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When was First Solar founded? |
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First Solar was founded in 1999. |
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What does First Solar do? |
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First Solar manufactures solar modules with an advanced semiconductor technology and provides comprehensive PV system solutions. By consistently driving down manufacturing costs, First Solar is creating an affordable and environmentally responsible alternative to fossil-fuel generation. |
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Where are First Solar's global offices and manufacturing facilities? |
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First Solar is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona and has offices worldwide. First Solar has manufacturing facilities in Perrysburg, Ohio, Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, and Kulim, Malaysia. |
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How many associates does First Solar have? |
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First Solar has more than 4,700 global associates. |
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What are the environmental benefits of First Solar’s thin film PV technology? |
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As part of our commitment to environmental excellence, First Solar looks at all stages of our product's life cycle using two important measurements:
- Carbon footprint - the amount of carbon dioxide emissions emitted over the life cycle of the product
- Energy payback time - the time it takes to generate the same amount of energy it took to produce the system
First Solar systems have the smallest carbon footprint and fastest energy payback time of current PV technologies. |
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Can I buy First Solar modules for my house or small business? |
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First Solar modules are currently available for residential and small commercial applications of less than 30 kilowatts in select US states through SolarCity, a leading solar power and solar leasing company in the US. SolarCity currently serves Arizona, California, Oregon, and Texas and plans to expand into additional states. Please visit our residential rooftop systems page for more information.
First Solar modules are currently not available for residential and small commercial applications outside of the US. We suggest using an industry website to locate a dealer or installer in your area who specializes in residential and small commercial solutions. Company databases can be found in the following languages at the links below:
English
www.renewableenergyworld.com
www.solarbuzz.com
German
www.solarserver.de
www.solarwirtschaft.de
Spanish
www.asif.org
Italian
www.assosolare.org
French
www.tecsol.fr |
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How do I purchase First Solar modules for commercial and industrial installations? |
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First Solar sells its solar modules to the world's leading solar project developers and system integrators. Please visit our developers and integrators page for a list of companies authorized to sell and support First Solar products. Please contact any of the companies listed for information about First Solar product availability. |
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Does First Solar offer PV solutions for US utilities? |
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Yes, First Solar offers the most cost effective PV solutions for US utilities seeking to meet renewable portfolio standards (RPS) requirements. Please contact our sales and product management team for more information. |
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Does First Solar sell to distributors or wholesalers? |
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First Solar currently does not sell its products through distributors, resellers, or wholesalers. |
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What incentives are available to me in my area? |
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A database of federal, state, local, and utility incentives and policies promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency can all be found at the website below:
Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
www.dsireusa.org |
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How much do First Solar modules and systems cost? |
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First Solar sells its solar modules under long-term module supply contracts with the world's leading solar project developers and system integrators and provides comprehensive PV solutions to US utilities seeking to meet renewable portfolio standards (RPS) requirements. First Solar does not publish a price list for solar modules or PV solutions and does not disclose its pricing structure under long-term module supply contracts. |
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Are First Solar modules available for low voltage, off-grid, or building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) applications? |
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First Solar currently does not offer its module products for low voltage, off-grid, or building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) applications. We suggest using an industry website to locate a dealer or installer in your area who specializes in these solutions. Company databases can be found in the following languages at the links below:
English
www.renewableenergyworld.com
www.solarbuzz.com
German
www.solarserver.de
www.solarwirtschaft.de
Spanish
www.asif.org
Italian
www.assosolare.org
French
www.tecsol.fr |
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Are First Solar modules flexible? |
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First Solar modules are manufactured on rigid glass and are not flexible. The term thin film refers to the amount of semiconductor material used, which is an amount less than the width of a human hair. Contrary to popular belief, most thin film panels are not flexible. |
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Does First Solar offer a warranty for its solar modules? |
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First Solar provides a power output warranty for 25 years subject to terms and conditions and a materials and workmanship warranty for five years covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service conditions. |
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Does First Solar use nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) in its manufacturing process? |
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First Solar does not utilize perfluorinated gases such as nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) in the production of its solar modules. |
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Are solar PV panels regulated under the European Union WEEE and RoHS Directives? |
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No, First Solar panels, like all solar panels, are not subject to the current EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), which requires manufacturers of specific products to ensure the collection, recycling, and disposal of their products.
Nor are solar panels subject to the EU Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), which restricts the use of any of the six substances1 in specific product categories.
In a legislatively mandated review process, the European Commission proposed a revision of both the WEEE and RoHS Directives on December 3, 2008. The revisions did not propose the inclusion of solar panels in the scope of the Directives. As part of the standard EU legislative process (“co-decision” making), the proposals are now being reviewed by the European Parliament and the European Council, which represents the 27 EU Member States (countries).
The European Council and the European Parliament are currently considering an “open scope” approach to RoHS and WEEE under which all Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) products would be included in the scope of the Directives unless specifically excluded or exempted from coverage. On June 2, 2010 the Environment Committee in the European Parliament voted to exclude renewable energies from the scope of RoHS. On June 23, the committee voted to exclude photovoltaic modules from the scope of WEEE.
1Lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE). |
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What is First Solar’s view on the European Parliament Environment Committee’s vote on RoHS, which took place on June 2, 2010? |
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We welcome the European Parliament Environment Committee’s decision to exclude renewable energies from the scope of RoHS. The exclusion is an encouraging step, and we hope that the Council will confirm the intention of the Commission and Parliament to exclude renewable energies from the scope of RoHS, which was designed for household electronics.
An exclusion from the scope of RoHS will ensure that renewables are not discriminated against and thus support the EU goals regarding climate change, renewable energy, and energy security. |
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Why shouldn’t renewable energies and thus solar panels be included in WEEE and RoHS? Don’t you agree that PV waste will become a problem in the future? |
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First Solar has long recognized the potential waste management issues when panels reach end-of-life and has a comprehensive, pre-funded collection and recycling program for all panels put on the market, regardless of geographic jurisdiction.
Regarding WEEE, the PV industry has recognized that PV waste will eventually become an issue in Europe in some 10-15 years when larger volumes of panels start to reach their end-of-life. For this reason, the PV industry has initiated an industry-wide voluntary take-back and recycling scheme (PV CYCLE). During 2010, PV CYCLE will begin take-back and recycling in Germany, with other markets to follow, years before significant volumes of PV panels are expected to reach end-of-life.
Regarding RoHS, PV solar panels produce electricity with no water use, no waste production, and no air emissions providing significant environmental benefits compared to traditional fossil-fuel technologies. Independent analysis has shown that the displacement of fossil fuels by PV can reduce air emissions by over 89% taking into consideration the entire life cycle impact, and also the fact that CdTe PV, a second generation PV technology, has the lowest environmental impact of any PV technology. CdTe PV has the smallest carbon footprint and the fastest energy payback time of current PV technologies, allowing thin film PV technologies such as CdTe to scale rapidly and to achieve carbon reductions faster than traditional silicon technologies. As a result, CdTe PV and other thin film PV technologies are indispensable to achieving the EU’s renewable energy goals and thereby addressing climate change. |
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What is the difference between Series 2 and Series 3? |
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Series 3 has the same form factor, process technology and construction as Series 2. However, it is electrically redesigned with a new cell layout, which lowers its voltage and contributes to higher efficiencies.
Series 3 voltage is >30% lower than Series 2, which allows for up to 50% more modules per string. It also features a new locking connector that makes an audible sound at connection. The connector meets the North America NEC requirement and improves connection reliability everywhere. |
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Does Series 3 use CdTe? |
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Yes, Series 3 relies on the proven thin film CdTe technology of Series 2 with the same deposition and construction processes. |
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What is First Solar's ticker symbol? |
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First Solar's ticker symbol is FSLR. |
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What exchange is First Solar's stock traded on? |
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First Solar's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange. |
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What was the date of First Solar's Initial Public Offering (IPO)? |
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First Solar's initial public offering was on November 17, 2006. |
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How do I buy First Solar stock? |
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You can buy shares of First Solar stock through a brokerage firm. First Solar does not have a direct stock purchase plan. |
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How many shares of First Solar stock are outstanding? |
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Refer to the most recent form 10-Q or form 10-K in the financial documents archive for a recent count of First Solar's outstanding shares. |
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When is the next earnings release? |
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Refer to the investor calendar for a tentative schedule of significant First Solar financial dates, including the next earnings release. For information about key industry events First Solar will participate in, visit our events page. |
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What is First Solar's fiscal year? |
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First Solar's fiscal year is based on the calendar year, ending on the last Friday on or before December 31st each year. |
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What year was First Solar incorporated? |
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First Solar originally operated as a Delaware limited liability company from 1999 until 2006. First Solar, Inc. was then incorporated in Delaware on February 22, 2006. |
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How can I get First Solar financial documents? |
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Please refer to the First Solar's SEC filings or press releases for financial documents. |
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How do I obtain an Investor Kit containing an Annual Report, 10-K, 10-Q and Corporate Overview? |
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You can quickly assemble your own investor kit by selecting and printing your choice of related documents. |
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Can I access the quarterly conference calls? |
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First Solar will provide audio broadcasts and/or replays of conference calls in the investor calendar in the past events section. |
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Where can I address Stockholder Communications? |
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ATTN: Investor Relations First Solar, Inc.
350 West Washington Street Suite 600
Tempe, AZ 85281 USA |
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When is the annual stockholder meeting held? |
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Information about the annual stockholder meeting and other financial events will be located in the investor calendar. |
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Where can I find information about First Solar's executive staff? |
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First Solar provides profiles of its executive management staff in the corporate governance section of the investor website. |
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How do I report a change of address or lost stock certificates? |
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Notify our Transfer Agent, Computershare, by phone at 781-575-4238 or by mail at:
P.O. Box 43023
Providence, RI 02940
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How can I contact First Solar Investor Relations? |
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First Solar Investor Relations can be contacted by telephone at 602-414-9315, by fax at 602-414-9415, or via the Web |
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How do I apply for a job with First Solar? |
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We utilize a web-based recruiting system for posting open job positions and managing applicants' resumes for all our global locations. If you are interested in applying for a position at one of our global offices, please visit our careers page. From there, you can search job postings, submit your application, and attach a resume. The information you submit will be sent for consideration to our internal human resources and recruiting department at the appropriate First Solar location.
If you are interested in applying for a position at one of our global manufacturing facilities, please contact the appropriate First Solar location in which you are seeking employment. For factory positions in Perrysburg, Ohio, please contact Phoenix Services at +1 419 885 2151. |
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Does First Solar send updates or rejection notices? |
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Due to the extremely high volume of applications and resumes we receive, we currently do not provide status updates or notify applicants when a position has been filled. |
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Does First Solar offer internships? |
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First Solar currently does not have an official internship program. Please visit our careers page upon completion of your studies to view our open job positions. |
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Where can I find approved First Solar pictures and fact sheets? |
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Approved First Solar pictures and fact sheets are located on our media/press center. |
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What should I do with First Solar modules that have reached the end of their useful life? |
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Consistent with the philosophy of Extended Producer Responsibility, First Solar has developed and implemented the industry’s first prefunded Module Collection and Recycling Program. Under this program, anyone in possession of First Solar modules can request collection and recycling at anytime, at no additional cost. First Solar will provide the module owner with the necessary materials, containers, and instructions for packaging and transport. The module owner’s only responsibility is to dismantle and package the modules. First Solar estimates that more than 90% of all collected modules will be recycled into new products. |
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Do I have to wait until the modules have been in use for 25 years before I can recycle them? |
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No. First Solar’s Module Collection and Recycling Program is available at anytime to anyone in possession of First Solar modules. |
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Solar modules have a long life expectancy (25+ years.) How can First Solar customers be assured that the collection and recycling program will actually be available when the modules are ready for recycling? |
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First Solar has designed its Module Collection and Recycling Program to be robust and independent — regardless of the financial condition of First Solar in the future. When each module is sold, First Solar deposits sufficient funds into custodial accounts in the name of a Trustee to cover estimated future module collection and recycling costs. First Solar deposits funds for 100% of modules sold in a given year. Our collection and recycling program is audited annually by an independent auditor. |
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Can I have the name and contact information of one of First Solar's associates in a specific role? |
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First Solar protects the privacy of its associates and does not provide employee contact information to outside parties except for certain legitimate purposes (such as employment verification for a bank or mortgage company). |
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How do I inform First Solar of my company's capabilities? |
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First Solar fosters a productive work environment and does not forward unsolicited calls or emails to other associates. If you would like to inform First Solar of your company's capabilities, please submit a general information inquiry. You will be notified if your information is forwarded to a specific department or contacted if there is an interest in pursuing this opportunity. Please note that due to the extremely high volume of inquiries we receive, we may not be able to reply to every solicitation. |
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How do I submit a solar industry survey or questionnaire to First Solar? |
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First Solar completes numerous solar industry surveys and questionnaires throughout the year. To submit your survey or questionnaire to First Solar, please send an email to info@firstsolar.com. Please note that due to the extremely high volume of requests we receive, we may not be able to accommodate your request. |
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Does First Solar participate in community relations or corporate sponsorships? |
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Yes, First Solar participates in various community relations and corporate sponsorship activities and evaluates each opportunity based on First Solar's mission, strategic objectives, and core values. If you would like to inform First Solar of a community relations or corporate sponsorship opportunity, please submit a general information inquiry. |
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Does First Solar provide company or solar industry information to students? |
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Unfortunately, First Solar is unable to provide assistance to students for research projects. Students are welcome to visit our website at www.firstsolar.com for information about our company and products. The investor section of our website contains First Solar press releases, annual reports, quarterly reports, proxy statements, and event webcasts. We also recommend visiting the following websites for solar industry information:
Energy Information Administration Website for Kids
Website
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Website for Kids
Website
Energy Star Kids
Website |
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Does First Solar offer any educational materials for teachers? |
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First Solar is currently developing educational programs for teachers that we expect to release in 2010. In the mean time, teachers are welcome to visit our website at firstsolar.com for information about our company and products. The investor section of our website contains First Solar press releases, annual reports, quarterly reports, proxy statements, and event webcasts. We also recommend visiting the following websites for solar industry information:
Energy Information Administration Website for Kids
Website
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Website for Kids
Website
Energy Star Kids
Website |
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Does First Solar offer public tours of its manufacturing facilities? |
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Due to our proprietary technology and manufacturing processes, First Solar does not grant many tour requests. To request a tour of one of our manufacturing facilities, please submit a general information inquiry. |
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Do you have a question that hasn't been answered? |
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If your question has not been answered on this page, please contact the appropriate First Solar department to submit your inquiry:
Contact Customer Support
Sales & Product Information
Investor Relations
Media & Public Relations
Collection & Recycling
General Information |
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