PALM SPRINGS, CA--(Marketwire - Jan 31, 2013) - The [ 9th Annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit ], presented by [ International Business Forum ] and chaired by [ Technology Partners ]' Ira Ehrenpreis, on February 6-7 in Palm Springs, California, announced today that James A. Hughes, CEO of First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ FSLR ]), will deliver a speech at this year's Clean-Tech Investor Summit titled, "Tomorrow's Utility: The View from the Sun." He is part of the [ line up ] of the clean-tech and energy industries' thought leaders, visionaries, and innovators who will be speaking at and attending the 9^th Annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit.

Mr. Hughes joined First Solar in March 2012 as Chief Commercial Officer and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in May 2012. Prior to joining First Solar, Mr. Hughes served, from October 2007 until April 2011, as Chief Executive Officer and Director of AEI Services LLC, which owned and operated power distribution, power generations (both thermal and renewable), natural gas transportation and services, and natural gas distribution businesses in emerging markets worldwide. From 2004 to 2007, he engaged in principal investing with a privately held company based in Houston, Texas that focused on microcap investments in North American distressed manufacturing assets. Previously, he served, from 2002 until March 2004, as President and Chief Operating Officer of Prisma Energy International, which was formed out of former Enron interests in international electric and natural gas utilities. Prior to that role, Mr. Hughes spent almost a decade with Enron Corporation in positions that included President and Chief Operating Officer of Enron Global Assets, President and Chief Operating Officer of Enron Asia, Pacific Africa and China and as Assistant General Counsel of Enron International. Mr. Hughes is a Non‐Executive Director of APR Energy plc, a London Stock Exchange‐listed energy company participating in the global market for gas and diesel fired temporary power plants. Mr. Hughes holds a juris doctor degree from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, a Certificate of Completion in international business law from Queen Mary's College, University of London, and bachelor's degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University.

Every year the Summit convenes the who's-who of the clean-tech sector including thought leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and service providers. It is one of the rare times when the sector's most influential thought leaders gather to discuss the most critical issues facing the clean-tech sector. In addition, the 9th Annual Clean-Tech Summit will feature some of the most interesting, provocative, and compelling speakers at what has clearly become one of the best clean-tech networking events of the year.

To register for the clean-tech industry's top investment summit please visit: [ www.cleantechsummit.com ]

This year's [ Sponsors ] for the Clean-Tech Investor Summit include [ Robert W. Baird & Co., ][ Orrick ], [ Silicon Valley Bank ], [ Mintz Levin ], [ Wells Fargo ], [ Deloitte ], [ PWC, ][ Morrison & Foerster ], [ Grant Thornton ], [ DLA Piper ], [ Ernst & Young ], [ J.P. Morgan ], [ Canaccord Genuity ], [ Goldman Sachs ], [ IRTH Communications ], [ Hobbs & Towne ], [ Morgan Stanley ] and [ Sherwood Partners ].