Document:

f8k090809ex10iii_celsius.htm

 

	Exhibit 10.3	 EXECUTION COPY

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of September 8, 2009 (this Agreement”), is by and between Celsius Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”),
and CDS VENTURES OF SOUTH FLORIDA, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“Lender”).

The Company has agreed, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in that certain promissory note (“Note”) and Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan
Agreement”), each dated as of the date hereof, to convert the Note into shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.001 per share (“Common Stock”), at the request of the Lender.

In order to induce the Lender to enter into the Loan Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights with respect to the resale of the shares of Common Stock that are issuable to Lender upon conversion of the Note.

In consideration of Lender entering into the Loan Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.   DEFINITIONS.

(a)           Defined Terms.  When used herein, the terms below shall have the respective meanings indicated:

“Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

“Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Conversion Price” has the meaning given to such term in the Note.

“Effective Date” means the date on which the Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission.

“Filing Date” means the date on which the Registration Statement is filed with the Commission.

“Filing Deadline” means thirty (30) days from the Closing Date set forth on the Note.

“Holder” means any Person owning or having the right to acquire any Registrable Securities.

“Lender” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

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“Market Price” has the meaning given to such term in the Note.

“Registrable Securities” means (i) all of the shares of Common Stock (x) held by the Holder which are not the subject of a prior effective registration statement and (y) that are issuable to the Holder upon the conversion or maturity date of the Note,
and (ii) all shares of capital stock issued or issuable from time to time (with any adjustments) in replacement of, in exchange for or otherwise in respect of such shares of Common Stock.

“Registration Deadline” means hundred eighty (180) days after the Filing Date.

“Registration Default Payment Amount” means $65,000.00.

“Registration Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(f) of this Agreement.

“Registration Statement” means a registration statement or statements prepared in compliance with the Securities Act and pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (“Rule
415”) or any successor rule providing for the offering of securities on a continuous or delayed basis.

“Loan Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

(b)           Terms Defined in Loan Agreement and/or Note.  Any capitalized term used but not defined herein has the meaning specified in the Loan Agreement and/or the Note.

(c)           Usage.  All definitions contained in this Agreement are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  The words “hereof”, “herein”
and “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.

2.           REGISTRATION.

(a)           Filing of Registration Statement and Amendments.  On or before the Filing Deadline, the Company shall prepare and file with the Commission a Registration
Statement on Form S-1 for a “shelf” registration under Rule 415 covering the resale of sixty five million shares (65,000,000), which is the maximum possible number of shares the Company would issue if the entire principal balance of the Note were converted at the lowest possible Conversion Price of $0.10 per share. The Registration Statement filed pursuant to this section shall state, to the extent permitted by Rule 416 under the Securities Act, that it also covers such indeterminate number of additional
shares of Common Stock as may become issuable in order to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar events.

(b)           Effectiveness.  The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the
filing thereof, but in no event later than the Registration Deadline. The Company shall respond promptly to any and all comments made by the staff of the Commission with respect to a Registration Statement, and shall submit to the Commission, within three (3) Business Days after the Company learns that no review of such Registration Statement will be made by the staff of the Commission or that the staff of the Commission has no further comments on such Registration Statement, as the case may be, a request for
acceleration of the effectiveness of such Registration Statement as soon as possible after the submission of such request.

 

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(c)           Registration Default.  If (i) the Registration Statement is not filed on or before its Filing Deadline or declared effective by the Commission on or before the Registration Deadline, (ii) after
a Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission, sales of Registrable Securities (other than such Registrable Securities as are then freely saleable pursuant to Rule 144(k)) cannot be made by a Holder under a Registration Statement for any reason not within the exclusive control of such Holder or (iii) an amendment or supplement to a Registration Statement, or a new registration statement, required to be filed pursuant to the terms of Section
3(i), is not filed on or before the date required thereby (each of the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) being referred to herein as a “Registration Default”), the Company shall pay each
Holder an amount of cash equal to such Holder’s pro rata share (based on the number of Registrable Securities then held by or issuable to such Holder) of the Registration Default Payment Amount and, for each thirty (30) day period thereafter that such Registration Default remains uncured, an additional cash payment equal the Registration Default Payment Amount (pro rated for any period of less
than thirty (30) days).  The first payment required to be made by the Company under this Section 2(c) shall be made within five (5) Business Days following the date on which a Registration Default first occurs and subsequent payments shall be made on the earlier of (A) the last day of each thirty (30) day period in which such Registration Default is continuing and (B) the date on which such Registration Default is cured (or,
if any such day is not a Business Day, on the Business Day immediately following such day).  Any such payment shall be in addition to any other remedies available to each Holder at law or in equity, whether pursuant to the terms hereof or otherwise.

(d)           Allocation of Registered Shares. The initial number of the Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement and each increase in the number thereof
included therein shall be allocated pro rata among the Holders (based on the number of Registrable Securities then held by or issuable to each Holder) at the time the Registration Statement covering such initial number of Registrable Securities or increase thereof is declared effective by the Commission.  In the event that a Holder sells or otherwise transfers any of such Holder’s Registrable Securities, each transferee shall be allocated
the portion of the then remaining number of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement and allocable to such Holder.

(e)           Registration of Other Securities.  During the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the Effective Date, the Company shall refrain from
filing any registration statement (other than (i) a Registration Statement filed hereunder or (ii) a registration statement on Form S-8 with respect to stock option plans and agreements and stock plans currently in effect). In no event shall the Company include any securities other than Registrable Securities on any Registration Statement filed by the Company on behalf of the Holder pursuant to the terms hereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be entitled to include securities held
by Lucille Santini on any Registration Statement filed by the Company on behalf of the Holder pursuant to the terms hereof.

(f)           Registration Period.  The Company will maintain the effectiveness of each Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement until the earlier
to occur of (i) the date on which all of the Registrable Securities eligible for resale thereunder have been publicly sold pursuant to the Registration Statement or Rule 144, and (ii) the date on which all of the Registrable Securities remaining to be sold under such Registration Statement (in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company) may be immediately sold to the public by the Holders under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any successor provision (the period beginning on the Registration Deadline
and ending on the earliest to occur of clause (i) or (ii) above being referred to herein as the “Registration Period”) or until such later date as the Company shall determine.

 

 

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3.           ADDITIONAL COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

In addition to performing its obligations hereunder, including, without limitation, those pursuant to Section 2 above, the Company shall, with respect to each Registration Statement:

(a)           prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions
of the Securities Act or to maintain the effectiveness of such Registration Statement during the Registration Period, or as may be reasonably requested by a Holder in order to incorporate information concerning such Holder or such Holder’s intended method of distribution;

(b)           as soon as practicable following the Closing, take all steps necessary and otherwise use its best efforts to secure the listing on the Principal Market of the Registrable Securities, and at any Holder’s request, provide
such Holder with reasonable evidence thereof;

 

(c)           so long as a Registration Statement is effective covering the resale of the applicable Registrable Securities owned by a Holder, furnish to each Holder such number of copies of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement,
including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as such Holder may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities;

(d)           use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under the securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as shall be reasonably requested from
time to time by a Holder, and do any and all other acts or things which may reasonably be necessary or advisable to enable such Holder to consummate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction;

(e)           notify each Holder immediately after becoming aware of the occurrence of any event (but shall not, without the prior written consent of such Holder, disclose to such Holder any facts or circumstances constituting material
non-public information) as a result of which the prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, contains an untrue statement of material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and as promptly as practicable prepare and file with the Commission and furnish to each Holder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement or an amendment to such
prospectus as may be necessary so that such prospectus does not contain an untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;

(f)           use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement and, if such an order is issued, to use commercially reasonable efforts
to obtain the withdrawal thereof at the earliest possible time and to notify each Holder in writing of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof;

 

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        (g)           furnish to each Holder, on the date that such Registration Statement, or any successor registration statement, becomes effective, a letter, dated such date, signed by outside
counsel to the Company and addressed to such Holder, confirming such effectiveness and, to the knowledge of  such counsel, the absence of any stop order;

 

(h)           permit counsel for each Holder to review such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto, and any comments made by the staff of the Commission and the Company’s responses thereto, within three
(3) Business Days prior to the filing thereof with the Commission (or, in the case of comments made by the staff of the Commission, within a reasonable period of time following the receipt thereof by the Company); and

(i)           subject to Section 2(f), in the event that, at any time, the number of shares available under the Registration Statement is insufficient to cover
one hundred percent (100%) of the number of shares of Common Stock that would then be issuable if the entire principal balance of the Note were converted at the lowest possible Conversion Price of $0.10 per share, the Company shall promptly amend such Registration Statement or file a new registration statement, in any event as soon as practicable, but not later than the tenth (10th) business day following notice from a Holder of the
occurrence of such event, so that such Registration Statement or such new registration statement, or both, covers no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the number of shares of Common Stock that would then be issuable if the entire principal balance of the Note were converted at the lowest possible Conversion Price of $0.10 per share. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause such amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof. Any
Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 3(i) shall state that, to the extent permitted by Rule 416 under the Securities Act, such Registration Statement also covers such indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock as may become issuable in order to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar events. Unless and until such amendment or new Registration Statement becomes effective,
each Holder shall have the rights described in Section 2(c).

4.           OBLIGATIONS OF EACH HOLDER.

In connection with the registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, each Holder shall:

(a)           within three (3) Business Days after receipt of written request from the Company, furnish to the Company in writing such information regarding itself and the intended method of disposition of such Registrable Securities
as the Company shall reasonably request in order to effect the registration thereof;

(b)           upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Sections 3(e) or 3(f),
immediately discontinue any sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement until the filing of an amendment or supplement as described in such Section 3(e) or withdrawal of the stop order referred to in such Section 3(f), and use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of such notice and
its contents;

 

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(c)           to the extent required by applicable law, deliver a prospectus to the purchaser of such Registrable Securities;

(d)           promptly notify the Company when he has sold all of the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by him; and

(e)           notify the Company in the event that any information supplied by such Holder in writing for inclusion in such Registration Statement or related prospectus contains an untrue statement of material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make such information not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing.

 

5.           INDEMNIFICATION.

 

In the event that any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement under this Agreement:

(a)           The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, the officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives of such Holder, and each person, if any, who controls such Holder within the meaning of the Securities
Act or the Exchange Act, against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (whether joint or several) (collectively, including reasonable legal expenses or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending same, “Losses”), insofar as any such Losses arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained
in such Registration Statement under which such Registrable Securities were registered, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto, or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  Subject to the provisions of Section
5(c), the Company will reimburse such Holder, and each such officer, director, employee, agent, representative or controlling person, for any reasonable legal expenses or other out-of-pocket expenses (promptly as such expenses are incurred) by any such entity or person in connection with investigating or defending any Loss; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Loss if such settlement
is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), nor shall the Company be obligated to indemnify any person for any Loss to the extent that such Loss arises out of or is based upon (i) any omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make statements therein not misleading that conforms in all material respects to written information furnished by such person expressly for use in such Registration Statement or (ii) a failure of
such person to deliver or cause to be delivered the final prospectus contained in the Registration Statement and made available by the Company, if such delivery is required by applicable law.

(b)           Each Holder who is named in such Registration Statement as a selling shareholder, acting severally and not jointly, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives
of the Company, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any Losses insofar as any such Losses arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact stated therein or any omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make statements therein not misleading that conforms in all 

 

 

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material respects to written information furnished by such person expressly for use in such Registration Statement.  Subject to the provisions of Section 5(c), such Holder will reimburse any reasonable legal or other expenses (promptly as such expenses
are incurred) by the Company and any such officer, director, employee, agent, representative, or controlling person, in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such Loss if such settlement is effected without the consent of such Holder (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); and provided,
further, that, in no event shall any indemnity under this Section 5(b) exceed the amount of the net proceeds resulting from the sale of Registrable Securities by such Holder under such Registration Statement.

(c)           Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 5 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental
action or proceeding), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 5, promptly deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in and to assume the defense thereof with counsel selected by the indemnifying party and reasonably acceptable to the indemnified party; provided,
however, that an indemnified party shall have the right to retain his or its own counsel, with the reasonably incurred fees and expenses of such counsel to be paid by the indemnifying party, if representation of such indemnified party by the counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct due to actual or potential conflicting interests between such indemnified party and any other party represented by such counsel in such action or proceeding.  The
failure by an indemnified party to notify the indemnifying party within a reasonable time following the commencement of any action or proceeding of which the indemnified party is aware, to the extent materially prejudicial to such indemnifying party’s ability to defend such action, shall relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the indemnified party under this Section 5 with respect to such action or proceeding, but the
omission so to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party will not relieve it of any liability that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 5 or with respect to any other action or proceeding.

(d)           In the event that the indemnity provided in Sections 5(a) or 5(b) is
unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, the Company and each Holder agree, severally and not jointly, to contribute to the aggregate Losses to which the Company or such Holder (or its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives or controlling persons), may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company and such Holder in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses; provided,
however, that in no case shall such Holder be responsible for any amount in excess of the net proceeds resulting from the sale of Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement.  Relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether any alleged untrue statement or omission relates to information provided by the Company or by such Holder.  The Company and each Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro
rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(d), no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  For purposes
of this Section 5, each person who controls a Holder within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and each officer, director, employee, agent or representative of such Holder shall have the same rights to contribution as such Holder, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and each officer, director, employee, agent or representative of the Company
shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this Section 5(d).

 

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(e)           The obligations of the Company and each Holder under this Section 5 shall survive the completion of any offering or sale of Registrable Securities
pursuant to a Registration Statement under this Agreement, or otherwise.

6.           RULE 144 SALES.

With a view to making available to each Holder the benefits of Rule 144 and any other similar rule or regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit such Holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration, the Company agrees to furnish to such Holder, so
long as such Holder owns any Registrable Securities, promptly upon written request (i) a written statement by the Company, if true, that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 and the Exchange Act, (ii) to the extent not publicly available through the Commission’s EDGAR database, a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company with the Commission, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested
by such Holder in connection with such Holder’s compliance with any rule or regulation of the Commission which permits the selling of any such securities without registration.

7.           MISCELLANEOUS.

(a)           Expenses of Registration.  Except as otherwise provided in the Loan Agreement, all reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions
and fees and expenses of counsel and other advisors to each Holder, incurred in connection with the registrations, filings or qualifications described herein, including (without limitation) all registration, filing and qualification fees, printers’ and accounting fees, the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, and the fees and disbursements incurred in connection with the letter described in Section 3(g), shall be borne
by the Company.

 

(b)           Amendment; Waiver.  Except as expressly provided herein, neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended or waived except pursuant to a
written instrument executed by the Company and the Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities then held by or issuable to all Holders.  Any waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

(c)           Notices.  Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given by the Company or a Holder pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall
be in writing and shall be deemed delivered (i) when delivered personally or by verifiable facsimile transmission, unless such delivery is made on a day that is not a Business Day, in which case such delivery will be deemed to be made on the next succeeding Business Day, (ii) on the next Business Day after timely delivery to an overnight courier and (iii) on the Business Day actually received if deposited in the U.S. mail (certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid), addressed as
follows:

 

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If to the Company:

Celsius Holdings, Inc.

140 NE 4th Ave, Suite C

Delray Beach, Florida 33483

Attn: Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (561) 276-2239

Fax: (561) 276-2268

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Baritz Colman LLP

1075 Broken Sound Parkway, NW

Suite 102

Boca Raton, Florida 33487

Attn: Roger Shaffer

Tel: (561) 862-5535

Fax: (561) 864-5101

and if to a Holder, to such address for the Holder as provided by such Holder under the Loan Agreement, or as shall be designated by the Holder in writing to the other parties hereto in accordance with this Section 7(c).

 

 

(d)           Assignment.  Upon the transfer of any Registrable Securities by a Holder, the rights of such Holder hereunder with respect to such securities so transferred shall be assigned automatically to the
transferee thereof, and such transferee shall thereupon be deemed to be a “Holder” for purposes of this Agreement, as long as: (i) the Company is, within a reasonable period of time following such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee, (ii) the transferee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the provisions hereof, and (iii) such transfer is made in accordance with the applicable law and the requirements of the Loan Agreement.

 

(e)           Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall be deemed one and the same instrument.  Any executed
signature page delivered by facsimile or e-mail transmission shall be binding to the same extent as an original executed signature page, with regard to any agreement subject to the terms hereof or any amendment thereto.

 

(f)           Governing Law and Jurisdiction.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely
within the State of Florida.  Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in Palm Beach County, Florida, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents or in connection herewith or therewith, or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction
of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper, and, in furtherance of such agreement, each party hereby agrees and consents that without limiting 

 

 

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other methods of obtaining jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction over it in any such action or proceeding may be obtained within or without the jurisdiction of such court and that any process or notice of motion or other application to any such court in connection with any such action or proceeding may be served upon such party by registered mail to or by personal service at the address of such party provided in accordance with Section
7(c) hereof.

(g)           Holder of Record.  A person is deemed to be a Holder whenever such person owns, or is deemed to own of record, or has the right to acquire through conversion of all or part of the Note, Registrable
Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or more persons with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from the record owner of such Registrable Securities.

(h)           Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Loan Agreement and Note constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, superseding all prior agreements
and understandings, whether written or oral, between or among the parties hereto.

 

(i)           Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

 

(j)           Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision
hereof be enforced by, any other person.

 

(k)           Attorneys Fees and Costs.  The prevailing party in any action arising under this Agreement or the Transaction Documents shall be entitled to be reimbursed for its reasonable attorneys fees and costs
incurred in such action and through all appeals.

[Signature Page to Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first-above written.

CELSIUS HOLDINGS, INC.

By:     _____/s/ Jan Norelid       

Name: Jan Norelid

Title: Chief Financial Officer

CDS VENTURES OF SOUTH FLORIDA, LLC

By:    _____/s/ William H. Milmoe   

           Name:  William H. Milmoe

           Title:  Manager

 

ADDRESS:

3299 NW Second Avenue

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Muller & Lebensburger

7385 Galloway Road

Suite 200

Miami, Florida 33173

Attention:  Charles Muller, Esq.exhibit101.htm

                                                       EXECUTION
COPY

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of this 9th day of September, 2009 (this “Agreement”) by and between First Solar, Inc., a Delaware corporation having its principal office at 350 West Washington Street, Suite 600, Tempe, Arizona 85281 (hereinafter “Employer”)
and Robert J. Gillette (hereinafter “Employee”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, Employer and Employee wish to enter into an agreement relating to the employment of Employee by Employer.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, and the mutual covenants, terms and conditions set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Employer and Employee hereby agree as follows:

 

Article I.  Employment

 

1.1 Nature of Employment.  The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall commence as of October 1, 2009 or such other date as may be agreed upon by
Employer and Employee (the “Start Date”).  As of such date, Employer shall employ Employee as a full-time employee, and Employee shall accept employment with Employer as a full-time employee, subject to the provisions of this Agreement.  Employer or Employee may terminate this Agreement at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and with or without notice, subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

 

1.2 Position, Duties and Location of Employee.  Employer shall employ Employee in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer and Employee shall accept such position.  Employee
shall have, and agrees to diligently and faithfully perform, all duties customarily associated with the position of chief executive officer of a public company of comparable size and such other lawful duties as may from time to time reasonably be assigned to Employee by the Board of Directors of Employer (the “Board”), consistent with Employee’s position with Employer.  Employee shall also serve as a member of the Board.   Employee recognizes the necessity for established
policies and procedures pertaining to Employer’s business operations, and Employer’s right to change, revoke or supplement such policies and procedures at any time, in Employer’s sole discretion.  Employee agrees to comply with such policies and procedures, including those contained in any manuals or handbooks, as may be amended from time to time in the sole discretion of Employer.  Employee’s position will be based in Tempe, Arizona.  Employee will be required
to travel for business purposes as necessary, including internationally.

 

1.3 No Salary or Benefits Continuation Beyond Termination.  Except as may be required by law or as otherwise specified in this Agreement or the Change in Control
Severance Agreement between Employer and Employee dated as of the date hereof, or as may be amended from time to time (the “Change in Control Agreement”), Employer shall not be liable to Employee for any salary or benefits continuation beyond the date of Employee’s cessation of employment with Employer.  The rights and obligations of the parties under the provisions of this Agreement, including Section 1.5 and Articles IV and V, shall survive and remain binding and enforceable, notwithstanding
the termination of Employee’s employment for any reason, to the extent necessary to preserve the intended benefits of such provisions.

 

 

 

 

  

 

1.4 Termination of Employment.  Employee’s employment with Employer shall terminate upon the earliest of:  (a) Employee’s death; (b) unless
waived by Employer, Employee’s “Disability” (which, for purposes of this Agreement, shall mean either a physical or mental condition (as determined by a qualified physician mutually agreeable to Employer and Employee) which renders Employee unable, for a period of at least six months, effectively to perform the obligations, duties and responsibilities of Employee’s employment with Employer); (c) the termination of Employee’s employment by Employer for Cause (as hereinafter defined);
(d) Employee’s resignation for any reason; and (e) the termination of Employee’s employment by Employer without Cause.  As used herein, “Cause” shall mean Employer’s good faith determination of:  (i) Employee’s dishonest, fraudulent or illegal conduct relating to the business of Employer; (ii) Employee’s willful breach or habitual neglect of Employee’s duties or obligations in connection with Employee’s employment; (iii) Employee’s
misappropriation of Employer funds; (iv) Employee’s conviction of a felony or any other criminal offense involving fraud or dishonesty, whether or not relating to the business of Employer or Employee’s employment with Employer; (v) Employee’s excessive use of alcohol; (vi) Employee’s unlawful use of controlled substances or other addictive behavior; (vii) Employee’s unethical business conduct; (viii) Employee’s breach of any statutory or common law duty of loyalty to Employer;
or (ix) Employee’s material breach of this Agreement, the Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement between Employer and Employee dated as of the date hereof or as may be amended from time to time (the “Non-Competition Agreement”), the Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Agreement between Employer and Employee dated as of the date hereof or as may be amended from time to time (the “Confidentiality Agreement” and, together with this Agreement and the Non-Competition
Agreement, the “Agreements”) or the Change in Control Agreement.  Upon termination of Employee’s employment with Employer for any reason, Employee will promptly return to Employer all materials in any form acquired by Employee as a result of such employment with Employer and all property of Employer, and will promptly resign from the Board and the boards of directors of any of Employer’s subsidiaries on which he then serves.  The
immediately preceding sentence shall not preclude Employee from retaining documents directly related to his compensation for services to Employer or any of its affiliates or which are reasonably required to preserve Employee’s rights, or fulfill Employee’s duties and obligations, under this Agreement or any other compensatory agreement with Employer or any of its affiliates.

 

1.5 Severance Payments and Vacation Pay.

 

(a) Vacation Pay in the Event of a Termination of Employment.  In the event of the termination of Employee’s employment with Employer for any reason, Employee
shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the Severance Payment described in Section 1.5(b) below, if any, the dollar value of any earned but unused (and unforfeited) vacation.  Such dollar value shall be paid to Employee within 15 days following the date of termination of employment.

 

 

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(b) Severance Payment in the Case of a Termination Without Cause.

 

(i) Severance Payments.  If Employee’s employment is terminated by Employer without Cause then, subject to (A) the Change in Control Agreement and (B) Employee’s
satisfaction of the Release Condition described in Section 1.5(b)(ii) below, Employee shall be entitled to a lump-sum cash severance payment (the “Severance Payment”), payable within 10 business days following the Release Effective Date (as defined below), equal to two times the Base Salary (as defined in Section 2.1) in effect as of the date of termination of employment.

 

(ii) Release Condition.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Severance Payment shall be due or made to Employee hereunder unless (A) Employee
shall have executed and delivered a general release in favor of Employer and its affiliates (which release shall be (x) submitted to Employee for his review by the date of Employee’s termination of employment (or shortly thereafter), (y) substantially in the form of the Separation Agreement and Release attached hereto as Exhibit A and (z) otherwise satisfactory to Employer) and (B) the Release Effective Date shall have occurred
on or before the tenth business day prior to March 15 of the year following the year in which the date of termination of employment occurs.  The “Release Effective Date” shall be the date the general release becomes effective and irrevocable in accordance with its terms.

 

(c) Medical Insurance.  If Employee’s employment is terminated by Employer without Cause, Employer will provide or pay for Employee’s medical insurance
benefits, at the same or a comparable level as provided by Employer during Employee’s employment, until the earlier of (i) the date that is 24 months after such termination and (ii) the date Employee obtains coverage under any other medical benefits plan.

 

(d) Equity Award Vesting.  In the event of (i) the termination of Employee’s employment with Employer due to Employee’s death, (ii) the termination
of Employee’s employment with Employer due to Disability or (iii) the termination of Employee’s employment by Employer without Cause, Employee shall on the date of such termination of employment immediately receive an additional 12 months’ vesting credit with respect to the stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and other equity or equity-based compensation of Employer granted to Employee in the course of his employment with Employer under this Agreement, other than the Initial
Employer Stock Options (defined below) and the Initial Employer RSUs (defined below) (which Initial Employer Stock Options and Initial Employer RSUs will have the vesting terms provided in Section 2.1(b)) (such equity awards, other than the Initial Employer Stock Options and the Initial Employer RSUs, collectively, “Equity Awards”).  By reason of such additional vesting credit, any Equity Award (or portion thereof) that would have vested or become exercisable by its terms within 12 months
following the date of Employee’s termination of employment (assuming that Employee continued to perform services for such 12-month period) will become vested or exercisable as of the date of Employee’s termination of employment (the “Vesting Date”).  The shares of Employer stock underlying any restricted stock units that become vested pursuant to this Section 1.5(d) shall be payable on the Vesting Date.  Any of Employee’s stock options and stock appreciation rights
that become vested pursuant to this Section 1.5(d) shall be exercisable immediately upon the Vesting Date, and any such stock options and stock appreciation rights (and any of Employee’s stock options and stock appreciation rights that are otherwise vested and exercisable as of Employee’s termination of employment, other than the Initial Employer Stock Options (which Initial Employer Stock Options will have the post-termination exercise terms provided in Section 2.1(b)) shall remain exercisable for
one year and 90 days following Employee’s termination of employment (or such longer period as shall be provided by the applicable award agreement), provided that if during such period Employee is under any trading restriction due to a lockup agreement or closed trading window, such period shall be tolled during the period of such trading restriction; and provided, further,
that in no event shall any stock option or stock appreciation right continue to be exercisable after the original expiration date of such stock option or stock appreciation right.  If the terms of this Section 1.5(d) are more favorable to Employee than the terms of any document or agreement addressing or governing the Equity Awards, the terms of this Section 1.5(d) shall apply except that no provision in this Agreement shall operate to extend the term of any stock option or stock appreciation right
beyond its original expiration date.

 

 

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(e) No Mitigation or Offset.  Employer’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Section 1.5 and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder
shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action that Employer may have against Employee.  In no event shall Employee be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Employee under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not Employee obtains other employment.

 

Article II.                        Compensation

 

2.1 Make-Whole Payments.  To compensate Employee for his forfeiture of earned, but not yet vested, compensation, including stock options and stock units (including
Growth Plan units) (the “Forfeited Equity Awards”), from his current employer, Employer shall pay or grant to Employee the following:

 

(a)           Initial Cash Award.  Subject to applicable tax withholding requirements and the terms of this Section 2.1(a), Employee shall receive a $5,000,000 cash award.  Fifty
percent of such initial cash award shall be paid to Employee as soon as practicable following the Start Date, but no later than 15 days thereafter, and the remainder of such initial cash award shall be paid to Employee on the first anniversary of the Start Date, in each case regardless of whether Employee remains employed through the applicable payment date.

 

(b)           Initial Equity Grant.   Employer shall grant to Employee, as soon as practicable following the Start Date, but no later than 15 days
thereafter, (i) fully vested Employer common shares (the “Initial Employer Shares”) having an aggregate fair market value on the date of grant equal to $3,250,000, (ii) fully vested and exercisable Employer stock options (the “Initial Employer Stock Options”) having (A) a number of underlying Employer common shares determined so that, as of the date of grant, the aggregate Black-Scholes value of the Initial Employer Stock Options is equal to $3,250,000, (B) a strike price per share of
Employer common stock equal to the closing price per Employer common share as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations on the date of grant, (C) an expiration date of ten years from the date of grant and (D) a remaining exercise period of three years following the termination of Employee’s employment with Employer due to Employee’s death or Disability or the termination of Employee’s employment by Employer without Cause (provided that
in no event shall the Initial Employer Stock Options continue to be exercisable after their original expiration date) and (iii) Employer restricted stock units (the “Initial Employer RSUs”) (x) having a number of underlying Employer common shares determined so that, as of the date of grant, the aggregate fair market value of the Employer common shares underlying the Initial Employer RSUs is equal to $6,500,000 and (y) cliff-vesting on the second anniversary of the date of grant, with no provision
for early vesting upon termination of employment, death or disability.  The Initial Employer RSUs shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Employer’s form of restricted stock unit award agreement for executives (except to the extent that any provisions thereof conflict with the provisions of this Agreement) and the accelerated vesting provision set forth in the Change in Control Agreement.  Employer’s obligation to deliver the Initial Employer Shares, the Initial
Employer Stock Options and the Initial Employer RSUs to Employee is conditioned on Employee’s providing Employer with reasonably satisfactory evidence of the Forfeited Equity Awards and Employee’s forfeiture thereof.  The Initial Employer Shares, the Initial Employer Stock Options and the Initial Employer RSUs shall be granted under, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the 2006 Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (except to the extent that any provisions thereof conflict with
the provisions of this Agreement).

 

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2.2 Base Salary.  Employee shall be compensated at an annual base salary of $850,000 (the “Base Salary”) while Employee is employed by Employer under
this Agreement, subject to such annual increases that Employer may in its sole discretion determine to be appropriate.  Such Base Salary shall be paid in accordance with Employer’s standard policies. 

 

2.3 Annual Bonus Eligibility.  Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus based upon individual and company performance, as determined by the compensation
committee of the Board (the “Committee”) in its sole discretion; provided that (a) Employee’s target bonus opportunity for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010 will be equal to the Base Salary and (b) Employee’s annual bonus for fiscal year 2009 will be at least $850,000 (without proration) and subject to upward adjustment based on performance.  The specific bonus terms and the standards for earning a bonus will be
developed by the Committee and communicated to Employee as soon as practicable after the beginning of each year.

 

2.4 Benefits.  Employee shall be eligible to receive all benefits as are available to similarly situated employees of Employer generally, and any other benefits
that Employer may in its sole discretion elect to grant to Employee from time to time.  In addition, Employee shall be entitled to four weeks paid vacation per year, which shall be accrued in accordance with Employer’s policies applicable to similarly situated employees of Employer.

 

2.5 Reimbursement of Business Expenses.  Employee may incur reasonable expenses in the course of employment hereunder for which Employee shall be eligible for
reimbursement or advances in accordance with Employer’s standard policy therefor.

 

 

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2.6 Eligibility for Equity Grants.  Employee will be eligible to participate in Employer’s equity participation programs to acquire options or equity incentive
compensation units in the common stock of Employer, and, with respect to fiscal years 2009 and 2010, Employee will be provided with annual restricted stock unit awards under such programs with an annual grant date value of $5,000,000 (valuing such awards consistently with Employer’s practices for other senior executives).  Employee’s participation in Employer’s equity participation programs will be subject to and/or in accordance with the following:  (i) the additional terms
contained in Employer’s equity grant documentation, which shall be no less favorable to Employee than the terms of similar annual awards made to Employer’s other senior officers; (ii) approval, if required, of Employer’s equity incentive plan by the Board and the shareholders of Employer; (iii) approval of the grants by the Committee; (iv) Employee’s execution of documents requested by Employer at the time of grant; (v) Employee’s continued employment through the grant date; (vi)
the terms of the 2006 Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan or the successor thereto; and (vii) the generally applicable policies, procedures and practices that may be adopted from time to time by Employer in its sole discretion for granting such options or equity incentive compensation units; provided that subclauses (ii), (iii) and (vii) shall not be conditions to the grants with respect to 2009 and 2010 specified above.

 

Article III.                        Absence of Restrictions

 

Employee hereby represents and warrants that Employee has full power, authority and legal right to enter into this Agreement and to carry out all obligations and duties hereunder and that the execution, delivery and performance by Employee of this Agreement will not violate or conflict with, or constitute a default under,
any agreements or other understandings to which Employee is a party or by which Employee may be bound or affected, including any order, judgment or decree of any court or governmental agency.  Employee further represents and warrants to Employer that Employee is free to accept employment with Employer as contemplated herein and that Employee has no prior or other obligations or commitments of any kind to any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, entity or business organization that would
in any way hinder or interfere with Employee’s acceptance of, or the full performance of, Employee’s duties hereunder.

 

Article IV.                        Miscellaneous

 

4.1 Withholding.  Any payments made under this Agreement shall be subject to applicable federal, state, local and foreign tax reporting and withholding and deduction
requirements.

 

4.2 Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without reference to the
principles of conflicts of laws.  Any judicial action commenced relating in any way to this Agreement, including the enforcement, interpretation or performance of this Agreement, shall be commenced and maintained in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Maricopa County, Arizona.  In any action to enforce this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its litigation costs, including its attorneys’ fees.  The parties hereby waive and relinquish any right
to a jury trial and agree that any dispute shall be heard and resolved by a court and without a jury.  The parties further agree that the dispute resolution, including any discovery, shall be accelerated and expedited to the extent possible.  Each party’s agreements in this Section 4.2 are made in consideration of the other party’s agreements in this Section 4.2, as well as in other portions of this Agreement.

 

 

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4.3 No Waiver.  The failure of Employer or Employee to insist in any one or more instances upon performance of any terms, covenants and conditions of this Agreement
shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any rights granted hereunder or of the future performance of any such terms, covenants or conditions.

 

4.4 Notices.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered,
delivered by facsimile transmission or by courier or mailed, registered or certified mail, postage prepaid as follows:

 

	
  
	
If to Employer:
	
First Solar, Inc.

 

	
  
	
350 West Washington Street

 

	
  
	
Suite 600

 

	
  
	
Tempe, Arizona  85281

 

	
  
	
Attention: Corporate Secretary

 

	
  
	
If to Employee:
	
To Employee’s then current address on file with

 

	
  
	
Employer

 

or at such other address or addresses as any such party may have furnished to the other party in writing in a manner provided in this Section 4.4.

 

4.5 Legal Fees.  Employer shall pay Employee’s reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement,
up to a maximum of $25,000.  Such amount shall be paid prior to December 31, 2009 upon presentation by Employee of evidence of such fees and expenses reasonably satisfactory to Employer.

 

4.6 Assignability and Binding Effect.  This Agreement is for personal services and is therefore not assignable by Employee.  This Agreement may be assigned
by Employer to any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of Employer.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties, their successors, assigns, heirs, executors and legal representatives.  If there shall be a successor to Employer or Employer shall assign this Agreement, then as used in this Agreement, (a) the term “Employer” shall mean Employer
as hereinbefore defined and any successor or any permitted assignee, as applicable, to which this Agreement is assigned and (b) the term “Board” shall mean the Board as hereinbefore defined and the board of directors or equivalent governing body of any successor or any permitted assignee, as applicable, to which this Agreement is assigned.

 

4.7 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, the Change in Control Agreement, the Non-Competition Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement set forth the entire agreement
between Employer and Employee regarding the terms of Employee’s employment and supersede all prior agreements between Employer and Employee covering the terms of Employee’s employment.  This Agreement may not be amended or modified except in a written instrument signed by Employer and Employee identifying this Agreement and stating the intention to amend or modify it.

 

 

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4.8 Severability.  If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any of the restrictions or language in this Agreement are for any reason invalid
or unenforceable, the parties desire and agree that the court revise any such restrictions or language, including reducing any time or geographic area, so as to render them valid and enforceable to the fullest extent allowed by law.  If any restriction or language in this Agreement is for any reason invalid or unenforceable and cannot by law be revised so as to render it valid and enforceable, then the parties desire and agree that the court strike only the invalid and unenforceable language and enforce
the balance of this Agreement to the fullest extent allowed by law.  Employer and Employee agree that the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement.

 

4.9 Construction.  As used in this Agreement, words such as “herein,” “hereinafter,” “hereby” and “hereunder,”
and the words of like import refer to this Agreement, unless the context requires otherwise.  The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”.

 

Article V.                        Section 409A

 

5.1 General.  It is intended that the provisions of the Agreements comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations
thereunder as in effect from time to time (collectively, “Section 409A”), and all provisions of the Agreements shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes and penalties under Section 409A.

 

5.2 No Alienation, Set-offs, Etc.  Neither Employee nor any creditor or beneficiary of Employee shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within
the meaning of Section 409A) payable under the Agreements or under any other plan, policy, arrangement or agreement of or with Employer or any of its affiliates (the Agreements and such other plans, policies, arrangements and agreements, the “Employer Plans”) to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment.  Except as permitted under Section 409A, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable to or for the
benefit of Employee under any Employer Plan may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by Employee to Employer or any of its affiliates.

 

5.3 Possible Six-Month Delay.  If, at the time of Employee’s separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A), (a) Employee shall be a specified
employee (within the meaning of Section 409A and using the identification methodology selected by Employer from time to time) and (b) Employer shall make a good faith determination that an amount payable under an Employer Plan constitutes deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) the payment of which is required to be delayed pursuant to the six-month delay rule set forth in Section 409A in order to avoid taxes or penalties under Section 409A, then Employer (or an affiliate thereof, as applicable)
shall not pay such amount on the otherwise scheduled payment date but shall instead accumulate such amount and pay it, without interest, on the first day of the seventh month following such separation from service.

 

 

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5.4 Reimbursements and In-Kind Benefits.  Except as specifically permitted by Section 409A, the amounts of any benefits and reimbursements provided to Employee
under the Agreements during any calendar year shall not affect the amounts of any benefits and reimbursements to be provided to Employee under the Agreements in any other calendar year, and the right to such benefits and reimbursements cannot be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit.  Furthermore, any reimbursement payments provided to Employee under the Agreements shall be made to Employee no later than the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the applicable expense
is incurred.

 

  

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employer has caused this Agreement to be executed by one of its duly authorized officers and Employee has individually executed this Agreement, each intending to be legally bound, as of the date first above written.

 

	
EMPLOYEE,

 

	
By

 

	  	  /s/ Robert J. Gillette
	  	
Name:  Robert J. Gillette 

 

 

	  	  

	
EMPLOYER:

FIRST SOLAR, INC.,

 

	
By

 

	  	  /s/ Michael J. Ahearn
	  	
Name: Michael J. Ahearn

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

	  	  

  

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                                                                                          Exhibit
A

 

 

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

I.  Release.  For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned, with the intention of binding himself/herself, his/her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, does
hereby release and forever discharge First Solar, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and its present and former officers, directors, executives, agents, employees, affiliated companies, subsidiaries, successors, predecessors and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”), from any and all claims, actions, causes of action, demands, rights, damages,
debts, accounts, suits, expenses, attorneys’ fees and liabilities of whatever kind or nature in law, equity, or otherwise, whether now known or unknown (collectively, the “Claims”), which the undersigned now has, owns or holds, or has at any time heretofore had, owned or held against any Released Party, arising out of or in any way connected with the undersigned’s employment relationship with the Company, its subsidiaries,
predecessors or affiliated entities, or the termination thereof, under any Federal, state or local statute, rule, or regulation, or principle of common, tort or contract law, including but not limited to, the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §§ 201 et seq.,
the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended (the “FMLA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended,
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e et seq., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §§ 621 et seq.,
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq., the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended,
29 U.S.C. §§ 2101 et seq., the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001 et seq.,
and any other equivalent or similar Federal, state, or local statute; provided, however, that nothing herein shall release the Company from (a) its obligations under that certain Employment Agreement to which the undersigned is a party and pursuant to which this Separation Agreement and Release is being executed and delivered, (b) any claims by the undersigned arising out of any
director and officer indemnification or insurance obligations in favor of the undersigned, (c) any director and officer indemnification obligations under the Company’s by-laws; (d) any claim for benefits under the First Solar, Inc. 401(k) Plan or any other employee pension benefit plan and (e) any claim in respect of Employee’s rights under any equity award that, by its terms, continues in effect following, or is payable upon or in connection with the undersigned’s, termination of employment
but which, as of the date hereof, has not been paid (the items references in subclauses (a)-(e) are hereafter collectively referred to as the “Preserved Benefits”).  The undersigned understands that, as a result of executing this Separation Agreement and Release, he/she will not have the right to assert that the Company or any other Released Party unlawfully terminated his/her employment or violated any of his/her rights in
connection with his/her employment or otherwise.

 

The undersigned affirms that he/she has not filed or caused to be filed, and presently is not a party to, any Claim, complaint or action against any Released Party in any forum or form and that he/she knows of no facts which may lead to any Claim, complaint or action being filed against any Released Party in any forum
by the undersigned or by any agency, group, or class persons.  The undersigned further affirms that, except for the Preserved Benefits, he/she has been paid and/or has received all leave (paid or unpaid), compensation, wages, bonuses, commissions, and/or benefits to which he/she may be entitled and that no other leave (paid or unpaid), compensation, wages, bonuses, commissions and/or benefits are due to him/her from the Company and its subsidiaries.  The undersigned furthermore affirms that
he/she has no known workplace injuries or occupational diseases and has been provided and/or has not been denied any leave requested under the FMLA.  If any agency or court assumes jurisdiction of any such Claim, complaint or action against any Released Party on behalf of the undersigned, the undersigned will request such agency or court to withdraw the matter.

 

The undersigned further declares and represents that he/she has carefully read and fully understands the terms of this Separation Agreement and Release and that he/she has been advised and had the opportunity to seek the advice and assistance of counsel with regard to this Separation Agreement and Release, that he/she
may take up to and including 21 days from receipt of this Separation Agreement and Release, to consider whether to sign this Separation Agreement and Release, that he/she may revoke this Separation Agreement and Release within seven calendar days after signing it by delivering to the Company written notification of revocation, and that he/she knowingly and voluntarily, of his/her own free will, without any duress, being fully informed and after due deliberate action, accepts the terms of and signs the same as
his own free act.

 

II.  Protected Rights.  The Company and the undersigned agree that nothing in this Separation Agreement and Release is intended to or shall be construed to affect, limit or otherwise interfere with any non-waivable right of the undersigned
under any Federal, state or local law, including the right to file a charge or participate in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) or to exercise any other right that cannot be waived under applicable law.  The undersigned is releasing, however, his/her right to any monetary recovery or relief should the EEOC or any other agency pursue Claims on his/her behalf.  Further,
should the EEOC or any other agency obtain monetary relief on his/her behalf, the undersigned assigns to the Company all rights to such relief.

 

III.  Equitable Remedies.  The undersigned acknowledges that a violation by the undersigned of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement would cause irreparable damage to the Company and its subsidiaries in an amount that would
be material but not readily ascertainable, and that any remedy at law (including the payment of damages) would be inadequate.  Accordingly, the undersigned agrees that, notwithstanding any provision of this Separation Agreement and Release to the contrary, the Company shall be entitled (without the necessity of showing economic loss or other actual damage) to injunctive relief (including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and/or permanent injunctions) in any court of competent jurisdiction
for any actual or threatened breach of any of the covenants set forth in this Agreement in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies it may have.

 

IV.  Return of Property.  The undersigned shall return to the Company on or before [10 DAYS AFTER TERMINATION DATE], all property of the Company in the undersigned’s possession or subject to the undersigned’s control, including
without limitation any laptop computers, keys, credit cards, cellular telephones and files.  The undersigned shall not alter any of the Company’s records or computer files in any way after [TERMINATION DATE].

 

V.  Severability.  If any term or provision of this Separation Agreement and Release is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any applicable law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Separation Agreement
and Release shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic and legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Separation Agreement and Release is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party.

 

VI.  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, AND THE VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE
OF THIS AGREEMENT IN ALL RESPECTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

  

  

  

  

Effective on the eighth calendar day following the date set forth below.

	
FIRST SOLAR, INC.,

 

	
By:

 

	  	  
	  	
Name:

Title:

 

	
EMPLOYEE,

	  
	  	  
	  	
[NAME]

 

	  	
Date Signed:_______________________

 

  

  

  

  

 

                                                                
EXECUTION COPY

                                                        CHANGE
IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

                      This CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”),
dated as of this 9th day of September, 2009, between First Solar, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Robert J. Gillette (the “Executive”).

 

                                                      RECITALS:

WHEREAS the Executive is a skilled and dedicated employee of the Company who has important management responsibilities and talents that benefit the Company;

 

WHEREAS the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) considers it essential to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to assure that the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined below) will have the continued dedication
of the Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined below); and

 

WHEREAS the Board believes that it is imperative to diminish the distraction of the Executive inherently present by virtue of the uncertainties and risks created by the circumstances surrounding a Change in Control and to ensure the Executive’s full attention to the Company and its Subsidiaries during such a
period of uncertainty;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.  Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

(a)  “280G Gross-Up Payment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

 

(b)  “Accounting Firm” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).

 

(c)  “Accrued Rights” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)(iv).

 

(d)  “Affiliate(s)” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person.

 

(e)  “Annual Base Salary” shall mean the greater of the Executive’s annual rate of base salary in effect (i) immediately prior to the Change in Control Date and (ii) immediately prior to the Termination Date.

 

(f)  “Annual Bonus” shall mean the target annual cash bonus the Executive is eligible to earn (assuming 100% fulfillment of all elements of the formula under which such bonus would have been calculated) for the year in which the
Termination Date occurs.

 

 

 

  

 

(g)  “Bonus Amount” means, as of the Termination Date, the greater of (i) the Annual Bonus and (ii) the average of the annual cash bonuses payable to the Executive in respect of the three calendar years immediately preceding the
calendar year that includes the Termination Date or, if the Executive has not been employed for three full calendar years preceding the calendar year that includes the Termination Date, the average of the annual cash bonuses payable to the Executive for the number of full calendar years prior to the Termination Date that he has been employed.

 

(h)  “Cause” means the occurrence of any one of the following:  (i) the Executive is convicted of, or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, (A) a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or misappropriation of the assets of
the Company or a Subsidiary or (B) any felony (or the equivalent of such a misdemeanor or felony in a jurisdiction outside of the United States); (ii) the Executive commits one or more acts or omissions constituting gross negligence, fraud or other gross misconduct that the Company reasonably and in good faith determines has a materially detrimental effect on the Company; (iii) the Executive continually and willfully fails, for at least 14 days following written notice from the Company, to perform substantially
the Executive’s employment duties (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness or after delivery by the Executive of a Notice of Termination for Good Reason); or (iv) the Executive commits a gross violation of any of the Company’s material policies (including the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, as in effect from time to time) that the Company reasonably and in good faith determines is materially detrimental to the best interests of the Company.  The
termination of employment of the Executive for Cause shall not be effective unless and until there has been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the entire membership of the Board (excluding the Executive) at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that in the
good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

 

(i)   “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

           (i)  individuals who, as of the Effective Date, were members of the Board (the “Incumbent Directors”)
cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a member of the Board subsequent to the Effective Date whose appointment or election, or nomination for election, by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors shall be considered as though such individual
were an Incumbent Director, but excluding, for purposes of this proviso, any such individual whose assumption of office after the Effective Date occurs as a result of an actual or threatened proxy contest with respect to election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of any “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) (each, a “Person”)
other than the Board or any Specified Shareholder;

 

           (ii)  the consummation of (A) a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving (1) the Company or (2) any of its Subsidiaries,
but in the case of this clause (2) only if Company Voting Securities (as defined below) are issued or issuable in connection with such transaction or (B) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (each of the events referred to in clause (A) or (B) being hereinafter referred to as a “Reorganization”), unless, immediately following such Reorganization, (x) all or substantially all the individuals
and entities who were the “beneficial owners” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act (or a successor rule thereto)) of shares of the Company’s common stock or other securities eligible to vote for the election of the Board outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of such Reorganization (such securities, the “Company Voting Securities”) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than
50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the corporation or other entity resulting from such Reorganization (including a corporation or other entity that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) (the “Continuing Entity”) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately
prior to the consummation of such Reorganization, of the outstanding Company Voting Securities (excluding any outstanding voting securities of the Continuing Entity that such beneficial owners hold immediately following the consummation of such Reorganization as a result of their ownership prior to such consummation of voting securities of any corporation or other entity involved in or forming part of such Reorganization other than the Company or a Subsidiary), (y) no Person (excluding (i) any employee benefit
plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Continuing Entity or any corporation or other entity controlled by the Continuing Entity and (ii) any Specified Shareholder) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Continuing Entity and (z) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors or other governing body of the Continuing Entity were Incumbent Directors at the time of the execution of the definitive
agreement providing for such Reorganization or, in the absence of such an agreement, at the time at which approval of the Board was obtained for such Reorganization;

 

 

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(iii)  the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, unless such liquidation or dissolution is part of a transaction or series of transactions
described in Section 1(i)(ii) that does not otherwise constitute a Change in Control; or

 

(iv)  any Person, corporation or other entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) other than any Specified Shareholder becomes the beneficial owner,
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing a percentage of the combined voting power of the Company Voting Securities that is equal to or greater than the greater of (A) 20% and (B) the percentage of the combined voting power of the Company Voting Securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly by all the Specified Shareholders at such time; provided, however,
that for purposes of this Section 1(i)(iv) only (and not for purposes of Sections 1(i)(i) through (iii)), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control:  (1) any acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary, (2) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary, (3) any acquisition by an underwriter temporarily holding such Company Voting Securities pursuant to an offering of such securities and (4) any acquisition
pursuant to a Reorganization that does not constitute a Change in Control for purposes of Section 1(i)(ii).

 

 

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(j)  “Change in Control Date” means the date on which a Change in Control occurs.

 

(k)  “COBRA” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)(iii).

 

(l)  “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto, and the regulations promulgated thereunder as in effect from time to time.

 

(m) “Company Voting Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(i)(ii).

 

(n)  “Continuing Entity” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(i)(ii).

 

(o)  “Disability” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(b)(ii).

 

(p)  “Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.

 

(q)  “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto, and the regulations
promulgated thereunder as in effect from time to time.

 

(r)  “Excise Tax” means the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, together with any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such tax.

 

(s)   “Executive Tax Year” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).

 

(t)  “Good Reason” means, without the Executive’s express written consent, the occurrence of any one or more of the following:

 

(i)  any material reduction in the authority, duties or responsibilities held by the Executive immediately prior to the Change in Control Date;

 

(ii)  any material reduction in the annual base salary or annual incentive opportunity of the Executive as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control Date;

 

(iii)  any change of the Executive’s principal place of employment to a location more than 50 miles from the Executive’s principal place of employment immediately prior to the Change
in Control Date;

 

(iv)  any failure of the Company to pay the Executive any compensation when due;

 

(v)  delivery by the Company or any Subsidiary of a written notice to the Executive of the intent to terminate the Executive’s employment for any reason, other than Cause, death or Disability,
in each case in accordance with this Agreement, regardless of whether such termination is intended to become effective during or after the Protection Period; or

 

 

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(vi)  any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy the requirements of Section 10(c).

 

The Executive’s right to terminate employment for Good Reason shall not be affected by the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness.  A termination of employment by the Executive for Good Reason for purposes of this Agreement shall be effectuated by giving the Company written notice
(“Notice of Termination for Good Reason”) of the termination setting forth in reasonable detail the specific conduct of the Company that constitutes Good Reason and the specific provisions of this Agreement on which the Executive relied, provided that such notice must be delivered to the Company no later than 90  days after the occurrence of the event or events
constituting Good Reason and the Company must be provided with at least 30 days following the delivery of such Notice of Termination for Good Reason to cure such event or events.  If such event or events are cured during such period, then the Executive will not be permitted to terminate employment for Good Reason as the result of such event or events.  If the Company does not cure such event or
events in such period, the termination of employment by the Executive for Good Reason shall be effective on the 30th day following the date when the Notice of Termination for Good Reason is given, unless the Company elects to treat such termination as effective as of an earlier date; provided, however, that
so long as an event that constitutes Good Reason occurs during the Protection Period and the Executive delivers the Notice of Termination for Good Reason within 90 days following the occurrence of such event, the Company is provided with at least 30 days following the delivery of such Notice of Termination for Good Reason to cure such event, and the Executive terminates his employment as of the 30th day
following the date when the Notice of Termination for Good Reason is given (or as of an earlier date chosen by the Company), then for purposes of the payments, benefits and other entitlements set forth herein, the termination of the Executive’s employment pursuant thereto shall be deemed to occur during the Protection Period.

 

(u)  “Incumbent Directors” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(i)(i).

 

(v)  “Notice of Termination for Good Reason” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(t).

 

(w) “Payment” means any payment, benefit or distribution (or combination thereof) by the Company, any of its Affiliates or any trust established by the Company or its Affiliates, to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid, payable,
distributed, distributable or provided pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, including any payment, benefit or other right that constitutes a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code.

 

(x)  “Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(i)(i).

 

(y)  “Protection Period” means the period commencing on the Change in Control Date and ending on the second anniversary thereof.

 

(z) “Qualifying Termination” means any termination of the Executive’s employment (i) by the Company, other than for Cause, death or Disability, that is effective (or with respect to which the Executive is given written notice) during
the Protection Period, (ii) by the Executive for Good Reason during the Protection Period or (iii) by the Company that is effective prior to the Change in Control Date, other than for Cause, death or Disability, at the request or direction of a third party who took action that caused, or is involved in or a party to, a Change in Control.

 

 

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(aa)  “Release” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)(vi).

 

(bb)  “Release Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)(i).

 

(cc)  “Reorganization” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(i)(ii).

 

(dd)  “Safe Harbor Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

 

(ee)  “Section 409A” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

 

(ff)  “Specified Shareholder” shall mean any of (i) the Estate of John T. Walton and its beneficiaries, (ii) JCL Holdings, LLC and its beneficiaries, (iii) Michael J. Ahearn and any of his immediate family, (iv) any Person directly
or indirectly controlled by any of the foregoing and (v) any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of any of the foregoing.

 

 (gg)  “Subsidiary” means any entity in which the Company, directly or indirectly, possesses 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock.

 

(hh)  “Successor” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10(c).

 

(ii) “Termination Date” means the date on which the termination of the Executive’s employment, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, is effective, provided that
in the event of a Qualifying Termination described in clause (iii) of the definition thereof, the Termination Date shall be deemed to be the Change in Control Date.

 

(jj)  “Underpayment” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).

 

SECTION 2.  Effectiveness and Term.  This Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof (the “Effective
Date”) and shall remain in effect until the third anniversary of the Effective Date, except that, beginning on the second anniversary of the Effective Date and on each anniversary thereafter, the term of this Agreement shall be automatically extended for an additional one-year period, unless the Company or the Executive provides the other party with 60 days’ prior written notice before the applicable anniversary that the term of this Agreement shall not be so extended.  Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event of a Change in Control during the term of this Agreement (whether the original term or the term as extended), this Agreement shall not thereafter terminate, and the term hereof shall be extended, until the Company and its Subsidiaries have performed all their obligations hereunder with no future performance being possible; provided, however, that this Agreement
shall only be effective with respect to the first Change in Control that occurs during the term of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 3.  Impact of a Change in Control on Equity Compensation Awards.  Effective as of the Change in Control Date, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary,
other than any such provision that expressly provides that this Section 3 of this Agreement does not apply (which provision shall be given full force and effect), in any of the Company’s equity-based, equity-related or other long-term incentive compensation plans, practices, policies and programs (including the Company’s 2003 Unit Option Plan and the Company’s 2006 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan) or any award agreements thereunder, (a) all outstanding stock options, stock appreciation rights
and similar rights and awards then held by the Executive that are unexercisable or otherwise unvested shall automatically become fully vested and immediately exercisable, as the case may be, (b) all outstanding equity-based, equity-related and other long-term incentive awards then held by the Executive that are subject to performance-based vesting criteria shall automatically become fully vested and earned at a deemed performance level equal to the maximum performance level with respect to such awards and (c)
all other outstanding equity-based, equity-related and long-term incentive awards, to the extent not covered by the foregoing clause (a) or (b), then held by the Executive that are unvested or subject to restrictions or forfeiture shall automatically become fully vested and all restrictions and forfeiture provisions related thereto shall lapse.

 

 

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SECTION 4.  Termination of Employment.

 

(a)  Qualifying Termination.  In the event of a Qualifying Termination, the Executive shall be entitled, subject to Section 4(a)(vi), to the following payments and benefits:

 

           (i)  Severance Pay.  The Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to two times the sum of (A)
the Executive’s Annual Base Salary (without regard to any reduction giving rise to Good Reason) and (B) the Bonus Amount, in a lump-sum cash payment payable on the tenth business day after the day the Release described in Section 4(a)(vi) becomes effective and irrevocable (the day the Release becomes effective and irrevocable, the “Release Effective Date”); provided, however,
that such amount shall be paid in lieu of, and the Executive hereby waives the right to receive, any other cash severance payment the Executive is otherwise eligible to receive upon termination of employment under any severance plan, practice, policy or program of the Company or any Subsidiary or under any agreement between the Company and the Executive and, in the event of a Qualifying Termination described in clause (iii) of the definition thereof, the severance payment payable pursuant to this Section 4(a)(i)
shall be reduced by the amount of any other such severance payments previously paid to the Executive.

 

           (ii)  Prorated Annual Bonus.  The Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to the product of
(A) the Executive’s Annual Bonus and (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the Company’s fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs through the Termination Date, and the denominator of which is 365, in a lump-sum payment payable on the tenth business day after the Release Effective Date.

 

           (iii)  Continued Welfare Benefits.  The Company shall, at its option, either (A) continue to provide
medical, life insurance, accident insurance and disability benefits to the Executive and the Executive’s spouse and dependents at least equal to the benefits provided by the Company and its Subsidiaries generally to other active peer executives of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (B) pay for the Executive’s cost of obtaining equivalent coverage, in the case of each of clauses (A) and (B), for a period of time commencing on the Termination Date and ending on the date that is 18 months after the
Termination Date; provided, however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility.  The Executive
agrees to make (and to cause his dependents to make) a timely election under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”) to the extent requested by the Company, to facilitate the Company’s provision of continuation coverage.

 

 

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(iv)  Accrued Rights.  The Executive shall be entitled to (A) payments of any unpaid base
salary, annual bonus or other amount earned or accrued through the Termination Date and reimbursement of any unreimbursed business expenses incurred through the Termination Date, (B) any payments explicitly set forth in any other benefit plans, practices, policies and programs in which the Executive participates and (C) any payments the Company is or becomes obligated to make pursuant to Sections 5, 7 and 12 (the rights to such payments, the “Accrued
Rights”).  The Accrued Rights payable pursuant to Section 4(a)(iv)(A) and Section 4(a)(iv)(B) shall be payable on their respective otherwise scheduled payment dates, provided that any amounts payable in respect of accrued but unused vacation shall be paid in a lump sum within 15 days following the Termination Date.  The Accrued Rights payable pursuant to Section 4(a)(iv)(C) shall be payable at the times set forth
in the applicable Section hereof.

 

(v)  Outplacement.  The Company shall reimburse the Executive for individual outplacement services to be provided by
a firm of the Executive’s choice or, at the Executive’s election, provide the Executive with the use of office space, office supplies and secretarial assistance satisfactory to the Executive.  The aggregate expenditures of the Company pursuant to this paragraph shall not exceed $20,000.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the outplacement benefits under this Section
4(a)(v) shall be provided to the Executive for no longer than the one-year period following the Termination Date.

 

           (vi)  Release of Claims.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, unless
on or prior to the tenth business day prior to March 15 of the year following the year in which the Termination Date occurs, the Executive has executed and delivered a Separation Agreement and Release (the “Release”) substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and such Release has become effective and irrevocable in accordance with its terms, (A) no payments shall be paid or made available to the Executive under Section 4(a)(i) or
4(a)(ii), (B) the Company shall be relieved of all obligations to provide or make available any further benefits to the Executive pursuant to Section 4(a)(iii) and 4(a)(v) and (C) the Executive shall be required to repay the Company, in cash, within five business days after written demand is made therefor by the Company, an amount equal to the value of any benefits received by the Executive pursuant to Section 4(a)(iii) and 4(a)(v) prior to such date.

 

(b)  Termination on Account of Death or Disability; Non-Qualifying Termination.

 

(i)  The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death or Disability.  In the event of any termination of Executive’s employment other than a Qualifying Termination, the Executive shall not be entitled
to any additional payments or benefits from the Company under this Agreement, other than payments or benefits with respect to the Accrued Rights.

 

           (ii)  For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive shall be deemed to have a “Disability” in the
event of the Executive’s absence for a period of 180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to a physical or mental condition, illness or injury that is determined to be total and permanent by a physician mutually acceptable to the Company and the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative (such acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld) after such physician has completed an examination of the Executive.  The Executive agrees to make himself available for such examination
upon the reasonable request of the Company, and the Company shall be responsible for the cost of such examination.

 

 

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SECTION 5.  Certain Additional Payments by the Company.

 

(a)  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary and except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any Payment that is paid or payable during the term of this Agreement would be subject to the Excise Tax, the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a
“280G Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that, after payment by the Executive of all taxes (and any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any income and employment taxes and Excise Taxes imposed upon the 280G Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the 280G Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon such Payments.  The Company’s obligation to make 280G Gross-Up
Payments under this Section 5 shall not be conditioned upon the Executive’s termination of employment and shall survive and apply after the Executive’s termination of employment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5(a), if it shall be determined that the Executive is entitled to a 280G Gross-Up Payment, but that the Payments do not exceed 110% of the greatest amount that could be paid to the Executive without giving rise to any Excise Tax (the “Safe
Harbor Amount”), then no 280G Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the Executive and the amounts payable under this Agreement shall be reduced so that the Payments, in the aggregate, are reduced to the Safe Harbor Amount.  If such a reduction is necessary, the Payments shall be reduced in the following order:  (i) the Payments payable under Section 4(a)(i) (severance), (ii) the Payments payable under Section 4(a)(ii) (prorated annual bonus), (iii) any other cash Payments, (iv) the
Payments payable under Section 4(a)(iii) (welfare benefit continuation) and (v) the accelerated vesting under Section 3.

 

(b)  Subject to the provisions of Section 5(c), all determinations required to be made under this Section 5, including whether and when a 280G Gross-Up Payment is required, the amount of such 280G Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made in accordance
with the terms of this Section 5 by a nationally recognized certified public accounting firm that shall be designated by the Executive (the “Accounting Firm”).  The Accounting Firm shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company.  For
purposes of determining the amount of any 280G Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall be deemed to pay Federal income tax at the highest marginal rate applicable to individuals in the calendar year in which any such 280G Gross-Up Payment is to be made and deemed to pay state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rates applicable to individuals in the state or locality of the Executive’s residence or place of employment in the calendar year in which any such 280G Gross-Up Payment is to be made, net
of the maximum reduction in Federal income taxes that can be obtained from deduction of state and local taxes, taking into account limitations applicable to individuals subject to Federal income tax at the highest marginal rate.  All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.  Any 280G Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 5, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five business days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm’s
determination.  If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall so indicate to the Executive in writing.  Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.  As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code, at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that 280G Gross-Up Payments that will not have been made by the Company
should have been made (an “Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder.  In the event the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 5(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five
business days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination.

 

 

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(c)  The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any written claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of a 280G Gross-Up Payment.  Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable, but no later than ten business
days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim.  Failure to give timely notice shall not prejudice the Executive’s right to 280G Gross-Up Payments and rights of indemnity under this Section 5.  The Executive shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid.  The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day
period following the date on which the Executive gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due).  If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that the Company desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall: (i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company
relating to such claim, (ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company, (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim and (iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim; provided, however,
that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional income taxes, interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest, and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses.  Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 5(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken
in connection with such contest, and, at its sole discretion, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the applicable taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole discretion, either pay the tax claim on behalf of the Executive and direct the Executive to sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of
initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that (A) if the Company pays the tax claim on behalf of the Executive and directs the Executive to sue for a refund, the Company shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless,
on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties) imposed with respect to such payment and (B) if such contest results in any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due, such extension must be limited solely to such contested amount.  Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to
which the 280G Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder, and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

 

 

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(d)  If, after the payment by the Company of any tax claim pursuant to Section 5(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of Section 5(c)) promptly pay to the Company the amount
of such refund received (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto).  If, after the payment by the Company of any tax claim pursuant to Section 5(c), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of the 30-day
period after such determination, then the amount the Company paid in respect of such claim shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of 280G Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

 

SECTION 6.  Section 409A.

 

(a)  It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code, as amended, and the regulations thereunder as in effect from time to time (collectively, “Section 409A”) and all provisions of this Agreement
shall be construed and interpreted either to (i) exempt any compensation from the application of Section 409A or (ii) comply with the requirements for avoiding taxes and penalties under Section 409A.

 

(b)   Neither the Executive nor any creditor or beneficiary of the Executive shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable under this Agreement or under any other plan, policy, arrangement or agreement of or with the Company or any of its Affiliates
(this Agreement and such other plans, policies, arrangements and agreements, the “Company Plans”) to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment.  Except as permitted under Section 409A, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable to or for the benefit of the Executive under any Company Plan may not be reduced by, or offset against, any
amount owing by the Executive to the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

(c)  If, at the time of the Executive’s separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A), (i) the Executive shall be a specified employee (within the meaning of Section 409A and using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time) and (ii) the Company shall make
a good faith determination that an amount payable under a Company Plan constitutes deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) the payment of which is required to be delayed pursuant to the six-month delay rule set forth in Section 409A in order to avoid taxes or penalties under Section 409A, then the Company (or an Affiliate thereof, as applicable) shall not pay such amount on the otherwise scheduled payment date but shall instead accumulate such amount and pay it, without interest, on the first
day of the seventh month following such separation from service.

 

 

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(d)  Except as specifically permitted by Section 409A, the amounts of any benefits and reimbursements provided to the Executive under this Agreement during any tax year of the Executive (“Executive Tax Year”) shall not affect
the amounts of any benefits and reimbursements to be provided to the Executive under this Agreement in any other Executive Tax Year, and the right to such benefits and reimbursements cannot be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit.  Furthermore, any reimbursement payments for any non-tax expenses provided to the Executive under this Agreement shall be made to the Executive no later than the last day of the Executive Tax Year following the Executive Tax Year in which the applicable expense is
incurred, and any reimbursement payments for any taxes provided to the Executive under this Agreement shall be made to the Executive no later than the last day of the Executive Tax Year following the Executive Tax Year in which the related taxes are remitted.  No payments will be made by the Company to the Executive under Section 5 with respect to any audit or litigation relating to any 280G Gross-Up Payment or Excise Tax or other taxes after the last day of the Executive Tax Year following the Executive
Tax Year in which the taxes that are the subject of the audit or litigation referred to in Section 5 are remitted to the taxing authority, or where, as a result of such audit or litigation, no taxes are remitted, the last day of the Executive Tax Year following the Executive Tax Year in which the audit is completed or there is a
final and nonappealable settlement or other resolution of the litigation.

 

SECTION 7.  No Mitigation or Offset; Enforcement of this Agreement.

 

(a)  The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action that the Company may have against the Executive or others.  In
no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment.

 

(b)  The Company shall reimburse, upon the Executive’s demand, any and all reasonable legal fees and expenses that the Executive may incur in good faith prior to the second anniversary of the expiration of the term of this Agreement as a result of any contest, dispute or proceeding (regardless of whether
formal legal proceedings are ever commenced and regardless of the outcome thereof and including all stages of any contest, dispute or proceeding) by the Company, the Executive or any other Person with respect to the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the Executive regarding the amount of any payment owed pursuant to this Agreement), and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless,
on an after-tax basis, for any tax (including Excise Tax) imposed on the Executive as a result of payment by the Company of such legal fees and expenses.

 

SECTION 8.  Non-Exclusivity of Rights.  Except as specifically provided in Section 4(a)(i), nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive’s continuing
or future participation in any plan, practice, policy or program provided by the Company or a Subsidiary for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall anything in this Agreement limit or otherwise affect any rights the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary.  Vested benefits and other amounts that the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any incentive compensation (including any equity award agreement), deferred compensation, retirement, pension
or other plan, practice, policy or program of, or any contract or agreement with, the Company or a Subsidiary shall be payable in accordance with the terms of each such plan, practice, policy, program, contract or agreement, as the case may be, except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

 

 

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SECTION 9.  Withholding.  The Company may deduct and withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes as are
required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

 

SECTION 10.  Assignment. 

 

(a)  This Agreement is personal to the Executive and, without the prior written consent of the Company, shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and any assignment in violation of this Agreement shall be void.

 

(b)  Notwithstanding the foregoing Section 10(a), this Agreement and all rights of the Executive hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.  If
the Executive should die while any amounts would still be payable to him hereunder if he had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Executive’s devisee, legatee or other designee or, should there be no such designee, to the Executive’s estate.

 

(c)  The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company (a “Successor”) to assume
and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would have been required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.  As used in this Agreement, (i) the term “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any Successor and any permitted assignee to which this Agreement is assigned and (ii) the term “Board” shall mean the Board as hereinbefore defined and the board of directors or equivalent governing body of
any Successor and any permitted assignee to which this Agreement is assigned.

 

SECTION 11.  Dispute Resolution.

 

(a)  Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Executive and the Company each hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court of Delaware (or, if subject matter jurisdiction in that court is not available, in any state court located within the city of
Wilmington, Delaware) over any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement.  Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the parties undertake not to commence any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in a forum other than a forum described in this Section 11(a); provided, however, that nothing herein shall preclude
the Company or the Executive from bringing any suit, action or proceeding in any other court for the purposes of enforcing the provisions of this Section 11 or enforcing any judgment obtained by the Company or the Executive.

 

 

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(b)  The agreement of the parties to the forum described in Section 11(a) is independent of the law that may be applied in any suit, action or proceeding and the parties agree to such forum even if such forum may under applicable law choose to apply non-forum law.  The parties hereby waive, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection that they now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction or to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in an applicable court described in Section 11(a), and the parties agree that they shall not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court.  The parties agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, a final and non-appealable judgment
in any suit, action or proceeding brought in any applicable court described in Section 11(a) shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction.

 

(c)  The parties hereto irrevocably consent to the service of any and all process in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement by the mailing of copies of such process to such party at such party’s address specified in Section 18.

 

(d)  Each party hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.  Each party hereto (i) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney
of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such party would not, in the event of any suit, action or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other parties hereto have been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waiver and certifications in this Section 11(d).

 

SECTION 12.  Default in Payment.  Any payment not made within ten business days after it is due in accordance with this Agreement shall thereafter bear interest, compounded
annually, at the prime rate in effect from time to time at Citibank, N.A., or any successor thereto.  Such interest shall be payable at the same time as the corresponding payment is payable.

 

SECTION 13.  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE,
AND THE VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT IN ALL RESPECTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW. 

 

SECTION 14.  Amendment; No Waiver.  No provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived or discharged except by a written document signed by the Executive
and a duly authorized officer of the Company.  The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver of such party’s rights or deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement.  Except as provided in Section 1(t), no failure or delay by either party in exercising any right or power hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will
any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment of any steps to enforce such right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.  No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party that are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.

 

 

14

  

 

SECTION 15.  Severability.  If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any applicable law or public policy, all
other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic and legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party.  Upon any such determination that any term or provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as
possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.

 

SECTION 16.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes
all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party hereto, and any prior agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein is hereby terminated and canceled.  None of the parties shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any representations and warranties or covenants relating to such subject matter except as specifically
set forth herein.

 

SECTION 17.  Survival.  The rights and obligations of the parties under the provisions of this Agreement, including Sections 5, 7, 11, 12 and 13, shall survive and
remain binding and enforceable, notwithstanding the expiration of the Protection Period or the term of this Agreement, the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason or any settlement of the financial rights and obligations arising from the Executive’s employment, to the extent necessary to preserve the intended benefits of such provisions.

 

SECTION 18.  Notices.  All notices or other communications required or permitted by this Agreement will be made in writing and all such notices or communications will
be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or (unless otherwise specified) mailed by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

	
  
	
If to the Company:
	
First Solar, Inc.

	
  
	
350 West Washington Street

	
  
	
Suite 600

	
  
	
Tempe, Arizona  85281

	
  
	 	
Attention:
	
Corporate Secretary

	
  
	 

	
  
	
If to the Executive:
	
To the Executive’s then current address on file with the Company

 

 

15

  

 

or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

 

SECTION 19.  Headings and References.  The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and neither constitute a part of this Agreement nor affect in
any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.  When a reference in this Agreement is made to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.

 

SECTION 20.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including via facsimile), each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but
all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

SECTION 21.  Interpretation.  For purposes of this Agreement, the words “include” and “including”, and variations thereof, shall not be deemed
to be terms of limitation but rather shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”.  The term “or” is not exclusive.  The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”.

 

SECTION 22.  Time of the Essence.  The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that time is of the essence in the performance of the obligations of this Agreement and
that the parties shall strictly adhere to any timelines herein.

 

 

  

16

  

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties as of the date first written above.

 

	
FIRST SOLAR, INC.,

 

	  	
By

	  	  /s/ Michael J. Ahearn
	  	
Name:  Michael J. Ahearn

Title: Chief Executive Officer

	
EXECUTIVE:

 

	  	  /s/ Robert J. Gillette
	  	
Robert J. Gillette

  

17  

  

  

 

                                                                      Exhibit
A

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

I.  Release.  For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned, with the intention of binding himself/herself, his/her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, does
hereby release and forever discharge First Solar, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and its present and former officers, directors, executives, agents, employees, affiliated companies, subsidiaries, successors, predecessors and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”), from any and all claims, actions, causes of action, demands, rights, damages,
debts, accounts, suits, expenses, attorneys’ fees and liabilities of whatever kind or nature in law, equity, or otherwise, whether now known or unknown (collectively, the “Claims”), which the undersigned now has, owns or holds, or has at any time heretofore had, owned or held against any Released Party, arising out of or in any way connected with the undersigned’s employment relationship with the Company, its subsidiaries,
predecessors or affiliated entities, or the termination thereof, under any Federal, state or local statute, rule, or regulation, or principle of common, tort or contract law, including but not limited to, the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §§ 201 et seq.,
the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended (the “FMLA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended,
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e et seq., the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §§ 621 et seq.,
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq., the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended,
29 U.S.C. §§ 2101 et seq., the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001 et seq.,
and any other equivalent or similar Federal, state, or local statute; provided, however, that nothing herein shall release the Company from (a) its obligations under that certain Change in Control Severance Agreement in which the undersigned participates and pursuant to which this Separation Agreement and Release is being executed and delivered, (b) any claims by the undersigned arising
out of any director and officer indemnification or insurance obligations in favor of the undersigned, (c) any director and officer indemnification obligations under the Company’s by-laws and (d) any claims for benefits under the First Solar, Inc. 401(k) Plan.  The undersigned understands that, as a result of executing this Separation Agreement and Release, he/she will not have the right to assert that the Company or any other Released Party unlawfully terminated his/her employment or violated
any of his/her rights in connection with his/her employment or otherwise.

 

The undersigned affirms that he/she has not filed or caused to be filed, and presently is not a party to, any Claim, complaint or action against any Released Party in any forum or form and that he/she knows of no facts which may lead to any Claim, complaint or action being filed against any Released Party in any forum
by the undersigned or by any agency, group, or class persons.  The undersigned further affirms that he/she has been paid and/or has received all leave (paid or unpaid), compensation, wages, bonuses, commissions, and/or benefits to which he/she may be entitled and that no other leave (paid or unpaid), compensation, wages, bonuses, commissions and/or benefits are due to him/her from the Company and its subsidiaries, except as specifically provided in this Separation Agreement and Release.  The
undersigned furthermore affirms that he/she has no known workplace injuries or occupational diseases and has been provided and/or has not been denied any leave requested under the FMLA.  If any agency or court assumes jurisdiction of any such Claim, complaint or action against any Released Party on behalf of the undersigned, the undersigned will request such agency or court to withdraw the matter.

 

  

  

  

  

 

The undersigned further declares and represents that he/she has carefully read and fully understands the terms of this Separation Agreement and Release and that he/she has been advised and had the opportunity to seek the advice and assistance of counsel with regard to this Separation Agreement and Release, that he/she
may take up to and including 21 days from receipt of this Separation Agreement and Release, to consider whether to sign this Separation Agreement and Release, that he/she may revoke this Separation Agreement and Release within seven calendar days after signing it by delivering to the Company written notification of revocation, and that he/she knowingly and voluntarily, of his/her own free will, without any duress, being fully informed and after due deliberate action, accepts the terms of and signs the same as
his own free act.

 

II.  Protected Rights.  The Company and the undersigned agree that nothing in this Separation Agreement and Release is intended to or shall be construed to affect, limit or otherwise interfere with any non-waivable right of the undersigned
under any Federal, state or local law, including the right to file a charge or participate in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) or to exercise any other right that cannot be waived under applicable law.  The undersigned is releasing, however, his/her right to any monetary recovery or relief should the EEOC or any other agency pursue Claims on his/her behalf.  Further,
should the EEOC or any other agency obtain monetary relief on his/her behalf, the undersigned assigns to the Company all rights to such relief.

 

III.  Equitable Remedies.  The undersigned acknowledges that a violation by the undersigned of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement would cause irreparable damage to the Company and its subsidiaries in an amount that would
be material but not readily ascertainable, and that any remedy at law (including the payment of damages) would be inadequate.  Accordingly, the undersigned agrees that, notwithstanding any provision of this Separation Agreement and Release to the contrary, the Company shall be entitled (without the necessity of showing economic loss or other actual damage) to injunctive relief (including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and/or permanent injunctions) in any court of competent jurisdiction
for any actual or threatened breach of any of the covenants set forth in this Agreement in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies it may have.

 

IV.  Return of Property.  The undersigned shall return to the Company on or before [10 DAYS AFTER TERMINATION DATE], all property of the Company in the undersigned’s possession or subject to the undersigned’s control, including
without limitation any laptop computers, keys, credit cards, cellular telephones and files.  The undersigned shall not alter any of the Company’s records or computer files in any way after [TERMINATION DATE].

 

V.  Severability.  If any term or provision of this Separation Agreement and Release is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any applicable law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Separation Agreement
and Release shall nonetheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic and legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Separation Agreement and Release is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party.

 

VI.  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE IN THE STATE
OF DELAWARE, AND THE VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT IN ALL RESPECTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

 

Effective on the eighth calendar day following the date set forth below.

	  	
FIRST SOLAR, INC.,

 

	
By

	  	  	 
	  	  	
Name:

Title:

	
EMPLOYEE,

 

	  	 
	  	
[NAME]

	  	  	
Date Signed:_______________________

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