Award-winning human resources executive brings more than 20-years of experience to role

TEMPE, Ariz., Dec. 09, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- US-headquartered First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) today announced that Caroline Stockdale will lead the Company’s human resources and communications function, overseeing a global workforce of over 6,500 associates. She replaces Chris Bueter, who will continue in an advisory role until his retirement on April 1, 2020. 

“At First Solar, people are our towering strength. We went through an extensive search process to find a leader who would be the right fit to take our people – and therefore our business – to the next level,” said Mark Widmar, Chief Executive Officer, First Solar. “Caroline brings strategic thinking and problem-solving skills gained from working in disruptive industries that have had to be nimble to adapt and evolve. These attributes are critical to our success in an ever-changing marketplace as we strive to lead the world’s sustainable energy future.”

Caroline has more than 20 years of operating experience in finance, human resources, business leadership, and process excellence, ranging from large global companies to entrepreneurial start-ups. She most recently served as the CEO for First Perform, a provider of human resources services for a wide  variety of customers from the Fortune 100 to cyber start-ups. She served as chief human resources officer for Medtronic and  Warner Music Group among others, and as the senior human resources leader in global divisions of American Express and General Electric. Caroline is also a member of several advisory groups including the Forbes Human Resources Council.

“Becoming part of this extraordinary team is a phenomenal opportunity to combine my passion for people and innovative talent strategies with a truly meaningful vision, mission, and advanced technology in sustainable energy – something that matters to everyone’s future,” Stockdale said.

First Solar is celebrating two decades since its founding in 1999 and 25 gigawatts (GW)_DC of photovoltaic (PV) modules shipped, making it the only American solar manufacturing company to achieve this milestone. It recently announced the start of production at its new PV module manufacturing facility in Lake Township, Ohio, its second factory in the United States.

First Solar’s expanded manufacturing footprint in the United States, which represents over $1 billion in cumulative investment and directly created approximately 500 new jobs, makes it the largest solar manufacturer in America and the Western Hemisphere. First Solar also operates manufacturing facilities in Vietnam and Malaysia, and has a commercial presence on five continents.

About First Solar, Inc.

First Solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar systems, which use its advanced module and system technology. The company’s integrated power plant solutions deliver an economically attractive alternative to fossil-fuel electricity generation today. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life module recycling, First Solar’s renewable energy systems protect and enhance the environment. For more information about First Solar, please visit www.firstsolar.com.  

For First Solar Investors
This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning First Solar’s new Chief Human Resources Officer. These forward-looking statements are often characterized by the use of words such as “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “believe,” “forecast,” “foresee,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “goal,” “target,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “predict,” “continue” and the negative or plural of these words and other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and our projections about future events and therefore speak only as of the date of this release. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the matters discussed under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations” of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as supplemented by our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.     

Media Reuven Proença First Solar Media reuven.proenca@firstsolar.com  U.S: Steve Kerekes Kyte Consulting for First Solar steve@jkyteconsulting.com

Investors  Mitchell Ennis First Solar Investor Relations mitchell.ennis@firstsolar.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/007644fc-20a3-4000-b66a-055dca1d5034