deane Blazie of Jupiter Island, which is scheduled to leave late Sunday or Monday (depending on weather). The boat will remain in Haiti for the next several weeks providing ground support and logistics.
Several of Sol, Inc.'s suppliers have generously donated time and materials including Alliance Composites Inc., C & L Technologies, Citizen Electronics, Haze Battery U.S.A., Karl Lust and SPOSTO Interactive, allowing Sol, Inc. to increase the number of solar light systems that will be available to the relief efforts.
"Our efforts will continue," said Schuett. "If you or your organization would like to donate money, medical supplies, water or equipment, please contact us immediately. Sol, Inc. is also actively seeking air and ocean transportation avenues for forthcoming donations."
Victor Sotolongo is coordinating the Solar Lights Donation logistics for Sol, Inc. Call, text or email him at 772.205-9987 or v.sotolongo@solarlighting.com .
Sol will be providing additional lights through a special ongoing Solar Lights for Haiti matching program it has established. For every solar light system purchased, Sol, Inc. will match the donation with a second solar light system. To support the solar lights for Haiti relief effort, visit http://www.solarlighting.com and click "Donate Light to Haiti Earthquake Victims."
Sol, Inc.'s solar light philanthropy program has assisted victims and volunteers in disaster recovery. Past recipients include: Hurricane Katrina Recovery Lighting (2005), Hurricane Rita Recovery Lighting (2005), Peruvian Earthquake Relief (2007), and Chapman, Kansas Tornado Redevelopment Lighting (2009). For more information about Sol, Inc.'s charitable outreach program visit: http://www.solarlightingusa.com/community-outreach.html
About Sol, Inc. - http://www.solarlighting.com
Sol, Inc. is the world leader in solar LED outdoor lighting solutions with over 40,000 systems installed in more than 60 countries on six continents. Since 1990, Sol has introduced innovative and cost-effective solar lighting systems that provide unsurpassed levels of illumination and reliability. Sol, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets commercial/industrial-grade solar powered and energy efficient lighting systems for a wide range of lighting applications including area and security, street and roadways, sign and billboards and transit and shelter lighting. Sol, Inc. is ISO 9001:2000 certified and committed to superior design, manufacturing, and customer satisfaction.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Audwin Cash acash@solarlighting.com ________________________________________

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First Solar to Develop 30 Megawatt AC Solar Power Plant for Tri-State

First Solar to Develop 30 Megawatt AC Solar Power Plant for Tri-State


TEMPE, Ariz.---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.

"This photovoltaic (PV) power plant is another demonstration of our ability to provide affordable, utility-scale solar solutions," said John Carrington, First Solar executive vice president of marketing and business development. "In addition to being cost-effective, the plant will create 120 to 140 construction jobs, significantly reduce green house gas emissions and provide enough power to serve the equivalent of approximately 9,000 homes."

The agreement, which represents the largest PV contract by an electric cooperative in the U.S., calls for First Solar to engineer, procure and construct (EPC) a 30 megawatt AC (MW) ground-mounted PV power plant in northeastern New Mexico.

“Our partnership with First Solar further diversifies our resource mix and brings value to our member cooperatives across our four-state service territory,” said Ken Anderson, Tri-State executive vice president and general manager. “This project in New Mexico demonstrates how electric cooperatives can effectively bring utility-scale solar projects to the rural areas they serve.”

The project will be the first utility-scale solar power plant in the region and is expected to be complete by the end of 2010. First Solar will provide monitoring and maintenance services for the PV power plant over the course of its lifetime. The Company expects that, upon completion of the PV power plant, it will have transferred all or substantially all of its equity interest in the project.

“This first-of-its-kind initiative is further evidence that New Mexico is a national leader in renewable energy production. I look forward to many more projects like this coming to fruition in New Mexico and across the country as we shift from fossil fuels to cleaner, green energy. I am especially pleased to see the electric coops take this major leap into renewables,” said U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

“New Mexico has world-class renewable resources and a ready workforce,” said Governor Bill Richardson. “The announcement of a major new solar power plant in Colfax County is welcome news and demonstrates New Mexico’s commitment to leading the nation in renewable energy development.”

First Solar combines the economic benefits of low-cost technology with superior environmental performance to provide truly sustainable energy solutions.

"Projects like these represent a step toward transforming our energy future; providing solutions for both climate and the environment," said Carl Zichella, western regional director for the Sierra Club.

About First Solar

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) manufactures solar modules with an advanced 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 Morse602-414-9361media@firstsolar.com





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