© Copyright 2013, First Solar, Inc. © Copyright 2013, First Solar, Inc.

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Barilla Solar Project Phase I

• First merchant solar plant in the U.S.

• Phase I interconnection (22 MW) will be completed by the end of this month

• No water used to generate electricity

• Takes advantage of existing transmission infrastructure

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What Makes a PV Plant “Grid Friendly”?

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Cost Competitive with Conventional Energy Sources Today

Source: Texas Solar Power Association

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ERCOT Projects Strong Solar Market

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EPA’s RE Growth Assumptions are Conservative

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Getting Credit for What’s Already Happening

• Texas is already on a path to add substantial solar and wind resources through 2029

— “Current Trends” Scenario from ERCOT LTSA shows approximately 10 GW of new solar will come online by 2029

— In ERCOT’s April 2015 Generation Interconnection Status Report over 10,000 MW of additional wind energy is expected to come online by 2017

• To ensure that it receives full credit for what it is already doing, Texas needs to have a credible plan that

— Supports a continuation of Texas’ historical growth in renewable energy

— Reduces the risk of renewable energy curtailment

• The competitive wholesale market is the ideal mechanism to achieve these goals at the least cost possible providing Texas a further advantage beyond its ample solar and wind resources

• “Outside the fence” solutions like increased use of existing natural gas generation, solar, wind, and energy efficiency are critical to keeping costs low and reducing dependence on other states for fuel

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Key Issues for the EPA to Address

• “Glide path” to 2030 instead of a cliff in 2020

• Credit for early action once compliance plan is in place

• Allowing for flexible, creative solutions

© Copyright 2013, First Solar, Inc.

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