Stateline Solar Farm Page i September 3, 2010 Plan of Development Table of Contents Volume I 1.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Proponent Introduction: First Solar....................................................................................................2 1.2 Project Background.............................................................................................................................2 1.3 Type of Facility, Planned Uses, and Generation Output....................................................................3 1.4 Project Permitting and Construction Schedule...................................................................................3 1.5 Proponent’s Purpose and Need for the Project..................................................................................4 2.0 Project Description ......................................................................................................................................7 2.1 Project Study Area ..............................................................................................................................7 2.1.1 Solar Farm Site and Access Corridor ...................................................................................7 2.1.2 Transmission Corridor and Substation Interconnection Location........................................7 2.2 General Facility Description, Design, and Operations .......................................................................7 2.2.1 Existing Site Conditions.........................................................................................................7 2.2.2 Land Use Planning and Zoning ............................................................................................8 2.2.3 Geological Conditions ...........................................................................................................9 2.2.4 Hydrological Conditions ......................................................................................................10 2.2.5 Biological Resources...........................................................................................................13 2.2.6 Cultural and Paleontologic Resources ...............................................................................17 2.2.7 Project Location, Land Ownership, and Jurisdiction ..........................................................21 2.2.8 Legal Description.................................................................................................................21 2.2.9 Power Plant Facilities ..........................................................................................................22 2.2.10 First Solar Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) PV Technology......................................................22 2.2.11 PV Arrays and Combining Switchgear ...............................................................................24 2.2.12 Monitoring and Maintenance Facility ..................................................................................26 2.2.13 Meteorological Station.........................................................................................................26 2.2.14 Other Ancillary Facilities......................................................................................................27 2.2.15 Site Security and Fencing...................................................................................................27 2.2.16 Temporary Construction Facilities ......................................................................................28 2.2.17 Acreage and Dimensions of Project Facilities and Components.......................................28 2.2.18 Geotechnical Studies ..........................................................................................................28 2.2.19 Water Uses and Sources ....................................................................................................29 2.2.20 Erosion Control and Storm Water Drainage.......................................................................30 2.2.21 Vegetation Treatment and Weed Management .................................................................30 2.2.22 Waste and Hazardous Materials Management..................................................................31 2.2.23 Reusable and Recyclable Materials/PV Module Recycling...............................................32 2.2.24 Fire Protection .....................................................................................................................32 2.2.25 Electrical Components, New Equipment, and Existing System Upgrades .......................33 Copyright © 2009 - 2010 First Solar Inc. All Rights Reserved Stateline Solar Farm Page ii September 3, 2010 Plan of Development 2.2.26 Interconnection to Electrical Grid........................................................................................33 2.2.27 Spill Prevention and Containment ......................................................................................33 2.2.28 Health and Safety Program.................................................................................................35 2.3 Other Federal, State, and Local Agency Permit Requirements......................................................35 2.3.1 Federal Permits and Status.................................................................................................35 2.3.2 State Permits and Status ....................................................................................................37 2.3.3 Local Permits and Status ....................................................................................................38 2.4 Financial and Technical Capability ...................................................................................................38 3.0 Construction of Facilities..........................................................................................................................39 3.1 Design, Layout, Installation, and Construction Processes ..............................................................39 3.2 Construction and Operations Approach – Phased Project..............................................................39 3.3 Access and Transportation System, Component Delivery, Worker Access ...................................39 3.4 Construction Workforce Numbers, Vehicles, Equipment, Timeframes ...........................................39 3.5 Surveying and Staking ......................................................................................................................40 3.6 Site Preparation, Clearing, Grading, and Compaction.....................................................................41 3.6.1 Preconstruction Activities ......................................................................................................41 3.6.2 Site Preparation .....................................................................................................................41 3.6.3 Construction and Installation ..................................................................................................43 3.7 Solar Array Assembly and Construction...........................................................................................44 3.8 Gravel, Aggregate, and Concrete Needs and Sources...................................................................44 3.9 Solar Module and Electrical Construction Activities.........................................................................44 3.10 Aviation Lighting (Power Towers, Transmission).............................................................................45 3.11 Site Stabilization, Protection, and Reclamation Practices...............................................................45 4.0 Related Facilities and Systems................................................................................................................47 4.1 Transmission System Interconnect ..................................................................................................47 4.1.1 Existing Transmission System............................................................................................47 4.1.2 Proposed Transmission System .........................................................................................47 4.1.3 Ancillary Facilities and Substations ....................................................................................48 4.1.4 Status of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).................................................................48 4.1.5 General Design and Construction Standards.....................................................................48 4.2 Gas Supply Systems.........................................................................................................................48 4.3 Other Related Systems.....................................................................................................................48 4.3.1 Communications System Requirements ............................................................................48 Copyright © 2009 - 2010 First Solar Inc. All Rights Reserved Stateline Solar Farm Page iii September 3, 2010 Plan of Development 5.0 Operations and Maintenance ...................................................................................................................49 5.1 Operation and Facility Maintenance Needs .....................................................................................49