KEDAH, MALAYSIA: First Solar Inc. announced that the first of its four solar module manufacturing plants being constructed at the Kulim Hi Tech Park in Kedah, Malaysia was formally inaugurated by YAB Dato' Seri Ustaz Azizan Bin Abdul Razak, Chief Minister of Kedah Darul Aman and Bruce Sohn, President of First Solar. Also participating in the event from First  Solar were Heiner Eichermueller, Vice President of Global Manufacturing, and Tan Poh Beng, Plant Manager of First Solar Malaysia.

First Solar's investment of $680 million (RM 2.2 billion) will bring more than 2,000 jobs in management, engineering, accounting, human resources and factory operations when all four plants are fully operational.

The Malaysian Government has granted First Solar a multi-year income tax holiday, and the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) is supporting cross training for the workforce at First Solar's facilities in the United States and Germany.

"Dedicating this plant today represents a major milestone for First Solar. Our expansion into Asia enables us to achieve cost reductions through economies of scale in a high quality manufacturing environment," said Bruce Sohn, President of First Solar. "I would like to thank our talented and dedicated new associates in Kedah for their role in the successful start up of our production facility, marked by the recent commencement of commercial module production. Our new manufacturing facilities in Kedah will play a vital role in helping the company achieve our stated goals and objectives."

"This is a matter of great pride for Kedah and Malaysia. Our entire work force is Malaysian at all levels throughout the operation. And we all receive the same specialized training and opportunities that First Solar associates enjoy throughout our global organization." stated Tan Poh Beng, Plant Manager of First Solar's Malaysia Facilities.

"The leaders of Kedah are pleased to have First Solar locate their first Asia-based solar module manufacturing facilities here in our state. We remain committed and supportive of their mission to enable clean, affordable solar energy. We are confident that all Malaysians will benefit from the quality of jobs that this facility brings to our community and applaud First Solar's commitment to environmental responsibility," said YAB Dato' Seri Ustaz Azizan Bin Abdul Razak, Chief Minister of Kedah Darul Aman.

First Solar is the cost leader in the solar PV industry, driven by an advanced thin film semiconductor manufacturing process. At the end of 2007, over 300 megawatts of First Solar PV modules had been installed worldwide. When complete during the second half of 2009, the four plants that comprise First Solar's Malaysia facilities will have a combined annual capacity to produce 720 megawatts of solar modules and provide a significant contribution to First Solar's annual capacity goal of one gigawatt.