Exhibit 24
POWER OF ATTORNEY
      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned hereby
constitutes, designates and appoints John T. Gaffney, Jens Meyerhoff,
Mary E. Gustafsson, Peter C. Bartolino, and Richard Mittermaier, and
each of them, as such person?s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent,
with full power of substitution, for the undersigned and in the undersigned?s
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to execute, acknowledge,
deliver and file any and all filings required by the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, including Section 16 of such act, and the rules
and regulations thereunder, and requisite documents in connection with
such filings, respecting securities of First Solar, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, including but not limited to Forms 3, 4 and 5 under such
act and any amendments thereto.

      This power of attorney shall be valid from the date hereof until revoked
by the undersigned.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument as of
this 28th day of April, 2009.


By:  /s/ Michael T. Sweeney
     Name:  Michael T. Sweeney