Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 4, 2009
FIRST SOLAR, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  001-33156
(Commission
File Number)
  20-4623678
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
350 West Washington Street
Suite 600
Tempe, Arizona 85281

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (602) 414-9300
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o      Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o      Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
     
  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
 
   
  Financial Statements and Exhibits
 
   
   
  EX-10.1
  EX-10.2
  EX-10.3
  EX-10.4
  EX-10.5
  EX-10.6
  EX-10.7
  EX-10.8
  EX-10.9

 


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Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
          On September 4, 2009, First Solar, Inc., (the “Company”) entered into a $300,000,000 revolving credit facility pursuant to a Credit Agreement dated as of September 4, 2009 (the “Closing Date”), among the Company, First Solar Manufacturing GmbH (the “Subsidiary Borrower”), the lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), Bank of America and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as Documentation Agents, and Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, as Syndication Agent (the “Credit Agreement”). A copy of the Credit Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The Credit Agreement provides the Company, the Subsidiary Borrower (and other subsidiaries of the Company who may in the future be designated as borrowers pursuant to the Credit Agreement) with a senior secured three-year revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000, a portion of which is available for letters of credit and swingline loans. Borrowings under the Credit Facility are available for general corporate purposes. References to the Company below include the Subsidiary Borrower and any additional borrowers under the Credit Agreement, where the context so requires. Subject to certain conditions, the Company has the right to increase the aggregate commitments under the Credit Facility up to $400,000,000. In connection with the Credit Agreement, the Company also entered into a guarantee and collateral agreement and foreign security agreements as described below.
          Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to an applicable margin plus, either (a) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the prime rate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., (2) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and (3) a eurocurrency rate determined by reference to the rate (adjusted for statutory reserve requirements for eurocurrency liabilities) for eurocurrency deposits for a period of one month appearing on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page plus 1.0% or (b) a eurocurrency rate determined by reference to the rate (adjusted for statutory reserve requirements for eurocurrency liabilities) for eurocurrency deposits for a period of one, two, three or six months or, subject to availability to the Lenders, nine or twelve months, as selected by the Company appearing on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page. Until financial statements are delivered pursuant to the Credit Agreement for the first full fiscal quarter ending after the closing date of the Credit Facility, the interest rate with respect to the revolving loans is a percentage per annum equal to (1) the base rate plus 1.75% for base rate loans or (2) the eurocurrency rate plus 2.75% for eurocurrency rate loans. After such date, applicable margins with respect to the revolving loans will be adjusted based on (i) the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio from time to time and, (ii) at any time that the revolving loans shall have a certain debt rating from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, changes in such debt rating.
          In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the Credit Agreement, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee to the Lenders in respect of the average daily unutilized commitments thereunder. Until financial statements are delivered pursuant to the Credit Agreement for the first full fiscal quarter ending after the closing date of the Credit Facility, the commitment fee rate is 0.375% per annum. After such date, the commitment fee will be adjusted based on (i) the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio from time to time and, (ii) at any time that the revolving loans shall have a certain debt rating from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, changes in such debt rating. The Company will also pay a letter of credit fee equal to the applicable margin for eurocurrency revolving loans on the face amount of each letter of credit and a fronting fee in an amount agreed by the Company and such issuing lender, in addition to customary letter of credit fees.
          The Company may designate additional borrowing subsidiaries under the Credit Agreement subject to providing notice and certain documentation to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent’s consultation with all the Lenders that such designation does not cause any economic, legal or

 


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regulatory disadvantage to the Lenders.
          The Company may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under the Credit Agreement at any time without premium or penalty, subject to customary “breakage” costs with respect to eurocurrency loans and certain other requirements. The Company is required to prepay revolving loans upon notice from the Administrative Agent that, as of any date of calculation by the Administrative Agent, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the revolving loans exceeds 105% of the total revolving commitments of the Lenders, in such amounts such that, after giving effect to such mandatory prepayment, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the revolving loans does not exceed the total revolving commitments of the Lenders.
          The loans made to the Company are (i) secured by the following share pledge agreements: (a) a pledge by the Company of 66% of the capital stock of First Solar FE Holdings Pte Ltd. (Singapore), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated herein by reference and (b) a pledge by the Company of 66% of the capital stock of First Solar Holdings GmbH (Germany), a copy of which is included within the German Share Pledge Agreements attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated herein by reference (the “German Share Pledge Agreements”), and (ii) secured by a security interest in intercompany receivables advanced to the Company or any of its subsidiaries (but, in the case such right to payment is owing by an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as defined in the Credit Agreement), only if it arises out of the sale of solar modules), pursuant to a Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4 and incorporated herein by reference (the “Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”).
          The loans made to the Subsidiary Borrower are (i) guaranteed by the Company pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (ii) guaranteed by certain of the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries organized under the laws of Germany, pursuant to a Guarantee, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.5 and incorporated herein by reference, (iii) secured by the following share pledge agreements: (a) a pledge by First Solar Holdings GmbH of all of the capital stock of First Solar GmbH, (b) a pledge by First Solar Holdings GmbH of all of the capital stock of First Solar Manufacturing GmbH, and (c) a pledge by the Company of 34% of the capital stock of First Solar Holdings GmbH, copies of which pledge agreements are included within the German Share Pledge Agreements attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3, (iv) secured by a security interest in intercompany receivables held by First Solar Holdings GmbH, First Solar GmbH, and First Solar Manufacturing GmbH (subject to certain exceptions), pursuant to Assignment Agreements, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.6, 10.7 and 10.8, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference, and (v) subject to a Security Trust Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.9 and incorporated herein by reference, setting forth additional terms regarding the foregoing Germany security documents and arrangements.
          The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, (i) the ability of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Credit Agreement, refers to First Solar FE Holdings Pte Ltd., First Solar Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., First Solar Holdings GmbH, First Solar GmbH, and First Solar Manufacturing GmbH as of the Closing Date) to incur additional indebtedness or guarantee obligations and (ii) the Company’s ability to: (a) create liens on assets, (b) engage in mergers or consolidations, (c) dispose of certain property, (d) pay dividends and distributions, (e) make certain acquisitions, (f) engage in certain transactions with affiliates, (g) enter into sale and leaseback transactions, (h) enter into certain swap agreements, (i) change its fiscal periods, (j) enter into certain negative pledge arrangements, (k) enter into agreements that restrict distributions from subsidiaries and (l) change the Company’s lines of business.
          In addition, the Credit Agreement includes financial covenants requiring the Company to not exceed a maximum leverage ratio, to generate a minimum amount of EBITDA and to maintain a minimum amount of liquidity. The Credit Agreement also contains certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants and events of default.

 


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          The foregoing summary of the Credit Agreement, the guarantee and security documents described herein, and the transactions contemplated thereby, does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of each of the documents described herein, which are filed as Exhibits 10.1 through 10.9 hereto and incorporated into this report by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
     
(d)
  Exhibits.
 
   
10.1.
  Credit Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2009, among First Solar, Inc., First Solar Manufacturing GmbH, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Bank of America and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as Documentation Agents, and Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, as Syndication Agent
 
   
10.2.
  Charge of Company Shares, dated as of September 4, 2009, between First Solar, Inc., as Chargor, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Security Agent, relating to 66% of the shares of First Solar FE Holdings Pte. Ltd. (Singapore)
 
   
10.3.
  German Share Pledge Agreements, dated as of September 4, 2009, between First Solar, Inc., First Solar Holdings GmbH, First Solar Manufacturing GmbH, First Solar GmbH, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
 
   
10.4.
  Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2009, by First Solar, Inc. in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
 
   
10.5.
  Guarantee, dated as of September 8, 2009, between First Solar Holdings GmbH, First Solar GmbH, First Solar Manufacturing GmbH, as German Guarantors, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
 
   
10.6.
  Assignment Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2009, between First Solar Holdings GmbH and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
 
   
10.7.
  Assignment Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2009, between First Solar GmbH and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
 
   
10.8.
  Assignment Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2009, between First Solar Manufacturing GmbH and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
 
   
10.9.
  Security Trust Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2009, between First Solar, Inc., First Solar Holdings GmbH, First Solar GmbH, First Solar Manufacturing GmbH, as Security Grantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other Secured Parties party thereto

 


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Signature
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
  FIRST SOLAR, INC.
 
 
Date: September 10, 2009  By:   /s/ Mary Beth Gustafsson    
    Name:   Mary Beth Gustafsson   
    Title:   Vice President, General Counsel   
 

 

Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION COPY
 
 
$300,000,000
CREDIT AGREEMENT
among
FIRST SOLAR, INC.,
The Borrowing Subsidiaries Parties Hereto,
The Several Lenders from Time to Time Parties Hereto,
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
Dated as of September 4, 2009
 
 
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
and
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC,
as Documentation Agents,
CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH,
as Syndication Agent,
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC. and BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC,
as Joint-Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
                 
            Page  
       
 
       
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS     1  
  1.1    
Defined Terms
    1  
  1.2    
Other Definitional Provisions
    21  
       
 
       
SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF REVOLVING COMMITMENTS     21  
  2.1    
Revolving Commitments
    21  
  2.2    
Procedure for Revolving Loan Borrowing
    22  
  2.3    
Increase in Revolving Commitments
    22  
  2.4    
Swingline Commitment
    23  
  2.5    
Procedure for Swingline Borrowing; Refunding of Swingline Loans
    24  
  2.6    
Commitment Fees, etc.
    25  
  2.7    
Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments
    25  
  2.8    
Optional Prepayments
    25  
  2.9    
Mandatory Prepayments
    26  
  2.10    
Conversion and Continuation Options
    26  
  2.11    
Limitations on Eurocurrency Tranches
    27  
  2.12    
Interest Rates and Payment Dates
    27  
  2.13    
Computation of Interest and Fees
    27  
  2.14    
Inability to Determine Interest Rate
    28  
  2.15    
Pro Rata Treatment and Payments
    28  
  2.16    
Requirements of Law
    29  
  2.17    
Taxes
    30  
  2.18    
Indemnity
    33  
  2.19    
Change of Lending Office
    33  
  2.20    
Replacement of Lenders
    34  
  2.21    
Defaulting Lenders
    34  
  2.22    
Borrowing Subsidiaries
    36  
       
 
       
SECTION 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT     36  
  3.1    
L/C Commitment
    36  
  3.2    
Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit
    37  
  3.3    
Fees and Other Charges
    37  
  3.4    
L/C Participations
    38  
  3.5    
Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrowers
    39  
  3.6    
Obligations Absolute
    39  
  3.7    
Letter of Credit Payments
    39  
  3.8    
Applications
    40  
       
 
       
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES     40  
  4.1    
Financial Condition
    40  


 

                 
            Page  
 
 
  4.2    
No Change
    40  
  4.3    
Existence; Compliance with Law
    40  
  4.4    
Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations
    40  
  4.5    
No Legal Bar
    41  
  4.6    
Litigation
    41  
  4.7    
No Default
    41  
  4.8    
Ownership of Property
    41  
  4.9    
Intellectual Property
    41  
  4.10    
Taxes
    41  
  4.11    
Federal Regulations
    42  
  4.12    
Labor Matters
    42  
  4.13    
ERISA; Foreign Benefit Arrangements and Plans
    42  
  4.14    
Investment Company Act; Other Regulations
    42  
  4.15    
Restricted Subsidiaries
    42  
  4.16    
Use of Proceeds
    42  
  4.17    
Environmental Matters
    42  
  4.18    
Accuracy of Information, etc
    43  
  4.19    
Security Documents
    43  
  4.20    
Repayment of Debt
    44  
       
 
       
SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT     44  
  5.1    
Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit
    44  
  5.2    
Conditions to Each Extension of Credit
    45  
       
 
       
SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS     46  
  6.1    
Financial Statements
    46  
  6.2    
Certificates; Other Information
    46  
  6.3    
Payment of Obligations
    48  
  6.4    
Maintenance of Existence; Compliance
    48  
  6.5    
Maintenance of Property; Insurance
    48  
  6.6    
Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions
    48  
  6.7    
Notices
    48  
  6.8    
Environmental Laws
    49  
  6.9    
Additional Collateral, etc
    49  
  6.10    
Designation of Subsidiaries
    50  
  6.11    
Post-Closing Obligations
    51  
       
 
       
SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS     51  
  7.1    
Financial Condition Covenants
    51  
  7.2    
Indebtedness and Guarantee Obligations
    51  
  7.3    
Liens
    52  
  7.4    
Fundamental Changes
    54  
  7.5    
Disposition of Property
    55  
  7.6    
Restricted Payments
    56  

ii 


 

                 
            Page  
 
 
  7.7    
Acquisitions
    56  
  7.8    
Transactions with Affiliates
    56  
  7.9    
Sales and Leasebacks
    56  
  7.10    
Swap Agreements
    56  
  7.11    
Changes in Fiscal Periods
    57  
  7.12    
Negative Pledge Clauses
    57  
  7.13    
Clauses Restricting Subsidiary Distributions
    57  
  7.14    
Lines of Business
    57  
       
 
       
SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT     57  
       
 
       
SECTION 9. THE AGENTS     60  
  9.1    
Appointment
    60  
  9.2    
Delegation of Duties
    60  
  9.3    
Exculpatory Provisions
    61  
  9.4    
Reliance by Administrative Agent
    61  
  9.5    
Notice of Default
    61  
  9.6    
Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders
    61  
  9.7    
Indemnification
    62  
  9.8    
Agent in Its Individual Capacity
    62  
  9.9    
Successor Administrative Agent
    62  
  9.10    
Documentation Agent and Syndication Agent
    63  
       
 
       
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS     63  
  10.1    
Amendments and Waivers
    63  
  10.2    
Notices
    64  
  10.3    
No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies
    65  
  10.4    
Survival of Representations and Warranties
    65  
  10.5    
Payment of Expenses and Taxes
    65  
  10.6    
Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments
    66  
  10.7    
Adjustments; Set-off
    69  
  10.8    
Counterparts
    70  
  10.9    
Severability
    70  
  10.10    
Integration
    70  
  10.11    
GOVERNING LAW
    70  
  10.12    
Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers
    70  
  10.13    
Acknowledgements
    71  
  10.14    
Releases of Guarantees and Liens
    71  
  10.15    
Confidentiality
    71  
  10.16    
WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL
    72  
  10.17    
No Fiduciary Duty
    72  
  10.18    
USA Patriot Act
    73  

iii 


 

          CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of September 4, 2009, among FIRST SOLAR, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), the Borrowing Subsidiaries (as defined herein, and, together with the Company, the “ Borrowers ”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to this Agreement (the “ Lenders ”), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC, as documentation agents (in such capacity, the “ Documentation Agents ”), CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, as syndication agent (in such capacity, the “ Syndication Agent ”), and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as administrative agent.
          The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
          1.1 Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the terms listed in this Section 1.1 shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section 1.1.
          “ ABR ”: for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1 / 2 of 1% and (c) the Eurocurrency Rate for a Eurocurrency Loan with a one-month interest period commencing on such day plus 1.0%. Any change in the ABR due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or such Eurocurrency Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the day of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or such Eurocurrency Rate, respectively.
          “ ABR Loans ”: Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the ABR. Only Loans denominated in Dollars shall have an ABR option.
          “ Acquisition ”: as to any Person, any acquisition by such Person (i) of a majority or controlling interest in the Capital Stock of any other Person, (ii) of all or substantially all of the assets of any Person or (iii) of all or substantially all of the assets constituting a division, business unit or line of business of any other Person.
          “ Adjustment Date ”: as defined in the Applicable Pricing Grid.
          “ Administrative Agent ”: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., together with its affiliates, as the arranger of the Revolving Commitments and as the administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with any of its successors.
          “ Affiliate ”: as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.
          “ Agents ”: the collective reference to the Syndication Agent, the Documentation Agents and the Administrative Agent.
          “ Agreement ”: as defined in the preamble hereto.
          “ Applicable Margin ”: for each Type of Loan, the rate per annum set forth under the relevant column heading below:

1


 

                 
    ABR Loans   Eurocurrency Loans
Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans
    1.75 %     2.75 %
; provided , that on and after the first Adjustment Date occurring after the completion of the first full fiscal quarter of the Company ending after the Closing Date or at any earlier time that the Revolving Extensions of Credit under this Agreement shall have a debt rating as set forth in paragraph (a) of the definition of Applicable Pricing Grid, the Applicable Margin with respect to Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans will be determined pursuant to the Applicable Pricing Grid.
          “ Applicable Pricing Grid ”: (a) at any time that the Revolving Extensions of Credit under this Agreement shall have a debt rating of at least Baa3 from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“ Moody’s ) and BBB- from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (“ S&P ”), in each case with stable outlook or better, the table set forth below:
                         
    Applicable Margin        
    for Eurocurrency   Applicable Margin    
Corporate Rating   Loans   for ABR Loans   Commitment Fee Rate
BBB+/Baa1
    2.25 %     1.25 %     0.375 %
BBB/Baa2
    2.50 %     1.50 %     0.375 %
BBB-/Baa3
    2.75 %     1.75 %     0.375 %
          In the event of a split rating, the Applicable Margin will be determined by reference to the level in the grid above that is one level lower than the level in which the higher rating appears.
          Changes in the Applicable Margin resulting from changes in the rating established by Moody’s or S&P shall become effective on the date which such changes is first announced publicly by the rating agency making such change. If Moody’s or S&P shall cease to issue debt ratings generally, then the Administrative Agent and the Company shall negotiate in good faith to agree upon a substitute rating agency (and to correlate the system of ratings of such substitute agency with that of the rating agency for which it is substituting) and (i) until such substitute rating agency is agreed upon, the foregoing Applicable Margin will be determined on the basis of the rating assigned by the other rating agency and (ii) after such substitute agency is agreed upon, the Applicable Margin will be determined on the basis of the rating assigned by the other rating agency and such substitute rating agency.
          (b) at any time that the Revolving Extensions of Credit under this Agreement shall not have a debt rating as set forth in paragraph (a) above, the table set forth below:
                         
Consolidated   Applicable Margin for   Applicable Margin    
Leverage Ratio   Eurocurrency Loans   for ABR Loans   Commitment Fee Rate
<1.00x
    2.75 %     1.75 %     0.375 %
> 1.00x but <1.50x
    3.00 %     2.00 %     0.50 %
> 1.50x
    3.25 %     2.25 %     0.625 %
          Changes in the Applicable Margin resulting from changes in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective on the date (the “ Adjustment Date ”) that is three Business Days after the date on which financial statements are delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.1 and shall remain in effect until the next change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph. If any financial statements referred to above are not delivered within the time periods specified in Section 6.1 when the Applicable

2


 

Margin is being determined pursuant to this paragraph (b), then, until the date that is three Business Days after the date on which such financial statements are delivered, the highest rate set forth in the column of this paragraph (b) of the Applicable Pricing Grid shall apply.
In addition, at all times while an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing the highest rate set forth in each column of the corresponding Applicable Pricing Grid shall apply. Each determination of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio pursuant to the Applicable Pricing Grid shall be made in a manner consistent with the determination thereof pursuant to Section 7.1.
          “ Application ”: an application, in such form as an Issuing Lender may specify from time to time, requesting such Issuing Lender to open a Letter of Credit.
          “ Approved Fund ”: as defined in Section 10.6(b).
          “ Assignee ”: as defined in Section 10.6(b).
          “ Assuming Lender ”: as defined in Section 2.3(a).
          “ Assignment and Assumption ”: an Assignment and Assumption, substantially in the form of Exhibit G.
          “ Available Revolving Commitment ”: as to any Lender at any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then in effect over (b) such Lender’s Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding; provided , that in calculating any Lender’s Revolving Extensions of Credit for the purpose of determining such Lender’s Available Revolving Commitment pursuant to Section 2.6(a), the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding shall be deemed to be zero.
          “ Benefitted Lender ”: as defined in Section 10.7(a).
          “ Board ”: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).
          “ Borrower ”: the Company or any Borrowing Subsidiary, as applicable.
          “ Borrowing Date ”: any Business Day specified by the Company (on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Borrower) as a date on which such Borrower requests the relevant Lenders to make Loans hereunder.
          “ Borrowing Subsidiary ”: (i) at any time after the German Security Documents are in full force and effect, and until such time as it ceases to be a Borrowing Subsidiary pursuant to Section 2.22, First Solar Manufacturing GmbH, and any other Restricted Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany and designated as a Borrowing Subsidiary pursuant to Section 2.22, and (ii) any other Restricted Subsidiary designated as a Borrowing Subsidiary pursuant to Section 2.22.
          “ Business ”: as defined in Section 4.17(b).
          “ Business Day ”: a day (i) that is not a Saturday or a Sunday and (ii) (A) when used in connection with a Loan denominated in Euro, is both a TARGET Settlement Day and a London Business Day, (B) when used in connection with a Loan denominated in Dollars is a New York Business Day and (C) when used in connection with matters not relating to Loans, unless otherwise provided, is a New York

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Business Day, provided , that with respect to notices and determinations in connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, Eurocurrency Loans, such day is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar or Euro deposits, as the case may be, in the interbank Eurocurrency market.
          “ Calculation Date ”: two Business Days prior to the last Business Day of each calendar month (or any other day selected by the Administrative Agent when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing); provided , that the second Business Day preceding each Borrowing Date with respect to any Revolving Loan denominated in Euro and each issuance of any Letter of Credit denominated in Euro shall also be a “Calculation Date”; provided , further , that the second Business Day preceding each date on which any Interest Period in respect of a Revolving Loan denominated in Euro is continued shall also be a “Calculation Date”. The Administrative Agent will notify the Company of the applicable amounts recalculated on each Calculation Date.
          “ Capital Lease Obligations ”: as to any Person, the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP and, for the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP.
          “ Capital Stock ”: any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation) and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing.
          “ Cash Equivalents ”: (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof with a minimum long-term credit rating of AA by S&P or Aa by Moody’s, in each case maturing within three years from the date of acquisition; (b) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by any foreign sovereign state, or any agency thereof, with a minimum long-term credit rating of AA by S&P and Aa by Moody’s, in each case maturing within three years from the date of acquisition; (c) securities with maturities of three years or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory, with a minimum long-term credit rating of AA by S&P and Aa by Moody’s, in each case maturing within three years from the date of acquisition; (d) certificates of deposit, time deposits or overnight bank deposits having maturities of 1 year or less from the date of acquisition, issued by any Lender or by any commercial bank with a long-term credit rating of at least A by S&P or A by Moody’s; (e) commercial paper maturing within nine months from the date of acquisition with a minimum short-term credit rating of A-1 by S&P or P-1 by Moody’s; (f) repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (d) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or a foreign sovereign state with a long-term credit rating of at least AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody’s; (g) corporate debt securities issued in the U.S. or Europe with maturities of three years or less from the date of acquisition and with a long-term credit rating of at least AA by S&P or Aa by Moody’s; (h) supranational debt securities issued in the U.S. or Europe with maturities of three years or less from the date of acquisition and with a long-term credit rating of at least AA by S&P or Aa by Moody’s; (i) money market mutual or similar funds that invest exclusively in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses (a) through (h) of this definition; or (j) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000.

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          “ Closing Date ”: the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.1 shall have been satisfied.
          “ Code ”: the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
          “ Collateral ”: the property of the Loan Parties, now owned or hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Security Document.
          “ Commitment Fee Rate ”: 0.375% per annum; provided , that on and after the first Adjustment Date occurring after the completion of first full fiscal quarter of the Company after the Closing Date, the Commitment Fee Rate will be determined pursuant to the Applicable Pricing Grid.
          “ Commitment Increase Supplement ”: as defined in Section 2.3(b)(ii).
          “ Company ”: as defined in the preamble hereto.
          “ Compliance Certificate ”: a certificate duly executed by a Responsible Officer substantially in the form of Exhibit B.
          “ Conduit Lender ”: any special purpose corporation organized and administered by any Lender for the purpose of making Loans otherwise required to be made by such Lender and designated by such Lender in a written instrument; provided , that the designation by any Lender of a Conduit Lender shall not relieve the designating Lender of any of its obligations to fund a Loan under this Agreement if, for any reason, its Conduit Lender fails to fund any such Loan, and the designating Lender (and not the Conduit Lender) shall have the sole right and responsibility to deliver all consents and waivers required or requested under this Agreement with respect to its Conduit Lender, and provided , further , that no Conduit Lender shall (a) be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to Section 2.16, 2.17, 2.18 or 10.5 than the designating Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of the extensions of credit made by such Conduit Lender or (b) be deemed to have any Revolving Commitment.
          “ Confidential Information Memorandum ”: the Confidential Executive Summary dated July 2009 and furnished to certain Lenders.
          “ Consolidated EBITDA ”: for any period, Consolidated Net Income of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus , without duplication and to the extent deducted in the calculation of such Consolidated Net Income for such period, the sum of (a) income Tax expense, (b) interest expense, amortization or writeoff of debt discount and debt issuance costs and commissions, discounts and other fees and charges associated with Indebtedness (including the Loans), (c) depreciation and amortization expense, (d) amortization of intangibles (including, but not limited to, goodwill) and organization costs, (e) any extraordinary and non-recurring expenses or losses (including, whether or not otherwise includable as a separate item in the statement of such Consolidated Net Income for such period, losses on sales of assets outside of the ordinary course of business exceeding $1,000,000), (f) compensation expense attributable to the issuance or grant of Capital Stock of the Company and (g) any other non-cash expenses, and minus , to the extent included in the statement of such Consolidated Net Income for such period, the sum of (i) interest income, (ii) any extraordinary and non-recurring income or gains (including, whether or not otherwise includable as a separate item in the statement of such Consolidated Net Income for such period, gains on the sales of assets outside of the ordinary course of business exceeding $1,000,000), (iii) income Tax credits (to the extent not netted from income Tax expense) (iv) any other non-cash income, and (v) revenue in respect of any sale of property to an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Affiliate that is not a Group Member until such revenue is received in cash. For the purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA for any period of four consecutive fiscal

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quarters (each, a “ Reference Period ”) pursuant to any determination of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, (i) if at any time during such Reference Period (or thereafter, for purposes of determining the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of any date by reference to Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Material Disposition, the Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if positive) attributable to the property that is the subject of such Material Disposition for such Reference Period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if negative) attributable thereto for such Reference Period and (ii) if at any time during such Reference Period (or thereafter, for purposes of determining the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of any date by reference to Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made a Material Acquisition, Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Material Acquisition occurred on the first day of such Reference Period. As used in this definition, “Material Acquisition” means any acquisition of property or series of related acquisitions of property that (a) constitutes assets comprising all or substantially all of an operating unit of a business or constitutes all or substantially all of the common stock (or similar equity interests) of a Person and (b) involves the payment of consideration by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in excess of $10,000,000; and “Material Disposition” means any Disposition of property or series of related Dispositions of property that (a) constitutes assets comprising all or substantially all of an operating unit of a business or constitutes all or substantially all of the common stock (or similar equity interests) of a Person and (b) yields consideration to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in excess of $10,000,000.
          “ Consolidated Leverage Ratio ”: as at any day, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt on such day to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to such day.
          “ Consolidated Net Income ”: for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded (a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or is merged into or consolidated with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (b) the income (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) in which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is actually received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar distributions and (c) the undistributed earnings of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) of the Company to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by the terms of any Contractual Obligation (other than under any Loan Document) or Requirement of Law applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary.
          “ Consolidated Tangible Assets ”: at any date, the total assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date, as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, less their consolidated Intangible Assets. For purposes of this definition, “Intangible Assets” means the amount of (a) all write-ups in the book value of any asset owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and (b) all unamortized debt discount and expense, unamortized deferred charges, goodwill, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and other intangible assets, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
          “ Consolidated Total Debt ”: at any date, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness (excluding any Defeased Debt) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, provided that each Guarantee Obligation with respect to Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or another Person that is not a Group Member

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shall be included and valued at an amount equal to the maximum amount of obligations that may be covered by such Guarantee Obligation, unless, in the case of a Guarantee Obligation in respect of Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary which is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of, or otherwise controlled by, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the terms of such Guarantee Obligation (a) provide that, in the event of any exercise of remedies upon an event of default in respect of such Indebtedness or following any notice by the Administrative Agent to the holders of such Indebtedness (or to an agent, trustee or other representative for them) that an Event of Default hereunder has occurred and is continuing, such Guarantee Obligation shall be limited to an amount not exceeding (i) Indebtedness and other obligations covered by such Guarantee Obligation that are outstanding or accrued and owing at the time of such exercise of remedies or such notice, as the case may be, (ii) accrued interest on the amount referred to in clause (i) to the date of payment and (iii) costs of collection under such Guarantee Obligation (or a substantially similar limitation that may be approved by the Administrative Agent), or (b) is otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (such Guarantee Obligations, the “ Specified Guarantee Obligations ”).
          “ Contractual Obligation ”: as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other contractually binding undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
          “ Default ”: any of the events specified in Section 8, whether or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.
          “ Defaulting Lender ”: any Lender, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, that has (a) failed to comply with its obligation to fund any portion of its Loans or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans within three Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) notified the Company, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders, the Swingline Lender or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) failed, within five Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent (based on the reasonable belief that it may not fulfill its funding obligations), to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, provided that said Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender under this clause (c) upon receipt of such information by the Administrative Agent (d) otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount (other than a de minimis amount) required to be paid by it hereunder within five Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, or (e) (i) become or is insolvent or has a parent company that has become or is insolvent or (ii) become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company that has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment; provided that the Administrative Agent shall provide written notice to any Lender determined by the Administrative Agent to be a Defaulting Lender hereunder (and the Administrative Agent shall provide a copy of such determination to the Company) and provided further than a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any ownership interest in such Lender or parent company thereof or the exercise of control over a Lender or parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof.

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          “ Defeased Debt ”: any Indebtedness of a Group Member that has been legally or economically fully defeased by such Group Member in a manner that is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
          “ Disposition ”: with respect to any property, any sale, sale and leaseback, conveyance, transfer or other disposition thereof. The terms “ Dispose ” and “ Disposed of ” shall have correlative meanings.
          “ Documentation Agent ”: as defined in the preamble hereto.
          “ Dollar Equivalent ”: on any date, with respect to any amount denominated in Euro, the equivalent in Dollars that may be purchased with such currency at the Spot Exchange Rate (determined as of the most recent Calculation Date) with respect to such currency at such date.
          “ Dollars ” and “ $ ”: dollars in lawful currency of the United States.
          “ Domestic Subsidiary ”: any Subsidiary of the Company organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States.
          “ Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor ”: any Domestic Subsidiary of the Company that guarantees the borrowing obligations of the Company and the Borrowing Subsidiaries pursuant to the Security Documents.
          “ Eligible Assignee ”: (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, (c) an Approved Fund, and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, “Eligible Assignee” shall not include the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries; and provided further that any Person that is a Fee Receiver that is not a Permitted Fee Receiver will not be an Eligible Assignee without the written consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
          “ Environmental Laws ”: any and all foreign, Federal, state, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, legally-binding requirements of any Governmental Authority or other Requirements of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning protection of human health (as it relates to exposure to hazardous substances) or the environment.
          “ ERISA ”: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.
          “ ERISA Affiliate ”: any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with any Group Member, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
          “ ERISA Event ”: (a) any Reportable Event; (b) the existence with respect to any Plan of a non-exempt Prohibited Transaction; (c) any failure by any Pension Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Sections 412 or 430 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Pension Plan, whether or not waived; (d) the filing pursuant to Section 412 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Pension Plan, the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code with respect to any Pension Plan or the failure by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (e) the incurrence by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Pension Plan,

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including but not limited to the imposition of any Lien in favor of the PBGC or any Pension Plan; (f) a determination that any Pension Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA); (g) the receipt by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Pension Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Pension Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA; (h) the incurrence by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (i) the receipt by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from a Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, Insolvent, in Reorganization or in endangered or critical status, within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 or Title IV of ERISA.
          “ Euro ” or “ ”: the single currency of participating member states of the European Union.
          “ Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements ”: for any day as applied to a Eurocurrency Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the maximum rates (expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on such day (including basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves) under any regulations of the Board or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto dealing with reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board) maintained by a member bank of the Federal Reserve System.
          “ Eurocurrency Base Rate ”: with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurocurrency Loan, the rate per annum determined on the basis of the rate for deposits in Dollars or Euro, as the case may be, for a period equal to such Interest Period commencing on the first day of such Interest Period appearing on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page as of 11:00 A.M., London time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period. In the event that such rate does not appear on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or otherwise on such screen), the “ Eurocurrency Base Rate ” shall be determined by reference to such other comparable publicly available service for displaying Eurocurrency rates as may be reasonably selected by the Administrative Agent or, in the absence of such availability, by reference to the rate at which the Administrative Agent is offered Dollar deposits or Euro deposits, as applicable, at or about 11:00 A.M., Local Time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period in the relevant interbank market where its Eurocurrency and foreign currency and exchange operations are then being conducted for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period for the number of days comprised therein.
          “ Eurocurrency Loans ”: Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Eurocurrency Rate.
          “ Eurocurrency Rate ”: with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurocurrency Loan, a rate per annum determined for such day in accordance with the following formula:
Eurocurrency Base Rate
 
1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements
          “ Eurocurrency Tranche ”: the collective reference to Eurocurrency Loans the then current Interest Periods with respect to all of which begin on the same date and end on the same later date (whether or not such Loans shall originally have been made on the same day).

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          “ Event of Default ”: any of the events specified in Section 8, provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.
          “ Excluded Foreign Subsidiary ”: as to the Obligations of any Borrower, any Foreign Subsidiary in respect of which either (a) the pledge of all the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary as Collateral for such Obligations or a guarantee thereof or (b) the guaranteeing by such Subsidiary of such Obligations, would, in the good faith judgment of the Company, result in adverse tax consequences to the Company and its Subsidiaries or would not be permitted by applicable law.
          “ Excluded Taxes ”: with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or any other Loan Document or Letter of Credit, (a) any Other Connection Taxes, (b) any withholding Taxes imposed by a Requirement of Law in effect at the time a Lender (other than an assignee under Section 2.20) becomes a party hereto (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts with respect to such withholding Tax under clause (a) of Section 2.17 or (c) Taxes attributable to a Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(g).
          “ Existing Letters of Credit ”: as defined in Section 3.1.
          “ Federal Funds Effective Rate ”: for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day of such transactions received by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
          “ Fee Payment Date ”: (a) the third Business Day following the last day of each March, June, September and December and (b) the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period.
          “ Fee Receiver ”: any Person that receives, or through a participating interest participates in, any payments of fees under Section 2.6(b) or 3.3.
          “ Foreign Lender ”: any Lender or Issuing Lender, (a) with respect to any Borrower other than a U.S. Borrower and any Tax, that is treated as foreign by the jurisdiction imposing such Tax, (b) with respect to any U.S. Borrower, (1) that is not a “United States person” as defined by section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (“US Person”), or (2) that is a partnership or other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income Tax purposes which is a US Person, but only to the extent the beneficial owners (including indirect partners if its direct partners are partnerships or other entities treated as partnerships for United States federal income Tax purposes are US Persons) are not US Persons.
          “ Foreign Benefit Arrangement ”: any employee benefit arrangement mandated by non-US law that is maintained or contributed to by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate.
          “ Foreign Collateral Agreements ”: the German Security Documents, the Singapore Security Documents, and any other collateral agreement or guarantee required to be executed and delivered by the Company, a Borrowing Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary or a Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 6.9(c).

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          “ Foreign Plan ”: each employee benefit plan (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA) that is not subject to US law and is maintained or contributed to by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate.
          “ Foreign Subsidiary ”: any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
          “ Foreign Subsidiary Guarantor ”: any Foreign Subsidiary that guarantees the borrowing obligations of any Borrowing Subsidiary pursuant to the Security Documents.
          “ Funding Office ”: the U.S. Funding Office or the London Funding Office, as applicable.
          “ GAAP ”: generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time. In the event that any “Accounting Change” (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms in this Agreement, then, upon notice by the Administrative Agent to the Company or vice versa, the Company and the Administrative Agent agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to reflect equitably such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Company’s financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made. If any such notice is given with respect to any Accounting Change then, until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Company, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Change had not occurred. “Accounting Changes” refers to changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the SEC. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 159 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Company or any Subsidiary at “fair value,” as defined therein.
          “ German Security Documents ”: the collective reference to: (i) the guarantee entered into by First Solar Holdings GmbH, First Solar Manufacturing GmbH and First Solar GmbH for the benefit of the Administrative Agent; (ii) the share pledge agreements entered into by the Company and the Administrative Agent relating to the Capital Stock of First Solar Holdings GmbH; (iii) the share pledge agreement entered into by First Solar Holdings GmbH and the Administrative Agent relating to the Capital Stock of First Solar GmbH; (iv) the share pledge agreement entered into by First Solar Holdings GmbH and the Administrative Agent relating to the Capital Stock of First Solar Manufacturing GmbH; (v) the assignment agreement between First Solar Holdings GmbH as assignor and the Administrative Agent as assignee relating to intercompany receivables and other intercompany monetary claims; (vi) the assignment agreement between First Solar GmbH as assignor and the Administrative Agent as assignee relating to intercompany receivables and other intercompany monetary claims; (vii) the assignment agreement between First Solar Manufacturing GmbH as assignor and the Administrative Agent as assignee relating to intercompany receivables and other intercompany monetary claims; (viii) the security trust agreement entered into by the Company, First Solar Holdings GmbH, First Solar GmbH, First Solar Manufacturing GmbH, as security grantors, and the Administrative Agent and (ix) all other security documents under the laws of Germany hereafter delivered to the Administrative Agent granting a Lien on any property of any Person to secure the obligations and liabilities of any Loan Party under any Loan Document.

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          “ Governmental Authority ”: any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.
          “ Group Members ”: the collective reference to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries.
          “ Guarantee and Collateral Agreement ”: the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement to be executed and delivered by the Company and each Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor, substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
          “ Guarantee Obligation ”: as to any Person (the “ guaranteeing person ”), any obligation, including a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, of the guaranteeing Person that guarantees or in effect guarantees, or which is given to induce the creation of a separate obligation by another Person (including any bank under any letter of credit) that guarantees or in effect guarantees, any Indebtedness (the “ primary obligations ”) of any other third Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of the guaranteeing person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (1) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (2) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided , however , that the term Guarantee Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any guaranteeing person shall be deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee Obligation is made and (b) the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such primary obligation and the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such Guarantee Obligation shall be such guaranteeing person’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Company in good faith; provided , that for purposes of Section 7.2(B) and the definition of “Consolidated Total Debt” only, each Guarantee Obligation with respect to Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or another Person that is not a Group Member shall be valued at an amount equal to the maximum amount of obligations that may be covered by such Guarantee Obligation, except for Specified Guarantee Obligations.
          “ Increase Date ”: as defined in Section 2.3(a).
          “ Increasing Lender ”: as defined in Section 2.3(a).
          “ Indebtedness ”: of any Person at any date, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than current accounts payable), (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments, (d) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property), (e) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (f) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as an account party or applicant under or in respect of

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acceptances, letters of credit or similar arrangements, (g) the liquidation value of all mandatorily redeemable preferred Capital Stock of such Person, (h) all Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above, (i) all obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above secured by (or for which the holder of such obligation has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property (including accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of such obligation, and (j) for the purposes of Section 8(e) only, the amount that would be payable by such Person in respect of any Swap Agreement if such Swap Agreement were terminated on such date (giving effect to any documented netting agreements). The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness expressly provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
          “ Indemnified Taxes ”: Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
          “ Insolvency ”: with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.
          “ Insolvent ”: pertaining to a condition of Insolvency.
          “ Intellectual Property ”: the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including copyrights, copyright licenses, patents, patent licenses, trademarks, trademark licenses, technology, know-how and processes.
          “ Interest Payment Date ”: (a) as to any ABR Loan (other than any Swingline Loan), the last day of each March, June, September and December to occur while such Loan is outstanding and the final maturity date of such Loan, (b) as to any Eurocurrency Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less, the last day of such Interest Period, (c) as to any Eurocurrency Loan having an Interest Period longer than three months, each day that is three months, or a whole multiple thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period and the last day of such Interest Period, (d) as to any Loan (other than any Revolving Loan that is an ABR Loan and any Swingline Loan), the date of any repayment or prepayment made in respect thereof and (e) as to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid.
          “ Interest Period ”: as to any Eurocurrency Loan, (a) initially, the period commencing on the borrowing or conversion date, as the case may be, with respect to such Eurocurrency Loan and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Company (on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Borrower) in its notice of borrowing or notice of conversion, as the case may be, given with respect thereto; and (b) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurocurrency Loan and ending one, two, three or months thereafter, as selected by the Company (on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Borrower) by irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 P.M., Local Time, on the date that is three Business Days prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto; provided that, all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the following:
     (i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

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     (ii) the Company (on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Borrower) may not select an Interest Period that would extend beyond the Revolving Termination Date; and
     (iii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of a calendar month.
          “ Issuing Lender ”: each of JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. and any other Lender approved by the Administrative Agent and the Company that has agreed in its sole discretion to act as an “Issuing Lender” hereunder, or any of their respective affiliates, in each case in its capacity as issuer of any Letter of Credit. Each reference herein to “the Issuing Lender” shall be deemed to be a reference to the relevant Issuing Lender.
          “ L/C Commitment ”: $75,000,000.
          “ L/C Obligations ”: at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of Credit that have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 3.5 (in each case based on the Dollar Equivalent thereof with respect to Letters of Credit denominated in Euro).
          “ L/C Participants ”: the collective reference to all the Lenders other than the Issuing Lenders.
          “ Lenders ”: as defined in the preamble hereto; provided , that unless the context otherwise requires, each reference herein to the Lenders shall be deemed to include any Conduit Lender.
          “ Letters of Credit ”: as defined in Section 3.1(a).
          “ Lien ”: any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other security interest or any preference, priority or any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing.
          “ Liquidity Availability ”: on any date of determination, an amount equal to (x) the unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries minus (y) to the extent otherwise included therein the amount of any such cash or Cash Equivalents used to defease any Defeased Debt.
          “ Loan ”: any loan made by any Lender pursuant to this Agreement.
          “ Loan Documents ”: this Agreement, the Security Documents, the Notes and any amendment, waiver, supplement or other modification to any of the foregoing.
          “ Loan Party ”: each Group Member that is a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor.
          “ Local Time ”: with respect to (i) fundings, continuations, payments and prepayments in Dollars, New York City time, and (ii) fundings, continuations, payments and prepayments in Euro, London, England, time.

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          “ London Funding Office ”: the office of the Administrative Agent specified in Section 10.2 or such other office as may be specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its London funding office by written notice to the Company and the Lenders.
          “ Malaysian Facility Agreement ”: the Facility Agreement dated as of May 6, 2008 between First Solar Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., as borrower, and IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG, as arranger, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
          “ Manufacturing Subsidiary ”: any Subsidiary of the Company primarily engaged in the business of manufacturing or selling solar modules using a thin film semiconductor technology, and any Subsidiary of the Company holding the Capital Stock of any such Subsidiary.
          “ Material Adverse Effect ”: a material adverse effect on (a) the business, property, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the Company’s ability to perform its obligations with respect to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or (c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder or thereunder.
          “ Materials of Environmental Concern ”: any gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated as such in or under any Environmental Law, including asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.
          “ Multiemployer Plan ”: any employee pension benefit plan that is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
          “ New Lender Supplement ”: a supplement substantially in the form of Exhibit C pursuant to which an Assuming Lender shall become a Lender for all purposes and to the same extent as if originally a party hereto.
          “ Notes ”: the collective reference to any promissory note evidencing Loans.
          “ Obligations ”: the unpaid principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the applicable Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) the Loans and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender (or, in the case of Specified Swap Agreements, any affiliate of any Lender), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Letters of Credit or any Specified Swap Agreement, whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses (including all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender that are required to be paid by the Borrowers pursuant hereto) or otherwise.
          “ Other Taxes ”: all present or future stamp, court or documentary Taxes and any other excise, property, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes which arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, or from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document or Letter of Credit.

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          “ Other Connection Taxes ”: with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising solely from such recipient having executed, delivered, or become a party to, performed its obligations or received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, sale or assignment of an interest in any Loan or Loan Document, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, any Loan Documents).
          “ Participant ”: as defined in Section 10.6(c).
          “ Participant Register ”: as defined in Section 10.6(c).
          “ PBGC ”: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA (or any successor).
          “ Pension Plan ”: any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in section 3(5) of ERISA.
          “ Permitted Acquisition ”: any Acquisition; provided that (i) at the time thereof and after giving effect thereto no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (including as a result of any non-compliance with Section 7.1(c)), and (ii) the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be in compliance with Section 7.1(a) and (b) for the most recent calculation period and as of the last day thereof, calculated as if such Acquisition and any planned financing (including equity financing) therefor had been completed on the first day of such calculation period.
          “ Permitted Fee Receiver ”: any Fee Receiver that, with respect to any fees paid under Section 2.6(b) or 3.3, delivers to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, on or prior to the date on which such Person becomes a party hereto (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, unless such Fee Receiver becomes legally unable to do so solely as a result of a change in any Requirement of Law (including for the avoidance of doubt, a change of interpretation by the applicable Governmental Authority) after becoming a party hereto), accurate and duly completed copies (in such number as requested) of one or more of Internal Revenue Service Forms W-9, W-8ECI, W-8EXP, W-8BEN or W-8IMY (together with, if applicable, one of the aforementioned forms duly completed from each direct or indirect beneficial owner of such Fee Receiver) or any successor thereto that entitle such Fee Receiver to a complete exemption from U.S. withholding Tax on such payments (provided that, in the case of the Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, a Fee Receiver providing such form shall qualify as a Permitted Fee Receiver only if such form establishes such exemption on the basis of the “business profits” or “other income” articles of a Tax treaty to which the United States is a party and provides a U.S. taxpayer identification number), in each case together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether such Fee Receiver is entitled to such complete exemption.
          “ Person ”: an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever nature.
          “ Plan ”: any employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, including any employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA), any employee pension benefit plan

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(as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), and any plan which is both an employee welfare benefit plan and an employee pension benefit plan, and in respect of which any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate is an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
          “ Prime Rate ”: the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City (the Prime Rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in connection with extensions of credit to debtors).
          “ Prohibited Transaction ”: as defined in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975(f)(3) of the Code.
          “ Properties ”: as defined in Section 4.17(a).
          “ Refunded Swingline Loans ”: as defined in Section 2.5(b).
          “ Register ”: as defined in Section 10.6(b).
          “ Regulation U ”: Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to time.
          “ Reimbursement Obligation ”: the obligation of the applicable Borrower to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit.
          “ Reorganization ”: with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such plan is in reorganization within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA.
          “ Reportable Event ”: any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the thirty day notice period referred to in Section 4043(c) of ERISA has been waived with respect to a Pension Plan.
          “ Required Lenders ”: at any time, the holders of more than 50% of (a) until the Closing Date, the Revolving Commitments then in effect and (b) thereafter, the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect or, if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding.
          “ Requirement of Law ”: as to any Person, the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
          “ Responsible Officer ”: the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer or treasurer of the Company, but in any event, with respect to financial matters, the chief financial officer or treasurer of the Company.
          “ Restricted Payments ”: as defined in Section 7.6.
          “ Restricted Subsidiary ”: each Manufacturing Subsidiary and each other Subsidiary of the Company listed as such on Schedule 1.1B or designated by the Company as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 6.10. Neither any Subsidiary Guarantor in existence on the Closing Date nor any Borrowing Subsidiary shall be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary at any time that it remains a Subsidiary Guarantor or Borrowing Subsidiary. A Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall not be

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designated as a Restricted Subsidiary. A Restricted Subsidiary shall always be a direct Subsidiary of the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary or of a combination thereof for so long as it is a Restricted Subsidiary. Schedule 4.15 sets forth the Restricted Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date.
          “ Revolving Commitment ”: as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make Revolving Loans and participate in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit, as such commitment may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof (including any increase in the Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.3). The initial amount of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment is set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1.1A or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender became a party hereto, as applicable. The original amount of the total Revolving Commitments is $300,000,000.
          “ Revolving Commitment Increase ”: as defined in Section 2.3(a).
          “ Revolving Commitment Period ”: the period from and including the Closing Date to the Revolving Termination Date or earlier termination of the Revolving Commitments.
          “ Revolving Extensions of Credit ”: as to any Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans held by such Lender then outstanding that are denominated in Dollars, (b) the Dollar Equivalent at such time of the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans held by such Lender then outstanding that are denominated in Euro, (c) such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding and (d) such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding.
          “ Revolving Loans ”: as defined in Section 2.1(a).
          “ Revolving Percentage ”: as to any Lender at any time, the percentage which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then constitutes of the Total Revolving Commitments or, at any time after the Revolving Commitments shall have expired or terminated, the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding.
          “ Revolving Termination Date ”: September 4, 2012.
          “ SEC ”: the Securities and Exchange Commission, any successor thereto and any analogous Governmental Authority.
          “ Security Documents ”: the collective reference to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Foreign Collateral Agreements and all other security documents hereafter delivered to the Administrative Agent granting a Lien on any property of any Person to secure the obligations and liabilities of any Loan Party under any Loan Document.
          “ Singapore Security Documents ”: the collective reference to (i) the charge of company shares deed between the Company, as Chargor, and the Administrative Agent relating to the pledge of 66 percent of the Capital Stock of First Solar FE Holdings Pte. Ltd. and (ii) all other security documents under the laws of Singapore hereafter delivered to the Administrative Agent granting a Lien on any property of any Person to secure the obligations and liabilities of any Loan Party under any Loan Document.
          “ Specified Restricted Subsidiary ”: a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company listed in Schedule 1.1B.

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          “ Specified Swap Agreement ”: (a) the Swap Agreements set forth in Schedule 1.1C and (b) any other Swap Agreement in respect of interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor and any Person that is a Lender or an affiliate of a Lender at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into so long as the Company has agreed in writing with the applicable Lender or affiliate that such Swap Agreement shall constitute a Specified Swap Agreement for purposes of the Loan Documents.
          “ Specified Guarantee Obligations ”: as defined in the definition of the term “Consolidated Total Debt”.
          “ Spot Exchange Rate ”: on any day the spot rate at which Dollars are offered on such day by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in London for Euro at approximately 11:00 A.M. London time for delivery two Business Days later. For purposes of determining the Spot Exchange Rate in connection with Euro-denominated Loans, such spot exchange rate shall be determined as of the Calculation Date for such Loan with respect to transactions in Euro that will settle on the date of such Loan.
          “ State of Ohio Facility Agreements ”: the credit facility agreements entered into by (i) the Director of Development of the State of Ohio and the Company, dated as of December 1, 2003 and (ii) the Director of Development of the State of Ohio, the Company and First Solar Property, LLC, dated as of July 1, 2005, in each case as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
          “ Subsidiary ”: as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.
          “ Subsidiary Guarantors ”: the collective reference to the Domestic Subsidiary Guarantors and the Foreign Subsidiary Guarantors.
          “ Swap Agreement ”: any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be a “Swap Agreement”.
          “ Swingline Commitment ”: the obligation of the Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.4 in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $10,000,000.
          “ Swingline Lender ”: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as the lender of Swingline Loans.
          “ Swingline Loans ”: as defined in Section 2.4.
          “ Swingline Participation Amount ”: as defined in Section 2.5.

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          “ Syndication Agent ”: as defined in the preamble hereto.
          “ Systems Subsidiary ”: any Subsidiary of the Company primarily engaged in the business of providing solar electricity solutions.
          “ TARGET Settlement Day ”: any day on which the Trans-European Automated Real Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer System (or, if such clearing system ceases to be operative, such other clearing system (if any) determined by the Administrative Agent to be a suitable replacement) is open for settlement of payment in Euro.
          “ Taxes ”: all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
          “ Total Revolving Commitments ”: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments then in effect.
          “ Total Revolving Extensions of Credit ”: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Extensions of Credit of the Lenders outstanding at such time.
          “ Transferee ”: any Assignee or Participant.
          “ Type ”: as to any Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan or a Eurocurrency Loan.
          “ United States ”: the United States of America.
          “ Unrestricted Subsidiary ”: any Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.
          “ U.S. Borrower ”: any Borrower that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
          “ U.S. Funding Office ”: the office of the Administrative Agent specified in Section 10.2 or such other office as may be specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its U.S. funding office by written notice to the Company and the Lenders.
          “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”: as defined in Section 2.17(g).
          “ Walton Interests ”: any of (i) S. Robson Walton, Jim C. Walton, Alice L. Walton, the Estate of John T. Walton, JCL Holdings LLC and JTW Trust No.1 UAD 9/19/02, (ii) a parent, brother, sister or lineal descendent of the individuals named in clause (i), (iii) the spouse of any individual identified in (i) or (ii), (iv) the estate or any guardian, custodian or other legal representative of any individual identified in clauses (i) through (iii), (v) any trust established solely for the benefit of any one or more of the individuals identified in clauses (i) through (iii), and (vi) any Person all of the equity interests in which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any one or more of the Persons identified in clauses (i) through (v).
          “ Wholly Owned Subsidiary ”: as to any Person, any other Person all of the Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares required by law) is owned by such Person directly and/or through other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.

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          “ Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor ”: any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company.
          “ Withdrawal Liability ”: any liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Title IV of ERISA.
          “ Withholding Agent ”: any Loan Party and the Administrative Agent.
          1.2 Other Definitional Provisions . (a) Unless otherwise specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in the other Loan Documents or any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.
          (b) As used herein and in the other Loan Documents, and any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, (i) accounting terms relating to any Group Member not defined in Section 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1.1, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP, (ii) the use of the word “consolidated” in any accounting or financial term that refers to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be construed as to exclude in any calculation of the amount represented by such term any results, charges, expenses, liabilities or other accounting or financial attributes of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries as of the date or for the period such amount is being determined, (iii) the words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”, (iv) the word “incur” shall be construed to mean incur, create, issue, assume or become liable in respect of (and the words “incurred” and “incurrence” shall have correlative meanings), (v) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, Capital Stock, securities, revenues, accounts, leasehold interests and contract rights, and (vi) references to agreements or other Contractual Obligations shall, unless otherwise specified, be deemed to refer to such agreements or Contractual Obligations as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
          (c) The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.
          (d) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.
SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF REVOLVING COMMITMENTS
          2.1 Revolving Commitments . (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender severally agrees to make revolving credit loans denominated in Dollars or Euro (“ Revolving Loans ”) to the Company or any Borrowing Subsidiary from time to time during the Revolving Commitment Period in an aggregate principal amount for all the Borrowers at any one time outstanding which will not result in such Lender’s aggregate Revolving Extensions of Credit exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment. During the Revolving Commitment Period the Company and each Borrowing Subsidiary may use the Revolving Commitments by borrowing, prepaying the Revolving Loans in whole or in part, and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. The Revolving Loans may from time to time be Eurocurrency Loans or ABR Loans, as determined by the Company (on its own behalf or on behalf of the other Borrowers) and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.2 and 2.10.

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          (b) The Company and each Borrowing Subsidiary shall repay all its outstanding Revolving Loans on the Revolving Termination Date.
           2.2 Procedure for Revolving Loan Borrowing . Each Borrower may borrow under the Revolving Commitments during the Revolving Commitment Period on any Business Day, provided that the Company (on behalf of such Borrower) shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice (which notice must be received by the Administrative Agent prior to 1:00 P.M., Local Time, (a) three Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, or (b) one Business Day prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of ABR Loans) ( provided that any such notice of a borrowing of ABR Loans under the Revolving Commitments to finance payments required by Section 3.5 may be given not later than 12:00 P.M., New York City time, on the date of the proposed borrowing), specifying (i) the amount and Type of Revolving Loans to be borrowed, (ii) the requested Borrowing Dates (iii) in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, the respective amounts of each such Type of Loan and the respective lengths of the initial Interest Period therefor, (iv) the location and number of the account to which funds are to be disbursed, (v) the currency of the Revolving Loans to be borrowed, and (vi) the applicable Borrower. Each borrowing under the Revolving Commitments shall be in an initial amount equal to (x) in the case of ABR Loans, $1,000,000 or a whole multiple thereof (or, if the then aggregate Available Revolving Commitments are less than $1,000,000 or not a whole multiple of $1,000,000, the amount thereof) and (y) in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, $5,000,000 or 5,000,000, as applicable, or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 or 1,000,000 in excess thereof; provided , that the Swingline Lender may request, on behalf of the applicable Borrower, borrowings in Dollars under the Revolving Commitments that are ABR Loans in other amounts pursuant to Section 2.5. Upon receipt of any such notice from the Company, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof. Each Lender will make the amount of its pro rata share of each borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Borrower at the applicable Funding Office on the Borrowing Date requested by the Company in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent. Such borrowing will then be made available to the applicable Borrower by the Administrative Agent crediting the account of the applicable Borrower on the books of such office with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the Lenders and in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent. If no election as to the currency of a Revolving Loan is specified in any such notice, then the requested Revolving Loan shall be denominated in Dollars. If no election as to the Type of Revolving Loan is specified in any such notice, then the requested Revolving Loan shall be a Eurocurrency Loan. If no Interest Period with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan is specified in any such notice, then the Company shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.
           2.3 Increase in Revolving Commitments . (a) The Company may, at any time, by means of a notice to the Administrative Agent, request that the aggregate Revolving Commitments be increased (a “ Revolving Commitment Increase ”) as of the date specified in such notice (the “ Increase Date ”) by (i) increasing the Revolving Commitment of one or more Lenders that have agreed to such increase (an “ Increasing Lender ”) (it being understood that no Lender shall have an obligation to increase its Revolving Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.3) and/or (ii) adding one or more lenders (an “ Assuming Lender ”) as a party hereto with a Revolving Commitment in an amount agreed to by such Assuming Lender; provided that (A) in no event shall the aggregate amount of the aggregate Revolving Commitments exceed $400,000,000 after giving effect to any such increase and (B) the Revolving Commitment of each such Assuming Lender shall be in an amount of $10,000,000 or more.
          (b) On each Increase Date, (x) each Assuming Lender that has agreed to participate in the requested Revolving Commitment Increase in accordance with Section 2.3(a) shall become a Lender party to this Agreement with a Revolving Commitment in the amount set forth in its Commitment Increase Supplement, (y) the Revolving Commitment of each Increasing Lender for such requested Revolving Commitment Increase shall be increased by the amount set forth in its Commitment Increase

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Supplement as provided in clause (b)(ii)(B) below, and (z) participating interests in then outstanding Letters of Credit shall be reallocated to reflect the respective Revolving Percentages of the L/C Obligations of the Lenders from time to time, provided that:
          (i) on such Increase Date, the conditions in Section 5.2 shall be satisfied and the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Company, dated such Increase Date, to the effect that such conditions are satisfied; and
          (ii) on or before such Increase Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received the following, each dated such Increase Date: (A) such documents or legal opinions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with such Revolving Commitment Increase (of the nature referred to in paragraphs (f) and (g) of Section 5.1); (B) a Commitment Increase Supplement duly executed by the Increasing Lender or the Assuming Lender and each Borrower and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit D (each a “ Commitment Increase Supplement ”); and (C) a New Lender Supplement executed by the Assuming Lender (if any).
On each Increase Date, upon fulfillment of the conditions set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders (including each Assuming Lender) and the Company of the occurrence of the Revolving Commitment Increase to be effected on such Increase Date and shall record in the Register the relevant information with respect to each Increasing Lender and each Assuming Lender. If any Revolving Loans are outstanding, each Increasing Lender and each Assuming Lender shall, before 2:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the Increase Date, make available for the account of its applicable lending office to the Administrative Agent, in same day funds, an amount in Dollars and Euro to be distributed to the other Lenders as prepayments for the account of their respective applicable lending offices such that the amount of the outstanding Loan owing to each Lender in each borrowing after giving effect to such distribution equals such Lender’s ratable portion of the Loans then outstanding thereafter (calculated based on its Revolving Commitment as a percentage of the aggregate Revolving Commitments outstanding after giving effect to the relevant Revolving Commitment Increase, and including the Dollar Equivalent of any Loans denominated in Euro), unless other arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Company are made in order to achieve ratable treatment.
          2.4 Swingline Commitment . (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swingline Lender agrees to make a portion of the credit otherwise available to the Company and the Borrowing Subsidiaries under the Revolving Commitments from time to time during the Revolving Commitment Period by making swing line loans denominated in Dollars (“ Swingline Loans ”) to the Company or any Borrowing Subsidiary; provided that (i) the Borrowers shall not request and the Swingline Lender shall not make any Swingline Loan if, after giving effect to the making of such Swingline Loan, the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans would exceed the Swingline Commitment then in effect (notwithstanding that the Swingline Loans outstanding at any time, when aggregated with the Swingline Lender’s other outstanding Revolving Loans, may exceed the Swingline Commitment then in effect) and (ii) the Borrowers shall not request, and the Swingline Lender shall not make, any Swingline Loan if, after giving effect to the making of such Swingline Loan, the aggregate amount of the Available Revolving Commitments would be less than zero. During the Revolving Commitment Period, the Company and each Borrowing Subsidiary may use the Swingline Commitment by borrowing, repaying and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. Swingline Loans shall be ABR Loans only.
          (b) The applicable Borrower shall repay to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan made to it on the earlier of the Revolving Termination Date and

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the first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is at least two Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made.
           2.5 Procedure for Swingline Borrowing; Refunding of Swingline Loans . (a) Whenever the Company or a Borrowing Subsidiary desires that the Swingline Lender make Swingline Loans, the Company (on its own behalf or on behalf of such Borrowing Subsidiary, as the case may be) shall give the Swingline Lender irrevocable telephonic notice confirmed promptly in writing (which telephonic notice must be received by the Swingline Lender not later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the proposed Borrowing Date), specifying (i) the amount to be borrowed, (ii) the requested Borrowing Date (which shall be a Business Day during the Revolving Commitment Period), (iii) the location and number of the account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of clause (b) below and (iv) the applicable Borrower. Each borrowing under the Swingline Commitment shall be in an amount equal to $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Not later than 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Borrowing Date specified in a notice in respect of Swingline Loans, the Swingline Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent at the applicable Funding Office an amount in immediately available funds equal to the amount of the Swingline Loan to be made by the Swingline Lender. The Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of such Swingline Loan available to the applicable Borrower on such Borrowing Date by depositing such proceeds in the account of such Borrower with the Administrative Agent on such Borrowing Date in immediately available funds.
          (b) The Swingline Lender, at any time and from time to time in its sole and absolute discretion may, on behalf of the applicable Borrower (which hereby irrevocably directs the Swingline Lender to act on its behalf), on one Business Day’s notice given by the Swingline Lender (with a copy to the Company) no later than 12:00 Noon, New York City Time, request each Lender to make, and each Lender hereby agrees to make, a Revolving Loan, in an amount equal to such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the aggregate amount of the Swingline Loans (the “ Refunded Swingline Loans ”) outstanding on the date of such notice, to repay the Swingline Lender. Each Lender shall make the amount of such Revolving Loan available to the Administrative Agent at the applicable Funding Office in immediately available funds, not later than 10:00 A.M., New York City Time, one Business Day after the date of such notice. The proceeds of such Revolving Loans shall be immediately made available by the Administrative Agent to the Swingline Lender for application by the Swingline Lender to the repayment of the Refunded Swingline Loans. If the Administrative Agent shall notify the Company that the amounts received from the Lenders are not sufficient to repay in full such Refunded Swingline Loans, the Company shall pay such shortfall to the Administrative Agent within two (2) Business Days after receipt of such notice. Each of the Company and the Borrowing Subsidiaries irrevocably authorizes the Swingline Lender to charge its accounts with the Administrative Agent in order to pay any such shortfall remaining outstanding after such two following Business Days.
          (c) If prior to the time a Revolving Loan would have otherwise been made pursuant to Section 2.5(b), one of the events described in Section 8(f) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the applicable Borrower or if for any other reason, as determined by the Swingline Lender in its sole discretion, Revolving Loans may not be made as contemplated by Section 2.5(b), each Lender shall, on the date such Revolving Loan was to have been made pursuant to the notice referred to in Section 2.8(b), purchase for cash an undivided participating interest in the then outstanding Swingline Loans by paying to the Swingline Lender an amount (the “ Swingline Participation Amount ”) equal to (i) such Lender’s Revolving Percentage times (ii) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding that were to have been repaid with such Revolving Loans.
          (d) Whenever, at any time after the Swingline Lender has received from any Lender such Lender’s Swingline Participation Amount, the Swingline Lender receives any payment on account of the

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Swingline Loans, the Swingline Lender will distribute to such Lender its Swingline Participation Amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s participating interest was outstanding and funded and, in the case of principal and interest payments, to reflect such Lender’s pro rata portion of such payment if such payment is not sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on all Swingline Loans then due); provided , however , that in the event that such payment received by the Swingline Lender is required to be returned, such Lender will return to the Swingline Lender any portion thereof previously distributed to it by the Swingline Lender.
          (e) Each Lender’s obligation to make the Loans referred to in Section 2.5(b) and to purchase participating interests pursuant to Section 2.5(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (i) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender or such Borrower may have against the Swingline Lender, such Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or an Event of Default or the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions specified in Section 5, (iii) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of such Borrower or the Company, (iv) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any of the Borrowers, any other Loan Party or any other Lender or (v) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.
           2.6 Commitment Fees, etc. (a) The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee in Dollars for the period from and including the Closing Date to the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period, computed at the Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period for which payment is made, payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof.
          (b) The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the fees in the amounts and on the dates as set forth in any fee agreements with the Administrative Agent and to perform any other obligations contained therein.
           2.7 Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments . The Company shall have the right, upon not less than three Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, to terminate the Revolving Commitments or, from time to time, to reduce the amount of the Revolving Commitments; provided that no such termination or reduction of Revolving Commitments shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of the Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans made on the effective date thereof, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed the Total Revolving Commitments. Any such reduction shall be in an amount equal to $10,000,000 or a whole multiple of $5,000,000, and shall reduce permanently the Revolving Commitments then in effect.
           2.8 Optional Prepayments . Each Borrower may at any time and from time to time prepay its Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, upon irrevocable notice of the Company (on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Borrower) delivered to the Administrative Agent no later than 1:00 P.M., Local Time, three Business Days prior thereto, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, and no later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, one Business Day prior thereto, in the case of ABR Loans, which notice shall specify the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of Eurocurrency Loans or ABR Loans; provided , that if a Eurocurrency Loan is prepaid on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the applicable Borrower shall also pay any amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.18. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with (except in the case of Revolving Loans that are ABR Loans and Swingline Loans) accrued interest to such date on the amount

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prepaid. Partial prepayments of Revolving Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 or 5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 or 1,000,000. Partial prepayments of Swingline Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000 or 100,000 or a whole multiple thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may revoke or postpone any notice of prepayment if such prepayment would have resulted from a refinancing of the Loans or proceeds from another transaction, which refinancing or transaction shall not be consummated or otherwise shall be delayed.
          2.9 Mandatory Prepayments . If on any Calculation Date, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit exceeds 105% of the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect, the Company shall (or shall cause any Borrowing Subsidiary to), within three Business Days after the Administrative Agent gives notice of such excess to the Company, repay such of the outstanding Loans in an aggregate principal amount such that, after giving effect thereto, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit does not exceed the Total Revolving Commitments.
          2.10 Conversion and Continuation Options . (a) The Company (on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Borrower) may elect from time to time to convert Eurocurrency Loans denominated in Dollars to ABR Loans by giving the Administrative Agent prior irrevocable notice of such election no later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Business Day preceding the proposed conversion date. The Company (on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Borrower) may elect from time to time to convert ABR Loans to Eurocurrency Loans or to convert Eurocurrency Loans into Eurocurrency Loans having a different Interest Period by giving the Administrative Agent prior irrevocable notice of such election no later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding the proposed conversion date (which notice shall specify the length of the initial Interest Period therefor), provided that no ABR Loan may be converted into a Eurocurrency Loan and no Eurocurrency Loan may be converted into a Eurocurrency Loan having a different Interest Period when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion and notified the Company not to permit such conversions. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.
          (b) Any Eurocurrency Loan may be continued as such upon the expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the Company (on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Borrower) giving irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the term “Interest Period” set forth in Section 1.1, of the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans, (i) provided that no Eurocurrency Loan denominated in Dollars may be continued as such when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent has or the Required Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion and notified the Company not to permit such continuations and, and provided , further , that if the Company (on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Borrower) shall fail to give any required notice as described above in this paragraph or if such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the preceding proviso such Loans shall be automatically converted to ABR Loans on the last day of such then expiring Interest Period and (ii) provided that no Eurocurrency Loan denominated in Euro may be continued with an Interest Period in excess of one month when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent has or the Required Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion and notified the Company as to permit such continuation, and provided further that if the Company (on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Borrower) shall fail to give any required notice as described above in this paragraph or if such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the immediately preceding proviso such Euro-denominated Loans shall be automatically continued as Eurocurrency Loans having an Interest Period of one month . Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.

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          (c) No Revolving Loans made in Dollars may be converted into Revolving Loans denominated in Euro, and no Revolving Loans denominated in Euro may be converted into Revolving Loans denominated in Dollars. For the avoidance of doubt, Revolving Loans denominated in Dollars or Euro shall be repaid or prepaid in such currency.
           2.11 Limitations on Eurocurrency Tranches . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all borrowings, conversions and continuations of Eurocurrency Loans and all selections of Interest Periods shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so that, (a) after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of the Eurocurrency Loans comprising each Eurocurrency borrowing shall be equal to $5,000,000 or 5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 or 1,000,000 in excess thereof and (b) no more than ten Eurocurrency borrowings shall be outstanding at any one time.
           2.12 Interest Rates and Payment Dates . (a) Each Eurocurrency Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Eurocurrency Rate determined for such day plus the Applicable Margin.
          (b) Each ABR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the ABR plus the Applicable Margin.
          (c) (i) If all or a portion of the principal amount of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to (x) in the case of the Loans, the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section plus 2% or (y) in the case of Reimbursement Obligations, the rate applicable to ABR Loans plus 2%, and (ii) if all or a portion of any interest payable on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or any commitment fee or other amount payable hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate then applicable to ABR Loans plus 2% or, in the case of amounts determined in Euro at the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to represent its cost of overnight or short-term funds in Euro (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) plus the Applicable Margin then in effect with respect to Eurocurrency Loans plus 2%, in each case, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, from the date of such non-payment until such amount is paid in full (as well after as before judgment).
          (d) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, provided that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable from time to time on demand.
           2.13 Computation of Interest and Fees . (a) Interest and fees payable pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed, except that, with respect to ABR Loans the rate of interest on which is calculated on the basis of the Prime Rate, the interest thereon shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Company and the relevant Lenders of each determination of a Eurocurrency Rate, or of a rate for an amount owing in Euro as a Swingline Loan pursuant to Section 2.12(c). Any change in the interest rate on a Loan resulting from a change in the ABR or the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change becomes effective. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Company and the relevant Lenders of the effective date and the amount of each such change in interest rate.
          (b) Each determination of an interest rate by the Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers and the Lenders in the

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absence of manifest error. The Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Company, deliver to the Company a statement showing the quotations used by the Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate pursuant to Section 2.12(a).
           2.14 Inability to Determine Interest Rate . If prior to the first day of any Interest Period:
     the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrowers) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurocurrency Rate for such Interest Period, or
     the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Required Lenders that the Eurocurrency Rate determined or to be determined for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (as conclusively certified by such Lenders) of making or maintaining their affected Loans during such Interest Period,
the Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the Company and the relevant Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such notice is given and until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative Agent any request by the Company (on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Borrower) for a Eurocurrency Loan of the affected type or in the affected currency, or a conversion to or continuation of a Eurocurrency Loan of the affected type or if the affected currency, pursuant to Sections 2.2 and 2.10(b), shall be deemed rescinded; provided that in the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one currency, then Eurocurrency Loans in the other currency shall be permitted.
           2.15 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments . (a) Each borrowing by a Borrower from the Lenders hereunder, each payment on account of any commitment fee and any reduction of the Revolving Commitments of the Lenders shall be made pro rata according to the respective Revolving Percentages of the relevant Lenders.
          (b) Each payment (including each prepayment) by a Borrower on account of principal of and interest on its Revolving Loans shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of such Revolving Loans then held by the Lenders.
          (c) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by a Borrower hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without setoff or counterclaim and shall be made prior to 1:00 P.M., Local Time, on the due date thereof to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, at the relevant Funding Office, in Dollars (with respect to Obligations denominated in Dollars) and Euro (with respect to Obligations denominated in Euro), and in immediately available funds. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such payments to each relevant Lender promptly upon receipt in like funds as received, net of any amounts owing by such Lender pursuant to Section 9.7. If any payment hereunder (other than payments on the Eurocurrency Loans) becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment on a Eurocurrency Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the case of any extension of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension.

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          (d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by any Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not make the amount that would constitute its share of such borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is making such amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the applicable Borrower a corresponding amount. If such amount is not made available to the Administrative Agent by the required time on the Borrowing Date therefor, such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent, on demand, such amount with interest thereon, at a rate equal to (i) in the case of amounts denominated in Dollars, the greater of (x) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (y) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, for the period until such Lender makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent or (ii) in the case of amounts denominated in Euro at the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to represent its cost of overnight or short-term funds in Euro. A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this paragraph shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. If such Lender’s share of such borrowing is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three Business Days after such Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to (i) in the case of amounts denominated in Dollars, ABR Loans or (ii) in the case of amounts denominated in Euro at the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to represent its cost of overnight or short-term funds in Euro plus the Applicable Margin for Eurocurrency Loans, on demand, from the applicable Borrower.
          (e) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by the Company (on its own behalf or on behalf of any other Borrower) prior to the date of any payment due to be made by the applicable Borrower hereunder that the applicable Borrower will not make such payment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that the applicable Borrower is making such payment, and the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Lenders their respective pro rata shares of a corresponding amount. If such payment is not made to the Administrative Agent by the applicable Borrower within three Business Days after such due date, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover, on demand, from each Lender to which any amount which was made available pursuant to the preceding sentence, such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of amounts denominated in Dollars, the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) in the case of amounts denominated in Euro, at the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to represent its cost of overnight or short term funds in Euro. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the applicable Borrower.
          (f) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.5(b), 2.5(c), 2.15(e) or 3.4(a), unless subject to a good faith dispute, then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Agreement), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Lender hereunder for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.
           2.16 Requirements of Law . (a) If the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority made subsequent to the date hereof:
          (i) shall subject any Lender or the Issuing Lender to any (or any increase in any) Other Connection Taxes with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any Letter of Credit, or any participation in a Letter of Credit or any Loan made or Letter of Credit issued by

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it, except any such Taxes imposed on or measured by its net income or profits (however denominated) or franchise taxes imposed in lieu of net income or profits taxes;
          (ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances, loans or other extensions of credit by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender that is not otherwise included in the determination of the Eurocurrency Rate; or
          (iii) shall impose on such Lender any other condition;
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender, by an amount that such Lender deems to be material, of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining Eurocurrency Loans (or, in the case of clause (i), any Loan, any Letter of Credit, or any participation in a Letter of Credit or any Loan made or Letter of Credit issued by it) or issuing or participating in Letters of Credit, or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such case, the applicable Borrower shall promptly pay such Lender, promptly following its demand, any additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable. If any Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this paragraph, it shall promptly notify the applicable Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of the event by reason of which it has become so entitled.
          (b) If any Lender shall have determined that the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority made subsequent to the date hereof shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such corporation’s capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder or under or in respect of any Letter of Credit to a level below that which such Lender or such corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such corporation’s policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then from time to time, after submission by such Lender to the Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of a written request therefor, the Company shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such corporation for such reduction.
          (c) A certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted by any Lender to the Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section, the applicable Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any amounts incurred more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Company of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided that, if the circumstances giving rise to such claim have a retroactive effect, then such nine-month period shall be extended to include the period of such retroactive effect. The obligations of the Company pursuant to this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
           2.17 Taxes . (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document or Letter of Credit shall be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Taxes unless such withholding is required by any Requirement of Law. If any Withholding Agent determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it (or in the case of any Lender that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, by such Lender for the account of any of its direct or indirect beneficial owners) is so required to deduct and

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withhold Taxes, then such Withholding Agent (or such Lender, if applicable) may so deduct and withhold and shall timely pay the full amount of withheld Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law. If such Taxes are Indemnified Taxes, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required withholdings or deductions (including withholdings or deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, Lender, any Issuing Lender or its beneficial owner, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholdings or deductions been made.
          (b) Without limiting the provisions of paragraph (a) above, the Borrower shall timely pay, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
          (c) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Lender, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable by the Administrative Agent, such Lender (or its beneficial owner) or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or the Issuing Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
          (d) Within 10 days after demand therefor, each Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (or any Loan Party) for the full amount of any Taxes (or in the case of a Loan Party, any Excluded Taxes) attributable to such Lender that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or such Loan Party (provided that, with respect to the Administrative Agent, only to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not already been reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so) whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority and together with reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent or the Loan Parties, as applicable, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
          (e) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by a Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
          (f) Each Fee Receiver hereby represents that it is a Permitted Fee Receiver and agrees to update Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or its successor form) or applicable Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 (or its successor form) upon any change in such Person’s circumstances or if such form expires or becomes inaccurate or obsolete, and to promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent if such Person becomes legally ineligible to provide such form.
          (g) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of any applicable withholding Tax with respect to payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document or Letter of Credit shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent or, in the case of a Participant, to the Administrative Agent and the Lender from which the related Participation shall have

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been purchased), at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law (if any) as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, in the case of any withholding Tax other than the U.S. federal withholding Tax, the completion, execution and submission of such forms shall not be required if (1) in the Lender’s judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender and (2) in the case of German withholding Tax, such forms are not substantially similar to forms prescribed by applicable law as of the date hereof for exemption from or reduction of German withholding Tax. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Borrower, any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent or, in the case of a Participant, to the Administrative Agent and the Lender from which the related Participation shall have been purchased (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
          (i) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility for benefits of an income Tax treaty to which the United States of America is a party,
          (ii) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,
          (iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the Form of Exhibit H to the effect that (A) such Foreign Lender is not (1) a “bank” within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code or (3) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (B) the interest payment in question is not effectively connected with the United States trade or business conducted by such Lender (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN,
          (iv) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner (for example, where the Foreign Lender is a partnership or participating Lender granting a typical participation), an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY, accompanied by a Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN, U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate, Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that, if the Foreign Lender is a partnership (and not a participating Lender) and one or more beneficial owners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate on behalf of each such beneficial owner, or
          (v) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States federal withholding Tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

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Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
          (h) If the Administrative Agent, a Lender or the Issuing Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section (including additional amounts paid by any Loan Party pursuant to this Section), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including any Taxes with respect to such refund) of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to the receipt of such refund), provided that such indemnifying party, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over pursuant to this Section 2.17(h) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Lender in the event the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (h), in no event will any Issuing Lender or Lender be required to pay any amount to any Loan Party the payment of which would place the Issuing Lender or such Lender in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the Issuing Lender or such Lender would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender or any Lender to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.
          (i) The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
           2.18 Indemnity . Each Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender for, and to hold each Lender harmless from, any loss or expense that such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by such Borrower in making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurocurrency Loans after the Company has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by such Borrower in making any prepayment of or conversion from Eurocurrency Loans after the Company has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or (c) the making of a prepayment of Eurocurrency Loans, or a conversion of Eurocurrency Loans into Eurocurrency Loans with a different Interest Period, on a day that is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. Such indemnification may include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of such Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Loans provided for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin included therein, if any) over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) that would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank eurocurrency market. A certificate as to any amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted to the Company by any Lender shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
           2.19 Change of Lending Office . Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.16 or 2.17(a) with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Company, use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such

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Lender) to designate another lending office for any Loans affected by such event with the object of avoiding the consequences of such event; provided , that such designation is made on terms that, in the sole judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and its lending office(s) to suffer no economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, and provided , further , that nothing in this Section shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of any Borrower or the rights of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16 or 2.17(a). Each Lender may at any time and for any period, by notice to the Administrative Agent and the Company, designate another lending office (including an Affiliate of a Lender) for any Loans so long as such designation would not give rise to any additional obligation on the part of any Borrower under Section 2.16 or 2.17(a).
           2.20 Replacement of Lenders . The Company shall be permitted to replace any Lender that (a) requests reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.16 or 2.17(a), (b) is a Defaulting Lender, or (c) does not consent to any proposed amendment, supplement, modification, consent or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that requires the consent of each of the Lenders or each of the Lenders affected thereby and with respect to which the Required Lenders shall have granted their consent, with a replacement financial institution; provided that (i) such replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (ii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement, (iii) prior to any such replacement, such Lender shall have taken no action under Section 2.19 so as to eliminate the continued need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.16 or 2.17(a), (iv) the replacement financial institution shall purchase, at par, all Loans and other amounts owing to such replaced Lender on or prior to the date of replacement, (v) each applicable Borrower shall be liable to such replaced Lender under Section 2.18 if any Eurocurrency Loan owing to such replaced Lender shall be purchased other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, (vi) the replacement financial institution shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (vii) the replaced Lender shall be obligated to make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.6 (provided that the replaced Lender shall be deemed to have consented to an Assignment and Acceptance and shall not be required to execute an Assignment and Acceptance), (viii) until such time as such replacement shall be consummated, the Borrower shall pay all additional amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 2.16 or 2.17(a), as the case may be, and (ix) any such replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that any Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender shall have against the replaced Lender.
           2.21 Defaulting Lenders . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:
          (a) fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Revolving Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.6;
          (b) the Revolving Commitments and Revolving Extensions of Credit of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder, provided that any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender, and any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of any affected Lender or all affected Lenders or such Lender shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender that is an affected Lender or such Lender;
          (c) if any Swingline Loans or L/C Obligations exists at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:
          (i) all or any part of such Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Percentages but

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only to the extent that (x) the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Extensions of Credit does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Commitments and (y) the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 are satisfied at such time; and
          (ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the applicable Borrower shall within one Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the Swingline Loans and (y) second, cash collateralize such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the L/C Obligations (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 8 for so long as such L/C Obligations are outstanding, unless the Swingline Lender or the applicable Issuing Lender, as applicable, have agreed on an alternate arrangement;
          (iii) if the applicable Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the L/C Obligations pursuant to Section 2.21(c), such Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 3.3 with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the L/C Obligations during the period of such collateralization;
          (iv) if the Revolving Percentages of the L/C Obligations of the non-Defaulting Lenders are reallocated pursuant to Section 2.21(c), then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 3.3 shall be correspondingly adjusted for the benefit of such non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their Revolving Percentages; or
          (v) if any Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the L/C Obligations is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to Section 2.21(c), then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the applicable Issuing Lender or any Lender hereunder, all fees that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Lender under Section 3.3 with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the L/C Obligations shall be payable to the applicable Issuing Lender until such Revolving Percentage of the L/C Obligations is cash collateralized and/or reallocated;
          (d) so long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Lenders shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure will be 100% covered by the Revolving Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrowers in accordance with Section 2.21(c), and participating interests in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit or newly made Swingline Loan shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.21(c)(i) (and Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein);
          (e) if no Swingline Loans or L/C Obligations then exist, or all the obligations of the Defaulting Lender in respect of the outstanding Swingline Loans or L/C Obligations have been reallocated, cash collateralized or prepaid as contemplated in paragraph (c)(i) or (ii) of this Section 2.21, the Company shall have the right, notwithstanding Section 2.15, to terminate the Revolving Commitment of such Defaulting Lender only upon not less than three Business Days prior notice to the Administrative Agent and payment in full on the date of such termination to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such Defaulting Lender, of the principal and accrued interest and fees then owing to such Defaulting Lender, with the Company remaining liable to such Defaulting Lender under Section 2.18 if such payment is made in respect of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto; and

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          (f) any amount payable to such Defaulting Lender hereunder on account of any fees shall, in lieu of being distributed to such Defaulting Lender, be retained by the Administrative Agent in a segregated account and, subject to any applicable requirements of law, be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent (i) first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder, (ii) second, pro rata, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuing Lenders or Swingline Lender hereunder, (iii) third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent or requested by an Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, held in such account as cash collateral for future funding obligations of the Defaulting Lender in respect of any existing or future participating interest in any Swingline Loan or Letter of Credit, (iv) fourth, to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent, (v) fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Company, held in such account as cash collateral for future funding obligations of the Defaulting Lender in respect of any Loans under this Agreement, and (vi) sixth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction.
          In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Company, the Issuing Lenders and the Swingline Lender each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Revolving Percentages of the non-Defaulting Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swingline Loans) as the Administrative shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Revolving Percentage.
           2.22 Borrowing Subsidiaries. The Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary that is (i) a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) a Manufacturing Subsidiary, as a Borrowing Subsidiary upon ten Business Days notice, or shorter notice if acceptable to the Administrative Agent, to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (such notice to include the name, primary business address and tax identification number of such proposed Borrowing Subsidiary). Upon proper notice and receipt by the Administrative Agent of such documents and legal opinions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and subject to the Administrative Agent’s determining in consultation with all the Lenders that designating such Restricted Subsidiary as a Borrowing Subsidiary would not cause any Lender to suffer any economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, such Restricted Subsidiary shall be a Borrowing Subsidiary and a party to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. A Restricted Subsidiary shall cease to be a Borrowing Subsidiary hereunder at such time the Company gives at least ten Business Days prior notice (or, shorter notice if acceptable to the Administrative Agent) to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of its intention of terminating such Restricted Subsidiary as a Borrowing Subsidiary, provided that any such termination shall not be effective and such Restricted Subsidiary shall remain a Borrowing Subsidiary until such time as Loans to such Borrowing Subsidiary and accrued interest thereon and all other amounts then due from such Borrowing Subsidiary have been paid in full. In this connection, if outstanding Letters of Credit have been issued for the account of a Borrowing Subsidiary but all its Loans and accrued interest thereon have been paid in full, the Company shall be permitted to reallocate such Letters of Credit to another Borrower for the purpose of terminating such Borrowing Subsidiary as a Borrowing Subsidiary, provided that such reallocation would not cause the applicable Issuing Lender to suffer any economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage and such reallocation is documented in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender.
SECTION 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT
           3.1 L/C Commitment . (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Issuing Lender, in reliance on the agreements of the other Revolving Lenders set forth in Section 3.4(a), agrees to

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issue letters of credit (“ Letters of Credit ”) for the account of the Company or any Borrowing Subsidiary on any Business Day during the Revolving Commitment Period in such form as may be approved from time to time by such Issuing Lender; provided that no Issuing Lender shall have any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (i) the L/C Obligations would exceed the L/C Commitment or (ii) the aggregate amount of the Available Revolving Commitments would be less than zero. Each Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in Dollars or Euro, as the case may be, and (ii) expire no later than the earlier of (x) the first anniversary of its date of issuance and (y) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Termination Date, provided that any Letter of Credit may provide for the renewal thereof for additional periods of up to one year (but in no event shall any such renewal extend beyond the date referred to in clause (y) above). The letters of credit identified on Schedule 3.1 (the “ Existing Letters of Credit ”) shall be deemed to be “Letters of Credit” issued on the Closing Date for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
          (b) No Issuing Lender shall at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit if such issuance would conflict with, or cause such Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any applicable Requirement of Law.
           3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit . Each Borrower may from time to time request that an Issuing Lender issue a Letter of Credit by delivering to such Issuing Lender at its address for notices specified herein an Application therefor, completed to the satisfaction of such Issuing Lender, and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as the Issuing Lender may request. Upon receipt of any Application, such Issuing Lender will verify with the Administrative Agent whether the requested Letter of Credit is permitted under Section 3.1 and following the receipt of such verification, such Issuing Lender will process such Application and the certificates, documents and other papers and information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its customary procedures and shall promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested thereby (but in no event shall such Issuing Lender be required to issue any Letter of Credit earlier than three Business Days after its receipt of the Application therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers and information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed to by such Issuing Lender and the applicable Borrower. Following receipt of such notice and prior to the issuance of a requested Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall calculate the Dollar Equivalent of such Letter of Credit if it is to be denominated in Euro and shall notify the Company and such Issuing Lender of the amount of the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit after giving effect to (i) the issuance of such Letter of Credit, (ii) the issuance or expiration of any other Letter of Credit that is to be issued or will expire prior to the requested date of issuance of such Letter of Credit and (iii) the borrowing or repayment of any Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans that (based upon notices delivered to the Administrative Agent by the Company) are to be borrowed or repaid prior to the requested date of issuance of such Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued only if (and upon issuance of each Letter of Credit the relevant Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the L/C Obligations shall not exceed the L/C Commitment and (ii) the amount of the Revolving Extensions of Credit shall not exceed the Total Revolving Commitments. Such Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent, which shall in turn promptly furnish to the Lenders, notice of the issuance of each Letter of Credit (including the amount thereof).
           3.3 Fees and Other Charges . (a) Each Borrower will pay a fee on all outstanding Letters of Credit issued for its account at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect with respect to Eurocurrency Loans under the Revolving Loans, shared ratably among the Lenders and payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date after the issuance date. In addition, such Borrower shall pay to the applicable Issuing Lender for its own account a fronting fee in an amount agreed by the

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Company and such Issuing Lender on the undrawn and unexpired amount of each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender, payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date after the issuance date.
          (b) In addition to the foregoing fees, each Borrower shall pay or reimburse each Issuing Lender for such normal and customary costs and expenses as are incurred or charged by such Issuing Lender in issuing, negotiating, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any Letter of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower.
           3.4 L/C Participations . (a) Each Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce such Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit, each L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from such Issuing Lender, on the terms and conditions set forth below, for such L/C Participant’s own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C Participant’s Revolving Percentage in such Issuing Lender’s obligations and rights under and in respect of each Letter of Credit issued by it and the amount of each draft paid by such Issuing Lender thereunder. Each L/C Participant agrees with each Issuing Lender that, if a draft is paid under any Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender for which such Issuing Lender is not reimbursed in full by the applicable Borrower in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such L/C Participant shall pay to such Issuing Lender upon demand at such Issuing Lender’s address for notices specified herein an amount equal to such L/C Participant’s Revolving Percentage of the amount of such draft, or any part thereof, that is not so reimbursed. Each L/C Participant’s obligation to pay such amount shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (i) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such L/C Participant may have against such Issuing Lender, the applicable Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or an Event of Default or the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions specified in Section 5, (iii) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the applicable Borrower, (iv) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other L/C Participant or (v) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.
          (b) If any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant to an Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed portion of any payment made by such Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit is paid to such Issuing Lender within three Business Days after the date such payment is due, such L/C Participant shall pay to such Issuing Lender on demand an amount equal to the product of (i) in the case of Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars, (x) such amount, times (y) the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate during the period from and including the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to such Issuing Lender, times (z) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse during such period and the denominator of which is 360 and (ii) in the case of Letters of Credit denominated in Euro, (x) such amount, times (y) a rate determined by such Issuing Lender to represent its cost of overnight or short-term funds in Euro (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), times (z) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse during such period and the denominator of which is 360. If any such amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant pursuant to Section 3.4(a) is not made available to such Issuing Lender by such L/C Participant within three Business Days after the date such payment is due, such Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover from such L/C Participant, on demand, such amount with interest thereon calculated from such due date (i) in the case of Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars, at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans under the Revolving Loans and (ii) in the case of Letters of Credit denominated in Euro, at a rate determined by such Issuing Lender to represent the cost of overnight or short-term funds in Euro (which determination shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error plus the Applicable Margin for Eurocurrency Loans). A certificate of such Issuing Lender submitted to any L/C Participant with respect to any amounts owing under this Section shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

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          (c) Whenever, at any time after an Issuing Lender has made payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any L/C Participant its pro rata share of such payment in accordance with Section 3.4(a), such Issuing Lender receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the applicable Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of collateral applied thereto by such Issuing Lender), or any payment of interest on account thereof, such Issuing Lender will distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata share thereof; provided , however , that in the event that any such payment received by such Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by such Issuing Lender, such L/C Participant shall return to such Issuing Lender the portion thereof previously distributed by such Issuing Lender to it.
           3.5 Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrowers . If any draft is paid under any Letter of Credit, the applicable Borrower shall reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender for the amount of (a) the draft so paid and (b) any Taxes, fees, charges or other costs or expenses incurred by such Issuing Lender in connection with such payment, not later than 2:00 P.M., Local Time, on (A) if such Letter of Credit is denominated in Dollars, (i) the Business Day after such Borrower receives notice of such draft, if such notice is received on such day prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, or (ii) if clause (i) above does not apply, the second Business Day following the day that such Borrower receives notice of such draft or (B) if such Letter of Credit is denominated in Euro, three Business Days immediately following the day that such Borrower receives notice of such draft. Each such payment shall be made to such Issuing Lender at its address for notices referred to herein in Dollars or Euro, as the case may be, and in immediately available funds. Interest shall be payable on any such amounts from the date on which the relevant draft is paid until payment in full at the rate set forth in (x) until the Business Day next succeeding the date such payment is due pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above, Section 2.12(b) and (y) thereafter, Section 2.12 (c).
           3.6 Obligations Absolute . Each Borrower’s obligations under this Section 3 with respect to any Letter of Credit issued for its account shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment that such Borrower may have or have had against the applicable Issuing Lender, any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit or any other Person. Each Borrower also agrees with each Issuing Lender that such Issuing Lender shall not be responsible for, and such Borrower’s Reimbursement Obligations under Section 3.5 shall not be affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of any endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove to be invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among such Borrower and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may be transferred or any claims whatsoever of such Borrower against any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any such transferee. An Issuing Lender shall not be liable for any error, omission, interruption or delay in transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit, except for errors or omissions found to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Issuing Lender. Each Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted by each Issuing Lender under or in connection with any Letter of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower or the related drafts or documents, if done in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, shall be binding on such Borrower and shall not result in any liability of the Issuing Lenders to such Borrower.
           3.7 Letter of Credit Payments . If any draft shall be presented for payment under any Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the Company of the date and amount thereof. The responsibility of such Issuing Lender to a Borrower in connection with any draft presented for payment under any Letter of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower shall, in addition to any payment obligation expressly provided for in such Letter of Credit, be limited to determining that the documents (including each draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment are substantially in conformity with such Letter of Credit.

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          3.8 Applications. To the extent that any provision of any Application related to any Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 3, the provisions of this Section 3 shall apply.
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
          To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans and issue or participate in the Letters of Credit, each of the Borrowers hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:
           4.1 Financial Condition . The audited consolidated and unaudited consolidating balance sheets of the Company as at December 30, 2006, December 29, 2007 and December 27, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations and of cash flows for the fiscal years ended on such dates, reported on by and accompanied by an unqualified report (in the case of such consolidated financial statements) from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, present fairly the consolidated financial condition of the Company as at such date, and the consolidated and consolidating results of its operations and its consolidated and consolidating cash flows for the respective fiscal years then ended. The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as at March 28, 2009 and June 27, 2009, and the related unaudited consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the respective 3-month and 6-month periods ended on such dates, present fairly the consolidated financial condition of the Company as at such date, and the consolidated results of its operations and its consolidated cash flows for the respective 3-month and 6-month periods then ended (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments, if any). All such financial statements, including the related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods involved (except, in the case of audited financial statements, as approved by the aforementioned firm of accountants and disclosed therein), subject to normal year-end audit adjustments, if any.
           4.2 No Change . Since December 27, 2008, there has been no development or event that has had a Material Adverse Effect.
           4.3 Existence; Compliance with Law . Each Group Member (a) is duly organized, validly existing and (where such concept is legally relevant) in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the power and authority, and the legal right, to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or other organization and (where such concept is legally relevant) in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that the failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
           4.4 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations . Each Loan Party has the power and authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of each Borrower, to obtain extensions of credit hereunder. Each Loan Party has taken all necessary organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of each Borrower, to authorize the extensions of credit on the terms and conditions of this Agreement. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in connection with the extensions of credit hereunder or with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, except (i) consents, authorizations, filings and notices described in Schedule 4.4, which consents, authorizations, filings and notices have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (ii) the filings referred to in Section 4.19 or

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otherwise required in order to perfect, record or maintain the security interests granted under the Security Documents and (iii) those that, if not obtained or made, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of each Loan Party party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document upon execution will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law) or, with respect to Loan Documents governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, conflicts of law and similar principles.
           4.5 No Legal Bar . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the issuance of Letters of Credit, the borrowings hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof will not violate any Requirement of Law or any Contractual Obligation of any Group Member in any material respect and will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their respective properties or revenues pursuant to any Requirement of Law or any such Contractual Obligation (other than the Liens created by the Security Documents).
           4.6 Litigation . No litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by or against any Group Member or against any of its respective properties or revenues (a) with respect to any of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or (b) that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
           4.7 No Default . No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
           4.8 Ownership of Property . Each Group Member has title in fee simple to (or, to the extent such concept is not applicable in a foreign jurisdiction, the legal equivalent in such jurisdiction of “legal title”), or a valid leasehold interest in, all its real property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other property, and none of such property is subject to any Lien except as permitted by Section 7.3, except in any such case to the extent that it could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
           4.9 Intellectual Property . To the Company’s knowledge, each Group Member owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted. No material claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging the use of any Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any Intellectual Property, nor does the Company know of any valid basis for any such claim. To the Company’s knowledge, the use of Intellectual Property by each Group Member does not infringe on the rights of any Person in any material respect.
           4.10 Taxes . Each Group Member has filed or caused to be filed all Federal Tax returns that are required to be filed and has paid all Taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns. Except to the extent that it could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Group Member has filed or caused to be filed all state, foreign and other Tax returns that are required to be filed and has paid all Taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns, (ii) each Group Member has paid any assessments made against it or any of its property and all other Taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it (including in its capacity as withholding agent) or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than any the amount or validity of which are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of the relevant Group Member), and (iii) no Tax Lien has been filed, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no claim is being asserted, with respect to any such Tax, fee or other charge.

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           4.11 Federal Regulations . No part of the proceeds of any Loans, and no other extensions of credit hereunder, will be used (a) for “buying” or “carrying” any “margin stock” within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time hereafter in effect for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board or (b) for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board. No more than 25% of the assets of the Group Members consist of “margin stock” as so defined. If requested by any Lender or the Administrative Agent, the Company will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form G-3 or FR Form U-1, as applicable, referred to in Regulation U.
           4.12 Labor Matters . Except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, there are no strikes or other labor disputes against any Group Member pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.
           4.13 ERISA; Foreign Benefit Arrangements and Plans . (a) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) each Group Member and each of their respective ERISA Affiliates is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the provisions of the Code relating to Plans and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder and with the terms of such Plan; and (ii) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur.
          (b) Except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) all employer and employee contributions required by applicable law or by the terms of any Foreign Benefit Arrangement or Foreign Plan have been made, or, if applicable, accrued in accordance with normal accounting practices; (ii) each Foreign Plan that is required to be registered has been registered and has been maintained in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities; and (iii) each such Foreign Benefit Arrangement and Foreign Plan is in compliance (A) with all material provisions of applicable law and all applicable regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to such Foreign Benefit Arrangement or Foreign Plan and (B) with the terms of such plan or arrangement.
           4.14 Investment Company Act; Other Regulations . No Loan Party is an “investment company”, or a company “controlled” by an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. No Loan Party is subject to regulation under any Requirement of Law (other than Regulation X of the Board) that limits its ability to incur Indebtedness.
           4.15 Restricted Subsidiaries . Schedule 4.15 sets forth as of the Closing Date the name and jurisdiction of incorporation of each Restricted Subsidiary and, as to each such Restricted Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of Capital Stock owned by any Loan Party.
           4.16 Use of Proceeds . The proceeds of the Revolving Loans and the Swingline Loans, and the Letters of Credit, shall be used for general corporate purposes.
           4.17 Environmental Matters . Except as, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
          (a) the facilities and properties owned, leased or operated by any Group Member (the “ Properties ”) do not contain, and have not previously contained, any Materials of Environmental Concern in amounts or concentrations or under circumstances that constitute or constituted a violation of, or could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Law;

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          (b) no Group Member has received or is aware of any written notice of violation or other written notice, alleging a violation, non-compliance, liability or potential liability under or relating to Environmental Laws with regard to any of the Properties or the business operated by any Group Member (the “ Business ”), nor does the Company have knowledge of any reason for believing that any such notice will be received;
          (c) Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported or disposed of from the Properties in violation of, or in a manner or to a location that could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Law, nor have any Materials of Environmental Concern been generated, treated, stored or disposed of at, on or under any of the Properties in violation of, or in a manner that could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Law;
          (d) no judicial proceeding or governmental or administrative action is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, under any Environmental Law to which any Group Member is or could reasonably be expected to be named as a party with respect to the Properties or the Business, nor are there any consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other orders, or other administrative or judicial requirements outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or the Business;
          (e) there has been no release or threatened release of Materials of Environmental Concern at or from the Properties, or arising from or related to the operations of any Group Member in connection with the Properties or otherwise in connection with the Business, in violation of or in amounts or in a manner that could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability under applicable Environmental Laws;
          (f) all operations at the Properties are in compliance, and have in the last five years been in compliance, with all applicable Environmental Laws, and there is no outstanding violation of any Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or the Business; and
          (g) no Group Member has assumed any liability of any other Person under applicable Environmental Laws.
           4.18 Accuracy of Information, etc . No statement or information contained in this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Confidential Information Memorandum or any other document, certificate or statement furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, or any of them, for use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, contained as of the date such statement, information, document or certificate was so furnished and taken together with any prior statements and information (or, in the case of the Confidential Information Memorandum, as of the date of this Agreement), any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading. The projections contained in the materials referenced above are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by management of the Company to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by the Lenders that such financial information as it relates to future events is not to be viewed as fact and that actual results during the period or periods covered by such financial information may differ from the projected results set forth therein by a material amount.
           4.19 Security Documents . The Guarantee and Collateral Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof. In the case of the certificated Pledged Stock described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when stock certificates representing

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such Pledged Stock are delivered to the Administrative Agent (together with a properly completed and signed stock power or endorsement), and in the case of the other Collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when financing statements and other filings specified on Schedule 4.19 in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 4.19, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral and the proceeds thereof, as security for the Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person (except, in the case of Collateral other than certificated Pledged Stock, Liens permitted by Section 7.3).
           4.20 Repayment of Debt . As of the Closing Date, the satisfaction of the payment or redemption of all Indebtedness (including the release by the lenders under such indebtedness of any Liens in respect thereof or, the unenforceability of such Liens with respect to such Indebtedness) under the Amended Facility Agreement among First Solar Manufacturing GmbH, IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG and the other parties thereto dated as of March 15, 2007 has been completed.
SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
           5.1 Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit . The agreement of each Lender to make the initial extension of credit requested to be made by it is subject to the satisfaction, prior to or concurrently with the Closing Date, of the following conditions precedent:
     (a) Credit Agreement; Guarantee and Collateral Agreement . The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) this Agreement, executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent, each Borrower and each Person listed on Schedule 1.1A, (ii) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, executed and delivered by the Company; (iii) the German Security Documents, executed and delivered by the Company and the Foreign Subsidiary Guarantors organized under the laws of Germany, as applicable; and (iv) the Singapore Security Documents, executed and delivered by the Company.
      Financial Statements . The Lenders shall have received (i) the audited consolidated and unaudited consolidating financial statements of the Company for the December 30, 2006, December 29, 2007 and December 27, 2008 fiscal years and (ii) unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Company for each fiscal quarter ended after the date of the latest applicable financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph as to which such financial statements are available.
      Approvals . All governmental and third party approvals necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect.
      Lien Searches . The Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a recent lien search in each of the jurisdictions where the Company is organized, and such search shall reveal no liens on any of the assets of the Company except for liens permitted by Section 7.3 or discharged on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
      Fees . The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid by the Company to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with this Agreement, and all expenses for which invoices have been presented before the Closing Date (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel).

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      Closing Certificate; Certified Certificate of Incorporation; Good Standing Certificates . The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit E, with appropriate insertions and attachments relating to the organization, existence and good standing of such Loan Party (or equivalent certificate to the extent available in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary), with such adjustments and modifications with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
      Legal Opinions . The Administrative Agent shall have received the following executed legal opinions:
          (i) the legal opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, counsel to the Company and its Subsidiaries, substantially in the form of Exhibit F;
          (ii) the legal opinion of local counsel in each of Germany and Singapore, and of such other special and local counsel as may be required by the Administrative Agent.
Each such legal opinion shall cover such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.
      Pledged Stock; Stock Powers; Pledged Notes . The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) the certificates (if any) representing the shares of Capital Stock pledged pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof and (ii) each promissory note (if any) pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement endorsed (without recourse) in blank (or accompanied by an executed transfer form in blank) by the pledgor thereof.
      Filings, Registrations and Recordings . Each document (including any Uniform Commercial Code financing statement) required by the Security Documents or under law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected Lien on the Collateral described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 7.3), shall be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation.
For the purpose of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 5.1, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have accepted, and to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required under this Section 5.1 unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.
           5.2 Conditions to Each Extension of Credit . The agreement of each Lender to make any extension of credit requested to be made by it on any date (including its initial extension of credit) is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
     (a) Representations and Warranties . Each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date, except for representations and warranties expressly stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date.

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     (b) No Default . No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date, both before and after giving effect to the extensions of credit requested to be made on such date.
Each borrowing by and issuance of a Letter of Credit on behalf of each Borrower hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Company and such Borrower as of the date of such extension of credit that the conditions contained in this Section 5.2 have been satisfied.
SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
          The Company hereby agrees that, so long as the Revolving Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding or any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder, it shall and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to:
           6.1 Financial Statements . In the case of the Company, furnish to the Administrative Agent:
     (a) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related audited consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for such year, and setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, reported (in the case of audited financial statements) on without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing, together with an unaudited summary of the consolidating balance sheet and statements of income and of cash flow as of the end of such fiscal year for the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries setting forth in reasonable detail the figures required to allow the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to determine compliance by the Company with the covenants set forth in Section 7.1 as of such end of fiscal year; and
     (b) as soon as available, but in any event not later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each fiscal year of the Company, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter and the related unaudited consolidated of income and of cash flows for such quarter and the portion of the fiscal year through the end of such quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, certified by a Responsible Officer as being fairly stated in all material respects (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments), together with an unaudited summary of the consolidating balance sheet and statements of income and of cash flow as at the end of such quarter for the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries setting forth in reasonable detail the figures required to allow the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to determine compliance by the Company with the covenants set forth in Section 7.1 as of the end of such quarter;
All such financial statements shall be complete and correct in all material respects and shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied (except as disclosed in reasonable detail therein) consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior periods.
           6.2 Certificates; Other Information . Furnish to the Administrative Agent:

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     (a) concurrently with the delivery of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 6.1(a), and to the extent such independent certified public accountants provide such certificates to the Company, a certificate of the independent certified public accountants reporting on such financial statements stating that in making the examination necessary therefor no knowledge was obtained of any Default or Event of Default pursuant to Section 7.1, except as specified in such certificate;
     (b) concurrently with the delivery of any financial statements pursuant to Section 6.1, (i) a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that such Responsible Officer has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except as specified in such certificate, (ii) in the case of quarterly or annual financial statements, (x) a Compliance Certificate containing all information and calculations necessary for determining compliance by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries with the provisions of this Agreement referred to therein as of the last day of the fiscal quarter or fiscal year of the Company, as the case may be, and (y) to the extent not previously disclosed to the Administrative Agent, (1) a description of any change in the jurisdiction of organization of any Loan Party and (2) a description of any Person that has become a Group Member, in each case since the date of the most recent report delivered pursuant to this clause (y) (or, in the case of the first such report so delivered, since the Closing Date) and (iii) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Company disclosing all Guarantee Obligations by a Group Member of Indebtedness of any Person (other than a Group Member) and including, with respect to each such Guarantee Obligations, the identity of the parties to the Indebtedness and other obligations covered by such Guarantee Obligations, the notice information for each such party and any change in the identity of any party, whether such Guarantee Obligations constitute Specified Guarantee Obligations, the aggregate amount of the Indebtedness and other obligations covered by such Guarantee Obligations, the amount of such Indebtedness and other obligations that is outstanding or accrued, the accrued interest on the outstanding or accrued amount and the date of payments and any other information that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;
     (c) upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, copies of (i) any documents described in Section 101(k) of ERISA that any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan and (ii) any notices described in Section 101(l) of ERISA that any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan;
     (d) promptly, such additional financial and other information as the Administrative Agent (including at the request of any Lender) may from time to time reasonably request; and
     (e) promptly, after any Person (other than a Group Member) enters into Indebtedness covered by Guarantee Obligations of a Group Member, a copy of the documents evidencing the Guarantee Obligations and notice of any default under such documents.
          Information required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.1 and this Section 6.2 shall be deemed to have been effectively delivered on the date on which the Company provides notice to the Administrative Agent (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly provide to the Lenders) that such information has been posted on the Securities and Exchange Commission website on the Internet, on the Company’s IntraLinks site at intralinks.com or at another relevant website identified in such notice and accessible by the Lenders without charge. Any such notice by the Company or the Administrative Agent may be made by e-mail.

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          6.3 Payment of Obligations . Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all obligations (including Taxes but excluding Indebtedness) of whatever nature, except where the amount or validity thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of the relevant Group Member and except to the extent that any failure to pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any such obligation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
          6.4 Maintenance of Existence; Compliance . (a)(i) Preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its organizational existence and (ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except, in each case, as otherwise permitted by Section 7.4 and except, in the case of clause (ii) above, to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (b) comply with all Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
          6.5 Maintenance of Property; Insurance . (a) Keep all property useful and necessary in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted and (b) maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance in at least such amounts and against at least such risks as are usually insured against in the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar business.
          6.6 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions . (a) Keep proper books of records and account in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities and (b) permit representatives of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to (i) visit and inspect any of its properties and examine and make abstracts from any of its books and records and (ii) to discuss the business, operations, properties and financial and other condition of the Group Members with officers and employees of the Company and with its independent certified public accountants, in each of clause (i) and (ii), during regular business hours upon reasonable advance notice and at any reasonable time but not more than once per year (or, during the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default, as often as may reasonably be requested); provided that the Company shall have the right to be present at any such visit, inspection or discussion.
          6.7 Notices . Promptly give notice to the Administrative Agent and each Lender upon a Responsible Officer obtaining knowledge of:
     (a) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
     (b) any (i) default or event of default under any Contractual Obligation of any Group Member or (ii) litigation, investigation or proceeding that may exist at any time between any Group Member and any Governmental Authority, that in either case could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
     (c) any litigation or proceeding affecting any Group Member that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or which relates to any Loan Document;
     (d) an ERISA Event; and
     (e) any development or event that is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

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Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.7 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the relevant Group Member proposes to take with respect thereto.
          6.8 Environmental Laws . (a) Comply in all material respects with, and ensure compliance in all material respects by all of its tenants and subtenants, if any, with, all applicable Environmental Laws, and obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, and ensure that all of its tenants and subtenants obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, any and all licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by applicable Environmental Laws.
          (b) Conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling and testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under Environmental Laws and promptly comply in all material respects with all lawful orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental Laws, except, in each case, to the extent the Company is diligently disputing its responsibility or liability for any such matter in a reasonably appropriate forum or manner and such disputation could not reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.
          6.9 Additional Collateral, etc . (a) With respect to any property in the form of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary or intercompany notes or intercompany receivables (but, in the case of any intercompany note or receivable owing by an Unrestricted Subsidiary, only if it arises out of the sale of solar modules) acquired after the Closing Date by any Loan Party (other than any such property described in paragraph (b) or (c) below and such property acquired by any Excluded Foreign Subsidiary) as to which the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, does not have a perfected Lien, promptly (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Foreign Collateral Agreements or such other documents as the Administrative Agent deems necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a security interest in such property and (ii) take all actions necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected first priority security interest in such property, including the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be required by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as may be requested by the Administrative Agent.
          (b) With respect to any new Domestic Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired after the Closing Date (which, for the purposes of this paragraph (b), shall include any such existing Unrestricted Subsidiary that is subsequently designated as a Restricted Subsidiary), promptly (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as the Administrative Agent deems necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected first priority security interest in the Capital Stock of such new Restricted Subsidiary that is owned by the Company or any Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor, (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent the certificates representing such Capital Stock, together with undated stock powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the relevant Group Member, (iii) cause such new Restricted Subsidiary, if it is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company, (A) to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (B) to take such actions necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders a perfected first priority security interest in the Collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (but, in the case of any intercompany note or receivable owing by an Unrestricted Subsidiary, only if it arises out of the sale of solar modules) owned by such Restricted Subsidiary, including the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be required by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as may be requested by the Administrative Agent and (C) to deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of such Restricted Subsidiary, substantially in the form of Exhibit E,

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with appropriate insertions and attachments, and (iv) if requested by the Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described above, which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
          (c) With respect to any new Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired after the Closing Date (which, for the purposes of this paragraph (c), shall include any such existing Unrestricted Subsidiary that is subsequently designated as a Restricted Subsidiary), to the extent permitted and practicable and as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, and unless material adverse Tax or other legal effects would result therefrom (as assessed by the Company and the Administrative Agent) promptly (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to the applicable Security Documents or execute such new Security Documents as the Administrative Agent reasonably deems necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected first priority security interest in the Capital Stock of such new Foreign Subsidiary that is owned by a Loan Party (provided that, only with respect to the Obligations of the Company or any Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor, the amount pledged pursuant to this Section 6.9(c) shall be limited to 66% of the total outstanding voting Capital Stock and 100% of the total outstanding non-voting Capital Stock of any first-tier Foreign Subsidiary owned by the Company or any Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor), (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent the certificates (if any) representing such Capital Stock, together with undated stock powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the relevant Group Member, and take such other action as may be necessary or, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, desirable to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest therein, (iii) cause such new Restricted Subsidiary, if it is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company (A) to execute and deliver any new Security Documents or become a party to the applicable Security Documents (provided that such new Restricted Subsidiary shall only guarantee Obligations of the Borrowing Subsidiaries that are Foreign Subsidiaries), (B) to take such actions necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders a perfected first priority security interest in its property in the form of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary or intercompany notes or intercompany receivables of such new Restricted Subsidiary (but, in the case of any intercompany note or receivable owing by an Unrestricted Subsidiary, only if it arises out of the sale of solar modules), including the applicable filings in such jurisdictions as may be required by the applicable Security Document or by law or as may be requested by the Administrative Agent and (C) to deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of such Restricted Subsidiary, substantially in the form of Exhibit E, with appropriate insertions and attachments and (iii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described above, which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
          6.10 Designation of Subsidiaries . The Company may at any time designate any Restricted Subsidiary other than a Manufacturing Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that (i) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall be in compliance, on a pro forma basis with the covenants set forth in Section 7.1(a), 7.1(b) and 7.1(c), and (ii) the Company may only designate any existing Restricted Subsidiary other than a Manufacturing Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if immediately before and after such designation, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing. The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time. Each designation or redesignation must be evidenced by a notice from a Responsible Officer to the Administrative Agent together with a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Company certifying that such designation complies with the foregoing conditions and setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations demonstrating compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 7.1(a), 7.1(b) and 7.1(c).

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          6.11 Post-Closing Obligations . Take each action set forth on Schedule 6.11 within the time period set forth on Schedule 6.11 for such action; provided that in each case, the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, grant extensions of the time periods set forth in this Schedule 6.11.
SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
          The Company hereby agrees that, so long as the Revolving Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding or any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder, it shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
          7.1 Financial Condition Covenants .
          (a)  Consolidated Leverage Ratio . Permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as at any time to exceed 1.75 to 1.00, provided , that for purpose of calculating the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, Consolidated EBITDA during any fiscal quarter (but excluding the last day of such fiscal quarter) shall be deemed to be equal to the Consolidated EBITDA as at the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter.
          (b)  Consolidated EBITDA . Permit Consolidated EBITDA for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company (i) ending with any fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date and prior to the second anniversary of the Closing Date, so long as the Total Revolving Commitments have at all times been equal to or less than $300,000,000, to be less than $250,000,000 and (ii) ending with any fiscal quarter ending after the second anniversary of the Closing Date and prior to the Revolving Termination Date, or once the Total Revolving Commitments are greater than $300,000,000 and any time thereafter, to be less than $300,000,000.
          (c)  Minimum Liquidity . Permit the Liquidity Availability at any time to be less than (i) from the Closing Date until the second anniversary of the Closing Date, $250,000,000 and (ii) after the second anniversary of the Closing Date until the Revolving Termination Date, $300,000,000.
          7.2 Indebtedness and Guarantee Obligations . (A) In the case of any Restricted Subsidiary, create, issue, incur, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
     (a) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any Loan Document;
     (b) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary;
     (c) Indebtedness of any Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor not secured by any Lien on its property;
     (d) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary listed on Schedule 7.2(A)(d) and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof (without increasing, or shortening the maturity of, the principal amount thereof);
     (e) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance the construction or acquisition of fixed or capital assets or any data or software in an aggregate principal amount for all Restricted Subsidiaries not to exceed $25,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

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     (f) additional Indebtedness of the Restricted Subsidiaries other than the Specified Restricted Subsidiaries incurred to finance the construction or acquisition of new manufacturing facilities and assets relating thereto in an aggregate principal amount, together with the aggregate principal amount of any Indebtedness of the Company secured as permitted under Section 7.3(u), not to exceed $400,000,000 at any one time outstanding;
     (g) Guarantee Obligations permitted under Section 7.2(B); and
     (h) unsecured Indebtedness of First Solar France Manufacturing SAS that is not covered by an explicit Guarantee Obligation by any Group Member (other than a French parent company of First Solar France Manufacturing SAS), incurred pursuant to a joint venture arrangement more fully described to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 50,000,000 at any one time outstanding and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof (without increasing, or shortening the maturity of, the principal amount thereof).
          For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 7.2(A), the amount of any Indebtedness denominated in any currency other than Dollars shall be calculated based on customary currency exchange rates in effect on the date that such Indebtedness was incurred.
          (B) In the case of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Domestic Subsidiary Guarantor), create, issue, incur, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist any Guarantee Obligation, except:
     (a) Guarantee Obligations by any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of the obligations of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary;
     (b) Guarantee Obligations by any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of obligations of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or another Person that is not a Group Member that are recommended as a result of tax savings, Requirement of Law or other reasons in the operation of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and that in each case are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and
     (c) Guarantee Obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.2(B)(c) and any renewal or extension thereof (including in connection with any refinancing or refunding of the obligations guaranteed).
     7.3 Liens . Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:
     (a) Liens for Taxes and other governmental charges not overdue by more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Group Member in conformity with GAAP;
     carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, landlord’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business that are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
     pledges, deposits or similar Liens in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation or regulation;

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     deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, utilities, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
     easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business that, in the aggregate do not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of any Group Member;
     Liens in existence on the date hereof listed on Schedule 7.3(f), provided that no such Lien is spread to cover any additional property after the Closing Date and that the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased;
     Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents;
     Liens created pursuant to the Malaysian Facility Agreement and the State of Ohio Facility Agreements;
     any interest or title of a lessor under any lease entered into by any Group Member in the ordinary course of its business and covering only the assets so leased;
     (j) Liens securing Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary to finance the acquisition or construction of fixed or capital assets or any data or software, provided that (i) such Liens shall be created prior to or within 180 days after the acquisition or completion of construction of such fixed or capital assets or data or software, (ii) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, (iii) the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed $25,000,000 at any one time outstanding and (iv) such secured Indebtedness shall not be incurred to finance the construction or acquisition of new manufacturing facilities and assets relating thereto;
     (k) Liens securing Indebtedness of the Company to finance the acquisition or construction of fixed or capital assets or any data or software, provided that (i) such Liens shall be created prior to or within 180 days after the acquisition or completion of construction of such fixed or capital assets or data or software, (ii) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, (iii) the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby, together with any obligations of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries permitted by Section 7.3(v), does not exceed $75,000,000 at any one time outstanding and (iv) such secured Indebtedness shall not be incurred to finance the construction or acquisition of new manufacturing facilities and assets relating thereto;
     (l) any Lien on any property acquired after the Closing Date and existing prior to the acquisition thereof by any Group Member or existing on any property of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date that exists prior to the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that in each case such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be;
     (m) customary rights of set-off, revocation, refund or chargeback under deposit agreements or under the Uniform Commercial Code of banks or other financial institutions where any Group Member maintains deposits (other than deposits intended as cash collateral) in the ordinary course of business;

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     (n) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;
     (o) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;
     (p) licenses, sublicenses, leases and subleases entered into in the ordinary course of business and any landlords’ liens arising under any such leases;
     (q) obligations with respect to repurchase agreements of the type described in the definition of Cash Equivalents;
     (r) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods by any Group Member entered into by such Group Member in the ordinary course of its business;
     (s) Liens on property of a Group Member securing obligations owed to another Group Member;
     (t) Liens securing judgments in an aggregate amount not exceeding $20,000,000 at any one time;
     (u) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section securing Indebtedness of the Company incurred to finance the construction or acquisition of new manufacturing facilities and assets relating thereto, or Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary permitted by Section 7.2(A)(f), so long as the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed (as to all Group Members) $400,000,000 at any one time and such Liens are on the new manufacturing facilities and assets relating thereto financed thereby and other related assets; and
     (v) other Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section 7.3 securing obligations in an aggregate amount for all Group Members, together with any Indebtedness of the Company secured by Liens permitted by Section 7.3(k), not exceeding $75,000,000 at any time outstanding.
          For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 7.3, the amount of obligations secured by Liens denominated in any currency other than Dollars shall be calculated based on customary currency exchange rates in effect on the date that obligations secured by such Liens were incurred.
          7.4 Fundamental Changes . Enter into any merger, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or Dispose of all or substantially all of its property or business, except that:
     (a) any Restricted Subsidiary may be merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into the Company ( provided that the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation) or with or into any other Restricted Subsidiary ( provided that if either Restricted Subsidiary is a Subsidiary Guarantor or Wholly Owned Subsidiary, the survivor shall be a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, as applicable);
     (b) any Person may be merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into any Group Member in order to effect an acquisition;

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     (c) any Restricted Subsidiary may Dispose of any or all of its assets (i) to the Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) or (ii) pursuant to a Disposition permitted by Section 7.5;
     (d) any Restricted Subsidiary may be liquidated, wound up or dissolved if such liquidation, winding up or dissolution is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders, provided that if such Restricted Subsidiary is a Subsidiary Guarantor any liquidation, winding up or dissolution thereof shall be into a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor; and
     (e) any Restricted Subsidiary may be merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into another Person to effect a Disposition permitted by Section 7.5.
          7.5 Disposition of Property . Dispose of any of its property (other than cash), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or, in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary, issue or sell any shares of such Restricted Subsidiary’s Capital Stock to any Person, except:
     (a) the Disposition of obsolete or worn out property, used equipment or other property no longer useful in the business of the Group Members, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
     (b) the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
     (c) Dispositions permitted by clause (i) of Section 7.4(c);
     (d) the sale or issuance of any Restricted Subsidiary’s Capital Stock to the Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantor;
     (e) Dispositions of Cash Equivalents;
     (f) Dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof in the ordinary course of business;
     (g) Dispositions by any Group Member to any other Group Member;
     (h) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.9;
     (i) Dispositions constituting investments in another Person;
     (j) Dispositions of a portion of any property acquired after the Closing Date pursuant to an Acquisition, provided such Dispositions are effected within 360 days after such Acquisition;
     (k) issuance by a newly-formed Restricted Subsidiary of its Capital Stock to any Group Member in connection with its formation;
     (l) issuance by any Restricted Subsidiary of additional Capital Stock to any Group Member that already owns Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary or to any other Group Member that is the Company or is a wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary, provided that if the Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary is already owned directly by a Loan Party, then such Capital Stock shall be issued to such Loan Party;
     (m) issuance by any non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary of additional Capital Stock to Persons that are not Group Members, if such issuance does not result in the dilution of the

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interests in the Capital Stock of such non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary held by the Group Members or, to the extent resulting in a dilution, is treated as a Disposition and is permitted under Section 7.5(n);
     (n) the Disposition during any fiscal year of the Company of other property having an aggregate fair market value not to exceed 5% of Consolidated Tangible Assets of the Company as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year; and
     (o) any Disposition to an Unrestricted Subsidiary so long as such Disposition is not of assets used in, and does not impair, the manufacturing or sales operations of any Group Member.
          7.6 Restricted Payments . Declare or pay any dividend (other than dividends payable solely in common stock of the Person making such dividend) on, or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of, any Capital Stock of any Group Member, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make any other distribution in respect thereof, either directly or indirectly, whether in cash or property or in obligations of any Group Member (collectively, “ Restricted Payments ”), except that:
     (a) any Restricted Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to any Group Member that holds any of its Capital Stock, as well as ratable Restricted Payments to the other holders of its Capital Stock; and
     (b) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time thereof and after giving effect thereto, the Company may purchase the Company’s Capital Stock from present or former directors, officers or employees of the Company or any Subsidiary (or their estates or heirs) (i) upon the death, disability or termination of employment of such officer or employee or (ii) pursuant to Contractual Obligations or compensation plans.
          7.7 Acquisitions . Make any Acquisition, except for Permitted Acquisitions.
          7.8 Transactions with Affiliates . Enter into any transaction, including any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of property, the rendering of any service or the payment of any management, advisory or similar fees, with any Affiliate (other than the Company or any Subsidiary) unless such transaction is (a) otherwise permitted under this Agreement, and (b) upon terms no less favorable to the relevant Group Member than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate.
          7.9 Sales and Leasebacks . Enter into any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by any Group Member other than a Systems Subsidiary of real or personal property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Group Member to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or rental obligations of such Group Member (a “ Sale and Leaseback ”), other than Sale and Leasebacks of real or personal property by a Group Member effected within 180 days after the date of the acquisition of such property if sold or transferred for a price equal or higher than the acquisition price paid by such Group Member.
          7.10 Swap Agreements . Enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has actual exposure and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

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          7.11 Changes in Fiscal Periods . Change the fiscal year of the Company or change the Company’s method of determining fiscal quarters, provided that the Company is permitted to change its fiscal year to end on December 31 and its fiscal quarters to calendar quarters.
          7.12 Negative Pledge Clauses . Enter into or suffer to exist or become effective any agreement that prohibits or limits the ability of any Loan Party to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party other than this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, other than (i) the agreements existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.12, (ii) any restrictions with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into in connection with the Disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of any Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) any customary provisions in leases, licenses and other agreements restricting assignment thereof, (iv) restrictions that are binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and that were not entered into in contemplation of its becoming a Restricted Subsidiary (v) agreements entered into after the Closing Date with limitations or prohibitions on the ability to create or incur Liens that are not more restrictive to such Loan Party than those contained in the Malaysian Facility Agreement that do not restrict the ability of the Loan Party to secure its obligations under the Loan Documents and (vi) restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured obligations that apply only to the property securing such obligations.
          7.13 Clauses Restricting Subsidiary Distributions . Enter into or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (a) make Restricted Payments in respect of any Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary held by, or pay any Indebtedness owed to, the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (b) make loans or advances to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary or (c) transfer any of its assets to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) any restrictions existing under the Loan Documents, (ii) any restrictions with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into in connection with the Disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) any customary provisions in leases, licenses and other agreements restricting assignment thereof, (iv) restrictions that are binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and that were not entered into in contemplation of its becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and (v) restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured obligations that apply only to the property securing such obligations.
          7.14 Lines of Business . Enter into, to any material extent, any business, either directly or through any Restricted Subsidiary, except for those businesses in which the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged on the date of this Agreement or that are reasonably related thereto or otherwise related to the energy business.
SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT
          If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing:
     (a) any Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation when due in accordance with the terms hereof; or any Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation, or any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, within five days after any such interest or other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof; or

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     (b) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document or that is contained in any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished by it at any time under or in connection with this Agreement or any such other Loan Document shall prove to have been inaccurate in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made; or
     (c) any Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of any agreement contained in clause (i) of Section 6.4(a) (with respect to the Company only), Section 6.7(a) or Section 7 of this Agreement; or
     any Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of any other agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than as provided in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Section), and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice to the Company from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; or
     (d) (A) any Group Member shall (i) default in making any payment of any principal of any Indebtedness (including any Guarantee Obligation, but excluding the Loans) on the scheduled or original due date with respect thereto; or (ii) default in making any payment of any interest on any such Indebtedness; or (iii) default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, in each of clauses (ii) and (iii) beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or beneficiary of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or beneficiary) to cause, with the giving of notice if required (or, in the case of any such Indebtedness constituting a Guarantee Obligation, the taking of enforcement action against the underlying obligor), such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or (in the case of any such Indebtedness constituting a Guarantee Obligation) to become payable; or (B) any Person (other than a Group Member) shall (i) default in making any payment of any principal of any Indebtedness covered by a Guarantee Obligation of a Group Member on the scheduled or original due date with respect thereto; or (ii) default in making any payment of any interest on any such Indebtedness; or (iii) default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, in each of clauses (ii) and (iii) beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or beneficiary of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or beneficiary) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or to become payable; provided , that a default, event or condition described in clause (A)(i), (A)(ii), (A)(iii), (B)(i), (B)(ii) or (B)(iii) of this paragraph (e) shall not at any time constitute an Event of Default unless, at such time, one or more defaults, events or conditions of the type described in clauses (A)(i), (A)(ii), (A)(iii), (B)(i), (B)(ii) or (B)(iii) of this paragraph (e) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to Indebtedness the outstanding principal amount of which exceeds in the aggregate $20,000,000, provided that this paragraph (e) shall not apply to Indebtedness that becomes due, or under which a default occurs, as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of property or assets if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and such Indebtedness is paid by the relevant obligor; or
     (e) (i) any Group Member shall commence any case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy,

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insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets; or (ii) there shall be commenced against any Group Member any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (i) above that (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed or undischarged for a period of 60 days; or (iii) there shall be commenced against any Group Member any case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of its assets that results in the entry of an order for any such relief that shall not have been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or (iv) any Group Member shall take any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above; or (v) any Group Member shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or (vi) or any Group Member shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
     (f) (i) an ERISA Event shall have occurred, (ii) a trustee shall be appointed by a United States district court to administer any Pension Plan, (iii) the PBGC shall institute proceedings to terminate any Pension Plan(s), (iv) any Group Member or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that it has incurred or will be assessed Withdrawal Liability to such Multiemployer Plan and such entity does not have reasonable grounds for contesting such Withdrawal Liability or is not contesting such Withdrawal Liability in a timely and appropriate manner; or (v) any other event or condition shall occur or exist with respect to a Plan; and in each case in clauses (i) through (v) above, such event or condition, together with all other such events or conditions, if any, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
     one or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against any Group Member involving in the aggregate a liability (not paid and to the extent not fully covered by insurance as to which the relevant insurance company has been notified and has not denied coverage) of $20,000,000 or more, and all such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal within 30 days from the entry thereof; or
     any of the Security Documents shall cease, for any reason, to be in full force and effect, or any Loan Party shall so assert, or any Lien with respect to any Collateral consisting of Collateral (other than Pledged Stock) having an aggregate value in excess of $10,000,000 created by any of the Security Documents shall cease to be enforceable and of the same effect and priority purported to be created thereby; or
     the guarantee contained in Section 2 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall cease, for any reason, to be in full force and effect or any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party shall so assert; or
     (i) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), excluding the Walton Interests, shall become, or obtain rights (whether by means or warrants, options or otherwise) to become, the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the outstanding common stock of the Company or (ii) the Company shall cease to be the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 100% of the

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Capital Stock of each other Loan Party, other than pursuant to a Disposition permitted by Section 7.5;
then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (f) above with respect to the Company or any other Borrower with outstanding Loans, automatically the Revolving Commitments shall immediately terminate and the Loans (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder) shall immediately become due and payable, and (B) if such event is any other Event of Default, either or both of the following actions may be taken: (i) with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Company declare the Revolving Commitments to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the Revolving Commitments shall immediately terminate; and (ii) with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Company, declare the Loans (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder) to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable. With respect to all Letters of Credit with respect to which presentment for honor shall not have occurred at the time of an acceleration pursuant to this paragraph, the applicable Borrower shall at such time deposit in a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit. Amounts held in such cash collateral account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to repay other obligations of the Borrowers hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. After all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, all Reimbursement Obligations shall have been satisfied and all other obligations of the Borrowers hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall have been paid in full, the balance, if any, in such cash collateral account shall be returned to the Borrowers (or such other Person as may be lawfully entitled thereto). Except as expressly provided above in this Section, presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived by each Borrower.
SECTION 9. THE AGENTS
          9.1 Appointment . Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.
          9.2 Delegation of Duties . The Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative

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Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.
          9.3 Exculpatory Provisions . Neither any Agent nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agents under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Agents shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party.
          9.4 Reliance by Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any instrument, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy or email message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrowers), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.
          9.5 Notice of Default . The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a Lender or the Company referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders); provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders.
          9.6 Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders . Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Agents nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents,

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advisors, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Agents that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.
          9.7 Indemnification . The Lenders agree to indemnify each Agent and its officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents, advisors and controlling persons (each, an “ Agent Indemnitee ”) (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrowers and without limiting the obligation of the Borrowers to do so), ratably according to their respective Revolving Percentage in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Revolving Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Revolving Percentage immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of, the Revolving Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent Indemnitee under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
          9.8 Agent in Its Individual Capacity . Each Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party as though such Agent were not an Agent. With respect to its Loans made or renewed by it and with respect to any Letter of Credit issued or participated in by it, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include each Agent in its individual capacity.
          9.9 Successor Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent upon 15 days’ notice to the Lenders and the Company. If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, which successor agent shall (unless an Event of Default under Section 8(a) or Section 8(f) with respect to any

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Borrower shall have occurred and be continuing) be subject to approval by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent, and the term “Administrative Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date that is 15 days following a retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective, and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 9 and of Section 10.5 shall continue to inure to its benefit.
          9.10 Documentation Agent and Syndication Agent . Neither the Documentation Agents nor the Syndication Agent shall have any duties or responsibilities hereunder in its capacity as such.
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS
          10.1 Amendments and Waivers . Neither this Agreement, any other Loan Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, supplemented or modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.1 or as provided in Section 2.3. The Required Lenders and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, or, with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, from time to time, (a) enter into written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the other Loan Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders or of the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder or (b) waive, on such terms and conditions as the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided , however , that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall (i) forgive the principal amount or extend the final scheduled date of maturity of any Loan, reduce the stated rate of any interest or fee payable hereunder (except (x) in connection with the waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates (which waiver shall be effective with the consent of the Required Lenders) and (y) that any amendment or modification of defined terms used in the financial covenants in this Agreement shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (i)) or extend the scheduled date of any payment thereof, or increase the amount or extend the expiration date of any Lender’s Revolving Commitment, in each case without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, provided that in the event of increases to the Total Revolving Commitment pursuant to Section 2.3, only the consent of the Lenders committing to such increase shall be required; (ii) eliminate or reduce the voting rights of any Lender under this Section 10.1 without the written consent of such Lender; (iii) reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders, consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrowers of any of their rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, release all or substantially all of the Collateral or release the Company or release all or substantially all of the Subsidiary Guarantors from their obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or the Foreign Collateral Agreements, in each case without the written consent of all Lenders; (iv) change Section 2.15(b) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of all Lenders (except such changes in connection with an amendment, waiver or modification (A) that provides for a rate of interest for consenting Lenders that is different than the rate of interest for non-consenting Lenders, or provides for accrued interest to be paid pro rata to Lenders in

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accordance with the amount of interest owed to such Lenders, (B) to permit the Company or any of its Affiliates to purchase, redeem, exchange or prepay the Loans or (C) relating to the application of the provisions of this Agreement with respect to a Defaulting Lender) (v) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 9 or any other provision of any Loan Document that affects the Administrative Agent without the written consent of the Administrative Agent; (vi) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 2.4 or 2.5 without the written consent of the Swingline Lender; or (vii) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 3 without the written consent of each Issuing Lender affected thereby. Any such waiver and any such amendment, supplement or modification shall be binding upon the Loan Parties, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and all future holders of the Loans. In the case of any waiver, the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall be restored to their former position and rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or impair any right consequent thereon.
          Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers (a) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement or to increase the aggregate Revolving Commitments by adding one or more lenders or increasing the Revolving Commitments of one or more Lenders that have agreed to such increase, and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Revolving Extensions of Credit and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (b) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders.
          10.2 Notices . All notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by telecopy), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered, or three Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of telecopy notice, when received, addressed as follows in the case of the Company and the other Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, and as set forth in an administrative questionnaire delivered to the Administrative Agent in the case of the Lenders, or to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto:
     
Borrowers:
  First Solar, Inc.
 
  350 West Washington Street,
Suite 600
 
  Tempe, Arizona 85281
 
  Attention: David Brady
 
  Telecopy: (602) 414-9462
 
  Telephone: (602) 414-9362
 
   
 
  First Solar, Inc.
 
  350 West Washington Street,
Suite 600
 
  Tempe, Arizona 85281
 
  Attention: Peter Bartolino, Esq.
 
  Telecopy: (602) 414-9423
 
  Telephone: (602) 414-9323
 
   
Administrative Agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Issuing Lender:
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
10 South Dearborn, 7 th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603

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  Attention: Creston Wren
 
  Telecopy: (312) 385-7097
 
  Telephone: (312) 385-7016
 
   
 
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
  125 London Wall
 
  London
 
  EC2Y 5AJ
 
  Attention: Lucy Chick
 
  Telecopy: +44(0)20 7325 6835
 
  Telephone: +44(0)20 7325 6926
 
   
 
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
  201 North Central Avenue,
Floor 21
 
  Phoenix, AZ 85004
 
  Attention: Mark Chambers
 
  Telecopy: (602) 221-1502
 
  Telephone: (602) 221-2290
provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent or the Lenders shall not be effective until received.
          Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Section 2 unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the Company may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
          10.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.
          10.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties . All representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Loan Documents and in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans and other extensions of credit hereunder.
          10.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes . The Company agrees (a) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation and execution of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of one domestic counsel and one counsel in each foreign

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jurisdiction of the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent and filing and recording fees and expenses, with statements with respect to the foregoing to be submitted to the Company prior to the Closing Date (in the case of amounts to be paid on the Closing Date) and from time to time thereafter on a quarterly basis or such other periodic basis as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate, (b) to pay or reimburse each Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, including the fees and disbursements of counsel to each Lender and of counsel to the Administrative Agent, (c) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and the Administrative Agent harmless from, any and all recording and filing fees and any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, stamp, excise and similar Taxes, if any, that may be payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution and delivery of, or consummation or administration of any of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment, supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, and (d) to indemnify, and hold each Lender and the Administrative Agent and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and advisors (each, an “ Indemnitee ”) harmless from and against any and all other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, and suits of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, including any of the foregoing relating to the use of proceeds of the Loans or the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any Environmental Law applicable to the operations of any Group Member or any of the Properties and the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel in connection with claims, actions or proceedings relating to the foregoing (all the foregoing in this clause (d), collectively, the “ Indemnified Liabilities ”), provided , that the Company shall have no obligation hereunder to any Indemnitee with respect to Indemnified Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or any of its affiliates or their respective officers, directors or employees. Without limiting the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent relating to Indemnified Liabilities (other than those covered by the proviso to the preceding sentence), the Company agrees not to assert and to cause its Subsidiaries not to assert, and hereby waives and agrees to cause its Subsidiaries to waive, all rights for contribution or any other rights of recovery with respect to all claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature, under or related to Environmental Laws, that any of them might have by statute or otherwise against any Indemnitee. All amounts due under this Section 10.5 shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor. Statements payable by the Company pursuant to this Section 10.5 shall be submitted to David Brady (Telephone No. (602) 414-9362) (Telecopy No. (602) 414-9462), at the address of the Company set forth in Section 10.2, or to such other Person or address as may be hereafter designated by the Company in a written notice to the Administrative Agent. The agreements in this Section 10.5 shall survive repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder. This Section 10.5 shall not apply with respect to any Taxes other than as provided in paragraph (c) or any Taxes that represent losses or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.
          10.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments . (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any affiliate of the Issuing Lender that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) no Borrower may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by such Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section.
          (b)(i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may (and, within five days after notice by the Company to a Lender in accordance with Section 2.20, shall) assign to one or more Eligible Assignees (each, an “ Assignee ”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under

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this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent of:
     (A) the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), provided that no consent of the Company shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund (as defined below) or, if an Event of Default under Section 8(a) or (f) has occurred and is continuing, any other Person; and
     (B) the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Lender (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lenders shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund.
     (ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
     (A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Revolving Commitments and Loans, the amount of the Revolving Commitments and Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 in the case of a Revolving Commitment (and the corresponding ratable portion of the Loans) unless each of the Company and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that (1) no such consent of the Company shall be required if an Event of Default under Section 8(a) or (f) has occurred and is continuing and (2) such amounts shall be aggregated in respect of each Lender and its affiliates or Approved Funds, if any;
     (B) any assignment of all or any part of the Revolving Commitment of any Lender shall include a ratable assignment of its Loans, and vice versa;
     (C)(1) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 and (2) the assigning Lender shall have paid in full any amounts owing by it to the Administrative Agent; and
     (D) the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire in which the Assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Company and its Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.
          For the purposes of this Section 10.6, “ Approved Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
          (iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) below, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder

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shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.16, 2.17, 2.18 and 10.5). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 10.6 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.
          (iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Company, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Revolving Commitments of, and principal amount of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Company, each other Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Lender and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.
          (v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an Assignee, the Assignee’s completed administrative questionnaire (unless the Assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
          (c)(i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (C) any Person that would be a Fee Receiver is a Permitted Fee Receiver, unless such Fee Receiver receives written consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and (D) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 2.17(d) with respect to any payments made by such Lender to its Participant(s). Any agreement pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver that (1) requires the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby pursuant to the proviso to the second sentence of Section 10.1 and (2) directly affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, each Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of (and the limitations of) Sections 2.16, 2.17 and 2.18 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.7(b) as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant shall be subject to Section 10.7(a) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “ Participant Register ”). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall

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treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.
          (ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.16 or 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), provided that the Participant shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.19 and 2.20 as if it were an assignee under this Section 10.6.
          (d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
          (e) Each Borrower, upon receipt of written notice from the relevant Lender, agrees to issue Notes to any Lender requiring Notes to facilitate transactions of the type described in paragraph (d) above.
          (f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Conduit Lender may assign any or all of the Loans it may have funded hereunder to its designating Lender without the consent of the Company or the Administrative Agent and without regard to the limitations set forth in Section 10.6(b). Each Borrower, each Lender and the Administrative Agent hereby confirms that it will not institute against a Conduit Lender or join any other Person in instituting against a Conduit Lender any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding under any state bankruptcy or similar law, for one year and one day after the payment in full of the latest maturing commercial paper note issued by such Conduit Lender; provided , however, that each Lender designating any Conduit Lender hereby agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless each other party hereto for any loss, cost, damage or expense arising out of its inability to institute such a proceeding against such Conduit Lender during such period of forbearance.
          10.7 Adjustments; Set-off . (a) Except to the extent that this Agreement, any other Loan Document or a court order expressly provides for payments to be allocated to a particular Lender, if any Lender (a “ Benefitted Lender ”) shall receive any payment of all or part of the Obligations owing to it (other than in connection with an assignment made pursuant to Section 10.6), or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 8(f), or otherwise), in a greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of the Obligations owing to such other Lender, such Benefitted Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participating interest in such portion of the Obligations owing to each such other Lender, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, as shall be necessary to cause such Benefitted Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral ratably with each of the Lenders; provided , however , that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefitted Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.
          (b) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, each Lender shall have the right, without notice to the Borrowers, any such notice being expressly waived by each Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon the Obligations becoming due and payable at the stated maturity or by acceleration, to apply to the payment of such Obligations, by setoff or otherwise,

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any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender, any affiliate thereof or any of their respective branches or agencies to or for the credit or the account of the Borrowers. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the applicable Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such application.
          10.8 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by email or facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Company and the Administrative Agent.
          10.9 Severability . Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
          10.10 Integration . This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the entire agreement of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any Lender relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.
          10.11 GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
          10.12 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers . Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:
     (a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;
     consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;
     agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to each Borrower, as the case may be at its address set forth in Section 10.2 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

70


 

     agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and
     waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.
          10.13 Acknowledgements . Each Borrower hereby acknowledges that:
     (a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
     (b) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with the Borrowers arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between Administrative Agent and Lenders, on one hand, and the Borrowers, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and
     (c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Borrowers and the Lenders.
          10.14 Releases of Guarantees and Liens . (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender (without requirement of notice to or consent of any Lender except as expressly required by Section 10.1) to take any action reasonably requested by the Company having the effect of releasing any Collateral or Guarantee Obligations (i) in connection with consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any Loan Document or that has been consented to in accordance with Section 10.1 (including release of Liens on Collateral Disposed of or release of Guarantee Obligations of, and Collateral owned by, any Restricted Subsidiary that ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary) or (ii) under the circumstances described in paragraph (b) below.
          (b) At such time as the Loans, the Reimbursement Obligations and the other obligations under the Loan Documents (other than obligations under or in respect of Swap Agreements or obligations in respect of indemnities or expense reimbursement obligations for which no amount is claimed owing at the time) shall have been paid in full, the Revolving Commitments have been terminated and no Letters of Credit shall be outstanding (other than those Letters of Credit to which the applicable Issuing Lender has agreed to an alternate arrangement), the Collateral shall be released from the Liens created by the Security Documents, and the Security Documents and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent and each Loan Party under the Security Documents shall terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person.
          10.15 Confidentiality . Each of the Administrative Agent and each Lender agrees to keep confidential all non-public information provided to it by any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement in accordance with the customary procedures of such agent or such Lender; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the Administrative Agent or any Lender from disclosing any such information (a) to the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any affiliate thereof, (b) subject to an agreement to comply with the provisions of this Section, to any actual or prospective Transferee or any direct or indirect counterparty to any Swap Agreement or other derivatives (or any professional advisor to such counterparty), (c) on a confidential basis, to its employees, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors or those of any of its

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affiliates, (d) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority, (e) in response to any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as may otherwise be required pursuant to any Requirement of Law, (f) if requested or required to do so in connection with any litigation or similar proceeding (after giving notice to the Company), (g) that has been publicly disclosed, (h) on a confidential basis, to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender’s investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, or (i) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or (j) if agreed by the Company in its sole discretion, to any other Person.
          Each Lender acknowledges that information furnished to it pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents may include material non-public information concerning the Borrowers and their Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities, and confirms that it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and that it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with those procedures and applicable law, including Federal and state securities laws.
          All information, including requests for waivers and amendments, furnished by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent pursuant to, or in the course of administering, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents will be syndicate-level information, which may contain material non-public information about the Borrowers and their Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities. Accordingly, each Lender represents to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent that it has identified in its administrative questionnaire a credit contact who may receive information that may contain material non-public information in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable law, including Federal and state securities laws.
          10.16 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL . EACH BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.
          10.17 No Fiduciary Duty . The Borrowers agree that nothing in the Loan Documents or otherwise will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between any Lender, on the one hand, and the Borrowers, their stockholders or their affiliates, on the other. The Loan Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including the exercise of rights and remedies hereunder and thereunder) are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Lenders, on the one hand, and the Borrowers, on the other, and (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading thereto, (x) no Lender has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrowers, their stockholders or their affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (or the exercise of rights or remedies with respect thereto) or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Lender has advised, is currently advising or will advise the Borrowers, their stockholders or their Affiliates on other matters) or any other obligation to the Borrowers except the obligations expressly set forth in the Loan Documents and (y) each Lender is acting solely as principal and not as the agent or fiduciary of the Borrowers, their management, stockholders, creditors or any other Person. The Borrowers acknowledge and agree that the Borrowers have consulted their own legal and financial advisors to the extent they deemed appropriate and that they are responsible for making their own independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto. The Borrowers agree that it will not claim that any Lender has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Borrowers, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.

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          10.18 USA Patriot Act . Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrowers and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrowers in accordance with the Patriot Act.

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          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
         
  FIRST SOLAR, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Jens Meyerhoff    
    Name:   Jens Meyerhoff   
    Title:   CFO   
 
  FIRST SOLAR MANUFACTURING GmbH
 
 
  By:   /s/ David Brady    
    Name:   David Brady   
    Title:   Authorized Officer ( Prokurist  
 
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


 

         
  JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative
Agent and as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ R. Mark Chambers    
    Name:   R. Mark Chambers   
    Title:   Senior Vice President   
 
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


 

         
  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Documentation Agent
and as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ David R. Barney    
    Name:   David R. Barney   
    Title:   Senior Vice President   
 
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


 

         
  THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC, as a Documentation Agent and as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Peter Bickford    
    Name:   Peter Bickford   
    Title:   Managing Director   
 
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


 

         
  CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, as
Syndication Agent and as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Bill O’Daly    
    Name:   Bill O’Daly   
    Title:   Director   
 
     
  By:   /s/ Ilya Ivashkov    
    Name:   Ilya Ivashkov   
    Title:   Associate   
 
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


 

         
  GOLDMAN SACHS BANK (EUROPE), PLC, as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ David Buckley    
    Name:   David Buckley   
    Title:   Director   
 
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


 

         
  WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Ken Edens    
    Name:   Ken Edens   
    Title:   Vice President   
 
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


 

         
  HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Steven F. Larsen    
    Name:   Steven F. Larsen   
    Title:   First Vice President   
 
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


 

         
  ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Jay T. Sartain    
    Name:   Jay T. Sartain   
    Title:   Authorized Signatory   
 
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


 

         
  MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A., as a Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Paul Fossati    
    Name:   Paul Fossati   
    Title:   Authorized Signatory   
 
[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]

Exhibit 10.2
EXECUTION COPY
CHARGE OF COMPANY SHARES
DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 2009
BETWEEN
FIRST SOLAR, INC.
as Chargor
AND
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
as Security Agent
(ALLEN & OVERY LOGO)
Allen & Overy LLP
45844-00043 SN:2450283.7

 


 

CONTENTS
             
        Page  
Clause            
 
 
1.
  Interpretation     1  
2.
  Creation of Security     3  
3.
  Further assurances     3  
4.
  Restrictions on dealings     4  
5.
  Representations and warranties     4  
6.
  Shares     5  
7.
  General Undertakings     7  
8.
  Preservation of Security     7  
9.
  When Security becomes enforceable     9  
10.
  Enforcement of Security     10  
11.
  Receiver     11  
12.
  Powers of Receiver     12  
13.
  Application of proceeds     13  
14.
  Expenses and indemnity     13  
15.
  Delegation     14  
16.
  Power of attorney     14  
17.
  Miscellaneous     14  
18.
  Release     15  
19.
  Evidence and calculations     15  
20.
  Notices     15  
21.
  Language     16  
22.
  Severability     16  
23.
  Waivers and remedies cumulative     17  
24.
  Counterparts     17  
25.
  Governing law     17  
26.
  Enforcement     17  
 
           
Schedule        
 
           
1.
  Shares     19  
 
           
Signatories     20  

 


 

THIS DEED is dated September 4,2009 and is made BETWEEN :
FIRST SOLAR, INC. , a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware, USA, (the Chargor ); and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. (the Security Agent ) as agent and trustee for the Finance Parties (as defined below).
BACKGROUND :
(a)   The Chargor enters into this Security Document in connection with the Credit Agreement (as defined below).
 
(b)   It is intended that this document takes effect as a deed notwithstanding the fact that a party may only execute this document under hand.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1.   INTERPRETATION
 
1.1   Definitions
 
    In this Security Document:
 
    Act means the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act, Chapter 61 of Singapore.
 
    Credit Agreement means the US$300,000,000 credit agreement dated on or about the date of this Security Document between, among others, the Chargor and the Security Agent.
 
    Finance Party means the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Lender, or, in the case of a Specified Swap Agreement, any affiliate of any Lender.
 
    Grantor means any person that is a Grantor under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.
 
    Party means a party to this Security Document.
 
    Receiver means a receiver and manager, a receiver, judicial manager or other manager, in each case, appointed under this Security Document.
 
    Related Rights means:
  (a)   any dividend, interest or other distribution paid or payable in relation to any Shares;
 
  (b)   any right, money or property accruing or offered at any time in relation to any Shares by way of redemption, substitution, exchange, bonus or preference, under option rights or otherwise; and
 
  (c)   any other shares of the Subject Company that are acquired by the Chargor at any time after the date of this Deed provided that the aggregate of the Shares, and any other shares falling within this paragraph (c) must not exceed 66% of the issued shares of the Subject Company.
    Secured Liabilities means the unpaid principal of and interest on (including interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the maturity of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency,

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    reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Chargor whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) the Loans and all other obligations and liabilities of the Chargor to the Security Agent or to any Finance Party, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Letters of Credit or any Specified Swap Agreement, whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses (including all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Security Agent or to any Lender that are required to be paid by the Chargor pursuant thereto) or otherwise.
    Security means any Security Interest created, evidenced or conferred by or under this Security Document.
 
    Security Assets means assets of the Chargor which are the subject of any security created by this Security Document.
 
    Security Interest means a Lien.
 
    Security Period means the period beginning on the date of this Security Document and ending on the date on which all the Secured Liabilities have been unconditionally and irrevocably paid and discharged in full.
 
    Singapore means the Republic of Singapore.
 
    Shares means the shares specified in Schedule 1 (Shares).
 
    Subject Company means the company identified in Schedule 1 (Shares).
 
    Trustees Act means the Trustees Act, Chapter 337 of Singapore.
1.2   Construction
 
(a)   Capitalised terms defined in the Credit Agreement have, unless expressly defined in this Security Document, the same meaning in this Security Document.
 
(b)   The provisions of section 1.2 (Other Definitional Provisions) of the Credit Agreement apply to this Security Document as though they were set out in full in this Security Document, except that references to the Credit Agreement will be construed as references to this Security Document.
 
(c)   A reference to a Loan Document or other document or security includes (without prejudice to any prohibition on amendments) any amendment to that Loan Document or other document or security, including any change in the purpose of, any extension or any increase in the amount of a facility or any additional facility.
 
(d)   Any covenant of the Chargor under this Security Document (other than a payment obligation) remains in force during the Security Period and is given for the benefit of each Finance Party.
 
(e)   If the Security Agent considers that an amount paid to a Finance Party under a Loan Document is capable of being avoided or otherwise set aside on the liquidation, administration, judicial management or winding-up of the payer or otherwise, then that amount will not be considered to have been irrevocably paid for the purposes of this Security Document.
 
(f)   Unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to a Security Asset includes:

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  (i)   any part of that Security Asset; and
 
  (ii)   the proceeds of that Security Asset.
(g)   References to the Security Agent as a party to any other document shall be construed as references to the Security Agent acting in its capacity as Administrative Agent pursuant to its appointment as administrative agent under section 9 of the Credit Agreement and section 7 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.
 
1.3   Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act
 
(a)   Unless expressly provided to the contrary and other than the Finance Parties, a person who is not a party to this Security Document has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act, Chapter 53B of Singapore to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term of this Security Document.
 
(b)   Notwithstanding any terms of this Security Document, the consent of any third party is not required for any variation (including any release or compromise of any liability under) or termination of this Security Document.
 
2.   CREATION OF SECURITY
 
2.1   General
 
(a)   All the security created under this Security Document:
  (i)   is created in favour of the Security Agent; and
 
  (ii)   is security for the payment, discharge and performance of all the Secured Liabilities.
(b)   The Security Agent holds the benefit of this Security Document on trust for the Finance Parties.
 
2.2   Shares
 
    The Chargor charges by way of a first fixed charge:
  (a)   all the Shares; and
 
  (b)   all Related Rights.
3.   FURTHER ASSURANCES
 
    The Chargor must, at its own expense and after receipt of a written request from the Security Agent, take whatever action the Security Agent or a Receiver may reasonably require for:
  (a)   creating, perfecting or protecting any security intended to be created by or pursuant to this Security Document or the priority of any security intended to be created by or pursuant to this Security Document;
 
  (b)   facilitating the realisation of any Security Asset;
 
  (c)   facilitating the exercise of any right, power or discretion exercisable, by the Security Agent or any Receiver or any of their delegates or sub-delegates in respect of any Security Asset; or

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  (d)   creating and perfecting security in favour of the Security Agent (equivalent to the security intended to be created by this Security Document) over Shares or Related Rights located in any jurisdiction outside Singapore.
    This includes:
  (i)   the re-execution of this Security Document;
 
  (ii)   the execution of any transfer whether to the Security Agent or to its nominee; and
 
  (iii)   the giving of any notice and the making of any filing or registration,
    which, in any such case, the Security Agent may think expedient.
4.   RESTRICTIONS ON DEALINGS
 
    The Chargor must not:
  (a)   create or permit to subsist any Security Interest on any Security Asset (save for any Security Interest created under the Loan Documents); or
 
  (b)   sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any Security Asset.
5.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
5.1   Representations and warranties
 
    The Chargor makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause to each Finance Party.
 
5.2   Nature of security
 
    This Security Document creates those Security Interests it purports to create and is not liable to be avoided or otherwise set aside on its liquidation, administration, judicial management or winding-up or otherwise.
 
5.3   Shares
 
(a)   The Shares are duly authorised, validly issued and fully paid and are not subject to any option to purchase or similar right.
 
(b)   The Shares represent 66% of the issued voting share capital of the Subject Company.
 
(c)   The Chargor is the sole legal and beneficial owner of the Shares.
 
(d)   The Security Assets are (save for any Security Interest created under the Loan Documents) free from:
  (i)   any Security Interest; and
 
  (ii)   any interests or claims of third parties.
5.4   Times for making representations and warranties
 
(a)   The representations and warranties set out in this Security Document (including in this Clause) are made on the date of this Security Document.

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(b)   Each representation and warranty under this Security Document is deemed to be repeated by the Chargor on each date during the Security Period.
 
(c)   When a representation and warranty is deemed to be repeated, it is applied to the circumstances existing at the time of repetition.
 
6.   SHARES
 
6.1   Deposit
 
    The Chargor must:
  (a)   immediately deposit with the Security Agent or, as the Security Agent may direct, all certificates and other documents of title or evidence of ownership in relation to the Security Assets; and
 
  (b)   promptly execute and deliver to the Security Agent all share transfers and other documents, including transfers of the Shares executed in blank, which may be requested by the Security Agent in order to enable the Security Agent or its nominees to be registered as the owner or otherwise obtain a legal title to any Security Assets.
6.2   Changes to rights
 
    The Chargor must not take or allow the taking of any action on its behalf which may result in the rights attaching to any Security Assets being altered or further shares in the Subject Company being issued.
 
6.3   Calls
 
(a)   The Chargor must pay all calls and other payments due and payable in respect of any Security Assets.
 
(b)   If the Chargor fails to do so, the Security Agent may pay any such calls or other payments on behalf of the Chargor. The Chargor must immediately on written request reimburse the Security Agent for any payment made by the Security Agent under this Subclause.
 
6.4   Other obligations in respect of Security Assets
 
(a)   The Chargor must comply with all written requests for information which is within its knowledge and which are made under any law or regulation or by any listing or other authority or any similar provision contained in any constitutional document relating to any Security Assets. If it fails to do so, the Security Agent may elect to provide such information as it may have on behalf of the Chargor.
 
(b)   The Chargor must promptly supply to the Security Agent a copy of any information referred to in sub-paragraph (a) above.
 
(c)   The Chargor must comply with all other conditions and obligations assumed by it in respect of any Security Assets.
 
(d)   No Finance Party is obliged to:
  (i)   perform any obligation of the Chargor;
 
  (ii)   make any payment;

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  (iii)   make any enquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by it or the Chargor; or
 
  (iv)   present or file any claim or take any other action to collect or enforce the payment of any amount to which it may be entitled under this Security Document,
 
  in respect of any Security Assets.
6.5   Voting rights
 
(a)   Before this Security becomes enforceable, the Chargor may continue to exercise the voting rights, powers and other rights in respect of the Security Assets.
 
(b)   Before this Security becomes enforceable, if any Security Assets have been registered in the name of the Security Agent or its nominee, the Security Agent (or its nominee) must exercise the voting rights, powers and other rights in respect of the Security Assets in the manner in which the Chargor may direct in writing. The Security Agent (or that nominee) will execute any form of proxy or other document which the Chargor may reasonably require for this purpose.
 
(c)   Before this Security becomes enforceable, all dividends or other income or distributions paid or payable in relation to any Security Assets must be paid to the Chargor. To achieve this:
  (i)   the Security Agent or its nominee must promptly execute any dividend mandate necessary to ensure that payment is made direct to the Chargor; or
 
  (ii)   if payment is made directly to the Security Agent (or its nominee) before this Security becomes enforceable, the Security Agent (or that nominee) must promptly pay that amount to the Chargor.
(d)   Before this Security becomes enforceable, the Security Agent must use its reasonable endeavours to forward promptly to the Chargor all material notices, correspondence and/or other communication it receives in relation to the Security Assets.
 
(e)   After this Security has become enforceable, the Security Agent or its nominee may exercise or refrain from exercising:
  (i)   any voting rights; and
 
  (ii)   any other powers or rights which may be exercised by the legal or beneficial owner of any Security Assets, any person who is the holder of any Security Assets or otherwise,
    in each case, in the name of the Chargor, the registered holder or otherwise and without any further consent or authority on the part of the Chargor and irrespective of any direction given by the Chargor.
(f)   If any Security Asset remains registered in the name of the Chargor, the Chargor irrevocably appoints the Security Agent or its nominee as its proxy to exercise all voting rights in respect of those Security Assets at any time after this Security has become enforceable.
 
(g)   The Chargor must indemnify the Security Agent against any loss or liability incurred by the Security Agent as a consequence of the Security Agent acting in respect of the Security Assets at the direction of the Chargor, provided that the foregoing indemnity will not apply to losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses to the extent they arise from the wilful misconduct or gross negligence of the Security Agent.

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6.6   Filing
 
    The Chargor must make timely filing and registration of this Security Document in order to preserve and perfect this Security.
 
6.7   Documents
 
    The Chargor shall promptly execute and/or deliver to the Security Agent such documents relating to the Shares as the Security Agent reasonably requires.
 
7.   GENERAL UNDERTAKINGS
 
7.1   Compliance with laws
 
    The Chargor shall comply in all respects with all laws to which it may be subject, if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents.
 
7.2   Restrictions on dealing
 
    Without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Chargor shall not do, or permit to be done, anything which could prejudice the Security or use the Security Assets in any way which is prejudicial to the interests of the Finance Parties.
 
7.3   Discharge other debts
 
    The Chargor shall punctually pay and discharge all debts and obligations which by law have priority over the Security.
 
7.4   Depreciation of Security Assets
 
    The Chargor shall not do or cause or permit to be done anything which may in any way depreciate, jeopardise or otherwise prejudice the value of the Security Assets.
 
7.5   Memorandum and Articles of Association
 
    The Chargor will (promptly after any request by the Security Agent) cause the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association of the Subject Company to be amended in the manner requested by the Security Agent for the purpose of ensuring that the directors of the Subject Company shall not be entitled to decline to register, or suspend the registration of, any transfer of any Shares where such transfer is executed (whether as transferor or transferee) by any bank or financial institution to whom such Shares shall have been charged or pledged by way of security, or by any nominee of such bank or financial institution, but shall not, unless the Security Agent otherwise requires or shall otherwise have given its prior consent in writing, cause, procure or allow any other amendment or variations to be made to the Memorandum of Association or the Articles of Association of the Subject Company.
 
8.   PRESERVATION OF SECURITY
 
8.1   Continuing security
 
    This Security is a continuing security and will extend to the ultimate balance of the Secured Liabilities, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.

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8.2   Reinstatement
 
(a)   If any discharge (whether in respect of the obligations of any Grantor or any security for those obligations or otherwise) or arrangement is made in whole or in part on the faith of any payment, security or other disposition which is avoided or must be restored on insolvency, liquidation, administration or otherwise without limitation, the liability of the Chargor under this Security Document will continue or be reinstated as if the discharge or arrangement had not occurred.
 
(b)   Each Finance Party may concede or compromise any claim that any payment, security or other disposition is liable to avoidance or restoration.
 
8.3   Waiver of defences
 
    The obligations of the Chargor under this Security Document will not be affected by any act, omission or thing (whether or not known to it or any Finance Party) which, but for this provision, would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this Security Document. This includes:
  (a)   any time or waiver granted to, or composition with, any person;
 
  (b)   any release of any person under the terms of any composition or arrangement;
 
  (c)   the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any person (other than a full release of this Security Document);
 
  (d)   any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;
 
  (e)   any incapacity, lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of any person;
 
  (f)   any amendment of a Loan Document or any other document or security;
 
  (g)   any unenforceability, illegality, invalidity or non-provability of any obligation of any person under any Loan Document or any other document or security or the failure by the Chargor to enter into or be bound by any Loan Document; or
 
  (h)   any insolvency or similar proceeding.
8.4   Immediate recourse
 
    The Chargor waives any right it may have of first requiring any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce any other right or security or claim payment from any person or file any proof or claim in any insolvency, administration, winding-up or liquidation proceedings relative to any other person before claiming from the Chargor under this Security Document.
 
8.5   Appropriations
 
    At any time during the Security Period, each Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) may without affecting the liability of the Chargor under this Security Document:

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  (a)   (i)  refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by that Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) against those amounts; or
 
      (ii)  apply and enforce them in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise); and
 
  (b)   hold in a non-interest-bearing suspense account any moneys received from the Chargor or on account of the Chargor’s liability under this Security Document.
8.6   Non-competition
 
    Unless the Security Period has expired or the Security Agent otherwise directs, the Chargor will not, after a claim has been made under this Security Document or by virtue of any payment or performance by it under this Security Document:
  (a)   be subrogated to any rights, security or moneys held, received or receivable by any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf);
 
  (b)   be entitled to any right of contribution or indemnity in respect of any payment made or moneys received on account of the Chargor’s liability under this Clause;
 
  (c)   claim, rank, prove or vote as a creditor of any Grantor or its estate in competition with any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf); or
 
  (d)   receive, claim or have the benefit of any payment, distribution or security from or on account of any Grantor, or exercise any right of set-off as against any Grantor.
    The Chargor must hold in trust for and immediately pay or transfer to the Security Agent for the Finance Parties any payment or distribution or benefit of security received by it contrary to this Clause or in accordance with any directions given by the Security Agent under this Clause.
8.7   Additional security
 
(a)   This Security Document is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other security now or subsequently held by any Finance Party.
 
(b)   No prior security held by any Finance Party (in its capacity as such or otherwise) over any Security Asset will merge into this Security.
 
8.8   Security held by Chargor
 
    The Chargor must not, without the prior consent of the Security Agent, hold any security from any Grantor in respect of the Chargor’s liability under this Security Document. The Chargor will hold any security held by it in breach of this provision on trust for the Security Agent.
 
9.   WHEN SECURITY BECOMES ENFORCEABLE
 
9.1   Timing
 
    This Security will become immediately enforceable if an Event of Default occurs.

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9.2   Enforcement
 
    After this Security has become enforceable, the Security Agent may in its absolute discretion enforce all or any part of this Security in any manner it sees fit or as the Required Lenders direct.
 
10.   ENFORCEMENT OF SECURITY
 
10.1   General
 
(a)   The power of sale, the power to appoint a Receiver and any other powers conferred on a mortgagee by law (including under Section 24 of the Act), as amended by this Security Document, will be immediately exercisable at any time after this Security has become enforceable.
 
(b)   Any restriction imposed by law on the power of sale (including under Section 25 of the Act) or the right of a mortgagee to consolidate mortgages (including under Section 21 of the Act) does not apply to this Security.
 
10.2   No liability as mortgagee in possession
 
    Neither the Security Agent nor any Receiver will be liable, by reason of entering into possession of a Security Asset to account as mortgagee in possession or for any loss on realisation or for any default or omission for which a mortgagee in possession might be liable.
 
10.3   Privileges
 
    Each Receiver and the Security Agent is entitled to all the rights, powers, privileges and immunities conferred by law (including the Act) on mortgagees and receivers duly appointed under any law (including the Act), except that Section 25 of the Act does not apply.
 
10.4   Protection of third parties
 
(a)   No person (including a purchaser) dealing with the Security Agent or a Receiver or its or his agents will be concerned to enquire:
  (i)   whether the Secured Liabilities have become payable;
 
  (ii)   whether any power which the Security Agent or a Receiver is purporting to exercise has become exercisable or is being properly exercised;
 
  (iii)   whether any money remains due under the Loan Documents; or
 
  (iv)   how any money paid to the Security Agent or to that Receiver is to be applied.
(b)   Subject to the provisions of this Security Document, all the protection to purchasers contained in Section 26 and 27 of the Act or any other legislation shall apply to any person purchasing from or dealing with the Security Agent, the Receiver or any of its or his assets.
 
10.5   Redemption of prior mortgages
 
(a)   At any time after this Security has become enforceable, the Security Agent may:
  (i)   redeem any prior Security Interest against any Security Asset; and/or
 
  (ii)   procure the transfer of that Security Interest to itself; and/or

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  (iii)   settle and pass the accounts of the prior mortgagee, chargee or encumbrancer; any accounts so settled and passed will be, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive and binding on the Chargor.
(b)   The Chargor must pay to the Security Agent, immediately on written demand, the properly incurred costs and expenses incurred by the Security Agent in connection with any such redemption and/or transfer, including the payment of any principal or interest.
 
10.6   Contingencies
 
    If this Security is enforced at a time when no amount is due under the Loan Documents but at a time when amounts may or will become due, the Security Agent (or the Receiver) may pay the proceeds of any recoveries effected by it into such number of suspense accounts as it considers appropriate.
 
11.   RECEIVER
 
11.1   Appointment of Receiver
 
(a)   Except as provided below, the Security Agent may appoint any one or more persons to be a Receiver of all or any part of the Security Assets if:
  (i)   this Security has become enforceable; or
 
  (ii)   the Chargor so requests the Security Agent in writing at any time.
(b)   Any appointment under paragraph (a) above may be by deed, under seal or in writing under its hand.
 
(c)   Except as provided below, any restriction imposed by law on the right of a mortgagee to appoint a Receiver (including under section 29(1) of the Act) does not apply to this Security Document.
 
11.2   Removal
 
    The Security Agent may by writing under its hand, with written notice to the Chargor, remove any Receiver appointed by it and may, whenever it thinks fit, appoint a new Receiver in the place of any Receiver whose appointment may for any reason have terminated.
 
11.3   Remuneration
 
    The Security Agent may fix the remuneration of any Receiver appointed by it and any maximum rate imposed by law (including under section 29(6) of the Act) will not apply.
 
11.4   Agent of the Chargor
 
(a)   A Receiver will be deemed to be the agent of the Chargor for all purposes and accordingly will be deemed to be in the same position as a Receiver duly appointed by a mortgagee under the Act. The Chargor is solely responsible for the contracts, engagements, acts, omissions, defaults and losses of a Receiver and for liabilities incurred by a Receiver, provided that this shall not prejudice any right or remedy the Chargor may have against the Receiver.
 
(b)   No Finance Party will incur any liability (either to the Chargor or to any other person) by reason of the appointment of a Receiver or for any other reason.

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11.5   Relationship with Security Agent
 
    To the fullest extent allowed by law, any right, power or discretion conferred by this Security Document (either expressly or impliedly) or by law on a Receiver may after this Security becomes enforceable be exercised by the Security Agent in relation to any Security Asset without first appointing a Receiver or notwithstanding the appointment of a Receiver.
 
12.   POWERS OF RECEIVER
 
12.1   General
 
(a)   A Receiver has all the rights, powers and discretions set out below in this Clause in addition to those conferred on it by any law. This includes all the rights, powers and discretions conferred on a receiver (or a receiver and manager or a judicial manager) under the Act and as set out below and in addition to those conferred on it by any law.
 
(b)   If there is more than one Receiver holding office at the same time, each Receiver may (unless the document appointing him states otherwise) exercise all the powers conferred on a Receiver under this Security Document individually and to the exclusion of any other Receiver.
 
12.2   Possession
 
    A Receiver may take immediate possession of, get in and collect any Security Asset.
 
12.3   Sale of assets
 
(a)   A Receiver may sell, exchange, convert into money and realise any Security Asset by public auction or private contract and generally in any manner and on any terms which he thinks fit.
 
(b)   The consideration for any such transaction may consist of cash, debentures or other obligations, shares, stock or other valuable consideration and any such consideration may be payable in a lump sum or by instalments spread over any period which he thinks fit.
 
12.4   Compromise
 
    A Receiver may settle, adjust, refer to arbitration, compromise and arrange any claims, accounts, disputes, questions and demands with or by any person who is or claims to be a creditor of the Chargor or relating in any way to any Security Asset.
 
12.5   Legal Actions
 
    A Receiver may bring, prosecute, enforce, defend and abandon all actions, suits and proceedings in relation to any Security Asset which he thinks fit.
 
12.6   Borrow money
 
    A Receiver may borrow or raise money either unsecured or on the security of the Security Assets (either in priority to the Security or otherwise).
 
12.7   Redemption of Security
 
    A Receiver may redeem any Security Interests (whether or not having priority to the Security) over the Security Assets and to settle the accounts of any person with an interest in the Security Assets.

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12.8   Receipts
 
    A Receiver may give a valid receipt for any moneys and execute any assurance or thing which may be proper or desirable for realising any Security Asset.
 
12.9   Delegation
 
    A Receiver may delegate his powers in accordance with this Security Document.
 
12.10   Other powers
 
    A Receiver may:
  (a)   do all other acts and things which he may consider desirable or reasonably necessary for realising any Security Asset or incidental or conducive to any of the rights, powers or discretions conferred on a Receiver under or by virtue of this Security Document or law;
 
  (b)   exercise in relation to any Security Asset all the powers, authorities and things which he would be capable of exercising if he were the absolute beneficial owner of that Security Asset; and
 
  (c)   exercise the above powers in the name of and on behalf of the Chargor for any of the above purposes.
13.   APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS
 
    Unless otherwise determined by the Security Agent or any Receiver, any moneys received by the Security Agent or that Receiver after this Security has become enforceable must be applied in the following order of priority:
  (a)   in or towards payment of or provision for all costs and expenses incurred by the Security Agent or any Receiver under or in connection with this Security Document and of all remuneration due to any Receiver under or in connection with this Security Document;
 
  (b)   in payment to the Security Agent for application towards the balance of the Secured Liabilities; and
 
  (c)   in payment of the surplus (if any) to the Chargor or other person entitled to it.
    This Clause is subject to the payment of any claims having priority over this Security. This Clause does not prejudice the right of any Finance Party to recover any shortfall from the Chargor.
 
14.   EXPENSES AND INDEMNITY
 
    The Chargor must:
  (a)   promptly on written demand pay all reasonable costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred in connection with this Security Document by any Finance Party, Receiver, attorney, manager, agent or other person appointed by the Security Agent under this Security Document; and
 
  (b)   keep each of them indemnified against any loss or liability incurred by it in connection with any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings concerning this Security, provided that the foregoing indemnity will not apply to losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related

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      expenses to the extent they arise from the wilful misconduct or gross negligence of any indemnified person.
15.   DELEGATION
 
15.1   Power of Attorney
 
    The Security Agent or any Receiver may delegate by power of attorney or in any other manner to any person any right, power or discretion exercisable by it under this Security Document.
 
15.2   Terms
 
    Any such delegation may be made upon any terms (including power to sub-delegate) which the Security Agent or any Receiver may think fit.
 
15.3   Liability
 
    Neither the Security Agent nor any Receiver will be in any way liable or responsible to the Chargor for any loss or liability arising from any act, default, omission or misconduct on the part of any delegate or sub-delegate except to the extent directly attributable to that delegate or sub-delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct. Any third party referred to in this Clause may enjoy the benefit of or enforce the terms of this Clause in accordance with the provisions of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act, Chapter 53B of Singapore.
 
16.   POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
    The Chargor, by way of security, irrevocably and severally appoints the Security Agent, each Receiver and any of their delegates or sub-delegates to be its attorney to take any action which the Chargor is obliged to take under this Security Document. The Chargor ratifies and confirms whatever any attorney lawfully does or purports to do under its appointment under this Clause. Any third party referred to in this Clause may enjoy the benefit of or enforce the terms of this Clause in accordance with the provisions of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act, Chapter 53B of Singapore.
 
17.   MISCELLANEOUS
 
17.1   Covenant to pay
 
    The Chargor must pay or discharge the Secured Liabilities in the manner provided for in the Loan Documents.
 
17.2   Tacking
 
    Each Lender must perform its obligations under the Credit Agreement (including any obligation to make available further advances).
 
17.3   New Accounts
 
(a)   If any subsequent charge or other interest affects any Security Asset, the Finance Party may open a new account with the Chargor.
 
(b)   If the Finance Party does not open a new account, it will nevertheless be treated as if it had done so at the time when it received or was deemed to have received notice of that charge or other interest.

14


 

(c)   As from that time all payments made to the Finance Party will be credited or be treated as having been credited to the new account and will not operate to reduce any Secured Liability.
 
17.4   Trustees Act
 
    The Security Agent shall have all the powers and discretions conferred upon trustees by the Trustees Act provided that:
  (a)   where there are any inconsistencies between the Trustees Act and the provisions of this Security Document or any other Loan Document (each, a Relevant Document ), to the extent allowed by law the provisions of such Relevant Document shall prevail;
 
  (b)   any inconsistencies between the Trustees Act and the provisions of any Relevant Document shall constitute a restriction or exclusion under the Trustees Act; and
 
  (c)   Section 3A of the Trustees Act shall not apply to the duties of the Security Agent in relation to the trusts contained in this Security Document. The powers, duties and discretions conferred on the Security Agent by the provisions of this Security Document are by way of supplement to those conferred by the Trustees Act.
18.   RELEASE
 
    At the end of the Security Period, the Finance Parties must, at the request and cost of the Chargor, take whatever action is reasonably necessary to release its Security Assets from this Security.
 
19.   EVIDENCE AND CALCULATIONS
 
19.1   Accounts
 
    Accounts maintained by a Finance Party in connection with this Security Document are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate for the purpose of any litigation or arbitration proceedings.
 
19.2   Certificates and determinations
 
    Any certification or determination by a Finance Party of a rate or amount under the Loan Documents will be, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive evidence of the matters to which it relates.
 
19.3   Calculations
 
    Any interest or fee accruing under this Security Document accrues from day to day and is calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 360 days or otherwise, depending on what the Security Agent determines is market practice.
 
20.   NOTICES
 
20.1   In writing
 
(a)   Any communication in connection with this Security Document must be in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be given:
  (i)   in person, by post or fax; or
 
  (ii)   to the extent agreed by the Parties, by e-mail or other electronic communication.

15


 

(b)   For the purpose of this Security Document, an electronic communication will be treated as being in writing.
 
(c)   Unless it is agreed to the contrary, any consent or agreement required under this Security Document must be given in writing.
 
20.2   Contact details
 
(a)   The contact details of the Chargor for all notices in connection with this Security Document are the same as those set out in Section 10.2 of the Credit Agreement for the Chargor.
 
(b)   The contact details of the Security Agent for all notices in connection with this Security Document are the same as those set out in Section 10.2 of the Credit Agreement for the Security Agent.
 
(c)   Any Party may change its contact details by giving five Business Days’ notice to the Security Agent or to the other Party.
 
(d)   Where the Security Agent nominates a particular department or officer to receive a notice, a notice will not be effective if it fails to specify that department or officer.
 
20.3   Effectiveness
 
(a)   Except as provided below, any communication in connection with this Security Document will be deemed to be given as follows:
  (i)   if delivered in person, at the time of delivery;
 
  (ii)   if posted, five Business Days after being deposited in the post, postage prepaid, in a correctly addressed envelope;
 
  (iii)   if by fax, when received in legible form; and
 
  (iv)   if by e-mail or any other electronic communication, when received in legible form.
(b)   A communication given under paragraph (a) above but received on a non-working day or after business hours in the place of receipt will only be deemed to be given on the next working day in that place.
 
(c)   A communication to the Security Agent will only be effective on actual receipt by it.
 
21.   LANGUAGE
 
    Any notice given in connection with this Security Document must be in English.
 
22.   SEVERABILITY
 
    If a term of this Security Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any jurisdiction, that will not affect:
  (a)   the legality, validity or enforceability in that jurisdiction of any other term of this Security Document; or
 
  (b)   the legality, validity or enforceability in any other jurisdiction of that or any other term of this Security Document.

16


 

23.   WAIVERS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE
 
    The rights of each Finance Party under this Security Document:
  (a)   may be exercised as often as necessary;
 
  (b)   are cumulative and not exclusive of its rights under the general law; and
 
  (c)   may be waived only in writing and specifically.
    Delay in exercising or non-exercise of any right is not a waiver of that right.
24.   COUNTERPARTS
 
    This Security Document may be executed in any number of counterparts. This has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Security Document.
 
25.   GOVERNING LAW
 
    This Security Document is governed by Singapore law.
 
26.   ENFORCEMENT
 
26.1   Jurisdiction
 
(a)   The Singapore courts have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute including a dispute relating to non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Security Document.
 
(b)   The Singapore courts are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle any such dispute in connection with this Security Document. The Chargor agrees not to argue to the contrary and waives objection to those courts on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise in relation to proceedings in connection with this Security Document.
 
(c)   This Clause is for the benefit of the Finance Parties only. To the extent allowed by law, a Finance Party may take:
  (i)   proceedings in any other court; and
 
  (ii)   concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.
(d)   References in this Clause to a dispute in connection with this Security Document includes any dispute as to the existence, validity or termination of this Security Document.
26.2   Service of process
 
(a)   The Chargor irrevocably appoints the Subject Company as its agent under this Security Document for service of process in any proceedings before the Singapore courts in connection with this Security Document.
 
(b)   If any person appointed as process agent under this Clause is unable for any reason to so act, the Chargor must immediately (and in any event within three days of the event taking place) appoint another agent on terms acceptable to the Security Agent. Failing this, the Security Agent may appoint another process agent for this purpose.

17


 

(c)   The Chargor agrees that failure by a process agent to notify it of any process will not invalidate the relevant proceedings.
 
(d)   This Clause does not affect any other method of service allowed by law.
 
26.3   Waiver of immunity
 
    The Chargor irrevocably and unconditionally:
  (a)   agrees not to claim any immunity from proceedings brought by a Finance Party against it in relation to this Security Document and to ensure that no such claim is made on its behalf;
 
  (b)   consents generally to the giving of any relief or the issue of any process in connection with those proceedings; and
 
  (c)   waives all rights of immunity in respect of it or its assets.
This Security Document has been entered into and executed as a deed by the Chargor with the intention that it be delivered on the date stated at the beginning of this deed.

18


 

SCHEDULE 1
PART 1SHARES
         
Subject Company
  Number of Shares
 
       
FIRST SOLAR FE HOLDINGS PTE. LTD.
    66,000,000  

19


 

SIGNATORIES
         
Chargor

FIRST SOLAR, INC.
 
   
By:   /s/ David Brady      
  Name:   David Brady     
  Title:   Corporate Treasurer     

20


 

         
Security Agent

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
 
   
By:   /s/ R. Mark Chambers      
  Name:   R. Mark Chambers     
  Title:   Senior Vice President     
 

21

Exhibit 10.3
-1-
(GRAPHIC)
Transacted
in Frankfurt am Main, this 4th day of September, 2009.
Before me, the undersigning
Dr. Karl-Heinz Schmiegelt,
civil law notary
with offices in Frankfurt/Main
who was asked to notarise this deed in the premises of Hengeler Mueller, Bockenheimer Landstraße 24, 60323 Frankfurt/Main
appeared today:
1.   Mr. Christian Leisinger, born 26 April 1980, with business address at Hengeler Mueller, Bockenheimer Landstraße 24, 60323 Frankfurt/Main.
 
    Deponent No. 1 stated that in the following he would not act for himself but in the name and on behalf of
  a)   FIRST SOLAR, INC. , a corporation organised under the laws of Delaware, United States of America, having its at business address at 350 West Washington Street, Suite 600, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States of America,
 
      acting based upon a power of attorney dated 17 August 2009 and a delegated power of attorney dated 4 September 2009, certified copies of which shall be attached hereto as appendices A.a.1 and A.a.2
 
  b)   FIRST SOLAR HOLDINGS GMBH, a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Mainz, Germany, under registration number HRB 40090,
 
      acting based upon a power of attorney dated 17 August 2009 and a delegated power of attorney dated 4 September 2009, certified copies of which shall be attached hereto as appendices A.b.1 and A.b.2 .


 

-2-

      Based upon an inspection as of 3 September of folio HRB 40090 of the commercial register at the local court (Amtsgericht) of Mainz, the acting notary hereby certifies in accordance with sec. 21 of the German Federal Ordinance for Notaries (Bundesnotarordnung) that Mr, David Brady, being an authorised signatory (Prokurist) of First Solar Holdings GmbH, is authorised to bind the company by his sole signature.
2.   Mr. Jens Gölz, born 12 September 1978, with business address at Allen & Overy LLP, Taunustor 2, 60311 Taunustor 2.
 
    Deponent No. 2 stated that in the following he would not act for himself but in the name and on behalf of
 
    JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , a banking association organised under the laws of the United States with its main office at 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240, U.S.A. acting through its London Branch, at 125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AJ,
 
    acting based upon a power of attorney dated 10 August 2009, a faxed copy of which is attached hereto as appendix B.
In the case a certified copy of the power of attorney is attached to this deed, the original was presented to the notary. In the case only a faxed copy is attached, originals shall be provided to the notary in due course. Certified copies thereof shall be sealed to the present deed.
The proxies do not assume any liability as to the validity or the scope of the powers of attorney presented . The notary advised the deponents that he is obliged to verify the powers of representation of the deponents and to examine the documents presented with respect to a proof of such powers. After a discussion of the documentation presented today and promised to be submitted in due course, the deponents declared that they did not wish any further proof of their power of representation and asked the notary to continue with the notarisation.
Both deponents identified themselves to the notary by submission of valid official identification documents.
The notary asked the deponents regarding a prior involvement according to sec. 3 para. 1 sent. 1 no. 7 of the German Notarisation Act (Beurkundungsgesetz) . After having been instructed by the notary the deponents and the notary answered this question in the negative.
The deponents requested the notary to notarise this deed in the English language for the convenience of the parties represented by them and confirmed that they are in adequate command of the English language. The notary declared that he is in adequate command of the English language as well.
The deponents, acting as aforesaid, then requested the notary to notarise the
Share Pledge Agreements
attached to this deed as appendices 1 to 4 with their respective schedules. These Share Pledge Agreements with the exclusion of their tables of contents form an integral part of this deed.
All approvals, consents and similar declarations that may still be required shall take effect for and against all parties upon receipt by the officiating notary.
The notary advised the deponents


 

-3-

  that the pledge is a security instrument of strictly accessory nature (i.e. that it comes into legal existence only if, to the extent that, and as long as, the underlying secured claims do in fact exist, and that the owners of the secured claims and the pledgees must be identical);
 
  that if the underlying secured claims are novated this will cause the pledge to lapse by operation of law in relation to such novated claims;
 
  that the articles of association may impose restrictions on a transfer or pledge of shares;
 
  that there is no bona fide creation, acquisition nor ranking of a pledge of shares/interests (i.e. the pledgees are not protected if the shares purported to be pledged do not exist, have been previously transferred to a third party or have been previously encumbered for the benefit of a third party) if not otherwise provided for in sec. 16 para.3 German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung )
 
  that the parties hereto are, by operation of law, jointly and severally liable with respect to the payment of all notarial fees, irrespective of any internal agreement passed in that respect.
This deed with appendices 1 to 4 including their respective schedules but excluding their table of contents was read aloud by the notary to the deponents, was approved by the deponents and was signed by the deponents and the notary in their own hands as follows:


 

 

APPENDIX 1
SHARE PLEDGE AGREEMENT
(
VERPFÄNDUNG VON GESCHÄFTSANTEILEN )
IN RELATION TO 66% OF THE SHARES IN FIRST SOLAR HOLDINGS GMBH
4 SEPTEMBER 2009
between
FIRST SOLAR, INC.
as Pledgor
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Administrative Agent


 

 

CONTENTS
             
        Page  
Clause            
 
 
1.
  Interpretation     1  
2.
  Pledge     6  
3.
  Independent Pledges     6  
4.
  Purpose of the Pledges     6  
5.
  Dividends and other payment claims     7  
6.
  Exercise of voting rights     7  
7.
  Enforcement of the Pledges     8  
8.
  No defences or recourse     9  
9.
  Representations and warranties     10  
10.
  Undertakings     11  
11.
  Release     12  
12.
  Indemnity     13  
13.
  Duration and independence     13  
14.
  Costs and expenses     14  
15.
  Partial invalidity; Waiver     14  
16.
  Amendments     14  
17.
  Successors, assignments and transfers     14  
18.
  Notices and their language     15  
19.
  Applicable law; Jurisdiction     15  
20.
  Notification     15  
 
           
Schedules        
 
           
1.
  Original Lenders     16  
2.
  Original Obligors     17  
3.
  Addresses for notices     18  


 

 

THIS SHARE PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the Agreement ) is made on 4 September 2009
BETWEEN:
(1)   FIRST SOLAR, INC. , a corporation organised under the laws of Delaware, United States of America, having its at business address at 350 West Washington Street, Suite 600, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States of America as pledgor
 
    (the Pledgor )
 
    on one side; and
 
(2)   JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , a banking association organised under the laws of the United States with its main office at 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240, U.S.A. acting through its London Branch, at 125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AJ as administrative agent (the Administrative Agent ).
WHEREAS:
(A)   The Original Lenders (as defined below) have agreed to make available to the Borrowers (as defined below) certain revolving credit facilities and certain letters of credit on the terms of and subject to the Credit Agreement (as defined below).
 
(B)   It is a condition to the Original Lenders (as defined below) making the credit facilities available to the Borrowers (as defined below) that the Pledgor enters into this Agreement.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1.   INTERPRETATION
 
1.1   Definitions
 
    In this Agreement:
 
    Additional Domestic Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Domestic Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Foreign Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Additional Foreign Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Agent means:
  (a)   the Syndication Agent;
 
  (b)   the Documentation Agent; and


 

 

  (c)   the Administrative Agent.
Ancillary Rights means:
  (a)   dividends, if any, payable on the Pledged Shares;
 
  (b)   liquidation proceeds ( Liquidationserlöse ), consideration for redemption ( Einziehungsentgelt ), repaid capital in case of a capital decrease ( Kapitalherabsetzung ), any compensation in case of termination ( Kündigung ) and/or withdrawal ( Austritt ) of a shareholder of the Pledged Company, the surplus in case of surrender ( Preisgabe ) and all other pecuniary claims associated with the Pledged Shares; and
 
  (c)   the right to subscribe for 66% of newly issued shares.
Assignment and Assumption Agreement means the assignment and assumption agreement, pursuant to which a Lender as assignor sells and assigns to a person as assignee , inter alia , any or all of the assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a lender under the Credit Agreement.
Borrower means any Domestic Borrower and any Foreign Borrower.
Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Company means First Solar, Inc., a corporation organised under the laws of Delaware, United States of America, having its business address at 350 West Washington Street, Suite 600, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States of America.
Credit Agreement means the New York law governed credit agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers on one side and, inter alia, the Administrative Agent and the Original Lenders together with each New Lender Supplement, and Assignment and Assumption Agreement relating thereto and any and each other agreement or instrument amending, modifying, extending, restating or supplementing it from time to time providing for an approximately $300,000,000 facility and an up to $100,000,000 Incremental Facility.
Documentation Agent means The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
Dollar or $ means the lawful currency of the United States of America.
Domestic Borrower means the Company and any Additional Domestic Borrower.
Domestic Guarantor means any Original Domestic Guarantor and any Additional Domestic Guarantor.
Euro, EUR or means the single currency of the participating member states of the European Union.
Event of Default means an event (i) in which the commitments under the Credit Agreement will automatically immediately terminate and the amounts outstanding are immediately due and payable (ii) which would entitle the Administrative Agent (A) to, inter alia, prematurely terminate all or part of the total commitments under the Credit Agreement and/or (B) to declare that all or part of the amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement are immediately due and payable or payable on


 

 

demand provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both has been satisfied.
Foreign Borrower means any Original Foreign Borrower and any Additional Foreign Borrower.
Foreign Guarantor means any Original Foreign Guarantor and any Additional Foreign Guarantor.
Future Pledgee means any person or entity replacing the Administrative Agent in its function as administrative agent under the Credit Agreement.
Group means the Company and its Subsidiaries from time to time.
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement means the guarantee and collateral agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement made between, inter alia , First Solar, Inc. and certain of its Subsidiaries in favour of the Administrative Agent which will be attached as “Exhibit A” to the Credit Agreement.
Guarantor means any Domestic Guarantor and any Foreign Guarantor.
Incremental Facility means any additional revolving loan provided either
  (i)   by a person that already is a lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “increasing lender” therein) after having accepted an increase of its revolving commitment; or
 
  (ii)   by an assuming lender becoming a new lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “assuming lender” therein) after having signed a New Lender Supplement,
provided that the aggregate amount of the aggregate revolving loans will in no event exceed $400,000,000.
Issuing Lender means the Original Issuing Lender and any other lender that has agreed in its sole discretion to issue a letter of credit to any Borrower or any other borrowing Subsidiary in connection with the Credit Agreement.
Lender means an Original Lender and any person which becomes a lender under the Credit Agreement, including without limitation an assuming lender of an Incremental Facility, after the date of this Agreement, unless, in each case, such person has ceased to be a lender under the Credit Agreement.
Letter of Credit means any letter of credit issued or to be issued under the Credit Agreement, as such letter of credit may be amended, modified, restated, extended, renewed, increased, replaced or supplemented from time to time.
Loan Document means
(a) the Credit Agreement;
(b) each Security Document;
(c) any Note; and
(d) any other document designated as such by the Administrative Agent and the Company.


 

 

New Lender Supplement means a supplement to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which an assuming lender will become a party to the Credit Agreement with a revolving commitment in an amount agreed by such assuming lender.
Note means any promissory note evidencing loans in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, that may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.
Obligor means a Borrower and/or a Guarantor.
Original Domestic Guarantors means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Domestic Guarantors”.
Original Foreign Borrower means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Borrowers”.
Original Foreign Guarantor means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Guarantors”.
Original Issuing Lender means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A..
Original Lender means each of the financial institutions set out in Schedule 1 hereto in its capacity as original lender to the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers.
Original Pledgees means the Administrative Agent.
Parties means the Pledgor, the Administrative Agent and the Pledgees.
Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, any governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.
Pledged Company means First Solar Holdings GmbH, a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Mainz, Germany, under registration number HRB 40090.
Pledges means any and all pledges constituted pursuant to Clause 2.2 (a) of this Agreement.
Pledgees means the Administrative Agent and any Future Pledgee.
Pledged Shares shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 2.1 (b) below.
Remaining Share shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 2.1 (b) below.
Secured Claims means all present and future rights and claims ( Ansprüche ) (whether actual or contingent and whether owned jointly or severally or in any other capacity whatsoever) (including claims from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertige Bereicherung ) and tort ( Delikt )) of any of the Secured Parties against the Company, any Additional Domestic Borrower and any Additional Domestic Guarantor under or in connection with the Loan Documents (or any of them) or any Letter of Credit, each as amended, varied, supplemented or novated from time to time, including without limitation, any increase of principal or interest, in each case together with all interest, costs, charges and expenses incurred by any Secured Party in connection with the protection and preservation or enforcement of its respective rights under the Loan Documents or any Letter of Credit.


 

 

Secured Party means an Agent, the Lenders and any affiliate of any Lender to which any obligations under any Loan Document or under any Specified Swap Agreements are owed by any member of the Group, any Issuing Lender and any Swap Counterparty.
Security means any and all collateral granted with a view to securing the Secured Claims.
Security Document means
  (a)   the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; and
 
  (b)   any other document evidencing or creating collateral over any asset of an Obligor to secure any obligation of an Obligor under or in connection with, inter alia , the Credit Agreement.
Shares means the shares in the Pledged Company as set forth in Clause 2.1(b) (Pledged Shares) hereof.
Specified Swap Agreement means any Swap Agreement entered into by the Company or any Guarantor and any lender or any affiliate of a lender in connection with the Credit Agreement.
Subsidiary means as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. And unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.an entity of which a person owns directly or indirectly more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting capital or similar right of ownership.
Swap Agreement means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; except for any phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Swap Counterparty means any person or entity providing a Specified Swap Agreement.
Syndication Agent means Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch.
1.2   Where the context so admits, the singular includes the plural and vice versa.
 
1.3   The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement.
 
1.4   Any reference in this Agreement to a defined document is a reference to that defined document as amended, varied, supplemented or novated from time to time.
 
1.5   Any reference to a Party or other person (including any Obligor and any Secured Party) includes its respective successor(s) in law (including any universal successor ( Gesamtrechtsnachfolger ) of that person by way of merger ( Verschmelzung ), any other reorganisation contemplated in the German Transformation Act ( Umwandlungsgesetz ) or


 

 

    otherwise) and any assign(s) and transferee(s) of that person and, to the extent legally possible, any legal provision to the contrary is waived.
2.   PLEDGE
 
2.1   Pledged Shares
  (a)   The Pledgor is at the date of this Agreement the sole shareholder of the Pledged Company.
 
  (b)   The total registered share capital ( Stammkapital ) of the Pledged Company amounts to EUR 25,000 (in words: twenty five thousand euro). As result of a shareholder’s resolution dated 3 August 2009, at present, there exist 25,000 shares (each having a nominal amount of EUR 1) in the Pledged Company. The shares carrying the numbers 2 to 16,501 amounting to EUR 16,500 (in words: sixteen thousand five hundred Euro) are hereinafter referred to as the Pledged Shares . The shares carrying the numbers 16,502 to 25,001 amounting to EUR 8,500 (in words: eight thousand five hundred Euro) are hereinafter referred to as the Remaining Shares .
 
      The Pledged Shares and the Remaining Shares are hereinafter referred to as the Shares . At present, there are no other shares in the Pledged Company.
 
  (c)   The Pledged Shares are fully paid up. As at the date hereof, there is no obligation for the Pledgor to make additional contributions to the Pledged Company.
2.2   Constitution of Pledge
  (a)   The Pledgor hereby pledges the Pledged Shares and any and all Ancillary Rights pertaining thereto to each of the Original Pledgees and to each Future Pledgee for their rateable and equally ranking interest as security.
 
  (b)   Each of the Original Pledgees hereby accepts the Pledges. In addition the Administrative Agent accepts the Pledges for and on behalf of each Future Pledgee hereunder as proxy without power of attorney ( Vertreter ohne Vertretungsmacht ). Each Future Pledgee ratifies and confirms such acceptance so made by the Administrative Agent on its behalf by accepting the transfer or assignment of any Secured Claim and/or by becoming a party to a Loan Document, thereby becoming a Pledgee. All Parties confirm that the validity of any of the Pledges constituted hereunder is not affected by the Administrative Agent acting as proxy without power of attorney for any Future Pledgee. For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties agree that nothing in this Agreement shall exclude a transfer of all or part of the Pledges by operation of law.
3.   INDEPENDENT PLEDGES
 
    The validity and effect of each of the Pledges shall be independent from the validity and the effect of any of the other Pledges created hereunder. The Pledges to each of the Pledgees shall be separate and individual pledges. Each of the Pledges shall rank pari passu to each other Pledge created hereunder.
 
4.   PURPOSE OF THE PLEDGES
 
    The Pledges are constituted in order to secure the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of any and all Secured Claims.


 

 

    The Parties hereby expressly agree that the provisions of section 1210 para 1 sentence 2 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) shall not apply to this Agreement and the Pledges.
5.   DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENT CLAIMS
 
5.1   Entitlement to receive dividend payments and to exercise other Ancillary Rights
 
    Notwithstanding that the dividends and the other Ancillary Rights are pledged pursuant to this Agreement, the Pledgor shall be entitled to (i) receive and retain all dividend payments and all other payments in respect of the Pledged Shares and (ii) receive, retain and exercise all other Ancillary Rights, unless an Event of Default has occurred, is continuing and the Administrative Agent would be entitled to enforce any of the Pledges pursuant to Clause 7 of this Agreement.
 
5.2   Pledgees’ rights
 
    Notwithstanding Clause 5.1 (Entitlement to receive dividend payments) above:
  (a)   dividends paid or payable other than in cash and other property received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for the Pledged Shares;
 
  (b)   dividends or other distributions paid or payable in cash in respect of the Pledged Shares in connection with (i) the partial or total liquidation; (ii) dissolution; or (iii) in connection with the reduction of capital ( Kapitalherabsetzung ); and
 
  (c)   cash paid, payable or otherwise distributed in respect of principal of, or in redemption of, or in exchange for the Pledged Shares,
    shall be made available and shall forthwith be delivered to the Administrative Agent for itself and for the Pledgees to be held as security for the Secured Claims and shall, if received by the Pledgor, be received as holder for the Pledgees and segregated from the other property or funds of the Pledgor and be forthwith delivered to the Administrative Agent for itself and for the Pledgees as security for the Secured Claims in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement). Any further reaching obligations of the Pledged Company and/or the Pledgor in respect of the use of profits and/or dividends shall not be affected by this Clause 5.2.
 
6.   EXERCISE OF VOTING RIGHTS
 
6.1   Voting Rights
 
    The voting rights resulting from the Pledged Shares remain with the Pledgor. The Pledgor, however, shall at all times until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims or the release of the Pledges be required, in exercising its voting rights, to act in good faith to ensure that the existence, validity or enforceability of the Pledges is not adversely affected.
 
6.2   Impairment
 
    The Pledgor shall not take, or participate in, any action which can be reasonably be expected to impair or to be for any other reason inconsistent with, the security interest of the Pledgees or the security purpose as described in Clause 4 (Purpose of the Pledges) hereof or to defeat, impair or circumvent the rights of the Pledgees hereunder.


 

 

6.3   Information by the Pledgor
 
    The Pledgor shall inform the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) of all other actions concerning the Pledged Company which could be reasonably expected to materially adversely affect the Pledges (or any part thereof). In particular, the Pledgor shall notify the Administrative Agent forthwith of:
  (a)   any shareholders’ meeting at which a resolution is intended to be adopted which could have a material adverse effect upon the Pledges. In any event, the Pledgor shall procure that the Administrative Agent will upon request promptly ( unverzüglich ) receive, as soon as they are available, a copy of the convocation notice for such ordinary or extraordinary shareholders’ meeting setting forth the agenda and all applications and decisions to be taken, and the minutes of any such shareholders’ meeting; and
 
  (b)   any resolution which is intended to be adopted outside a shareholders’ meeting and which could have a material adverse effect upon the Pledges and provide to the Administrative Agent a draft of any such resolution. In any event, the Administrative Agent shall upon request promptly ( unverzüglich ) receive, as soon as it is available, a copy of any such resolution.
7.   ENFORCEMENT OF THE PLEDGES
 
7.1   Pledgees’ rights
 
(a)   At any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default if, in addition, the requirements set forth in sections 1273, 1204 et seq. of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) with regard to the enforcement of pledges are met ( Pfandreife ), the Pledgees (or any of them) acting through the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to enforce the Pledges (or any part thereof) by way of public auction ( öffentliche Versteigerung ) and/or in any other way permitted under German law, in all cases notwithstanding section 1277 of the German Civil Code without any enforceable judgment or other instrument ( vollstreckbarer Titel ).
 
(b)   The Pledgees (or any of them) acting through the Administrative Agent shall notify the Pledgor of the intention to realise the Pledges (or any part thereof) not less than 1 (one) week before the date on which the Pledges (or any such part thereof) are intended to be enforced. Such notice period is not necessary if (i) the Pledgor has generally ceased to make payments, (ii) an application for the commencement of insolvency proceedings over the assets of the Pledgor is filed (and not withdrawn) by the Pledgor or by any third person and, in the latter case, it is not without delay established to the satisfaction of the Pledgees that the application is obviously frivolous or (iii) the observance of such notice period can reasonably be expected to adversely affect the enforceability of the Pledges (or any part thereof). The Pledgor hereby expressly agrees that 1 (one) week’s prior written notice to it of the place and time of any public auction held in accordance with Clause 7.1 (a) (Pledgees’ rights) above shall be sufficient. Such public auction may be held at any place in the Federal Republic of Germany which will be determined by the Administrative Agent.
 
(c)   If the Administrative Agent seeks to enforce the Pledges (or any part thereof) pursuant to, and in accordance with Clause 7.1(a) (Pledgees’ Rights) above, the Pledgor shall, at its own expense, render forthwith all assistance necessary in order to facilitate the prompt realisation of the Pledged Shares (or any of them) and/or the exercise by the Pledgees (or any of them) acting through the Administrative Agent of any other right a Pledgee may have pursuant to this Agreement or statutory German law.


 

 

(d)   In case of an enforcement of the Pledges or if the Pledgor pays or repays any of the Secured Claims owed by any other Obligor, section 1225 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) (Legal subrogation of claims to a pledgor ( Forderungsübergang auf den Verpfänder )) shall not apply and no rights or claims of the Pledgees shall pass to the Pledgor until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims.
 
(e)   The Pledgees (or any of them) acting through Administrative Agent may determine which part of the Security, if applicable, shall be used to satisfy the Secured Claims.
7.2   Dividends
 
    Provided that the requirements for enforcement referred to under Clause 7.1(a) (Pledgees’ Rights) above are met and an enforcement notice has been served in accordance with Clause 7.1 (b), all dividends and all other payments based on similar ancillary rights attributed to the Pledged Shares may be applied by the Pledgees in satisfaction in whole or in part of the Secured Claims notwithstanding a Pledgee’s right to treat such payments as additional collateral. Any such payments which are made to the Pledgor after the time the Pledges have become enforceable must be paid to the Administrative Agent.
 
7.3   Voting rights
 
    Even if the requirements for enforcement referred to under Clause 7.1(a) (Pledgees’ Rights) above are met, the Administrative Agent shall not, whether as proxy or otherwise, be entitled to exercise the voting rights attached to the Pledged Shares for itself or on behalf of any of the Pledgees. However, the Pledgor shall, upon the occurrence of an event which gives the Pledgees the right to enforce the Pledges (or any part thereof) pursuant to Clause 7.1, have the obligations and the Pledgees shall have the rights set forth in Clause 6.3 (Information by the Pledgor) of this Agreement regardless of which resolutions are intended to be adopted.
 
7.4   Application of proceeds
 
(a)   The proceeds resulting from the enforcement of the Pledges (or any part thereof) shall be applied by the Administrative Agent towards the satisfaction of the Secured Claims.
 
(b)   Until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Pledgees shall be entitled to treat all enforcement proceeds, held by the Administrative Agent separate from its assets on a separate trust account for the benefit of the Secured Parties and after the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge for the benefit of the Pledgor, as additional collateral for the Secured Claims, notwithstanding their right to seek satisfaction from such proceeds at any time.
 
(c)   After the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims any remaining proceeds resulting from the enforcement of the Pledges (or any part thereof) shall be transferred to the Pledgor at the cost and expense of the Pledgor.


 

 

8.   NO DEFENCES OR RECOURSE
 
8.1   The Pledgor hereby waives any rights of revocation ( Anfechtbarkeit ) and set-off ( Aufrechenbarkeit ) it may have pursuant to sections 1211 and 770(1) and (2) of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) save to the extent that the relevant Secured Claims can be discharged by way of set off against counterclaims which are undisputed ( unbestritten ) or ascertained by unappealable judgment ( rechtskräftig festgestellt ) and any defence of failure to pursue remedies ( Einrede der Vorausklage ) it may have.
 
8.2   To the extent legally possible, the Pledgor hereby expressly waives the defences exercisable by it pursuant to section 1211 para. 1 sentence 1 alternative 1 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) which the principal debtor of any Secured Claim has against any Secured Claim ( Einreden des Hauptschuldners ).
 
8.3   In addition to Clause 7. 1(d) (Pledgees’ rights) of this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree that until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims no rights and claims shall pass to or otherwise arise for the benefit of the Pledgor by subrogation ( gesetzlicher Übergang von Forderungen und Rechten ) or otherwise, including any recourse claims, indemnification claims, claims arising from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertigte Bereicherung ) and any right to demand the assignment and/or transfer of any Secured Claim and/or Security, against any Obligor, grantor of Security or Secured Party (as the case may be) which it may (but for this Clause 8) acquire as a result of:
  (i)   a payment or repayment by the Pledgor of any debt of any other Obligor under any of the Loan Documents; or
 
  (ii)   in case of enforcement of the Pledges (or any part thereof).
    Until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Pledgor furthermore undertakes not to exercise ( pactum de non petendo ), and not to purport to exercise, any such rights and claims which may pass to it or otherwise arise for its benefit notwithstanding this Clause 8 or would pass to it or otherwise arise for its benefit but for this Clause 8.
 
    The provisions under this Clause 8.3 shall not apply with regard to a recourse claim, if the parties agreed to allow such recourse of the Pledgor against any of the other Parties thereby taking at all times into account the terms of the Credit Agreement and any other Loan Document.
 
9.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
    The Pledgor represents and warrants ( selbständiges Garantieversprechen im Sinne von § 311 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) to the Pledgees that on the date of this Agreement:
  (a)   the Pledged Company is validly existing and is neither:
  (i)   unable to pay its debts when they fall due ( zahlungsunfähig ) within the meaning of section 17 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (ii)   in a state of imminent inability to pay its debts when they fall due ( drohende Zahlungsunfähigkeit ) within the meaning of section 18 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (iii)   over-indebted ( überschuldet ) within the meaning of section 19 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor


 

 

  (iv)   subject to any insolvency proceedings ( Insolvenzverfahren ) (or other or similar proceedings under the laws of any other applicable jurisdiction) or any refusal of opening insolvency proceedings for insufficiency of assets ( Abweisung mangels Masse ) (within the meaning of section 26 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ));
  (b)   the Shares are the only shares ( Geschäftsanteile ) in the Pledged Company in existence at the date hereof;
 
  (c)   the Pledgor is not subject to any restriction of any kind with regard to the transfer of, or the granting of a pledge in, or any other disposal of, the Pledged Shares, or with regard to the right to receive dividends on the Pledged Shares;
 
  (d)   the Pledgor is the sole legal and beneficial owner of the Pledged Shares and the Pledged Shares have not been transferred to or encumbered for the benefit of any third person and are not subject to any other rights of third parties (including, but not limited to, any pre-emption rights of third parties for shares in the Pledged Company);
 
  (e)   the Plegor is entitled to participate in the dividends of the Pledged Company free of any and all in-rem rights of others;
 
  (f)   the Shares are fully paid and there is no obligation for a shareholder to make additional contributions ( keine Nachschusspflicht ); and
 
  (g)   no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings, which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect, are presently in progress, pending or threatened which restrain, or threaten to restrain, the Pledgor in respect of the entry into, the performance of, or compliance with, any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.
10.   UNDERTAKINGS
 
10.1   General undertakings
 
    The Pledgor undertakes:
  (a)   if any amount in excess of US$100,000 payable or security transferrable under or in connection with this Agreement shall be or become evidenced by any authorisation, approval, licence and consent such authorisation, approval, licence and consent shall be promptly delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly indorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
 
  (b)   to maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest and to defend such security interest against the claims and demands of all persons whomsoever subject to the rights of the Pledgor under the Loan Documents to dispose of the Pledged Shares;
 
  (c)   at any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent and at the sole expense of such Plegor, to promptly ( unverzüglich ) and duly execute and deliver, and have recorded such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, including, without limitation, execute one or more collateral agreements (including assignments and


 

 

      releases) to obtain or preserve the security interest created by this Agreement in favour of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties
  (d)   to notify the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) of any change in the shareholding in the Pledged Company or of any change in the shareholders’ agreement ( Gesellschaftsvertrag );
 
  (e)   to inform the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) of any attachments ( Pfändung ) regarding the Shares or any other measures which can reasonably be expected to impair or jeopardise the Pledgees’ rights relating to the Pledged Shares. In the event of an attachment, the Pledgor undertakes to forward to the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) a copy of the attachment order ( Pfändungsbeschluss ), any third party debt order ( Überweisungsbeschluss ) and all other documents necessary for a defence against the attachment. The Pledgor shall inform the attaching creditor promptly ( unverzüglich ) about the Pledgees’ security interests;
 
  (f)   if and to the extent the Pledged Shares are not fully paid up at the date hereof, to fully pay up the Pledged Shares promptly ( unverzüglich ) upon the execution of this Agreement and to procure that there will be no obligation for a shareholder to make additional contributions;
 
  (g)   not to create or permit to subsist any encumbrance over all or any of the Pledged Shares or any interest therein or otherwise sell, transfer or dispose of the whole or any part of the Pledged Shares or any interest therein;
 
  (h)   to refrain from any acts or omissions which can reasonably be expected have an adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of the Pledges (or any part thereof); and
 
  (i)   with regard to any and all shares in the capital of the Pledged Company issued in addition to the Shares in what ever nominal value which the Pledgor may acquire or receive otherwise in future in the event of an increase of the capital of the Pledged Company or otherwise:
  (i)   to inform the Administrative Agent of the intention to either raise additional capital by increasing its capital ( Kapitalerhöhung ) or acquire or receive additional capital otherwise;
 
  (ii)   after prior written consent of the Administrative Agent to such increase, to only give effect to such increase of (acquire or receive) the capital by dividing the aggregate new capital into shares, such that 66% of the new capital and of 34% of the new capital can be pledged separately (such as in two shares one which represents 66%of the new capital an another one representing the remaining 34% of the new capital); and
 
  (iii)   to pledge the new share(s) corresponding to 66% of the new capital within five (5) Business Days in favour of the Pledgee substantially under the same terms and conditions as agreed to in this Agreement.
  (j)   to file within five (5) Business Days the new list of shareholders representing the split of the shares in 25,000 different shares with the nominal amount of EUR 1 each with the competent commercial register.


 

 

10.2   Pledge over all Shares
 
    The Administrative Agent may at all times for itself and for the other Pledgees request to hold a pledge over all Pledged Shares held by the Pledgor (in particular, without limitation, in the case of a merger or conversion an equivalent security interest over the shares or interests in the surviving or, as the case may be, the new company) in accordance with all terms of this Agreement and the agreement on or about the date of this Agreement pursuant to which the Remaining Share is pledged.
 
11.   RELEASE
 
11.1   Confirmation
 
    After the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims the Administrative Agent shall confirm in writing to the Pledgor upon the Pledgor’s request that the Pledges have ceased to exist and/or, as applicable, the release of the Pledges ( Pfandaufgabe ), at the cost and expense of the Pledgor (if any).
 
11.2   Release of Security
 
    Even prior to the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Pledgees are obliged to release upon the Pledgor’s request, and at the Pledgor’s cost and expense, all or part of the Security insofar as the realisable value of the Security exceeds, not only temporarily, the Secured Claims by more than 10%. The Administrative Agent may, at its discretion, determine which part of the Security shall be released but shall reasonably take into account the legitimate interest of the Pledgor and the Pledged Company.
12.   INDEMNITY
 
12.1   Liability for Damages
 
    Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of the other Pledgees shall be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the Pledgor save in respect of such loss or damage which is suffered as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent or any of the other Pledgees.
 
12.2   Indemnification
 
    The Pledgor shall indemnify and hold the Administrative Agent and each of the other Pledgees harmless and keep them indemnified from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, which may be incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Pledgees for anything done or omitted in the exercise or purported exercise of the powers contained in this Agreement, provided , that the Pledgor shall have no obligation hereunder to the extent that such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement are incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent or any of the other Pledgees as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent or any of the other Pledgees.
 
    Any reference in this paragraph to the Administrative Agent and/or the other Pledgees includes any officer, director, employee, agent, advisor (including any attorney) or other person appointed by the


 

 

    Administrative Agent or any other Pledgee in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
13.   DURATION AND INDEPENDENCE
 
13.1   Duration
 
    This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of the Secured Claims. The Pledges shall not cease to exist if any payments made in satisfaction of the Secured Claims have only temporarily discharged the Secured Claims.
 
13.2   Continuing Security
 
    This Agreement shall create a continuing Security and no change or amendment whatsoever in any Loan Document or in any document or agreement related to it shall affect the validity or limit the scope of this Agreement or the obligations which are imposed on the Pledgor pursuant to it.
 
    The Pledgor hereby agrees that the Pledges shall not be affected by any assumption of liability ( Schuldübernahme ) in relation to any of the Secured Claims and hereby expressly consents ( willigt ein ) to any such transfer and/or assumption of liability within the meaning of section 418 para. 1 sentence 3 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) (including when applied by analogy).
13.3   Independence
 
    This Agreement and the Pledges are independent from all other security interests or guarantees which may have been or will be given to the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Secured Parties with respect to any obligation of the Obligors (or any of them). None of such other security interests or guarantees shall in any way prejudice, or be prejudiced by, this Agreement or the Pledges.
 
14.   COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
    The Pledgor shall promptly ( unverzüglich ) pay or reimburse each Pledgee the amount of any and all costs, charges, fees and expenses (including fees for legal advisers) incurred by it in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement or any waiver in relation thereto, together in each case with any applicable value added tax or other taxes. Any notarial fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement shall be borne by the Pledgor.
 
15.   PARTIAL INVALIDITY; WAIVER
 
15.1   Invalidity
 
    If any provision of this Agreement or part thereof should be or become invalid or unenforceable, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions hereof. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by that provision which best meets the intent of the replaced provision. This shall apply analogously with respect to anything which is accidentally not regulated in this Agreement ( Vertragslücke ). § 139 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) shall be waived hereby.
 
    In particular the Pledges shall not be affected and shall in any event extend to any and all of the Pledged Shares held by the Pledgor in the Pledged Company even if the number or nominal value of


 

 

    the Shares, the Pledged Shares or the aggregate liable capital of the Pledged Company as stated in Clause 2.1(b) (Pledged Shares) are inaccurate and deviate from the actual facts.
15.2   Waiver
 
    No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or the other Pledgees (or any of them), any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
 
16.   AMENDMENTS
 
    Changes to and amendments of this Agreement including this Clause 16 must be made in writing.
 
17.   SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS
 
    This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties hereto and, to the extent legally possible, their respective successor(s) in law. Each Pledgee shall, to the extent legally possible, be entitled to assign or otherwise transfer (i) any and all of its rights and (ii) (only with regard to any person which becomes a lender or an administrative agent under the Credit Agreement after the date of this Agreement) any and all of its duties pursuant to this Agreement to third parties. The Pledgor is entitled to any such transfer with the prior written consent of the Pledgees (acting through the Administrative Agent, as the case may be) only.
18.   NOTICES AND THEIR LANGUAGE
 
18.1   Notices
 
    Any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement to the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Pledgees shall be in writing (unless notarisation is required) and shall be delivered personally, by post, email or fax and shall be sent to the address, email address or fax number of the party, and for the attention of the individual or department, as set forth in Schedule 3 hereto or such other address, email address or fax number as is notified in writing by that Party for this purpose to the Facility Agent, the Administrative Agent or, as the case may be, the Pledgor, from time to time.
 
18.2   Language
 
    Save for the notice pursuant to section 1280 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) and unless otherwise required by statutory German law or unless otherwise agreed in writing from time to time, any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement shall be made in the English language or, if in any other language, accompanied by a translation into English. In the event of any conflict between the English text and the text in any other language, the English text shall prevail (unless the document is a statutory or other official document), except that where a German translation of a legal term appears in such text, the German translation shall prevail.
 
19.   APPLICABLE LAW; JURISDICTION
 
19.1   Governing Law
 
    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.


 

 

19.2   Jurisdiction
 
    The place of jurisdiction for all Parties shall be Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany. The Administrative Agent and the other Pledgees, however, shall also be entitled to take legal action against the Pledgor before any other competent court of law having jurisdiction over the Pledgor or any of its assets.
 
20.   NOTIFICATION
 
    The Pledgor and the Pledgees hereby instruct and the Pledgor authorises the undersigned Notary Public to notify the Pledged Company in the Pledgor’s name of the Pledges by means of forwarding a certified copy of this Agreement to the Pledged Company by registered mail (return receipt requested).


 

 

SCHEDULE 1
ORIGINAL LENDERS
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Bank of America, N.A.
Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P.
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
HSBC Bank USA, National Association
RBC Capital Markets
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.


 

 

SCHEDULE 2
ORIGINAL OBLIGORS
PART 1
ORIGINAL BORROWERS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC BORROWER
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN BORROWERS
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH
PART 2
ORIGINAL GUARANTORS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC GUARANTORS
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN GUARANTORS
First Solar Holdings GmbH
First Solar GmbH
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH


 

 

SCHEDULE 3
ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES
     
To the Pledgor:
  First Solar, Inc.
 
  350 West Washington Street, Suite 600
 
  Tempe, Arizona 85281
 
   
 
  Attn.: Anja Lange
 
 
David Brady
 
   
 
  Fax:   +49(0)6131-1443-500
 
 
   +1-602-414-9462
 
   
 
  Email: alange@firstsolar.com
 
 
 dbrady@firstsolar.com
 
   
To the Administrative Agent:
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
  10 South Dearborn, 7 th Floor
 
  Chicago, IL 60603
 
   
 
  Attention: Creston Wren
 
  Telecopy: 001 (312) 385-7097
 
  Telephone: 001 (312) 385-7016
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
  125 London Wall
 
  London
 
  EC2Y 5AJ
 
   
 
  Attention: Lucy Chick
 
  Telecopy: +44(0)20 7325 6835
 
  Telephone: +44(0)20 7325 6926
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
  201 North Central Avenue, Floor
 
  21Phoenix, AZ 85004
 
   
 
  Attention: Mark Chambers
 
  Telecopy: 001 (602) 221-1502
 
  Telephone: 001 (602) 221-2290
 
   
To the Pledged Company:
  First Solar Holdings GmbH
 
   
 
  Rheinstr. 4B
 
  55116 Mainz
 
   
 
  Germany


 

 

     
 
  Attn.: Anja Lange
 
 
David Brady
 
   
 
  Fax: +49(0)6131-1443-500
 
 
 +1-602-414-9462
 
   
 
  Email: alange@firstsolar.com
 
 
 dbrady@firstsolar.com


 

 

APPENDIX 2
SHARE PLEDGE AGREEMENT
(
VERPFÄNDUNG VON GESCHÄFTSANTEILEN )
IN RELATION TO 34% OF THE SHARES IN FIRST SOLAR HOLDINGS GMBH
4 SEPTEMBER 2009
between
FIRST SOLAR, INC.
as Pledgor
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Administrative Agent


 

 

CONTENTS
             
        Page  
Clause            
             
1.
  Interpretation     1  
2.
  Pledge     6  
3.
  Independent Pledges     6  
4.
  Purpose of the Pledges     6  
5.
  Dividends and other payment claims     7  
6.
  Exercise of voting rights     7  
7.
  Enforcement of the Pledges     8  
8.
  No defences or recourse     9  
9.
  Representations and warranties     10  
10.
  Undertakings     11  
11.
  Release     12  
12.
  Indemnity     13  
13.
  Duration and independence     13  
14.
  Costs and expenses     14  
15.
  Partial invalidity; Waiver     14  
16.
  Amendments     15  
17.
  Successors, assignments and transfers     15  
18.
  Notices and their language     15  
19.
  Applicable law; Jurisdiction     15  
20.
  Notification     15  
 
           
Schedules        
 
           
1.
  Original Lenders     17  
2.
  Original Obligors     18  
3.
  Addresses for notices     19  

 


 

THIS SHARE PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the Agreement ) is made on 4 September 2009
BETWEEN:
(1)   FIRST SOLAR, INC. , a corporation organised under the laws of Delaware, United States of America, having its at business address at 350 West Washington Street, Suite 600, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States of America as pledgor
 
    (the Pledgor )
 
  on one side; and
 
(2)   JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , a banking association organised under the laws of the United States with its main office at 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240, U.S.A. acting through its London Branch, at 125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AJ as administrative agent (the Administrative Agent ).
WHEREAS:
(A)   The Original Lenders (as defined below) have agreed to make available to the Borrowers (as defined below) certain revolving credit facilities and certain letters of credit on the terms of and subject to the Credit Agreement (as defined below).
 
(B)   It is a condition to the Original Lenders (as defined below) making the credit facilities available to the Borrowers (as defined below) that the Pledgor enters into this Agreement.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1.   INTERPRETATION
 
1.1   Definitions
 
    In this Agreement:
 
    Additional Domestic Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Domestic Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Foreign Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Additional Foreign Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Agent means:
  (a)   the Syndication Agent;
 
  (b)   the Documentation Agent; and

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  (c)   the Administrative Agent.
    Ancillary Rights means:
  (a)   dividends, if any, payable on the Pledged Shares;
 
  (b)   liquidation proceeds ( Liquidationserlöse ), consideration for redemption ( Einziehungsentgelt ), repaid capital in case of a capital decrease ( Kapitalherabsetzung ), any compensation in case of termination ( Kündigung ) and/or withdrawal ( Austritt ) of a shareholder of the Pledged Company, the surplus in case of surrender ( Preisgabe ) and all other pecuniary claims associated with the Pledged Shares; and
 
  (c)   the right to subscribe for 34% of newly issued shares.
    Assignment and Assumption Agreement means the assignment and assumption agreement, pursuant to which a Lender as assignor sells and assigns to a person as assignee , inter alia , any or all of the assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a lender under the Credit Agreement.
 
    Borrower means any Domestic Borrower and any Foreign Borrower.
 
    Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
 
    Company means First Solar, Inc., a corporation organised under the laws of Delaware, United States of America, having its business address at 350 West Washington Street, Suite 600, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States of America.
 
    Credit Agreement means the New York law governed credit agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers on one side and, inter alia, the Administrative Agent and the Original Lenders together with each New Lender Supplement, and Assignment and Assumption Agreement relating thereto and any and each other agreement or instrument amending, modifying, extending, restating or supplementing it from time to time providing for an approximately $300,000,000 facility and an up to $100,000,000 Incremental Facility.
 
    Documentation Agent means The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
 
    Dollar or $ means the lawful currency of the United States of America.
 
    Domestic Borrower means the Company and any Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Domestic Guarantor means any Original Domestic Guarantor and any Additional Domestic Guarantor.
 
    Euro, EUR or means the single currency of the participating member states of the European Union.
 
    Event of Default means an event (i) in which the commitments under the Credit Agreement will automatically immediately terminate and the amounts outstanding are immediately due and payable (ii) which would entitle the Administrative Agent (A) to, inter alia, prematurely terminate all or part of the total commitments under the Credit Agreement and/or (B) to declare that all or part of the amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement are immediately due and payable or payable on

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    demand provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both has been satisfied.
    Foreign Borrower means any Original Foreign Borrower and any Additional Foreign Borrower.
 
    Foreign Guarantor means any Original Foreign Guarantor and any Additional Foreign Guarantor.
 
    Future Pledgee means any person or entity replacing the Administrative Agent in its function as administrative agent under the Credit Agreement.
 
    German Borrower means First Solar Manufacturing GmbH and any other person or entity that is organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement.
 
    German Guarantor means First Solar GmbH and First Solar Holdings GmbH and any other person or entity that is organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany which is required to provide for a guarantee in connection with the Loan Documents after the date of the Credit Agreement.
 
    Group means the Company and its Subsidiaries from time to time.
 
    Guarantee and Collateral Agreement means the guarantee and collateral agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement made between, inter alia , First Solar, Inc. and certain of its Subsidiaries in favour of the Administrative Agent which will be attached as “Exhibit A” to the Credit Agreement.
 
    Guarantor means any Domestic Guarantor and any Foreign Guarantor.
 
    Incremental Facility means any additional revolving loan provided either
  (i)   by a person that already is a lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “increasing lender” therein) after having accepted an increase of its revolving commitment; or
 
  (ii)   by an assuming lender becoming a new lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “assuming lender” therein) after having signed a New Lender Supplement,
    provided that the aggregate amount of the aggregate revolving loans will in no event exceed $400,000,000.
 
    Issuing Lender means the Original Issuing Lender and any other lender that has agreed in its sole discretion to issue a letter of credit to any Borrower or any other borrowing Subsidiary in connection with the Credit Agreement.
 
    Lender means an Original Lender and any person which becomes a lender under the Credit Agreement, including without limitation an assuming lender of an Incremental Facility, after the date of this Agreement, unless, in each case, such person has ceased to be a lender under the Credit Agreement.
 
    Letter of Credit means any letter of credit issued or to be issued under the Credit Agreement, as such letter of credit may be amended, modified, restated, extended, renewed, increased, replaced or supplemented from time to time.
 
    Loan Document means

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(a) the Credit Agreement;
(b) each Security Document;
(c) any Note; and
(d) any other document designated as such by the Administrative Agent and the Company.
    New Lender Supplement means a supplement to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which an assuming lender will become a party to the Credit Agreement with a revolving commitment in an amount agreed by such assuming lender.
 
    Note means any promissory note evidencing loans in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, that may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.
 
    Obligor means a Borrower and/or a Guarantor.
 
    Original Domestic Guarantors means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Domestic Guarantors”.
 
    Original Foreign Borrower means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Borrowers”.
 
    Original Foreign Guarantor means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Guarantors”.
 
    Original Issuing Lender means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
    Original Lender means each of the financial institutions set out in Schedule 1 hereto in its capacity as original lender to the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers.
 
    Original Pledgees means the Administrative Agent.
 
    Parties means the Pledgor, the Administrative Agent and the Pledgees.
 
    Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, any governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.
 
    Pledged Company means First Solar Holdings GmbH, a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Mainz, Germany, under registration number HRB 40090.
 
    Pledges means any and all pledges constituted pursuant to Clause 2.2 (a) of this Agreement.
 
    Pledgees means the Administrative Agent and any Future Pledgee.
 
    Pledged Shares shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 2.1 (b) below.
 
    Remaining Share shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Clause 2.1 (b) below.

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    Secured Claims means all present and future rights and claims ( Ansprüche ) (whether actual or contingent and whether owned jointly or severally or in any other capacity whatsoever) (including claims from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertige Bereicherung ) and tort ( Delikt )) of any of the Secured Parties against any German Borrower and any German Guarantor under or in connection with the Loan Documents (or any of them) or any Letter of Credit, each as amended, varied, supplemented or novated from time to time, including without limitation, any increase of principal or interest, in each case together with all interest, costs, charges and expenses incurred by any Secured Party in connection with the protection and preservation or enforcement of its respective rights under the Loan Documents or any Letter of Credit.
 
    Secured Party means an Agent, the Lenders and any affiliate of any Lender to which any obligations under any Loan Document or under any Specified Swap Agreements are owed by any member of the Group, any Issuing Lender and any Swap Counterparty.
 
    Security means any and all collateral granted with a view to securing the Secured Claims.
 
    Security Document means
  (a)   the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; and
 
  (b)   any other document evidencing or creating collateral over any asset of an Obligor to secure any obligation of an Obligor under or in connection with, inter alia , the Credit Agreement.
    Shares means the shares in the Pledged Company as set forth in Clause 2.1(b) (Pledged Shares) hereof.
 
    Specified Swap Agreement means any Swap Agreement entered into by the Company or any Guarantor and any lender or any affiliate of a lender in connection with the Credit Agreement.
 
    Subsidiary means as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. And unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.an entity of which a person owns directly or indirectly more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting capital or similar right of ownership.
 
    Swap Agreement means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; except for any phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
 
    Swap Counterparty means any person or entity providing a Specified Swap Agreement.
 
    Syndication Agent means Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch.
 
1.2   Where the context so admits, the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

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1.3   The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement.
 
1.4   Any reference in this Agreement to a defined document is a reference to that defined document as amended, varied, supplemented or novated from time to time.
 
1.5   Any reference to a Party or other person (including any Obligor and any Secured Party) includes its respective successor(s) in law (including any universal successor ( Gesamtrechtsnachfolger ) of that person by way of merger ( Verschmelzung ), any other reorganisation contemplated in the German Transformation Act ( Umwandlungsgesetz ) or otherwise) and any assign(s) and transferee(s) of that person and, to the extent legally possible, any legal provision to the contrary is waived.
 
2.   PLEDGE
 
2.1   Pledged Shares
  (a)   The Pledgor is at the date of this Agreement the sole shareholder of the Pledged Company.
 
  (b)   The total registered share capital ( Stammkapital ) of the Pledged Company amounts to EUR 25,000 (in words: twenty five thousand euro). As result of a shareholder’s resolution dated 3 August 2009, at present, there exist 25,000 shares (each having a nominal amount of EUR 1) in the Pledged Company. The shares carrying the numbers 16,502 to 25,001 amounting to EUR 8,500 (in words: eight thousand five hundred Euro) are hereinafter referred to as the Pledged Shares . The shares carrying the numbers 2 to 16,501 amounting to EUR 16,500 (in words: sixteen thousand five hundred Euro) are hereinafter referred to as the Remaining Shares .
 
      The Pledged Shares and the Remaining Shares are hereinafter referred to as the Shares . At present, there are no other shares in the Pledged Company.
 
  (c)   The Pledged Shares are fully paid up. As at the date hereof, there is no obligation for the Pledgor to make additional contributions to the Pledged Company.
2.2   Constitution of Pledge
  (a)   The Pledgor hereby pledges the Pledged Shares and any and all Ancillary Rights pertaining thereto to each of the Original Pledgees and to each Future Pledgee for their rateable and equally ranking interest as security.
 
  (b)   Each of the Original Pledgees hereby accepts the Pledges. In addition the Administrative Agent accepts the Pledges for and on behalf of each Future Pledgee hereunder as proxy without power of attorney ( Vertreter ohne Vertretungsmacht ). Each Future Pledgee ratifies and confirms such acceptance so made by the Administrative Agent on its behalf by accepting the transfer or assignment of any Secured Claim and/or by becoming a party to a Loan Document, thereby becoming a Pledgee. All Parties confirm that the validity of any of the Pledges constituted hereunder is not affected by the Administrative Agent acting as proxy without power of attorney for any Future Pledgee. For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties agree that nothing in this Agreement shall exclude a transfer of all or part of the Pledges by operation of law.

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3.   INDEPENDENT PLEDGES
 
    The validity and effect of each of the Pledges shall be independent from the validity and the effect of any of the other Pledges created hereunder. The Pledges to each of the Pledgees shall be separate and individual pledges. Each of the Pledges shall rank pari passu to each other Pledge created hereunder.
 
4.   PURPOSE OF THE PLEDGES
 
    The Pledges are constituted in order to secure the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of any and all Secured Claims.
 
    The Parties hereby expressly agree that the provisions of section 1210 para 1 sentence 2 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) shall not apply to this Agreement and the Pledges.
 
5.   DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENT CLAIMS
 
5.1   Entitlement to receive dividend payments and to exercise other Ancillary Rights
 
    Notwithstanding that the dividends and the other Ancillary Rights are pledged pursuant to this Agreement, the Pledgor shall be entitled to (i) receive and retain all dividend payments and all other payments in respect of the Pledged Shares and (ii) receive, retain and exercise all other Ancillary Rights, unless an Event of Default has occurred, is continuing and the Administrative Agent would be entitled to enforce any of the Pledges pursuant to Clause 7 of this Agreement.
 
5.2   Pledgees’ rights
 
    Notwithstanding Clause 5.1 (Entitlement to receive dividend payments) above:
  (a)   dividends paid or payable other than in cash and other property received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for the Pledged Shares;
 
  (b)   dividends or other distributions paid or payable in cash in respect of the Pledged Shares in connection with (i) the partial or total liquidation; (ii) dissolution; or (iii) in connection with the reduction of capital ( Kapitalherabsetzung ); and
 
  (c)   cash paid, payable or otherwise distributed in respect of principal of, or in redemption of, or in exchange for the Pledged Shares,
    shall be made available and shall forthwith be delivered to the Administrative Agent for itself and for the Pledgees to be held as security for the Secured Claims and shall, if received by the Pledgor, be received as holder for the Pledgees and segregated from the other property or funds of the Pledgor and be forthwith delivered to the Administrative Agent for itself and for the Pledgees as security for the Secured Claims in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement). Any further reaching obligations of the Pledged Company and/or the Pledgor in respect of the use of profits and/or dividends shall not be affected by this Clause 5.2.
 
6.   EXERCISE OF VOTING RIGHTS
 
6.1   Voting Rights
 
    The voting rights resulting from the Pledged Shares remain with the Pledgor. The Pledgor, however, shall at all times until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims or the release of the Pledges be required, in exercising its voting rights, to act in good faith to ensure that the existence, validity or enforceability of the Pledges is not adversely affected.

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6.2   Impairment
 
    The Pledgor shall not take, or participate in, any action which can be reasonably be expected to impair or to be for any other reason inconsistent with, the security interest of the Pledgees or the security purpose as described in Clause 4 (Purpose of the Pledges) hereof or to defeat, impair or circumvent the rights of the Pledgees hereunder.
 
6.3   Information by the Pledgor
 
    The Pledgor shall inform the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) of all other actions concerning the Pledged Company which could be reasonably expected to materially adversely affect the Pledges (or any part thereof). In particular, the Pledgor shall notify the Administrative Agent forthwith of:
  (a)   any shareholders’ meeting at which a resolution is intended to be adopted which could have a material adverse effect upon the Pledges. In any event, the Pledgor shall procure that the Administrative Agent will upon request promptly ( unverzüglich ) receive, as soon as they are available, a copy of the convocation notice for such ordinary or extraordinary shareholders’ meeting setting forth the agenda and all applications and decisions to be taken, and the minutes of any such shareholders’ meeting; and
 
  (b)   any resolution which is intended to be adopted outside a shareholders’ meeting and which could have a material adverse effect upon the Pledges and provide to the Administrative Agent a draft of any such resolution. In any event, the Administrative Agent shall upon request promptly ( unverzüglich ) receive, as soon as it is available, a copy of any such resolution.
7.   ENFORCEMENT OF THE PLEDGES
 
7.1   Pledgees’ rights
 
(a)   At any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default if, in addition, the requirements set forth in sections 1273, 1204 et seq. of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) with regard to the enforcement of pledges are met ( Pfandreife ), the Pledgees (or any of them) acting through the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to enforce the Pledges (or any part thereof) by way of public auction ( öffentliche Versteigerung ) and/or in any other way permitted under German law, in all cases notwithstanding section 1277 of the German Civil Code without any enforceable judgment or other instrument ( vollstreckbarer Titel ).
 
(b)   The Pledgees (or any of them) acting through the Administrative Agent shall notify the Pledgor of the intention to realise the Pledges (or any part thereof) not less than 1 (one) week before the date on which the Pledges (or any such part thereof) are intended to be enforced. Such notice period is not necessary if (i) the Pledgor has generally ceased to make payments, (ii) an application for the commencement of insolvency proceedings over the assets of the Pledgor is filed (and not withdrawn) by the Pledgor or by any third person and, in the latter case, it is not without delay established to the satisfaction of the Pledgees that the application is obviously frivolous or (iii) the observance of such notice period can reasonably be expected to adversely affect the enforceability of the Pledges (or any part thereof). The Pledgor hereby expressly agrees that 1 (one) week’s prior written notice to it of the place and time of any public auction held in accordance with Clause 7.1 (a) (Pledgees’ rights) above shall be sufficient. Such public auction may be held at any place in the Federal Republic of Germany which will be determined by the Administrative Agent.

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(c)   If the Administrative Agent seeks to enforce the Pledges (or any part thereof) pursuant to, and in accordance with Clause 7.1(a) (Pledgees’ Rights) above, the Pledgor shall, at its own expense, render forthwith all assistance necessary in order to facilitate the prompt realisation of the Pledged Shares (or any of them) and/or the exercise by the Pledgees (or any of them) acting through the Administrative Agent of any other right a Pledgee may have pursuant to this Agreement or statutory German law.
 
(d)   In case of an enforcement of the Pledges or if the Pledgor pays or repays any of the Secured Claims owed by any other Obligor, section 1225 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) (Legal subrogation of claims to a pledgor ( Forderungsübergang auf den Verpfänder )) shall not apply and no rights or claims of the Pledgees shall pass to the Pledgor until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims.
 
(e)   The Pledgees (or any of them) acting through Administrative Agent may determine which part of the Security, if applicable, shall be used to satisfy the Secured Claims.
 
7.2   Dividends
 
    Provided that the requirements for enforcement referred to under Clause 7.1(a) (Pledgees’ Rights) above are met and an enforcement notice has been served in accordance with Clause 7.1 (b), all dividends and all other payments based on similar ancillary rights attributed to the Pledged Shares may be applied by the Pledgees in satisfaction in whole or in part of the Secured Claims notwithstanding a Pledgee’s right to treat such payments as additional collateral. Any such payments which are made to the Pledgor after the time the Pledges have become enforceable must be paid to the Administrative Agent.
 
7.3   Voting rights
 
    Even if the requirements for enforcement referred to under Clause 7.1(a) (Pledgees’ Rights) above are met, the Administrative Agent shall not, whether as proxy or otherwise, be entitled to exercise the voting rights attached to the Pledged Shares for itself or on behalf of any of the Pledgees. However, the Pledgor shall, upon the occurrence of an event which gives the Pledgees the right to enforce the Pledges (or any part thereof) pursuant to Clause 7.1, have the obligations and the Pledgees shall have the rights set forth in Clause 6.3 (Information by the Pledgor) of this Agreement regardless of which resolutions are intended to be adopted.
 
7.4   Application of proceeds
 
(a)   The proceeds resulting from the enforcement of the Pledges (or any part thereof) shall be applied by the Administrative Agent towards the satisfaction of the Secured Claims.
 
(b)   Until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Pledgees shall be entitled to treat all enforcement proceeds, held by the Administrative Agent separate from its assets on a separate trust account for the benefit of the Secured Parties and after the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge for the benefit of the Pledgor, as additional collateral for the Secured Claims, notwithstanding their right to seek satisfaction from such proceeds at any time.
 
(c)   After the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims any remaining proceeds resulting from the enforcement of the Pledges (or any part thereof) shall be transferred to the Pledgor at the cost and expense of the Pledgor.

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8.   NO DEFENCES OR RECOURSE
 
8.1   The Pledgor hereby waives any rights of revocation ( Anfechtbarkeit ) and set-off ( Aufrechenbarkeit ) it may have pursuant to sections 1211 and 770(1) and (2) of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) save to the extent that the relevant Secured Claims can be discharged by way of set off against counterclaims which are undisputed ( unbestritten ) or ascertained by unappealable judgment ( rechtskräftig festgestellt ) and any defence of failure to pursue remedies ( Einrede der Vorausklage ) it may have.
 
8.2   To the extent legally possible, the Pledgor hereby expressly waives the defences exercisable by it pursuant to section 1211 para. 1 sentence 1 alternative 1 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) which the principal debtor of any Secured Claim has against any Secured Claim ( Einreden des Hauptschuldners ).
 
8.3   In addition to Clause 7. 1(d) (Pledgees’ rights) of this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree that until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims no rights and claims shall pass to or otherwise arise for the benefit of the Pledgor by subrogation ( gesetzlicher Übergang von Forderungen und Rechten ) or otherwise, including any recourse claims, indemnification claims, claims arising from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertigte Bereicherung ) and any right to demand the assignment and/or transfer of any Secured Claim and/or Security, against any Obligor, grantor of Security or Secured Party (as the case may be) which it may (but for this Clause 8) acquire as a result of:
  (i)   a payment or repayment by the Pledgor of any debt of any other Obligor under any of the Loan Documents; or
 
  (ii)   in case of enforcement of the Pledges (or any part thereof).
    Until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Pledgor furthermore undertakes not to exercise ( pactum de non petendo ), and not to purport to exercise, any such rights and claims which may pass to it or otherwise arise for its benefit notwithstanding this Clause 8 or would pass to it or otherwise arise for its benefit but for this Clause 8.
 
    The provisions under this Clause 8.3 shall not apply with regard to a recourse claim, if the parties agreed to allow such recourse of the Pledgor against any of the other Parties thereby taking at all times into account the terms of the Credit Agreement and any other Loan Document.
 
9.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
    The Pledgor represents and warrants ( selbständiges Garantieversprechen im Sinne von § 311 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) to the Pledgees that on the date of this Agreement:
  (a)   the Pledged Company is validly existing and is neither:
  (i)   unable to pay its debts when they fall due ( zahlungsunfähig ) within the meaning of section 17 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (ii)   in a state of imminent inability to pay its debts when they fall due ( drohende Zahlungsunfähigkeit ) within the meaning of section 18 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (iii)   over-indebted ( überschuldet ) within the meaning of section 19 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor

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  (iv)   subject to any insolvency proceedings ( Insolvenzverfahren ) (or other or similar proceedings under the laws of any other applicable jurisdiction) or any refusal of opening insolvency proceedings for insufficiency of assets ( Abweisung mangels Masse ) (within the meaning of section 26 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ));
  (b)   the Shares are the only shares ( Geschäftsanteile ) in the Pledged Company in existence at the date hereof;
 
  (c)   the Pledgor is not subject to any restriction of any kind with regard to the transfer of, or the granting of a pledge in, or any other disposal of, the Pledged Shares, or with regard to the right to receive dividends on the Pledged Shares;
 
  (d)   the Pledgor is the sole legal and beneficial owner of the Pledged Shares and the Pledged Shares have not been transferred to or encumbered for the benefit of any third person and are not subject to any other rights of third parties (including, but not limited to, any pre-emption rights of third parties for shares in the Pledged Company);
 
  (e)   the Plegor is entitled to participate in the dividends of the Pledged Company free of any and all in-rem rights of others;
 
  (f)   the Shares are fully paid and there is no obligation for a shareholder to make additional contributions ( keine Nachschusspflicht ); and
 
  (g)   no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings, which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect, are presently in progress, pending or threatened which restrain, or threaten to restrain, the Pledgor in respect of the entry into, the performance of, or compliance with, any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.
10.   UNDERTAKINGS
 
10.1   General undertakings
 
    The Pledgor undertakes:
  (a)   if any amount in excess of US$100,000 payable or security transferrable under or in connection with this Agreement shall be or become evidenced by any authorisation, approval, licence and consent such authorisation, approval, licence and consent shall be promptly delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly indorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
 
  (b)   to maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest and to defend such security interest against the claims and demands of all persons whomsoever subject to the rights of the Pledgor under the Loan Documents to dispose of the Pledged Shares;
 
  (c)   at any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent and at the sole expense of such Plegor, to promptly ( unverzüglich ) and duly execute and deliver, and have recorded such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, including, without limitation, execute one or more collateral agreements (including assignments and

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      releases) to obtain or preserve the security interest created by this Agreement in favour of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties
  (d)   to notify the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) of any change in the shareholding in the Pledged Company or of any change in the shareholders’ agreement ( Gesellschaftsvertrag );
 
  (e)   to inform the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) of any attachments ( Pfändung ) regarding the Shares or any other measures which can reasonably be expected to impair or jeopardise the Pledgees’ rights relating to the Pledged Shares. In the event of an attachment, the Pledgor undertakes to forward to the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) a copy of the attachment order ( Pfändungsbeschluss ), any third party debt order ( Überweisungsbeschluss ) and all other documents necessary for a defence against the attachment. The Pledgor shall inform the attaching creditor promptly ( unverzüglich ) about the Pledgees’ security interests;
 
  (f)   if and to the extent the Pledged Shares are not fully paid up at the date hereof, to fully pay up the Pledged Shares promptly ( unverzüglich ) upon the execution of this Agreement and to procure that there will be no obligation for a shareholder to make additional contributions;
 
  (g)   not to create or permit to subsist any encumbrance over all or any of the Pledged Shares or any interest therein or otherwise sell, transfer or dispose of the whole or any part of the Pledged Shares or any interest therein;
 
  (h)   to refrain from any acts or omissions which can reasonably be expected have an adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of the Pledges (or any part thereof); and
 
  (i)   with regard to any and all shares in the capital of the Pledged Company issued in addition to the Shares in what ever nominal value which the Pledgor may acquire or receive otherwise in future in the event of an increase of the capital of the Pledged Company or otherwise:
  (i)   to inform the Administrative Agent of the intention to either raise additional capital by increasing its capital ( Kapitalerhöhung ) or acquire or receive additional capital otherwise;
 
  (ii)   after prior written consent of the Administrative Agent to such increase, to only give effect to such increase of (acquire or receive) the capital by dividing the aggregate new capital into shares, such that 66% of the new capital and of 34% of the new capital can be pledged separately (such as in two shares one which represents 66%of the new capital an another one representing the remaining 34% of the new capital); and
 
  (iii)   to pledge the new share(s) corresponding to 34% of the new capital within five (5) Business Days in favour of the Pledgee substantially under the same terms and conditions as agreed to in this Agreement.
  (j)   to file within five (5) Business Days the new list of shareholders representing the split of the shares in 25,000 different shares with the nominal amount of EUR 1 each with the competent commercial register.

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10.2   Pledge over all Shares
 
    The Administrative Agent may at all times for itself and for the other Pledgees request to hold a pledge over all Pledged Shares held by the Pledgor (in particular, without limitation, in the case of a merger or conversion an equivalent security interest over the shares or interests in the surviving or, as the case may be, the new company) in accordance with all terms of this Agreement and the agreement on or about the date of this Agreement pursuant to which the Remaining Share is pledged.
 
11.   RELEASE
 
11.1   Confirmation
 
    After the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims the Administrative Agent shall confirm in writing to the Pledgor upon the Pledgor’s request that the Pledges have ceased to exist and/or, as applicable, the release of the Pledges ( Pfandaufgabe ), at the cost and expense of the Pledgor (if any).
 
11.2   Release of Security
 
    Even prior to the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Pledgees are obliged to release upon the Pledgor’s request, and at the Pledgor’s cost and expense, all or part of the Security insofar as the realisable value of the Security exceeds, not only temporarily, the Secured Claims by more than 10%. The Administrative Agent may, at its discretion, determine which part of the Security shall be released but shall reasonably take into account the legitimate interest of the Pledgor and the Pledged Company.
 
12.   INDEMNITY
 
12.1   Liability for Damages
 
    Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of the other Pledgees shall be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the Pledgor save in respect of such loss or damage which is suffered as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent or any of the other Pledgees.
 
12.2   Indemnification
 
    The Pledgor shall indemnify and hold the Administrative Agent and each of the other Pledgees harmless and keep them indemnified from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, which may be incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Pledgees for anything done or omitted in the exercise or purported exercise of the powers contained in this Agreement, provided , that the Pledgor shall have no obligation hereunder to the extent that such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement are incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent or any of the other Pledgees as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent or any of the other Pledgees.
 
    Any reference in this paragraph to the Administrative Agent and/or the other Pledgees includes any officer, director, employee, agent, advisor (including any attorney) or other person appointed by the

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    Administrative Agent or any other Pledgee in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
13.   DURATION AND INDEPENDENCE
 
13.1   Duration
 
    This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of the Secured Claims. The Pledges shall not cease to exist if any payments made in satisfaction of the Secured Claims have only temporarily discharged the Secured Claims.
 
13.2   Continuing Security
 
    This Agreement shall create a continuing Security and no change or amendment whatsoever in any Loan Document or in any document or agreement related to it shall affect the validity or limit the scope of this Agreement or the obligations which are imposed on the Pledgor pursuant to it.
 
    The Pledgor hereby agrees that the Pledges shall not be affected by any assumption of liability ( Schuldübernahme ) in relation to any of the Secured Claims and hereby expressly consents ( willigt ein ) to any such transfer and/or assumption of liability within the meaning of section 418 para. 1 sentence 3 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) (including when applied by analogy).
 
13.3   Independence
 
    This Agreement and the Pledges are independent from all other security interests or guarantees which may have been or will be given to the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Secured Parties with respect to any obligation of the Obligors (or any of them). None of such other security interests or guarantees shall in any way prejudice, or be prejudiced by, this Agreement or the Pledges.
 
14.   COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
    The Pledgor shall promptly ( unverzüglich ) pay or reimburse each Pledgee the amount of any and all costs, charges, fees and expenses (including fees for legal advisers) incurred by it in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement or any waiver in relation thereto, together in each case with any applicable value added tax or other taxes. Any notarial fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement shall be borne by the Pledgor.
 
15.   PARTIAL INVALIDITY; WAIVER
 
15.1   Invalidity
 
    If any provision of this Agreement or part thereof should be or become invalid or unenforceable, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions hereof. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by that provision which best meets the intent of the replaced provision. This shall apply analogously with respect to anything which is accidentally not regulated in this Agreement ( Vertragslücke ). § 139 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) shall be waived hereby.
 
    In particular the Pledges shall not be affected and shall in any event extend to any and all of the Pledged Shares held by the Pledgor in the Pledged Company even if the number or nominal value of

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    the Shares, the Pledged Shares or the aggregate liable capital of the Pledged Company as stated in Clause 2.1(b) (Pledged Shares) are inaccurate and deviate from the actual facts.
15.2   Waiver
 
    No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or the other Pledgees (or any of them), any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
 
16.   AMENDMENTS
 
    Changes to and amendments of this Agreement including this Clause 16 must be made in writing.
 
17.   SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS
 
    This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties hereto and, to the extent legally possible, their respective successor(s) in law. Each Pledgee shall, to the extent legally possible, be entitled to assign or otherwise transfer (i) any and all of its rights and (ii) (only with regard to any person which becomes a lender or an administrative agent under the Credit Agreement after the date of this Agreement) any and all of its duties pursuant to this Agreement to third parties. The Pledgor is entitled to any such transfer with the prior written consent of the Pledgees (acting through the Administrative Agent, as the case may be) only.
 
18.   NOTICES AND THEIR LANGUAGE
 
18.1   Notices
 
    Any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement to the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Pledgees shall be in writing (unless notarisation is required) and shall be delivered personally, by post, email or fax and shall be sent to the address, email address or fax number of the party, and for the attention of the individual or department, as set forth in Schedule 3 hereto or such other address, email address or fax number as is notified in writing by that Party for this purpose to the Facility Agent, the Administrative Agent or, as the case may be, the Pledgor, from time to time.
 
18.2   Language
 
    Save for the notice pursuant to section 1280 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) and unless otherwise required by statutory German law or unless otherwise agreed in writing from time to time, any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement shall be made in the English language or, if in any other language, accompanied by a translation into English. In the event of any conflict between the English text and the text in any other language, the English text shall prevail (unless the document is a statutory or other official document), except that where a German translation of a legal term appears in such text, the German translation shall prevail.
 
19.   APPLICABLE LAW; JURISDICTION
 
19.1   Governing Law
 
    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.

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19.2   Jurisdiction
 
    The place of jurisdiction for all Parties shall be Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany. The Administrative Agent and the other Pledgees, however, shall also be entitled to take legal action against the Pledgor before any other competent court of law having jurisdiction over the Pledgor or any of its assets.
 
20.   NOTIFICATION
 
    The Pledgor and the Pledgees hereby instruct and the Pledgor authorises the undersigned Notary Public to notify the Pledged Company in the Pledgor’s name of the Pledges by means of forwarding a certified copy of this Agreement to the Pledged Company by registered mail (return receipt requested).

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SCHEDULE 1
ORIGINAL LENDERS
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Bank of America, N.A.
Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P.
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
HSBC Bank USA, National Association
RBC Capital Markets
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.

17


 

SCHEDULE 2
ORIGINAL OBLIGORS
PART 1
ORIGINAL BORROWERS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC BORROWER
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN BORROWERS
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH
PART 2
ORIGINAL GUARANTORS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC GUARANTORS
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN GUARANTORS
First Solar Holdings GmbH
First Solar GmbH
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH

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SCHEDULE 3
ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES
     
To the Pledgor:
  First Solar, Inc.
350 West Washington Street, Suite 600
Tempe, Arizona 85281
Attn.:    Anja Lange
    David Brady
Fax:      +49(0)6131-1443-500
    +1-602-414-9462
Email:   alange@firstsolar.com
     dbrady@firstsolar.com
     
To the Administrative Agent:
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
10 South Dearborn, 7 th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
 
   
 
  Attention: Creston Wren
Telecopy: 001 (312) 385-7097
Telephone: 001 (312) 385-7016
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
125 London Wall
London
EC2Y 5AJ
 
   
 
  Attention: Lucy Chick
Telecopy: +44(0)20 7325 6835
Telephone: +44(0)20 7325 6926
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
201 North Central Avenue, Floor
21Phoenix, AZ 85004
 
   
 
  Attention: Mark Chambers
Telecopy: 001 (602) 221-1502
Telephone: 001 (602) 221-2290
 
   
To the Pledged Company:
  First Solar Holdings GmbH
Rheinstr. 4B
55116 Mainz

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Germany
Attn.:    Anja Lange
    David Brady
Fax:      +49(0)6131-1443-500
    +1-602-414-9462
Email:   alange@firstsolar.com
    dbrady@firstsolar.com

20


 

APPENDIX 3
SHARE PLEDGE AGREEMENT
(
VERPFÄNDUNG VON GESCHÄFTSANTEILEN )
IN RELATION TO FIRST SOLAR GMBH
4 SEPTEMBER 2009
between
FIRST SOLAR HOLDINGS GMBH.
as Pledgor
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Administrative Agent

 


 

CONTENTS
             
        Page  
Clause            
 
 
1.
  Interpretation     1  
2.
  Pledge     6  
3.
  Independent Pledges     6  
4.
  Purpose of the Pledges     6  
5.
  Dividends and other payment claims     7  
6.
  Exercise of voting rights     7  
7.
  Enforcement of the Pledges     8  
8.
  Maintenance of Liable Capital     9  
9.
  No defences or recourse     13  
10.
  Representations and warranties     13  
11.
  Undertakings     14  
12.
  Release     15  
13.
  Indemnity     16  
14.
  Duration and independence     16  
15.
  Costs and expenses     17  
16.
  Partial invalidity; Waiver     17  
17.
  Amendments     17  
18.
  Successors, assignments and transfers     17  
19.
  Notices and their language     18  
20.
  Applicable law; Jurisdiction     18  
21.
  Notification     18  
 
           
Schedules        
 
           
1.
  Original Lenders     19  
2.
  Original Obligors     20  
3.
  Addresses for notices     21  

 


 

THIS SHARE PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the Agreement ) is made on 4 September 2009
BETWEEN:
    FIRST SOLAR HOLDINGS GMBH, a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Mainz, Germany, under registration number HRB 40090 as pledgor (the Pledgor )
 
    on one side; and
 
(1)   JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , a banking association organised under the laws of the United States with its main office at 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240, U.S.A. acting through its London Branch, at 125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AJ as administrative agent (the Administrative Agent ).
WHEREAS:
(A)   The Original Lenders (as defined below) have agreed to make available to the Borrowers (as defined below) certain revolving credit facilities and certain letters of credit on the terms of and subject to the Credit Agreement (as defined below).
 
(B)   It is a condition to the Original Lenders (as defined below) making the credit facilities available to the Borrowers (as defined below) that the Pledgor enters into this Agreement.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1.   INTERPRETATION
 
1.1   Definitions
    In this Agreement:
 
    Additional Domestic Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Domestic Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Foreign Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Additional Foreign Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Agent means:
  (a)   the Syndication Agent;
 
  (b)   the Documentation Agent; and

1


 

  (c)   the Administrative Agent.
 
  Ancillary Rights means:
 
  (a)   dividends, if any, payable on the Shares;
 
  (b)   liquidation proceeds ( Liquidationserlöse ), consideration for redemption ( Einziehungsentgelt ), repaid capital in case of a capital decrease ( Kapitalherabsetzung ), any compensation in case of termination ( Kündigung ) and/or withdrawal ( Austritt ) of a shareholder of the Pledged Company, the surplus in case of surrender ( Preisgabe ) and all other pecuniary claims associated with the Shares;
 
  (c)   the right to subscribe for newly issued shares.
    Assignment and Assumption Agreement means the assignment and assumption agreement, pursuant to which a Lender as assignor sells and assigns to a person as assignee , inter alia , any or all of the assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a lender under the Credit Agreement.
 
    Borrower means any Domestic Borrower and any Foreign Borrower.
 
    Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
 
    Company means First Solar, Inc., a corporation organised under the laws of Delaware, United States of America, having its business address at 350 West Washington Street, Suite 600, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States of America
 
    Credit Agreement means the New York law governed credit agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers on one side and, inter alia, the Administrative Agent and the Original Lenders together with each New Lender Supplement, and Assignment and Assumption Agreement relating thereto and any and each other agreement or instrument amending, modifying, extending, restating or supplementing it from time to time providing for an approximately $300,000,000 facility and an up to $100,000,000 Incremental Facility.
 
    Documentation Agent means The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
 
    Dollar or $ means the lawful currency of the United States of America.
 
    Domestic Borrower means the Company and any Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Domestic Guarantor means any Original Domestic Guarantor and any Additional Domestic Guarantor.
 
    Euro, EUR or means the single currency of the participating member states of the European Union.
 
    Event of Default means an event (i) in which the commitments under the Credit Agreement will automatically immediately terminate and the amounts outstanding are immediately due and payable (ii) which would entitle the Administrative Agent (A) to, inter alia, prematurely terminate all or part of the total commitments under the Credit Agreement and/or (B) to declare that all or part of the amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement are immediately due and payable or payable on

2


 

    demand provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both has been satisfied.
 
    Existing Share means the share in the Pledged Company as set forth in Clause 2.1(b) (Pledged Shares) hereof.
 
    Foreign Borrower means any Original Foreign Borrower and any Additional Foreign Borrower.
 
    Foreign Guarantor means any Original Foreign Guarantor and any Additional Foreign Guarantor.
 
    Future Pledgee means any person or entity replacing the Administrative Agent in its function as administrative agent under the Credit Agreement.
 
    Future Shares means any and all shares in the capital of the Pledged Company issued in addition to the Existing Share in whatever nominal value which the Pledgor may acquire in future in the event of an increase of the capital of the Pledged Company or otherwise.
 
    German Borrower means First Solar Manufacturing GmbH and any other person or entity that is organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement.
 
    German Guarantor means First Solar GmbH and First Solar Holdings GmbH and any other person or entity that is organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany which is required to provide for a guarantee in connection with the Loan Documents after the date of the Credit Agreement.
 
    Group means the Company and its Subsidiaries from time to time.
 
    Guarantee and Collateral Agreement means the guarantee and collateral agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement made between, inter alia , First Solar, Inc. and certain of its Subsidiaries in favour of the Administrative Agent which will be attached as “Exhibit A” to the Credit Agreement.
 
    Guarantor means any Domestic Guarantor and any Foreign Guarantor.
 
    Incremental Facility means any additional revolving loan provided either
  (i)   by a person that already is a lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “increasing lender” therein) after having accepted an increase of its revolving commitment; or
 
  (ii)   by an assuming lender becoming a new lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “assuming lender” therein) after having signed a New Lender Supplement,
    provided that the aggregate amount of the aggregate revolving loans will in no event exceed $400,000,000.
 
    Issuing Lender means the Original Issuing Lender and any other lender that has agreed in its sole discretion to issue a letter of credit to any Borrower or any other borrowing Subsidiary in connection with the Credit Agreement.
 
    Lender means an Original Lender and any person which becomes a lender under the Credit Agreement, including without limitation an assuming lender of an Incremental Facility, after

3


 

    the date of this Agreement, unless, in each case, such person has ceased to be a lender under the Credit Agreement.
 
    Letter of Credit means any letter of credit issued or to be issued under the Credit Agreement, as such letter of credit may be amended, modified, restated, extended, renewed, increased, replaced or supplemented from time to time.
 
    Loan Document means
(a) the Credit Agreement;
(b) each Security Document;
(c) any Note; and
(d) any other document designated as such by the Administrative Agent and the Company.
    New Lender Supplement means a supplement to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which an assuming lender will become a party to the Credit Agreement with a revolving commitment in an amount agreed by such assuming lender.
 
    Note means any promissory note evidencing loans in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, that may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.
 
    Obligor means a Borrower and/or a Guarantor.
 
    Original Domestic Guarantors means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Domestic Guarantors”.
 
    Original Foreign Borrower means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Borrowers”.
 
    Original Foreign Guarantor means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Guarantors”.
 
    Original Issuing Lender means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
    Original Lender means each of the financial institutions set out in Schedule 1 hereto in its capacity as original lender to the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers.
 
    Original Pledgees means the Administrative Agent.
 
    Parties means the Pledgor, the Administrative Agent and the Pledgees.
 
    Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, any governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.
 
    Pledged Company means First Solar GmbH, a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Mainz, Germany, under registration number HRB 8855.

4


 

    Pledges means any and all pledges constituted pursuant to Clause 2.2 (a) of this Agreement.
 
    Pledgees means the Administrative Agent and any Future Pledgee.
 
    Secured Claims means all present and future rights and claims ( Ansprüche ) (whether actual or contingent and whether owned jointly or severally or in any other capacity whatsoever) (including claims from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertige Bereicherung ) and tort ( Delikt )) of any of the Secured Parties against any German Borrower and any German Guarantor under or in connection with the Loan Documents (or any of them) or any Letter of Credit, each as amended, varied, supplemented or novated from time to time, including without limitation, any increase of principal or interest, in each case together with all interest, costs, charges and expenses incurred by any Secured Party in connection with the protection and preservation or enforcement of its respective rights under the Loan Documents or any Letter of Credit.
 
    Secured Party means an Agent, the Lenders and any affiliate of any Lender to which any obligations under any Loan Document or under any Specified Swap Agreements are owed by any member of the Group, any Issuing Lender and any Swap Counterparty.
 
    Security means any and all collateral granted with a view to securing the Secured Claims.
 
    Security Document means
  (a)   the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; and
 
  (b)   any other document evidencing or creating collateral over any asset of an Obligor to secure any obligation of an Obligor under or in connection with, inter alia , the Credit Agreement.
    Shares means the Existing Share and the Future Shares.
 
    Specified Swap Agreement means any Swap Agreement entered into by the Company or any Guarantor and any lender or any affiliate of a lender in connection with the Credit Agreement.
 
    Subsidiary means as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. And unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.an entity of which a person owns directly or indirectly more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting capital or similar right of ownership.
 
    Swap Agreement means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; except for any phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
 
    Swap Counterparty means any person or entity providing a Specified Swap Agreement.
 
    Syndication Agent means Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch.

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1.2   Where the context so admits, the singular includes the plural and vice versa.
 
1.3   The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement.
 
1.4   Any reference in this Agreement to a defined document is a reference to that defined document as amended, varied, supplemented or novated from time to time.
 
1.5   Any reference to a Party or other person (including any Obligor and any Secured Party) includes its respective successor(s) in law (including any universal successor ( Gesamtrechtsnachfolger ) of that person by way of merger ( Verschmelzung ), any other reorganisation contemplated in the German Transformation Act ( Umwandlungsgesetz ) or otherwise) and any assign(s) and transferee(s) of that person and, to the extent legally possible, any legal provision to the contrary is waived.
 
2.   PLEDGE
 
2.1   Pledged Shares
  (a)   The Pledgor is at the date of this Agreement the sole shareholder of the Pledged Company.
 
  (b)   The total registered share capital ( Stammkapital ) of the Pledged Company amounts to EUR 25,000 (in words: twenty five thousand Euro). The registered share capital of the Pledged Company is represented by one share amounting to EUR 25,000 (in words: twenty five thousand euro) (the Existing Share ) which is held by the Pledgor. At present, there are no other shares in the Pledged Company.
 
  (c)   The Existing Share is fully paid up. As at the date hereof, there is no obligation for the Pledgor to make additional contributions to the Pledged Company.
2.2   Constitution of Pledge
  (a)   The Pledgor hereby pledges the Shares and any and all Ancillary Rights pertaining thereto to each of the Original Pledgees and to each Future Pledgee for their rateable and equally ranking interest as security.
 
  (b)   Each of the Original Pledgees hereby accepts the Pledges. In addition the Administrative Agent accepts the Pledges for and on behalf of each Future Pledgee hereunder as proxy without power of attorney ( Vertreter ohne Vertretungsmacht ). Each Future Pledgee ratifies and confirms such acceptance so made by the Administrative Agent on its behalf by accepting the transfer or assignment of any Secured Claim and/or by becoming a party to a Loan Document, thereby becoming a Pledgee. All Parties confirm that the validity of any of the Pledges constituted hereunder is not affected by the Administrative Agent acting as proxy without power of attorney for any Future Pledgee. For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties agree that nothing in this Agreement shall exclude a transfer of all or part of the Pledges by operation of law.
3.   INDEPENDENT PLEDGES
    The validity and effect of each of the Pledges shall be independent from the validity and the effect of any of the other Pledges created hereunder. The Pledges to each of the Pledgees shall be separate and individual pledges. Each of the Pledges shall rank pari passu to each other Pledge created hereunder.

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4.   PURPOSE OF THE PLEDGES
 
    The Pledges are constituted in order to secure the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of any and all Secured Claims.
 
    The Parties hereby expressly agree that the provisions of section 1210 para 1 sentence 2 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) shall not apply to this Agreement and the Pledges.
 
5.   DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENT CLAIMS
 
5.1   Entitlement to receive dividend payments and to exercise other Ancillary Rights
 
    Notwithstanding that the dividends and the other Ancillary Rights are pledged pursuant to this Agreement, the Pledgor shall be entitled to (i) receive and retain all dividend payments and all other payments in respect of the Shares and (ii) receive, retain and exercise all other Ancillary Rightsunless an Event of Default has occurred, is continuing and the Administrative Agent would be entitled to enforce any of the Pledges pursuant to Clause 7 of this Agreement..
 
5.2   Pledgees’ rights
 
    Notwithstanding Clause 5.1 (Entitlement to receive dividend payments) above:
  (a)   dividends paid or payable other than in cash and other property received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for the Shares;
 
  (b)   dividends or other distributions paid or payable in cash in respect of the Shares in connection with (i) the partial or total liquidation; (ii) dissolution; or (iii) in connection with the reduction of capital ( Kapitalherabsetzung ); and
 
  (c)   cash paid, payable or otherwise distributed in respect of principal of, or in redemption of, or in exchange for the Shares,
    shall be made available and shall forthwith be delivered to the Administrative Agent for itself and for the Pledgees to be held as security for the Secured Claims and shall, if received by the Pledgor, be received as holder for the Pledgees and segregated from the other property or funds of the Pledgor and be forthwith delivered to the Administrative Agent for itself and for the Pledgees as security for the Secured Claims in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement). Any further reaching obligations of the Pledged Company and/or the Pledgor in respect of the use of profits and/or dividends shall not be affected by this Clause 5.2.
6.   EXERCISE OF VOTING RIGHTS
 
6.1   Voting Rights
 
    The voting rights resulting from the Shares remain with the Pledgor. The Pledgor, however, shall at all times until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims or the release of the Pledges be required, in exercising its voting rights, to act in good faith to ensure that the existence, validity or enforceability of the Pledges is not adversely affected.
 
6.2   Impairment
 
    The Pledgor shall not take, or participate in, any action which can be reasonably be expected to impair, or to be for any other reason inconsistent with, the security interest of the Pledgees or the

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    security purpose as described in Clause 4 (Purpose of the Pledges) hereof or to defeat, impair or circumvent the rights of the Pledgees hereunder.
 
6.3   Information by the Pledgor
 
    The Pledgor shall inform the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) of all other actions concerning the Pledged Company which could be reasonably expected to materially adversely affect the Pledges (or any part thereof). In particular, the Pledgor shall notify the Administrative Agent forthwith of:
  (a)   any shareholders’ meeting at which a resolution is intended to be adopted which could have a material adverse effect upon the Pledges. In any event, the Pledgor shall procure that the Administrative Agent will upon request promptly ( unverzüglich ) receive, as soon as they are available, a copy of the convocation notice for such ordinary or extraordinary shareholders’ meeting setting forth the agenda and all applications and decisions to be taken, and the minutes of any such shareholders’ meeting; and
 
  (b)   any resolution which is intended to be adopted outside a shareholders’ meeting and which could have a material adverse effect upon the Pledges and provide to the Administrative Agent a draft of any such resolution. In any event, the Administrative Agent shall upon request promptly ( unverzüglich ) receive, as soon as it is available, a copy of any such resolution.
7.   ENFORCEMENT OF THE PLEDGES
 
7.1   Pledgees’ rights
 
(a)   At any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default if, in addition, the requirements set forth in sections 1273, 1204 et seq. of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) with regard to the enforcement of pledges are met ( Pfandreife ), the Pledgees (or any of them) acting through the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to enforce the Pledges (or any part thereof) by way of public auction ( öffentliche Versteigerung ) and/or in any other way permitted under German law, in all cases notwithstanding section 1277 of the German Civil Code without any enforceable judgment or other instrument ( vollstreckbarer Titel ).
 
(b)   The Pledgees (or any of them) acting through the Administrative Agent shall notify the Pledgor of the intention to realise the Pledges (or any part thereof) not less than 1 (one) week before the date on which the Pledges (or any such part thereof) are intended to be enforced. Such notice period is not necessary if (i) the Pledgor has generally ceased to make payments, (ii) an application for the commencement of insolvency proceedings over the assets of the Pledgor is filed (and not withdrawn) by the Pledgor or by any third person and, in the latter case, it is not without delay established to the satisfaction of the Pledgees that the application is obviously frivolous or (iii) the observance of such notice period can reasonably be expected to adversely affect the enforceability of the Pledges (or any part thereof). The Pledgor hereby expressly agrees that 1 (one) week’s prior written notice to it of the place and time of any public auction held in accordance with Clause 7.1 (a) (Pledgees’ rights) above shall be sufficient. Such public auction may be held at any place in the Federal Republic of Germany which will be determined by the Administrative Agent.
 
(c)   If the Administrative Agent seeks to enforce the Pledges (or any part thereof) pursuant to, and in accordance with Clause 7.1(a) (Pledgees’ Rights) above, the Pledgor shall, at its own expense, render forthwith all assistance necessary in order to facilitate the prompt realisation of the Shares (or any of them) and/or the exercise by the Pledgees (or any of them) acting through the Administrative Agent of any other right a Pledgee may have pursuant to this Agreement or statutory German law.

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(d)   In case of an enforcement of the Pledges or if the Pledgor pays or repays any of the Secured Claims owed by any other Obligor, section 1225 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) (Legal subrogation of claims to a pledgor ( Forderungsübergang auf den Verpfänder )) shall not apply and no rights or claims of the Pledgees shall pass to the Pledgor until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims.
 
(e)   The Pledgees (or any of them) acting through Administrative Agent may determine which part of the Security, if applicable, shall be used to satisfy the Secured Claims.
7.2   Dividends
 
    Provided that the requirements for enforcement referred to under Clause 7.1(a) (Pledgees’ Rights) above are met and an enforcement notice has been served in accordance with Clause 7.1 (b), all dividends and all other payments based on similar ancillary rights attributed to the Shares may be applied by the Pledgees in satisfaction in whole or in part of the Secured Claims notwithstanding a Pledgee’s right to treat such payments as additional collateral. Any such payments which are made to the Pledgor after the time the Pledges have become enforceable must be paid to the Administrative Agent.
 
7.3   Voting rights
 
    Even if the requirements for enforcement referred to under Clause 7.1(a) (Pledgees’ Rights) above are met, the Administrative Agent shall not, whether as proxy or otherwise, be entitled to exercise the voting rights attached to the Shares for itself or on behalf of any of the Pledgees. However, the Pledgor shall, upon the occurrence of an event which gives the Pledgees the right to enforce the Pledges (or any part thereof) pursuant to Clause 7.1, have the obligations and the Pledgees shall have the rights set forth in Clause 6.3 (Information by the Pledgor) of this Agreement regardless of which resolutions are intended to be adopted.
 
7.4   Application of proceeds
 
(a)   The proceeds resulting from the enforcement of the Pledges (or any part thereof) shall be applied by the Administrative Agent towards the satisfaction of the Secured Claims.
 
(b)   Until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Pledgees shall be entitled to treat all enforcement proceeds, held by the Administrative Agent separate from its assets on a separate trust account for the benefit of the Secured Parties and after the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge for the benefit of the Pledgor, as additional collateral for the Secured Claims, notwithstanding their right to seek satisfaction from such proceeds at any time.
 
(c)   After the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims any remaining proceeds resulting from the enforcement of the Pledges (or any part thereof) shall be transferred to the Pledgor at the cost and expense of the Pledgor.
 
8.   MAINTENANCE OF LIABLE CAPITAL
 
    For the purpose of this Clause 8 (Maintenance of Liable Capital):
 
    Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge means in relation to a German Pledgor any Pledge directly or indirectly securing the obligations or liabilities of any member of the Relevant Group that is not a direct or indirect Relevant Subsidiary of such German Pledgor.

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    Relevant Group refers to a German Pledgor and any affiliated company ( verbundenes Unternehmen ) of such German Pledgor within the meaning of §§ 15 et. seq. of the German Stock Corporation Act ( Aktiengesetz ).
 
    Relevant Subsidiary means an entity of which a person owns directly or indirectly more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting capital or similar right of ownership.
 
8.1   Each of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties agrees not to enforce the Pledge granted under this Agreement against any Pledgor incorporated in Germany (each, a German Pledgor ) irrespective of whether the relevant German Pledgor is at the time of enforcement incorporated as
    a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) (a German GmbH Pledgor ), or
 
    a limited partnership ( Kommanditgesellschaft ) of which the general partner ( Komplementär ) is a limited liability company (a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor ),
  if and to the extent the Pledge granted under this Agreement is an Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge in relation to such German Pledgor, and (ii) if and to the extent the enforcement of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge would cause or constitute
 
  (a)   the German GmbH Pledgor’s, or in the case of the German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor its general partner’s, net assets (the calculation of which shall take into account the captions reflected in § 266 (2) A, B and C of the German Commercial Code ( Handelsgesetzbuch )) less the German GmbH Pledgor’s, or in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor its general partner’s, liabilities, provisions and liability reserves (the calculation of which shall take into account the captions reflected in § 266 (3) B, C and D of the German Commercial Code) (the Net Assets ) to be less than the registered share capital ( Stammkapital ) of the German GmbH Pledgor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor of the registered share capital of its general partner ( Begründung einer Unterbilanz ); or
 
  (b)   an increase of a shortfall, if the Net Assets of the German GmbH Pledgor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor, of its general partner, already fall short of the amount of the registered share capital ( Vertiefung einer Unterbilanz ); and/or
 
  (c)   a payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ).
8.2   For the purposes of the calculation of the Net Assets in Clause 8.1 above the following items shall be adjusted as follows:
  (a)   the amount of an increase in the registered share capital of the German GmbH Pledgor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor of its general partner,
  (i)   that has been effected out of retained earnings ( Kapitalerhöhung aus Gesellschaftsmitteln ) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent after the date of the Credit Agreement; or
 
  (ii)   any amount of an increase in the registered share capital if and to the extent that it has not been fully paid in,
      shall be deducted from the registered share capital;

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  (b)   any loans and other contractual liabilities incurred by the German GmbH Pledgor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner in violation of the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement shall be disregarded as liabilities;
      and
  (c)   the Net Assets shall take into account reasonable costs of the Auditor’s Determination (as defined below), either as a reduction of assets or an increase of liabilities.
8.3   Any German Pledgor, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor its general partner, shall realise, to the extent legally permitted and commercially justifiable, in a situation where after enforcement of the Pledge the German GmbH Pledgor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor its general partner, would not have Net Assets in excess of its respective registered share capital, any and all of its assets, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor its general partner’s assets, that are shown in the respective balance sheet with a book value ( Buchwert ) that is significantly lower than the market value of the asset if such asset is not necessary for the relevant German Pledgor’s, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor its general partner’s, business ( betriebsnotwendig ).
 
8.4   Subject to Clause 8.1, after the receipt of a written demand by the Administrative Agent and/or any other Secured Party to make a payment under any Pledge granted under this Agreement (the Enforcement Notice ), a copy of the relevant determination shall be drawn up in good faith (applying the due care of an ordinary businessman ( Sorgfalt eines ordentlichen Geschäftsmannes )) and made available to the Administrative Agent by the relevant German Pledgor (the Management Determination ) within 10 (ten) Business Days of the German Pledgor’s receipt of the Enforcement Notice stating
  (a)   if and to what extent the Pledge granted hereunder is an Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge;
 
  (b)   which amount of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge can be enforced without causing the Net Assets of the relevant German Pledgor, or, where the Pledgor is a German GmbH & Co KG Pledgor, its general partner, to fall (or to fall further) below its respective registered share capital (taking into account the adjustments set out in Clauses 8.2 above and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 8.3 above), and
 
  (c)   which amount of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge can be enforced without constituting a payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ),
 
  (such amount calculated according to (b) — (c), the Recovery Amount ). Subject to Clause 8.6 below, the Secured Parties shall only be entitled to enforce the amount of any Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge up to the Recovery Amount.
8.5   Following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Management Determination, the relevant German Pledgor shall provide within 15 (fifteen) Business Days a determination by auditors of international standing and reputation appointed by the relevant German Pledgor or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner (the Auditor’s Determination ) of (i) the Recovery Amount (such determination to take into account the adjustments set out in Clauses 8.2 and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 8.3 above) and (ii) an estimate of the liabilities, damages, costs, fees and expenses reasonably expected to result from a liquidation of the relevant German Pledgor, and such German Pledgor shall, not later than 10 (ten) Business Days after receipt by it of such Auditor’s

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    Determination, pay to the relevant Secured Parties the additional amount (if any) by which the Recovery Amount determined in the Auditor’s Determination exceeds the amount (if any) paid to any of the Secured Parties pursuant to Clause 8.4 above, and the Secured Parties shall repay any enforcement amount received in excess of the Recovery Amount determined in the Auditor’s Determination (if any) to the respective German Pledgor or, in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor, its general partner.
 
8.6   If (i) the Administrative Agent disagrees with the Auditor’s Determination or (ii) the relevant German Pledgor (or in the case of a German GmbH & Co KG Pledgor, its general partner) fails to deliver an Management Determination within 10 (ten) Business Days of the German Pledgor’s receipt of the Enforcement Notice or (iii) an Auditor’s Determination within 15 (fifteen) Business Days following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Management Determination, the Secured Parties shall be entitled to further pursue in court their payment claims under this Pledge granted by the respective German Pledgor in excess of the amounts paid or payable pursuant to Clauses 8.4 and 8.5 above, by claiming in court that demanding payment under the German Pledge against the relevant German Pledgor does not violate §§ 30, 31 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act and would not constitute a payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ) (taking into account the calculation of the Net Assets as set out in Clause 8.1 and the adjustments as set out in Clause 8.2 and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 8.3 above). Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, no German Pledgor shall be obliged to pay any such amount on demand.
 
8.7   The limitations set out in Clause 8.1 (a) and (b) and in Clause 8.4 (b) shall not apply if and to the extent the Pledge by the relevant German Pledgor secures any amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement which are lent or on-lent to such German Pledgor or any of its direct or indirect owned Relevant Subsidiaries from time to time and have not been repaid.
 
8.8   The limitations provided for in Clause 8.1 (a) and (b) and in Clause 8.4 (b) shall not apply so long as:
  (a)   the affected German Pledgor (or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner) is a party to a profit and loss sharing agreement ( Gewinnabführungsvertrag ) and/or a domination agreement ( Beherrschungsvertrag ) where such German Pledgor (or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner) is the dominated entity ( beherrschtes Unternehmen ) and/or the entity being obliged to share its profits with the other party of such profit and loss sharing agreement; it being understood that in such case the Secured Parties shall only be entitled to enforce the amount of any Up-Stream German Pledge and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge if and to the extent that it may reasonably be expected (applying the due care of an ordinary businessman ( Sorgfalt eines ordentlichen Geschäftsmannes )) that such German Pledgor (or, where the Pledgor is a German GmbH & Co KG Pledgor, its general partner) is able to recover the annual loss ( Jahresfehlbetrag ) which the dominating entity is obliged to pay pursuant to § 302 of the German Stock Corporation Act ( Aktiengesetz ). For the purpose of the determination of the amount to be recovered under this Clause 8.8, the provisions set forth under Clauses 8.4, 8.5 and 8.6 above shall apply mutatis mutandis ; and/or
 
  (b)   the relevant German Pledgor’s Pledge granted under this Agreement being covered by a valuable consideration or recourse claim ( vollwertiger Gegenleistungs- oder Rückgewähranspruch ) within the meaning of § 30 (1) Sentence 2 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act; and/or

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  (c)   the relevant German Pledgor’s payment under this Agreement discharges a shareholder loan or a claim of similar effect within the meaning of § 30 (1) Sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act.
8.9   For the avoidance of doubt, any balance sheet to be prepared for the determination of the Net Assets shall be prepared in accordance with relevant accounting principles.
 
8.10   Nothing in this Clause 8 (Maintenance of Liable Capital) shall be interpreted as a restriction or limitation of the enforcement of the Pledge granted under this Agreement if and to the extent the Pledge granted under this Agreement secures own obligations of the relevant German Pledgor or obligations of any of its direct or indirect Relevant Subsidiaries.
 
9.   NO DEFENCES OR RECOURSE
 
9.1   The Pledgor hereby waives any rights of revocation ( Anfechtbarkeit ) and set-off ( Aufrechenbarkeit ) it may have pursuant to sections 1211 and 770(1) and (2) of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) save to the extent that the relevant Secured Claims can be discharged by way of set off against counterclaims which are undisputed ( unbestritten ) or ascertained by unappealable judgment ( rechtskräftig festgestellt ) and any defence of failure to pursue remedies ( Einrede der Vorausklage ) it may have.
 
9.2   To the extent legally possible, the Pledgor hereby expressly waives the defences exercisable by it pursuant to section 1211 para. 1 sentence 1 alternative 1 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) which the principal debtor of any Secured Claim has against any Secured Claim ( Einreden des Hauptschuldners ).
 
9.3   In addition to Clause 7. 1(d) (Pledgees’ rights) of this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree that until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims no rights and claims shall pass to or otherwise arise for the benefit of the Pledgor by subrogation ( gesetzlicher Übergang von Forderungen und Rechten ) or otherwise, including any recourse claims, indemnification claims, claims arising from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertigte Bereicherung ) and any right to demand the assignment and/or transfer of any Secured Claim and/or Security, against any Obligor, grantor of Security or Secured Party (as the case may be) which it may (but for this Clause 8) acquire as a result of:
  (i)   a payment or repayment by the Pledgor of any debt of any other Obligor under any of the Loan Documents; or
 
  (ii)   in case of enforcement of the Pledges (or any part thereof).
    Until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Pledgor furthermore undertakes not to exercise ( pactum de non petendo ), and not to purport to exercise, any such rights and claims which may pass to it or otherwise arise for its benefit notwithstanding this Clause 8 or would pass to it or otherwise arise for its benefit but for this Clause 8.
 
    The provisions under this Clause 8.3 shall not apply with regard to a recourse claim, if the parties agreed to allow such recourse of the Pledgor against any of the other Parties thereby taking at all times into account the terms of the Credit Agreement and any other Loan Document.
 
10.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
    The Pledgor represents and warrants ( selbständiges Garantieversprechen im Sinne von § 311 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) to the Pledgees that on the date of this Agreement:

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  (a)   both the Pledgor and the Pledged Company are validly existing and each of them is neither:
  (i)   unable to pay its debts when they fall due ( zahlungsunfähig ) within the meaning of section 17 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (ii)   in a state of imminent inability to pay its debts when they fall due ( drohende Zahlungsunfähigkeit ) within the meaning of section 18 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (iii)   over-indebted ( überschuldet ) within the meaning of section 19 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (iv)   subject to any insolvency proceedings ( Insolvenzverfahren ) (or other or similar proceedings under the laws of any other applicable jurisdiction) or any refusal of opening insolvency proceedings for insufficiency of assets ( Abweisung mangels Masse ) (within the meaning of section 26 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ));
  (b)   the Existing Share is the only share ( Geschäftsanteile ) in the Pledged Company in existence at the date hereof;
 
  (c)   the Pledgor is not subject to any restriction of any kind with regard to the transfer of, or the granting of a pledge in, or any other disposal of, the Existing Share, or with regard to the right to receive dividends on the Existing Share;
 
  (d)   the Pledgor is the sole legal and beneficial owner of the Shares and the Shares have not been transferred to or encumbered for the benefit of any third person and are not subject to any other rights of third parties (including, but not limited to, any pre-emption rights of third parties for shares in the Pledged Company);
 
  (e)   the Plegor is entitled to participate in the dividends of the Pledged Company free of any and all in-rem rights of others;
 
  (f)   all necessary corporate action has been taken to authorise the entry into and delivery of this Agreement;
 
  (g)   the Existing Share is fully paid and there is no obligation for a shareholder to make additional contributions ( keine Nachschusspflicht ); and
 
  (h)   no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings, which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect, are presently in progress, pending or threatened which restrain, or threaten to restrain, the Pledgor in respect of the entry into, the performance of, or compliance with, any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.
11.   UNDERTAKINGS
 
11.1   General undertakings
    The Pledgor undertakes:
  (a)   if any amount in excess of US$100,000 payable or security transferrable under or in connection with this Agreement shall be or become evidenced by any authorisation, approval, licence and consent such authorisation, approval, licence and consent shall be

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      immediately delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly indorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
  (b)   to maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest and to defend such security interest against the claims and demands of all persons whomsoever subject to the rights of the Pledgor under the Loan Documents to dispose of the Pledged Shares;
 
  (c)   at any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent and at the sole expense of such Plegor, to promptly ( unverzüglich ) and duly execute and deliver, and have recorded such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, including, without limitation, execute one or more collateral agreements (including assignments and releases) to obtain or preserve the security interest created by this Agreement in favour of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties
 
  (d)   to notify the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) of any change in the shareholding in the Pledged Company or of any change in the shareholders’ agreement ( Gesellschaftsvertrag );
 
  (e)   to inform the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) of any attachments ( Pfändung ) regarding any and all of the Shares or any other measures which can reasonably be expected to impair or jeopardise the Pledgees’ rights relating to the Shares. In the event of an attachment, the Pledgor undertakes to forward to the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) a copy of the attachment order ( Pfändungsbeschluss ), any third party debt order ( Überweisungsbeschluss ) and all other documents necessary for a defence against the attachment. The Pledgor shall inform the attaching creditor promptly ( unverzüglich ) about the Pledgees’ security interests;
 
  (f)   to fully pay up the Future Shares and to make all necessary additional contributions, and, if and to the extent the Existing Share is not fully paid up at the date hereof, to fully pay up the Existing Share promptly ( unverzüglich ) upon the execution of this Agreement and to procure that there will be no obligation for a shareholder to make additional contributions;
 
  (g)   not to create or permit to subsist any encumbrance over all or any of the Shares or any interest therein or otherwise sell, transfer or dispose of the whole or any part of the Shares or any interest therein;
 
  (h)   to refrain from any acts or omissions which can reasonably be expected have an adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of the Pledges (or any part thereof); and
11.2   Pledge over all Shares
    The Administrative Agent may at all times for itself and for the other Pledgees request to hold a pledge over all Shares held by the Pledgor (in particular, without limitation, in the case of a merger or conversion an equivalent security interest over the shares or interests in the surviving or, as the case may be, the new company) in accordance with all terms of this Agreement.
12.   RELEASE
 
12.1   Confirmation

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    After the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims the Administrative Agent shall confirm in writing to the Pledgor upon the Pledgor’s request that the Pledges have ceased to exist and/or, as applicable, the release of the Pledges ( Pfandaufgabe ), at the cost and expense of the Pledgor (if any).
12.2   Release of Security
 
    Even prior to the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Pledgees are obliged to release upon the Pledgor’s request, and at the Pledgor’s cost and expense, all or part of the Security insofar as the realisable value of the Security exceeds, not only temporarily, the Secured Claims by more than 10%. The Administrative Agent may, at its discretion, determine which part of the Security shall be released but shall reasonably take into account the legitimate interest of the Pledgor and the Pledged Company.
 
13.   INDEMNITY
 
13.1   Liability for Damages
 
    Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of the other Pledgees shall be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the Pledgor save in respect of such loss or damage which is suffered as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent or any of the other Pledgees.
 
13.2   Indemnification
 
    The Pledgor shall indemnify and hold the Administrative Agent and each of the other Pledgees harmless and keep them indemnified from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, which may be incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Pledgees for anything done or omitted in the exercise or purported exercise of the powers contained in this Agreement, provided , that the Pledgor shall have no obligation hereunder to the extent that such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement are incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent or any of the other Pledgees as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent or any of the other Pledgees.
 
    Any reference in this paragraph to the Administrative Agent and/or the other Pledgees includes any officer, director, employee, agent, advisor (including any attorney) or other person appointed by the Administrative Agent or any other Pledgee in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
 
14.   DURATION AND INDEPENDENCE
 
14.1   Duration
 
    This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of the Secured Claims. The Pledges shall not cease to exist if any payments made in satisfaction of the Secured Claims have only temporarily discharged the Secured Claims.

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14.2   Continuing Security
 
    This Agreement shall create a continuing Security and no change or amendment whatsoever in any Loan Document or in any document or agreement related to it shall affect the validity or limit the scope of this Agreement or the obligations which are imposed on the Pledgor pursuant to it.
 
    The Pledgor hereby agrees that the Pledges shall not be affected by any assumption of liability ( Schuldübernahme ) in relation to any of the Secured Claims and hereby expressly consents ( willigt ein ) to any such transfer and/or assumption of liability within the meaning of section 418 para. 1 sentence 3 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) (including when applied by analogy).
 
14.3   Independence
 
    This Agreement and the Pledges are independent from all other security interests or guarantees which may have been or will be given to the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Secured Parties with respect to any obligation of the Obligors (or any of them). None of such other security interests or guarantees shall in any way prejudice, or be prejudiced by, this Agreement or the Pledges.
 
15.   COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
    The Pledgor shall promptly ( unverzüglich ) pay or reimburse each Pledgee the amount of any and all costs, charges, fees and expenses (including fees for legal advisers) incurred by it in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement or any waiver in relation thereto, together in each case with any applicable value added tax or other taxes. Any notarial fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement shall be borne by the Pledgor.
 
16.   PARTIAL INVALIDITY; WAIVER
 
16.1   Invalidity
 
    If any provision of this Agreement or part thereof should be or become invalid or unenforceable, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions hereof. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by that provision which best meets the intent of the replaced provision. This shall apply analogously with respect to anything which is accidentally not regulated in this Agreement ( Vertragslücke ). § 139 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) shall be waived hereby.
 
    In particular the Pledges shall not be affected and shall in any event extend to any and all of the Shares held by the Pledgor in the Pledged Company even if the number or nominal value of the Existing Share or the aggregate liable capital of the Pledged Company as stated in Clause 2.1(b) (Pledged Shares) are inaccurate and deviate from the actual facts.
 
16.2   Waiver
 
    No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or the other Pledgees (or any of them), any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

17


 

17.   AMENDMENTS
 
    Changes to and amendments of this Agreement including this Clause 17 must be made in writing.
 
18.   SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS
 
    This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties hereto and, to the extent legally possible, their respective successor(s) in law. Each Pledgee shall, to the extent legally possible, be entitled to assign or otherwise transfer (i) any and all of its rights and (ii) (only with regard to any person which becomes a lender or an administrative agent under the Credit Agreement after the date of this Agreement) any and all of its duties pursuant to this Agreement to third parties. The Pledgor is entitled to any such transfer with the prior written consent of the Pledgees (acting through the Administrative Agent, as the case may be) only.
 
19.   NOTICES AND THEIR LANGUAGE
 
19.1   Notices
 
    Any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement to the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Pledgees shall be in writing (unless notarisation is required) and shall be delivered personally, by post, email or fax and shall be sent to the address, email address or fax number of the party, and for the attention of the individual or department, as set forth in Schedule 3 hereto or such other address, email address or fax number as is notified in writing by that Party for this purpose to the Facility Agent, the Administrative Agent or, as the case may be, the Pledgor, from time to time.
 
19.2   Language
 
    Save for the notice pursuant to section 1280 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) and unless otherwise required by statutory German law or unless otherwise agreed in writing from time to time, any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement shall be made in the English language or, if in any other language, accompanied by a translation into English. In the event of any conflict between the English text and the text in any other language, the English text shall prevail (unless the document is a statutory or other official document), except that where a German translation of a legal term appears in such text, the German translation shall prevail.
 
20.   APPLICABLE LAW; JURISDICTION
 
20.1   Governing Law
 
    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.
 
20.2   Jurisdiction
 
    The place of jurisdiction for all Parties shall be Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany. The Administrative Agent and the other Pledgees, however, shall also be entitled to take legal action against the Pledgor before any other competent court of law having jurisdiction over the Pledgor or any of its assets.
 
21.   NOTIFICATION
 
    The Pledgor and the Pledgees hereby instruct and the Pledgor authorises the undersigned Notary Public to notify the Pledged Company in the Pledgor’s name of the Pledges by means of forwarding

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    a certified copy of this Agreement to the Pledged Company by registered mail (return receipt requested).

19


 

SCHEDULE 1
ORIGINAL LENDERS
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Bank of America, N.A.
Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P.
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
HSBC Bank USA, National Association
RBC Capital Markets
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.

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SCHEDULE 2
ORIGINAL OBLIGORS
PART 1
ORIGINAL BORROWERS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC BORROWER
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN BORROWERS
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH
PART 2
ORIGINAL GUARANTORS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC GUARANTORS
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN GUARANTORS
First Solar Holdings GmbH
First Solar GmbH
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH

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SCHEDULE 3
ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES
     
To the Pledgor:
  First Solar Holdings GmbH
 
   
 
  Rheinstr. 4B
55116 Mainz
 
   
 
  Germany
 
   
 
  Attn.:  Anja Lange
 
 
David Brady
 
   
 
  Fax:  +49(0)6131-1443-500
 
 
+1-602-414-9462
 
   
 
  Email: alange@firstsolar.com
 
 
 dbrady@firstsolar.com
 
   
To the Administrative Agent:
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
10 South Dearborn, 7 th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
 
   
 
  Attention: Creston Wren
Telecopy: 001 (312) 385-7097
Telephone: 001 (312) 385-7016
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
125 London Wall
London
EC2Y 5AJ
 
   
 
  Attention: Lucy Chick
Telecopy: +44(0)20 7325 6835
Telephone: +44(0)20 7325 6926
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
201 North Central Avenue, Floor
21Phoenix, AZ 85004
 
   
 
  Attention: Mark Chambers
Telecopy: 001 (602) 221-1502
Telephone: 001 (602) 221-2290
 
   
To the Pledged Company:
  First Solar GmbH
 
   
 
  Rheinstr. 4B
55116 Mainz

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  Germany
 
   
 
  Attn.:  Anja Lange
 
 
David Brady
 
   
 
  Fax:  +49(0)6131-1443-500
 
 
+1-602-414-9462
 
   
 
  Email: alange@firstsolar.com
 
 
 dbrady@firstsolar.com

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APPENDIX 4
SHARE PLEDGE AGREEMENT
(
VERPFÄNDUNG VON GESCHÄFTSANTEILEN )
IN RELATION TO FIRST SOLAR MANUFACTURING GMBH
4 SEPTEMBER 2009
between
FIRST SOLAR HOLDINGS GMBH.
as Pledgor
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Administrative Agent

 


 

CONTENTS
             
        Page  
Clause          
 
           
1.
  Interpretation     1  
2.
  Pledge     6  
3.
  Independent Pledges     7  
4.
  Purpose of the Pledges     7  
5.
  Dividends and other payment claims     7  
6.
  Exercise of voting rights     7  
7.
  Enforcement of the Pledges     8  
8.
  Maintenance of Liable Capital     9  
9.
  No defences or recourse     13  
10.
  Representations and warranties     14  
11.
  Undertakings     14  
12.
  Release     16  
13.
  Indemnity     16  
14.
  Duration and independence     16  
15.
  Costs and expenses     17  
16.
  Partial invalidity; Waiver     17  
17.
  Amendments     18  
18.
  Successors, assignments and transfers     18  
19.
  Notices and their language     18  
20.
  Applicable law; Jurisdiction     18  
21.
  Notification     19  
 
           
Schedules        
 
           
1.
  Original Lenders     20  
2.
  Original Obligors     21  
3.
  Addresses for notices     22  

 


 

THIS SHARE PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the Agreement ) is made on 4 September 2009
BETWEEN:
    FIRST SOLAR HOLDINGS GMBH, a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Mainz, Germany, under registration number HRB 40090 as pledgor (the Pledgor )
 
    on one side; and
 
(1)   JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , a banking association organised under the laws of the United States with its main office at 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240, U.S.A. acting through its London Branch, at 125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AJ as administrative agent (the Administrative Agent ).
WHEREAS:
(A)   The Original Lenders (as defined below) have agreed to make available to the Borrowers (as defined below) certain revolving credit facilities and certain letters of credit on the terms of and subject to the Credit Agreement (as defined below).
 
(B)   It is a condition to the Original Lenders (as defined below) making the credit facilities available to the Borrowers (as defined below) that the Pledgor enters into this Agreement.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1.   INTERPRETATION
 
1.1   Definitions
 
    In this Agreement:
 
    Additional Domestic Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Domestic Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Foreign Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Additional Foreign Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Agent means:
  (a)   the Syndication Agent;
 
  (b)   the Documentation Agent; and

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  (c)   the Administrative Agent.
    Ancillary Rights means:
  (a)   dividends, if any, payable on the Shares;
 
  (b)   liquidation proceeds ( Liquidationserlöse ), consideration for redemption ( Einziehungsentgelt ), repaid capital in case of a capital decrease ( Kapitalherabsetzung ), any compensation in case of termination ( Kündigung ) and/or withdrawal ( Austritt ) of a shareholder of the Pledged Company, the surplus in case of surrender ( Preisgabe ) and all other pecuniary claims associated with the Shares;
 
  (c)   the right to subscribe for newly issued shares.
    Assignment and Assumption Agreement means the assignment and assumption agreement, pursuant to which a Lender as assignor sells and assigns to a person as assignee , inter alia , any or all of the assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a lender under the Credit Agreement.
 
    Borrower means any Domestic Borrower and any Foreign Borrower.
 
    Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
 
    Company means First Solar, Inc., a corporation organised under the laws of Delaware, United States of America, having its business address at 350 West Washington Street, Suite 600, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States of America
 
    Credit Agreement means the New York law governed credit agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers on one side and, inter alia, the Administrative Agent and the Original Lenders together with each New Lender Supplement, and Assignment and Assumption Agreement relating thereto and any and each other agreement or instrument amending, modifying, extending, restating or supplementing it from time to time providing for an approximately $300,000,000 facility and an up to $100,000,000 Incremental Facility.
 
    Documentation Agent means The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
 
    Dollar or $ means the lawful currency of the United States of America.
 
    Domestic Borrower means the Company and any Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Domestic Guarantor means any Original Domestic Guarantor and any Additional Domestic Guarantor.
 
    Euro, EUR or means the single currency of the participating member states of the European Union.
 
    Event of Default means an event (i) in which the commitments under the Credit Agreement will automatically immediately terminate and the amounts outstanding are immediately due and payable (ii) which would entitle the Administrative Agent (A) to, inter alia, prematurely terminate all or part of the total commitments under the Credit Agreement and/or (B) to declare that all or part of the amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement are immediately due and payable or payable on

2


 

    demand provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both has been satisfied.
    Existing Shares means the shares in the Pledged Company as set forth in Clause 2.1(b) (Pledged Shares) hereof.
 
    Foreign Borrower means any Original Foreign Borrower and any Additional Foreign Borrower.
 
    Foreign Guarantor means any Original Foreign Guarantor and any Additional Foreign Guarantor.
 
    Future Pledgee means any person or entity replacing the Administrative Agent in its function as administrative agent under the Credit Agreement.
 
    Future Shares means any and all shares in the capital of the Pledged Company issued in addition to the Existing Shares in whatever nominal value which the Pledgor may acquire in future in the event of an increase of the capital of the Pledged Company or otherwise.
 
    German Borrower means First Solar Manufacturing GmbH and any other person or entity that is organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement.
 
    German Guarantor means First Solar GmbH and First Solar Holdings GmbH and any other person or entity that is organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany which is required to provide for a guarantee in connection with the Loan Documents after the date of the Credit Agreement.
 
    Group means the Company and its Subsidiaries from time to time.
 
    Guarantee and Collateral Agreement means the guarantee and collateral agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement made between, inter alia , First Solar, Inc. and certain of its Subsidiaries in favour of the Administrative Agent which will be attached as “Exhibit A” to the Credit Agreement.
 
    Guarantor means any Domestic Guarantor and any Foreign Guarantor.
 
    Incremental Facility means any additional revolving loan provided either
  (i)   by a person that already is a lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “increasing lender” therein) after having accepted an increase of its revolving commitment; or
 
  (ii)   by an assuming lender becoming a new lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “assuming lender” therein) after having signed a New Lender Supplement,
    provided that the aggregate amount of the aggregate revolving loans will in no event exceed $400,000,000.
 
    Issuing Lender means the Original Issuing Lender and any other lender that has agreed in its sole discretion to issue a letter of credit to any Borrower or any other borrowing Subsidiary in connection with the Credit Agreement.
 
    Lender means an Original Lender and any person which becomes a lender under the Credit Agreement, including without limitation an assuming lender of an Incremental Facility, after

3


 

    the date of this Agreement, unless, in each case, such person has ceased to be a lender under the Credit Agreement.
    Letter of Credit means any letter of credit issued or to be issued under the Credit Agreement, as such letter of credit may be amended, modified, restated, extended, renewed, increased, replaced or supplemented from time to time.
 
    Loan Document means
  (a)   the Credit Agreement;
 
  (b)   each Security Document;
 
  (c)   any Note; and
 
  (d)   any other document designated as such by the Administrative Agent and the Company.
    New Lender Supplement means a supplement to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which an assuming lender will become a party to the Credit Agreement with a revolving commitment in an amount agreed by such assuming lender.
 
    Note means any promissory note evidencing loans in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, that may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.
 
    Obligor means a Borrower and/or a Guarantor.
 
    Original Domestic Guarantors means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Domestic Guarantors”.
 
    Original Foreign Borrower means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Borrowers”.
 
    Original Foreign Guarantor means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Guarantors”.
 
    Original Issuing Lender means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
    Original Lender means each of the financial institutions set out in Schedule 1 hereto in its capacity as original lender to the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers.
 
    Original Pledgees means the Administrative Agent.
 
    Parties means the Pledgor, the Administrative Agent and the Pledgees.
 
    Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, any governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.
 
    Pledged Company means First Solar Manufacturing GmbH, a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, under registration number HRB 11116.

4


 

    Pledges means any and all pledges constituted pursuant to Clause 2.2 (a) of this Agreement.
 
    Pledgees means the Administrative Agent and any Future Pledgee.
 
    Secured Claims means all present and future rights and claims ( Ansprüche ) (whether actual or contingent and whether owned jointly or severally or in any other capacity whatsoever) (including claims from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertige Bereicherung ) and tort ( Delikt ))of any of the Secured Parties against any German Borrower and any German Guarantor under or in connection with the Loan Documents (or any of them) or any Letter of Credit, each as amended, varied, supplemented or novated from time to time, including without limitation, any increase of principal or interest, in each case together with all interest, costs, charges and expenses incurred by any Secured Party in connection with the protection and preservation or enforcement of its respective rights under the Loan Documents or any Letter of Credit.
 
    Secured Party means an Agent, the Lenders and any affiliate of any Lender to which any obligations under any Loan Document or under any Specified Swap Agreements are owed by any member of the Group, any Issuing Lender and any Swap Counterparty.
 
    Security means any and all collateral granted with a view to securing the Secured Claims.
 
    Security Document means
  (a)   the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; and
 
  (b)   any other document evidencing or creating collateral over any asset of an Obligor to secure any obligation of an Obligor under or in connection with, inter alia , the Credit Agreement.
    Shares means the Existing Shares and the Future Shares.
 
    Specified Swap Agreement means any Swap Agreement entered into by the Company or any Guarantor and any lender or any affiliate of a lender in connection with the Credit Agreement .
 
    Subsidiary means as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. And unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company an entity of which a person owns directly or indirectly more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting capital or similar right of ownership.
 
    Swap Agreement means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; except for any phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
 
    Swap Counterparty means any person or entity providing a Specified Swap Agreement.
 
    Syndication Agent means Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch.

5


 

1.2   Where the context so admits, the singular includes the plural and vice versa.
 
1.3   The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement.
 
1.4   Any reference in this Agreement to a defined document is a reference to that defined document as amended, varied, supplemented or novated from time to time.
 
1.5   Any reference to a Party or other person (including any Obligor and any Secured Party) includes its respective successor(s) in law (including any universal successor ( Gesamtrechtsnachfolger ) of that person by way of merger ( Verschmelzung ), any other reorganisation contemplated in the German Transformation Act ( Umwandlungsgesetz ) or otherwise) and any assign(s) and transferee(s) of that person and, to the extent legally possible, any legal provision to the contrary is waived.
 
2.   PLEDGE
 
2.1   Pledged Shares
  (a)   The Pledgor is at the date of this Agreement the sole shareholder of the Pledged Company.
 
  (b)   The total registered share capital ( Stammkapital ) of the Pledged Company amounts to EUR 25,000 (in words: twenty five thousand Euro). The registered share capital of the Pledged Company is represented by two shares:
  (i)   one share amounting to EUR 24,000 (in words: twenty four thousand euro) (the Existing Share 1 ), and
 
  (ii)   one share amounting to EUR 1,000 (in words: one thousand euro) (the Existing Share 2 ).
      which are both held by the Pledgor.
    The Existing Share 1 and the Existing Share 2 are hereinafter referred to together as the Existing Shares . At present, there are no other shares in the Pledged Company.
  (c)   The Existing Shares are fully paid up. As at the date hereof, there is no obligation for the Pledgor to make additional contributions to the Pledged Company.
2.2   Constitution of Pledge
  (a)   The Pledgor hereby pledges the Shares and any and all Ancillary Rights pertaining thereto to each of the Original Pledgees and to each Future Pledgee for their rateable and equally ranking interest as security.
 
  (b)   Each of the Original Pledgees hereby accepts the Pledges. In addition the Administrative Agent accepts the Pledges for and on behalf of each Future Pledgee hereunder as proxy without power of attorney ( Vertreter ohne Vertretungsmacht ). Each Future Pledgee ratifies and confirms such acceptance so made by the Administrative Agent on its behalf by accepting the transfer or assignment of any Secured Claim and/or by becoming a party to a Loan Document, thereby becoming a Pledgee. All Parties confirm that the validity of any of the Pledges constituted hereunder is not affected by the Administrative Agent acting as proxy without power of attorney for any Future Pledgee. For the avoidance of doubt, the

6


 

      Parties agree that nothing in this Agreement shall exclude a transfer of all or part of the Pledges by operation of law.
3.   INDEPENDENT PLEDGES
 
    The validity and effect of each of the Pledges shall be independent from the validity and the effect of any of the other Pledges created hereunder. The Pledges to each of the Pledgees shall be separate and individual pledges. Each of the Pledges shall rank pari passu to each other Pledge created hereunder.
 
4.   PURPOSE OF THE PLEDGES
 
    The Pledges are constituted in order to secure the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of any and all Secured Claims.
 
    The Parties hereby expressly agree that the provisions of section 1210 para 1 sentence 2 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) shall not apply to this Agreement and the Pledges.
 
5.   DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENT CLAIMS
 
5.1   Entitlement to receive dividend payments and to exercise other Ancillary Rights
 
    Notwithstanding that the dividends and the other Ancillary Rights are pledged pursuant to this Agreement, the Pledgor shall be entitled to (i) receive and retain all dividend payments and all other payments in respect of the Shares and (ii) receive, retain and exercise all other Ancillary Rights unless an Event of Default has occurred, is continuing and the Administrative Agent would be entitled to enforce any of the Pledges pursuant to Clause 7 of this Agreement.
 
5.2   Pledgees’ rights
 
    Notwithstanding Clause 5.1 (Entitlement to receive dividend payments) above:
  (a)   dividends paid or payable other than in cash and other property received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for the Shares;
 
  (b)   dividends or other distributions paid or payable in cash in respect of the Shares in connection with (i) the partial or total liquidation; (ii) dissolution; or (iii) in connection with the reduction of capital ( Kapitalherabsetzung ); and
 
  (c)   cash paid, payable or otherwise distributed in respect of principal of, or in redemption of, or in exchange for the Shares,
    shall be made available and shall forthwith be delivered to the Administrative Agent for itself and for the Pledgees to be held as security for the Secured Claims and shall, if received by the Pledgor, be received as holder for the Pledgees and segregated from the other property or funds of the Pledgor and be forthwith delivered to the Administrative Agent for itself and for the Pledgees as security for the Secured Claims in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement). Any further reaching obligations of the Pledged Company and/or the Pledgor in respect of the use of profits and/or dividends shall not be affected by this Clause 5.2.

7


 

6.   EXERCISE OF VOTING RIGHTS
 
6.1   Voting Rights
 
    The voting rights resulting from the Shares remain with the Pledgor. The Pledgor, however, shall at all times until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims or the release of the Pledges be required, in exercising its voting rights, to act in good faith to ensure that the existence, validity or enforceability of the Pledges is not adversely affected.
 
6.2   Impairment
 
    The Pledgor shall not take, or participate in, any action which can be reasonably be expected to impair, or to be for any other reason inconsistent with, the security interest of the Pledgees or the security purpose as described in Clause 4 (Purpose of the Pledges) hereof or to defeat, impair or circumvent the rights of the Pledgees hereunder.
 
6.3   Information by the Pledgor
 
    The Pledgor shall inform the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) of all other actions concerning the Pledged Company which could be reasonably expected to materially adversely affect the Pledges (or any part thereof). In particular, the Pledgor shall notify the Administrative Agent forthwith of:
  (a)   any shareholders’ meeting at which a resolution is intended to be adopted which could have a material adverse effect upon the Pledges. In any event, the Pledgor shall procure that the Administrative Agent will upon request promptly ( unverzüglich ) receive, as soon as they are available, a copy of the convocation notice for such ordinary or extraordinary shareholders’ meeting setting forth the agenda and all applications and decisions to be taken, and the minutes of any such shareholders’ meeting; and
 
  (b)   any resolution which is intended to be adopted outside a shareholders’ meeting and which could have a material adverse effect upon the Pledges and provide to the Administrative Agent a draft of any such resolution. In any event, the Administrative Agent shall upon request promptly ( unverzüglich ) receive, as soon as it is available, a copy of any such resolution.
7.   ENFORCEMENT OF THE PLEDGES
 
7.1   Pledgees’ rights
 
(a)   At any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default if, in addition, the requirements set forth in sections 1273, 1204 et seq. of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) with regard to the enforcement of pledges are met ( Pfandreife ), the Pledgees (or any of them) acting through the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to enforce the Pledges (or any part thereof) by way of public auction ( öffentliche Versteigerung ) and/or in any other way permitted under German law, in all cases notwithstanding section 1277 of the German Civil Code without any enforceable judgment or other instrument ( vollstreckbarer Titel ).
 
(b)   The Pledgees (or any of them) acting through the Administrative Agent shall notify the Pledgor of the intention to realise the Pledges (or any part thereof) not less than 1 (one) week before the date on which the Pledges (or any such part thereof) are intended to be enforced. Such notice period is not necessary if (i) the Pledgor has generally ceased to make payments, (ii) an application for the commencement of insolvency proceedings over the assets of the Pledgor is filed (and not withdrawn)

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    by the Pledgor or by any third person and, in the latter case, it is not without delay established to the satisfaction of the Pledgees that the application is obviously frivolous or (iii) the observance of such notice period can reasonably be expected to adversely affect the enforceability of the Pledges (or any part thereof). The Pledgor hereby expressly agrees that 1 (one) week’s prior written notice to it of the place and time of any public auction held in accordance with Clause 7.1 (a) (Pledgees’ rights) above shall be sufficient. Such public auction may be held at any place in the Federal Republic of Germany which will be determined by the Administrative Agent.
 
(c)   If the Administrative Agent seeks to enforce the Pledges (or any part thereof) pursuant to, and in accordance with Clause 7.1(a) (Pledgees’ Rights) above, the Pledgor shall, at its own expense, render forthwith all assistance necessary in order to facilitate the prompt realisation of the Shares (or any of them) and/or the exercise by the Pledgees (or any of them) acting through the Administrative Agent of any other right a Pledgee may have pursuant to this Agreement or statutory German law.
(d)   In case of an enforcement of the Pledges or if the Pledgor pays or repays any of the Secured Claims owed by any other Obligor, section 1225 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) (Legal subrogation of claims to a pledgor ( Forderungsübergang auf den Verpfänder )) shall not apply and no rights or claims of the Pledgees shall pass to the Pledgor until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims.
 
(e)   The Pledgees (or any of them) acting through Administrative Agent may determine which part of the Security, if applicable, shall be used to satisfy the Secured Claims.
 
7.2   Dividends
 
    Provided that the requirements for enforcement referred to under Clause 7.1(a) (Pledgees’ Rights) above are met and an enforcement notice has been served in accordance with Clause 7.1 (b), all dividends and all other payments based on similar ancillary rights attributed to the Shares may be applied by the Pledgees in satisfaction in whole or in part of the Secured Claims notwithstanding a Pledgee’s right to treat such payments as additional collateral. Any such payments which are made to the Pledgor after the time the Pledges have become enforceable must be paid to the Administrative Agent.
 
7.3   Voting rights
 
    Even if the requirements for enforcement referred to under Clause 7.1(a) (Pledgees’ Rights) above are met, the Administrative Agent shall not, whether as proxy or otherwise, be entitled to exercise the voting rights attached to the Shares for itself or on behalf of any of the Pledgees. However, the Pledgor shall, upon the occurrence of an event which gives the Pledgees the right to enforce the Pledges (or any part thereof) pursuant to Clause 7.1, have the obligations and the Pledgees shall have the rights set forth in Clause 6.3 (Information by the Pledgor) of this Agreement regardless of which resolutions are intended to be adopted.
 
7.4   Application of proceeds
 
(a)   The proceeds resulting from the enforcement of the Pledges (or any part thereof) shall be applied by the Administrative Agent towards the satisfaction of the Secured Claims.
 
(b)   Until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Pledgees shall be entitled to treat all enforcement proceeds, held by the Administrative Agent separate from its assets on a separate trust account for the benefit of the Secured Parties and after the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge for the benefit of the Pledgor, as additional collateral for the Secured Claims, notwithstanding their right to seek satisfaction from such proceeds at any time.

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(c)   After the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims any remaining proceeds resulting from the enforcement of the Pledges (or any part thereof) shall be transferred to the Pledgor at the cost and expense of the Pledgor.
 
8.   MAINTENANCE OF LIABLE CAPITAL
 
    For the purpose of this Clause 8 (Maintenance of Liable Capital):
 
    Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge means in relation to a German Pledgor any Pledge directly or indirectly securing the obligations or liabilities of any member of the Relevant Group that is not a direct or indirect Relevant Subsidiary of such German Pledgor.
 
    Relevant Group refers to a German Pledgor and any affiliated company ( verbundenes Unternehmen ) of such German Pledgor within the meaning of §§ 15 et. seq. of the German Stock Corporation Act ( Aktiengesetz ).
 
    Relevant Subsidiary means an entity of which a person owns directly or indirectly more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting capital or similar right of ownership.
 
8.1   Each of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties agrees not to enforce the Pledge granted under this Agreement against any Pledgor incorporated in Germany (each, a German Pledgor ) irrespective of whether the relevant German Pledgor is at the time of enforcement incorporated as
    a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) (a German GmbH Pledgor ), or
 
    a limited partnership ( Kommanditgesellschaft ) of which the general partner ( Komplementär ) is a limited liability company (a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor ),
    if and to the extent the Pledge granted under this Agreement is an Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge in relation to such German Pledgor, and (ii) if and to the extent the enforcement of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge would cause or constitute
  (a)   the German GmbH Pledgor’s, or in the case of the German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor its general partner’s, net assets (the calculation of which shall take into account the captions reflected in § 266 (2) A, B and C of the German Commercial Code ( Handelsgesetzbuch )) less the German GmbH Pledgor’s, or in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor its general partner’s, liabilities, provisions and liability reserves (the calculation of which shall take into account the captions reflected in § 266 (3) B, C and D of the German Commercial Code) (the Net Assets ) to be less than the registered share capital ( Stammkapital ) of the German GmbH Pledgor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor of the registered share capital of its general partner ( Begründung einer Unterbilanz ); or
 
  (b)   an increase of a shortfall, if the Net Assets of the German GmbH Pledgor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor, of its general partner, already fall short of the amount of the registered share capital ( Vertiefung einer Unterbilanz ); and/or
 
  (c)   a payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ).
8.2   For the purposes of the calculation of the Net Assets in Clause 8.1 above the following items shall be adjusted as follows:

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  (a)   the amount of an increase in the registered share capital of the German GmbH Pledgor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor of its general partner,
  (i)   that has been effected out of retained earnings ( Kapitalerhöhung aus Gesellschaftsmitteln ) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent after the date of the Credit Agreement; or
 
  (ii)   any amount of an increase in the registered share capital if and to the extent that it has not been fully paid in,
      shall be deducted from the registered share capital;
  (b)   any loans and other contractual liabilities incurred by the German GmbH Pledgor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner in violation of the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement shall be disregarded as liabilities;
 
      and
 
  (c)   the Net Assets shall take into account reasonable costs of the Auditor’s Determination (as defined below), either as a reduction of assets or an increase of liabilities.
8.3   Any German Pledgor, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor its general partner, shall realise, to the extent legally permitted and commercially justifiable, in a situation where after enforcement of the Pledge the German GmbH Pledgor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor its general partner, would not have Net Assets in excess of its respective registered share capital, any and all of its assets, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor its general partner’s assets, that are shown in the respective balance sheet with a book value ( Buchwert ) that is significantly lower than the market value of the asset if such asset is not necessary for the relevant German Pledgor’s, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor its general partner’s, business ( betriebsnotwendig ).
 
8.4   Subject to Clause 8.1, after the receipt of a written demand by the Administrative Agent and/or any other Secured Party to make a payment under any Pledge granted under this Agreement (the Enforcement Notice ), a copy of the relevant determination shall be drawn up in good faith (applying the due care of an ordinary businessman ( Sorgfalt eines ordentlichen Geschäftsmannes )) and made available to the Administrative Agent by the relevant German Pledgor (the Management Determination ) within 10 (ten) Business Days of the German Pledgor’s receipt of the Enforcement Notice stating
  (a)   if and to what extent the Pledge granted hereunder is an Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge;
 
  (b)   which amount of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge can be enforced without causing the Net Assets of the relevant German Pledgor, or, where the Pledgor is a German GmbH & Co KG Pledgor, its general partner, to fall (or to fall further) below its respective registered share capital (taking into account the adjustments set out in Clauses 8.2 above and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 8.3 above), and
 
  (c)   which amount of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge can be enforced without constituting a payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ),

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    (such amount calculated according to (b) — (c), the Recovery Amount ). Subject to Clause 8.6 below, the Secured Parties shall only be entitled to enforce the amount of any Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge up to the Recovery Amount.
 
8.5   Following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Management Determination, the relevant German Pledgor shall provide within 15 (fifteen) Business Days a determination by auditors of international standing and reputation appointed by the relevant German Pledgor or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner (the Auditor’s Determination ) of (i) the Recovery Amount (such determination to take into account the adjustments set out in Clauses 8.2 and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 8.3 above) and (ii) an estimate of the liabilities, damages, costs, fees and expenses reasonably expected to result from a liquidation of the relevant German Pledgor, and such German Pledgor shall, not later than 10 (ten) Business Days after receipt by it of such Auditor’s Determination, pay to the relevant Secured Parties the additional amount (if any) by which the Recovery Amount determined in the Auditor’s Determination exceeds the amount (if any) paid to any of the Secured Parties pursuant to Clause 8.4 above, and the Secured Parties shall repay any enforcement amount received in excess of the Recovery Amount determined in the Auditor’s Determination (if any) to the respective German Pledgor or, in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Pledgor, its general partner.
 
8.6   If (i) the Administrative Agent disagrees with the Auditor’s Determination or (ii) the relevant German Pledgor (or in the case of a German GmbH & Co KG Pledgor, its general partner) fails to deliver an Management Determination within 10 (ten) Business Days of the German Pledgor’s receipt of the Enforcement Notice or (iii) an Auditor’s Determination within 15 (fifteen) Business Days following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Management Determination, the Secured Parties shall be entitled to further pursue in court their payment claims under this Pledge granted by the respective German Pledgor in excess of the amounts paid or payable pursuant to Clauses 8.4 and 8.5 above, by claiming in court that demanding payment under the German Pledge against the relevant German Pledgor does not violate §§ 30, 31 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act and would not constitute a payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ) (taking into account the calculation of the Net Assets as set out in Clause 8.1 and the adjustments as set out in Clause 8.2 and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 8.3 above). Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, no German Pledgor shall be obliged to pay any such amount on demand.
 
8.7   The limitations set out in Clause 8.1 (a) and (b) and in Clause 8.4 (b) shall not apply if and to the extent the Pledge by the relevant German Pledgor secures any amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement which are lent or on-lent to such German Pledgor or any of its direct or indirect owned Relevant Subsidiaries from time to time and have not been repaid.
 
8.8   The limitations provided for in Clause 8.1 (a) and (b) and in Clause 8.4 (b) shall not apply so long as:
  (a)   the affected German Pledgor (or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner) is a party to a profit and loss sharing agreement ( Gewinnabführungsvertrag ) and/or a domination agreement ( Beherrschungsvertrag ) where such German Pledgor (or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner) is the dominated entity ( beherrschtes Unternehmen ) and/or the entity being obliged to share its profits with the other party of such profit and loss sharing agreement; it being understood that in such case the Secured Parties shall only be entitled to enforce the amount of any Up-Stream German Pledge and/or Cross-Stream German Pledge if and to the extent that it may reasonably be expected (applying the due care of an ordinary businessman ( Sorgfalt eines ordentlichen Geschäftsmannes )) that such German Pledgor (or, where the Pledgor is a German GmbH & Co KG Pledgor, its general

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    partner) is able to recover the annual loss ( Jahresfehlbetrag ) which the dominating entity is obliged to pay pursuant to § 302 of the German Stock Corporation Act ( Aktiengesetz ). For the purpose of the determination of the amount to be recovered under this Clause 8.8, the provisions set forth under Clauses 8.4, 8.5 and 8.6 above shall apply mutatis mutandis ; and/or
 
  (b)   the relevant German Pledgor’s Pledge granted under this Agreement being covered by a valuable consideration or recourse claim ( vollwertiger Gegenleistungs- oder Rückgewähranspruch ) within the meaning of § 30 (1) Sentence 2 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act; and/or
 
  (c)   the relevant German Pledgor’s payment under this Agreement discharges a shareholder loan or a claim of similar effect within the meaning of § 30 (1) Sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act.
8.9   For the avoidance of doubt, any balance sheet to be prepared for the determination of the Net Assets shall be prepared in accordance with relevant accounting principles.
 
8.10   Nothing in this Clause 8 (Maintenance of Liable Capital) shall be interpreted as a restriction or limitation of the enforcement of the Pledge granted under this Agreement if and to the extent the Pledge granted under this Agreement secures own obligations of the relevant German Pledgor or obligations of any of its direct or indirect Relevant Subsidiaries.
 
9.   NO DEFENCES OR RECOURSE
 
9.1   The Pledgor hereby waives any rights of revocation ( Anfechtbarkeit ) and set-off ( Aufrechenbarkeit ) it may have pursuant to sections 1211 and 770(1) and (2) of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) save to the extent that the relevant Secured Claims can be discharged by way of set off against counterclaims which are undisputed ( unbestritten ) or ascertained by unappealable judgment ( rechtskräftig festgestellt ) and any defence of failure to pursue remedies ( Einrede der Vorausklage ) it may have.
 
9.2   To the extent legally possible, the Pledgor hereby expressly waives the defences exercisable by it pursuant to section 1211 para. 1 sentence 1 alternative 1 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) which the principal debtor of any Secured Claim has against any Secured Claim ( Einreden des Hauptschuldners ).
 
9.3   In addition to Clause 7. 1(d) (Pledgees’ rights) of this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree that until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims no rights and claims shall pass to or otherwise arise for the benefit of the Pledgor by subrogation ( gesetzlicher Übergang von Forderungen und Rechten ) or otherwise, including any recourse claims, indemnification claims, claims arising from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertigte Bereicherung ) and any right to demand the assignment and/or transfer of any Secured Claim and/or Security, against any Obligor, grantor of Security or Secured Party (as the case may be) which it may (but for this Clause 8) acquire as a result of:
  (i)   a payment or repayment by the Pledgor of any debt of any other Obligor under any of the Loan Documents; or
 
  (ii)   in case of enforcement of the Pledges (or any part thereof).
    Until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Pledgor furthermore undertakes not to exercise ( pactum de non petendo ), and not to purport to exercise, any

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    such rights and claims which may pass to it or otherwise arise for its benefit notwithstanding this Clause 8 or would pass to it or otherwise arise for its benefit but for this Clause 8.
 
    The provisions under this Clause 8.3 shall not apply with regard to a recourse claim, if the parties agreed to allow such recourse of the Pledgor against any of the other Parties thereby taking at all times into account the terms of the Credit Agreement and any other Loan Document.
10.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
    The Pledgor represents and warrants ( selbständiges Garantieversprechen im Sinne von § 311 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) to the Pledgees that on the date of this Agreement:
  (a)   both the Pledgor and the Pledged Company are validly existing and each of them is neither:
  (i)   unable to pay its debts when they fall due ( zahlungsunfähig ) within the meaning of section 17 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (ii)   in a state of imminent inability to pay its debts when they fall due ( drohende Zahlungsunfähigkeit ) within the meaning of section 18 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (iii)   over-indebted ( überschuldet ) within the meaning of section 19 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (iv)   subject to any insolvency proceedings ( Insolvenzverfahren ) (or other or similar proceedings under the laws of any other applicable jurisdiction) or any refusal of opening insolvency proceedings for insufficiency of assets ( Abweisung mangels Masse ) (within the meaning of section 26 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ));
  (b)   the Existing Shares are the only shares ( Geschäftsanteile ) in the Pledged Company in existence at the date hereof;
 
  (c)   the Pledgor is not subject to any restriction of any kind with regard to the transfer of, or the granting of a pledge in, or any other disposal of, the Existing Shares, or with regard to the right to receive dividends on the Existing Shares;
 
  (d)   the Pledgor is the sole legal and beneficial owner of the Shares and the Shares have not been transferred to or encumbered for the benefit of any third person and are not subject to any other rights of third parties (including, but not limited to, any pre-emption rights of third parties for shares in the Pledged Company);
 
  (e)   the Plegor is entitled to participate in the dividends of the Pledged Company free of any and all in-rem rights of others;
 
  (f)   all necessary corporate action has been taken to authorise the entry into and delivery of this Agreement;
 
  (g)   the Existing Shares are fully paid and there is no obligation for a shareholder to make additional contributions ( keine Nachschusspflicht ); and
 
  (h)   no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings, which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect, are presently in progress, pending or threatened which

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      restrain, or threaten to restrain, the Pledgor in respect of the entry into, the performance of, or compliance with, any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.
11.   UNDERTAKINGS
 
11.1   General undertakings
 
    The Pledgor undertakes:
  (a)   if any amount in excess of US$100,000 payable or security transferrable under or in connection with this Agreement shall be or become evidenced by any authorisation, approval, licence and consent such authorisation, approval, licence and consent shall be promptly delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly indorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
 
  (b)   to maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest and to defend such security interest against the claims and demands of all persons whomsoever subject to the rights of the Pledgor under the Loan Documents to dispose of the Pledged Shares;
 
  (c)   at any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent and at the sole expense of such Plegor, to promptly ( unverzüglich ) and duly execute and deliver, and have recorded such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, including, without limitation, execute one or more collateral agreements (including assignments and releases) to obtain or preserve the security interest created by this Agreement in favour of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties
 
  (d)   to notify the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) of any change in the shareholding in the Pledged Company or of any change in the shareholders’ agreement ( Gesellschaftsvertrag );
 
  (e)   to inform the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) of any attachments ( Pfändung ) regarding any and all of the Shares or any other measures which can reasonably be expected to impair or jeopardise the Pledgees’ rights relating to the Shares. In the event of an attachment, the Pledgor undertakes to forward to the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) a copy of the attachment order ( Pfändungsbeschluss ), any third party debt order ( Überweisungsbeschluss ) and all other documents necessary for a defence against the attachment. The Pledgor shall inform the attaching creditor promptly ( unverzüglich ) about the Pledgees’ security interests;
 
  (f)   to fully pay up the Future Shares and to make all necessary additional contributions, and, if and to the extent the Existing Shares are not fully paid up at the date hereof, to fully pay up the Existing Shares promptly ( unverzüglich ) upon the execution of this Agreement and to procure that there will be no obligation for a shareholder to make additional contributions;
 
  (g)   not to create or permit to subsist any encumbrance over all or any of the Shares or any interest therein or otherwise sell, transfer or dispose of the whole or any part of the Shares or any interest therein;
 
  (h)   to refrain from any acts or omissions which can reasonably be expected have an adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of the Pledges (or any part thereof); and

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11.2   Pledge over all Shares
 
    The Administrative Agent may at all times for itself and for the other Pledgees request to hold a pledge over all Shares held by the Pledgor (in particular, without limitation, in the case of a merger or conversion an equivalent security interest over the shares or interests in the surviving or, as the case may be, the new company) in accordance with all terms of this Agreement.
 
12.   RELEASE
 
12.1   Confirmation
 
    After the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims the Administrative Agent shall confirm in writing to the Pledgor upon the Pledgor’s request that the Pledges have ceased to exist and/or, as applicable, the release of the Pledges ( Pfandaufgabe ), at the cost and expense of the Pledgor (if any).
 
12.2   Release of Security
 
    Even prior to the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Pledgees are obliged to release upon the Pledgor’s request, and at the Pledgor’s cost and expense, all or part of the Security insofar as the realisable value of the Security exceeds, not only temporarily, the Secured Claims by more than 10%. The Administrative Agent may, at its discretion, determine which part of the Security shall be released but shall reasonably take into account the legitimate interest of the Pledgor and the Pledged Company.
 
13.   INDEMNITY
 
13.1   Liability for Damages
 
    Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of the other Pledgees shall be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the Pledgor save in respect of such loss or damage which is suffered as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent or any of the other Pledgees.
 
13.2   Indemnification
 
    The Pledgor shall indemnify and hold the Administrative Agent and each of the other Pledgees harmless and keep them indemnified from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, which may be incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Pledgees for anything done or omitted in the exercise or purported exercise of the powers contained in this Agreement, provided , that the Pledgor shall have no obligation hereunder to the extent that such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement are incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent or any of the other Pledgees as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent or any of the other Pledgees.
 
    Any reference in this paragraph to the Administrative Agent and/or the other Pledgees includes any officer, director, employee, agent, advisor (including any attorney) or other person appointed by the

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    Administrative Agent or any other Pledgee in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
14.   DURATION AND INDEPENDENCE
 
14.1   Duration
 
    This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of the Secured Claims. The Pledges shall not cease to exist if any payments made in satisfaction of the Secured Claims have only temporarily discharged the Secured Claims.
 
14.2   Continuing Security
 
    This Agreement shall create a continuing Security and no change or amendment whatsoever in any Loan Document or in any document or agreement related to it shall affect the validity or limit the scope of this Agreement or the obligations which are imposed on the Pledgor pursuant to it.
 
    The Pledgor hereby agrees that the Pledges shall not be affected by any assumption of liability ( Schuldübernahme ) in relation to any of the Secured Claims and hereby expressly consents ( willigt ein ) to any such transfer and/or assumption of liability within the meaning of section 418 para. 1 sentence 3 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) (including when applied by analogy).
 
14.3   Independence
 
    This Agreement and the Pledges are independent from all other security interests or guarantees which may have been or will be given to the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Secured Parties with respect to any obligation of the Obligors (or any of them). None of such other security interests or guarantees shall in any way prejudice, or be prejudiced by, this Agreement or the Pledges.
 
15.   COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
    The Pledgor shall promptly ( unverzüglich ) pay or reimburse each Pledgee the amount of any and all costs, charges, fees and expenses (including fees for legal advisers) incurred by it in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement or any waiver in relation thereto, together in each case with any applicable value added tax or other taxes. Any notarial fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement shall be borne by the Pledgor.
 
16.   PARTIAL INVALIDITY; WAIVER
 
16.1   Invalidity
 
    If any provision of this Agreement or part thereof should be or become invalid or unenforceable, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions hereof. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by that provision which best meets the intent of the replaced provision. This shall apply analogously with respect to anything which is accidentally not regulated in this Agreement ( Vertragslücke ). § 139 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) shall be waived hereby.
 
    In particular the Pledges shall not be affected and shall in any event extend to any and all of the Shares held by the Pledgor in the Pledged Company even if the number or nominal value of the

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    Existing Shares or the aggregate liable capital of the Pledged Company as stated in Clause 2.1(b) (Pledged Shares) are inaccurate and deviate from the actual facts.
16.2   Waiver
 
    No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or the other Pledgees (or any of them), any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
 
17.   AMENDMENTS
 
    Changes to and amendments of this Agreement including this Clause 17 must be made in writing.
 
18.   SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS
 
    This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties hereto and, to the extent legally possible, their respective successor(s) in law. Each Pledgee shall, to the extent legally possible, be entitled to assign or otherwise transfer (i) any and all of its rights and (ii) (only with regard to any person which becomes a lender or an administrative agent under the Credit Agreement after the date of this Agreement) any and all of its duties pursuant to this Agreement to third parties. The Pledgor is entitled to any such transfer with the prior written consent of the Pledgees (acting through the Administrative Agent, as the case may be) only.
 
19.   NOTICES AND THEIR LANGUAGE
 
19.1   Notices
 
    Any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement to the Pledgor or the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Pledgees shall be in writing (unless notarisation is required) and shall be delivered personally, by post, email or fax and shall be sent to the address, email address or fax number of the party, and for the attention of the individual or department, as set forth in Schedule 3 hereto or such other address, email address or fax number as is notified in writing by that Party for this purpose to the Facility Agent, the Administrative Agent or, as the case may be, the Pledgor, from time to time.
 
19.2   Language
 
    Save for the notice pursuant to section 1280 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) and unless otherwise required by statutory German law or unless otherwise agreed in writing from time to time, any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement shall be made in the English language or, if in any other language, accompanied by a translation into English. In the event of any conflict between the English text and the text in any other language, the English text shall prevail (unless the document is a statutory or other official document), except that where a German translation of a legal term appears in such text, the German translation shall prevail.
 
20.   APPLICABLE LAW; JURISDICTION
 
20.1   Governing Law
 
    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.

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20.2   Jurisdiction
 
    The place of jurisdiction for all Parties shall be Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany. The Administrative Agent and the other Pledgees, however, shall also be entitled to take legal action against the Pledgor before any other competent court of law having jurisdiction over the Pledgor or any of its assets.
21.   NOTIFICATION
 
    The Pledgor and the Pledgees hereby instruct and the Pledgor authorises the undersigned Notary Public to notify the Pledged Company in the Pledgor’s name of the Pledges by means of forwarding a certified copy of this Agreement to the Pledged Company by registered mail (return receipt requested).

19


 

SCHEDULE 1
ORIGINAL LENDERS
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Bank of America, N.A.
Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P.
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
HSBC Bank USA, National Association
RBC Capital Markets
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.

20


 

SCHEDULE 2
ORIGINAL OBLIGORS
PART 1
ORIGINAL BORROWERS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC BORROWER
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN BORROWERS
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH
PART 2
ORIGINAL GUARANTORS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC GUARANTORS
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN GUARANTORS
First Solar Holdings GmbH
First Solar GmbH
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH

21


 

SCHEDULE 3
ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES
     
To the Pledgor:
  First Solar Holdings GmbH
 
   
 
  Rheinstr. 4B
55116 Mainz
 
   
 
  Germany
 
   
 
  Attn.:  Anja Lange
 
 
David Brady
 
   
 
  Fax:  +49(0)6131-1443-500
 
 
+1-602-414-9462
 
   
 
  Email: alange@firstsolar.com
 
 
 dbrady@firstsolar.com
 
   
To the Administrative Agent:
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
10 South Dearborn, 7 th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
 
   
 
  Attention: Creston Wren
Telecopy: 001 (312) 385-7097
Telephone: 001 (312) 385-7016
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
125 London Wall
London
EC2Y 5AJ
 
   
 
  Attention: Lucy Chick
Telecopy: +44(0)20 7325 6835
Telephone: +44(0)20 7325 6926
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
201 North Central Avenue, Floor
21Phoenix, AZ 85004
 
   
 
  Attention: Mark Chambers
Telecopy: 001 (602) 221-1502
Telephone: 001 (602) 221-2290

22


 

     
To the Pledged Company:
  First Solar Manufacturing GmbH
 
   
 
  Marie-Curie-Str. 3
15236 Frankfurt (Oder)
 
   
 
  Germany
 
   
 
  Attn.:  Anja Lange
 
 
David Brady
 
   
 
  Fax:  +49(0)6131-1443-500
 
 
+1-602-414-9462
 
   
 
  Email: alange@firstsolar.com
 
 
  dbrady@firstsolar.com

23

Exhibit 10.4
Execution Copy
 
 
GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT
made by
FIRST SOLAR, INC.
in favor of
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent
Dated as of September 4, 2009
 
 


 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
             
        Page
 
           
SECTION 1.
  DEFINED TERMS     3  
1.1
  Definitions     3  
1.2
  Other Definitional Provisions     6  
 
           
SECTION 2.
  GUARANTEE     6  
2.1
  Guarantee of Company Obligations     6  
2.2
  Guarantee of Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations     7  
2.3
  Right of Contribution     7  
2.4
  No Subrogation     8  
2.5
  Amendments, etc. with respect to the Company Obligations and the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations     8  
2.6
  Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional     9  
2.7
  Reinstatement     9  
2.8
  Payments     10  
 
           
SECTION 3.
  GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST     10  
 
           
SECTION 4.
  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES     10  
4.1
  Title; No Other Liens     10  
4.2
  Perfected First Priority Liens     10  
4.3
  Jurisdiction of Organization; Chief Executive Office     11  
4.4
  Investment Property     11  
4.5
  Intercompany Receivables     11  
 
           
SECTION 5.
  COVENANTS     11  
5.1
  Delivery of Instruments, Certificated Securities and Chattel Paper     11  
5.2
  Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation     11  
5.3
  Changes in Name, etc     12  
5.4
  Pledged Securities     12  
 
           
SECTION 6.
  REMEDIAL PROVISIONS     13  
6.1
  Certain Matters Relating to Intercompany Receivables     13  
6.2
  Grantors Remain Liable     13  
6.3
  Pledged Securities     14  
6.4
  Application of Proceeds     14  
6.5
  Code and Other Remedies     15  
6.6
  Registration Rights     16  
6.7
  Subordination     16  
6.8
  Deficiency     16  
 
           
SECTION 7.
  THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT     17  
7.1
  Administrative Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc     17  
7.2
  Duty of Administrative Agent     18  
7.3
  Execution of Financing Statements     18  
7.4
  Authority of Administrative Agent     18  
 
           
SECTION 8.
  MISCELLANEOUS     19  


 

2

             
        Page
 
 
8.1
  Amendments in Writing     19  
8.2
  Notices     19  
8.3
  No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies     19  
8.4
  Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification     19  
8.5
  Successors and Assigns     19  
8.6
  Set-Off     19  
8.7
  Counterparts     20  
8.8
  Severability     20  
8.9
  Section Headings     20  
8.10
  Integration     20  
8.11
  GOVERNING LAW     20  
8.12
  Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers     20  
8.13
  Acknowledgements     21  
8.14
  Additional Grantors     21  
8.15
  Releases     21  
8.16
  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL     22  
SCHEDULES
     
Schedule 1
  Notice Addresses
Schedule 2
  Investment Property
Schedule 3
  Perfection Matters
Schedule 4
  Jurisdictions of Organization and Chief Executive Offices


 

3

GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT
          GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT, dated as of September 4, 2009, made by each of the signatories hereto (together with any other entity that may become a party hereto as provided herein, the “ Grantors ”), in favor of JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”) for the banks and other financial institutions or entities (the “ Lenders ”) from time to time parties to the Credit Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2009 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among FIRST SOLAR, INC. (the “ Company ”), the Borrowing Subsidiaries party thereto (the “ Borrowing Subsidiaries ”), the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.
WITNESSETH :
          WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have severally agreed to make extensions of credit to the Company and the Borrowing Subsidiaries upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;
          WHEREAS, the Company and each Borrowing Subsidiary is a member of an affiliated group of companies that includes each other Grantor;
          WHEREAS, the proceeds of the extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement will be used in part to enable the Company and the Borrowing Subsidiaries to make valuable transfers to one or more of the other Grantors in connection with the operation of their respective businesses;
          WHEREAS, the Company, the Borrowing Subsidiaries and the other Grantors are engaged in related businesses, and each Grantor will derive substantial direct and indirect benefit from the making of the extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement; and
          WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligation of the Lenders to make their respective extensions of credit to the Company and the Borrowing Subsidiaries under the Credit Agreement that the Grantors shall have executed and delivered this Agreement to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties;
          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make their respective extensions of credit to the Company and the Borrowing Subsidiaries thereunder, each Grantor hereby agrees with the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINED TERMS
     1.1 Definitions . (a) Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement, and the following terms are used herein as defined in the New York UCC: Certificated Security, Chattel Paper, Instruments and Supporting Obligations.
     (b) The following terms shall have the following meanings:
          “ Agreement ”: this Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.


 

4

          “ Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations ”: the collective reference to the unpaid principal of and interest on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrowing Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the maturity of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to any Borrowing Subsidiary, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of any Specified Swap Agreement, any Affiliate of any Lender), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, the Credit Agreement, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, any Letter of Credit, any Specified Swap Agreement or any other document made, delivered or given in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by the Borrowing Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any of the foregoing agreements). “Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations” shall be read as collectively referring to the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations of all Borrowing Subsidiaries, except when the context suggests it is referring only to the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations of an individual Borrowing Subsidiary.
          “ Collateral ”: as defined in Section 3.
          “ Collateral Account ”: any collateral account established by the Administrative Agent as provided in Section 6.1.
          “ Company Obligations ”: the collective reference to the unpaid principal of and interest on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and all other obligations and liabilities of the Company (including, without limitation, interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the maturity of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Company, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of any Specified Swap Agreement, any Affiliate of any Lender), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, the Credit Agreement, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, any Letter of Credit, any Specified Swap Agreement or any other document made, delivered or given in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by the Company pursuant to the terms of any of the foregoing agreements).
          “ Foreign Debt Guarantors ”: the collective reference to each Grantor.
          “ Foreign Subsidiary ”: any Subsidiary organized under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the United States of America.
          “ Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock ”: the voting Capital Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary.
          “ Guarantor Obligations ”: with respect to any Guarantor, the collective reference to all obligations and liabilities of such Guarantor which may arise under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any Specified Swap Agreement to which such Guarantor is a party, in


 

5

each case whether on account of guarantee obligations, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by such Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document).
          “ Guarantors ”: the collective reference to each Grantor, in its capacity as a U.S. Guarantor or as a Foreign Debt Guarantor.
          “ Intercompany Note ”: any promissory note evidencing loans or advances made by a Grantor to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (but, in the case such promissory note is owing by an Unrestricted Subsidiary, only if it arises out of the sale of solar modules).
          “ Intercompany Receivable ”: any right to payment held by a Grantor for goods sold or leased or for services rendered or loans or funds advanced to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (but, in the case such right to payment is owing by an Unrestricted Subsidiary, only if it arises out of the sale of solar modules), whether or not such right is evidenced by an Instrument or Chattel Paper and whether or not it has been earned by performance.
          “ Investment Property ”: the collective reference to (i) all “investment property” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(49) of the New York UCC (other than any Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock excluded from the definition of “Pledged Stock”) and (ii) whether or not constituting “investment property” as so defined, all Pledged Notes and all Pledged Stock.
          “ Issuers ”: the collective reference to each issuer of any Pledged Security.
          “ New York UCC ”: the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.
          “ Obligations ”: (i) in the case of the Company, the Company Obligations, (ii) in the case of any Borrowing Subsidiary, the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations, and (iii) in the case of each Guarantor (including the Company and any Borrowing Subsidiary in its capacity as a Foreign Debt Guarantor), its Guarantor Obligations.
          “ Pledged Notes ”: all Intercompany Notes listed on Schedule 2 and all other Intercompany Notes at any time issued to any Grantor.
          “ Pledged Securities ”: the collective reference to the Pledged Notes and the Pledged Stock.
          “ Pledged Stock ”: the shares of Capital Stock listed on Schedule 2 , together with any other shares, stock certificates, options, interests or rights of any nature whatsoever in respect of the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary that may be issued or granted to, or held by, any Grantor while this Agreement is in effect; provided that in no event shall more than 66% of the total outstanding Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock of any first-tier Foreign Subsidiary of a Grantor be pledged hereunder by any Grantor as collateral security for the payment and performance of the Company Obligations, the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations of any Domestic Subsidiary that is a Borrowing Subsidiary or the Guarantor Obligations.
          “ Proceeds ”: all “proceeds” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(64) of the New York UCC and, in any event, shall include, without limitation, all dividends or other income from the Investment Property, collections thereon or distributions or payments with respect thereto.


 

6

          “ Secured Parties ”: the collective reference to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, each Issuing Lender and any affiliate of any Lender to which Company Obligations, Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations or Guarantor Obligations, as applicable, are owed.
          “ Securities Act ”: the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
          “ U.S. Guarantor ”: the collective reference to each Grantor other than the Company.
     1.2 Other Definitional Provisions . (a) The words “hereof,” “herein”, “hereto” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section and Schedule references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.
     (b) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.
     (c) Where the context requires, terms relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, when used in relation to a Grantor, shall refer to such Grantor’s Collateral or the relevant part thereof.
SECTION 2. GUARANTEE
     2.1 Guarantee of Company Obligations . (a) Each of the U.S. Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably, guarantees to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties and their respective successors, indorsees, transferees and assigns, the prompt and complete payment and performance by the Company when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Company Obligations.
     (b) Anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum liability of each U.S. Guarantor hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall in no event exceed the amount which can be guaranteed by such U.S. Guarantor under applicable federal and state laws relating to the insolvency of debtors (after giving effect to the right of contribution established in Section 2.3).
     (c) Each U.S. Guarantor agrees that the Company Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the amount of the liability of such U.S. Guarantor hereunder without impairing the guarantee contained in this Section 2.1 or affecting the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder.
     (d) The guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall remain in full force and effect until all the Company Obligations and the obligations of each U.S. Guarantor under the guarantee contained in this Section 2.1 shall have been satisfied by payment in full, no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding and the Revolving Commitments shall be terminated, notwithstanding that from time to time during the term of the Credit Agreement the Company may be free from any Company Obligations.
     (e) No payment made by the Company, any of the U.S. Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person or received or collected by the Administrative Agent or any Lender from the Company, any of the U.S. Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or appropriation or application at any time or from time to time in reduction of or in payment of the Company Obligations shall be deemed to modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the liability of any U.S. Guarantor hereunder which shall, notwithstanding any such payment (other than any payment made by such U.S. Guarantor in respect of the Company Obligations or any payment received or


 

7

collected from such U.S. Guarantor in respect of the Company Obligations), remain liable for the Company Obligations up to the maximum liability of such U.S. Guarantor hereunder until the Company Obligations are paid in full, no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding and the Revolving Commitments are terminated.
     2.2 Guarantee of Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations . (a) Each of the Foreign Debt Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably, guarantees to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties and their respective successors, indorsees, transferees and assigns, the prompt and complete payment and performance by each Borrowing Subsidiary when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Borrowing Subsidiary Obligations.
     (b) Anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum liability of each Foreign Debt Guarantor hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall in no event exceed the amount which can be guaranteed by such Foreign Debt Guarantor under applicable federal or state laws (after giving effect to the right of contribution established in Section 2.3).
     (c) Each Foreign Debt Guarantor agrees that the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the amount of the liability of such Foreign Debt Guarantor hereunder without impairing the guarantee contained in this Section 2.2 or affecting the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder.
     (d) The guarantee contained in this Section 2.2 shall remain in full force and effect until all the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations and the obligations of each Foreign Debt Guarantor under the guarantee contained in this Section 2.2 shall have been satisfied by payment in full, no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding and the Revolving Commitments shall be terminated, notwithstanding that from time to time during the term of the Credit Agreement the Borrowing Subsidiaries may be free from any Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations.
     (e) No payment made by the Borrowing Subsidiaries, any of the Foreign Debt Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person or received or collected by the Administrative Agent or any Lender from the Borrowing Subsidiaries, any of the Foreign Debt Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or appropriation or application at any time or from time to time in reduction of or in payment of the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations shall be deemed to modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the liability of any Foreign Debt Guarantor hereunder which shall, notwithstanding any such payment (other than any payment made by such Foreign Debt Guarantor in respect of the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations or any payment received or collected from such Foreign Debt Guarantor in respect of the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations), remain liable for the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations up to the maximum liability of such Foreign Debt Guarantor hereunder until the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations are paid in full, no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding and the Revolving Commitments are terminated.
     2.3 Right of Contribution .
     (a) Each U.S. Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that a U.S. Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made hereunder pursuant to the guarantee contained in Section 2.1, such U.S. Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against any other U.S. Guarantor hereunder which has not paid its proportionate share of such payment. Each U.S. Guarantor’s right of contribution shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 2.4. The provisions of this Section 2.3(a) shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any U.S. Guarantor to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and each U.S. Guarantor shall remain liable to


 

8

the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for the full amount guaranteed by such U.S. Guarantor hereunder.
     (b) Each Foreign Debt Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that a Foreign Debt Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made hereunder pursuant to the guarantee contained in Section 2.2, such Foreign Debt Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against any other Foreign Debt Guarantor hereunder which has not paid its proportionate share of such payment. Each Foreign Debt Guarantor’s right of contribution shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 2.4. The provisions of this Section 2.3(b) shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Foreign Debt Guarantor to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and each Foreign Debt Guarantor shall remain liable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for the full amount guaranteed by such Foreign Debt Guarantor hereunder.
     2.4 No Subrogation . Notwithstanding any payment made by any Guarantor hereunder or any set-off or application of funds of any Guarantor by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Company or the Borrowing Subsidiaries, as applicable, or any other Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Company Obligations or the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations, as applicable, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Company or the Borrowing Subsidiaries, as applicable, or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder, until all amounts owing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on account of the Company Obligations or the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations, as applicable, are paid in full, no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding and the Revolving Commitments are terminated. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Company Obligations or Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations, as applicable, shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent, if required), to be applied against the Company Obligations or the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations, as applicable, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as the Administrative Agent may determine.
     2.5 Amendments, etc. with respect to the Company Obligations and the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations . Each Guarantor shall remain obligated hereunder notwithstanding that, without any reservation of rights against any Guarantor and without notice to or further assent by any Guarantor, any demand for payment of any of the Company Obligations or Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations, as applicable, made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender may be rescinded by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and any of the Company Obligations or Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations, as applicable, continued, and the Company Obligations or the Borrowing Subsidiary Obligations, as applicable, or the liability of any other Person upon or for any part thereof, or any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, and the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents executed and delivered in connection therewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or in part, as the Administrative Agent (or the Required Lenders or all Lenders, as the case may be) may deem advisable from time to time, and any collateral security, guarantee or right of offset at any time held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Company Obligations and the Borrowing Subsidiary Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or released. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien at any time held by it as security for the Company Obligations


 

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or Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations or for the guarantees contained in this Section 2 or any property subject thereto.
     2.6 Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional . Each Guarantor waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any of the Company Obligations or Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations, as applicable, and notice of or proof of reliance by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the guarantees contained in this Section 2 or acceptance of the guarantees contained in this Section 2; the Company Obligations and the Borrowing Subsidiary Obligations, as applicable, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon the guarantees contained in this Section 2; and all dealings between the Company or the Borrowing Subsidiaries, as applicable, and any of the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, likewise shall be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon the guarantees contained in this Section 2. Each Guarantor waives diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment and notice of default or nonpayment to or upon the Company or the Borrowing Subsidiaries, as applicable or any of the Guarantors with respect to the Company Obligations or the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations, as applicable. Each Guarantor understands and agrees that the guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall be construed as a continuing, absolute and unconditional guarantee of payment without regard to (a) the validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, any of the Company Obligations or Borrowing Subsidiary Obligations or any other collateral security therefor or guarantee or right of offset with respect thereto at any time or from time to time held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, (b) any defense, set-off or counterclaim (other than a defense of payment or performance) which may at any time be available to or be asserted by the Company or the Borrowing Subsidiaries, as applicable, or any other Person against the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or (c) any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of the Company or the Borrowing Subsidiaries, as applicable, or such Guarantor) which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of the Company for the Company Obligations or of the Borrowing Subsidiaries for the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations, as applicable, or of such Guarantor under the guarantees contained in this Section 2, in bankruptcy or in any other instance. When making any demand hereunder or otherwise pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against any Guarantor, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar demand on or otherwise pursue such rights and remedies as it may have against the Company or the Borrowing Subsidiaries, as applicable, any other Guarantor or any other Person or against any collateral security or guarantee for the Company Obligations or the Borrowing Subsidiary Obligations, as applicable, or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make any such demand, to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from the Company or the Borrowing Subsidiaries, as applicable, any other Guarantor or any other Person or to realize upon any such collateral security or guarantee or to exercise any such right of offset, or any release of the Company or the Borrowing Subsidiaries, as applicable, any other Guarantor or any other Person or any such collateral security, guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve any Guarantor of any obligation or liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a matter of law, of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against any Guarantor. For the purposes hereof “demand” shall include the commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings.
     2.7 Reinstatement . The guarantees contained in this Section 2 shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Company Obligations or any of the Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations, as applicable, is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Company or any Borrowing Subsidiary, as applicable, or any Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Company or any Borrowing Subsidiary, as applicable


 

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or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.
     2.8 Payments . Each Guarantor hereby guarantees that payments hereunder will be paid to the Administrative Agent without set-off or counterclaim in Dollars or Euros pursuant to the Credit Agreement at the applicable Funding Office specified in the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 3. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST
          Each Grantor, as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of such Grantor’s Obligations, hereby assigns and transfers to the Administrative Agent, and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in (i) all Intercompany Receivables, (ii) all Pledged Securities, and (iii) to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds, Supporting Obligations and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing, now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the “ Collateral ”); provided, however , that notwithstanding any of the other provisions set forth in this Section 3, this Agreement shall not constitute a grant of a security interest in any property to the extent that such grant of a security interest is prohibited by any Requirements of Law of a Governmental Authority, requires a consent not obtained of any Governmental Authority pursuant to such Requirement of Law or is prohibited by, or constitutes a breach or default under or results in the termination of or requires any consent not obtained under, any contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document evidencing or giving rise to such property or, in the case of any Pledged Security any applicable shareholder or similar agreement, except to the extent that such Requirement of Law or the term in such contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document or shareholder or similar agreement providing for such prohibition, breach, default or termination or requiring such consent is ineffective under applicable law.
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
          To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make their respective extensions of credit to the Company and the Borrowing Subsidiaries thereunder, each Grantor hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:
     4.1 Title; No Other Liens . Except for the security interest granted to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement and the other Liens permitted to exist on the Collateral by the Credit Agreement, such Grantor owns each item of the Collateral free and clear of any and all Liens or claims of others. No financing statement or other public notice with respect to all or any part of the Collateral is on file or of record in any public office, except such as have been filed in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to this Agreement or as are permitted by the Credit Agreement.
     4.2 Perfected First Priority Liens . The security interests granted pursuant to this Agreement (a) upon completion of the filings and other actions specified in Schedule 3 will constitute valid perfected security interests in all of the Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as collateral security for such Grantor’s Obligations, enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof against all creditors of such Grantor and any Persons purporting to purchase any Collateral from such Grantor and (b) are prior to all other Liens on the Collateral in existence on the date hereof


 

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except for Liens permitted by the Credit Agreement which have priority over the Liens on the Collateral by operation of law.
     4.3 Jurisdiction of Organization; Chief Executive Office . On the date hereof, such Grantor’s jurisdiction of organization, identification number from the jurisdiction of organization (if any), and the location of such Grantor’s chief executive office are specified on Schedule 4.
     4.4 Investment Property . (a) The shares of Pledged Stock pledged by such Grantor hereunder constitute all the issued and outstanding shares of all classes of the Capital Stock of each Issuer owned by such Grantor or, in the case of pledges of Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock, if less, 66% of the outstanding Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock of each relevant Issuer.
     (b) All the shares of the Pledged Stock have been duly and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.
     (c) Such Grantor is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good title to, the Pledged Securities pledged by it hereunder, free of any and all Liens or options in favor of, or claims of, any other Person, except the security interest created by this Agreement and Liens permitted by the Credit Agreement.
     4.5 Intercompany Receivables . (a) No amount payable to such Grantor under or in connection with any Intercompany Receivable of an amount greater than $1,000,000 is evidenced by any Instrument or Chattel Paper which has not been delivered to the Administrative Agent.
     (b) The amounts represented by such Grantor to the Lenders from time to time as owing to such Grantor in respect of the Intercompany Receivables will at such times be accurate in all material respects.
SECTION 5. COVENANTS
          Each Grantor covenants and agrees with the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, from and after the date of this Agreement until its applicable Obligations shall have been paid in full, no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding and the Revolving Commitments shall have terminated:
     5.1 Delivery of Instruments, Certificated Securities and Chattel Paper . If any amount in excess of $1,000,000 payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become evidenced by any Instrument, Certificated Security or Chattel Paper, such Instrument, Certificated Security or Chattel Paper shall be promptly delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly indorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.
     5.2 Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation . (a) Such Grantor shall maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest having at least the priority described in Section 4.2 and shall defend such security interest against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever, subject to the rights of such Grantor under the Loan Documents to dispose of the Collateral.
     (b) Such Grantor will furnish to the Administrative Agent from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral of such Grantor and such other reports in connection therewith as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.


 

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     (c) At any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent, and at the sole expense of such Grantor, such Grantor will promptly and duly execute and deliver, and have recorded, such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, including, without limitation, (i) filing any financing or continuation statements under the Uniform Commercial Code (or other similar laws) in effect in any jurisdiction with respect to the security interests created hereby and (ii) execute one or more Foreign Collateral Agreements to obtain or preserve the security interest created by this Agreement in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the applicable foreign laws.
     5.3 Changes in Name, etc . Such Grantor will not, except upon 10 days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent (or shorter notice if acceptable to the Administrative Agent) and delivery to the Administrative Agent of all additional executed financing statements and other documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to maintain the validity, perfection and priority of the security interests provided for herein, (i) change its jurisdiction of organization from that referred to in Section 4.3 or (ii) change its name.
     5.4 Pledged Securities . (a) If such Grantor shall become entitled to receive or shall receive any certificate (including, without limitation, any certificate representing a dividend or a distribution in connection with any reclassification, increase or reduction of capital or any certificate issued in connection with any reorganization), option or rights in respect of the Capital Stock of any Issuer, whether in addition to, in substitution of, as a conversion of, or in exchange for, any shares of the Pledged Stock, or otherwise in respect thereof, such Grantor shall accept the same as the agent of the Secured Parties, hold the same in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and deliver the same forthwith to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Administrative Agent, if required, together with an undated stock power covering such certificate duly executed in blank by such Grantor and with, if the Administrative Agent so requests, signature guaranteed, to be held by the Administrative Agent, subject to the terms hereof, as additional collateral security for its applicable Obligations. Any sums paid upon or in respect of the Pledged Securities upon the liquidation or dissolution of any Issuer shall be paid over to the Administrative Agent, to the extent such proceeds constitute Pledged Securities, to be held by it hereunder as additional collateral security for the applicable Obligations, and in case any distribution of capital shall be made on or in respect of the Pledged Securities or any property shall be distributed upon or with respect to the Pledged Securities pursuant to the recapitalization or reclassification of the capital of any Issuer or pursuant to the reorganization thereof, the property so distributed shall, unless otherwise subject to a perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent, be delivered to the Administrative Agent to be held to the extent such property constitutes Pledged Securities by it hereunder as additional collateral security for the applicable Obligations. If any sums of money or property so paid or distributed in respect of the Pledged Securities shall be received by such Grantor, such Grantor shall, until such money or property is paid or delivered to the Administrative Agent, hold such money or property in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Grantor, as additional collateral security for the applicable Obligations, in each case to the extent such proceeds or property constitute Pledged Securities.
     (b) Without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, such Grantor will not (i) vote to enable, or take any other action to permit, any Issuer to issue any Capital Stock of any nature or to issue any other securities convertible into or granting the right to purchase or exchange for any Capital Stock of any nature of any Issuer, (ii) sell, assign, transfer, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, the Pledged Securities or Proceeds thereof (except pursuant to a transaction expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement), (iii) create, incur or permit to exist any Lien or option in favor of, or any claim of any Person with respect to, any of the Pledged Securities or Proceeds thereof, or any interest therein, except for the security interests created by this Agreement (except pursuant to a Lien


 

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expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement) or (iv) enter into any agreement or undertaking restricting the right or ability of such Grantor or the Administrative Agent to sell, assign or transfer any of the Pledged Securities or Proceeds thereof.
     (c) In the case of each Grantor which is an Issuer, such Issuer agrees that (i) it will be bound by the terms of this Agreement relating to the Pledged Securities issued by it and will comply with such terms insofar as such terms are applicable to it, (ii) it will notify the Administrative Agent promptly in writing of the occurrence of any of the events described in Section 5.4(a) with respect to the Pledged Securities issued by it and (iii) the terms of Sections 6.3(c) and 6.6 shall apply to it, mutatis mutandis , with respect to all actions that may be required of it pursuant to Section 6.3(c) or 6.6 with respect to the Pledged Securities issued by it.
SECTION 6. REMEDIAL PROVISIONS
     6.1 Certain Matters Relating to Intercompany Receivables .
     (a) Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Administrative Agent hereby authorizes each Grantor to collect such Grantor’s Intercompany Receivables and the Administrative Agent may curtail or terminate said authority at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default. If required by the Administrative Agent at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any payments of Intercompany Receivables, when collected by any Grantor, (i) shall be forthwith (and, in any event, within two Business Days) deposited by such Grantor in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Administrative Agent if required, in a Collateral Account maintained under the sole dominion and control of the Administrative Agent, subject to withdrawal by the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders only as provided in Section 6.5, and (ii) until so turned over, shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Grantor.
     (b) At any time after a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at the Administrative Agent’s request, each Grantor shall deliver to the Administrative Agent all original and other documents evidencing, and relating to, the agreements and transactions which gave rise to the Intercompany Receivables, including, without limitation, all original orders, invoices and shipping receipts.
     6.2 Grantors Remain Liable . (a) The Administrative Agent in its own name or in the name of others may at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default communicate with obligors under the Intercompany Receivables to verify with them to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction the existence, amount and terms of any Intercompany Receivables.
     (b) Upon the request of the Administrative Agent at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Grantor shall notify obligors on the Intercompany Receivables that the Intercompany Receivables have been assigned to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties and that payments in respect thereof shall be made directly to the Administrative Agent.
     (c) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each Grantor shall remain liable under each of the Intercompany Receivables to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it thereunder, all in accordance with the terms of any agreement giving rise thereto. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation or liability under any Intercompany Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto) by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any payment relating thereto, nor


 

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shall the Administrative Agent or any Lender be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of any Grantor under or pursuant to any Intercompany Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by it or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party thereunder, to present or file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time or times.
     6.3 Pledged Securities . (a) Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall have given notice to the relevant Grantor of the Administrative Agent’s intent to exercise its corresponding rights pursuant to Section 6.3(b), each Grantor shall be permitted to receive all cash and non-cash dividends paid in respect of the Pledged Stock and all payments made in respect of the Pledged Notes, to the extent permitted in the Credit Agreement, and to exercise all voting and corporate or other organizational rights with respect to the Pledged Securities; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or corporate or other organizational right exercised or other action taken which, in the Administrative Agent’s reasonable judgment, would impair the Collateral or which would be inconsistent with or result in any violation of any provision of the Credit Agreement, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
     (b) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall give notice of its intent to exercise such rights to the relevant Grantor or Grantors, (i) the Administrative Agent shall have the right to receive any and all cash dividends, payments or other Proceeds paid in respect of the Pledged Securities and make application thereof to the applicable Obligations in such order as the Administrative Agent may determine, and (ii) any or all of the Pledged Securities shall be registered in the name of the Administrative Agent or its nominee, and the Administrative Agent or its nominee may thereafter exercise (x) all voting, corporate and other rights pertaining to such Pledged Securities at any meeting of shareholders of the relevant Issuer or Issuers or otherwise and (y) any and all rights of conversion, exchange and subscription and any other rights, privileges or options pertaining to such Pledged Securities as if it were the absolute owner thereof (including, without limitation, the right to exchange at its discretion any and all of the Pledged Securities upon the merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other fundamental change in the corporate or other organizational structure of any Issuer, or upon the exercise by any Grantor or the Administrative Agent of any right, privilege or option pertaining to such Pledged Securities, and in connection therewith, the right to deposit and deliver any and all of the Pledged Securities with any committee, depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms and conditions as the Administrative Agent may determine), all without liability except to account for property actually received by it, but the Administrative Agent shall have no duty to any Grantor to exercise any such right, privilege or option and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing.
     (c) Each Grantor hereby authorizes and instructs each Issuer of any Pledged Securities by such Grantor hereunder to (i) comply with any instruction received by it from the Administrative Agent in writing that (x) states that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (y) is otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without any other or further instructions from such Grantor, and each Grantor agrees that each Issuer shall be fully protected in so complying, and (ii) unless otherwise expressly permitted hereby, pay any dividends or other payments with respect to the Pledged Securities directly to the Administrative Agent.
     6.4 Application of Proceeds . At such intervals as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Administrative Agent, or, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any time at the Administrative Agent’s election, the Administrative Agent may apply all or any part of Proceeds constituting Collateral, whether or not held in any Collateral Account, and any proceeds of the guarantees set forth in Section 2, in payment of the Obligations in the following order:


 

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      First , to pay incurred and unpaid fees and expenses of the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents;
      Second , to the Administrative Agent, for application by it towards payment of amounts then due and owing and remaining unpaid in respect of the Obligations, pro rata among the Secured Parties according to the amounts of the Obligations then due and owing and remaining unpaid to the Secured Parties;
      Third , to the Administrative Agent, for application by it towards prepayment of the Obligations, pro rata among the Secured Parties according to the amounts of the Obligations then held by the Secured Parties; and
      Fourth , any balance remaining after the Obligations shall have been paid in full, no Letters of Credit shall be outstanding and the Revolving Commitments shall have terminated shall be paid over to the applicable Grantor or Guarantor.
     6.5 Code and Other Remedies . If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, may exercise, in addition to all other rights and remedies granted to them in this Agreement and in any other instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the New York UCC or any other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Administrative Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice required by law referred to below) to or upon any Grantor or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may in such circumstances forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, lease, assign, give option or options to purchase, or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, at any exchange, broker’s board or office of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any credit risk. The Administrative Agent or any Lender shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption in any Grantor, which right or equity is hereby waived and released. Each Grantor further agrees, at the Administrative Agent’s request, to assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Administrative Agent at places which the Administrative Agent shall reasonably select, whether at such Grantor’s premises or elsewhere. The Administrative Agent shall apply the net proceeds of any action taken by it pursuant to this Section 6.5, after deducting all reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred in connection therewith or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral or in any way relating to the Collateral or the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, to the payment in whole or in part of the Obligations, in such order as the Administrative Agent may elect, and only after such application and after the payment by the Administrative Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 9-615(a)(3) of the New York UCC, need the Administrative Agent account for the surplus, if any, to any Grantor. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Grantor waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against the Administrative Agent or any Lender arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder. If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other disposition.


 

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     6.6 Registration Rights . (a) If the Administrative Agent shall determine to exercise its right to sell any or all of the Pledged Stock pursuant to Section 6.5, and if in the opinion of the Administrative Agent it is necessary or advisable to have the Pledged Stock, or that portion thereof to be sold, registered under the provisions of the Securities Act or any other similar foreign laws, the relevant Grantor will cause the Issuer thereof to (i) execute and deliver, and cause the directors and officers of such Issuer to execute and deliver, all such instruments and documents, and do or cause to be done all such other acts as may be, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, necessary or advisable to register the Pledged Stock, or that portion thereof to be sold, under the provisions of the Securities Act or any other similar foreign laws, (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the registration statement relating thereto to become effective and to remain effective for a period of one year from the date of the first public offering of the Pledged Stock, or that portion thereof to be sold, and (iii) make all amendments thereto and/or to the related prospectus which, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, are necessary or advisable, all in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act or any other similar foreign laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission applicable thereto. Each Grantor agrees to cause such Issuer to comply with the provisions of the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of any and all jurisdictions (including foreign jurisdictions) which the Administrative Agent shall designate and to make available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, an earnings statement (which need not be audited) which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.
     (b) Each Grantor recognizes that the Administrative Agent may be unable to effect a public sale of any or all the Pledged Stock, by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, foreign laws or otherwise, and may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales thereof to a restricted group of purchasers which will be obliged to agree, among other things, to acquire such securities for their own account for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that any such private sale may result in prices and other terms less favorable than if such sale were a public sale and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner. The Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to delay a sale of any of the Pledged Stock for the period of time necessary to permit the Issuer thereof to register such securities for public sale under the Securities Act, or under applicable state securities laws or foreign laws, even if such Issuer would agree to do so.
     (c) Each Grantor agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to do or cause to be done all such other acts as may be necessary to make such sale or sales of all or any portion of the Pledged Stock pursuant to this Section 6.6 valid and binding and in compliance with any and all other applicable Requirements of Law. Each Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section 6.6 will cause irreparable injury to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this Section 6.6 shall be specifically enforceable against such Grantor, and such Grantor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that no Event of Default has occurred under the Credit Agreement.
     6.7 Subordination . Each Grantor hereby agrees that, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, all Indebtedness owing by it to any Subsidiary of the Company shall be fully subordinated to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of such Grantor’s Obligations.
     6.8 Deficiency . Each Grantor shall remain liable for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay its Obligations and the fees and


 

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disbursements of any attorneys employed by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to collect such deficiency.
SECTION 7. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
     7.1 Administrative Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc . (a) Each Grantor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Administrative Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor or in its own name, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby gives the Administrative Agent the power and right, on behalf of such Grantor, without assent by such Grantor (but with notice to such Grantor, to the extent reasonably practicable, provided that failure to give such notice shall not render any actions taken by the Administrative Agent ineffective), to do any or all of the following (provided that the Administrative Agent agrees that it will not exercise any rights under the power of attorney provided for in this Section 7.1(a) unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing):
     (i) in the name of a Grantor or its own name, or otherwise, take possession of and indorse and collect any checks, drafts, notes, acceptances or other instruments for the payment of moneys due under any Intercompany Receivable or with respect to any other Collateral and file any claim or take any other action or proceeding in any court of law or equity or otherwise deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent for the purpose of collecting any and all such moneys due under any Intercompany Receivable or with respect to any other Collateral whenever payable;
     (ii) pay or discharge taxes and Liens levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral, effect any repairs or any insurance called for by the terms of this Agreement and pay all or any part of the premiums therefor and the costs thereof;
     (iii) execute, in connection with any sale provided for in Section 6.5 or 6.6, any indorsements, assignments or other instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to the Collateral; and
     (iv) (1) direct any party liable for any payment under any of the Collateral to make payment of any and all moneys due or to become due thereunder directly to the Administrative Agent or as the Administrative Agent shall direct; (2) ask or demand for, collect, and receive payment of and receipt for, any and all moneys, claims and other amounts due or to become due at any time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral; (3) sign and indorse any invoices, freight or express bills, bills of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications, notices and other documents in connection with the Intercompany Receivables; (4) commence and prosecute any suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect the Collateral or any portion thereof and to enforce any other right in respect of any Collateral; (5) defend any suit, action or proceeding brought against such Grantor with respect to any Collateral; (6) settle, compromise or adjust any such suit, action or proceeding and, in connection therewith, give such discharges or releases as the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate; and (7) generally, sell, transfer, pledge and make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the Administrative Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and do, at the Administrative Agent’s option and such Grantor’s expense, at any time, or from time to time, all acts and things which the Administrative Agent deems necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ security


 

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interests therein and to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as such Grantor might do.
     (b) If any Grantor fails to perform or comply with any of its agreements contained herein, the Administrative Agent, at its option, but without any obligation so to do, may perform or comply, or otherwise cause performance or compliance, with such agreement.
     (c) The expenses of the Administrative Agent incurred in connection with actions undertaken as provided in this Section 7.1, together with interest thereon at a rate per annum equal to the highest rate per annum at which interest would then be payable on any category of past due ABR Loans under the Credit Agreement, from the date of payment by the Administrative Agent to the date reimbursed by the relevant Grantor, shall be payable by such Grantor to the Administrative Agent on demand.
     (d) Each Grantor hereby ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests created hereby are released.
     7.2 Duty of Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Collateral in its possession, under Section 9-207 of the New York UCC or otherwise, shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Administrative Agent deals with similar property for its own account. Neither the Administrative Agent, any Lender nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any Grantor or any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof. The powers conferred on the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder are solely to protect the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Administrative Agent or any Lender to exercise any such powers. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
     7.3 Execution of Financing Statements . Pursuant to any applicable law, each Grantor authorizes the Administrative Agent to file or record financing statements and other filing or recording documents or instruments with respect to the Collateral without the signature of such Grantor in such form and in such offices as the Administrative Agent determines appropriate to perfect the security interests of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement. Each Grantor hereby ratifies and authorizes the filing by the Administrative Agent of any financing statement with respect to the Collateral made prior to the date hereof.
     7.4 Authority of Administrative Agent . Each Grantor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Administrative Agent or the exercise or non-exercise by the Administrative Agent of any option, voting right, request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting or arising out of this Agreement shall, as between the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, be governed by the Credit Agreement and by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them, but, as between the Administrative Agent and the Grantors, the Administrative Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Lenders with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and no Grantor shall be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such authority.


 

19

SECTION 8. MISCELLANEOUS
     8.1 Amendments in Writing . None of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement.
     8.2 Notices . All notices, requests and demands to or upon the Administrative Agent or any Grantor hereunder shall be effected in the manner provided for in Section 10.2 of the Credit Agreement; provided that any such notice, request or demand to or upon any Guarantor shall be addressed to such Guarantor at its notice address set forth on Schedule 1.
     8.3 No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies . Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 8.1), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default. No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the Administrative Agent or such Lender would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by law.
     8.4 Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification . (a) Each Guarantor agrees to pay or reimburse each Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its costs and expenses incurred in collecting against such Guarantor under the guarantees contained in Section 2 or otherwise enforcing or preserving any rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Guarantor is a party, including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of counsel to each Lender and of counsel to the Administrative Agent.
     (b) Each Guarantor agrees to pay, and to save the Administrative Agent and the Lenders harmless from, any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, any and all stamp, excise, sales or other taxes which may be payable or determined to be payable with respect to any of the Collateral or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
     (c) Each Guarantor agrees to pay, and to save the Administrative Agent and the Lenders harmless from, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement to the extent the Borrowers would be required to do so pursuant to Section 10.5 of the Credit Agreement.
     (d) The agreements in this Section 8.4 shall survive repayment of the Obligations and all other amounts payable under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
     8.5 Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each Grantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their successors and assigns; provided that no Grantor may assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.
     8.6 Set-Off . In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, each Lender shall have the right, without notice to any Grantor, any such notice being expressly waived by


 

20

each Grantor to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any of its Obligations becoming due and payable by any Grantor at the stated maturity or by acceleration, to apply to the payment of such Obligations, by setoff or otherwise, any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender, any affiliate thereof or any of their respective branches or agencies to or for the credit or the account of such Grantor. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the relevant Grantor and the Administrative Agent after any such application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such application.
     8.7 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by telecopy), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
     8.8 Severability . Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
     8.9 Section Headings . The Section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.
     8.10 Integration . This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the agreement of the Grantors, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any Lender relative to subject matter hereof and thereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.
      8.11 GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
     8.12 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers . Each Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:
     (a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;
     (b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;
     (c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage


 

21

prepaid, to such Grantor at its address referred to in Section 8.2 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;
     (d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and
     (e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.
     8.13 Acknowledgements . Each Grantor hereby acknowledges that:
     (a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party;
     (b) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Grantor arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between the Grantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and Lenders, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and
     (c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Grantors and the Lenders.
     8.14 Additional Grantors . Each Domestic Subsidiary of the Company that is required to become a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.9 of the Credit Agreement shall become a Grantor for all purposes of this Agreement upon execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of an Assumption Agreement in the form of Annex 1 hereto.
     8.15 Releases . (a) At such time as the Loans, the Reimbursement Obligations and the other Obligations (other than Obligations under or in respect of Specified Swap Agreements or obligations in respect of indemnities or expense reimbursement obligations for which no amount is claimed owing at the time) shall have been paid in full, the Revolving Commitments have been terminated and no Letters of Credit shall be outstanding, the Collateral shall be automatically released from the Liens created hereby, and this Agreement and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent and each Grantor hereunder shall terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the Grantors. At the request and sole expense of any Grantor following any such termination, the Administrative Agent shall deliver to such Grantor any Collateral held by the Administrative Agent hereunder, and execute and deliver to such Grantor such documents as such Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.
     (b) If any of the Collateral shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by any Grantor in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement, such Collateral shall be automatically released from the Liens created hereby. The Administrative Agent, at the request and sole expense of such Grantor, shall execute and deliver to such Grantor all releases or other documents reasonably necessary or desirable for the release of the Liens created hereby on such Collateral. If a Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement it shall be automatically released from its obligations hereunder; provided that the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, at least ten Business Days (or shorter notice if


 

22

acceptable to the Administrative Agent) prior to the date of the proposed release, a written notice identifying the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor together with a certification by the Company stating that such transaction is in compliance with the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
      8.16 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.


 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Guarantee and Collateral Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
         
  FIRST SOLAR, INC.
 
 
  By:   /S/ David Brady    
    Name:  David Brady   
    Title:  Corporate Treasurer   
 
[Signature Page to Guarantee and Collateral Agreement]

 


 

Schedule 1
NOTICE ADDRESSES OF GUARANTORS

 


 

Schedule 2
DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENT PROPERTY
Pledged Stock:
             
Issuer   Class of Stock   Stock Certificate No.   No. of Shares
 
           
Pledged Notes:
         
Issuer   Payee   Principal Amount
 
       

 


 

Schedule 3
FILINGS AND OTHER ACTIONS
REQUIRED TO PERFECT SECURITY INTERESTS
Uniform Commercial Code Filings
[List each office where a financing statement is to be filed]

Other Actions
[Describe other actions to be taken]

 


 

Schedule 4
LOCATION OF JURISDICTION OF ORGANIZATION AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE
         
    Jurisdiction of   Location of Chief
Grantor   Organization   Executive Office
 
       

 


 

Annex 1 to
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
          ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of                      , 200_, made by                                            (the “ Additional Grantor ”), in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”) for the banks and other financial institutions or entities (the “ Lenders ”) parties to the Credit Agreement referred to below. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in such Credit Agreement.
WITNESSETH :
          WHEREAS, FIRST SOLAR, INC. (the “ Company ”), the Lenders and the Administrative Agent have entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2009 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”);
          WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement, the Company has entered into the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2009 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Guarantee and Collateral Agreement ”) in favor of the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties;
          WHEREAS, the Credit Agreement requires the Additional Grantor to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; and
          WHEREAS, the Additional Grantor has agreed to execute and deliver this Assumption Agreement in order to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement;
          NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:
          1. Guarantee and Collateral Agreement . By executing and delivering this Assumption Agreement, the Additional Grantor, as provided in Section 8.14 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, hereby becomes a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as a Grantor thereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, hereby expressly assumes all obligations and liabilities of a Grantor thereunder. The information set forth in Annex 1-A hereto is hereby added to the information set forth in the Schedules to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. The Additional Grantor hereby represents and warrants that each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 4 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement is true and correct on and as the date hereof (after giving effect to this Assumption Agreement) as if made on and as of such date.
           2. Governing Law . THIS ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 


 

 2
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Assumption Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
         
  [ADDITIONAL GRANTOR]
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      

 


 

         
Annex 1-A to
Assumption Agreement
Supplement to Schedule 1
Supplement to Schedule 2
Supplement to Schedule 3
Supplement to Schedule 4

 

Exhibit 10.5
EXECUTION COPY
GUARANTEE
8 SEPTEMBER 2009
by
FIRST SOLAR HOLDINGS GMBH
FIRST SOLAR GMBH
FIRST SOLAR MANUFACTURING GMBH
as German Guarantors
in favour of
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
as Administrative Agent
and
OTHER SECURED PARTIES
Allen & Overy LLP

 


 

CONTENTS
             
        Page
Clause                 
 
1.
  Definitions and Interpretation     2  
2.
  Guarantee ( Garantie )     4  
3.
  Protective Provisions     5  
4.
  Representations and Warranties     7  
5.
  Payments     7  
6.
  Costs     7  
7.
  Limitation on Enforcement     8  
8.
  Additional German Guarantors     11  
9.
  Miscellaneous     11  
10.
  Notices     12  
11.
  Applicable law; Jurisdiction     14  
             
Schedule            
 
           
1.
  Additional German Guarantor Accession Agreement     15  
 
Signatories
      16  

 


 

    THIS GUARANTEE (the Guarantee ) is made on 8 September 2009
 
    BY:
 
(1)   FIRST SOLAR MANUFACTURING GMBH a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, under registration number HRB 11116 as assignor
 
    ( First Solar Manufacturing GmbH );
 
(2)   FIRST SOLAR HOLDINGS GMBH , a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Mainz, Germany, under registration number HRB 40090,
 
    ( First Solar Holdings GmbH ); and
 
(3)   FIRST SOLAR GMBH , a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Mainz, Germany, under registration number HRB 8855,
 
    ( First Solar GmbH ),
 
    in favour of:
 
(1)   JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. , , a banking association organised under the laws of the United States with its main office at 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240, U.S.A. acting through its London Branch, at 125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AJ as assignee and administrative agent and trustee for the other Secured Parties (as defined below) (the Administrative Agent );
 
    and
 
(2)   the other SECURED PARTIES (as defined below).
 
    First Solar Manufacturing GmbH, First Solar Holdings GmbH and First Solar GmbH are hereinafter individually referred to as an Original German Guarantor and collectively referred to as the Original German Guarantors .
 
    The German Guarantors (as defined below), the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties (as defined below) are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Parties .
 
    WHEREAS:
 
(A)   First Solar Inc. as company (the Company ) and, amongst others, First Solar Manufacturing GmbH as borrower entered into a New York law governed US$300,000,000 credit agreement dated 4 September 2009 (the Credit Agreement ) with the Administrative Agent and certain credit institutions as original lenders together with each new lender supplement, and assignment and assumption agreement relating thereto and any and each other agreement or instrument amending, modifying, extending, restating or supplementing it from time to time and providing for up to US$100,000,000 additional Incremental Facilities (as defined below).

1


 

(B)   The Company entered into a New York law governed guarantee and collateral agreement in favour of, amongst others, the Administrative Agent dated 4 September 2009 (the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement ) pursuant to which, inter alia, certain subsidiaries of the Company guaranteed prompt and complete payment of the Company’s obligations under, inter alia, the Credit Agreement.
 
(C)   It is a condition to the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) making the credit facilities available to the Borrowers (as defined in the Credit Agreement) that the German Guarantors enter into this Guarantee.
 
    IT IS AGREED as follows:
 
1.   DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
 
1.1   Definitions
 
    In this Agreement:
 
    Additional German Guarantor shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in Clause 8 (Additional German Guarantors) below.
 
    Affiliate shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Credit Agreement.
 
    Agent means:
  (a)   the Syndication Agent;
 
  (b)   the Documentation Agent; and
 
  (c)   the Administrative Agent.
    Borrower shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Credit Agreement.
 
    Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.
 
    Borrowing Subsidiary shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Credit Agreement.
 
    Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
 
    Company Obligation shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.
 
    Documentation Agent means The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
 
    German Borrower means First Solar Manufacturing GmbH or any other person or entity that is organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany that becomes a Borrowing Subsidiary under or in connection with the Credit Agreement.
 
    German Guarantor means any Original German Guarantor and any Additional German Guarantor.
 
    German Obligor means the German Borrower or any German Guarantor.

2


 

    German Subsidiary Obligations means the collective reference to the unpaid principal of and interest on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and all other obligations and liabilities of the German Borrower,
  (a)   including, without limitation any obligation or liability of the German Borrower for any damage claim or claims resulting from unjust enrichment (or any equivalent in any jurisdiction) in connection with any cost, loss or liability incurred by any of the Secured Parties, if any of such obligations or liabilities of the German Borrower under or in connection with the Credit Agreement and/or any other Loan Document becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal; and further
 
  (b)   including, without limitation, interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the maturity of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the filing of any petition for commencement of insolvency proceedings, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the German Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding),
    to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of any Specified Swap Agreement, any Affiliate of any Lender) or any other Secured Party, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, the Credit Agreement, this Guarantee, the other Loan Documents, any Letter of Credit, any Specified Swap Agreement or any other document made, delivered or given in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by the German Borrower pursuant to the terms of any of the foregoing agreements).
 
    Guarantor Obligation shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.
 
    Incremental Facility means an incremental facility provided or to be provided by a Lender subject to and under the terms of the Credit Agreement in an aggregate amount of up to US$100,000,000.
 
    Lender shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Credit Agreement.
 
    Letter of Credit shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Credit Agreement.
 
    Loan shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Credit Agreement, including (without limitation) any Incremental Facility.
 
    Loan Document shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Credit Agreement.
 
    Loan Party shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Credit Agreement.
 
    Material Adverse Effect shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Credit Agreement.
 
    Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, any governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.
 
    Reimbursement Obligation shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Credit Agreement.

3


 

    Secured Party means an Agent, the Lenders, any Affiliate of a Lender and the Issuing Lender and any Swap Counterparty to which Company Obligations, Borrowing Subsidiaries Obligations or Guarantor Obligations are owed.
 
    Specified Swap Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Credit Agreement.
 
    Subsidiary means as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. And unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.
 
    Swap Counterparty means any party to a Specified Swap Agreement.
 
    Syndication Agent means Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch.
 
1.2   Interpretation
  (a)   Where the context so admits, the singular includes the plural and vice versa .
 
  (b)   The headings in this Guarantee are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Guarantee.
 
  (c)   Any reference in this Guarantee to a defined document is a reference to that defined document as amended, varied, novated or supplemented from time to time.
 
  (d)   Any reference to a Party or other person (including any Guarantor or Borrower or the German Borrower or any Loan Party and any Secured Party) includes its respective successor(s) in law (including any universal successor ( Gesamtrechtsnachfolger ) of that person by way of merger ( Verschmelzung ), any other reorganisation contemplated in the German Transformation Act ( Umwandlungsgesetz ) or otherwise) and any assign(s) and transferee(s) of that person and, to the extent legally possible, any legal provision to the contrary is waived.
 
  (e)   Unless otherwise defined herein or unless the context otherwise requires, terms defined or referred to in the Credit Agreement and/or the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall have the same meaning when used herein. In case of any discrepancy, the Credit Agreement shall prevail.
2.   GUARANTEE ( GARANTIE )
 
    Each German Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally jointly and severally ( gesamtschuldnerisch ) guarantees ( garantiert ) by way of an independent payment obligation ( selbständiges Zahlungsversprechen ) to each Secured Party to pay to that Secured Party within 5 (five) Business Days of receipt by it of a written demand by a Secured Party (or the Administrative Agent on its behalf) the amount of principal, interest, costs, expenses or other amounts demanded in such demand letter, which shall state that the sum demanded by such Secured Party under or in connection with any German Subsidiary Obligation has not been fully and irrevocably paid by a German Borrower.

4


 

3.   PROTECTIVE PROVISIONS
 
3.1   Continuing and independent guarantee
 
    This guarantee is independent and separate from the obligations of any Borrower and is a continuing guarantee which will extend and include any and all sums owing by any German Borrower under the Loan Documents, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.
 
    The guarantee shall extend to any additional obligations of a German Borrower resulting from any amendment, novation, supplement, extension, restatement or replacement of any Loan Document, including without limitation any extension of or increase in any facility or interest or the addition of any new facility under any Loan Document.
 
3.2   Reinstatement
 
    If any payment made to or any discharge given by any German Obligor made to a Secured Party (whether in respect of the obligations of a Loan Party or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is avoided or reduced as a result of insolvency or any similar event:
  (a)   the liability of each German Obligor shall continue as if the payment, discharge, avoidance or reduction had not occurred; and
 
  (b)   each Secured Party shall be entitled to recover the value or amount of that security or payment from each German Obligor, as if the payment, discharge, avoidance or reduction had not occurred.
3.3   No defences
  (a)   The obligations of each German Guarantor under Clause 2 will not be affected by an act, omission, matter or thing which relates to the principal obligation (or purported obligation) of any German Borrower and which would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this Clause 2, including without limitation any personal defences of any German Borrower ( Einreden des Hauptschuldners ) or any right of revocation ( Anfechtung ) or set-off ( Aufrechnung ) of any German Borrower. Set-off may, however, affect the obligations of a German Guarantor, if such relevant German Guarantor is in the position to discharge its obligations under this Guarantee by way of set-off with claims which are undisputed ( unbestritten ) by the Secured Parties or which have been the subject of a final court judgment ( rechtskräftig ) vis-à-vis the Secured Parties.
 
  (b)   The obligations of each German Guarantor under this Clause 2 are independent from any other security or guarantee which may have been or will be given to the Secured Parties. In particular, the obligations of each German Guarantor under this Clause 2 will not be affected by any of the following:
  (i)   a release or any deferral ( Stundung ), waiver or consent granted to any other Loan Party from or in respect of its obligations under or in connection with any Loan Document, unless the relevant amount requested from a German Guarantor under this Guarantee relates to an amount owed by the German Borrower for which such release, deferral, waiver or consent has been granted, made or given.;
 
  (ii)   the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce any rights against or security over assets of,

5


 

      any Loan Party or any other person or any failure to realise the full value of any security;
 
  (iii)   any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality, dissolution or a deterioration of the financial condition of any other Loan Party; or
 
  (iv)   any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any other Loan Party under any Loan Document.
    For the avoidance of doubt this guarantee does not constitute a guarantee upon first demand ( Garantie auf erstes Anfordern ) and nothing in this Clause 2 shall preclude any defences that any German Guarantor (in its capacity as guarantor only) may have against a Secured Party that the guarantee does not constitute its legal, valid, binding or enforceable obligations.
 
3.4   Immediate recourse
 
    No Secured Party will be required to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from that German Guarantor under Clause 2. This applies irrespective of any provision of a Loan Document to the contrary.
 
3.5   Appropriations
 
    Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the German Obligors under or in connection with the Loan Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, each Secured Party may:
  (a)   refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by that Secured Party in respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and no German Guarantor shall be entitled to the benefit of the same; and
 
  (b)   hold in an interest-bearing suspense account any moneys received from any German Guarantor or on account of any German Guarantor’s liability under Clause 2.
3.6   Deferral of German Guarantors’ rights
 
    Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the German Obligors under or in connection with the Loan Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, unless the Administrative Agent otherwise directs, no German Guarantor will — unless permitted under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document — exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Loan Documents:
  (a)   to be indemnified by a Loan Party;
 
  (b)   to claim any contribution from any other guarantor of any Loan Party’s obligations under the Loan Documents; and/or
 
  (c)   to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of legal subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Secured Parties under the Loan Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Loan Documents by any German Obligor.
    Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise directs, if a German Guarantor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights other than in accordance with the Credit Agreement

6


 

    or any other Loan Document, it shall hold that benefit, payment or distribution to the extent necessary to enable all amounts which may be or become payable to the Secured Parties by a German Borrower under or in connection with the Loan Documents to be repaid in full on trust for the Secured Parties and shall promptly pay or transfer the same to the Administrative Agent or as the Administrative Agent may direct for application in accordance with the terms of this Guarantee and the Credit Agreement.
 
3.7   Additional security
 
    This Guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other guarantee or security now or subsequently held by any Secured Party.
 
4.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
    The representations and warranties set out in this Clause are made by each German Guarantor to the Secured Parties at the date hereof.
 
4.1   Status
 
    It is a limited liability company, duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.
 
4.2   Powers and authority
 
    It has the power to enter into and perform, and has taken all necessary action to authorise the entry into and delivery of this Guarantee.
 
4.3   Non-conflict
 
    The entry into and performance by it of this Guarantee do not conflict with:
  (a)   any law or regulation applicable to it;
 
  (b)   its constitutional documents; or
 
  (c)   any document which is binding upon it,
    provided that the relevant conflict is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
5.   PAYMENTS
 
    All payments by a German Guarantor under this Guarantee must be made without set-off (other than in case of claims of such German Guarantor which are undisputed ( unbestritten ) or which have been the subject of a final court judgment ( rechtskräftig ) or counterclaim and without any deduction or withholding, unless the deduction or withholding is required by law. If any deduction or withholding is required to be made, the amount of the payment due from a German Guarantor will be increased to an amount which (after making the deduction or withholding) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no deduction or withholding had been required.
 
6.   COSTS
 
    Each German Guarantor must pay on demand:

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  (a)   all costs, charges, fees and expenses (including legal fees of one counsel per jurisdiction) reasonably incurred by the Administrative Agent and any other Secured Party in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, amendment, enforcement of or the preservation of any rights under, this Guarantee;
 
  (b)   any stamp duties or other taxes in connection with this Guarantee; and
 
  (c)   any losses reasonably incurred by any of the Secured Parties flowing from any judgement or claim being payable in a different currency from that agreed under this Guarantee.
7.   LIMITATION ON ENFORCEMENT
 
    For the purpose of this Clause 7 (Limitation on Enforcement):
 
    Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Guarantee means in relation to a German Guarantor any guarantee and/or indemnity granted under this Guarantee directly or indirectly securing the obligations or liabilities of any member of the Relevant Group that is not a direct or indirect Relevant Subsidiary of such German Guarantor.
 
    Relevant Group refers to a German Guarantor and any affiliated company ( verbundenes Unternehmen ) of such German Guarantor within the meaning of §§ 15 et. seq. of the German Stock Corporation Act ( Aktiengesetz ).
 
    Relevant Subsidiary means an entity of which a person owns directly or indirectly more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting capital or similar right of ownership.
 
7.1   Each of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties agrees not to enforce the guarantee and/or any indemnity granted under this Guarantee against any Guarantor incorporated in Germany (each, a German Guarantor ) irrespective of whether the relevant German Guarantor is at the time of enforcement incorporated as
    a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) (a German GmbH Guarantor ), or
 
    a limited partnership ( Kommanditgesellschaft ) of which the general partner ( Komplementär ) is a limited liability company (a German GmbH & Co. KG Guarantor ),
    if and to the extent the guarantee and/or any indemnity granted under this Guarantee is an Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Guarantee in relation to such German Guarantor, and (ii) if and to the extent the enforcement of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Guarantee would cause or constitute
  (a)   the German GmbH Guarantor’s, or in the case of the German GmbH & Co. KG Guarantor its general partner’s, net assets (the calculation of which shall take into account the captions reflected in § 266 (2) A, B and C of the German Commercial Code ( Handelsgesetzbuch )) less the German GmbH Guarantor’s, or in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Guarantor its general partner’s, liabilities, provisions and liability reserves (the calculation of which shall take into account the captions reflected in § 266 (3) B, C and D of the German Commercial Code) (the Net Assets ) to be less than the registered share capital ( Stammkapital ) of the German GmbH Guarantor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Guarantor of the registered share capital of its general partner ( Begründung einer Unterbilanz ); or

8


 

 
  (b)   an increase of a shortfall, if the Net Assets of the German GmbH Guarantor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Guarantor, of its general partner, already fall short of the amount of the registered share capital ( Vertiefung einer Unterbilanz ); and/or
 
  (c)   an payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ).
7.2   For the purposes of the calculation of the Net Assets in Clause 7.1 above the following items shall be adjusted as follows:
  (a)   the amount of an increase in the registered share capital of the German GmbH Guarantor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Guarantor of its general partner,
  (i)   that has been effected out of retained earnings ( Kapitalerhöhung aus Gesellschaftsmitteln ) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent after the date of this Agreement; or
 
  (ii)   any amount of an increase in the registered share capital if and to the extent that it has not been fully paid in,
      shall be deducted from the registered share capital;
 
  (b)   any loans and other contractual liabilities incurred by the German GmbH Guarantor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner in violation of the Credit Agreement after the date of this Agreement shall be disregarded as liabilities;
 
      and
 
  (c)   the Net Assets shall take into account reasonable costs of the Auditor’s Determination (as defined below), either as a reduction of assets or an increase of liabilities.
7.3   Any German Guarantor, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Guarantor its general partner, shall realise, to the extent legally permitted and commercially justifiable, in a situation where after enforcement of the guarantee the German GmbH Guarantor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Guarantor its general partner, would not have Net Assets in excess of its respective registered share capital, any and all of its assets, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Guarantor its general partner’s assets, that are shown in the respective balance sheet with a book value ( Buchwert ) that is significantly lower than the market value of the asset if such asset is not necessary for the relevant German Guarantor’s, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Guarantor its general partner’s, business ( betriebsnotwendig ).
 
7.4   Subject to Clause 7.1, after the receipt of a written demand by the Administrative Agent and/or any other Secured Party to make a payment under any guarantee granted under this Guarantee (the Enforcement Notice ), a copy of the relevant determination shall be drawn up in good faith (applying the due care of an ordinary businessman ( Sorgfalt eines ordentlichen Geschäftsmannes )) and made available to the Administrative Agent by the relevant German Guarantor (the Management Determination ) within 10 (ten) Business Days of the German Guarantor’s receipt of the Enforcement Notice stating
  (a)   if and to what extent the guarantee granted hereunder is an Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Guarantee;

9


 

  (b)   which amount of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Guarantee can be enforced without causing the Net Assets of the relevant German Guarantor, or, where the guarantor is a German GmbH & Co KG Guarantor, its general partner, to fall (or to fall further) below its respective registered share capital (taking into account the adjustments set out in Clauses 7.2 above and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 7.3 above), and
 
  (c)   which amount of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Guarantee can be enforced without constituting an payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ),
    (such amount calculated according to (b) — (c), the Recovery Amount ). Subject to Clause 7.6 below, the Secured Parties shall only be entitled to enforce the amount of any Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Guarantee up to the Recovery Amount.
 
7.5   Following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Management Determination, the relevant German Guarantor shall provide within 15 (fifteen) Business Days a determination by auditors of international standing and reputation appointed by the relevant German Guarantor or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner (the Auditor’s Determination ) of (i) the Recovery Amount (such determination to take into account the adjustments set out in Clauses 7.2 and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 7.3 above) and (ii) an estimate of the liabilities, damages, costs, fees and expenses reasonably expected to result from a liquidation of the relevant German Guarantor, and such German Guarantor shall, not later than 10 (ten) Business Days after receipt by it of such Auditor’s Determination, pay to the relevant Secured Parties the additional amount (if any) by which the Recovery Amount determined in the Auditor’s Determination exceeds the amount (if any) paid to any of the Secured Parties pursuant to Clause 7.4 above, and the Secured Parties shall repay any enforcement amount received in excess of the Recovery Amount determined in the Auditor’s Determination (if any) to the respective German Guarantor or, in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Guarantor, its general partner.
 
7.6   If (i) the Administrative Agent disagrees with the Auditor’s Determination or (ii) the relevant German Guarantor (or in the case of a German GmbH & Co KG Guarantor, its general partner) fails to deliver an Management Determination within 10 (ten) Business Days of the German Guarantor’s receipt of the Enforcement Notice or (iii) an Auditor’s Determination within 15 (fifteen) Business Days following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Management Determination, the Secured Parties shall be entitled to further pursue in court their payment claims under this Guarantee granted by the respective German Guarantor in excess of the amounts paid or payable pursuant to Clauses 7.4 and 7.5 above, by claiming in court that demanding payment under the German Guarantee against the relevant German Guarantor does not violate §§ 30, 31 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act and would not constituting an payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ) (taking into account the calculation of the Net Assets as set out in Clause 7.1 and the adjustments as set out in Clause 7.2 and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 7.3 above). Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, no German Guarantor shall be obliged to pay any such amount on demand.
 
7.7   The limitations set out in Clause 7.1 (a) and (b) and in Clause 7.4 (b) shall not apply if and to the extent the relevant German Guarantor guarantees any amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement which are lent or on-lent to such German Guarantor or any of its direct or indirect owned Relevant Subsidiaries from time to time and have not been repaid.

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7.8   The limitations provided for in Clause 7.1 (a) and (b) and in Clause 7.4 (b) shall not apply so long as:
  (a)   the affected German Guarantor (or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner) is a party to a profit and loss sharing agreement ( Gewinnabführungsvertrag ) and/or a domination agreement ( Beherrschungsvertrag ) where such German Guarantor (or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner) is the dominated entity ( beherrschtes Unternehmen ) and/or the entity being obliged to share its profits with the other party of such profit and loss sharing agreement; it being understood that in such case the Secured Parties shall only be entitled to enforce the amount of any Up-Stream German Guarantee and/or Cross-Stream German Guarantee if and to the extent that it may reasonably be expected (applying the due care of an ordinary businessman ( Sorgfalt eines ordentlichen Geschäftsmannes )) that such German Guarantor (or, where the guarantor is a German GmbH & Co KG Guarantor, its general partner) is able to recover the annual loss ( Jahresfehlbetrag ) which the dominating entity is obliged to pay pursuant to § 302 of the German Stock Corporation Act ( Aktiengesetz ). For the purpose of the determination of the amount to be recovered under this Clause 7.8, the provisions set forth under Clauses 7.4, 7.5 and 7.6 above shall apply mutatis mutandis ; and/or
 
  (b)   the relevant German Guarantor’s guarantee granted under this Guarantee being covered by a valuable consideration or recourse claim ( vollwertiger Gegenleistungs- oder Rückgewähranspruch ) within the meaning of § 30 (1) Sentence 2 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act; and/or
 
  (c)   the relevant German Guarantor’s payment under this Guarantee discharges a shareholder loan or a claim of similar effect within the meaning of § 30 (1) Sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act.
7.9   For the avoidance of doubt, any balance sheet to be prepared for the determination of the Net Assets shall be prepared in accordance with relevant accounting principles.
 
7.10   Nothing in this Clause 7 (Limitation on Enforcement) shall be interpreted as a restriction or limitation of the enforcement of the guarantee and/or any indemnity granted under this Guarantee if and to the extent the guarantee and/or any indemnity granted under this Guarantee secures own obligations of the relevant German Guarantor or obligations of any of its direct or indirect Relevant Subsidiaries.
 
8.   ADDITIONAL GERMAN GUARANTORS
 
    Each Subsidiary of the Company incorporated in the Federal Republic of Germany that is pursuant to Section 6.9 of the Credit Agreement required to provide for a guarantee in connection with the Loan Documents (an Additional German Guarantor ), then such Additional German Guarantor shall execute and deliver an accession agreement substantially in the form of Schedule 1 (the Additional German Guarantor’s Accession Agreement ) hereto. The Administrative Agent shall execute the Additional German Guarantor’s Accession Agreement for itself and on behalf of the other Secured Parties. Each of the Security Grantors herewith irrevocably consents to any New Additional German Guarantor’s Accession Agreement entered into in accordance with this Guarantee.

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9.   MISCELLANEOUS
  (a)   Any determination made by the Administrative Agent, in each case in their reasonable discretion, of an amount under this Guarantee is, in the absence of fraud and manifest error, conclusive evidence of the matter to which it relates.
 
  (b)   The Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party may set off any matured obligation owed by a German Guarantor under this Guarantee against any satisfiable ( erfüllbare ) obligation with the meaning of § 387 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) (whether or not matured) owed by that Secured Party to such German Guarantor.
 
  (c)   The rights of the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party under this Guarantee:
  (i)   may be exercised as often as necessary;
 
  (ii)   are cumulative and not exclusive of its rights under the general law; and
 
  (iii)   may be waived only in writing and specifically.
      Delay in exercising or non-exercise of any right is not a waiver of that right.
10.   NOTICES
 
10.1   In writing
 
    Any communication in connection with this Guarantee must be in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be given in person, by post or by fax. Unless it is agreed to the contrary, any consent or agreement required under this Guarantee must be given in writing.
 
10.2   Addresses
  (a)   The contact details of the German Guarantors are:
 
      First Solar Holdings GmbH
 
      Rheinstr. 4B
55116 Mainz
         
 
  Attn.:   Anja Lange
 
      David Brady
 
       
 
  Fax:   +49(0)6131-1443-500
 
      +1-602-414-9462
 
       
 
  Email:   alange@firstsolar.com
 
      dbrady@firstsolar.com

12


 

         
    First Solar GmbH
    Rheinstr. 4B
    55116 Mainz
 
       
    Germany
 
       
 
  Attn.:   Anja Lange
 
      David Brady
 
       
 
  Fax:   +49(0)6131-1443-500
 
      +1-602-414-9462
 
       
 
  Email:   alange@firstsolar.com
 
      dbrady@firstsolar.com
         
    First Solar Manufacturing GmbH
 
       
    Marie-Curie-Str. 3
    15236 Frankfurt (Oder)
 
       
    GermanyGermany
 
       
 
  Attn.:   Anja Lange
 
      David Brady
 
       
 
  Fax:   +49(0)6131-1443-500
 
      +1-602-414-9462
 
       
 
  Email:   alange@firstsolar.com
 
      dbrady@firstsolar.com
  (b)   The contact details of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties are:
         
 
  To the Administrative Agent:   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
      10 South Dearborn, 7th Floor
 
      Chicago, IL 60603
 
       
 
      Attention: Creston Wren
 
      Telecopy: 001 (312) 385-7097
 
      Telephone: 001 (312) 385-7016
 
       
 
  With a copy to   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
      125 London Wall
 
      London
 
      EC2Y 5AJ
 
       
 
      Attention: Lucy Chick
 
      Telecopy: +44(0)20 7325 6835
 
      Telephone: +44(0)20 7325 6926

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  With a copy to   JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
      201 North Central Avenue, Floor
21Phoenix, AZ 85004
 
       
 
      Attention: Mark Chambers
 
      Telecopy: 001 (602) 221-1502
 
      Telephone: 001 (602) 221-2290
  (c)   When a Party nominates a particular department or officer to receive a notice, a notice will not be effective if it fails to specify that department or officer.
10.3   Effectiveness
  (a)   Except as provided below, any notice in connection with this Guarantee will be deemed to be given as follows:
  (i)   if delivered in person, at the time of the delivery;
 
  (ii)   if posted, five Business Days after being deposited in the post, postage prepaid, in a correctly addressed envelope; and
 
  (iii)   if by fax, when received in legible form.
  (b)   A communication given under paragraph (a) above but received on a non-working day or after business hours in the place of receipt will only be deemed to be given on the next working day in that place.
10.4   Invalidity
      If any provision of this Guarantee or part thereof should be or become invalid or unenforceable, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions hereof. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by that provision which best meets the intent of the replaced provision. This shall apply analogously with respect to anything which is accidentally not regulated in this Guarantee ( Vertragslücke ). § 139 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) shall be waived hereby.
10.5   Amendments
 
    Changes to and amendments of this Agreement, including this Clause 9.5, must be made in writing.
 
11.   APPLICABLE LAW; JURISDICTION
 
11.1   Governing Law
 
    This Guarantee and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Guarantee shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.

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11.2   Jurisdiction
 
    The place of jurisdiction for all Parties shall be Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany. The Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, however, shall also be entitled to take legal action against a German Guarantor before any other competent court of law having jurisdiction over the German Guarantor or any of its assets.

15


 

SCHEDULE 1
ADDITIONAL GERMAN GUARANTOR ACCESSION AGREEMENT
THIS Additional German Guarantor Accession Agreement (the Accession Agreement ) is supplemental to a guarantee dated [ l ] (the Guarantee ) granted by First Solar Holdings GmbH and First Solar GmbH as original German guarantors in favour of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and certain other secured parties in connection with a State of New York law governed credit agreement dated [ l ], as amended, restated, supplemented or novated from time to time (the Credit Agreement ) between, amongst others, First Solar Inc. as company (the Company ), First Solar Manufacturing GmbH and certain other subsidiaries of the Company as borrowers, certain credit institutions as original lenders and the Administrative Agent providing for US$300,000,000 revolving facilities and up to US$100,000,000 additional revolving facilities.
Words and expressions defined in the Guarantee and/or the Credit Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Accession Agreement. In case of any discprepancy, the Credit Agreement shall prevail.
We, [NAME OF ADDITIONAL GERMAN GUARANTOR], hereby become a party to the Guarantee as an Additional German Guarantor under the Guarantee and hereby agree with each other person who is a party to the Guarantee that with effect on and from the date hereof we will be bound by the Guarantee as an Additional German Guarantor with the same force and effect as if we were originally named therein as a German Guarantor and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, hereby expressly assume all obligations and liabilities of a German Guarantor under the Guarantee. The information set forth in Appendix 1 hereto is hereby added to the information set forth in the Guarantee.
We, [NAME OF ADDITIONAL GERMAN GUARANTOR], hereby represent and warrant that each of the representations and warranties contained in Clause 4 of the Guarantee is true and correct on and as the date hereof as if made on and as of such date.
This Accession Agreement is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with German law.
Place:                                           
Date:                                           
     
     
 
   
[Acceding Additional German Guarantor]
  [the Administrative Agent for itself and for and on behalf of the other Secured Parties]

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SIGNATORIES
German Guarantors
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH
By:
         
     
/s/ David Brady      
David Brady     
Authorized Officer (Prokurist)     
 
First Solar Holdings GmbH
By:
         
     
/s/ David Brady      
David Brady     
Authorized Officer (Prokurist)     
 
First Solar GmbH
By:
         
     
/s/ David Brady      
David Brady     
Authorized Officer (Prokurist)     
 
The Administrative Agent
acting for itself and on behalf of the other Secured Parties
By:
         
     
/s/ Stefan Kuhm      
Stefan Kuhm     
Attorney-In-Fact     
 

17

Exhibit 10.6
EXECUTION COPY
ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
(
SICHERUNGSABTRETUNG )
4 SEPTEMBER 2009
between
FIRST SOLAR HOLDINGS GMBH
as Assignor
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.
as Administrative Agent
(ALLEN & OVERY LOGO)
Allen & Overy LLP

 


 

CONTENTS
             
        Page  
Clause        
 
           
1.
  Interpretation     1  
2.
  Assignment     6  
3.
  Purpose of the Assignment     6  
4.
  List of claims     7  
5.
  Disclosure and notification     7  
6.
  Assignment of claims against conditional vendors     8  
7.
  The Assignor’s rights     8  
8.
  Book-keeping and data-processing     8  
9.
  Enforcement and collection     9  
10.
  Maintenance of liable capital     10  
11.
  No recourse     13  
12.
  Representations and warranties     14  
13.
  Undertakings     14  
14.
  Release and reassignment     15  
15.
  Indemnity     16  
16.
  Duration and independence     17  
17.
  The Security Trust Agreement     17  
18.
  Costs and expenses     17  
19.
  Partial invalidity; Waiver     17  
20.
  Amendments     18  
21.
  Successors, assignments and transfers     18  
22.
  Notices and their language     18  
23.
  Applicable law; Jurisdiction     18  
 
           
Schedules        
 
           
1.
  Original Lenders     20  
2.
  Original Obligors     21  
3.
  Forms     22  
4.
  Addresses for notices     25  
 
           
Signatories     26  

 


 

THIS ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (the Agreement ) is made on 4 September 2009
BETWEEN :
(1)   FIRST SOLAR HOLDINGS GMBH a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Mainz, Germany, under registration number HRB 40090 as assignor
 
    (the Assignor ); and
 
(2)   JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , a banking association organised under the laws of the United States with its main office at 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240, U.S.A. acting through its London Branch, at 125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AJ as assignee and administrative agent and trustee for the other Secured Parties (as defined below)
 
    (the Administrative Agent ).
WHEREAS :
(A)   The Original Lenders (as defined below) have agreed to make available to the Borrowers (as defined below) certain revolving credit facilities and certain letters of credit on the terms of and subject to the Credit Agreement (as defined below).
 
(B)   It is a condition to the Original Lenders (as defined below) making the credit facilities available to the Borrowers (as defined below) that the Assignor enters into this Agreement.
 
(C)   The other Secured Parties (as defined below) have appointed the Administrative Agent to act as their security trustee under German law ( Treuhänder ) pursuant to and in accordance with the Security Trust Agreement (as defined below) in relation to the security provided hereunder.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1.   INTERPRETATION
 
1.1   Definitions
 
    In this Agreement:
 
    Additional Domestic Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Domestic Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Foreign Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Additional Foreign Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.

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    Agent means:
  (a)   the Syndication Agent;
 
  (b)   the Documentation Agent; and
 
  (c)   the Administrative Agent.
    Assignment means each and any assignment of a Claim and of any other right and claim to the Administrative Agent for security purposes ( Sicherungsabtretung ) constituted pursuant to this Agreement.
 
    Assignment and Assumption Agreement means the assignment and assumption agreement, accepted by the Administrative Agent whereby a Lender (defined as “assignor” therein) sells and assigns to a person (defined as “assignee” therein) (such assignee becoming a Lender by the purchase and assumption arranged for thereunder), inter alia , any or all of the assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement to the assignee.
 
    Borrower means any Domestic Borrower and any Foreign Borrower.
 
    Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
 
    Claims means all present and future monetary receivables and claims which the Assignor holds or will hold ( Forderungsinhaber ) against any other member of the Group, including any such receivables and claims arising under or in connection with (i) any loan granted by the Assignor to any other member of the Group, or (ii) any promissory note evidencing loans or advances made to any other member of the Group (the Intercompany Receivables ),
 
    including, without limitation,:
  (A)   any right to payment held by the Assignor for goods sold or leased or for services rendered or funds advanced to any other member of the Group, whether or not such right is evidenced by any instrument or chattel paper and whether or not it has been earned by performance;
 
  (B)   claims resulting from any domination agreement ( Beherrschungsvertrag ) or any profit and loss sharing agreement ( Gewinnabführungsvertrag ) (excluding, however, such amount that the Assignor needs to be able to recover the annual loss ( Jahresfehlbetrag );
 
  (C)   all ancillary rights ( Neben-, Hilfs- und Gestaltungsrechte ) pertaining thereto and/or to the respective underlying contractual relationship (other than ancillary relates pertaining to any Intercompany Receivable or its underlying contractual relationship);
 
  (D)   damage claims ( Schadensersatzansprüche ) and claims resulting from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertigte Bereicherung ) and any similar claims under any other applicable law; and
 
  (E)   where the Assignor maintains a genuine or non-genuine current account arrangement ( echtes oder unechtes Kontokorrentverhältnis ) with regard to any of such receivables or claims, all claims which arise from any existing or future current account balances, the right to determine the net balance and the right to terminate the current account relationship.
    To the extent that such Claims are in existence or outstanding at the time this Agreement comes into force, such Claims are referred to as the Existing Claims , and if such Claims will only come into existence in the future they are referred to as the Future Claims .

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    Company means First Solar, Inc., a corporation organised under the laws of Delaware, United States of America, having its business address at 350 West Washington Street, Suite 600, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States of America.
 
    Credit Agreement means the New York law governed credit agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers on one side and, inter alia, the Administrative Agent and the Original Lenders together with each new lender supplement, and assignment and assumption agreement relating thereto and any and each other agreement or instrument amending, modifying, extending, restating or supplementing it from time to time providing for an approximately $300,000,000 facility and an up to $100,000,000 Incremental Facility.
 
    Debtor means each debtor in respect of a Claim and Debtors means all such debtors.
 
    Default means a default as defined under the Credit Agreement.
 
    Documentation Agent means The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
 
    Dollar or $ means the lawful currency of the United States of America.
 
    Domestic Borrower means the Company and any Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Domestic Guarantor means any Original Domestic Guarantor and any Additional Domestic Guarantor.
 
    Event of Default means an event (i) in which the commitments will automatically immediately terminate and the amounts outstanding are immediately due and payable (ii) which would entitle the Administrative Agent to, inter alia, prematurely terminate all or part of the total commitments under the Credit Agreement and/or to declare that all or part of the amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement are immediately due and payable or payable on demand provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both has been satisfied.
 
    Foreign Borrower means any Original Foreign Borrower and any Additional Foreign Borrower.
 
    Foreign Guarantor means any Original Foreign Guarantor and any Additional Foreign Guarantor.
 
    German Borrower means First Solar Manufacturing GmbH and any other person or entity that is organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement.
 
    German Guarantor means First Solar GmbH and First Solar Holdings GmbH and any other person or entity that is organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany which is required to provide for a guarantee in connection with the Loan Documents after the date of the Credit Agreement.
 
    Group means the Company and its Subsidiaries from time to time.
 
    Guarantee and Collateral Agreement means the guarantee and collateral agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement made between, inter alia , First Solar, Inc. and certain of its Subsidiaries in favour of the Administrative Agent which will be attached as “Exhibit A” to the Credit Agreement.
 
    Guarantor means any Domestic Guarantor and any Foreign Guarantor.

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    Incremental Facility means any additional revolving loan provided either
  (i)   by a person that already is a lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “increasing lender” therein) after having accepted an increase of its revolving commitment; or
 
  (ii)   by an assuming lender becoming a new lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “assuming lender” therein) after having signed a New Lender Supplement,
    provided that the aggregate amount of the aggregate revolving loans will in no event exceed $400,000,000.
 
    Issuing Lender means the Original Issuing Lender and any other lender that has agreed in its sole discretion to issue a letter of credit to any Borrower or any other borrowing Subsidiary in connection with the Credit Agreement.
 
    Lender means an Original Lender and any person which becomes a lender under the Credit Agreement, including without limitation as a assuming lender of an Incremental Facility, after the date of this Agreement, unless, in each case, such person has ceased to be a lender under the Credit Agreement.
 
    Letter of Credit means any letter of credit issued or to be issued under the Credit Agreement, as such letter of credit may be amended, modified, restated, extended, renewed, increased, replaced or supplemented from time to time.
 
    Loan Document means
  (a)   the Credit Agreement;
 
  (b)   each Security Document;
 
  (c)   any Note; and
 
  (d)   any other document designated as such by the Administrative Agent and the Company.
    New Lender Supplement means a supplement to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which an assuming lender will become a party to the Credit Agreement with a revolving commitment in an amount agreed by such assuming lender.
 
    Note means any promissory note evidencing loans in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, that may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.
 
    Obligor means a Borrower and/or a Guarantor.
 
    Original Domestic Guarantors means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Guarantors”.
 
    Original Foreign Borrower means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Borrowers”.
 
    Original Foreign Guarantor means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Guarantors”.
 
    Original Issuing Lender means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

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    Original Lender means each of the financial institutions set out in Schedule 1 hereto in its capacity as original lender to the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers.
 
    Parties means the Assignor and the Administrative Agent.
 
    Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, any governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.
 
    Secured Claims means all present and future rights and claims ( Ansprüche ) (whether actual or contingent and whether owned jointly or severally or in any other capacity whatsoever) (including claims from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertige Bereicherung ) and tort ( Delikt )) of any of the Secured Parties against any German Borrower and any German Guarantor under or in connection with the Loan Documents (or any of them) or any Letter of Credit, each as amended, varied, supplemented or novated from time to time, including without limitation, any increase of principal or interest, in each case together with all interest, costs, charges and expenses incurred by any Secured Party in connection with the protection and preservation or enforcement of its respective rights under the Loan Documents or any Letter of Credit.
 
    Secured Party means an Agent, the Lenders and any affiliate of any Lender to which any obligations under any Loan Document or under any Specified Swap Agreements are owed by any member of the Group, any Issuing Lender and any Swap Counterparty
 
    Security means any and all collateral granted with a view to securing the Secured Claims.
 
    Security Trust Agreement means the security trust agreement dated on or about the date hereof between, amongst others, the Administrative Agent and the Original Lenders pursuant to which the Administrative Agent has been granted certain rights and has assumed certain obligations in relation to certain Security Documents governed by German law.
 
    Security Document means
  (a)   the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; and
 
  (b)   any other document evidencing or creating collateral over any asset of an Obligor to secure any obligation of an Obligor to a Secured Party under or in connection with, inter alia , the Credit Agreement.
    Specified Swap Agreement means any Swap Agreement entered into by the Company or any Guarantor and any lender or any affiliate of a lender in connection with any Loan Document.
 
    Subsidiary means as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. And unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.
 
    Swap Agreement means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing

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    indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; except for any phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
 
    Swap Counterparty means any person or entity providing a Specified Swap Agreement.
 
    Syndication Agent means Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch.
 
1.2   Where the context so admits, the singular includes the plural and vice versa.
 
1.3   The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement.
 
1.4   Any reference in this Agreement to a defined document is a reference to that defined document as amended, varied, supplemented or novated from time to time.
 
1.5   Any reference to a Party or other person (including any Obligor and any Secured Party) includes its respective successor(s) in law (including any universal successor ( Gesamtrechtsnachfolger ) of that person by way of merger ( Verschmelzung ), any other reorganisation contemplated in the German Transformation Act ( Umwandlungsgesetz ) or otherwise) and any assign(s) and transferee(s) of that person and, to the extent legally possible, any legal provision to the contrary is waived.
 
1.6   Unless otherwise defined herein or unless the context otherwise requires, terms defined or referred to in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meaning when used herein.
 
2.   ASSIGNMENT
 
2.1   The Assignor hereby assigns for security purposes ( Sicherungsabtretung ) all of the Claims to the Administrative Agent.
 
2.2   The Existing Claims shall pass over to the Administrative Agent upon execution of this Agreement, and any Future Claims shall pass over to the Administrative Agent on the date such Future Claims arise.
 
2.3   The Assignor hereby assigns and transfers all rights and claims in respect any kind of cheques ( Schecks ), bills of exchange ( Wechsel ), notes or commercial papers the Assignor receives for the settlement of any assigned Claim to the Administrative Agent.
 
2.4   The Claims are assigned to the Administrative Agent together with all security interests securing the Claims (or any of them). To the extent that any such security interest is not assigned or transferred to the Administrative Agent as a matter of law, the Assignor hereby assigns or, as applicable, transfers each such security interest to the Administrative Agent.
 
2.5   The Administrative Agent hereby accepts all such assignments and transfers referred to in this Clause 2.
 
3.   PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
 
    The Assignment is constituted in order to secure the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of any and all Secured Claims. The Assignor hereby expressly agrees that the Assignment shall also secure any future extension or increase of the Secured Claims and the Secured Claims as extended or increased from time to time.

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4.   LIST OF CLAIMS
 
4.1   The Assignor shall provide to the Administrative Agent from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Claims and such other reports in connection therewith as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.
 
4.2   At any time after a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at the Administrative Agent’s request, the Assignor shall provide to the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) an up-to-date list of all outstanding Claims (each such list a List of Claims ).
 
4.3   Unless otherwise agreed between the Parties in writing, each List of Claims shall include the names and addresses of the Debtors as well as the outstanding amounts including the due dates for payment and (if applicable) the invoice date and number. The Assignor shall also
  (a)   specify which Claims are subject to:
  (i)   an assignment pursuant to an extended retention of title ( verlängerter Eigentumsvorbehalt ), and the name of the relevant seller retaining title ( Eigentumsvorbehaltsverkäufer );
 
  (ii)   any prohibition on assignment ( Abtretungsverbot ) or any limitation of assignability (and specify the nature of such prohibition or limitation); and
  (b)   specify if, in relation to which Claims and in which aggregate amounts counterclaims are held, or have been asserted by, any Debtors as well as the legal basis ( Rechtsgrund ) of each such counterclaim.
4.4   The Assignor shall have the right to deliver the Lists of Claims (or the statements, schedules and reports under clause 4.1 and 4.2) on a readable and compatible disk or other electronic data storage medium. The Administrative Agent will contact the Assignor from time to time with a view to agreeing the necessary details.
 
4.5   For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to any and all Claims if for any reason whatsoever any Claims are not or incompletely contained in any List of Claims.
 
5.   DISCLOSURE AND NOTIFICATION
 
5.1   The Assignor shall promptly notify any Debtor of this Agreement by delivering a signed notification letter in the form of Schedule 3 Part 1 to this Agreement via registered mail with return receipt requested ( Einschreiben mit Rückschein ), with a copy to the Administrative Agent, or, as appropriate, by courier (with a delivery confirmation) and use its best efforts to procure that the respective Debtor executes an acknowledgement of notification substantially in the form of Schedule 3 Part 1 to this Agreement addressed to the Administrative Agent.
 
5.2   The Assignor shall promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent copies of the aforementioned notification letters and the return receipts ( Rückschein ) or, if sent by courier, confirmation of delivery and if received by the Assignor, upon receipt, copies of the acknowledgements by the Debtors.

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5.3   Clauses 5.1 and 5.2 shall not apply to those Debtors that acknowledge receipt of the notification letter by signing the notification letter in the form of Schedule 3 Part 1, as long as the signed acknowledgement is send to the Administration Agent via pdf on or about the day this Agreement is signed.
 
6.   ASSIGNMENT OF CLAIMS AGAINST CONDITIONAL VENDORS
 
6.1   If a Claim is subject to an assignment pursuant to an extended retention of title ( verlängerter Eigentumsvorbehalt ) arrangement with any supplier of the Assignor, the Assignment of such Claim to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement shall only become effective upon the extinction of such extended retention of title. As long as the supplier is only partly entitled to a Claim, the assignment of such Claim to the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be limited to the part of the Claim to which the Assignor is entitled. The other part of such Claim will be transferred to the Administrative Agent at such time as that part is no longer affected by any extended retention of title.
 
6.2   The Assignor hereby assigns to the Administrative Agent its right to reassignment of the Claims assigned to a supplier by reason of an extended retention of title ( verlängerter Eigentumsvorbehalt ) as well as any contingent claims to the transfer of all proceeds paid out to the supplier, together with all rights pertaining thereto. The same applies to any possible inchoate right ( Anwartschaftsrecht ) with respect to the assignment of any Claims which are subject to a dissolving condition ( auflösende Bedingung ). The Administrative Agent hereby accepts each such assignment.
 
6.3   The Administrative Agent is entitled (but not obliged) to extinguish the extended retention of title ( verlängerter Eigentumsvorbehalt ) by itself satisfying the supplier.
 
7.   THE ASSIGNOR’S RIGHTS
 
    The Assignor shall be entitled to collect (including enforce) and exercise the Claims and any ancillary rights and claims assigned or otherwise transferred to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement in its ordinary course of business or otherwise in line with past practice until the Administrative Agent gives notice to the contrary which the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to do upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (so long as such Event of Default is continuing).
 
8.   BOOK-KEEPING AND DATA-PROCESSING
 
    The following rights may only be exercised in line with the Credit Agreement:
 
8.1   If the Assignor employs a third party for its bookkeeping and/or data-processing, the Assignor hereby authorises the Administrative Agent to obtain the statements and schedules provided according to Clause 4.1 and the Lists of Claims provided according to Clause 4.2 directly from such third party at the Assignors expense.
 
8.2   If proof or documents necessary to assert the Claims have been handed over by the Assignor to a third party (in particular a bookkeeping firm or a tax consultant) the Assignor hereby assigns to the Administrative Agent its right to demand from such third party the return of the information and documents. The Administrative Agent hereby accepts such assignment. The Assignor hereby undertakes to instruct the third party to provide the Administrative Agent upon its demand with such information and documents which are necessary to assert the relevant Claims.
 
8.3   If the relevant Claims have been stored in an electronic data-processing system and a third party handles the electronic processing of data, the Assignor hereby assigns to the Administrative Agent all rights against such third party relating to these services, and instructs such third party to handle

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    the processing of data for the Administrative Agent upon its instructions as it did for the relevant Assignor. The Administrative Agent hereby accepts such assignment.
 
8.4   The Assignment in Clauses 8.2 or 8.3 shall not hinder the Assignor to demand the information and documents or data from third party handling these information, documents or data and the Assignor is hereby authorised to exercise all rights assigned to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Clause 8.2 and/or clause 8.3.
 
9.   ENFORCEMENT AND COLLECTION
 
9.1   The Administrative Agent’s rights
  (a)   The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to realise any and all of the Claims (together with any and all other rights and claims transferred or assigned to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement) at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default so long as such Event of Default is continuing if, in addition, any Foreign Borrower or Foreign Guarantor has failed to meet all or part of its payment obligations in respect of any of the Secured Claims.
 
  (b)   The Administrative Agent shall notify the Assignor of its intention to realise the Claims by giving 1 (one) week’s prior written notice to the Assignor. Such notice period is not necessary if (i) the Assignor has generally ceased to make payments, (ii) an application for the commencement of insolvency proceedings over the assets of the Assignor is filed (and not withdrawn) by the Assignor or by any third person and, in the latter case, it is not without delay established to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent that the application is obviously frivolous or (iii) the observance of such notice period can reasonably be expected to adversely affect the enforceability of the security interests constituted pursuant to this Agreement (or any of them).
 
  (c)   Upon becoming entitled to enforce, pursuant to this Clause 9.1, the security interests constituted pursuant to this Agreement, the Administrative Agent may (i) collect, or arrange for the collection of, the Claims (or any of them) in its own name or for its own account, and/or (ii) exercise any and all rights and claims transferred or assigned to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement to the extent necessary to satisfy any outstanding Secured Claim. If no Event of Default is outstanding, the Administrative Agent’s right to collect the Claims shall cease and the Administrative Agent shall pay over to the Assignor all moneys received in connection with such collection and retained by it save to the extent any such moneys have been applied in payment of any of the Secured Claims.
 
  (d)   If and to the extent the Administrative Agent collects any Claims pursuant to this Clause 9.1, it may take all measures and enter into all agreements with such Debtors which it considers to be expedient.
 
  (e)   If and to the extent the Administrative Agent is entitled to collect the Claims pursuant to this Clause 9.1, he may request that copies of all documents relating to the Claims be handed over to the Administrative Agent and the Assignor hereby agrees to comply promptly with any such request. If no Event of Default is outstanding, the Administrative Agent’s shall return such copies received.
 
  (f)   The Administrative Agent may determine which part of the Security, if applicable, shall be used to satisfy the Secured Claims.

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9.2   Application of proceeds
  (a)   The proceeds resulting from the enforcement of the security interests constituted pursuant to this Agreement shall be applied by the Administrative Agent towards payment of the Secured Claims in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Credit Agreement.
 
  (b)   After the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims any remaining proceeds resulting from the enforcement of the security interests constituted pursuant to this Agreement shall be transferred to the Assignor at the cost and expense of the Assignor.
10.   MAINTENANCE OF LIABLE CAPITAL
 
    For the purpose of this Clause 10 (Maintenance of Liable Capital):
 
    Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment means in relation to a German Assignor any security interest granted under this Agreement directly or indirectly securing the obligations or liabilities of any member of the Relevant Group that is not a direct or indirect Relevant Subsidiary of such German Assignor.
 
    Relevant Group refers to a German Assignor and any affiliated company ( verbundenes Unternehmen ) of such German Assignor within the meaning of §§ 15 et. seq. of the German Stock Corporation Act ( Aktiengesetz ).
 
    Relevant Subsidiary means an entity of which a person owns directly or indirectly more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting capital or similar right of ownership
 
10.1   The Administrative Agent agrees not to enforce the Assignment granted under this Agreement against any Assignor incorporated in Germany (each, a German Assignor ) irrespective of whether the relevant German Assignor is at the time of enforcement incorporated as
    a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) (a German GmbH Assignor ), or
 
    a limited partnership ( Kommanditgesellschaft ) of which the general partner ( Komplementär ) is a limited liability company (a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor ),
    if and to the extent the Assignment granted under this Agreement is an Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment in relation to such German Assignor, and (ii) if and to the extent the enforcement of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment would cause or constitute
  (a)   the German GmbH Assignor’s, or in the case of the German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor its general partner’s, net assets (the calculation of which shall take into account the captions reflected in § 266 (2) A, B and C of the German Commercial Code ( Handelsgesetzbuch )) less the German GmbH Assignor’s, or in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assingor its general partner’s, liabilities, provisions and liability reserves (the calculation of which shall take into account the captions reflected in § 266 (3) B, C and D of the German Commercial Code) (the Net Assets ) to be less than the registered share capital ( Stammkapital ) of the German GmbH Assignor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor of the registered share capital of its general partner ( Begründung einer Unterbilanz ); or
 
  (b)   an increase of a shortfall, if the Net Assets of the German GmbH Assingor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor, of its general partner, already fall short of the amount of the registered share capital ( Vertiefung einer Unterbilanz ); and/or

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  (c)   a payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ).
10.2   For the purposes of the calculation of the Net Assets in Clause 10.1 above the following items shall be adjusted as follows:
  (a)   the amount of an increase in the registered share capital of the German GmbH Assignor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor of its general partner,
  (i)   that has been effected out of retained earnings ( Kapitalerhöhung aus Gesellschaftsmitteln ) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent after the date of the Credit Agreement; or
 
  (ii)   any amount of an increase in the registered share capital if and to the extent that it has not been fully paid in,
      shall be deducted from the registered share capital;
 
  (b)   any loans and other contractual liabilities incurred by the German GmbH Assignor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner in violation of the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement shall be disregarded as liabilities;
 
      and
 
  (c)   the Net Assets shall take into account reasonable costs of the Auditor’s Determination (as defined below), either as a reduction of assets or an increase of liabilities.
10.3   Any German Assignor, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor its general partner, shall realise, to the extent legally permitted and commercially justifiable, in a situation where after enforcement of the Assignment the German GmbH Assignor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor its general partner, would not have Net Assets in excess of its respective registered share capital, any and all of its assets, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor its general partner’s assets, that are shown in the respective balance sheet with a book value ( Buchwert ) that is significantly lower than the market value of the asset if such asset is not necessary for the relevant German Assignor’s, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor its general partner’s, business ( betriebsnotwendig ).
 
10.4   Subject to Clause 10.1, after the receipt of a written demand by the Administrative Agent to make a payment under any Assignment granted under this Agreement (the Enforcement Notice ), a copy of the relevant determination shall be drawn up in good faith (applying the due care of an ordinary businessman ( Sorgfalt eines ordentlichen Geschäftsmannes )) and made available to the Administrative Agent by the relevant German Assignor (the Management Determination ) within 10 (ten) Business Days of the German Assignor’s receipt of the Enforcement Notice stating
  (a)   if and to what extent the Assignment granted hereunder is an Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment;
 
  (b)   which amount of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment can be enforced without causing the Net Assets of the relevant German Assignor, or, where the Assignor is a German GmbH & Co KG Assignor, its general partner, to fall (or to fall further) below its respective registered share capital (taking into account the adjustments set out in Clauses 10.2 above and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 10.3 above), and

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  (c)   which amount of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment can be enforced without constituting a payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ),
    (such amount calculated according to (b) — (c), the Recovery Amount ). Subject to Clause 10.6 below, the Administrative Agent shall only be entitled to enforce the amount of any Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment up to the Recovery Amount.
 
10.5   Following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Management Determination, the relevant German Assignor shall provide within 15 (fifteen) Business Days a determination by auditors of international standing and reputation appointed by the relevant German Assignor or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner (the Auditor’s Determination ) of (i) the Recovery Amount (such determination to take into account the adjustments set out in Clauses 10.2 and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 10.3 above) and (ii) an estimate of the liabilities, damages, costs, fees and expenses reasonably expected to result from a liquidation of the relevant German Assignor, and such German Assignor shall, not later than 10 (ten) Business Days after receipt by it of such Auditor’s Determination, pay to the Administrative Agent the additional amount (if any) by which the Recovery Amount determined in the Auditor’s Determination exceeds the amount (if any) paid to any of the Administrative Agent pursuant to Clause 10.4 above, and the Administrative Agent shall repay any enforcement amount received in excess of the Recovery Amount determined in the Auditor’s Determination (if any) to the respective German Assignor or, in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor, its general partner.
 
10.6   If (i) the Administrative Agent disagrees with the Auditor’s Determination or (ii) the relevant German Assignor (or in the case of a German GmbH & Co KG Assignor, its general partner) fails to deliver an Management Determination within 10 (ten) Business Days of the German Assignor’s receipt of the Enforcement Notice or (iii) an Auditor’s Determination within 15 (fifteen) Business Days following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Management Determination, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to further pursue in court its payment claims under this Assignment granted by the respective German Assignor in excess of the amounts paid or payable pursuant to Clauses 10.4 and 10.5 above, by claiming in court that demanding payment under the German Assignment against the relevant German Assignor does not violate §§ 30, 31 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act and would not constituting a payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ) (taking into account the calculation of the Net Assets as set out in Clause 10.1 and the adjustments as set out in Clause 10.2 and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 10.3 above). Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, no German Assignor shall be obliged to pay any such amount on demand.
 
10.7   The limitations set out in Clause 10.1 (a) and (b) and in Clause 10.4 (b) shall not apply if and to the extent the Assignment by the relevant German Assignor secures any amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement which are lent or on-lent to such German Assignor or any of its direct or indirect owned Relevant Subsidiaries from time to time and have not been repaid.
 
10.8   The limitations provided for in Clause 10.1 (a) and (b) and in Clause 10.4 (b) shall not apply so long as:
  (a)   the affected German Assignor (or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner) is a party to a profit and loss sharing agreement ( Gewinnabführungsvertrag ) and/or a domination agreement ( Beherrschungsvertrag ) where such German Assignor (or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner) is the dominated entity ( beherrschtes Unternehmen ) and/or the entity being obliged to share its profits with the other party of such profit and loss

12


 

      sharing agreement; it being understood that in such case the Administrative Agent shall only be entitled to enforce the amount of any Up-Stream German Assignment and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment if and to the extent that it may reasonably be expected (applying the due care of an ordinary businessman ( Sorgfalt eines ordentlichen Geschäftsmannes )) that such German Assignor (or, where the Assignor is a German GmbH & Co KG Assignor, its general partner) is able to recover the annual loss ( Jahresfehlbetrag ) which the dominating entity is obliged to pay pursuant to § 302 of the German Stock Corporation Act ( Aktiengesetz ). For the purpose of the determination of the amount to be recovered under this Clause 10.8, the provisions set forth under Clauses 10.4, 10.5 and 10.6 above shall apply mutatis mutandis ; and/or
 
  (b)   the relevant German Assignor’s Assignment granted under this Agreement being covered by a valuable consideration or recourse claim ( vollwertiger Gegenleistungs- oder Rückgewähranspruch ) within the meaning of § 30 (1) Sentence 2 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act; and/or
 
  (c)   the relevant German Assignor’s payment under this Assignment discharges a shareholder loan or a claim of similar effect within the meaning of § 30 (1) Sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act.
10.9   For the avoidance of doubt, any balance sheet to be prepared for the determination of the Net Assets shall be prepared in accordance with relevant accounting principles.
 
10.10   Nothing in this Clause 10 (Maintenance of Liable Capital) shall be interpreted as a restriction or limitation of the enforcement of the Assignment granted under this Agreement if and to the extent the Assignment granted under this Agreement secures own obligations of the relevant German Assignor or obligations of any of its direct or indirect Relevant Subsidiaries.
 
11.   NO RECOURSE
 
    The Parties hereby agree that until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims no rights and claims shall pass to or otherwise arise for the benefit of the Assignor by subrogation ( gesetzlicher Übergang von Forderungen und Rechten ) or otherwise, including any recourse claims, indemnification claims, claims arising from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertigte Bereicherung ) and any right to demand the assignment and/or transfer of any Secured Claim and/or Security, against any Obligor or grantor of Security which it may (but for this Clause 11) acquire as a result of:
  (i)   a payment or repayment by the Assignor of any debt of any other Obligor under any of the Loan Documents; or
 
  (ii)   in case of enforcement of the security constituted pursuant to this Agreement.
    Until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Assignor furthermore undertakes not to exercise ( pactum de non petendo ), and not to purport to exercise, any such rights and claims which may pass to it or otherwise arise for its benefit notwithstanding this Clause 11 or would pass to it or otherwise arise for its benefit but for this Clause 11.
 
    The provisions under this Clause 11 shall not apply with regard to a recourse claim, if the parties agreed to allow such recourse of the Assignor against any of the other Parties thereby taking at all times into account the terms of the Credit Agreement and any other Loan Document.

13


 

12.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
    The Assignor represents and warrants ( selbständiges Garantieversprechen im Sinne von § 311 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) to the Administrative Agent that on the date of this Agreement subject to any liens, third party rights and restrictions permitted to exist under the Credit Agreement:
  (a)   it is validly existing and is neither:
  (i)   unable to pay its debts when they fall due ( zahlungsunfähig ) within the meaning of section 17 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (ii)   in a state of imminent inability to pay its debts when they fall due ( drohende Zahlungsunfähigkeit ) within the meaning of section 18 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (iii)   over-indebted ( überschuldet ) within the meaning of section 19 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (iv)   subject to any insolvency proceedings ( Insolvenzverfahren ) (or other or similar proceedings under the laws of any other applicable jurisdiction) or any refusal of opening insolvency proceedings for insufficiency of assets ( Abweisung mangels Masse ) (within the meaning of section 26 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ));
  (b)   it is the sole legal, record and beneficial owner ( Forderungs- bzw. Rechtsinhaber ) of the Existing Claims and the other rights and claims transferred or assigned (or to be transferred or assigned) pursuant to this Agreement;
 
  (c)   it has the right to freely dispose ( verfügen ) of the Existing Claims and the other rights and claims transferred or assigned (or to be transferred or assigned) pursuant to this Agreement and is not subject to any restrictions on assignment and such disposition does not violate the rights of any third person, any contractual undertaking of the Assignor to a third person or any regulatory orders;
 
  (d)   the Claims are not in any way encumbered nor subject to any rights of third persons; and
 
  (e)   no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings, which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect, are presently in progress, pending or threatened which restrain, or threaten to restrain, the Assignor in respect of the entry into, the performance of or compliance with any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.
13.   UNDERTAKINGS
 
    The Assignor undertakes:
  (a)   if any amount in excess of US$100,000 payable or security transferrable under or in connection with this Agreement shall be or become evidenced by any authorisation, approval, licence and consent such authorisation, approval, licence and consent shall be promptly delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly indorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
 
  (b)   other than in case of Claims which are not governed by German law, to maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest and to defend such security

14


 

      interest against the claims and demands of all persons whomsoever subject to the rights of the Assignor under the Credit Agreement to dispose of the Claims;
 
  (c)   other than in case of Claims which are not governed by German law, at any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent and at the sole expense of such Assignor, to promptly ( unverzüglich ) and duly execute and deliver, and have recorded such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, including, without limitation, execute one or more collateral agreements (including assignments and releases) to obtain or preserve the security interest created by this Agreement in favour of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties
 
  (d)   to inform the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) of any attachments ( Pfändung ) regarding any and all of the Claims or any other measures which can reasonably be expected to impair or jeopardise the Administrative Agent’s rights relating to the Claims. In the event of an attachment, the Assignor undertakes to forward to the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) a copy of the attachment order ( Pfändungsbeschluss ), the garnishee order ( Überweisungsbeschluss ) and all other documents necessary for a defence against the attachment. The Assignor shall inform the attaching creditor promptly ( unverzüglich ) about the Administrative Agent’s security interests pursuant to this Agreement;
 
  (e)   not to assign (or purport to assign), encumber or sell any of the Claims to any third person without the Administrative Agent’s prior written consent unless already permitted or so authorised pursuant to this Agreement or the Credit Agreement;
 
  (f)   to refrain from any acts or omissions which can reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the security interests constituted thereunder (or any of them); and
 
  (g)   to notify any future Debtor promptly ( unverzüglich ) of this Agreement in accordance with Clause 5 (Disclosure and Notification).
14.   RELEASE AND REASSIGNMENT
 
14.1   Reassignment
 
    After the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Administrative Agent shall, at the cost and expense of the Assignor, reassign to the Assignor the Claims (together with any and all other rights and claims transferred or assigned to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement) and confirm in writing to the Assignor upon the Assignor’s request that the Assignments have ceased to exist. The Administrative Agent will, however, assign any Claims (together with any other right and claim transferred or assigned pursuant to this Agreement pertaining to them) to a third person to the extent that it is obliged to do so.
 
14.2   Release of Security
 
    Even prior to the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Administrative Agent is obliged to release, upon the Assignor’s request, and at the Assignor’s cost and expense, all or part of the Security insofar as the realisable value of the Security exceeds, not only temporarily, the Secured Claims by more than 10 %. The Administrative Agent may, at its discretion, determine which part of the Security shall be released but shall reasonably take into account the legitimate interest of the Assignor.

15


 

14.3   Evaluation
 
    For the purpose of calculating the realisable value of the Claims the following shall be deducted from the nominal value of all Claims:
  (a)   Claims which cannot be assigned, or can be assigned only with the consent of a Debtor who has not consented;
 
  (b)   Claims which can be set off with an existing counterclaim;
 
  (c)   Claims which are subject to defences or objections due to the fact that the underlying services or performances have not been (fully) rendered;
 
  (d)   Claims which have not been assigned to the Administrative Agent by reason of an extended retention of title pursuant to Clause 6 (Assignment of claims against conditional vendors); and
 
  (e)   Claims the assignment of which is not valid due to the governing law and the Debtor’s domicile or principal place of business.
    A further security deduction of 10 per cent. in order to take into account the risk of distress of a Claim shall then be deducted from the nominal value calculated in accordance with this Clause 14.3.
 
14.4   Adjustment
 
    Each of the Parties has the right to demand an adjustment of the security deduction different from that specified above, if the previously agreed security deduction turns out to be too high or too low because of subsequent changes occurring after the date of this Agreement.
 
15.   INDEMNITY
 
15.1   Liability for Damages
 
    The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the Assignor save in respect of such loss or damage which is suffered as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent.
 
15.2   Indemnification
 
    The Assignor shall indemnify and hold the Administrative Agent harmless and keep the Administrative Agent indemnified from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement which may be incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent for anything done or omitted in the exercise or purported exercise of the powers contained in this Agreement provided , that the Pledgor shall have no obligation hereunder to the extent that such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement are incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent.

16


 

    Any reference in this paragraph to the Administrative Agent includes any officer, director, employee, agent, advisor (including any attorney) or other person appointed by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
 
16.   DURATION AND INDEPENDENCE
 
16.1   Duration
 
    This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of the Secured Claims. This Agreement shall not cease to exist if any payments made in satisfaction of the Secured Claims have only temporarily discharged the Secured Claims.
 
16.2   Continuing Security
 
    This Agreement shall create a continuing security and no change or amendment whatsoever in any Loan Document or in any document or agreement related to it shall affect the validity or limit the scope of this Agreement or the obligations which are imposed on the Assignor pursuant to it.
 
    The Assignor hereby agrees that the Security constituted under or pursuant to this Agreement shall not be affected by any transfer of liabilities corresponding to the Secured Claims (or any of them) to, or any assumption of liabilities corresponding to the Secured Claims (or any of them) by, any third person, and hereby expressly consents ( willigt ein ) to any such transfer and/or assumption of liability within the meaning of section 418 para. 1 sentence 3 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) (including when applied by analogy).
 
16.3   Independence
 
    This Agreement and the security interests constituted thereunder are independent from all other security interests or guarantees which may have been or will be given to the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Secured Parties with respect to any obligation of the Obligors (or any of them). None of such other security interests or guarantees shall in any way prejudice, or be prejudiced by, this Agreement or the security interests constituted pursuant to this Agreement.
 
17.   THE SECURITY TRUST AGREEMENT
 
    In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Security Trust Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
 
18.   COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
    The Assignor shall promptly ( unverzüglich ) pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent the amount of any and all costs, charges, fees and expenses (including fees for legal advisers) incurred by it in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement or any waiver in relation thereto, together in each case with any applicable value added tax or other taxes.
 
19.   PARTIAL INVALIDITY; WAIVER
 
19.1   Invalidity
 
    If any provision of this Agreement or part thereof should be or become invalid or unenforceable, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions hereof. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by that provision which best meets the intent of the replaced provision. This shall apply analogously with respect to anything which is accidentally not regulated in this

17


 

    Agreement ( Vertragslücke ). § 139 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) shall be waived hereby.
 
19.2   Waiver
 
    No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent, any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
 
20.   AMENDMENTS
 
    Changes to and amendments of this Agreement, including this Clause 20, must be made in writing.
 
21.   SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS
 
    This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties hereto and, to the extent legally possible, their respective successor(s) in law. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to assign or otherwise transfer (i) any and all of its rights and (ii) (only with regard to any person which becomes a lender or an administrative agent under the Credit Agreement after the date of this Agreement) any and all of its duties pursuant to this Agreement to third parties. The Assignor is entitled to any such transfer with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent only.
 
22.   NOTICES AND THEIR LANGUAGE
 
22.1   Notices
 
    Any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement to the Assignor or the Administrative Agent shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, by post, email or fax and shall be sent to the address, email address or fax number of the party, and for the attention of the individual or department as set forth in Schedule 4 hereto or such other address, email address or fax number as is notified in writing by that party for this purpose to the Administrative Agent or, as the case may be, the Assignor, from time to time.
 
22.2   Language
 
    Unless otherwise required by statutory German law or unless otherwise agreed in writing from time to time, any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement shall be made in the English language or, if in any other language, accompanied by a translation into English. In the event of any conflict between the English text and the text in any other language, the English text shall prevail (unless the document is a statutory or other official document), except that where a German translation of a legal term appears in such text, the German translation shall prevail.
 
23.   APPLICABLE LAW; JURISDICTION
 
23.1   Governing Law
 
    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.

18


 

23.2   Jurisdiction
 
    The place of jurisdiction for all Parties shall be Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany. The Administrative Agent, however, shall also be entitled to take legal action against the Assignor in any other competent court of law having jurisdiction over the Assignor or any of its assets.

19


 

SCHEDULE 1
ORIGINAL LENDERS
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Bank of America, N.A.
Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Goldman Sachs Bank (Europe) Plc
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
HSBC Bank USA, National Association
Royal Bank of Canada
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.

20


 

SCHEDULE 2
ORIGINAL OBLIGORS
PART 1
ORIGINAL BORROWERS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC BORROWER
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN BORROWERS
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH
PART 2
ORIGINAL GUARANTORS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC GUARANTORS
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN GUARANTORS
First Solar Holdings GmbH
First Solar GmbH
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH

21


 

SCHEDULE 3
FORMS
PART 1
FORM OF NOTIFICATION FOR IMMEDIATELY DISCLOSED ASSIGNMENT ( OFFENE ZESSION )
[ Letterhead of the Assignor ]
[ Name and address of debtor ]
     
[ insert date and place ]   [ Datum und Ort einfügen ]
 
   
Dear Sirs,
  Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
 
   
We hereby give you notice that pursuant to a assignment agreement entered into by us in favour of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “ Administrative Agent ”) dated [ insert date of the assignment agreement ], we have assigned to the Administrative Agent by way of security assignment all our present and future claims against you together with all ancillary rights and claims pertaining thereto. We are authorised by the Administrative Agent to collect the assigned claims in our own name and for our own account and to exercise any rights and claims in the ordinary course of trading until and unless you receive a notification from the Administrative Agent or ourselves to the contrary. Please see attached as Annex 1 a copy of the assignment agreement.

Please acknowledge receipt of this notice and your agreement with the terms hereof by countersigning this letter and returning the same to us.
  Wir teilen Ihnen hierdurch mit, dass wir mit Abtretungsvertrag (Zessionsvertrag) vom [ Datum des Abtretungsvertrages einfügen ] sämtliche bestehenden und künftigen Forderungen mit allen dazugehörenden Rechten und Ansprüchen gegen Sie an JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (der “ Sicherheitentreuhänder ”) im Wege der Sicherungsabtretung abgetreten haben. Wir sind vom Sicherheitentreuhänder ermächtigt, alle Zahlungen betreffend die abgetretenen Forderungen im eigenen Namen und für eigene Rechnung einzuziehen und entgegenzunehmen und unsere Rechte im Rahmen des gewöhnlichen Geschäftsbetriebs auszuüben, wenn und soweit sie keine anderslautende Mitteilung des Sicherheitentreuhänders oder durch uns erhalten. Als Anlage 1 erhalten Sie eine Kopie des Abtretungsvertrages.

Bitte bestätigen Sie den Erhalt dieser Benachrichtigung und Ihr Einverständnis mit den hierin enthaltenen Bestimmungen durch Gegenzeichnung dieser Benachrichtigung und Rücksendung an uns.
 
   
Yours faithfully,
  Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
 
   
First Solar Holdings GmbH

By:
 
Name:
  First Solar Holdings GmbH


 
Name:
Title:
  Titel:
 
   
Acknowledgement of the debtor
  Bestätigung des Drittschuldners
We acknowledge receipt of this notification letter and confirm our agreement with the terms thereof.
  Wir bestätigen den Erhalt der Benachrichtigung und erklären unser Einverständnis mit den darin enthaltenen Bestimmungen.

22


 

     
[ insert full name of the debtor ]

By:
 
Name:
Title:
Date:
  [ den vollständigen Namen des Drittschuldners einfügen ]


 
Name:
Titel:
Datum:

23


 

Annex 1 / Anlage 1
Copy of the assignment agreement / Kopie des Sicherungsabtretungsvertrages

24


 

SCHEDULE 4
ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES
     
To the Assignor:
  First Solar Holdings GmbH
 
   
 
  Rheinstr. 4B
55116 Mainz
 
   
 
  Germany
  Attn.:    Anja Lange
David Brady
 
  Fax:     +49(0)6131-1443-500
+1-602-414-9462
 
  Email:     alange@firstsolar.com
dbrady@firstsolar.com
     
To the Administrative Agent:
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
10 South Dearborn, 7 th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
 
   
 
  Attention: Creston Wren
Telecopy: 001 (312) 385-7097
Telephone: 001 (312) 385-7016
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
125 London Wall
London
EC2Y 5AJ
 
   
 
  Attention: Lucy Chick
Telecopy: +44(0)20 7325 6835
Telephone: +44(0)20 7325 6926
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
201 North Central Avenue, Floor
21Phoenix, AZ 85004
 
   
 
  Attention: Mark Chambers
Telecopy: 001 (602) 221-1502
Telephone: 001 (602) 221-2290

25


 

SIGNATORIES
         
The Assignor
First Solar Holdings GmbH
 
 
/s/ David Brady    
Name:   David Brady   
Function: Authorized Officer (Prokurist)   
 
The Administrative Agent
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
 
/s/ Stefan Kuhm    
Name:   Stefan Kuhm   
Function: Attorney-In-Fact   
 

26

Exhibit 10.7
EXECUTION COPY
ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
(
SICHERUNGSABTRETUNG )
4 SEPTEMBER 2009
between
FIRST SOLAR GMBH
as Assignor
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.
as Administrative Agent
(ALLEN & OVERY LOGO)
Allen & Overy LLP

 


 

CONTENTS
             
        Page  
Clause  
 
       
 
 
1.  
Interpretation
    1  
2.  
Assignment
    6  
3.  
Purpose of the Assignment
    6  
4.  
List of claims
    6  
5.  
Disclosure and notification
    7  
6.  
Assignment of claims against conditional vendors
    7  
7.  
The Assignor’s rights
    8  
8.  
Book-keeping and data-processing
    8  
9.  
Enforcement and collection
    9  
10.  
Maintenance of liable capital
    10  
11.  
No recourse
    13  
12.  
Representations and warranties
    13  
13.  
Undertakings
    14  
14.  
Release and reassignment
    15  
15.  
Indemnity
    16  
16.  
Duration and independence
    16  
17.  
The Security Trust Agreement
    17  
18.  
Costs and expenses
    17  
19.  
Partial invalidity; Waiver
    17  
20.  
Amendments
    17  
21.  
Successors, assignments and transfers
    18  
22.  
Notices and their language
    18  
23.  
Applicable law; Jurisdiction
    18  
   
 
       
Schedules        
   
 
       
1.  
Original Lenders
    19  
2.  
Original Obligors
    20  
3.  
Forms
    21  
4.  
Addresses for notices
    24  
   
 
       
Signatories     25  

 


 

THIS ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (the Agreement ) is made on 4 September 2009
BETWEEN :
(1)   FIRST SOLAR GMBH a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Mainz, Germany, under registration number HRB 8855 as assignor
 
    (the Assignor ); and
 
(2)   JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , a banking association organised under the laws of the United States with its main office at 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240, U.S.A. acting through its London Branch, at 125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AJ as assignee and administrative agent and trustee for the other Secured Parties (as defined below)
 
    (the Administrative Agent ).
WHEREAS :
(A)   The Original Lenders (as defined below) have agreed to make available to the Borrowers (as defined below) certain revolving credit facilities and certain letters of credit on the terms of and subject to the Credit Agreement (as defined below).
 
(B)   It is a condition to the Original Lenders (as defined below) making the credit facilities available to the Borrowers (as defined below) that the Assignor enters into this Agreement.
 
(C)   The other Secured Parties (as defined below) have appointed the Administrative Agent to act as their security trustee under German law ( Treuhänder ) pursuant to and in accordance with the Security Trust Agreement (as defined below) in relation to the security provided hereunder.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1.   INTERPRETATION
 
1.1   Definitions
 
    In this Agreement:
 
    Additional Domestic Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Domestic Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Foreign Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Additional Foreign Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.

1


 

Agent means:
  (a)   the Syndication Agent;
 
  (b)   the Documentation Agent; and
 
  (c)   the Administrative Agent.
Assignment means each and any assignment of a Claim and of any other right and claim to the Administrative Agent for security purposes ( Sicherungsabtretung ) constituted pursuant to this Agreement.
Assignment and Assumption Agreement means the assignment and assumption agreement, accepted by the Administrative Agent whereby a Lender (defined as “assignor” therein) sells and assigns to a person (defined as “assignee” therein) (such assignee becoming a Lender by the purchase and assumption arranged for thereunder), inter alia , any or all of the assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement to the assignee.
Borrower means any Domestic Borrower and any Foreign Borrower.
Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Claims means all present and future monetary receivables and claims which the Assignor holds or will hold ( Forderungsinhaber ) against any other member of the Group, including any such receivables and claims arising under or in connection with (i) any loan granted by the Assignor to any other member of the Group, or (ii) any promissory note evidencing loans or advances made to any other member of the Group (the Intercompany Receivables ),
including, without limitation,:
  (A)   any right to payment held by the Assignor for goods sold or leased or for services rendered or funds advanced to any other member of the Group, whether or not such right is evidenced by any instrument or chattel paper and whether or not it has been earned by performance;
 
  (B)   all ancillary rights ( Neben-, Hilfs- und Gestaltungsrechte ) pertaining thereto and/or to the respective underlying contractual relationship (other than ancillary relates pertaining to any Intercompany Receivable or its underlying contractual relationship);
 
  (C)   damage claims ( Schadensersatzansprüche ) and claims resulting from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertigte Bereicherung ) and any similar claims under any other applicable law; and
 
  (D)   where the Assignor maintains a genuine or non-genuine current account arrangement ( echtes oder unechtes Kontokorrentverhältnis ) with regard to any of such receivables or claims, all claims which arise from any existing or future current account balances, the right to determine the net balance and the right to terminate the current account relationship.
To the extent that such Claims are in existence or outstanding at the time this Agreement comes into force, such Claims are referred to as the Existing Claims , and if such Claims will only come into existence in the future they are referred to as the Future Claims .
Company means First Solar, Inc., a corporation organised under the laws of Delaware, United States of America, having its business address at 350 West Washington Street, Suite 600, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States of America.

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Credit Agreement means the New York law governed credit agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers on one side and, inter alia, the Administrative Agent and the Original Lenders together with each new lender supplement, and assignment and assumption agreement relating thereto and any and each other agreement or instrument amending, modifying, extending, restating or supplementing it from time to time providing for an approximately $300,000,000 facility and an up to $100,000,000 Incremental Facility.
Debtor means each debtor in respect of a Claim and Debtors means all such debtors.
Default means a default as defined under the Credit Agreement.
Documentation Agent means The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
Dollar or $ means the lawful currency of the United States of America.
Domestic Borrower means the Company and any Additional Domestic Borrower.
Domestic Guarantor means any Original Domestic Guarantor and any Additional Domestic Guarantor.
Event of Default means an event (i) in which the commitments will automatically immediately terminate and the amounts outstanding are immediately due and payable (ii) which would entitle the Administrative Agent to, inter alia, prematurely terminate all or part of the total commitments under the Credit Agreement and/or to declare that all or part of the amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement are immediately due and payable or payable on demand provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both has been satisfied.
Foreign Borrower means any Original Foreign Borrower and any Additional Foreign Borrower.
Foreign Guarantor means any Original Foreign Guarantor and any Additional Foreign Guarantor.
German Borrower means First Solar Manufacturing GmbH and any other person or entity that is organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement.
German Guarantor means First Solar GmbH and First Solar Holdings GmbH and any other person or entity that is organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany which is required to provide for a guarantee in connection with the Loan Documents after the date of the Credit Agreement.
Group means the Company and its Subsidiaries from time to time.
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement means the guarantee and collateral agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement made between, inter alia , First Solar, Inc. in favour of the Administrative Agent which will be attached as “Exhibit A” to the Credit Agreement.
Guarantor means any Domestic Guarantor and any Foreign Guarantor.
Incremental Facility means any additional revolving loan provided either
  (i)   by a person that already is a lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “increasing lender” therein) after having accepted an increase of its revolving commitment; or

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  (ii)   by an assuming lender becoming a new lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “assuming lender” therein) after having signed a New Lender Supplement,
provided that the aggregate amount of the aggregate revolving loans will in no event exceed $400,000,000.
Issuing Lender means the Original Issuing Lender and any other lender that has agreed in its sole discretion to issue a letter of credit to any Borrower or any other borrowing Subsidiary in connection with the Credit Agreement.
Lender means an Original Lender and any person which becomes a lender under the Credit Agreement, including without limitation as a assuming lender of an Incremental Facility, after the date of this Agreement, unless, in each case, such person has ceased to be a lender under the Credit Agreement.
Letter of Credit means any letter of credit issued or to be issued under the Credit Agreement, as such letter of credit may be amended, modified, restated, extended, renewed, increased, replaced or supplemented from time to time.
Loan Document means
(a) the Credit Agreement;
(b) each Security Document;
(c) any Note; and
(d) any other document designated as such by the Administrative Agent and the Company.
New Lender Supplement means a supplement to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which an assuming lender will become a party to the Credit Agreement with a revolving commitment in an amount agreed by such assuming lender.
Note means any promissory note evidencing loans in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, that may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.
Obligor means a Borrower and/or a Guarantor.
Original Domestic Guarantors means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Guarantors”.
Original Foreign Borrower means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Borrowers”.
Original Foreign Guarantor means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Guarantors”.
Original Issuing Lender means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Original Lender means each of the financial institutions set out in Schedule 1 hereto in its capacity as original lender to the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers.
Parties means the Assignor and the Administrative Agent.

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Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, any governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.
Secured Claims means all present and future rights and claims ( Ansprüche ) (whether actual or contingent and whether owned jointly or severally or in any other capacity whatsoever) (including claims from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertige Bereicherung ) and tort ( Delikt )) of any of the Secured Parties against any German Borrower and any German Guarantor under or in connection with the Loan Documents (or any of them) or any Letter of Credit, each as amended, varied, supplemented or novated from time to time, including without limitation, any increase of principal or interest, in each case together with all interest, costs, charges and expenses incurred by any Secured Party in connection with the protection and preservation or enforcement of its respective rights under the Loan Documents or any Letter of Credit.
Secured Party means an Agent, the Lenders and any affiliate of any Lender to which any obligations under any Loan Document or under any Specified Swap Agreements are owed by any member of the Group, any Issuing Lender and any Swap Counterparty
Security means any and all collateral granted with a view to securing the Secured Claims.
Security Trust Agreement means the security trust agreement dated on or about the date hereof between, amongst others, the Administrative Agent and the Original Lenders pursuant to which the Administrative Agent has been granted certain rights and has assumed certain obligations in relation to certain Security Documents governed by German law.
Security Document means
  (a)   the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; and
 
  (b)   any other document evidencing or creating collateral over any asset of an Obligor to secure any obligation of an Obligor to a Secured Party under or in connection with, inter alia , the Credit Agreement.
Specified Swap Agreement means any Swap Agreement entered into by the Company or any Guarantor and any lender or any affiliate of a lender in connection with any Loan Document.
Subsidiary means as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. And unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.

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Swap Agreement means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; except for any phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Swap Counterparty means any person or entity providing a Specified Swap Agreement.
Syndication Agent means Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch.
1.2   Where the context so admits, the singular includes the plural and vice versa.
 
1.3   The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement.
 
1.4   Any reference in this Agreement to a defined document is a reference to that defined document as amended, varied, supplemented or novated from time to time.
 
1.5   Any reference to a Party or other person (including any Obligor and any Secured Party) includes its respective successor(s) in law (including any universal successor ( Gesamtrechtsnachfolger ) of that person by way of merger ( Verschmelzung ), any other reorganisation contemplated in the German Transformation Act ( Umwandlungsgesetz ) or otherwise) and any assign(s) and transferee(s) of that person and, to the extent legally possible, any legal provision to the contrary is waived.
 
1.6   Unless otherwise defined herein or unless the context otherwise requires, terms defined or referred to in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meaning when used herein.
 
2.   ASSIGNMENT
 
2.1   The Assignor hereby assigns for security purposes ( Sicherungsabtretung ) all of the Claims to the Administrative Agent.
 
2.2   The Existing Claims shall pass over to the Administrative Agent upon execution of this Agreement, and any Future Claims shall pass over to the Administrative Agent on the date such Future Claims arise.
 
2.3   The Assignor hereby assigns and transfers all rights and claims in respect any kind of cheques ( Schecks ), bills of exchange ( Wechsel ), notes or commercial papers the Assignor receives for the settlement of any assigned Claim to the Administrative Agent.
 
2.4   The Claims are assigned to the Administrative Agent together with all security interests securing the Claims (or any of them). To the extent that any such security interest is not assigned or transferred to the Administrative Agent as a matter of law, the Assignor hereby assigns or, as applicable, transfers each such security interest to the Administrative Agent.
 
2.5   The Administrative Agent hereby accepts all such assignments and transfers referred to in this Clause 2.
 
3.   PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The Assignment is constituted in order to secure the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of any and all Secured Claims. The Assignor hereby expressly agrees that the Assignment shall also

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secure any future extension or increase of the Secured Claims and the Secured Claims as extended or increased from time to time.
4.   LIST OF CLAIMS
 
4.1   The Assignor shall provide to the Administrative Agent from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Claims and such other reports in connection therewith as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.
 
4.2   At any time after a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at the Administrative Agent’s request, the Assignor shall provide to the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) an up-to-date list of all outstanding Claims (each such list a List of Claims ).
 
4.3   Unless otherwise agreed between the Parties in writing, each List of Claims shall include the names and addresses of the Debtors as well as the outstanding amounts including the due dates for payment and (if applicable) the invoice date and number. The Assignor shall also
  (a)   specify which Claims are subject to:
  (i)   an assignment pursuant to an extended retention of title ( verlängerter Eigentumsvorbehalt ), and the name of the relevant seller retaining title ( Eigentumsvorbehaltsverkäufer );
 
  (ii)   any prohibition on assignment ( Abtretungsverbot ) or any limitation of assignability (and specify the nature of such prohibition or limitation); and
  (b)   specify if, in relation to which Claims and in which aggregate amounts counterclaims are held, or have been asserted by, any Debtors as well as the legal basis ( Rechtsgrund ) of each such counterclaim.
4.4   The Assignor shall have the right to deliver the Lists of Claims (or the statements, schedules and reports under clause 4.1 and 4.2) on a readable and compatible disk or other electronic data storage medium. The Administrative Agent will contact the Assignor from time to time with a view to agreeing the necessary details.
 
4.5   For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to any and all Claims if for any reason whatsoever any Claims are not or incompletely contained in any List of Claims.
 
5.   DISCLOSURE AND NOTIFICATION
 
5.1   The Assignor shall promptly notify any Debtor of this Agreement by delivering a signed notification letter in the form of Schedule 3 Part 1 to this Agreement via registered mail with return receipt requested ( Einschreiben mit Rückschein ), with a copy to the Administrative Agent, or, as appropriate, by courier (with a delivery confirmation) and use its best efforts to procure that the respective Debtor executes an acknowledgement of notification substantially in the form of Schedule 3 Part 1 to this Agreement addressed to the Administrative Agent.
 
5.2   The Assignor shall promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent copies of the aforementioned notification letters and the return receipts ( Rückschein ) or, if sent by courier, confirmation of delivery and if received by the Assignor, upon receipt, copies of the acknowledgements by the Debtors.

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5.3   Clauses 5.1 and 5.2 shall not apply to those Debtors that acknowledge receipt of the notification letter by signing the notification letter in the form of Schedule 3 Part 1, as long as the signed acknowledgement is send to the Administration Agent via pdf on or about the day this Agreement is signed.
 
6.   ASSIGNMENT OF CLAIMS AGAINST CONDITIONAL VENDORS
 
6.1   If a Claim is subject to an assignment pursuant to an extended retention of title ( verlängerter Eigentumsvorbehalt ) arrangement with any supplier of the Assignor, the Assignment of such Claim to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement shall only become effective upon the extinction of such extended retention of title. As long as the supplier is only partly entitled to a Claim, the assignment of such Claim to the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be limited to the part of the Claim to which the Assignor is entitled. The other part of such Claim will be transferred to the Administrative Agent at such time as that part is no longer affected by any extended retention of title.
 
6.2   The Assignor hereby assigns to the Administrative Agent its right to reassignment of the Claims assigned to a supplier by reason of an extended retention of title ( verlängerter Eigentumsvorbehalt ) as well as any contingent claims to the transfer of all proceeds paid out to the supplier, together with all rights pertaining thereto. The same applies to any possible inchoate right ( Anwartschaftsrecht ) with respect to the assignment of any Claims which are subject to a dissolving condition ( auflösende Bedingung ). The Administrative Agent hereby accepts each such assignment.
 
6.3   The Administrative Agent is entitled (but not obliged) to extinguish the extended retention of title ( verlängerter Eigentumsvorbehalt ) by itself satisfying the supplier.
 
7.   THE ASSIGNOR’S RIGHTS
 
    The Assignor shall be entitled to collect (including enforce) and exercise the Claims and any ancillary rights and claims assigned or otherwise transferred to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement in its ordinary course of business or otherwise in line with past practice until the Administrative Agent gives notice to the contrary which the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to do upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (so long as such Event of Default is continuing).
 
8.   BOOK-KEEPING AND DATA-PROCESSING
 
    The following rights may only be exercised in line with the Credit Agreement:
 
8.1   If the Assignor employs a third party for its bookkeeping and/or data-processing, the Assignor hereby authorises the Administrative Agent to obtain the statements and schedules provided according to Clause 4.1 and the Lists of Claims provided according to Clause 4.2 directly from such third party at the Assignors expense.
 
8.2   If proof or documents necessary to assert the Claims have been handed over by the Assignor to a third party (in particular a bookkeeping firm or a tax consultant) the Assignor hereby assigns to the Administrative Agent its right to demand from such third party the return of the information and documents. The Administrative Agent hereby accepts such assignment. The Assignor hereby undertakes to instruct the third party to provide the Administrative Agent upon its demand with such information and documents which are necessary to assert the relevant Claims.
 
8.3   If the relevant Claims have been stored in an electronic data-processing system and a third party handles the electronic processing of data, the Assignor hereby assigns to the Administrative Agent all rights against such third party relating to these services, and instructs such third party to handle

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    the processing of data for the Administrative Agent upon its instructions as it did for the relevant Assignor. The Administrative Agent hereby accepts such assignment.
8.4   The Assignment in Clauses 8.2 or 8.3 shall not hinder the Assignor to demand the information and documents or data from third party handling these information, documents or data and the Assignor is hereby authorised to exercise all rights assigned to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Clause 8.2 and/or clause 8.3.
 
9.   ENFORCEMENT AND COLLECTION
 
9.1   The Administrative Agent’s rights
  (a)   The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to realise any and all of the Claims (together with any and all other rights and claims transferred or assigned to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement) at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default so long as such Event of Default is continuing if, in addition, any Foreign Borrower or Foreign Guarantor has failed to meet all or part of its payment obligations in respect of any of the Secured Claims.
 
  (b)   The Administrative Agent shall notify the Assignor of its intention to realise the Claims by giving 1 (one) week’s prior written notice to the Assignor. Such notice period is not necessary if (i) the Assignor has generally ceased to make payments, (ii) an application for the commencement of insolvency proceedings over the assets of the Assignor is filed (and not withdrawn) by the Assignor or by any third person and, in the latter case, it is not without delay established to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent that the application is obviously frivolous or (iii) the observance of such notice period can reasonably be expected to adversely affect the enforceability of the security interests constituted pursuant to this Agreement (or any of them).
 
  (c)   Upon becoming entitled to enforce, pursuant to this Clause 9.1, the security interests constituted pursuant to this Agreement, the Administrative Agent may (i) collect, or arrange for the collection of, the Claims (or any of them) in its own name or for its own account, and/or (ii) exercise any and all rights and claims transferred or assigned to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement to the extent necessary to satisfy any outstanding Secured Claim. If no Event of Default is outstanding, the Administrative Agent’s right to collect the Claims shall cease and the Administrative Agent shall pay over to the Assignor all moneys received in connection with such collection and retained by it save to the extent any such moneys have been applied in payment of any of the Secured Claims.
 
  (d)   If and to the extent the Administrative Agent collects any Claims pursuant to this Clause 9.1, it may take all measures and enter into all agreements with such Debtors which it considers to be expedient.
 
  (e)   If and to the extent the Administrative Agent is entitled to collect the Claims pursuant to this Clause 9.1, he may request that copies of all documents relating to the Claims be handed over to the Administrative Agent and the Assignor hereby agrees to comply promptly with any such request. If no Event of Default is outstanding, the Administrative Agent’s shall return such copies received.
 
  (f)   The Administrative Agent may determine which part of the Security, if applicable, shall be used to satisfy the Secured Claims.

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9.2   Application of proceeds
  (a)   The proceeds resulting from the enforcement of the security interests constituted pursuant to this Agreement shall be applied by the Administrative Agent towards payment of the Secured Claims in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Credit Agreement.
 
  (b)   After the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims any remaining proceeds resulting from the enforcement of the security interests constituted pursuant to this Agreement shall be transferred to the Assignor at the cost and expense of the Assignor.
10.   MAINTENANCE OF LIABLE CAPITAL
For the purpose of this Clause 10 (Maintenance of Liable Capital):
Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment means in relation to a German Assignor any security interest granted under this Agreement directly or indirectly securing the obligations or liabilities of any member of the Relevant Group that is not a direct or indirect Relevant Subsidiary of such German Assignor.
Relevant Group refers to a German Assignor and any affiliated company ( verbundenes Unternehmen ) of such German Assignor within the meaning of §§ 15 et. seq. of the German Stock Corporation Act ( Aktiengesetz ).
Relevant Subsidiary means an entity of which a person owns directly or indirectly more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting capital or similar right of ownership.
10.1   The Administrative Agent agrees not to enforce the Assignment granted under this Agreement against any Assignor incorporated in Germany (each, a German Assignor ) irrespective of whether the relevant German Assignor is at the time of enforcement incorporated as
    a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) (a German GmbH Assignor ), or
 
    a limited partnership ( Kommanditgesellschaft ) of which the general partner ( Komplementär ) is a limited liability company (a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor ),
if and to the extent the Assignment granted under this Agreement is an Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment in relation to such German Assignor, and (ii) if and to the extent the enforcement of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment would cause or constitute
  (a)   the German GmbH Assignor’s, or in the case of the German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor its general partner’s, net assets (the calculation of which shall take into account the captions reflected in § 266 (2) A, B and C of the German Commercial Code ( Handelsgesetzbuch )) less the German GmbH Assignor’s, or in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assingor its general partner’s, liabilities, provisions and liability reserves (the calculation of which shall take into account the captions reflected in § 266 (3) B, C and D of the German Commercial Code) (the Net Assets ) to be less than the registered share capital ( Stammkapital ) of the German GmbH Assignor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor of the registered share capital of its general partner ( Begründung einer Unterbilanz ); or
 
  (b)   an increase of a shortfall, if the Net Assets of the German GmbH Assingor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor, of its general partner, already fall short of the amount of the registered share capital ( Vertiefung einer Unterbilanz ); and/or

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  (c)   a payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ).
10.2   For the purposes of the calculation of the Net Assets in Clause 10.1 above the following items shall be adjusted as follows:
  (a)   the amount of an increase in the registered share capital of the German GmbH Assignor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor of its general partner,
  (i)   that has been effected out of retained earnings ( Kapitalerhöhung aus Gesellschaftsmitteln ) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent after the date of the Credit Agreement; or
 
  (ii)   any amount of an increase in the registered share capital if and to the extent that it has not been fully paid in,
shall be deducted from the registered share capital;
  (b)   any loans and other contractual liabilities incurred by the German GmbH Assignor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner in violation of the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement shall be disregarded as liabilities;
 
      and
 
  (c)   the Net Assets shall take into account reasonable costs of the Auditor’s Determination (as defined below), either as a reduction of assets or an increase of liabilities.
10.3   Any German Assignor, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor its general partner, shall realise, to the extent legally permitted and commercially justifiable, in a situation where after enforcement of the Assignment the German GmbH Assignor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor its general partner, would not have Net Assets in excess of its respective registered share capital, any and all of its assets, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor its general partner’s assets, that are shown in the respective balance sheet with a book value ( Buchwert ) that is significantly lower than the market value of the asset if such asset is not necessary for the relevant German Assignor’s, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor its general partner’s, business ( betriebsnotwendig ).
 
10.4   Subject to Clause 10.1, after the receipt of a written demand by the Administrative Agent to make a payment under any Assignment granted under this Agreement (the Enforcement Notice ), a copy of the relevant determination shall be drawn up in good faith (applying the due care of an ordinary businessman ( Sorgfalt eines ordentlichen Geschäftsmannes )) and made available to the Administrative Agent by the relevant German Assignor (the Management Determination ) within 10 (ten) Business Days of the German Assignor’s receipt of the Enforcement Notice stating
  (a)   if and to what extent the Assignment granted hereunder is an Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment;
 
  (b)   which amount of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment can be enforced without causing the Net Assets of the relevant German Assignor, or, where the Assignor is a German GmbH & Co KG Assignor, its general partner, to fall (or to fall further) below its respective registered share capital (taking into account the adjustments set out in Clauses 10.2 above and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 10.3 above), and

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  (c)   which amount of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment can be enforced without constituting a payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ),
(such amount calculated according to (b) — (c), the Recovery Amount ). Subject to Clause 10.6 below, the Administrative Agent shall only be entitled to enforce the amount of any Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment up to the Recovery Amount.
10.5   Following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Management Determination, the relevant German Assignor shall provide within 15 (fifteen) Business Days a determination by auditors of international standing and reputation appointed by the relevant German Assignor or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner (the Auditor’s Determination ) of (i) the Recovery Amount (such determination to take into account the adjustments set out in Clauses 10.2 and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 10.3 above) and (ii) an estimate of the liabilities, damages, costs, fees and expenses reasonably expected to result from a liquidation of the relevant German Assignor, and such German Assignor shall, not later than 10 (ten) Business Days after receipt by it of such Auditor’s Determination, pay to the Administrative Agent the additional amount (if any) by which the Recovery Amount determined in the Auditor’s Determination exceeds the amount (if any) paid to any of the Administrative Agent pursuant to Clause 10.4 above, and the Administrative Agent shall repay any enforcement amount received in excess of the Recovery Amount determined in the Auditor’s Determination (if any) to the respective German Assignor or, in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor, its general partner.
 
10.6   If (i) the Administrative Agent disagrees with the Auditor’s Determination or (ii) the relevant German Assignor (or in the case of a German GmbH & Co KG Assignor, its general partner) fails to deliver an Management Determination within 10 (ten) Business Days of the German Assignor’s receipt of the Enforcement Notice or (iii) an Auditor’s Determination within 15 (fifteen) Business Days following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Management Determination, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to further pursue in court its payment claims under this Assignment granted by the respective German Assignor in excess of the amounts paid or payable pursuant to Clauses 10.4 and 10.5 above, by claiming in court that demanding payment under the German Assignment against the relevant German Assignor does not violate §§ 30, 31 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act and would not constituting a payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ) (taking into account the calculation of the Net Assets as set out in Clause 10.1 and the adjustments as set out in Clause 10.2 and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 10.3 above). Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, no German Assignor shall be obliged to pay any such amount on demand.
 
10.7   The limitations set out in Clause 10.1 (a) and (b) and in Clause 10.4 (b) shall not apply if and to the extent the Assignment by the relevant German Assignor secures any amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement which are lent or on-lent to such German Assignor or any of its direct or indirect owned Relevant Subsidiaries from time to time and have not been repaid.
 
10.8   The limitations provided for in Clause 10.1 (a) and (b) and in Clause 10.4 (b) shall not apply so long as:
  (a)   the affected German Assignor (or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner) is a party to a profit and loss sharing agreement ( Gewinnabführungsvertrag ) and/or a domination agreement ( Beherrschungsvertrag ) where such German Assignor (or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner) is the dominated entity ( beherrschtes Unternehmen ) and/or the entity being obliged to share its profits with the other party of such profit and loss

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      sharing agreement; it being understood that in such case the Administrative Agent shall only be entitled to enforce the amount of any Up-Stream German Assignment and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment if and to the extent that it may reasonably be expected (applying the due care of an ordinary businessman ( Sorgfalt eines ordentlichen Geschäftsmannes )) that such German Assignor (or, where the Assignor is a German GmbH & Co KG Assignor, its general partner) is able to recover the annual loss ( Jahresfehlbetrag ) which the dominating entity is obliged to pay pursuant to § 302 of the German Stock Corporation Act ( Aktiengesetz ). For the purpose of the determination of the amount to be recovered under this Clause 10.8, the provisions set forth under Clauses 10.4, 10.5 and 10.6 above shall apply mutatis mutandis ; and/or
  (b)   the relevant German Assignor’s Assignment granted under this Agreement being covered by a valuable consideration or recourse claim ( vollwertiger Gegenleistungs- oder Rückgewähranspruch ) within the meaning of § 30 (1) Sentence 2 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act; and/or
 
  (c)   the relevant German Assignor’s payment under this Assignment discharges a shareholder loan or a claim of similar effect within the meaning of § 30 (1) Sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act.
10.9   For the avoidance of doubt, any balance sheet to be prepared for the determination of the Net Assets shall be prepared in accordance with relevant accounting principles.
 
10.10   Nothing in this Clause 10 (Maintenance of Liable Capital) shall be interpreted as a restriction or limitation of the enforcement of the Assignment granted under this Agreement if and to the extent the Assignment granted under this Agreement secures own obligations of the relevant German Assignor or obligations of any of its direct or indirect Relevant Subsidiaries.
 
11.   NO RECOURSE
 
    The Parties hereby agree that until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims no rights and claims shall pass to or otherwise arise for the benefit of the Assignor by subrogation ( gesetzlicher Übergang von Forderungen und Rechten ) or otherwise, including any recourse claims, indemnification claims, claims arising from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertigte Bereicherung ) and any right to demand the assignment and/or transfer of any Secured Claim and/or Security, against any Obligor or grantor of Security which it may (but for this Clause 11) acquire as a result of:
  (i)   a payment or repayment by the Assignor of any debt of any other Obligor under any of the Loan Documents; or
 
  (ii)   in case of enforcement of the security constituted pursuant to this Agreement.
Until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Assignor furthermore undertakes not to exercise ( pactum de non petendo ), and not to purport to exercise, any such rights and claims which may pass to it or otherwise arise for its benefit notwithstanding this Clause 11 or would pass to it or otherwise arise for its benefit but for this Clause 11.
The provisions under this Clause 11 shall not apply with regard to a recourse claim, if the parties agreed to allow such recourse of the Assignor against any of the other Parties thereby taking at all times into account the terms of the Credit Agreement and any other Loan Document.

13


 

12.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Assignor represents and warrants ( selbständiges Garantieversprechen im Sinne von § 311 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) to the Administrative Agent that on the date of this Agreement subject to any liens, third party rights and restrictions permitted to exist under the Credit Agreement:
  (a)   it is validly existing and is neither:
  (i)   unable to pay its debts when they fall due ( zahlungsunfähig ) within the meaning of section 17 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (ii)   in a state of imminent inability to pay its debts when they fall due ( drohende Zahlungsunfähigkeit ) within the meaning of section 18 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (iii)   over-indebted ( überschuldet ) within the meaning of section 19 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (iv)   subject to any insolvency proceedings ( Insolvenzverfahren ) (or other or similar proceedings under the laws of any other applicable jurisdiction) or any refusal of opening insolvency proceedings for insufficiency of assets ( Abweisung mangels Masse ) (within the meaning of section 26 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ));
  (b)   it is the sole legal, record and beneficial owner ( Forderungs- bzw. Rechtsinhaber ) of the Existing Claims and the other rights and claims transferred or assigned (or to be transferred or assigned) pursuant to this Agreement;
 
  (c)   it has the right to freely dispose ( verfügen ) of the Existing Claims and the other rights and claims transferred or assigned (or to be transferred or assigned) pursuant to this Agreement and is not subject to any restrictions on assignment and such disposition does not violate the rights of any third person, any contractual undertaking of the Assignor to a third person or any regulatory orders;
 
  (d)   the Claims are not in any way encumbered nor subject to any rights of third persons; and
 
  (e)   no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings, which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect, are presently in progress, pending or threatened which restrain, or threaten to restrain, the Assignor in respect of the entry into, the performance of or compliance with any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.
13.   UNDERTAKINGS
The Assignor undertakes:
  (a)   if any amount in excess of US$100,000 payable or security transferrable under or in connection with this Agreement shall be or become evidenced by any authorisation, approval, licence and consent such authorisation, approval, licence and consent shall be promptly delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly indorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
 
  (b)   other than in case of Claims which are not governed by German law, to maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest and to defend such security

14


 

      interest against the claims and demands of all persons whomsoever subject to the rights of the Assignor under the Credit Agreement to dispose of the Claims;
  (c)   other than in case of Claims which are not governed by German law, at any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent and at the sole expense of such Assignor, to promptly ( unverzüglich ) and duly execute and deliver, and have recorded such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, including, without limitation, execute one or more collateral agreements (including assignments and releases) to obtain or preserve the security interest created by this Agreement in favour of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties
 
  (d)   to inform the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) of any attachments ( Pfändung ) regarding any and all of the Claims or any other measures which can reasonably be expected to impair or jeopardise the Administrative Agent’s rights relating to the Claims. In the event of an attachment, the Assignor undertakes to forward to the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) a copy of the attachment order ( Pfändungsbeschluss ), the garnishee order ( Überweisungsbeschluss ) and all other documents necessary for a defence against the attachment. The Assignor shall inform the attaching creditor promptly ( unverzüglich ) about the Administrative Agent’s security interests pursuant to this Agreement;
 
  (e)   not to assign (or purport to assign), encumber or sell any of the Claims to any third person without the Administrative Agent’s prior written consent unless already permitted or so authorised pursuant to this Agreement or the Credit Agreement;
 
  (f)   to refrain from any acts or omissions which can reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the security interests constituted thereunder (or any of them); and
 
  (g)   to notify any future Debtor promptly ( unverzüglich ) of this Agreement in accordance with Clause 5 (Disclosure and Notification).
14.   RELEASE AND REASSIGNMENT
 
14.1   Reassignment
 
    After the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Administrative Agent shall, at the cost and expense of the Assignor, reassign to the Assignor the Claims (together with any and all other rights and claims transferred or assigned to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement) and confirm in writing to the Assignor upon the Assignor’s request that the Assignments have ceased to exist. The Administrative Agent will, however, assign any Claims (together with any other right and claim transferred or assigned pursuant to this Agreement pertaining to them) to a third person to the extent that it is obliged to do so.
 
14.2   Release of Security
 
    Even prior to the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Administrative Agent is obliged to release, upon the Assignor’s request, and at the Assignor’s cost and expense, all or part of the Security insofar as the realisable value of the Security exceeds, not only temporarily, the Secured Claims by more than 10 %. The Administrative Agent may, at its discretion, determine which part of the Security shall be released but shall reasonably take into account the legitimate interest of the Assignor.

15


 

14.3   Evaluation
For the purpose of calculating the realisable value of the Claims the following shall be deducted from the nominal value of all Claims:
  (a)   Claims which cannot be assigned, or can be assigned only with the consent of a Debtor who has not consented;
 
  (b)   Claims which can be set off with an existing counterclaim;
 
  (c)   Claims which are subject to defences or objections due to the fact that the underlying services or performances have not been (fully) rendered;
 
  (d)   Claims which have not been assigned to the Administrative Agent by reason of an extended retention of title pursuant to Clause 6 (Assignment of claims against conditional vendors); and
 
  (e)   Claims the assignment of which is not valid due to the governing law and the Debtor’s domicile or principal place of business.
A further security deduction of 10 per cent. in order to take into account the risk of distress of a Claim shall then be deducted from the nominal value calculated in accordance with this Clause 14.3.
14.4   Adjustment
 
    Each of the Parties has the right to demand an adjustment of the security deduction different from that specified above, if the previously agreed security deduction turns out to be too high or too low because of subsequent changes occurring after the date of this Agreement.
 
15.   INDEMNITY
 
15.1   Liability for Damages
 
    The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the Assignor save in respect of such loss or damage which is suffered as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent.
 
15.2   Indemnification
 
    The Assignor shall indemnify and hold the Administrative Agent harmless and keep the Administrative Agent indemnified from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement which may be incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent for anything done or omitted in the exercise or purported exercise of the powers contained in this Agreement provided , that the Pledgor shall have no obligation hereunder to the extent that such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement are incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent.

16


 

Any reference in this paragraph to the Administrative Agent includes any officer, director, employee, agent, advisor (including any attorney) or other person appointed by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
16.   DURATION AND INDEPENDENCE
 
16.1   Duration
 
    This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of the Secured Claims. This Agreement shall not cease to exist if any payments made in satisfaction of the Secured Claims have only temporarily discharged the Secured Claims.
 
16.2   Continuing Security
 
    This Agreement shall create a continuing security and no change or amendment whatsoever in any Loan Document or in any document or agreement related to it shall affect the validity or limit the scope of this Agreement or the obligations which are imposed on the Assignor pursuant to it.
 
    The Assignor hereby agrees that the Security constituted under or pursuant to this Agreement shall not be affected by any transfer of liabilities corresponding to the Secured Claims (or any of them) to, or any assumption of liabilities corresponding to the Secured Claims (or any of them) by, any third person, and hereby expressly consents ( willigt ein ) to any such transfer and/or assumption of liability within the meaning of section 418 para. 1 sentence 3 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) (including when applied by analogy).
 
16.3   Independence
 
    This Agreement and the security interests constituted thereunder are independent from all other security interests or guarantees which may have been or will be given to the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Secured Parties with respect to any obligation of the Obligors (or any of them). None of such other security interests or guarantees shall in any way prejudice, or be prejudiced by, this Agreement or the security interests constituted pursuant to this Agreement.
 
17.   THE SECURITY TRUST AGREEMENT
 
    In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Security Trust Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
 
18.   COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
    The Assignor shall promptly ( unverzüglich ) pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent the amount of any and all costs, charges, fees and expenses (including fees for legal advisers) incurred by it in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement or any waiver in relation thereto, together in each case with any applicable value added tax or other taxes.
 
19.   PARTIAL INVALIDITY; WAIVER
 
19.1   Invalidity
 
    If any provision of this Agreement or part thereof should be or become invalid or unenforceable, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions hereof. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by that provision which best meets the intent of the replaced provision. This shall apply analogously with respect to anything which is accidentally not regulated in this

17


 

    Agreement ( Vertragslücke ). § 139 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) shall be waived hereby.
19.2   Waiver
 
    No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent, any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
 
20.   AMENDMENTS
 
    Changes to and amendments of this Agreement, including this Clause 20, must be made in writing.
 
21.   SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS
 
    This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties hereto and, to the extent legally possible, their respective successor(s) in law. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to assign or otherwise transfer (i) any and all of its rights and (ii) (only with regard to any person which becomes a lender or an administrative agent under the Credit Agreement after the date of this Agreement) any and all of its duties pursuant to this Agreement to third parties. The Assignor is entitled to any such transfer with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent only.
 
22.   NOTICES AND THEIR LANGUAGE
 
22.1   Notices
 
    Any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement to the Assignor or the Administrative Agent shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, by post, email or fax and shall be sent to the address, email address or fax number of the party, and for the attention of the individual or department as set forth in Schedule 4 hereto or such other address, email address or fax number as is notified in writing by that party for this purpose to the Administrative Agent or, as the case may be, the Assignor, from time to time.
 
22.2   Language
 
    Unless otherwise required by statutory German law or unless otherwise agreed in writing from time to time, any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement shall be made in the English language or, if in any other language, accompanied by a translation into English. In the event of any conflict between the English text and the text in any other language, the English text shall prevail (unless the document is a statutory or other official document), except that where a German translation of a legal term appears in such text, the German translation shall prevail.
 
23.   APPLICABLE LAW; JURISDICTION
 
23.1   Governing Law
 
    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.

18


 

23.2   Jurisdiction
The place of jurisdiction for all Parties shall be Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany. The Administrative Agent, however, shall also be entitled to take legal action against the Assignor in any other competent court of law having jurisdiction over the Assignor or any of its assets.

19


 

SCHEDULE 1
ORIGINAL LENDERS
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Bank of America, N.A.
Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Goldman Sachs Bank (Europe) Plc
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
HSBC Bank USA, National Association
Royal Bank of Canada
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.

20


 

SCHEDULE 2
ORIGINAL OBLIGORS
PART 1
ORIGINAL BORROWERS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC BORROWER
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN BORROWERS
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH
PART 2
ORIGINAL GUARANTORS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC GUARANTORS
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN GUARANTORS
First Solar Holdings GmbH
First Solar GmbH
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH

21


 

SCHEDULE 3
FORMS
PART 1
FORM OF NOTIFICATION FOR IMMEDIATELY DISCLOSED ASSIGNMENT ( OFFENE ZESSION )
[ Letterhead of the Assignor ]
[ Name and address of debtor ]
     
[ insert date and place ]   [ Datum und Ort einfügen ]
 
   
Dear Sirs,
  Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
 
   
We hereby give you notice that pursuant to a assignment agreement entered into by us in favour of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “ Administrative Agent ”) dated [ insert date of the assignment agreement ], we have assigned to the Administrative Agent by way of security assignment all our present and future claims against you together with all ancillary rights and claims pertaining thereto. We are authorised by the Administrative Agent to collect the assigned claims in our own name and for our own account and to exercise any rights and claims in the ordinary course of trading until and unless you receive a notification from the Administrative Agent or ourselves to the contrary. Please see attached as Annex 1 a copy of the assignment agreement.

  Wir teilen Ihnen hierdurch mit, dass wir mit Abtretungsvertrag (Zessionsvertrag) vom [ Datum des Abtretungsvertrages einfügen ] sämtliche bestehenden und künftigen Forderungen mit allen dazugehörenden Rechten und Ansprüchen gegen Sie an JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (der “ Sicherheitentreuhänder ”) im Wege der Sicherungsabtretung abgetreten haben. Wir sind vom Sicherheitentreuhänder ermächtigt, alle Zahlungen betreffend die abgetretenen Forderungen im eigenen Namen und für eigene Rechnung einzuziehen und entgegenzunehmen und unsere Rechte im Rahmen des gewöhnlichen Geschäftsbetriebs auszuüben, wenn und soweit sie keine anderslautende Mitteilung des Sicherheitentreuhänders oder durch uns erhalten. Als Anlage 1 erhalten Sie eine Kopie des Abtretungsvertrages.

Please acknowledge receipt of this notice and your agreement with the terms hereof by countersigning this letter and returning the same to us.
  Bitte bestätigen Sie den Erhalt dieser Benachrichtigung und Ihr Einverständnis mit den hierin enthaltenen Bestimmungen durch Gegenzeichnung dieser Benachrichtigung und Rücksendung an uns.
 
   
Yours faithfully,
  Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
 
   
First Solar GmbH

  First Solar GmbH
By:
   
 
Name:
 
 
Name:
Title:
  Titel:
 
   
Acknowledgement of the debtor
  Bestätigung des Drittschuldners
We acknowledge receipt of this notification letter and confirm our agreement with the terms thereof.
  Wir bestätigen den Erhalt der Benachrichtigung und erklären unser Einverständnis mit den darin enthaltenen Bestimmungen.

22


 

     
[ insert full name of the debtor ]

By:
  [ den vollständigen Namen des Drittschuldners einfügen ]
 
Name:
 
 
Name:
Title:
  Titel:
Date:
  Datum:

23


 

Annex 1 / Anlage 1
Copy of the assignment agreement / Kopie des Sicherungsabtretungsvertrages

24


 

SCHEDULE 4
ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES
     
To the Assignor:
  First Solar GmbH
 
   
 
  Rheinstr. 4B
 
  55116 Mainz
 
   
 
  Germany
  Attn.:    Anja Lange
David Brady
 
  Fax:    +49(0)6131-1443-500
+1-602-414-9462
 
  Email:    alange@firstsolar.com
dbrady@firstsolar.com
     
To the Administrative Agent:
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
  10 South Dearborn, 7 th Floor
 
  Chicago, IL 60603
 
   
 
  Attention: Creston Wren
 
  Telecopy: 001 (312) 385-7097
 
  Telephone: 001 (312) 385-7016
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
  125 London Wall
 
  London
 
  EC2Y 5AJ
 
   
 
  Attention: Lucy Chick
 
  Telecopy: +44(0)20 7325 6835
 
  Telephone: +44(0)20 7325 6926
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
  201 North Central Avenue, Floor
21Phoenix, AZ 85004
 
   
 
  Attention: Mark Chambers
 
  Telecopy: 001 (602) 221-1502
 
  Telephone: 001 (602) 221-2290

25


 

SIGNATORIES
         
The Assignor
First Solar GmbH
 
   
/s/ David Brady      
Name:      David Brady     
Function: Authorized Officer (Prokurist)     
 
The Administrative Agent
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
   
/s/ Stefan Kuhm      
Name:      Stefan Kuhm     
Function: Attorney-In-Fact     
 

26

Exhibit 10.8
EXECUTION COPY
ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
(
SICHERUNGSABTRETUNG )
8 SEPTEMBER 2009
between
FIRST SOLAR MANUFACTURING GMBH
as Assignor
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Administrative Agent
(ALLEN & OVERY LOGO)
Allen & Overy LLP

 


 

CONTENTS
             
        Page  
Clause        
 
           
1.
  Interpretation     1  
2.
  Assignment     6  
3.
  Purpose of the Assignment     6  
4.
  List of claims     7  
5.
  Disclosure and notification     7  
6.
  Assignment of claims against conditional vendors     8  
7.
  The Assignor’s rights     8  
8.
  Book-keeping and data-processing     8  
9.
  Enforcement and collection     9  
10.
  Maintenance of liable capital     10  
11.
  No recourse     13  
12.
  Representations and warranties     14  
13.
  Undertakings     14  
14.
  Release and reassignment     15  
15.
  Indemnity     16  
16.
  Duration and independence     17  
17.
  The Security Trust Agreement     17  
18.
  Costs and expenses     17  
19.
  Partial invalidity; Waiver     17  
20.
  Amendments     18  
21.
  Successors, assignments and transfers     18  
22.
  Notices and their language     18  
23.
  Applicable law; Jurisdiction     18  
 
           
Schedules        
 
           
1.
  Original Lenders     20  
2.
  Original Obligors     21  
3.
  Forms     22  
4.
  Addresses for notices     25  
 
           
Signatories     26  

 


 

THIS ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (the Agreement ) is made on 8 September 2009
BETWEEN :
(1)   FIRST SOLAR MANUFACTURING GMBH a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, under registration number HRB 11116 as assignor
 
    (the Assignor ); and
 
(2)   JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , a banking association organised under the laws of the United States with its main office at 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240, U.S.A. acting through its London Branch, at 125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AJ as assignee and administrative agent and trustee for the other Secured Parties (as defined below)
 
    (the Administrative Agent ).
WHEREAS :
(A)   The Original Lenders (as defined below) have agreed to make available to the Borrowers (as defined below) certain revolving credit facilities and certain letters of credit on the terms of and subject to the Credit Agreement (as defined below).
 
(B)   It is a condition to the Original Lenders (as defined below) making the credit facilities available to the Borrowers (as defined below) that the Assignor enters into this Agreement.
 
(C)   The other Secured Parties (as defined below) have appointed the Administrative Agent to act as their security trustee under German law ( Treuhänder ) pursuant to and in accordance with the Security Trust Agreement (as defined below) in relation to the security provided hereunder.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1.   INTERPRETATION
 
1.1   Definitions
 
    In this Agreement:
 
    Additional Domestic Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Domestic Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Foreign Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Additional Foreign Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.

1


 

    Agent means:
  (a)   the Syndication Agent;
 
  (b)   the Documentation Agent; and
 
  (c)   the Administrative Agent.
    Assignment means each and any assignment of a Claim and of any other right and claim to the Administrative Agent for security purposes ( Sicherungsabtretung ) constituted pursuant to this Agreement.
 
    Assignment and Assumption Agreement means the assignment and assumption agreement, accepted by the Administrative Agent whereby a Lender (defined as “assignor” therein) sells and assigns to a person (defined as “assignee” therein) (such assignee becoming a Lender by the purchase and assumption arranged for thereunder), inter alia , any or all of the assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement to the assignee.
 
    Borrower means any Domestic Borrower and any Foreign Borrower.
 
    Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
 
    Claims means all present and future monetary receivables and claims which the Assignor holds or will hold ( Forderungsinhaber ) against any other member of the Group, including any such receivables and claims arising under or in connection with (i) any loan granted by the Assignor to any other member of the Group, or (ii) any promissory note evidencing loans or advances made to any other member of the Group (the Intercompany Receivables ),
 
    including, without limitation,:
  (A)   any right to payment held by the Assignor for goods sold or leased or for services rendered or funds advanced to any other member of the Group, whether or not such right is evidenced by any instrument or chattel paper and whether or not it has been earned by performance;
 
  (B)   claims resulting from any domination agreement ( Beherrschungsvertrag ) or any profit and loss sharing agreement ( Gewinnabführungsvertrag ) (excluding, however, such amount that the Assignor needs to be able to recover the annual loss ( Jahresfehlbetrag );
 
  (C)   all ancillary rights ( Neben-, Hilfs- und Gestaltungsrechte ) pertaining thereto and/or to the respective underlying contractual relationship (other than ancillary relates pertaining to any Intercompany Receivable or its underlying contractual relationship);
 
  (D)   damage claims ( Schadensersatzansprüche ) and claims resulting from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertigte Bereicherung ) and any similar claims under any other applicable law; and
 
  (E)   where the Assignor maintains a genuine or non-genuine current account arrangement ( echtes oder unechtes Kontokorrentverhältnis ) with regard to any of such receivables or claims, all claims which arise from any existing or future current account balances, the right to determine the net balance and the right to terminate the current account relationship.
    To the extent that such Claims are in existence or outstanding at the time this Agreement comes into force, such Claims are referred to as the Existing Claims , and if such Claims will only come into existence in the future they are referred to as the Future Claims .

2


 

    Company means First Solar, Inc., a corporation organised under the laws of Delaware, United States of America, having its business address at 350 West Washington Street, Suite 600, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States of America.
 
    Credit Agreement means the New York law governed credit agreement dated 4 September 2009 between the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers on one side and, inter alia, the Administrative Agent and the Original Lenders together with each new lender supplement, and assignment and assumption agreement relating thereto and any and each other agreement or instrument amending, modifying, extending, restating or supplementing it from time to time providing for an approximately $300,000,000 facility and an up to $100,000,000 Incremental Facility.
 
    Debtor means each debtor in respect of a Claim and Debtors means all such debtors.
 
    Default means a default as defined under the Credit Agreement.
 
    Documentation Agent means The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
 
    Dollar or $ means the lawful currency of the United States of America.
 
    Domestic Borrower means the Company and any Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Domestic Guarantor means any Original Domestic Guarantor and any Additional Domestic Guarantor.
 
    Event of Default means an event (i) in which the commitments will automatically immediately terminate and the amounts outstanding are immediately due and payable (ii) which would entitle the Administrative Agent to, inter alia, prematurely terminate all or part of the total commitments under the Credit Agreement and/or to declare that all or part of the amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement are immediately due and payable or payable on demand provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both has been satisfied.
 
    Foreign Borrower means any Original Foreign Borrower and any Additional Foreign Borrower.
 
    Foreign Guarantor means any Original Foreign Guarantor and any Additional Foreign Guarantor.
 
    German Borrower means First Solar Manufacturing GmbH and any other person or entity that is organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement.
 
    German Guarantor means First Solar GmbH and First Solar Holdings GmbH and any other person or entity that is organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany which is required to provide for a guarantee in connection with the Loan Documents after the date of the Credit Agreement.
 
    Group means the Company and its Subsidiaries from time to time.
 
    Guarantee and Collateral Agreement means the guarantee and collateral agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement made between, inter alia , First Solar, Inc. and certain of its Subsidiaries in favour of the Administrative Agent which will be attached as “Exhibit A” to the Credit Agreement.
 
    Guarantor means any Domestic Guarantor and any Foreign Guarantor.

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    Incremental Facility means any additional revolving loan provided either
  (i)   by a person that already is a lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “increasing lender” therein) after having accepted an increase of its revolving commitment; or
 
  (ii)   by an assuming lender becoming a new lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “assuming lender” therein) after having signed a New Lender Supplement,
    provided that the aggregate amount of the aggregate revolving loans will in no event exceed $400,000,000.
 
    Issuing Lender means the Original Issuing Lender and any other lender that has agreed in its sole discretion to issue a letter of credit to any Borrower or any other borrowing Subsidiary in connection with the Credit Agreement.
 
    Lender means an Original Lender and any person which becomes a lender under the Credit Agreement, including without limitation as a assuming lender of an Incremental Facility, after the date of this Agreement, unless, in each case, such person has ceased to be a lender under the Credit Agreement.
 
    Letter of Credit means any letter of credit issued or to be issued under the Credit Agreement, as such letter of credit may be amended, modified, restated, extended, renewed, increased, replaced or supplemented from time to time.
 
    Loan Document means
  (a)   the Credit Agreement;
 
  (b)   each Security Document;
 
  (c)   any Note; and
 
  (d)   any other document designated as such by the Administrative Agent and the Company.
    New Lender Supplement means a supplement to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which an assuming lender will become a party to the Credit Agreement with a revolving commitment in an amount agreed by such assuming lender.
 
    Note means any promissory note evidencing loans in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, that may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.
 
    Obligor means a Borrower and/or a Guarantor.
 
    Original Domestic Guarantors means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Guarantors”.
 
    Original Foreign Borrower means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Borrowers”.
 
    Original Foreign Guarantor means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Guarantors”.
 
    Original Issuing Lender means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

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    Original Lender means each of the financial institutions set out in Schedule 1 hereto in its capacity as original lender to the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers.
 
    Parties means the Assignor and the Administrative Agent.
 
    Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, any governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.
 
    Secured Claims means all present and future rights and claims ( Ansprüche ) (whether actual or contingent and whether owned jointly or severally or in any other capacity whatsoever) (including claims from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertige Bereicherung ) and tort ( Delikt )) of any of the Secured Parties against any German Borrower and any German Guarantor under or in connection with the Loan Documents (or any of them) or any Letter of Credit, each as amended, varied, supplemented or novated from time to time, including without limitation, any increase of principal or interest, in each case together with all interest, costs, charges and expenses incurred by any Secured Party in connection with the protection and preservation or enforcement of its respective rights under the Loan Documents or any Letter of Credit.
 
    Secured Party means an Agent, the Lenders and any affiliate of any Lender to which any obligations under any Loan Document or under any Specified Swap Agreements are owed by any member of the Group, any Issuing Lender and any Swap Counterparty
 
    Security means any and all collateral granted with a view to securing the Secured Claims.
 
    Security Trust Agreement means the security trust agreement dated on or about the date hereof between, amongst others, the Administrative Agent and the Original Lenders pursuant to which the Administrative Agent has been granted certain rights and has assumed certain obligations in relation to certain Security Documents governed by German law.
 
    Security Document means
  (a)   the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; and
 
  (b)   any other document evidencing or creating collateral over any asset of an Obligor to secure any obligation of an Obligor to a Secured Party under or in connection with, inter alia , the Credit Agreement.
    Specified Swap Agreement means any Swap Agreement entered into by the Company or any Guarantor and any lender or any affiliate of a lender in connection with any Loan Document.
 
    Subsidiary means as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. And unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.
 
    Swap Agreement means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing

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    indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; except for any phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
    Swap Counterparty means any person or entity providing a Specified Swap Agreement.
 
    Syndication Agent means Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch.
 
1.2   Where the context so admits, the singular includes the plural and vice versa.
 
1.3   The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement.
 
1.4   Any reference in this Agreement to a defined document is a reference to that defined document as amended, varied, supplemented or novated from time to time.
 
1.5   Any reference to a Party or other person (including any Obligor and any Secured Party) includes its respective successor(s) in law (including any universal successor ( Gesamtrechtsnachfolger ) of that person by way of merger ( Verschmelzung ), any other reorganisation contemplated in the German Transformation Act ( Umwandlungsgesetz ) or otherwise) and any assign(s) and transferee(s) of that person and, to the extent legally possible, any legal provision to the contrary is waived.
 
1.6   Unless otherwise defined herein or unless the context otherwise requires, terms defined or referred to in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meaning when used herein.
 
2.   ASSIGNMENT
 
2.1   The Assignor hereby assigns for security purposes ( Sicherungsabtretung ) all of the Claims to the Administrative Agent.
 
2.2   The Existing Claims shall pass over to the Administrative Agent upon execution of this Agreement, and any Future Claims shall pass over to the Administrative Agent on the date such Future Claims arise.
 
2.3   The Assignor hereby assigns and transfers all rights and claims in respect any kind of cheques ( Schecks ), bills of exchange ( Wechsel ), notes or commercial papers the Assignor receives for the settlement of any assigned Claim to the Administrative Agent.
 
2.4   The Claims are assigned to the Administrative Agent together with all security interests securing the Claims (or any of them). To the extent that any such security interest is not assigned or transferred to the Administrative Agent as a matter of law, the Assignor hereby assigns or, as applicable, transfers each such security interest to the Administrative Agent.
 
2.5   The Administrative Agent hereby accepts all such assignments and transfers referred to in this Clause 2.
 
3.   PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
 
    The Assignment is constituted in order to secure the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of any and all Secured Claims. The Assignor hereby expressly agrees that the Assignment shall also secure any future extension or increase of the Secured Claims and the Secured Claims as extended or increased from time to time.

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4.   LIST OF CLAIMS
 
4.1   The Assignor shall provide to the Administrative Agent from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Claims and such other reports in connection therewith as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.
 
4.2   At any time after a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at the Administrative Agent’s request, the Assignor shall provide to the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) an up-to-date list of all outstanding Claims (each such list a List of Claims ).
 
4.3   Unless otherwise agreed between the Parties in writing, each List of Claims shall include the names and addresses of the Debtors as well as the outstanding amounts including the due dates for payment and (if applicable) the invoice date and number. The Assignor shall also
  (a)   specify which Claims are subject to:
  (i)   an assignment pursuant to an extended retention of title ( verlängerter Eigentumsvorbehalt ), and the name of the relevant seller retaining title ( Eigentumsvorbehaltsverkäufer );
 
  (ii)   any prohibition on assignment ( Abtretungsverbot ) or any limitation of assignability (and specify the nature of such prohibition or limitation); and
  (b)   specify if, in relation to which Claims and in which aggregate amounts counterclaims are held, or have been asserted by, any Debtors as well as the legal basis ( Rechtsgrund ) of each such counterclaim.
4.4   The Assignor shall have the right to deliver the Lists of Claims (or the statements, schedules and reports under clause 4.1 and 4.2) on a readable and compatible disk or other electronic data storage medium. The Administrative Agent will contact the Assignor from time to time with a view to agreeing the necessary details.
 
4.5   For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to any and all Claims if for any reason whatsoever any Claims are not or incompletely contained in any List of Claims.
 
5.   DISCLOSURE AND NOTIFICATION
 
5.1   The Assignor shall promptly notify any Debtor of this Agreement by delivering a signed notification letter in the form of Schedule 3 Part 1 to this Agreement via registered mail with return receipt requested ( Einschreiben mit Rückschein ), with a copy to the Administrative Agent, or, as appropriate, by courier (with a delivery confirmation) and use its best efforts to procure that the respective Debtor executes an acknowledgement of notification substantially in the form of Schedule 3 Part 1 to this Agreement addressed to the Administrative Agent.
 
5.2   The Assignor shall promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent copies of the aforementioned notification letters and the return receipts ( Rückschein ) or, if sent by courier, confirmation of delivery and if received by the Assignor, upon receipt, copies of the acknowledgements by the Debtors.

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5.3   Clauses 5.1 and 5.2 shall not apply to those Debtors that acknowledge receipt of the notification letter by signing the notification letter in the form of Schedule 3 Part 1, as long as the signed acknowledgement is send to the Administration Agent via pdf on or about the day this Agreement is signed.
 
6.   ASSIGNMENT OF CLAIMS AGAINST CONDITIONAL VENDORS
 
6.1   If a Claim is subject to an assignment pursuant to an extended retention of title ( verlängerter Eigentumsvorbehalt ) arrangement with any supplier of the Assignor, the Assignment of such Claim to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement shall only become effective upon the extinction of such extended retention of title. As long as the supplier is only partly entitled to a Claim, the assignment of such Claim to the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be limited to the part of the Claim to which the Assignor is entitled. The other part of such Claim will be transferred to the Administrative Agent at such time as that part is no longer affected by any extended retention of title.
 
6.2   The Assignor hereby assigns to the Administrative Agent its right to reassignment of the Claims assigned to a supplier by reason of an extended retention of title ( verlängerter Eigentumsvorbehalt ) as well as any contingent claims to the transfer of all proceeds paid out to the supplier, together with all rights pertaining thereto. The same applies to any possible inchoate right ( Anwartschaftsrecht ) with respect to the assignment of any Claims which are subject to a dissolving condition ( auflösende Bedingung ). The Administrative Agent hereby accepts each such assignment.
 
6.3   The Administrative Agent is entitled (but not obliged) to extinguish the extended retention of title ( verlängerter Eigentumsvorbehalt ) by itself satisfying the supplier.
 
7.   THE ASSIGNOR’S RIGHTS
 
    The Assignor shall be entitled to collect (including enforce) and exercise the Claims and any ancillary rights and claims assigned or otherwise transferred to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement in its ordinary course of business or otherwise in line with past practice until the Administrative Agent gives notice to the contrary which the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to do upon the occurrence of an Event of Default (for so long as such Event of Default is continuing).
 
8.   BOOK-KEEPING AND DATA-PROCESSING
 
    The following rights may only be exercised in line with the Credit Agreement:
 
8.1   If the Assignor employs a third party for its bookkeeping and/or data-processing, the Assignor hereby authorises the Administrative Agent to obtain the statements and schedules provided according to Clause 4.1 and the Lists of Claims provided according to Clause 4.2 directly from such third party at the Assignors expense.
 
8.2   If proof or documents necessary to assert the Claims have been handed over by the Assignor to a third party (in particular a bookkeeping firm or a tax consultant) the Assignor hereby assigns to the Administrative Agent its right to demand from such third party the return of the information and documents. The Administrative Agent hereby accepts such assignment. The Assignor hereby undertakes to instruct the third party to provide the Administrative Agent upon its demand with such information and documents which are necessary to assert the relevant Claims.
 
8.3   If the relevant Claims have been stored in an electronic data-processing system and a third party handles the electronic processing of data, the Assignor hereby assigns to the Administrative Agent

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    all rights against such third party relating to these services, and instructs such third party to handle the processing of data for the Administrative Agent upon its instructions as it did for the relevant Assignor. The Administrative Agent hereby accepts such assignment.
8.4   The Assignment in Clauses 8.2 or 8.3 shall not hinder the Assignor to demand the information and documents or data from third party handling these information, documents or data and the Assignor is hereby authorised to exercise all rights assigned to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Clause 8.2 and/or clause 8.3.
 
9.   ENFORCEMENT AND COLLECTION
 
9.1   The Administrative Agent’s rights
  (a)   The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to realise any and all of the Claims (together with any and all other rights and claims transferred or assigned to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement) at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default so long as such Event of Default is continuing if, in addition, any Foreign Borrower or Foreign Guarantor has failed to meet all or part of its payment obligations in respect of any of the Secured Claims.
 
  (b)   The Administrative Agent shall notify the Assignor of its intention to realise the Claims by giving 1 (one) week’s prior written notice to the Assignor. Such notice period is not necessary if (i) the Assignor has generally ceased to make payments, (ii) an application for the commencement of insolvency proceedings over the assets of the Assignor is filed (and not withdrawn) by the Assignor or by any third person and, in the latter case, it is not without delay established to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent that the application is obviously frivolous or (iii) the observance of such notice period can reasonably be expected to adversely affect the enforceability of the security interests constituted pursuant to this Agreement (or any of them).
 
  (c)   Upon becoming entitled to enforce, pursuant to this Clause 9.1, the security interests constituted pursuant to this Agreement, the Administrative Agent may (i) collect, or arrange for the collection of, the Claims (or any of them) in its own name or for its own account, and/or (ii) exercise any and all rights and claims transferred or assigned to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement to the extent necessary to satisfy any outstanding Secured Claim. If no Event of Default is outstanding, the Administrative Agent’s right to collect the Claims shall cease and the Administrative Agent shall pay over to the Assignor all moneys received in connection with such collection and retained by it save to the extent any such moneys have been applied in payment of any of the Secured Claims.
 
  (d)   If and to the extent the Administrative Agent collects any Claims pursuant to this Clause 9.1, it may take all measures and enter into all agreements with such Debtors which it considers to be expedient.
 
  (e)   If and to the extent the Administrative Agent is entitled to collect the Claims pursuant to this Clause 9.1, he may request that copies of all documents relating to the Claims be handed over to the Administrative Agent and the Assignor hereby agrees to comply promptly with any such request. If no Event of Default is outstanding, the Administrative Agent’s shall return such copies received.
 
  (f)   The Administrative Agent may determine which part of the Security, if applicable, shall be used to satisfy the Secured Claims.

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9.2   Application of proceeds
  (a)   The proceeds resulting from the enforcement of the security interests constituted pursuant to this Agreement shall be applied by the Administrative Agent towards payment of the Secured Claims in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Credit Agreement.
 
  (b)   After the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims any remaining proceeds resulting from the enforcement of the security interests constituted pursuant to this Agreement shall be transferred to the Assignor at the cost and expense of the Assignor.
10.   MAINTENANCE OF LIABLE CAPITAL
 
    For the purpose of this Clause 10 (Maintenance of Liable Capital):
 
    Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment means in relation to a German Assignor any security interest granted under this Agreement directly or indirectly securing the obligations or liabilities of any member of the Relevant Group that is not a direct or indirect Relevant Subsidiary of such German Assignor.
 
    Relevant Group refers to a German Assignor and any affiliated company ( verbundenes Unternehmen ) of such German Assignor within the meaning of §§ 15 et. seq. of the German Stock Corporation Act ( Aktiengesetz ).
 
    Relevant Subsidiary means an entity of which a person owns directly or indirectly more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting capital or similar right of ownership.
 
10.1   The Administrative Agent agrees not to enforce the Assignment granted under this Agreement against any Assignor incorporated in Germany (each, a German Assignor ) irrespective of whether the relevant German Assignor is at the time of enforcement incorporated as
    a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) (a German GmbH Assignor ), or
 
    a limited partnership ( Kommanditgesellschaft ) of which the general partner ( Komplementär ) is a limited liability company (a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor ),
    if and to the extent the Assignment granted under this Agreement is an Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment in relation to such German Assignor, and (ii) if and to the extent the enforcement of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment would cause or constitute
  (a)   the German GmbH Assignor’s, or in the case of the German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor its general partner’s, net assets (the calculation of which shall take into account the captions reflected in § 266 (2) A, B and C of the German Commercial Code ( Handelsgesetzbuch )) less the German GmbH Assignor’s, or in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assingor its general partner’s, liabilities, provisions and liability reserves (the calculation of which shall take into account the captions reflected in § 266 (3) B, C and D of the German Commercial Code) (the Net Assets ) to be less than the registered share capital ( Stammkapital ) of the German GmbH Assignor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor of the registered share capital of its general partner ( Begründung einer Unterbilanz ); or
 
  (b)   an increase of a shortfall, if the Net Assets of the German GmbH Assingor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor, of its general partner, already fall short of the amount of the registered share capital ( Vertiefung einer Unterbilanz ); and/or

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  (c)   a payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ).
10.2   For the purposes of the calculation of the Net Assets in Clause 10.1 above the following items shall be adjusted as follows:
  (a)   the amount of an increase in the registered share capital of the German GmbH Assignor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor of its general partner,
  (i)   that has been effected out of retained earnings ( Kapitalerhöhung aus Gesellschaftsmitteln ) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent after the date of the Credit Agreement; or
 
  (ii)   any amount of an increase in the registered share capital if and to the extent that it has not been fully paid in,
      shall be deducted from the registered share capital;
 
  (b)   any loans and other contractual liabilities incurred by the German GmbH Assignor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner in violation of the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement shall be disregarded as liabilities;
 
      and
 
  (c)   the Net Assets shall take into account reasonable costs of the Auditor’s Determination (as defined below), either as a reduction of assets or an increase of liabilities.
10.3   Any German Assignor, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor its general partner, shall realise, to the extent legally permitted and commercially justifiable, in a situation where after enforcement of the Assignment the German GmbH Assignor, or in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor its general partner, would not have Net Assets in excess of its respective registered share capital, any and all of its assets, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor its general partner’s assets, that are shown in the respective balance sheet with a book value ( Buchwert ) that is significantly lower than the market value of the asset if such asset is not necessary for the relevant German Assignor’s, and in case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor its general partner’s, business ( betriebsnotwendig ).
 
10.4   Subject to Clause 10.1, after the receipt of a written demand by the Administrative Agent to make a payment under any Assignment granted under this Agreement (the Enforcement Notice ), a copy of the relevant determination shall be drawn up in good faith (applying the due care of an ordinary businessman ( Sorgfalt eines ordentlichen Geschäftsmannes )) and made available to the Administrative Agent by the relevant German Assignor (the Management Determination ) within 10 (ten) Business Days of the German Assignor’s receipt of the Enforcement Notice stating
  (a)   if and to what extent the Assignment granted hereunder is an Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment;
 
  (b)   which amount of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment can be enforced without causing the Net Assets of the relevant German Assignor, or, where the Assignor is a German GmbH & Co KG Assignor, its general partner, to fall (or to fall further) below its respective registered share capital (taking into account the adjustments set out in Clauses 10.2 above and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 10.3 above), and

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  (c)   which amount of such Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment can be enforced without constituting a payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ),
    (such amount calculated according to (b) — (c), the Recovery Amount ). Subject to Clause 10.6 below, the Administrative Agent shall only be entitled to enforce the amount of any Up-Stream and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment up to the Recovery Amount.
 
10.5   Following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Management Determination, the relevant German Assignor shall provide within 15 (fifteen) Business Days a determination by auditors of international standing and reputation appointed by the relevant German Assignor or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner (the Auditor’s Determination ) of (i) the Recovery Amount (such determination to take into account the adjustments set out in Clauses 10.2 and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 10.3 above) and (ii) an estimate of the liabilities, damages, costs, fees and expenses reasonably expected to result from a liquidation of the relevant German Assignor, and such German Assignor shall, not later than 10 (ten) Business Days after receipt by it of such Auditor’s Determination, pay to the Administrative Agent the additional amount (if any) by which the Recovery Amount determined in the Auditor’s Determination exceeds the amount (if any) paid to any of the Administrative Agent pursuant to Clause 10.4 above, and the Administrative Agent shall repay any enforcement amount received in excess of the Recovery Amount determined in the Auditor’s Determination (if any) to the respective German Assignor or, in the case of a German GmbH & Co. KG Assignor, its general partner.
 
10.6   If (i) the Administrative Agent disagrees with the Auditor’s Determination or (ii) the relevant German Assignor (or in the case of a German GmbH & Co KG Assignor, its general partner) fails to deliver an Management Determination within 10 (ten) Business Days of the German Assignor’s receipt of the Enforcement Notice or (iii) an Auditor’s Determination within 15 (fifteen) Business Days following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Management Determination, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to further pursue in court its payment claims under this Assignment granted by the respective German Assignor in excess of the amounts paid or payable pursuant to Clauses 10.4 and 10.5 above, by claiming in court that demanding payment under the German Assignment against the relevant German Assignor does not violate §§ 30, 31 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act and would not constituting a payment within the meaning of § 64 sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act ( Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung ) (taking into account the calculation of the Net Assets as set out in Clause 10.1 and the adjustments as set out in Clause 10.2 and the value realisation pursuant to Clause 10.3 above). Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, no German Assignor shall be obliged to pay any such amount on demand.
 
10.7   The limitations set out in Clause 10.1 (a) and (b) and in Clause 10.4 (b) shall not apply if and to the extent the Assignment by the relevant German Assignor secures any amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement which are lent or on-lent to such German Assignor or any of its direct or indirect Relevant Subsidiaries from time to time and have not been repaid.
 
10.8   The limitations provided for in Clause 10.1 (a) and (b) and in Clause 10.4 (b) shall not apply so long as:
  (a)   the affected German Assignor (or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner) is a party to a profit and loss sharing agreement ( Gewinnabführungsvertrag ) and/or a domination agreement ( Beherrschungsvertrag ) where such German Assignor (or, in the case of a GmbH & Co. KG, its general partner) is the dominated entity ( beherrschtes Unternehmen ) and/or the entity being obliged to share its profits with the other party of such profit and loss

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      sharing agreement; it being understood that in such case the Administrative Agent shall only be entitled to enforce the amount of any Up-Stream German Assignment and/or Cross-Stream German Assignment if and to the extent that it may reasonably be expected (applying the due care of an ordinary businessman ( Sorgfalt eines ordentlichen Geschäftsmannes )) that such German Assignor (or, where the Assignor is a German GmbH & Co KG Assignor, its general partner) is able to recover the annual loss ( Jahresfehlbetrag ) which the dominating entity is obliged to pay pursuant to § 302 of the German Stock Corporation Act ( Aktiengesetz ). For the purpose of the determination of the amount to be recovered under this Clause 10.8, the provisions set forth under Clauses 10.4, 10.5 and 10.6 above shall apply mutatis mutandis ; and/or
  (b)   the relevant German Assignor’s Assignment granted under this Agreement being covered by a valuable consideration or recourse claim ( vollwertiger Gegenleistungs- oder Rückgewähranspruch ) within the meaning of § 30 (1) Sentence 2 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act; and/or
 
  (c)   the relevant German Assignor’s payment under this Assignment discharges a shareholder loan or a claim of similar effect within the meaning of § 30 (1) Sentence 3 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act.
10.9   For the avoidance of doubt, any balance sheet to be prepared for the determination of the Net Assets shall be prepared in accordance with relevant accounting principles.
 
10.10   Nothing in this Clause 10 (Maintenance of Liable Capital) shall be interpreted as a restriction or limitation of the enforcement of the Assignment granted under this Agreement if and to the extent the Assignment granted under this Agreement secures own obligations of the relevant German Assignor or obligations of any of its direct or indirect Relevant Subsidiaries.
 
11.   NO RECOURSE
 
    The Parties hereby agree that until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims no rights and claims shall pass to or otherwise arise for the benefit of the Assignor by subrogation ( gesetzlicher Übergang von Forderungen und Rechten ) or otherwise, including any recourse claims, indemnification claims, claims arising from unjust enrichment ( ungerechtfertigte Bereicherung ) and any right to demand the assignment and/or transfer of any Secured Claim and/or Security, against any Obligor or grantor of Security which it may (but for this Clause 11) acquire as a result of:
  (i)   a payment or repayment by the Assignor of any debt of any other Obligor under any of the Loan Documents; or
 
  (ii)   in case of enforcement of the security constituted pursuant to this Agreement.
    Until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Assignor furthermore undertakes not to exercise ( pactum de non petendo ), and not to purport to exercise, any such rights and claims which may pass to it or otherwise arise for its benefit notwithstanding this Clause 11 or would pass to it or otherwise arise for its benefit but for this Clause 11.
 
    The provisions under this Clause 11 shall not apply with regard to a recourse claim, if the parties agreed to allow such recourse of the Assignor against any of the other Parties thereby taking at all times into account the terms of the Credit Agreement and any other Loan Document.

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12.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
 
    The Assignor represents and warrants ( selbständiges Garantieversprechen im Sinne von § 311 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) to the Administrative Agent that on the date of this Agreement subject to any liens, third party rights and restrictions permitted to exist under the Credit Agreement:
  (a)   it is validly existing and is neither:
  (i)   unable to pay its debts when they fall due ( zahlungsunfähig ) within the meaning of section 17 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (ii)   in a state of imminent inability to pay its debts when they fall due ( drohende Zahlungsunfähigkeit ) within the meaning of section 18 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (iii)   over-indebted ( überschuldet ) within the meaning of section 19 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ); nor
 
  (iv)   subject to any insolvency proceedings ( Insolvenzverfahren ) (or other or similar proceedings under the laws of any other applicable jurisdiction) or any refusal of opening insolvency proceedings for insufficiency of assets ( Abweisung mangels Masse ) (within the meaning of section 26 of the German Insolvency Code ( Insolvenzordnung ));
  (b)   it is the sole legal, record and beneficial owner ( Forderungs- bzw. Rechtsinhaber ) of the Existing Claims and the other rights and claims transferred or assigned (or to be transferred or assigned) pursuant to this Agreement;
 
  (c)   it has the right to freely dispose ( verfügen ) of the Existing Claims and the other rights and claims transferred or assigned (or to be transferred or assigned) pursuant to this Agreement and is not subject to any restrictions on assignment and such disposition does not violate the rights of any third person, any contractual undertaking of the Assignor to a third person or any regulatory orders;
 
  (d)   the Claims are not in any way encumbered nor subject to any rights of third persons; and
 
  (e)   no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings, which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect, are presently in progress, pending or threatened which restrain, or threaten to restrain, the Assignor in respect of the entry into, the performance of or compliance with any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.
13.   UNDERTAKINGS
 
    The Assignor undertakes:
  (a)   if any amount in excess of US$100,000 payable or security transferrable under or in connection with this Agreement shall be or become evidenced by any authorisation, approval, licence and consent such authorisation, approval, licence and consent shall be promptly delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly indorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
 
  (b)   other than in case of Claims which are not governed by German law, to maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest and to defend such security

14


 

      interest against the claims and demands of all persons whomsoever subject to the rights of the Assignor under the Credit Agreement to dispose of the Claims;
  (c)   other than in case of Claims which are not governed by German law, at any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent and at the sole expense of such Assignor, to promptly ( unverzüglich ) and duly execute and deliver, and have recorded such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, including, without limitation, execute one or more collateral agreements (including assignments and releases) to obtain or preserve the security interest created by this Agreement in favour of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties
 
  (d)   to inform the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) of any attachments ( Pfändung ) regarding any and all of the Claims or any other measures which can reasonably be expected to impair or jeopardise the Administrative Agent’s rights relating to the Claims. In the event of an attachment, the Assignor undertakes to forward to the Administrative Agent promptly ( unverzüglich ) a copy of the attachment order ( Pfändungsbeschluss ), the garnishee order ( Überweisungsbeschluss ) and all other documents necessary for a defence against the attachment. The Assignor shall inform the attaching creditor promptly ( unverzüglich ) about the Administrative Agent’s security interests pursuant to this Agreement;
 
  (e)   not to assign (or purport to assign), encumber or sell any of the Claims to any third person without the Administrative Agent’s prior written consent unless already permitted or so authorised pursuant to this Agreement or the Credit Agreement;
 
  (f)   to refrain from any acts or omissions which can reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the security interests constituted thereunder (or any of them); and
 
  (g)   to notify any future Debtor promptly ( unverzüglich ) of this Agreement in accordance with Clause 5 (Disclosure and Notification).
14.   RELEASE AND REASSIGNMENT
 
14.1   Reassignment
 
    After the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Administrative Agent shall, at the cost and expense of the Assignor, reassign to the Assignor the Claims (together with any and all other rights and claims transferred or assigned to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement) and confirm in writing to the Assignor upon the Assignor’s request that the Assignments have ceased to exist. The Administrative Agent will, however, assign any Claims (together with any other right and claim transferred or assigned pursuant to this Agreement pertaining to them) to a third person to the extent that it is obliged to do so.
 
14.2   Release of Security
 
    Even prior to the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of all Secured Claims, the Administrative Agent is obliged to release, upon the Assignor’s request, and at the Assignor’s cost and expense, all or part of the Security insofar as the realisable value of the Security exceeds, not only temporarily, the Secured Claims by more than 10 %. The Administrative Agent may, at its discretion, determine which part of the Security shall be released but shall reasonably take into account the legitimate interest of the Assignor.

15


 

14.3   Evaluation
 
    For the purpose of calculating the realisable value of the Claims the following shall be deducted from the nominal value of all Claims:
  (a)   Claims which cannot be assigned, or can be assigned only with the consent of a Debtor who has not consented;
 
  (b)   Claims which can be set off with an existing counterclaim;
 
  (c)   Claims which are subject to defences or objections due to the fact that the underlying services or performances have not been (fully) rendered;
 
  (d)   Claims which have not been assigned to the Administrative Agent by reason of an extended retention of title pursuant to Clause 6 (Assignment of claims against conditional vendors); and
 
  (e)   Claims the assignment of which is not valid due to the governing law and the Debtor’s domicile or principal place of business.
    A further security deduction of 10 per cent. in order to take into account the risk of distress of a Claim shall then be deducted from the nominal value calculated in accordance with this Clause 14.3.
 
14.4   Adjustment
 
    Each of the Parties has the right to demand an adjustment of the security deduction different from that specified above, if the previously agreed security deduction turns out to be too high or too low because of subsequent changes occurring after the date of this Agreement.
 
15.   INDEMNITY
 
15.1   Liability for Damages
 
    The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the Assignor save in respect of such loss or damage which is suffered as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent.
 
15.2   Indemnification
 
    The Assignor shall indemnify and hold the Administrative Agent harmless and keep the Administrative Agent indemnified from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement which may be incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent for anything done or omitted in the exercise or purported exercise of the powers contained in this Agreement provided, that the Pledgor shall have no obligation hereunder to the extent that such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement are incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent.

16


 

    Any reference in this paragraph to the Administrative Agent includes any officer, director, employee, agent, advisor (including any attorney) or other person appointed by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
 
16.   DURATION AND INDEPENDENCE
 
16.1   Duration
 
    This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of the Secured Claims. This Agreement shall not cease to exist if any payments made in satisfaction of the Secured Claims have only temporarily discharged the Secured Claims.
 
16.2   Continuing Security
 
    This Agreement shall create a continuing security and no change or amendment whatsoever in any Loan Document or in any document or agreement related to it shall affect the validity or limit the scope of this Agreement or the obligations which are imposed on the Assignor pursuant to it.
 
    The Assignor hereby agrees that the Security constituted under or pursuant to this Agreement shall not be affected by any transfer of liabilities corresponding to the Secured Claims (or any of them) to, or any assumption of liabilities corresponding to the Secured Claims (or any of them) by, any third person, and hereby expressly consents ( willigt ein ) to any such transfer and/or assumption of liability within the meaning of section 418 para. 1 sentence 3 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) (including when applied by analogy).
 
16.3   Independence
 
    This Agreement and the security interests constituted thereunder are independent from all other security interests or guarantees which may have been or will be given to the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Secured Parties with respect to any obligation of the Obligors (or any of them). None of such other security interests or guarantees shall in any way prejudice, or be prejudiced by, this Agreement or the security interests constituted pursuant to this Agreement.
 
17.   THE SECURITY TRUST AGREEMENT
 
    In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Security Trust Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
 
18.   COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
    The Assignor shall promptly ( unverzüglich ) pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent the amount of any and all costs, charges, fees and expenses (including fees for legal advisers) incurred by it in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement or any waiver in relation thereto, together in each case with any applicable value added tax or other taxes.
 
19.   PARTIAL INVALIDITY; WAIVER
 
19.1   Invalidity
 
    If any provision of this Agreement or part thereof should be or become invalid or unenforceable, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions hereof. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by that provision which best meets the intent of the replaced provision. This shall apply analogously with respect to anything which is accidentally not regulated in this

17


 

    Agreement ( Vertragslücke ). § 139 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) shall be waived hereby.
19.2   Waiver
 
    No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent, any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
 
20.   AMENDMENTS
 
    Changes to and amendments of this Agreement, including this Clause 20, must be made in writing.
 
21.   SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNMENTS AND TRANSFERS
 
    This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties hereto and, to the extent legally possible, their respective successor(s) in law. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to assign or otherwise transfer (i) any and all of its rights and (ii) (only with regard to any person which becomes a lender or an administrative agent under the Credit Agreement after the date of this Agreement) any and all of its duties pursuant to this Agreement to third parties. The Assignor is entitled to any such transfer with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent only.
 
22.   NOTICES AND THEIR LANGUAGE
 
22.1   Notices
 
    Any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement to the Assignor or the Administrative Agent shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, by post, email or fax and shall be sent to the address, email address or fax number of the party, and for the attention of the individual or department as set forth in Schedule 4 hereto or such other address, email address or fax number as is notified in writing by that party for this purpose to the Administrative Agent or, as the case may be, the Assignor, from time to time.
 
22.2   Language
 
    Unless otherwise required by statutory German law or unless otherwise agreed in writing from time to time, any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement shall be made in the English language or, if in any other language, accompanied by a translation into English. In the event of any conflict between the English text and the text in any other language, the English text shall prevail (unless the document is a statutory or other official document), except that where a German translation of a legal term appears in such text, the German translation shall prevail.
 
23.   APPLICABLE LAW; JURISDICTION
 
23.1   Governing Law
 
    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.

18


 

23.2   Jurisdiction
 
    The place of jurisdiction for all Parties shall be Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany. The Administrative Agent, however, shall also be entitled to take legal action against the Assignor in any other competent court of law having jurisdiction over the Assignor or any of its assets.

19


 

SCHEDULE 1
ORIGINAL LENDERS
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Bank of America, N.A.
Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Goldman Sachs Bank (Europe) Plc
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
HSBC Bank USA, National Association
Royal Bank of Canada
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.

20


 

SCHEDULE 2
ORIGINAL OBLIGORS
PART 1
ORIGINAL BORROWERS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC BORROWER
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN BORROWERS
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH
PART 2
ORIGINAL GUARANTORS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC GUARANTORS
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN GUARANTORS
First Solar Holdings GmbH
First Solar GmbH
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH

21


 

SCHEDULE 3
FORMS
PART 1
FORM OF NOTIFICATION FOR IMMEDIATELY DISCLOSED ASSIGNMENT ( OFFENE ZESSION )
[ Letterhead of the Assignor ]
[ Name and address of debtor ]
     
[ insert date and place ]   [ Datum und Ort einfügen ]
 
   
Dear Sirs,
  Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
 
   
We hereby give you notice that pursuant to a assignment agreement entered into by us in favour of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “ Administrative Agent ”) dated [ insert date of the assignment agreement ], we have assigned to the Administrative Agent by way of security assignment all our present and future claims against you together with all ancillary rights and claims pertaining thereto. We are authorised by the Administrative Agent to collect the assigned claims in our own name and for our own account and to exercise any rights and claims in the ordinary course of trading until and unless you receive a notification from the Administrative Agent or ourselves to the contrary. Please see attached as Annex 1 a copy of the assignment agreement.

Please acknowledge receipt of this notice and your agreement with the terms hereof by countersigning this letter and returning the same to us.
  Wir teilen Ihnen hierdurch mit, dass wir mit Abtretungsvertrag (Zessionsvertrag) vom [ Datum des Abtretungsvertrages einfügen ] sämtliche bestehenden und künftigen Forderungen mit allen dazugehörenden Rechten und Ansprüchen gegen Sie an JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (der “ Sicherheitentreuhänder ”) im Wege der Sicherungsabtretung abgetreten haben. Wir sind vom Sicherheitentreuhänder ermächtigt, alle Zahlungen betreffend die abgetretenen Forderungen im eigenen Namen und für eigene Rechnung einzuziehen und entgegenzunehmen und unsere Rechte im Rahmen des gewöhnlichen Geschäftsbetriebs auszuüben, wenn und soweit sie keine anderslautende Mitteilung des Sicherheitentreuhänders oder durch uns erhalten. Als Anlage 1 erhalten Sie eine Kopie des Abtretungsvertrages.

Bitte bestätigen Sie den Erhalt dieser Benachrichtigung und Ihr Einverständnis mit den hierin enthaltenen Bestimmungen durch Gegenzeichnung dieser Benachrichtigung und Rücksendung an uns.
 
   
Yours faithfully,
  Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
 
   
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH
  First Solar Manufacturing GmbH

By:
 
Name:
Title:
 
 
Name:
Titel:
 
   
Acknowledgement of the debtor
  Bestätigung des Drittschuldners
We acknowledge receipt of this notification letter and confirm our agreement with the terms thereof.
  Wir bestätigen den Erhalt der Benachrichtigung und erklären unser Einverständnis mit den darin enthaltenen Bestimmungen.

22


 

     
[ insert full name of the debtor ]
  [ den vollständigen Namen des Drittschuldners einfügen ]

By:
 
Name:
Title:
Date:
 
 
Name:
Titel:
Datum:

23


 

Annex 1 / Anlage 1
Copy of the assignment agreement / Kopie des Sicherungsabtretungsvertrages

24


 

SCHEDULE 4
ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES
     
To the Assignor:
  First Solar Manufacturing GmbH
 
   
 
  Marie-Curie-Str. 3
 
  15236 Frankfurt (Oder)
 
   
 
  Germany
 
   
 
  Attn.:     Anja Lange
 
                 David Brady
 
   
 
  Fax:       +49(0)6131-1443-500
 
                +1-602-414-9462
 
   
 
  Email:   alange@firstsolar.com
 
                dbrady@firstsolar.com
 
   
To the Administrative Agent:
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
  10 South Dearborn, 7 th Floor
 
  Chicago, IL 60603
 
   
 
  Attention: Creston Wren
 
  Telecopy: 001 (312) 385-7097
 
  Telephone: 001 (312) 385-7016
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
  125 London Wall
 
  London
 
  EC2Y 5AJ
 
   
 
  Attention: Lucy Chick
 
  Telecopy: +44(0)20 7325 6835
 
  Telephone: +44(0)20 7325 6926
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
  201 North Central Avenue, Floor
 
  21Phoenix, AZ 85004
 
   
 
  Attention: Mark Chambers
 
  Telecopy: 001 (602) 221-1502
 
  Telephone: 001 (602) 221-2290

25


 

SIGNATORIES
         
The Assignor
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH
 
   
/s/ David Brady      
Name:   David Brady     
Function: Authorized Officer (Prokurist)     
 
The Administrative Agent
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
   
/s/ Stefan Kuhm      
Name:   Stefan Kuhm     
Function: Attorney-In-Fact     
 

26

Exhibit 10.9
EXECUTION COPY
SECURITY TRUST AGREEMENT
(
SICHERHEITENTREUHANDVERTRAG )
4 SEPTEMBER 2009
between
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATON
as Administrative Agent
and
OTHER SECURED PARTIES
and
THE SECURITY GRANTORS
(ALLEN & OVERY LOGO)
Allen & Overy LLP

 


 

CONTENTS
             
        Page  
 
           
Clause        
 
           
1.
  Interpretation     2  
2.
  Declaration of Trust and Appointment as Administrator     6  
3.
  Purpose of the German Security     7  
4.
  Power of Attorney     7  
5.
  Joint Creditor; Parallel Debt     7  
6.
  New Parties     8  
7.
  Appointment of a Security Grantors’ Agent     9  
8.
  Responsibility     9  
9.
  Possession of Documents     9  
10.
  Realisation     9  
11.
  Indemnity     9  
12.
  Duration     10  
13.
  Costs and Expenses     10  
14.
  Partial Invalidity; Waiver     10  
15.
  Amendments     10  
16.
  Successors     10  
17.
  Notices and their Languages     11  
18.
  Applicable Law; Jurisdiction     11  
 
           
Schedule        
 
           
1.
  Original Lenders     13  
2.
  Original Obligors     14  
 
  Part 1 Original Borrowers     14  
 
  Part 2 Original Guarantors     14  
3.
  New Secured Party’s Accession Agreement     15  
4.
  New Security Grantor’s Accession Agreement     17  
5.
  German Security Documents     19  
6.
  Addresses for Notices     20  
7.
  Process Agent Appointment Letter     23  
 
           
Signatories     25  

 


 

THIS SECURITY TRUST AGREEMENT (the Agreement ) is made on 4 September 2009
BETWEEN :
(1)   JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , a banking association organised under the laws of the United States with its main office at 1111 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240, U.S.A. acting through its London Branch, at 125 London Wall, London EC2Y 5AJ as original pledgee, Administrative Agent for the other Secured Parties and as proxy without power of attorney for Future Pledgees (each as defined below)
 
    (the Administrative Agent );
 
(2)   the other SECURED PARTIES (as defined in Clause 1.1 (Definitions) below); and
 
(3)   FIRST SOLAR, INC. , a corporation organised under the laws of Delaware, United States of America, having its business address at 350 West Washington Street, Suite 600, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States of America as security grantor,
 
    (the Original Security Grantor 1 );
 
(4)   FIRST SOLAR HOLDINGS GMBH a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Mainz, Germany, under registration number HRB 40090 as security grantor,
 
    (the Original Security Grantor 2 );
 
(5)   FIRST SOLAR GMBH a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Mainz, Germany, under registration number HRB 8855 as security grantor,
 
    (the Original Security Grantor 3 ); and
 
(6)   FIRST SOLAR MANUFACTURING GMBH a limited liability company ( Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung ) organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, registered in the commercial register ( Handelsregister ) of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, under registration number HRB 11116FF as security grantor
 
    (the Original Security Grantor 4 ).
 
    The Original Security Grantor 1, the Original Security Grantor 2, the Original Security Grantor 3 and the Original Security Grantor 4 are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Original Security Grantors and each as an Original Security Grantor .
 
    The Administrative Agent, the other Secured Parties and the Security Grantors (as defined below) are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Parties .
WHEREAS
(A)   The Original Lenders (as defined below) have agreed to make available to the Borrowers (as defined below) certain revolving credit facilities and certain letters of credit on the terms of and subject to the Credit Agreement (as defined below).

 


 

(B)   It is a condition to the Original Lenders (as defined below) making the credit facilities available to the Borrowers (as defined below) that the Original Security Grantors enters into this Agreement.
 
(C)   The Administrative Agent, the other Secured Parties (as defined below) and the Original Security Grantors have agreed to enter into this Agreement for the purpose of conferring certain rights and obligations on the Administrative Agent.
IT IS AGREED as follows:
1.   INTERPRETATION
 
1.1   Definitions
 
    In this Agreement:
 
    Additional Domestic Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Domestic Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is organised under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States of America.
 
    Additional Foreign Borrower means a company which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Additional Foreign Guarantor means a company which becomes a guarantor under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement that is not an Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
    Agent means:
  (a)   the Syndication Agent;
 
  (b)   the Documentation Agent; and
 
  (c)   the Administrative Agent.
      Assignment and Assumption Agreement means the assignment and assumption agreement, accepted by the Administrative Agent whereby a Lender (defined as “assignor” therein) sells and assigns to a person (defined as “assignee” therein) (such assignee becoming a Lender by the purchase and assumption arranged for thereunder), inter alia , any or all of the assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement to the assignee.
 
      Borrower means any Domestic Borrower and any Foreign Borrower.
 
      Beneficiaries means each and any of the Secured Parties other than the Administrative Agent.
 
      Company means First Solar, Inc., a corporation organised under the laws of Delaware, United States of America, having its business address at 350 West Washington Street, Suite 600, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States of America.
 
      Credit Agreement means the New York law governed credit agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers on one side and, inter alia, the Administrative Agent and the Original Lenders together with each new lender supplement,

 


 

      and assignment and assumption agreement relating thereto and any and each other agreement or instrument amending, modifying, extending, restating or supplementing it from time to time providing for an approximately $300,000,000 facility and an up to $100,000,000 Incremental Facility.
 
      Documentation Agent means The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.
 
      Dollar or $ means the lawful currency of the United States of America.
 
      Domestic Borrower means the Company and any Additional Domestic Borrower.
 
      Domestic Guarantor means any Original Domestic Guarantor and any Additional Domestic Guarantor.
 
      Foreign Borrower means any Original Foreign Borrower and any Additional Foreign Borrower.
 
      Foreign Guarantor means any Original Foreign Guarantor and any Additional Foreign Guarantor.
 
      German Borrower means First Solar Manufacturing GmbH and any other person or entity that is organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany which becomes a borrower under the Credit Agreement after the date of the Credit Agreement.
 
      German Guarantor means First Solar GmbH and First Solar Holdings GmbH and any other person or entity that is organised under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany which is required to provide for a guarantee in connection with the Loan Documents after the date of the Credit Agreement.
 
      German Security means any and all collateral evidenced by or expressed to be created pursuant to a German Security Document.
 
      Germany Security Document means any agreement, document or other arrangement governed by German law by or pursuant to which security over any asset of any member of the Group to secure any obligation of any Obligor to a Secured Party under the Loan Documents is evidenced or expressed to be created, including but not limited to the agreements, documents and other arrangements set out in Schedule 5 to this Agreement.
 
      Group means the Company and its Subsidiaries from time to time.
 
      Guarantee and Collateral Agreement means the guarantee and collateral agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement made between, inter alia , First Solar, Inc. in favour of the Administrative Agent which will be attached as “Exhibit A” to the Credit Agreement.
 
      Guarantor means any Domestic Guarantor and any Foreign Guarantor.

 


 

      Incremental Facility means any additional revolving loan provided either
  (i)   by a person that already is a lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “increasing lender” therein) after having accepted an increase of its revolving commitment; or
 
  (ii)   by an assuming lender becoming a new lender under the Credit Agreement (defined as “assuming lender” therein) after having signed a New Lender Supplement,
      provided that the aggregate amount of the aggregate revolving loans will in no event exceed $400,000,000.
 
      Issuing Lender means the Original Issuing Lender and any other lender that has agreed in its sole discretion to issue a letter of credit to any Borrower or any other borrowing Subsidiary in connection with the Credit Agreement.
 
      Lender means an Original Lender and any person which becomes a lender under the Credit Agreement, including without limitation as a assuming lender of an Incremental Facility, after the date of this Agreement, unless, in each case, such person has ceased to be a lender under the Credit Agreement.
 
      Letter of Credit means any letter of credit issued or to be issued under the Credit Agreement, as such letter of credit may be amended, modified, restated, extended, renewed, increased, replaced or supplemented from time to time.
 
      Loan Document means
  (a)   the Credit Agreement;
 
  (b)   each Security Document;
 
  (c)   any Note; and
 
  (d)   any other document designated as such by the Administrative Agent and the Company.
      New Lender Supplement means a supplement to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which an assuming lender will become a party to the Credit Agreement with a revolving commitment in an amount agreed by such assuming lender.
 
      New Secured Party has the meaning given to this term in Clause 6.1.
 
      New Secured Party’s Accession Agreement has the meaning given to this term in Clause 6.1.
 
      New Security Grantor has the meaning given to this term in Clause 6.2.
 
      New Security Grantor’s Accession Agreement has the meaning given to this term in Clause 6.2.
 
      Note means any promissory note evidencing loans in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, that may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.
 
      Obligor means a Borrower and/or a Guarantor.
 
      Original Domestic Guarantors means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Guarantors”.

 


 

      Original Foreign Borrower means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Borrowers”.
 
      Original Foreign Guarantor means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company listed in Schedule 2 under the section “Original Foreign Guarantors”.
 
      Original Issuing Lender means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
      Original Lender means each of the financial institutions set out in Schedule 1 hereto in its capacity as original lender to the Company and the Original Foreign Borrowers.
 
      Parties means the Security Grantors, the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties.
 
      Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, any governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.
 
      Secured Claims has the meaning given to that term in the respective German Security Document.
 
      Secured Party means an Agent, the Lenders and any affiliate of any Lender to which any obligations under any Loan Document or under any Specified Swap Agreements are owed by any member of the Group, any Issuing Lender and any Swap Counterparty.
 
      Security means any and all collateral granted with a view to securing the Secured Claims.
 
      Security Grantors means the Original Security Grantors and any company or person which accedes to this Agreement as a New Security Grantor.
 
      Security Grantors’ Agent means Original Security Grantor 3.
 
      Security Document means
  (a)   the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; and
 
  (b)   any other document evidencing or creating collateral over any asset of an Obligor to secure any obligation of an Obligor to a Secured Party under or in connection with, inter alia , the Credit Agreement.
      Specified Swap Agreement means any Swap Agreement entered into by the Company or any Guarantor and any lender or any affiliate of a lender in connection with any Loan Document.
 
      Subsidiary means as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. And unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.
 
      Swap Agreement means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any

 


 

      combination of these transactions; except for any phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
 
      Swap Counterparty means any person or entity providing a Specified Swap Agreement.
 
      Syndication Agent means Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch.
1.2   Where the context so admits, the singular includes the plural and vice versa.
 
1.3   The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement.
 
1.4   Any reference in this Agreement to a defined document is a reference to that defined document as amended, varied, supplemented or novated from time to time.
 
1.5   Any reference to a Party or other person (including any Obligor and any Secured Party) includes its respective successor(s) in law (including any universal successor ( Gesamtrechtsnachfolger ) of that person by way of merger ( Verschmelzung ), any other reorganisation contemplated in the German Transformation Act ( Umwandlungsgesetz ) or otherwise) and any assign(s) and transferee(s) of that person and, to the extent legally possible, any legal provision to the contrary is waived.
 
1.6   Unless otherwise defined herein or unless the context otherwise requires, terms defined or referred to in the Credit Agreement or a German Security Document shall have the same meaning when used herein.
 
1.7   In case of a conflict between a German Security Document and this Agreement, the German Security Document shall prevail.
 
2.   DECLARATION OF TRUST AND APPOINTMENT AS ADMINISTRATOR
 
2.1   The Administrative Agent shall:
  (a)   hold and administer such German Security which is transferred or assigned by way of security ( Sicherungseigentum/Sicherungsabtretung ) or otherwise granted under a non-accessory security right ( nicht akzessorische Sicherheit ) as trustee ( Treuhänder ) for the benefit of the Beneficiaries;
 
  (b)   administer such German Security which is pledged ( Verpfändung ) or otherwise granted under an accessory security right ( akzessorische Sicherheit ) to the Administrative Agent; and
 
  (c)   shall act in relation to the German Security in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and the German Security Documents, as the case may be.
2.2   Each Beneficiary hereby ratifies and approves all acts done by the Administrative Agent on such Beneficiary’s behalf before execution hereof (or the relevant Beneficiary’s accession to this Agreement, as the case may be).
 
2.3   It is hereby agreed that, in relation to any jurisdiction the courts of which would not recognise or give effect to the trust expressed to be created by this Agreement, the relationship of the Beneficiaries to the Administrative Agent shall be construed as one of principal and agent but, to the extent permissible under the laws of such jurisdiction, all the other provisions of this Agreement shall have full force and effect between the parties hereto.

 


 

3.   PURPOSE OF THE GERMAN SECURITY
 
    The German Security has been granted with a view to providing collateral in order to secure the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of any and all Secured Claims.
 
4.   POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
4.1   Each of the Beneficiaries herewith irrevocably authorises and grants power of attorney to the Administrative Agent to:
  (a)   execute for and on its behalf any and all German Security Documents and any other agreements related to the German Security, including but not limited to any New Secured Party’s Accession Agreement and any New Security Grantor’s Accession Agreement, any amendment agreement to this Agreement and any German Security Document and any substitute agreement to this Agreement;
 
  (b)   to execute for and on its behalf any German Security Document and to make and receive all declarations and statements which are necessary or desirable in connection therewith;
  (c) (i)   execute for and on its behalf any release agreement in respect of the German Security Documents (or any of them) in connection with an envisaged or effected full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of the Secured Claims. If, however, a particular German Security Document imposes an obligation to release part or all of the German Security, the Administrative Agent may determine which part of the German Security is to be released and shall be entitled to release that part of the German Security; and
  (ii)   to make and receive all declarations and statements which are necessary or desirable in connection with any of such release agreements;
  (d)   realise such German Security which is granted under the German Security Documents in accordance with the provisions of the respective German Security Document;
 
  (e)   make and receive all declarations and statements which are necessary or desirable in connection with the German Security or any of the German Security Documents or any of the agreements and documents relating thereto; and
 
  (f)   take all other actions and measures which the Administrative Agent deems necessary or desirable in connection with this Agreement, the German Security or any of the German Security Documents.
4.2   The Administrative Agent is exempt from the restrictions of section 181 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) as well as any similar restrictions under any applicable law.
 
4.3   The Administrative Agent has the power to grant sub-power of attorney including the release from the restrictions of section 181 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) and/or any similar restrictions under any applicable law.
 
5.   JOINT CREDITOR; PARALLEL DEBT
 
5.1   Administrative Agent as Joint Creditor
 
    Each of the Secured Parties and each of the Security Grantors agrees that the Administrative Agent shall be the joint creditor (together with the relevant Secured Party) of each and every payment

 


 

    obligation of any Security Grantor towards each and any Secured Party under any Loan Document and that, accordingly, the Administrative Agent shall have and will have its own and independent right to demand performance of said obligations from such Security Grantor. The discharge of any such obligation to either the Administrative Agent or the relevant Secured Party shall, to the same extent, discharge the corresponding obligation owing to the other party.
5.2   Abstract Debt Acknowledgement
 
    Each Secured Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees, and each Security Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally acknowledges by way of an abstract acknowledgement of debt ( abstraktes Schuldanerkenntnis ) within the meaning of §§ 780, 781 German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ), that each Security Grantor shall be obliged — on a several basis — to pay an amount to the Administrative Agent (or its respective successors in that capacity) that corresponds to the total of all obligations of such relevant Security Grantor towards the Secured Parties (or any of them) under the Loan Documents (other than under German law governed share pledge agreements or land charges, if any) as and when the same fall due, and that, accordingly, the Administrative Agent shall have an independent right to request the fulfilment of said obligation from such Security Grantor in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents. The discharge of any such obligation to either the Administrative Agent or the relevant Secured Party shall, to the same extent, discharge the corresponding obligation owing to the other party.
 
5.3   Preservation of Rights
 
    Without limiting or affecting the Administrative Agent’s rights against any Security Grantor (under the preceding Clauses 5.2 and/or 5.3 or any other provision of any Loan Document), the Administrative Agent agrees with each of the Secured Parties (on an individual and divided basis) that it shall not exercise its rights as joint creditor of a Secured Party and/or under the abstract acknowledgment of debt without the consent of the relevant Secured Party. However, nothing in the previous sentence shall limit to any extent the Administrative Agent’s right in whatever capacity to take any action to protect or preserve any rights under any Loan Document or to enforce any security interest created thereby, as stipulated in any Loan Document (or to perform any other act in that context).
 
6.   NEW PARTIES
 
6.1   New Secured Parties
 
    If any bank, trust or financial institution or any other person becomes party to the Credit Agreement as a Secured Party (any such bank, trust or financial institution or other person being a New Secured Party ), then the New Secured Party shall execute and deliver an accession agreement substantially in the form of Schedule 3 (the New Secured Party’s Accession Agreement ) hereto. The Administrative Agent shall execute the New Secured Party’s Accession Agreement for itself and on behalf of the other Secured Parties. Each of the Security Grantors herewith irrevocably consents to any New Secured Party’s Accession Agreement entered into in accordance with this Agreement.
 
6.2   New Security Grantors
 
    If, by legal succession, by amendment of the Credit Agreement or otherwise, any company or person becomes (i) an Additional Domestic Borrower and/or Additional Domestic Guarantor in either case becoming a provider of German Security, and/or (ii) a new or additional German Borrower and/or German Guarantor in respect of the Secured Claims and/or becomes a provider of German Security (a New Security Grantor ), then such New Security Grantor shall execute and deliver an accession agreement substantially in the form of Schedule 4 (the New Security Grantor’s Accession

 


 

    Agreement ) hereto. The Administrative Agent shall execute the New Security Grantor’s Accession Agreement for itself and on behalf of the other Secured Parties. Each of the Security Grantors herewith irrevocably consents to any New Security Grantor’s Accession Agreement entered into in accordance with this Agreement.
7.   APPOINTMENT OF A SECURITY GRANTORS’ AGENT
 
7.1   The Security Grantors hereby appoint and authorise the Security Grantors’ Agent:
  (a)   to designate a document as German Security Document; and
 
  (b)   to sign any New Security Grantor’s Accession Agreement on their behalf.
7.2   To the extend legally permitted, the Security Grantors’ Agent is exempt from the restrictions of Section 181 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) as well as any similar restrictions under any applicable law.
 
7.3   To the extend legally permitted, the Security Grantors’ Agent has the power to grant sub-power of attorney including the release of the restrictions of Section 181 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) and/or any similar restrictions under any applicable law.
 
8.   RESPONSIBILITY
 
    The Administrative Agent is not responsible to any of the Beneficiaries for any failure in perfecting or protecting the security created by any German Security Document unless directly caused by its gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ).
 
9.   POSSESSION OF DOCUMENTS
 
    The Administrative Agent is not obliged to hold in its own possession any German Security Document, title deed or other document in connection with any asset over which security is intended to be created by a German Security Document.
 
10.   REALISATION
 
    The German Security shall be realised, and any enforcement proceeds shall be distributed, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Credit Agreement together with the relevant provisions of the German Security Documents.
 
11.   INDEMNITY
 
11.1   Liability for Damages
 
    The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the other Secured Parties or the Security Grantors save in respect of such loss or damage which is suffered as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent.
 
11.2   Indemnification
 
    The Security Grantors shall indemnify and hold the Administrative Agent and each of the other Secured Parties harmless and keep them indemnified from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and

 


 

    administration of this Agreement, which may be incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent and/or any of the other Secured Parties for anything done or omitted in the exercise or purported exercise of the powers contained herein, provided , that the Security Grantors shall have no obligation hereunder to the extent that liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever arising out of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement are incurred by or made against the Administrative Agent or any of the other Secured Parties as a result of the gross negligence ( grobe Fahrlässigkeit ) or wilful misconduct ( Vorsatz ) of the Administrative Agent or any of the other Secured Parties.
    Any reference in this paragraph to the Administrative Agent and/or the other Secured Parties includes any officer, director, employee, agent, advisor (including any attorney or other person appointed by the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
 
12.   DURATION
 
    This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the full and irrevocable satisfaction and discharge of the Secured Claims. This Agreement shall not cease to exist if any payments made in satisfaction of the Secured Claims have only temporarily discharged the Secured Claims.
 
13.   COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
    Each of the Security Grantors shall promptly ( unverzüglich ) pay or reimburse each Secured Party the amount of any and all costs, charges, fees and expenses (including fees for legal advisers) incurred by it in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement or any waiver in relation thereto, together in each case with any applicable value added tax or other taxes.
 
14.   PARTIAL INVALIDITY; WAIVER
 
14.1   Invalidity
 
    If any provision of this Agreement or part thereof should be or become invalid or unenforceable, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions hereof. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by that provision which best meets the intent of the replaced provision. This shall apply analogously with respect to anything which is accidentally not regulated in this Agreement ( Vertragslücken ). § 139 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ) shall be waived hereby.
 
14.2   Waiver
 
    No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent, any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
 
15.   AMENDMENTS
 
    Changes to and amendments of this Agreement including this Clause 15 (Amendments) must be made in writing.

 


 

16.   SUCCESSORS
 
    This Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties hereto and their respective successor(s) in law. The Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party shall be entitled to assign or otherwise transfer (i) any and all of its rights and (ii) only with regard to any person which becomes a lender or an administrative agent under the Credit Agreement after the date of this Agreement) any and all of its duties pursuant to this Agreement to third parties. A Security Grantor is entitled to any such transfer with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent only.
17.   NOTICES AND THEIR LANGUAGES
 
17.1   Notices
 
    Any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement to the Administrative Agent or the other Secured Parties shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, by post or facsimile and shall be sent to the address or fax number of the party, and for the attention of the individual, set forth in Schedule 6 hereto or such other address or facsimile number as is notified by that Party for this purpose to the Facility Agent or the Administrative Agent from time to time.
 
17.2   Language
 
    Unless otherwise required by statutory German law or unless otherwise agreed in writing from time to time, any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement shall be in the English language or, if in any other language, accompanied by a translation into English. In the event of any conflict between the English text and the text in any other language, the English text shall prevail (unless the document is a statutory or other official document), except that where a German translation of a legal term appears in such text, the German translation shall prevail.
 
18.   APPLICABLE LAW; JURISDICTION
 
18.1   Governing Law
 
    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.
 
18.2   Jurisdiction
 
    The place of jurisdiction for all Parties shall be Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany. The Administrative Agent and the Beneficiaries, however, shall also be entitled to take legal action against any of the Security Grantors before any other competent court of law having jurisdiction over such Security Grantor or any of its assets.
 
    Each Security Grantor that is not resident in Germany appoints and authorises First Solar GmbH (address: Marie-Curie-Str. 3, 15236 Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, Germany, fax: +49(0)6131-1443-500, att.: Anja Lange (the Process Agent ) as its agent for service of process with respect to any legal proceedings brought before any German court ( Zustellungsbevollmächtigter ) in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including any German Security Document) and releases First Solar GmbH from the restrictions set forth in section 181 of the German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ). Each Security Grantor hereby undertakes to deliver to the Process Agent, with a copy to the Administrative Agent, a duly executed appointment letter in the form of Schedule 7 (Process Agent Appointment Letter) to this Agreement:

 


 

  (a)   in the case of an Original Security Grantor, promptly ( unverzüglich ) upon the execution of this Agreement; or
 
  (b)   in the case of a Security Grantor acceding to this Agreement in accordance with Clause 5.2 (New Security Grantors) of this Agreement, promptly upon the execution of the relevant New Security Grantor’s Accession Agreement.

 


 

SCHEDULE 1
ORIGINAL LENDERS
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Bank of America, N.A.
Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Goldman Sachs Bank (Europe) Plc
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
HSBC Bank USA, National Association
Royal Bank of Canada
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.

 


 

SCHEDULE 2
ORIGINAL OBLIGORS
PART 1
ORIGINAL BORROWERS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC BORROWER
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN BORROWERS
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH
PART 2
ORIGINAL GUARANTORS
ORIGINAL DOMESTIC GUARANTORS
First Solar, Inc.
ORIGINAL FOREIGN GUARANTORS
First Solar Holdings GmbH
First Solar GmbH
First Solar Manufacturing GmbH

 


 

SCHEDULE 3
NEW SECURED PARTY’S ACCESSION AGREEMENT
THIS ACCESSION AGREEMENT is supplemental to a German law governed security trust agreement (the Security Trust Agreement ) dated [     ] between [ l ] as Administrative Agent (the Administrative Agent ), [ l ], [ l ] and other secured parties as beneficiaries of security and [ l ], [ l ] and [ l ] as security grantors pursuant to which, inter alia, the Administrative Agent has been appointed by the Secured Parties to act as their trustee ( Treuhänder ) under German law with regard to any German law governed Security Document.
Words and expressions defined in the Security Trust Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Accession Agreement.
We hereby agree with each other person who is a party to the Security Trust Agreement that with effect on and from the date hereof we will be bound by the Security Trust Agreement as a Secured Party as if we had been party originally to the Security Trust Agreement in that capacity.
[ Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, we hereby expressly state and agree with the Administrative Agent and each other party hereto that the Administrative Agent shall not hold and/or administer at any time any German Security created over real estate located in Germany (or any interest in real estate located in Germany) as trustee (Treuhänder) for our benefit under clause. *]
We hereby expressly ratify and approve any acts done by the Administrative Agent on our own behalf as proxy without power of attorney before execution hereof by entering into any German law governed share pledge agreement and/or accession agreement.
We herewith expressly agree and approve with Clause 5 of the Security Trust Agreement. In particular, we herewith agree in the form and in accordance with Clause 5 of the Security Trust Agreement that the Administrative Agent shall be the joint creditor (together with the relevant Secured Party) of each and every payment obligation of any Security Grantor towards each and any Secured Party under any Loan Document and that, accordingly, the Administrative Agent shall have and will have its own and independent right to demand performance of said obligations from such Security Grantor. The discharge of any such obligation to either the Administrative Agent or the relevant Secured Party shall, to the same extent, discharge the corresponding obligation owing to the other party.
We hereby also grants power of attorney to the Administrative Agent and confers the rights and authority upon the Administrative Agent in the form and to the extent set out in Clause 4 of the Security Trust Agreement and in Clauses 2, 5 and 6 of the respective German law governed share pledge agreement and we also release the Security Agent from any restrictions set forth in § 181 of the German Civil Code and/or similar restrictions under any applicable law as set out in Clause 4.2 of the Security Trust Agreement and authorise the Administrative Agent to grant sub-powers of attorney including the release from the restrictions of § 183 of the German Civil Code and/or any similar restrictions under any applicable law as set out in Clause 4.3 of the Security Trust Agreement.
This Agreement is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Place:  
Date:  

 


 

     
 
   
[acceding party]
  the Administrative Agent for itself and for and on behalf of the Beneficiaries
 
*   Option applicable only for a Secured Party which (A) is neither tax resident in Germany, nor (B) is considered to be lending from Germany nor (C) is resident in a country with which Germany has entered into a double taxation treaty pursuant to which Germany has waived completely the right to tax interest earned on a loan secured by German real estate .

 


 

SCHEDULE 4
NEW SECURITY GRANTOR’S ACCESSION AGREEMENT
THIS ACCESSION AGREEMENT is supplemental to a Security Trust Agreement (the Security Trust Agreement ) dated [ ] between [ l ] as Administrative Agent (the Administrative Agent ), [ l ], [ l ] and other secured parties as beneficiaries of security and [ l ], [ l ] and [ l ] as security grantors.
Words and expressions defined in the Security Trust Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Accession Agreement.
We hereby agree with each other person who is a party to the Security Trust Agreement that with effect on and from the date hereof we will be bound by the Security Trust Agreement as a Security Grantor as if we had been party originally to the Security Trust Agreement in that capacity.
[We hereby expressly ratify and approve any acts done by the Security Grantors’ Agent on our behalf before execution hereof.]
We herewith expressly agree and approve with Clause 5 of the Security Trust Agreement.
In particular, we herewith agree in the form and in accordance with Clause 5 of the Security Trust Agreement that the Administrative Agent shall be the joint creditor (together with the relevant Secured Party) of each and every payment obligation of us towards each and any Secured Party under any Loan Document and that, accordingly, the Administrative Agent shall have and will have its own and independent right to demand performance of said obligations from us. The discharge of any such obligation to either the Administrative Agent or the relevant Secured Party shall, to the same extent, discharge the corresponding obligation owing to the other party.
In addition, we hereby irrevocably and unconditionally acknowledge by way of an abstract acknowledgement of debt ( abstraktes Schuldanerkenntnis ) within the meaning of §§ 780, 781 German Civil Code ( Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch ), that we shall be obliged — on a several basis — to pay an amount to the Administrative Agent (or its respective successors in that capacity) that corresponds to the total of all obligations of us towards the Secured Parties (or any of them) under the Loan Documents (other than under German law governed share pledge agreements or land charges, if any) as and when the same fall due, and that, accordingly, the Administrative Agent shall have an independent right to request the fulfilment of said obligation from us in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents. The discharge of any such obligation to either the Administrative Agent or the relevant Secured Party shall, to the same extent, discharge the corresponding obligation owing to the other party.
We hereby agree with each other person who is a party to the Security Trust Agreement that with the effect on and from the date hereof each of the following documents is a German Security Document:
  [ l ];
 
  [ l ]; and
 
  [ l ].
This Agreement is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with German law.
Place: __________________

 


 

Date: __________________
             
 
 
           
[acceding party]
      the Administrative Agent for itself and for and on behalf of the Beneficiaries    
         
     
     
Security Grantors’ Agent for itself     
and for and on behalf of the Security Grantors     

 


 

         
SCHEDULE 5
GERMAN SECURITY DOCUMENTS
1.   This Agreement;
 
2.   a share pledge agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between First Solar, Inc. as pledgor and the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties as pledgees relating to 66% of First Solar, Inc.’s shares in First Solar Holdings GmbH;
 
3.   a share pledge agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between First Solar, Inc. as pledgor and the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties as pledgees relating to 34% of First Solar, Inc.’s shares in First Solar Holdings GmbH;
 
4.   a share pledge agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between First Solar Holdings GmbH as pledgor and the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties as pledgees relating to First Solar Holdings GmbH’s shares in First Solar GmbH;
 
5.   a share pledge agreement dated on or about the date of this agreement between First Solar Holdings GmbH as pledgor and the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties as pledgees relating to First Solar Holdings GmbH’s shares in First Solar Manufacturing GmbH;
 
6.   an assignment agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between First Solar Holdings GmbH as assignor and the Administrative Agent as assignee relating to intercompany receivables and other intercompany monetary claims;
 
7.   an assignment agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between First Solar GmbH as assignor and the Administrative Agent as assignee relating to intercompany receivables and other intercompany monetary claims; and
 
8.   an assignment agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between First Solar Manufacturing GmbH as assignor and the Administrative Agent as assignee relating to intercompany receivables and other intercompany monetary claims.

 


 

SCHEDULE 6
ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES
     
To the Security Grantor 1:
  First Solar, Inc.
 
  350 West Washington Street, Suite 600
 
  Tempe, Arizona 85281
 
   
 
  Attn.: Anja Lange
 
 
David Brady
 
   
 
  Fax:    +49(0)6131-1443-500
 
 
 +1-602-414-9462
 
   
 
  Email: alange@firstsolar.com
 
 
  dbrady@firstsolar.com
 
   
To the Security Grantor 2:
  First Solar Holdings GmbH
 
   
 
  Rheinstr. 4B
 
  55116 Mainz
 
   
 
  Germany
 
   
 
  Attn.: Anja Lange
 
 
David Brady
 
   
 
  Fax:    +49(0)6131-1443-500
 
 
 +1-602-414-9462
 
   
 
  Email: alange@firstsolar.com
 
 
  dbrady@firstsolar.com
 
   
To the Security Grantor 3:
  First Solar GmbH
 
   
 
  Rheinstr. 4B
 
  55116 Mainz
 
   
 
  Germany

 


 

     
 
  Attn.: Anja Lange
 
 
David Brady
 
   
 
  Fax:   +49(0)6131-1443-500
 
 
+1-602-414-9462
 
   
 
  Email: alange@firstsolar.com
 
 
  dbrady@firstsolar.com
 
   
To the Security Grantor 4:
  First Solar Manufacturing GmbH
 
   
 
  Marie-Curie-Str. 3
 
  15236 Frankfurt (Oder)
 
   
 
  Germany
 
   
 
  Attn.: Anja Lange
David Brady
 
   
 
  Fax:   +49(0)6131-1443-500
 
 
+1-602-414-9462
 
   
 
  Email: alange@firstsolar.com
 
 
  dbrady@firstsolar.com
 
   
To the Administrative Agent
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
and all other Beneficiaries:
  10 South Dearborn, 7 th Floor
  Chicago, IL 60603
 
   
 
  Attention: Creston Wren
 
  Telecopy: 001 (312) 385-7097
 
  Telephone: 001 (312) 385-7016
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
  125 London Wall
 
  London
 
  EC2Y 5AJ
 
   
 
  Attention: Lucy Chick
 
  Telecopy: +44(0)20 7325 6835
 
  Telephone: +44(0)20 7325 6926
 
   
With a copy to
  JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 
  201 North Central Avenue, Floor
 
  21Phoenix, AZ 85004

 


 

     
 
  Attention: Mark Chambers
 
  Telecopy: 001 (602) 221-1502
 
  Telephone: 001 (602) 221-2290

 


 

SCHEDULE 7
PROCESS AGENT APPOINTMENT LETTER
[Letterhead of Security Grantor]
To: [Process agent]
[Address]
Date: [ l ]
Reference:
    Security Trust Agreement (the Security Trust Agreement) dated [     ] between [ l ] as Administrative Agent (the Administrative Agent), [ l ], [ l ] and other secured parties as beneficiaries of security and [ l ], [ l ] and [ l ] as security grantors
 
    The other Loan Documents as defined and referred to in the Security Trust Agreement (the Loan Documents)
Betreff:
    Sicherheitentreuhandvertrag (der Sicherheitentreuhandvertrag) vom [      ] zwischen [ l ] als Sicherheitenagent (der Administrative Agent), [ l ], [ l ] und anderen Finanzierungsparteien als Begünstigte von der Gewährung von Sicherungsrechten und [ l ], [ l ] und [ l ] als Sicherungsgeber
 
    Die weiteren im Sicherheitentreuhandvertrag in Bezug genommenen Finanzierungsdokumente (die Loan Documents)
Dear Sirs,
we hereby irrevocably appoint you as our agent for service of process in relation to any proceeding before any German court in connection with the above mentioned Security Trust Agreement and/or any of the above mentioned Loan Documents (including any German Security Document).
Terms defined or referred to in the security Trust Agreement shall have the same meaning in this letter unless otherwise defined herein.
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
hiermit bevollmächtigen wir Sie unwiderruflich, sämtliche Schriftstücke, die uns im Zusammenhang mit Verfahren vor deutschen Gerichten in Verbindung mit dem oben genannten Sicherheitentreuhandvertrag und/oder einem der oben genannten Loan Documents (einschließlich der sog. German Security Documents) zugestellt werden sollen, entgegenzunehmen.

 


 

Begriffe, die im Sicherheitentreuhandvertrag definiert oder in Bezug genommen und in diesem Schreiben nicht anderweitig definiert werden, haben die gleiche Bedeutung in diesem Schreiben, wie sie ihnen in dem Sicherheitentreuhandvertrag beigemessen wird.
             
Yours sincerely
      Mit freundlichen Grüßen    
 
           
 
           
 
           
 
           
Place, date
           
 
           
 
           
 
           
[Security Grantor]

 


 

SIGNATORIES
         
The Original Security Grantors

FIRST SOLAR, INC.
 
 
By:      
       
     
/s/ David Brady    
David Brady   
Corporate Treasurer   
 
FIRST SOLAR HOLDINGS GMBH
 
 
By:      
       
     
/s/ David Brady    
David Brady   
Authorized Officer (Prokurist)   
 
FIRST SOLAR GMBH
 
 
By:      
       
     
/s/ David Brady    
David Brady   
Authorized Officer (Prokurist)   
 
FIRST SOLAR MANUFACTURING GMBH
 
 
By:      
 
     
/s/ David Brady    
David Brady   
Authorized Officer (Prokurist)   

 


 

         
         
The Administrative Agent

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
 
 
By:      
       
     
/s/ Stefan Kuhm    
Stefan Kuhm   
Attorney-In-Fact   
 
         
The other Secured Parties and Beneficiaries

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
 
 
By:      
       
     
/s/ Stefan Kuhm    
Stefan Kuhm   
Attorney-In-Fact   

 


 

         
         
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
 
 
By:      
       
     
/s/ David R. Barney    
David R. Barney, Senior Vice President   
     

 


 

         
         
CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
 
 
By:      
       
     
/s/ Bill O’Daly    
Bill O’Daly   
Director   
 
         
     
By:      
       
     
/s/ Ilya Ivashkov    
Ilya Ivashkov   
Associate   

 


 

         
         
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
 
 
By:   Belinda Tucker    
       
Senior Vice President
 
 
/s/ Belinda Tucker    
     
     

 


 

         
         
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK (EUROPE) PLC
 
 
By:      
       
     
/s/ David Buckley    
David Buckley   
Director   

 


 

         
         
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
 
 
By:      
       
     
/s/ Ken Edens    
Ken Edens   
Vice President   

 


 

         
         
HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
 
 
By:      
       
     
/s/ Steven F. Larsen    
Steven F. Larsen   
First Vice President   

 


 

         
         
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
 
 
By:      
       
     
/s/ Jay T. Sartain    
Jay T. Sartain   
Authorized Signatory   

 


 

         
         
MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A.
 
 
  By:      
       
     
/s/ William Graham    
William Graham   
Authorized Signatory