First Solar Commences Construction of Campo Verde Solar Project

First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) today announced it has started constructingthe 139 megawatt Campo Verde Solar Project, located near El Centro in ImperialCounty, Calif. The solar power plant is expected to be completed in 2013.Economic benefits of the project include approximately 250 construction jobs,as well as over $230 million in new economic activity to the Imperial Valley,according to a county study.The project gained the approval it needed on Dec. 18, 2012, from the ImperialIrrigation District (IID) for easements required to cross IID's Westside MainCanal with the project's transmission line. Earlier approvals included adecision to issue a Right of Way grant from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management(BLM) and a Conditional Use Permit from Imperial County.“The County of Imperial is very pleased to see the commencement ofconstruction of the Campo Verde Solar Project, which brings numerous benefitsto the Valley and our citizens,” said Ray Castillo, County Board President.“First Solar's project brings much needed jobs and economic development to theValley at a time when it is sorely needed. The project also pays added taxrevenue, funds for agricultural benefits and community benefits while helpingthe County diversify its economy. We've been working to attract projects likethis for the past five or six years and are glad to see it's finallyhappening. These projects are really our legacy for the Imperial Valley.”“First Solar is grateful to the IID, Imperial County, and the BLM for theirsupport of this project,” said James F. Cook, First Solar Project DevelopmentDirector. “Campo Verde is creating badly needed jobs and will help the countyand state reach their renewable energy goals.”First Solar will construct the project using its advanced thin film PV modulesthat generate clean, renewable energy with no emissions, waste or waterconsumption during operation. The project will generate enough electricity topower approximately 50,000 average California homes, displacing 80,000 metrictons of CO[2] per year, the equivalent of taking 15,000 cars off the road.