1. Building Across Boundaries: Developing Energy Projects On Or Near Tribal Lands And Resources
Laura Abram
Director, Government & Public Affairs
First Solar

2. First Solar at a Glance
Over 17GW sold worldwide and over $14.5B in project financing facilitated
Partner of choice for leading utilities and global power buyers since 1999
Solar energy that is economically competitive with fossil fuel
Strongest financial stability & bankability in the industry

3. First Solar Technology in The Southwestern U.S.- Over 5.5 GW
TEXAS
CALIFORNIA
NEVADA
ARIZONA
NEW MEXICO
COLORADO
In Operation
Under Construction
In Development

4. Sustainable Energy Solutions and Business Practices
Reduce emissions by substituting
solar energy for fossil fuels
Life Cycle Management
Smallest Carbon Footprint
Environmental benefits:
Environmentally responsible and safe business operations
Smallest carbon footprint, fastest energy payback time, and lowest water use on a lifecycle basis
Social and economic benefits:
Community, Tribal stakeholder engagement
Job creation
Employee health, safety, and well- being
Stakeholder Engagement
~40,000 Global Jobs

5. Industry Leader Partnering with Tribes on Solar Development-450 MW
250MW Moapa Southern Paiute
100MW Aiya
100MW Snow Mountain
In Operation
Under Construction
In Development
Reno
Las Vegas

6. Utility-Scale Solar on Tribal Lands - Success Factors
Tribal lands meet siting criteria
Lots of sun
Open, flat land
Available transmission nearby and access to key customers
Avoid/Minimize impact to areas of critical environmental concern and cultural significance
Tribal support for solar development
Economically viable
Solar partner with proven experience
Will take vision, commitment and collaboration

7. Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project
Moapa Southern Paiute Solar: First Utility-Scale Solar Project On Tribal Land
Moapa River Indian Reservation,
Clark County, Nevada
Customer: LADWP
Size: 250MW (AC)
Construction Time: 2014—2016
Modules: ~ 3,209,936 million
Homes powered: 100,000
Jobs Created: 600
Equivalent to: 78,000 MT CO2 or 34,000 Cars displaced annually
Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project

8. Key Tribal Benefits
Generates substantial lease revenues for the Tribe over Project lifetime without tying up future land use potential
Creates a construction workforce of approximately and up to 5 ongoing Operations and Maintenance jobs
Committed to hiring qualified Tribal members for construction and operations jobs; about 115 Native Americans employed on project; 2 Tribal members employed for Operations and Maintenance
Benefits to local businesses including available Tribal services, construction subcontractors, and suppliers
Provides Tribal community, educational and capital improvement benefits
Provides quiet, low-lying, emissions-free generation with no water required to generate electricity

9. Moapa Southern Paiute Solar Project Video

10. Aiya Solar Project– PERMITTING Success Factors/Lessons Learned
100MW utility-scale solar project on approximately 800 acres on the Moapa River Indian Reservation
Second First Solar project with Tribe demonstrating successful collaboration
FEIS published in Q and Record of Decision granted in Q4 granting all land rights and major permits required
NEPA EIS process accomplished in 1 year, less controversial than non-tribal projects requiring NEPA
BIA played key role in successful implementation of NEPA process
Other Federal agencies (FWS, BLM) have respectful relationships with tribe; recognize economic value of solar critical to tribes
Tribe effective in representing themselves as responsible environmental land stewards
Important cultural issues resolved by consulting early and often with Tribe’s cultural resources committee
Tribe provided their own land for mitigation measures and given management autonomy
NGO’s showed more deference to tribal needs