8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

March 18, 2021

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

FIRST SOLAR, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-33156	20-4623678
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

350 West Washington Street, Suite 600

Tempe, Arizona 85281

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(602) 414-9300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.001 par value	FSLR	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02.    Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On March 18, 2021, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of First Solar, Inc. (the “Company” or “First Solar”) increased the size of the Board to 11 directors and appointed Kathryn A. (“Katy”) Hollister to the Board to fill the newly created directorship, effective March 19, 2021. Ms. Hollister will sit on the Board’s audit and compensation committees.

Ms. Hollister most recently served as the Chief Strategy Officer for Deloitte Tax LLP and the Managing Partner of Deloitte Tax LLP’s Business Tax Service line. In this role, Ms. Hollister led the integration of Deloitte Tax LLP’s global practices and its more than 45,000 professionals. In her 36 years at Deloitte Tax LLP, she advised numerous public and private companies, with a principle focus on the manufacturing and consumer products sectors. Ms. Hollister was also a member of the Deloitte LLP board and the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited global board.

Ms. Hollister serves on the boards of trustees of Duke University, where she is the vice chair of the audit committee, and the University of Cincinnati Foundation.

Ms. Hollister is a certified public accountant, received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University.

Ms. Hollister is not a party to any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Ms. Hollister will receive compensation as a non-associate director in accordance with the Company’s non-associate director compensation practices, including annual retainers and equity-based compensation (as described in “Non-Associate Director Compensation” of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2020). In connection with joining the Board, Ms. Hollister entered into a Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement, in substantially the same form as the Company has previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

On March 19, 2021, First Solar issued a press release regarding Ms. Hollister’s appointment, which is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release of First Solar, Inc. dated March 19, 2021
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL Document)

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Date: March 19, 2021	By:	/s/ JASON DYMBORT
	Name:	Jason Dymbort
	Title:	General Counsel & Secretary

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EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

Media Release

First Solar Appoints Kathryn A. Hollister to Board of Directors

TEMPE, Ariz., March 19, 2021 –First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) has appointed Kathryn A. “Katy” Hollister, a seasoned global leader and financial expert with nearly four decades of leadership experience at Deloitte Tax LLP and its affiliates, to its board of directors. Ms. Hollister will serve on First Solar’s audit and compensation committees.

Throughout her career, Ms. Hollister has designed and driven strategic initiatives and led operations across Deloitte’s most important businesses. Most recently, she served as the chief strategy officer for Deloitte’s Global Tax and Legal practice of 45,000 professionals. In this role, she led the integration of dozens of global practices, an undertaking that included a technology transformation in a complex environment of multi-jurisdictional regulatory, talent, and brand management. Ms. Hollister also served two terms on Deloitte’s United States and global boards of directors.

“Katy brings to the role so much more than just a remarkable track record at one of the world’s largest global consultancies. She brings a passion for organizations with bold, transformative missions, particularly those focused on important issues, such as the environment and climate change,” said Mark Widmar, chief executive officer, First Solar. “We’re incredibly pleased to have her join us at this pivotal moment in our journey as the fight against climate change achieves critical momentum, and we solidify First Solar’s position on the frontlines of addressing the biggest challenge of our times.”

“First Solar has an exceptional track record in responsibly-produced cleantech and sustainability, making the opportunity to join its board very compelling. It’s clear that this is a company focused on balanced growth and competitiveness, while also being conscious of its impact on people and the planet,” said Ms. Hollister. “I’m excited to be part of the First Solar story, lending my experience as it continues to scale its technology and works to power the world towards a sustainable energy future.”

Ms. Hollister has been an active community leader, serving multiple academic and charitable organizations. She serves on the boards of trustees of Duke University, where she is the vice-chair of the audit committee, and the University of Cincinnati Foundation. She also serves on the boards of MENTOR and the Cincinnati Museum Center. She has served on many other Cincinnati-based charitable board roles, including the YWCA and Habitat for Humanity.

Ms. Hollister has a BA from Duke University and a JD from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She is a licensed lawyer and certified public accountant.

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www.firstsolar.com

About First Solar, Inc.

First Solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic solar energy solutions, 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.

Media	Investors
Reuven Proença	Mitchell Ennis
First Solar Media	First Solar Investor Relations
reuven.proenca@firstsolar.com	mitchell.ennis@firstsolar.com

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www.firstsolar.com

XML

Document and Entity Information Document	Mar. 18, 2021
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Mar. 18, 2021
Entity Registrant Name	FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity File Number	001-33156
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-4623678
Entity Address, Address Line One	350 West Washington Street, Suite 600
Entity Address, City or Town	Tempe
Entity Address, State or Province	AZ
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	85281
City Area Code	602
Local Phone Number	414-9300
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $0.001 par value
Trading Symbol	FSLR
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001274494
Amendment Flag	false