Ameresco, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2010 September (Form 10-Q)
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
þ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010
OR
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from ___________ to ___________.
Commission File Number: 001-34811
Ameresco, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
04-3512838 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
111 Speen Street, Suite 410 Framingham, Massachusetts (Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
01701 (Zip Code) |
(508) 661-2200
(Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
(Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed
since last report)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed
since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for
such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its
corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes
o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of large accelerated filer,
accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer o | Accelerated Filer o | Non-accelerated Filer þ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock as of the
latest practicable date.
Class | Shares outstanding as of November 12, 2010 | |||
Class A Common
Stock, $0.0001 par
value per share |
23,086,165 | |||
Class B Common Stock,
$0.0001 par value per
share |
18,000,000 |
AMERESCO, INC.
Table of Contents
2
Table of Contents
Part 1 Financial Information
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, | September 30, | |||||||
2009 | 2010 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 47,927,540 | $ | 29,266,001 | ||||
Restricted cash |
9,249,885 | 10,617,362 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
61,279,515 | 91,905,734 | ||||||
Accounts receivable retainage |
9,242,288 | 17,337,445 | ||||||
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings |
14,009,076 | 32,724,457 | ||||||
Inventory, net |
4,237,909 | 5,309,177 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
8,077,761 | 13,649,918 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
9,279,473 | 10,819,900 | ||||||
Project development costs |
8,468,974 | 9,266,798 | ||||||
Total current assets |
171,772,421 | 220,896,792 | ||||||
Federal ESPC receivable financing |
51,397,347 | 161,920,078 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net |
4,373,256 | 4,661,471 | ||||||
Project assets, net |
117,637,990 | 134,995,537 | ||||||
Deferred financing fees, net |
3,582,560 | 3,431,442 | ||||||
Goodwill |
16,132,429 | 18,460,564 | ||||||
Other assets |
10,648,605 | 4,144,324 | ||||||
203,772,187 | 327,613,416 | |||||||
$ | 375,544,608 | $ | 548,510,208 | |||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
$ | 8,093,016 | $ | 4,932,771 | ||||
Accounts payable |
75,578,378 | 94,671,536 | ||||||
Accrued expenses |
18,362,674 | 13,361,057 | ||||||
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings |
28,166,364 | 30,870,614 | ||||||
Incomes taxes payable |
2,129,529 | 2,808,209 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
132,329,961 | 146,644,187 | ||||||
Long-term debt, less current portion |
102,807,203 | 180,663,431 | ||||||
Subordinated debt |
2,998,750 | | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
11,901,645 | 11,901,645 | ||||||
Deferred grant income |
4,158,508 | 3,995,058 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
18,578,754 | 23,042,218 | ||||||
140,444,860 | 219,602,352 | |||||||
Stockholders equity: |
||||||||
Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 3,500,000 shares
authorized, 3,210,000 shares issued and outstanding at 12/31/2009, no shares issued
and outstanding at 9/30/2010 |
321 | | ||||||
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued
and outstanding at 12/31/2009 and 9/30/2010 |
| | ||||||
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 60,000,000 shares authorized, 17,998,168 shares
issued and 13,282,284 outstanding at 12/31/2009, no shares issued and outstanding
at 9/30/2010 |
1,800 | | ||||||
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, no shares
issued and outstanding at 12/31/2009, 27,919,449 shares issued and 23,086,165
shares outstanding at 9/30/2010 |
| 2,792 | ||||||
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 144,000,000 shares authorized, no shares
issued and outstanding at 12/31/2009, 18,000,000 shares issued and outstanding at
9/30/2010 |
| 1,800 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
10,466,312 | 71,308,330 | ||||||
Retained earnings |
97,882,985 | 118,909,218 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
2,831,970 | 1,224,100 | ||||||
Less treasury stock, at cost, 4,715,884 shares and 4,833,284 shares, respectively |
(8,413,601 | ) | (9,182,571 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders equity |
102,769,787 | 182,263,669 | ||||||
$ | 375,544,608 | $ | 548,510,208 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
Table of Contents
AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Three Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2009 | 2010 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||
Energy efficiency revenue |
$ | 106,803,997 | $ | 147,863,350 | ||||
Renewable energy revenue |
25,490,418 | 44,038,079 | ||||||
132,294,415 | 191,901,429 | |||||||
Direct expenses: |
||||||||
Energy efficiency expenses |
88,714,827 | 121,906,348 | ||||||
Renewable energy expenses |
19,662,420 | 35,114,345 | ||||||
108,377,247 | 157,020,693 | |||||||
Gross profit |
23,917,168 | 34,880,736 | ||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||
Salaries and benefits |
7,364,786 | 8,409,014 | ||||||
Project development costs |
1,267,986 | 2,716,616 | ||||||
General, administrative and other |
3,708,122 | 4,841,508 | ||||||
12,340,894 | 15,967,138 | |||||||
Operating income |
11,576,274 | 18,913,598 | ||||||
Other income (expense), net |
924,031 | (2,010,030 | ) | |||||
Income before provision for income taxes |
12,500,305 | 16,903,568 | ||||||
Income tax provision |
4,305,830 | 4,862,651 | ||||||
Net income |
8,194,475 | 12,040,917 | ||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss): |
||||||||
Unrealized loss from interest rate hedge, net of tax |
| (746,087 | ) | |||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
3,530,723 | 879,842 | ||||||
Comprehensive income: |
$ | 11,725,198 | $ | 12,174,672 | ||||
Net income per share attributable to common
shareholders: |
||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.86 | $ | 0.35 | ||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.23 | $ | 0.28 | ||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
||||||||
Basic |
9,559,545 | 34,434,352 | ||||||
Diluted |
35,625,835 | 43,445,391 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
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AMERESCO,
INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2009 | 2010 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||
Energy efficiency revenue |
$ | 241,290,308 | $ | 323,578,578 | ||||
Renewable energy revenue |
53,848,666 | 115,305,944 | ||||||
295,138,974 | 438,884,522 | |||||||
Direct expenses: |
||||||||
Energy efficiency expenses |
199,585,426 | 267,495,450 | ||||||
Renewable energy expenses |
42,597,466 | 91,955,471 | ||||||
242,182,892 | 359,450,921 | |||||||
Gross profit |
52,956,082 | 79,433,601 | ||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||
Salaries and benefits |
18,817,921 | 21,893,756 | ||||||
Project development costs |
6,862,982 | 7,893,558 | ||||||
General, administrative and other |
13,261,611 | 16,156,553 | ||||||
38,942,514 | 45,943,867 | |||||||
Operating income |
14,013,568 | 33,489,734 | ||||||
Other income (expense), net |
1,512,388 | (4,082,417 | ) | |||||
Income before provision for income taxes |
15,525,956 | 29,407,317 | ||||||
Income tax provision |
5,193,123 | 8,381,084 | ||||||
Net income |
10,332,833 | 21,026,233 | ||||||
Other comprehensive loss: |
||||||||
Unrealized loss from interest rate hedge, net of tax |
| (2,297,667 | ) | |||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
3,269,613 | 689,797 | ||||||
Comprehensive income: |
$ | 13,602,446 | $ | 19,418,363 | ||||
Net income per share attributable to common
shareholders: |
||||||||
Basic |
$ | 1.08 | $ | 1.02 | ||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.30 | $ | 0.53 | ||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
||||||||
Basic |
9,576,548 | 20,563,849 | ||||||
Diluted |
34,812,967 | 39,513,507 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
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AMERESCO, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Class B Common Stock | Class A Common Stock | Paid-In | Retained | Treasury Stock | Comprehensive | Stockholders | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Capital | Earnings | Shares | Amount | Income (Loss) | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2009 |
3,210,000 | $ | 321 | | $ | | 17,998,168 | $ | 1,800 | | $ | | | $ | | $ | 10,466,312 | $ | 97,882,985 | 4,715,884 | $ | (8,413,601 | ) | $ | 2,831,970 | $ | 102,769,787 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion
of preferred and common stock: |
(3,210,000 | ) | (321 | ) | | | (17,998,168 | ) | (1,800 | ) | 18,000,000 | 1,800 | 19,258,168 | 1,926 | (1,605 | ) | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Initial public offering
proceeds, net: |
| | | | | | | | 6,000,000 | 600 | 53,238,878 | | | | | 53,239,478 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Initial public offering
overallotment, net: |
| | | | | | | | 342,889 | 34 | 3,188,834 | | | | | 3,188,868 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options: |
| | | | | | | | 1,913,106 | 191 | 2,655,423 | | | | | 2,655,614 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase of stock
options: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | 117,400 | (768,970 | ) | | (768,970 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of warrants: |
| | | | | | | | 405,286 | 41 | 1,985 | | | | | 2,026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation
expense: |
| | | | | | | | | | 1,758,503 | | | | | 1,758,503 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation
adjustment: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | 689,797 | 689,797 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized loss from interest
rate hedge, net of
tax: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | (2,297,667 | ) | (2,297,667 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income: |
| | | | | | | | | | | 21,026,233 | | | | 21,026,233 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2010 |
| $ | | | $ | | | $ | | 18,000,000 | $ | 1,800 | 27,919,449 | $ | 2,792 | $ | 71,308,330 | $ | 118,909,218 | 4,833,284 | $ | (9,182,571 | ) | $ | 1,224,100 | $ | 182,263,669 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
Table of Contents
AMERESCO, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Three Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2009 | 2010 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 8,194,475 | $ | 12,040,917 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating
activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation of project assets |
1,876,182 | 4,206,992 | ||||||
Depreciation of property and equipment |
500,262 | 589,029 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred financing fees |
59,016 | 306,398 | ||||||
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps |
354,326 | | ||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
611,414 | 651,352 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
(314,885 | ) | 792,193 | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
(Increase) decrease in: |
||||||||
Restricted cash draws |
13,677,494 | 53,185,373 | ||||||
Accounts receivable |
(12,650,473 | ) | (21,103,490 | ) | ||||
Accounts receivable retainage |
(2,875,973 | ) | (5,204,217 | ) | ||||
Federal ESPC receivable financing |
(18,759,514 | ) | (51,833,048 | ) | ||||
Inventory |
1,371,016 | 23,790 | ||||||
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings |
2,411,481 | (8,859,603 | ) | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
(845,316 | ) | (1,817,278 | ) | ||||
Project development costs |
(1,256,091 | ) | (872,942 | ) | ||||
Other assets |
88,416 | 4,560,707 | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in: |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
14,543,993 | 25,940,748 | ||||||
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings |
10,110,040 | (1,341,379 | ) | |||||
Other liabilities |
3,336,316 | 337,826 | ||||||
Income taxes payable |
2,668,299 | (2,541,814 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
23,100,478 | 9,061,554 | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment |
(508,466 | ) | (877,781 | ) | ||||
Purchases of project assets, net of grants received |
2,341,325 | (12,415,691 | ) | |||||
Acquisitions, net of cash received |
(674,110 | ) | (6,138,941 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
1,158,749 | (19,432,413 | ) | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||
Payments of financing fees |
(9,842 | ) | (402,625 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from options, warrants and issuance of stock |
| 59,649,893 | ||||||
Payments on senior secured credit facility |
(15,062,033 | ) | (31,351,119 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from long-term debt financing |
1,352,559 | | ||||||
Restricted cash |
(3,771,371 | ) | (1,137,175 | ) | ||||
Repayment of subordinated debt |
| (2,998,750 | ) | |||||
Payments on long-term debt |
(1,178,396 | ) | (5,755,902 | ) | ||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(18,669,083 | ) | 18,004,322 | |||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
1,021,999 | 498,142 | ||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
6,612,143 | 8,131,605 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
8,855,402 | 21,134,396 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ | 15,467,545 | $ | 29,266,001 | ||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
||||||||
Cash paid during the period for: |
||||||||
Interest |
$ | 768,981 | $ | 710,265 | ||||
Income taxes |
$ | 570,378 | $ | 3,652,142 | ||||
Acquisitions, net of cash received: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
$ | | $ | 8,354,669 | ||||
Accounts receivable retainage |
| 423,927 | ||||||
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings |
| 1,947,639 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
18,177 | 33,922 | ||||||
Property and equipment |
113,842 | 127,512 | ||||||
Goodwill |
2,280,739 | 2,539,561 | ||||||
Other assets |
| 18,551 | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
(1,356,095 | ) | (7,032,052 | ) | ||||
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings |
| (274,788 | ) | |||||
Long-term debt, net |
(382,553 | ) | | |||||
$ | 674,110 | $ | 6,138,941 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
7
Table of Contents
AMERESCO,
INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2009 | 2010 | |||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 10,332,833 | $ | 21,026,233 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation of project assets |
3,928,979 | 7,623,850 | ||||||
Depreciation of property and equipment |
1,033,373 | 1,234,415 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred financing fees |
161,662 | 474,403 | ||||||
Provision for bad debts |
327,558 | | ||||||
Write-down of long-term receivable |
| 2,111,000 | ||||||
Unrealized (gain) loss on interest rate swaps |
(1,634,619 | ) | 133,591 | |||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
1,844,400 | 1,758,503 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
418,256 | | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
(Increase) decrease in: |
||||||||
Restricted cash draws |
21,612,096 | 108,936,357 | ||||||
Accounts receivable |
(21,059,142 | ) | (24,037,153 | ) | ||||
Accounts receivable retainage |
(1,353,728 | ) | (7,491,725 | ) | ||||
Federal ESPC receivable financing |
(27,056,209 | ) | (110,522,731 | ) | ||||
Inventory |
1,679,369 | (1,071,268 | ) | |||||
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings |
(9,709,704 | ) | (16,660,465 | ) | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
(2,463,756 | ) | (5,518,403 | ) | ||||
Project development costs |
(2,899,742 | ) | (790,904 | ) | ||||
Other assets |
6,207,159 | 6,582,019 | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in: |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
4,423,091 | 6,749,903 | ||||||
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings |
12,101,951 | 2,311,175 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
(2,046,462 | ) | 1,702,081 | |||||
Income taxes payable |
1,060,602 | (946,361 | ) | |||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(3,092,033 | ) | (6,395,480 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment |
(1,430,604 | ) | (1,361,876 | ) | ||||
Purchases of project assets, net of grants received |
(14,587,244 | ) | (24,783,062 | ) | ||||
Acquisitions, net of cash received |
(674,110 | ) | (6,138,941 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(16,691,958 | ) | (32,283,879 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||
Payments of financing fees |
(79,905 | ) | (1,300,058 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from options, warrants and issuance of stock |
| 60,062,759 | ||||||
Repurchase of stock |
(874,948 | ) | (768,970 | ) | ||||
Payments on senior secured credit facility |
(4,449,242 | ) | (19,915,218 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from long-term debt financing |
28,074,858 | 812,398 | ||||||
Restricted cash |
(5,054,245 | ) | (5,956,433 | ) | ||||
Repayment of subordinated debt |
| (2,998,750 | ) | |||||
Payments on long-term debt |
(2,626,925 | ) | (10,548,598 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
14,989,593 | 19,387,130 | ||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
2,112,798 | 630,690 | ||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
(2,681,600 | ) | (18,661,539 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |
18,149,145 | 47,927,540 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ | 15,467,545 | $ | 29,266,001 | ||||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
||||||||
Cash paid during the period for: |
||||||||
Interest |
$ | 2,558,505 | $ | 3,228,744 | ||||
Income taxes |
$ | 2,114,344 | $ | 5,052,664 | ||||
Acquisitions, net of cash received: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
$ | | $ | 8,354,669 | ||||
Accounts receivable retainage |
| 423,927 | ||||||
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings |
| 1,947,639 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
18,177 | 33,922 | ||||||
Property and equipment |
113,842 | 127,512 | ||||||
Goodwill |
2,280,739 | 2,539,561 | ||||||
Other assets |
| 18,551 | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
(1,356,095 | ) | (7,032,052 | ) | ||||
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings |
| (274,788 | ) | |||||
Long-term debt, net |
(382,553 | ) | | |||||
$ | 674,110 | $ | 6,138,941 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Ameresco, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) was organized as a Delaware
corporation on April 25, 2000. The Company is a provider of energy efficiency
solutions for facilities throughout North America. The Company provides
solutions, both products and services, that enable customers to reduce their
energy consumption, lower their operating and maintenance costs and realize
environmental benefits. The Companys comprehensive set of services includes
upgrades to a facilitys energy infrastructure and the construction and
operation of small-scale renewable energy plants. It also sells certain
photovoltaic equipment worldwide. The Company operates in the United States,
Canada, and Europe.
The Company is compensated through a variety of methods, including: 1) direct
payments based on fee-for-services contracts (utilizing lump-sum or cost-plus
pricing methodologies); 2) the sale of energy from the Companys generating
assets; and 3) direct payment for photovoltaic equipment and systems.
The condensed consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2009, and
September 30, 2010, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009
and 2010, include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
The condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2010, and
for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, are unaudited.
In addition, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in
financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) have been condensed or
omitted. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all
adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair
presentation in conformity with GAAP. The interim condensed consolidated
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited
consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009, and
notes thereto, included in the Companys prospectus filed pursuant to Rule
424(b)(4) and contained in the related Registration Statement on Form S-1
declared effective by the SEC on July 21, 2010 (File No. 333-165821). The
results of operations for the interim periods should not be considered
indicative of results to be expected for the full year.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
A summary of the significant accounting policies consistently applied in the
preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Ameresco, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Gains and losses from the
translation of all foreign currency financial statements are recorded in the
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) account within stockholders
equity.
Stock Split
Prior to the consummation of the initial public offering of the Companys Class
A common stock, the number of authorized shares of common stock was increased
to 60,000,000. In addition, all common share and per share amounts in the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been restated to
reflect a two-for-one stock split effected on July 20, 2010.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.
The most significant estimates with regard to these consolidated financial
statements relate to the estimation of final construction contract profit in
accordance with accounting for long-term contracts, allowance for doubtful
accounts, inventory reserves, project development costs, fair value of
derivative financial instruments and stock-based awards, impairment of long
lived assets, income taxes and estimating potential liability in conjunction
with certain commitments and contingencies. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash includes cash on deposit, overnight repurchase agreements, and
amounts invested in highly liquid money market funds. Cash equivalents
consist of short term investments with original maturities of three
months or less. The Company maintains accounts with financial
institutions and the balances in such accounts, at times, exceed
federally insured limits. This credit risk is divided among a number of
financial institutions that management believes to be of high quality.
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates their fair
value.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of cash held in an escrow account in association
with construction draws for energy savings performance contracts
(ESPCs), as well as cash required under term loans to be maintained in
debt service reserve accounts until all obligations have been
indefeasibly paid in full.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to
collect from outstanding balances. An allowance for doubtful accounts is
provided for those accounts receivable considered to be uncollectible
based upon historical experience and managements evaluation of
outstanding accounts receivable at the end of the period. Bad debts are
written off against the allowance when identified. Changes in the
allowance for doubtful accounts for the nine months ended September 30,
2009 and 2010, are as follows:
2009 | 2010 | |||||||
Balance at beginning of period |
$ | 1,049,711 | $ | 1,602,079 | ||||
Charges to costs and expenses |
356,728 | | ||||||
Account write-offs and other deductions |
(155,972 | ) | (17,006 | ) | ||||
Balance at end of period |
$ | 1,250,467 | $ | 1,585,073 | ||||
At December 31 2009, the Company had one customer that accounted for
approximately 14% of the Companys total accounts receivable. At September 30,
2010, no customer accounted for more than 10% of the Companys total accounts
receivable.
During the three months ended September 30, 2009, one customer accounted for
approximately 10.8% of the Companys total revenue. During the three months
ended September 30, 2010, no customer accounted for more than 10% of the
Companys total revenue.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, no customer accounted for more
than 10% of the Companys total revenue. During the nine months ended September
30, 2010, the Company had one customer that accounted for approximately 11.3%
of the Companys total revenue.
Accounts Receivable Retainage
Accounts receivable retainage represents amounts due from customers, but where
payments are withheld contractually until certain construction milestones are
met. Amounts retained typically range from 5% to 10% of the total invoice.
Inventory
Inventories, which consist of photovoltaic solar panels, batteries, and related
accessories, are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or
market (determined on the basis of estimated realizable values). Provisions
have been made to reduce the carrying value to the net realizable value.
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
Prepaid Expenses
Prepaid expenses consist primarily of short-term prepaid expenditures that will amortize within one year.
Federal ESPC Receivable Financing
Federal ESPC receivable financing represents the amount to be paid by various federal government agencies for
work performed and earned by the Company under specific ESPCs. The Company assigns certain of its rights to
receive those payments to third-party lenders that provide construction and permanent financing for such
contracts. The receivable is recognized as revenue as each project is constructed. Upon completion and
acceptance of the project by the government, the assigned ESPC receivable and the corresponding related project
debt are eliminated from the Companys financial statements.
Project Development Costs
The Company capitalizes as project development costs only those costs incurred in connection with the
development of energy projects, primarily direct labor, interest costs, outside contractor services, consulting
fees, legal fees and travel, if incurred after a point in time where the realization of related revenue becomes
probable. Project development costs incurred prior to the probable realization of revenue are expensed as
incurred. The Company classifies project development costs as a current asset as the development efforts are
expected to proceed to construction activity in the twelve months that follow.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consists primarily of office and computer equipment. These assets are recorded at cost.
Major additions and improvements are capitalized as additions to the property and equipment accounts, while
replacements, maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of the respective assets, are
expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment are computed on a straight-line
basis over the following estimated useful lives:
Asset Classification | Estimated Useful Life | |
Furniture and office equipment
|
Five years | |
Computer equipment and software costs
|
Five years | |
Leasehold improvements
|
Lesser of term of lease or five years | |
Automobiles
|
Five years |
Project Assets
Project assets consist of costs of materials, direct labor, interest costs,
outside contract services and project development costs incurred in connection
with the construction of small-scale renewable energy plants that the Company
owns and the implementation of energy savings contracts. These amounts are
capitalized and amortized over the lives of the related assets or the terms of
the related contracts.
The Company capitalizes interest costs relating to construction financing
during the period of construction. The interest capitalized is included in the
total cost of the project at completion. The amount of interest capitalized for
the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, was $1,146,790 and $252,113,
respectively.
Routine maintenance costs are expensed in the current years consolidated
statement of income and comprehensive income to the extent that they do not
extend the life of the asset. Major maintenance, upgrades and overhauls are
required for certain components of the Companys assets, including its landfill
gas (LFG) facilities. In these instances, the costs associated with these
upgrades are capitalized and are depreciated over the shorter of the life of
the asset or until the next required major maintenance or overhaul period.
Gains or losses on disposal of property and equipment are reflected in general,
administrative and other expenses in the consolidated statements of income and
comprehensive income.
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
The Company evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment as events or changes
in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may not be fully
recoverable. The Company evaluates recoverability of long-lived assets to be
held and used by estimating the undiscounted future cash flows before interest
associated with the expected uses and eventual disposition of those assets.
When these comparisons indicate that the carrying value of those assets is
greater than the undiscounted cash flows, the Company recognizes an impairment
loss for the amount that the carrying value exceeds the fair value.
In September 2009, the Company received $12,864,644 in grant awards from the
U.S. Treasury Department (the Treasury) under Section 1603 of the 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the Stimulus Act). The Stimulus Act
authorized the Treasury to make payments to eligible persons who place in
service qualifying renewable energy projects. The grants are paid in lieu of
investment tax credits. All of the proceeds from the grants were used and
recorded as a reduction in the cost basis of the applicable project assets. If
the Company disposes of the property, or the property ceases to qualify as
specified energy property, within five years from the date the property is
placed in service, then a prorated portion of the Section 1603 payment must be
repaid. For tax purposes, the Section 1603 payments are not included in
federal and certain state taxable income and the basis of the property is
reduced by 50% of the payment received. Deferred grant income of $4,158,508
and $3,995,058 in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31,
2009 and September 30, 2010, respectively, represents the benefit of the basis
difference to be amortized to income tax expense over the life of the related
property.
During 2010, the Company received notice that a customer intended to terminate
an energy service agreement at the end of 2010. As a result, the Company
adjusted the remaining useful life of the corresponding equipment. The
adjustment to the useful life resulted in approximately $2,400,000 of
additional depreciation expense during the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2010. The remaining book value of approximately $500,000 will be
depreciated in the fourth quarter.
Deferred Financing Fees
Deferred financing fees relate to the external costs incurred to obtain
financing for the Company. All deferred financing fees are amortized over the
respective term of the financing.
Goodwill
The Company has classified as goodwill the excess of fair value of the net
assets (including tax attributes) of companies acquired in purchase
transactions. The Company assesses the impairment of goodwill and intangible
assets with indefinite lives on an annual basis (December
31st) and whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. The
Company would record an impairment charge if such an assessment were to
indicate that, more likely than not, the fair value of such assets was less
than their carrying values. Judgment is required in determining whether an
event has occurred that may impair the value of goodwill or identifiable
intangible assets.
Factors that could indicate that impairment may exist include significant
underperformance relative to plan or long-term projections, significant changes
in business strategy, significant negative industry or economic trends or a
significant decline in the base stock price of public competitors for a
sustained period of time. Although the Company believes goodwill and intangible
assets are appropriately stated in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements, changes in strategy or market conditions could significantly impact
these judgments and require an adjustment to the recorded balance.
Other Assets
Other assets consist primarily of notes and contracts receivable due to the
Company. In 2003, the Company acquired an asset which was substantially
monetized with a residual based on an expectation of the contract running its
full term. During the second quarter of 2010, the Company received notice that
the customer intended to prepay the contract at the end of 2010. Accordingly,
the Company recorded a non-cash charge of approximately $2.1 million related to
the unexpected prepayment of the long-term receivable.
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company recognizes a liability for the fair value of required asset
retirement obligations (AROs) when such obligations are incurred. The
liability is estimated based on a number of assumptions requiring managements
judgment, including equipment removal costs, site restoration costs, salvage
costs, cost inflation rates and discount rates and is accreted to its projected
future value over time. The capitalized asset is depreciated using the
convention of depreciation of plant assets. Upon satisfaction of the ARO
conditions, any difference between the recorded ARO liability and the actual
retirement cost incurred is recognized as an operating gain or loss in the
consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income. As of December 31,
2009, and September 30, 2010, the Company had no AROs.
Other Liabilities
Other liabilities consist primarily of deferred revenue related to multi-year
operation and maintenance contracts which expire as late as 2031. Other
liabilities also include the fair value of derivatives.
Revenue Recognition
The Company derives revenue from energy efficiency and renewable energy
products and services. Energy efficiency products and services include the
design, engineering, and installation of equipment and other measures to
improve the efficiency, and control the operation,
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
of a facilitys energy infrastructure. Renewable energy products and services include the construction of
small-scale plants that produce electricity, gas, heat or cooling from renewable sources of energy, the sale of
such electricity, gas, heat or cooling from plants that the Company owns, and the sale and installation of
solar energy products and systems.
Revenue from the installation or construction of projects is recognized on a percentage-of-completion basis.
The percentage-of-completion for each project is determined on an actual cost-to-estimated final cost basis.
Maintenance revenue is recognized as related services are performed. In accordance with industry practice, the
Company includes in current assets and liabilities the amounts of receivables related to construction projects
realizable and payable over a period in excess of one year. The Company recognizes revenue associated with
contract change orders only when the authorization for the change order has been properly executed and the work
has been performed and accepted by the customer.
When the estimate on a contract indicates a loss, or claims against costs incurred reduce the likelihood of
recoverability of such costs, the Company records the entire expected loss immediately, regardless of the
percentage of completion.
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings represents advanced billings on certain construction
contracts. Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings under customer contracts represent certain
amounts that were earned and billable but not invoiced at December 31, 2009, and September 30, 2010.
The Company sells certain products and services in bundled arrangements, where multiple products and/or
services are involved. The Company divides bundled arrangements into separate deliverables and revenue is
allocated to each deliverable based on the relative fair value of all elements. The fair value is determined
based on the price of the deliverable sold on a stand-alone basis.
The Company recognizes revenue from the sale and delivery of products, including the output from renewable
energy plants, when produced and delivered to the customer, in accordance with specific contract terms,
provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the Companys price to the customer is fixed or
determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.
The Company recognizes revenue from O&M contracts and consulting services as the related services are performed.
For a limited number of contracts, under which the Company receives additional revenue based on a share of
energy savings, such additional revenue is recognized as energy savings are generated.
Direct Expenses
Direct expenses include the cost of labor, materials, equipment, subcontracting and outside engineering that
are required for the development and installation of projects, as well as preconstruction costs, sales
incentives, associated travel, inventory obsolescence charges and, if applicable, costs of procuring financing.
A majority of the Companys contracts have fixed price terms; however, in some cases the Company negotiates
protections, such as a cost-plus structure, to mitigate the risk of rising prices for materials, services and
equipment.
Direct expenses also include the costs of maintaining and operating the small-scale renewable energy plants
that the Company owns, including the cost of fuel (if any) and depreciation charges.
Income Taxes
The Company provides for income taxes based on the liability method. The Company provides for deferred income
taxes based on the expected future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement basis and
the tax basis of assets and liabilities calculated using the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which
the differences are expected to be reflected in the tax return.
The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions using a more-likely-than-not threshold for recognizing and
resolving uncertain tax positions. The evaluation of uncertain tax positions is based on factors that include,
but are not limited to, changes in tax law,
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns,
the effective settlement of matters subject to audit, new audit activity and
changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position. The Company
evaluates uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis and adjusts the level of
the liability to reflect any subsequent changes in the relevant facts
surrounding the uncertain positions.
The Companys liabilities for uncertain tax positions can be relieved only if
the contingency becomes legally extinguished through either payment to the
taxing authority or the expiration of the statute of limitations, the
recognition of the benefits associated with the position meet the
more-likely-than-not threshold or the liability becomes effectively settled
through the examination process.
The Company considers matters to be effectively settled once the taxing
authority has completed all of its required or expected examination procedures,
including all appeals and administrative reviews; the Company has no plans to
appeal or litigate any aspect of the tax position; and the Company believes
that it is highly unlikely that the taxing authority would examine or
re-examine the related tax position. The Company also accrues for potential
interest and penalties, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax
expense.
Foreign Currency Translation
The local currency of the Companys foreign operations is considered the
functional currency of such operations. All assets and liabilities of the
Companys foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at year-end
exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at average exchange
rates prevailing during the year. Translation adjustments are accumulated as a
separate component of stockholders equity. Foreign currency translation gains
and losses are reported on the consolidated statements of income and
comprehensive income.
Financial Instruments
Financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash,
accounts receivable, long-term contract receivables, accounts payable,
long-term debt and interest rate swaps. The estimated fair value of cash and
cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, long-term contract
receivables and accounts payable approximates their carrying value. See below
for fair value measurements of long-term debt. See Note 10 for fair value of
interest rate swaps.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Stock-based compensation expense results from the issuances of shares of
restricted common stock and grants of stock options and warrants to employees,
directors, outside consultants and others. The Company recognizes the costs
associated with restricted stock, option and warrant grants using the fair
value recognition provisions of Accounting Standards Codification
(ASC) 718, Compensation Stock Compensation
(formerly SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment) on a straight-line basis over
the vesting period of the awards.
Stock-based compensation expense is recognized based on the grant-date fair
value. The Company estimates the fair value of the stock-based awards,
including stock options, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.
Determining the fair value of stock-based awards requires the use of highly
subjective assumptions, including the fair value of the common stock underlying
the award, the expected term of the award and expected stock price volatility.
The assumptions used in determining the fair value of stock-based awards
represent managements estimates, which involve inherent uncertainties and the
application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change, and
different assumptions are employed, the stock-based compensation could be
materially different in the future. The risk-free interest rates are based on
the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant, with maturities
approximating the expected life of the stock options.
The Company has no history of paying dividends. Additionally, as of each of the
grant dates, there was no expectation to pay dividends over the expected life
of the options. The expected life of the awards is estimated using historical
data and managements expectations. Because there was no public market for the
Companys common stock prior to its initial public offering, management lacked
company-specific historical and implied volatility information. Therefore,
estimates of expected stock volatility were based on that of publicly-traded
peer companies, and it is expected that the Company will continue to use this
methodology until such time as there is adequate historical data regarding the
volatility of the Companys publicly-traded stock price.
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
The Company is required to recognize compensation expense for only the portion
of options that are expected to vest. Actual historical forfeiture rate of
options is based on employee terminations and the number of shares forfeited.
This data and other qualitative factors are considered by the Company in
determining to use a 22% forfeiture rate in recognizing stock compensation
expense. If the actual forfeiture rate varies from historical rates and
estimates, additional adjustments to compensation expense may be required in
future periods. If there are any modifications or cancellations of the
underlying unvested securities or the terms of the stock option, it may be
necessary to accelerate, increase or cancel any remaining unamortized
stock-based compensation expense.
The Company also accounts for equity instruments issued to non-employee
directors and consultants at fair value. All transactions in which goods or
services are the consideration received for the issuance of equity instruments
are accounted for based on the fair value of the consideration received or the
fair value of the equity instrument issued, whichever is more reliably
measurable. The measurement date of the fair value of the equity instrument
issued is the date on which the counterpartys performance is complete. No
awards to individuals who were not either an employee or director of the
Company occurred during the year ended December 31, 2009, or the nine months
ended September 30, 2010.
Fair Value Measurements
On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the guidance for fair value
measurements. The guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for
measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. In addition,
in 2009, the Company adopted fair value measurements for all of its
non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for those recognized
at fair value in the financial statements at least annually. These assets
include goodwill and long-lived assets measured at fair value for impairment
assessments, and non-financial assets and liabilities initially measured at
fair value in a business combination. The Companys adoption of this guidance
did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
The Companys financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts
and notes receivable, interest rate swaps, accounts payable, accrued expenses,
and short and long-term borrowings. Because of their
short maturity, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and
notes receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and short-term borrowings
approximate fair value. The carrying value of long-term variable-rate debt
approximates fair value. As of September 30, 2010, the carrying value of the
Companys fixed-rate long-term debt exceeded its fair value by approximately
$675,000. This is based on quoted market prices or on rates available to the
Company for debt with similar terms and maturities.
The Company accounts for its interest rate swaps as derivative financial
instruments in accordance with the related guidance. Under this guidance,
derivatives are carried on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The
fair value of the Companys interest rate swaps are determined based on
observable market data in combination with expected cash flows for each
instrument.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted new guidance which expands the
disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities.
In the normal course of business, the Company utilizes derivatives contracts as
part of its risk management strategy to manage exposure to market fluctuations
in interest rates. These instruments are subject to various credit and market
risks. Controls and monitoring procedures for these instruments have been
established and are routinely reevaluated. Credit risk represents the potential
loss that may occur because a party to a transaction fails to perform according
to the terms of the contract. The measure of credit exposure is the replacement
cost of contracts with a positive fair value. The Company seeks to manage
credit risk by entering into financial instrument transactions only through
counterparties that the Company believes to be creditworthy.
Market risk represents the potential loss due to the decrease in the value of a
financial instrument caused primarily by changes in interest rates. The Company
seeks to manage market risk by establishing and monitoring limits on the types
and degree of risk that may be undertaken. As a matter of policy, the Company
does not use derivatives for speculative purposes. The Company considers the
use of derivatives with all financing transactions to mitigate risk.
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
A portion of the Companys project financing includes three projects that
utilize an interest rate swap instrument. During 2007, the Company entered into
two fifteen-year interest rate swap contracts under which the Company agreed to
pay an amount equal to a specified fixed rate of interest times a notional
principal amount, and to in turn receive an amount equal to a specified
variable rate of interest times the same notional principal amount. These
interest rate swaps qualified, but were not designated, as cash flow hedges
until April 1, 2010. Accordingly, the Company recognized these derivatives in
the consolidated statements of income at fair value prior to April 1, 2010, and
in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) thereafter. Cash
flows from derivative instruments were reported as operating activities in the
consolidated statements of cash flows.
In March 2010, the Company entered into a fourteen-year interest rate swap
contract under which the Company agreed to pay an amount equal to a specified
fixed rate of interest times a notional principal amount, and to in turn
receive an amount equal to a specified variable rate of interest times the same
notional principal amount. The swap covers a notional amount of $27.9 million
variable rate note at a fixed interest rate of 6.99% and expires in December
2024.
As of April 1, 2010, and in accordance with accounting standards, the swaps
have been designated as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, the Company recognizes the fair value
of the swaps in its condensed consolidated balance sheets and any changes in
the fair value are recorded as adjustments to other comprehensive income
(loss).
With respect to the Companys interest rate swaps, the Company recorded the
unrealized gain (loss) in earnings during the three months ended September 30,
2009 and 2010, of approximately $(354,326) and $0, respectively, as other
income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive
income. The Company recorded the unrealized gain (loss) in earnings during the
nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, of approximately $1,634,619 and
$(133,591), respectively, as other income (expense) in the consolidated
statements of income and comprehensive income.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated using the Companys weighted-average
outstanding common shares, including vested restricted shares. When the effects
are not anti-dilutive, diluted earnings per share is calculated using the
weighted-average outstanding common shares and the dilutive effect of preferred
stock, warrants and stock options as determined under the treasury stock
method.
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2009 | 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Basic and diluted net income |
$ | 8,194,475 | $ | 12,040,917 | $ | 10,332,833 | $ | 21,026,233 | ||||||||
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding |
9,559,545 | 34,434,352 | 9,576,548 | 20,563,849 | ||||||||||||
Effect of dilutive securities: |
||||||||||||||||
Preferred stock |
19,260,000 | 4,396,304 | 19,260,000 | 14,250,988 | ||||||||||||
Stock options |
6,401,244 | 4,614,735 | 5,571,428 | 4,698,670 | ||||||||||||
Warrants |
405,046 | | 404,991 | | ||||||||||||
Diluted weighted-average shares
outstanding |
35,625,835 | 43,445,391 | 34,812,967 | 39,513,507 | ||||||||||||
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
Business Segments
The Company reports four segments: U.S. federal, central U.S. region, other
U.S. regions and Canada. Each segment provides customers with energy efficiency
and renewable energy solutions. The other U.S. regions segment is an
aggregation of three regions: northeast U.S., southeast U.S. and southwest U.S.
These regions have similar economic characteristics in particular, expected
and actual gross profit margins. In addition, they sell products and services
of a similar nature, serve similar types of customers and use similar methods
to distribute their products and services. Accordingly, these three regions
meet the aggregation criteria set forth in ASC 280. The all other category
includes activities, such as O&M and sales of renewable energy and certain
other renewable energy products, that are managed centrally at the Companys
corporate headquarters. It also includes all corporate operating expenses
salary and benefits, project development costs and general, administrative and
other costs not specifically allocated to the segments. For the three months
ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, unallocated corporate expenses were
$4,459,359 and $7,712,229, respectively. Income before taxes and unallocated
corporate expenses for all other for the three months ended September 30, 2009
and 2010, was $4,856,033 and $866,405, respectively. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 and 2010, unallocated corporate expenses were
$15,390,452
and $21,700,187, respectively. Income before taxes and unallocated corporate
expenses for all other for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010,
was $13,061,956 and $9,671,347, respectively. See Note 12.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In 2009, the FASB issued an accounting pronouncement establishing the ASC as
the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be
applied by non-governmental entities. This pronouncement was effective for
financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after
September 15, 2009, for most entities. On the effective date, all non-SEC
accounting and reporting standards were superseded. The Company adopted this
new accounting pronouncement during 2009, and it did not have a material impact
on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance on subsequent events, which sets forth
general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after
the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are
available to be issued. The Company adopted the guidance during 2009, and it
did not have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial
statements.
In January 2010, the FASB issued guidance on improving disclosures about fair
value measurements. This guidance has new requirements for disclosures related
to recurring or nonrecurring fair-value measurements including significant
transfers into and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair-value measurements and
information on purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in a rollforward
reconciliation of Level 3 fair-value measurements. This guidance is effective
for the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2009, and, as a
result, it was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2010. The Level 3
reconciliation disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2010, which will be effective for the Company for the year ending
December 31, 2011. The Company does not expect that its adoption of the
guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In September 2009, the FASB issued guidance related to revenue arrangements
with multiple deliverables as codified in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition (ASC
605). ASC 605 provides greater ability to separate and allocate arrangement
consideration in a multiple element revenue arrangement. In addition, ASC 605
requires the use of estimated selling price to allocate arrangement
considerations, therefore eliminating the use of the residual method of
accounting. ASC 605 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15,
2010, and may be applied retrospectively or prospectively for new or materially
modified arrangements. Earlier application is permitted. The Company does not
expect that its adoption of this guidance will have a material effect on its
consolidated financial statements.
3. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In September 2009, the Company acquired Byrne Engineering, Inc. (Byrne) for
an initial cash payment of $674,110, and contingent earn-out which is estimated
to be $1,010,914. The total fair value of the consideration is $1,685,024.
In August 2010, the Company acquired Quantum Engineering and Development, Inc.
(Quantum) for a cash payment of $6,150,000. The total fair value of the
consideration is $6,150,000.
17
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
The 2009 and 2010 acquisitions were accounted for using the acquisition method in accordance
with ASC-805, Business Combinations. The purchase price for each has been allocated to the assets
based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisitions. The excess purchase price over
the estimated fair value of the next assets acquired has been recorded as goodwill. In each
acquisition, identified intangible assets had de minimis value as the Company was primarily
acquiring an assembled workforce in addition to the tangible net assets identified below.
2009 | 2010 | |||||||
Cash |
$ | | $ | 11,059 | ||||
Accounts receivable |
| 8,354,669 | ||||||
Accounts receivable retainage |
| 423,927 | ||||||
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings |
| 1,947,639 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
18,177 | 33,922 | ||||||
Property and equipment |
113,842 | 127,512 | ||||||
Goodwill |
2,280,739 | 2,539,561 | ||||||
Other assets |
| 18,551 | ||||||
Accounts payable |
(345,181 | ) | (6,374,371 | ) | ||||
Accrued liabilities |
(1,010,914 | ) | (657,681 | ) | ||||
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings |
| (274,788 | ) | |||||
Long-term debt, net |
(382,553 | ) | | |||||
Purchase price |
$ | 674,110 | $ | 6,150,000 | ||||
Total, net of cash received |
$ | 674,110 | $ | 6,138,941 | ||||
Total fair value of consideration |
$ | 1,685,024 | $ | 6,150,000 | ||||
The allocation of
the purchase price for the 2009 acquisition is final and based on
managements best estimates. The allocation of the purchase price for the 2010 acquisition is
preliminary and based on managements best estimates.
The results of the acquired companies since the dates of the acquisitions have been included
in the Companys operations as presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and
comprehensive income and consolidated statements of cash flows. Pro forma information has not been
presented as the acquisitions are not material. The year-to-date revenue and pre-tax income (loss)
of Byrne and Quantum, in 2009 and 2010, respectively, following their corresponding acquisition
dates, is as follows:
2009 | 2010 | |||||||
Byrne: |
||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 95,009 | $ | 2,705,604 | ||||
Pre-tax income (loss) |
$ | (16,477 | ) | $ | (131,522 | ) | ||
Quantum: |
||||||||
Revenues |
$ | | $ | 1,608,631 | ||||
Pre-tax income (loss) |
$ | | $ | 290,612 | ||||
4. INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes was approximately $4,306,000 and $4,863,000, for the three
months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The provision for income taxes was
approximately $5,193,000 and $8,381,000, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010,
respectively. The effective tax rate changed to 28.8% for the three months ended September 30,
2010, from 34.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
18
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
The effective tax rate changed to 28.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, from
33.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The rate variance between the periods is due
mainly to the Companys change in its permanent items from 2009 to 2010. The overall rates vary
from the statutory rate due to the benefit of certain energy efficiency preferences the Company
generates during the year.
5. STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS
In 2000, the Companys Board of Directors approved the Companys 2000 Stock Incentive Plan
(the 2000 Plan) and authorized the Company to reserve 12,000,000 shares of common stock for
issuance under the 2000 Plan. In 2001 and 2002, the Companys Board of Directors authorized the
Company to reserve an additional 4,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the 2000 Plan,
bringing the total number of shares of common stock reserved under the 2000 Plan to 16,000,000. In
2003 and 2006, the Companys Board of Directors authorized the Company to reserve an additional
4,500,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the 2000 Plan, bringing the total number of
shares of common stock reserved under the 2000 Plan to 20,500,000. In 2009, the Companys Board of
Directors authorized the Company to reserve an additional 8,000,000 shares of common stock for
issuance under the 2000 Plan, bringing the total number of shares of common stock reserved under
the Plan to 28,500,000. The 2000 Plan provides for the issuance of restricted stock grants,
incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options. The Company will grant no further stock
options or restricted stock awards under the 2000 Plan.
The Companys 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2010 Plan), which became effective upon
the closing of the Companys initial public offering, was adopted by the Companys Board of
Directors in May 2010 and approved by its stockholders in June 2010. The 2010 Plan provides for the
grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock awards and other
stock-based awards. Upon its effectiveness, 10,000,000 shares of the Companys Class A common stock
were reserved for issuance under the 2010 Plan.
Grants of Restricted Shares
In October 2006, the Company issued 2,000,000 shares of restricted stock to the
Companys principal and controlling shareholder under the 2000 Plan as consideration for providing
an indemnification to the Companys surety provider (see Note 8). The shares vested entirely upon
the date three years from the date of grant. The stock was issued when the fair value was estimated
to be $3.41 per share. The Company recorded an expense of $443,136 during the three months ended
September 30, 2009 related to this award. The Company recorded an expense of $1,412,872 during the
nine months ended September 30, 2009 related to this award. This award vested in full in October
2009.
Stock Option Grants
The Company has also granted stock options to certain employees and directors under the
2000 Plan. At September 30, 2010, 8,206,250 shares were available for grant under the 2000 Plan;
however, the Company will grant no further stock options or restricted stock awards under the 2000
Plan. The following table summarizes the activity under the 2000 Plan for the period ended
September 30, 2010:
Weighted- | ||||||||
Average | ||||||||
Number of | Exercise | |||||||
Options | Price | |||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2009 |
9,450,200 | $ | 2.680 | |||||
Granted |
856,000 | 13.045 | ||||||
Exercised |
(1,795,706 | ) | 1.479 | |||||
Forfeited |
(211,400 | ) | 1.837 | |||||
Outstanding at September 30, 2010 |
8,299,094 | $ | 4.178 | |||||
Options exercisable at September 30, 2010 |
5,844,444 | $ | 2.829 | |||||
Expected to vest at September 30, 2010 |
1,913,691 | $ | 7.361 | |||||
Options exercisable at December 31, 2009 |
7,033,550 | $ | 2.145 | |||||
19
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
The weighted-average remaining contractual life of options expected to vest at September 30,
2010 was 4.71 years.
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at September
30, 2010:
Outstanding Options | Exercisable Options | ||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted- | |||||||||||||||||||||
Average | Weighted- | Weighted- | |||||||||||||||||||
Remaining | Average | Average | |||||||||||||||||||
Exercise | Number | Contractual | Exercise | Number | Exercise | ||||||||||||||||
Prices | Outstanding | Life | Price | Exercisable | Price | ||||||||||||||||
$ | 0.450 |
42,500 | 0.27 | $ | 0.450 | 42,500 | $ | 0.450 | |||||||||||||
0.750 |
400,000 | 1.20 | 0.750 | 400,000 | 0.750 | ||||||||||||||||
0.875 |
1,024,700 | 1.80 | 0.875 | 1,024,700 | 0.875 | ||||||||||||||||
1.500 |
20,000 | 2.33 | 1.500 | 20,000 | 1.500 | ||||||||||||||||
1.750 |
243,500 | 2.79 | 1.750 | 243,500 | 1.750 | ||||||||||||||||
1.875 |
162,500 | 3.00 | 1.875 | 162,500 | 1.875 | ||||||||||||||||
2.750 |
1,173,750 | 3.79 | 2.750 | 1,155,750 | 2.750 | ||||||||||||||||
3.000 |
60,000 | 4.33 | 3.000 | 60,000 | 3.000 | ||||||||||||||||
3.250 |
1,308,144 | 2.95 | 3.250 | 1,162,344 | 3.250 | ||||||||||||||||
3.410 |
1,033,000 | 2.79 | 3.410 | 708,550 | 3.410 | ||||||||||||||||
4.220 |
919,000 | 3.46 | 4.220 | 506,500 | 4.220 | ||||||||||||||||
6.055 |
1,056,000 | 5.19 | 6.055 | 258,100 | 6.055 | ||||||||||||||||
13.045 |
856,000 | 6.07 | 13.045 | 100,000 | 13.045 | ||||||||||||||||
8,299,094 | 5,844,444 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Under the terms of the 2000 Plan and the 2010 Plan, all options expire if not exercised
within ten years after the grant date. The options generally vest over five years at a rate of 20%
after the first year, and at a rate of 5% every three months beginning one year after the grant
date. If the employee ceases to be employed by the Company for any reason before vested options
have been exercised, the employee has 90 days to exercise vested options or they are forfeited.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the
weighted-average fair value of options granted. The Company will recognize the compensation cost of
stock-based awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award.
The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards utilizing the
Black-Scholes model is affected by the stock price and a number of assumptions, including expected
volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. The following table sets
forth the significant assumptions used in the model during 2009 and 2010:
Year Ended | Nine Months | |||||||
December 31, | Ended September 30, | |||||||
2009 | 2010 | |||||||
Future dividends |
$ | | $ | | ||||
Risk-free interest
rate |
2.00-2.94 | % | 2.59-3.11 | % | ||||
Expected volatility |
57%-59 | % | 57%-59 | % | ||||
Expected life |
6.5 years | 6.5 years |
20
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
The Company will continue to use judgment in evaluating the expected term, volatility and
forfeiture rate related to the stock-based compensation on a prospective basis, and incorporating
these factors into the Black-Scholes pricing model. Higher volatility and longer expected lives
result in an increase to stock-based compensation expense determined at the date of grant. In
addition, any changes in the estimated forfeiture rate can have a significant effect on reported
stock-based compensation expense, as the cumulative effect of adjusting the rate for all expense
amortization is recognized in the period that the forfeiture estimate is changed. If a revised
forfeiture rate is higher than the previously estimated forfeiture rate, an adjustment is made that
will result in a decrease to the stock-based compensation expense recognized in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements. If a revised forfeiture rate is lower than the previously
estimated rate, an adjustment is made that will result in an increase to the stock-based
compensation expense recognized in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. These
expenses will affect the direct expenses, salaries and benefits and project development costs
expenses.
For the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, the Company recorded stock-based
compensation expense of approximately $168,278 and $651,352, respectively, in connection with
stock-based payment awards. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, the Company
recorded stock-based compensation expense of approximately $431,528 and $1,758,503, respectively,
in connection with stock-based payment awards. The compensation expense is allocated between direct
expenses, salaries and benefits and project development costs in the accompanying consolidated
statements of income and comprehensive income based on the salaries and work assignments of the
employees holding the options. As of September 30, 2010, there was approximately $9,957,423 of
unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock option awards that is expected to be
recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.93 years.
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of business, the Company may be involved in a variety of legal
proceedings.
In 2009, a lawsuit was filed against the Company. In the lawsuit, the plaintiff alleged
that the Company caused action for damages by soliciting and hiring the plaintiffs employees. The
Company and the plaintiff settled the lawsuit by the Company paying $1.8 million to the plaintiff
and in exchange both parties agreed to dismiss the lawsuit and reciprocally release and discharge
each other from all claims stated or which could have been stated in the action against each other.
The settlement was not construed as an admission of any wrongdoing, but rather was an economic
decision to settle and compromise disputed claims. The settlement was recorded in the second
quarter of 2009 in general, administrative and other expenses in the accompanying consolidated
statements of income and comprehensive income.
On February 27, 2009, the Company received notice of a default termination from a
customer for which the Company was performing construction services. The dispute involves the
customers assertion of its understanding of the contractual scope of work involved and with the
completion date of the project. The Company disputes the customers assertion as it believes that
the basis of the default arose from a delay due to the discovery of and need for remediation of
previously undiscovered hazardous materials not identified by the customer during contract
negotiations. In February 2010, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment as to a portion of
the complaint. In March 2010, the customer filed its response. Discovery is currently ongoing and
no date has been set for a hearing on the Companys motion.
The Company did not record an additional accrual for this matter beyond the adjustments
made to the Companys expected profit on this contract because the Company believes that the
likelihood is remote that any additional liability would be incurred related to this matter. Based
on the contract termination notice, the Company has adjusted its expected contract revenue and
profit until such time as this contingency is resolved. The Company had claims of approximately
$3.0 million outstanding with the customer as of September 30, 2010. As of September 30, 2010, the
Company has not recognized any revenue or profit associated with these claims.
Compensation Commitment
Related to the Companys acquisition of Quantum (see Note 3), the former stockholders of
Quantum, which are now employees of the Company, will be eligible to receive additional
compensation based solely on their continued employment with the Company for annual periods up to
three years from the date of the acquisition. Total potential additional compensation is up to
$1,150,000 and will be recognized as earned.
7. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
The Company attributes revenue to customers based on the location of the customer. The
composition of the Companys assets at December 31, 2009, and September 30, 2010, and revenues from
sales to unaffiliated customers for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010,
between those in the United States and those in other locations, is as follows:
21
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
December 31, | September 30, | |||||||
2009 | 2010 | |||||||
Assets: |
||||||||
United States |
$ | 322,599,256 | $ | 482,817,540 | ||||
Canada |
52,945,352 | 65,692,668 | ||||||
$ | 375,544,608 | $ | 548,510,208 | |||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2009 | 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
United
States |
$ | 105,660,564 | $ | 159,173,097 | $ | 236,719,727 | $ | 364,673,963 | ||||||||
Canada |
26,633,851 | 32,442,118 | 57,116,178 | 73,468,415 | ||||||||||||
Other |
| 286,214 | 1,303,069 | 742,144 | ||||||||||||
$ | 132,294,415 | $ | 191,901,429 | $ | 295,138,974 | $ | 438,884,522 | |||||||||
8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Companys principal and controlling shareholder provides a limited personal
indemnification to the surety companies that provide performance and payment bonds and other surety
products to the Company. In 2006, the Company issued 2,000,000 shares of restricted stock to the
Companys principal and controlling shareholder under the 2000 Plan (see Note 5) as compensation
for providing the personal indemnification. In 2009, the Company issued an option to purchase
600,000 shares of common stock to the principal and controlling shareholder under the 2000 Plan as
compensation for providing the personal indemnification.
9. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
Other income (expense), net, consisted of the following items for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2009 and 2010:
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2009 | 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||||||
Gain realized from derivative |
$ | 2,493,980 | $ | | $ | 2,493,980 | $ | | ||||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) from
derivatives |
(354,326 | ) | | 1,634,619 | $ | (133,591 | ) | |||||||||
Interest expense, net of interest
income |
(1,156,607 | ) | (1,703,632 | ) | (2,454,549 | ) | (3,474,423 | ) | ||||||||
Amortization of deferred
financing fees |
(59,016 | ) | (306,398 | ) | (161,662 | ) | (474,403 | ) | ||||||||
$ | 924,031 | $ | (2,010,030 | ) | $ | 1,512,388 | $ | (4,082,417 | ) | |||||||
During 2009, the Company purchased an interest rate cap from a major bank to mitigate
effects of rising interest rates on a fixed rate customer contract for approximately $2.2 million.
The Company terminated the agreement in 2009 and realized a gain of approximately $2.5 million in
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Company did not designate this derivative
as a cash flow hedge; therefore hedge accounting was not applied.
10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted new guidance for its financial assets and liabilities
recognized at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually). The guidance defines fair value
as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in
the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction
between market participants on the measurement date. The guidance also describes three levels of
inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1: Inputs are based upon unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments traded in
active markets.
Level 2: Inputs are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets,
quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model based
valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or can be
corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or
liabilities.
22
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
Level 3: Inputs are generally unobservable and typically reflect managements
estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the
asset or liability. The fair values are therefore determined using model-based
techniques that include option pricing models, discounted cash flow models, and
similar techniques.
The following table presents the input level used to determine the
fair values of the Companys financial instruments measured at fair
value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2009 and September
30, 2010:
Fair Value as of | ||||||||||||
December 31, | September 30, | |||||||||||
Level | 2009 | 2010 | ||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||
Interest rate swap
instruments |
2 | $ | 1,933,535 | $ | 5,905,218 | |||||||
Total liabilities |
2 | $ | 1,933,535 | $ | 5,905,218 | |||||||
The fair value of the Companys interest rate swaps was
determined using cash flow analysis on the expected cash
flow of the contract in combination with observable
market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and
implied volatilities. As a part of this valuation, the
Company considered the credit ratings of the
counterparties to the interest rate swaps to determine if
a credit risk adjustment was required.
The Company is also required periodically to measure
certain other assets at fair value on a nonrecurring
basis, including long-lived assets, goodwill and other
intangible assets. The Company determined the fair value
used in the impairment analysis with its own discounted
cash flow analysis. The Company has determined the inputs
used in such analysis as Level 3 inputs. The Company did
not record any impairment charges on goodwill or other
intangible assets as no significant events requiring
non-financial assets and liabilities to be measured at
fair value occurred during the year ended December 31,
2009 or the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
11. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
At December 31, 2009, and September 30, 2010, the following table presents information about the fair
value amounts of the Companys derivative instruments:
Liability Derivatives as of | ||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2009 | September 30, 2010 | |||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet | Balance Sheet | |||||||||||||||
Location | Fair Value | Location | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swap contracts |
Other liabilities | $ | 1,933,535 | Other liabilities | $ | | ||||||||||
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swap contracts |
Other liabilities | $ | | Other liabilities | $ | 5,905,218 | ||||||||||
The following tables present information about the effect of the
Companys derivative instruments on accumulated other comprehensive
income and the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive
income:
23
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
Amount of Loss Recognized in | ||||||||||||
Income on Derivative for the Three | ||||||||||||
Months Ended September 30, are as | ||||||||||||
Derivatives Not Designated | Location of Loss Recognized | follows: | ||||||||||
as Hedging Instruments | in Income on Derivative | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||
Interest rate swap contracts |
Interest income (expense) | $ | (354,326 | ) | $ | | ||||||
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized | ||||||||||||
in Income on Derivative for the Nine | ||||||||||||
Months Ended September 30, are as | ||||||||||||
Derivatives Not Designated | Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized | follows: | ||||||||||
as Hedging Instruments | in Income on Derivative | 2009 | 2010 | |||||||||
Interest rate swap contracts |
Interest income (expense) | $ | 1,634,619 | $ | (133,591 | ) | ||||||
As of September 30, 2010 | ||||||||
Loss Recognized | Loss Reclassified from | |||||||
in Accumulated Other | Accumulated Other | |||||||
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments: | Comprehensive Income | Comprehensive Income | ||||||
Interest rate swap contracts |
$ | (3,838,092 | ) | $ | (874,887 | ) | ||
12. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company reports four segments: U.S. federal, central U.S. region, other
U.S. regions and Canada. Each segment provides customers with energy efficiency
and renewable energy solutions. The other U.S. regions segment is an
aggregation of three regions: northeast U.S., southeast U.S. and southwest U.S.
These regions have similar economic characteristics in particular, expected
and actual gross profit margins. In addition, they sell products and services
of a similar nature, serve similar types of customers and use similar methods
to distribute their products and services. Accordingly, these three regions
meet the aggregation criteria set forth in ASC 280. The all other category
includes activities, such as O&M and sales of renewable energy and certain
other renewable energy products, that are managed centrally at the Companys
corporate headquarters. It also includes all corporate operating expenses
salary and benefits, project development costs and general, administrative and
other costs not specifically allocated to the segments. For the three months
ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, unallocated corporate expenses were
$4,459,359 and $7,712,229, respectively. Income before taxes and unallocated
corporate expenses for all other for the three months ended September 30, 2009
and 2010, was $4,856,033 and $866,405, respectively. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 and 2010, unallocated corporate expenses were
$15,390,452
and $21,700,187, respectively. Income before taxes and unallocated corporate
expenses for all other for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010,
was $13,061,956 and $9,671,347, respectively. The Company does not allocate any
indirect expenses to the segments. The accounting policies are the same as
those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (see Note 2).
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
Ameresco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Segment Reporting
Three Months Ending September 30, 2009
Segment Reporting
Three Months Ending September 30, 2009
Central | Other U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Federal | U.S. Region | Regions | Canada | All Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue |
$ | 23,271,193 | $ | 30,862,218 | $ | 25,603,565 | $ | 27,320,939 | $ | 25,236,500 | $ | 132,294,415 | ||||||||||||
Interest income |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (939 | ) | $ | 4,156,087 | $ | 4,155,148 | |||||||||||
Interest expense |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (1,463 | ) | $ | 1,184,619 | $ | 1,183,156 | |||||||||||
Depreciation |
$ | 7,725 | $ | 4,084 | $ | | $ | 121,474 | $ | 2,243,161 | $ | 2,376,444 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss)
before taxes |
$ | 2,430,139 | $ | 3,703,718 | $ | 3,738,977 | $ | 2,230,798 | $ | 396,673 | $ | 12,500,305 | ||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 67,454,833 | $ | 25,821,659 | $ | 85,885,659 | $ | 50,269,566 | $ | 131,863,607 | $ | 361,295,324 | ||||||||||||
Capital
expenditures, net
of grants
received |
$ | 19,072 | $ | 2,444 | $ | 243,171 | $ | 427,170 | $ | (2,524,716 | ) | $ | (1,832,859 | ) |
Ameresco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Segment Reporting
Three Months Ending September 30, 2010
Segment Reporting
Three Months Ending September 30, 2010
Central | Other U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Federal | U.S. Region | Regions | Canada | All Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue |
$ | 53,278,830 | $ | 37,541,875 | $ | 40,486,208 | $ | 33,466,031 | $ | 27,128,485 | $ | 191,901,429 | ||||||||||||
Interest income |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 5,058 | $ | 1,170 | $ | 6,228 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 855 | $ | 1,842,596 | $ | 1,843,451 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation |
$ | 19,855 | $ | 2,399 | $ | | $ | 103,970 | $ | 4,669,797 | $ | 4,796,021 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss)
before taxes |
$ | 8,060,725 | $ | 6,436,116 | $ | 6,558,649 | $ | 2,693,902 | $ | (6,845,824 | ) | $ | 16,903,568 | |||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 174,640,659 | $ | 24,709,712 | $ | 122,388,247 | $ | 65,692,668 | $ | 161,078,922 | $ | 548,510,208 | ||||||||||||
Capital expenditures |
$ | 23,573 | $ | 26,927 | $ | 697,471 | $ | 4,722,434 | $ | 7,823,067 | $ | 13,293,472 |
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
Ameresco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Segment Reporting
Nine Months Ending September 30, 2009
Segment Reporting
Nine Months Ending September 30, 2009
Central | Other U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Federal | U.S. Region | Regions | Canada | All Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue |
$ | 42,729,275 | $ | 61,998,747 | $ | 66,478,528 | $ | 57,650,067 | $ | 66,282,357 | $ | 295,138,974 | ||||||||||||
Interest income |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 20,175 | $ | 4,228,755 | $ | 4,248,930 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 2,574,880 | $ | 2,574,880 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation |
$ | 37,502 | $ | 17,276 | $ | | $ | 196,644 | $ | 4,710,930 | $ | 4,962,352 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss)
before taxes |
$ | 937,169 | $ | 6,257,703 | $ | 7,919,415 | $ | 2,740,166 | $ | (2,328,497 | ) | $ | 15,525,956 | |||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 67,454,833 | $ | 25,821,659 | $ | 85,885,659 | $ | 50,269,566 | $ | 131,863,607 | $ | 361,295,324 | ||||||||||||
Capital
expenditures, net
of grants
received |
$ | 91,148 | $ | 3,404 | $ | 564,772 | $ | 996,765 | $ | 14,361,759 | $ | 16,017,848 |
Ameresco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Segment Reporting
Nine Months Ending September 30, 2010
Segment Reporting
Nine Months Ending September 30, 2010
Central U.S. | Other U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Federal | Region | Regions | Canada | All Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue |
$ | 114,272,081 | $ | 76,743,452 | $ | 98,267,620 | $ | 74,141,379 | $ | 75,459,990 | $ | 438,884,522 | ||||||||||||
Interest income |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 20,357 | $ | 106,377 | $ | 126,734 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 2,094 | $ | 3,732,654 | $ | 3,734,748 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation |
$ | 60,954 | $ | 5,328 | $ | | $ | 323,591 | $ | 8,468,392 | $ | 8,858,265 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss)
before taxes |
$ | 13,375,554 | $ | 9,581,094 | $ | 14,675,621 | $ | 3,803,888 | $ | (12,028,840 | ) | $ | 29,407,317 | |||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 174,640,659 | $ | 24,709,712 | $ | 122,388,247 | $ | 65,692,668 | $ | 161,078,922 | $ | 548,510,208 | ||||||||||||
Capital expenditures |
$ | 47,466 | $ | 37,764 | $ | 1,163,624 | $ | 5,989,314 | $ | 18,906,770 | $ | 26,144,938 |
13. STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
Warrants
As part of a previous financing agreement, the Company issued warrants to
acquire 2,000,000 and 1,600,000 shares of common stock in 2001 and 2002,
respectively. The warrants initially had a per share exercise price of $0.005
and $0.30, respectively; however, the $0.30 per share exercise price was
subsequently reduced to $0.005. During 2008, the Company repurchased 3,194,714
of these warrants at an average price of $2.505 per share, for a total price of
$8.0 million. The Company recorded this transaction in additional paid-in
capital and it is reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets for
2009. In June 2010, the Company issued 405,286 shares of Class A common stock
upon the exercise of these warrants at an exercise price of $0.005 per share,
and no warrants to purchase shares of the Companys common stock remain
outstanding.
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AMERESCO, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)(Continued)
On July 27, 2010, the Company completed its initial public offering of
8,696,820 shares of Class A common stock at a price to the public of $10.00 per
share. Of the shares sold, the Company issued and sold 6,000,000, and existing
stockholders sold 2,696,820. In addition, on August 25, 2010, pursuant to the
partial exercise of the underwriters over-allotment option, the Company sold
an additional 342,889 shares of its Class A common stock at an offering price
of $10.00 per share. The offering generated gross proceeds to the Company of
$63.4 million, or approximately $56.9 million net of underwriting discounts and
estimated offering expenses. The offering generated gross proceeds to selling
stockholders of $27.0 million, or $25.1 million net of underwriting discounts.
The Company incurred approximately $6.5 million of expenses in connection with
the offering. Of the Companys proceeds: the Company used $26.9 million to
repay the outstanding balance under its $50 million revolving senior secured
credit facility; $3.1 million to repay in full the entire principal amount of,
and accrued but unpaid interest on, the subordinated note held by the Companys
president and chief executive officer; and $5.0 million to repay in full the
outstanding balance on its 6.90% term loan related to a landfill gas facility.
In July
2010, in connection with the initial public offering, the Company
implemented a dual class capital structure with two classes of common stock:
Class A common stock and Class B common stock. In implementing this capital
structure, (i) a two-for-one split of the Companys common stock was effected,
(ii) all outstanding shares of common stock were reclassified as Class A common
stock; (iii) each outstanding option to purchase shares of common stock was
converted into an option to purchase shares of Class A common stock, (iv) all
holders of shares of the Companys convertible preferred stock (other than
George P. Sakellaris, the Companys founder, principal stockholder, president
and chief executive officer) elected to convert their shares of convertible
preferred stock into shares of Class A common stock, and (v) all outstanding
shares of the Companys convertible preferred stock (which were then held
solely by Mr. Sakellaris) automatically converted into shares of Class B common
stock. The rights of the holders of the Companys Class A common stock and
Class B common stock are identical, except with respect to voting and
conversion. Each share of the Companys Class A common stock is entitled to one
vote per share and is not convertible into any other shares of the Companys
capital stock. Each share of the Companys Class B common stock is entitled to
five votes per share, is convertible at any time into one share of Class A
common stock at the option of the holder of such share and will automatically
convert into one share of Class A common stock upon the occurrence of certain
specified events, including a transfer of such shares (other than to such
holders family members, descendants or certain affiliated persons or
entities).
14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The
Company has agreed in principle with its surety companies to remove
the requirement that the Companys principal and controlling
shareholder provide a limited personal indemnification. The necessary
documentation is being formalized and completed, and is
expected to be finalized within the fourth quarter of 2010.
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date of this filing.
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Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should
be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the
related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and managements discussion and analysis of
financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 included in our
final prospectus filed on July 22, 2010 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These
statements are often identified by the use of words such as may, will, expect, believe,
anticipate, intend, could, estimate, or continue, and similar expressions or variations.
Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could
cause actual results and the timing of certain events to differ materially from future results
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to
such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section titled Risk
Factors, set forth in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and elsewhere in this
Report. The forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q represent our views as
of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Subsequent events and developments may cause our
views to change. While we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the
future, we have no current intention of doing so except to the extent required by applicable law.
You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of
any date subsequent to the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Overview
Ameresco is a leading provider of energy efficiency solutions for facilities throughout North
America. We provide solutions that enable customers to reduce their energy consumption, lower their
operating and maintenance costs and realize environmental benefits. Our comprehensive set of
services includes upgrades to a facilitys energy infrastructure and the construction and operation
of small-scale renewable energy plants.
We report results under ASC 280 for four segments: U.S. federal, central U.S. region, other U.S.
regions and Canada. Each segment provides customers with energy efficiency and renewable energy
solutions. These segments do not include results of other activities, such as O&M and sales of
renewable energy and certain other renewable energy products, that are managed centrally at our
corporate headquarters, or corporate operating expenses not specifically allocated to the segments.
See Note 12 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in
this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Our revenue has increased from $20.9 million in 2001, our first full year of operations, to $428.5
million in 2009. We achieved profitability in 2002, and we have been profitable every year since
then.
In addition to organic growth, strategic acquisitions of complementary businesses and assets have
been an important part of our development. Since inception, we have completed more than ten
acquisitions, which have enabled us to broaden our service offerings and expand our geographical
reach. Our acquisition of the energy services business of Duke Energy in 2002 expanded our
geographical reach into Canada and the southeastern United States and enabled us to penetrate the
federal government market for energy efficiency projects. The acquisition of the energy services
business of Exelon in 2004 expanded our geographical reach into the Midwest. Our acquisition of the
energy services business of Northeast Utilities in 2006 substantially grew our capability to
provide services for the federal market and in Europe. Our acquisition of Southwestern Photovoltaic
in 2007 significantly expanded our offering of solar energy products and services. On August 31,
2010, we acquired Quantum Engineering and Development, Inc., an energy service company active in
Oregon and Washington.
Energy Savings Performance and Energy Supply Contracts
For our energy efficiency projects, we typically enter into energy savings performance contracts,
or ESPCs, under which we agree to develop, design, engineer and construct a project and also commit
that the project will satisfy agreed-upon performance standards that vary from project to project.
These performance commitments are typically based on the design, capacity, efficiency or operation
of the specific equipment and systems we install. Our commitments generally fall into three
categories: pre-agreed, equipment-level and whole building-level. Under a pre-agreed energy
reduction commitment, our customer reviews the project design in advance and agrees that, upon or
shortly after completion of installation of the specified equipment comprising the project, the
commitment will have been met. Under an equipment-level commitment, we commit to a level of energy
use reduction based on the difference in use measured first with the existing equipment and then
with the replacement equipment. A whole building-level commitment requires demonstration of energy
usage reduction for a whole building, often based on readings of the utility meter where usage is
measured. Depending on the project, the measurement and demonstration may be required only once,
upon installation, based on an analysis of one or more sample installations, or may be required to
be repeated at agreed upon intervals generally over up to 20 years.
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Under our contracts, we typically do not take responsibility for a wide variety of factors outside
our control and exclude or adjust for such factors in commitment calculations. These factors
include variations in energy prices and utility rates, weather, facility occupancy schedules, the
amount of energy-using equipment in a facility, and failure of the customer to operate or maintain
the project properly. Typically, our performance commitments apply to the aggregate overall
performance of a project rather than to individual energy efficiency measures. Therefore, to the
extent an individual measure underperforms, it may be offset by other measures that overperform. In
the event that an energy efficiency project does not perform according to the agreed-upon
specifications, our agreements typically allow us to satisfy our obligation by adjusting or
modifying the installed equipment, installing additional measures to provide substitute energy
savings, or paying the customer for lost energy savings based on the assumed conditions specified
in the agreement. Many of our equipment supply, local design, and installation subcontracts contain
provisions that enable us to seek recourse against our vendors or subcontractors if there is a
deficiency in our energy reduction commitment. From our inception to September 30, 2010, our total
payments to customers and incurred equipment replacement and maintenance costs under our energy
reduction commitments, after customer acceptance of a project, have been less than $100,000 in the
aggregate. See Risk Factors We may have liability to our customers under our ESPCs if our
projects fail to deliver the energy use reductions to which we are committed under the contract.
Payments by the federal government for energy efficiency measures are based on the services
provided and the products installed, but are limited to the savings derived from such measures,
calculated in accordance with federal regulatory guidelines and the specific contracts terms. The
savings are typically determined by comparing energy use and other costs before and after the
installation of the energy efficiency measures, adjusted for changes that affect energy use and
other costs but are not caused by the energy efficiency measures.
For projects involving the construction of a small-scale renewable energy plant that we own and
operate, we enter into long-term contracts to supply the electricity, processed LFG, heat or
cooling generated by the plant to the customer, which is typically a utility, municipality,
industrial facility or other large purchaser of energy. The rights to use the site for the plant
and purchase of renewable fuel for the plant are also obtained by us under long-term agreements
with terms at least as long as the associated output supply agreement. Our supply agreements
typically provide for fixed prices or prices that escalate at a fixed rate or vary based on a
market benchmark. See Risk Factors We may assume responsibility under customer contracts for
factors outside our control, including, in connection with some customer projects, the risk that
fuel prices will increase.
Project Financing
To finance projects with federal governmental agencies, we typically sell to the lenders our right
to receive a portion of the long-term payments from the customer arising out of the project for a
purchase price reflecting a discount to the aggregate amount due from the customer. The purchase
price is generally advanced to us over the implementation period based on completed work or a
schedule predetermined to coincide with the construction of the project. Under the terms of these
financing arrangements, we are required to complete the construction or installation of the project
in accordance with the contract with our customer, and the debt remains on our consolidated balance
sheet until the completed project is accepted by the customer. Once the completed project is
accepted by the customer, the financing is treated as a true sale and the related receivable and
financing liability are removed from our consolidated balance sheet.
Institutional customers, such as state, provincial and local governments, schools and public
housing authorities, typically finance their energy efficiency and renewable energy projects
through either tax-exempt leases or issuances of municipal bonds. We assist in the structuring of
such third-party financing.
In some instances, customers prefer that we retain ownership of the renewable energy plants and
related project assets that we construct for them. In these projects, we typically enter into a
long-term supply agreement to furnish electricity, gas, heat or cooling to the customers facility.
To finance the significant upfront capital costs required to develop and construct the plant, we
rely either on our internal cash flow or, in some cases, third-party debt. For project financing by
third-party lenders, we typically establish a separate subsidiary, usually a limited liability
company, to own the project assets and related contracts. The subsidiary contracts with us for
construction and operation of the project and enters into a financing agreement directly with the
lenders. Additionally, we will provide assurance to the lender that the project will achieve
commercial operation. Although the financing is secured by the assets of the subsidiary and a
pledge of our equity interests in the subsidiary, and is non-recourse to Ameresco, we may from time
to time determine to provide financial support to the subsidiary in order to maintain rights to the
project or otherwise avoid the adverse consequences of a default. The amount of such financing is
included on our consolidated balance sheet.
In addition to project-related debt, we currently maintain a $50 million revolving senior secured
credit facility with a commercial bank to finance our working capital needs.
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Effects of Seasonality
We are subject to seasonal fluctuations and construction cycles, particularly in climates that
experience colder weather during the winter months, such as the northern United States and Canada,
or at educational institutions, where large projects are typically carried out during summer months
when their facilities are unoccupied. In addition, government customers, many of which have fiscal
years that do not coincide with ours, typically follow annual procurement cycles and appropriate
funds on a fiscal-year basis even though contract performance may take more than one year. Further,
government contracting cycles can be affected by the timing of, and delays in, the legislative
process related to government programs and incentives that help drive demand for energy efficiency
and renewable energy projects. As a result, our revenue and operating income in the third quarter
are typically higher, and our revenue and operating income in the first quarter are typically
lower, than in other quarters of the year. As a result of such fluctuations, we may occasionally
experience declines in revenue or earnings as compared to the immediately preceding quarter, and
comparisons of our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful.
Our annual and quarterly financial results are also subject to significant fluctuations as a result
of other factors, many of which are outside our control. See Risk Factors Our operating results
may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and may fall below expectations in any
particular fiscal quarter.
Backlog and Awarded Projects
As of September 30, 2010, we had backlog of approximately $593 million in future revenue under
signed customer contracts for the installation or construction of projects, which we expect to be
recognized over the period from 2010 to 2013, and we had been awarded, but not yet signed customer
contracts for, projects with estimated total future revenue of an additional $531 million over the
same period. As of September 30, 2009, we had backlog of approximately $380 million in future
revenue under signed customer contracts for the installation or construction of projects, which we
expected to be recognized over the period from 2009 to 2012, and we had been awarded, but not yet
signed customer contracts for, projects with estimated total future revenue of an additional $734
million over the period from 2009 to 2013. We also expect to realize recurring revenue both under
long-term O&M contracts and under energy supply contracts for renewable energy plants that we own.
See Risk Factors We may not recognize all revenue from our backlog or receive all payments
anticipated under awarded projects and customer contracts.
Recent Developments
During the third quarter of 2010, we completed our initial public offering of 8,696,820 shares of
Class A common stock at a price to the public of $10.00 per share. Of the shares sold, we issued
and sold 6,000,000, and existing stockholders sold 2,696,820. In addition, on August 25, 2010,
pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters over-allotment option, we sold an additional
342,889 shares of our Class A common stock at an offering price of $10.00 per share. The offering
generated gross proceeds to us of $63.4 million, or approximately $56.9 million net of underwriting
discounts and estimated offering expenses. The offering generated gross proceeds to selling
stockholders of $27.0 million, or $25.1 million net of underwriting discounts. We incurred
approximately $6.5 million of expenses in connection with the offering. Of our proceeds: we used
$26.9 million to repay the outstanding balance under our $50 million revolving senior secured
credit facility; $3.1 million to repay in full the entire principal amount of, and accrued but
unpaid interest on, the subordinated note held by our president and chief executive officer; and
$5.0 million to repay in full the outstanding balance on our 6.90% term loan related to a landfill
gas facility. Our Class A common stock began trading on July 22, 2010 on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol AMRC.
In connection with our initial public offering, we implemented a dual class capital structure
with two classes of common stock: Class A common stock and Class B common stock. In implementing
this capital structure, (i) a two-for-one split of our common stock was effected, (ii) all
outstanding shares of common stock were reclassified as Class A common stock; (iii) each
outstanding option to purchase shares of common stock was converted into an option to purchase
shares of Class A common stock, (iv) all holders of shares of our convertible preferred stock
(other than George P. Sakellaris, our founder, principal stockholder, president and chief executive
officer) elected to convert their shares of convertible preferred stock into shares of Class A
common stock, and (v) all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock (which were then
held solely by Mr. Sakellaris) automatically converted into shares of Class B common stock. The
rights of the holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock are identical, except
with respect to voting and conversion. Each share of our Class A common stock is entitled to one
vote per share and is not convertible into any other shares of our capital stock. Each share of our
Class B common stock is
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entitled to five votes per share, is convertible at any time into one share of Class A common stock
at the option of the holder of such share and will automatically convert into one share of Class A
common stock upon the occurrence of certain specified events, including a transfer of such shares
(other than to such holders family members, descendants or certain affiliated persons or
entities).
During July and August 2010, a total of 1,167,500 shares were issued upon the exercise of options
under our 2000 stock incentive plan, which we refer to as the 2000 Plan, at an average price of
$1.838 per share. Total proceeds received were $2,145,635.
On August 31, 2010, we acquired Quantum Engineering and Development, Inc., an energy service
company active in Oregon and Washington.
Financial Operations Overview
Revenue
We derive revenue from energy efficiency and renewable energy products and services. Our energy
efficiency products and services include the design, engineering and installation of equipment and
other measures to improve the efficiency and control the operation of a facilitys energy
infrastructure. Our renewable energy products and services include the construction of small-scale
plants that produce electricity, gas, heat or cooling from renewable sources of energy, the sale of
such electricity, processed LFG, heat or cooling from plants that we own, and the sale and
installation of solar energy products and systems.
During the three months ended September 30, 2010, one customer, the U.S. Department of Energy,
Savannah River Site, accounted for 8.8% of our total revenue for the quarter. For the nine months
ended September 30, 2010, the same project accounted for 11.3% of total revenue.
Direct Expenses and Gross Margin
Direct expenses include the cost of labor, materials, equipment, subcontracting and outside
engineering that are required for the development and installation of our projects, as well as
preconstruction costs, sales incentives, associated travel, inventory obsolescence charges, and, if
applicable, costs of procuring financing. A majority of our contracts have fixed price terms;
however, in some cases we negotiate protections, such as a cost-plus structure, to mitigate the
risk of rising prices for materials, services and equipment.
Direct expenses also include O&M costs for the small-scale renewable energy plants that we own,
including the cost of fuel (if any) and depreciation charges.
Gross margin, which is gross profit as a percent of revenue, is affected by a number of factors,
including the type of services performed and the geographic region in which the sale is made.
Renewable energy projects that we own and operate typically have higher margins than energy
efficiency projects, and sales in the United States typically have higher margins than in Canada
due to the typical mix of products and services that we sell there.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses consist of salaries and benefits, project development costs, and general,
administrative and other expenses.
Salaries and benefits. Salaries and benefits consist primarily of expenses for personnel not
directly engaged in specific project or revenue generating activity. These expenses include the
time of executive management, legal, finance, accounting, human resources, information technology
and other staff not utilized in a particular project. We employ a comprehensive time card system
which creates a contemporaneous record of the actual time by employees on project activity. We
expect salaries and benefits to increase as we incur additional costs related to operating as a
publicly-traded company, including accounting, compliance and legal.
Project development costs. Project development costs consist primarily of sales, engineering,
legal, finance and third-party expenses directly related to the development of a specific customer
opportunity. This also includes associated travel and marketing expenses. We intend to hire
additional sales personnel and initiate additional marketing programs as we expand into new regions
or complement existing development resources. Accordingly, we expect that our project development
costs will continue to increase, but will moderate as a percentage of revenue over time.
General, administrative and other expenses. These expenses consist primarily of rents and
occupancy, professional services, insurance, unallocated travel expenses, telecommunications and
office expenses. Professional services consist principally of recruiting costs, external legal,
audit, tax and other consulting services. We expect general and administrative expenses to increase
as we incur additional costs related to operating as a publicly-traded company, including increased
audit and legal fees, costs of
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compliance with securities, corporate governance and other regulations, investor relations expenses
and higher insurance premiums, particularly those related to director and officer insurance.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net consists primarily of interest income on cash balances, interest
expense on borrowings and amortization of deferred financing costs, unrealized gains and losses on
derivatives not accounted for as hedges, and realized gains on derivatives not accounted for as
hedges. Interest expense will vary periodically depending on the amounts drawn on our revolving
senior secured credit facility and the prevailing short-term interest rates.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is based on various rates set by federal and local authorities and
is affected by permanent and temporary differences between financial accounting and tax reporting
requirements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our
consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The
preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expense and related
disclosures. The most significant estimates with regard to these consolidated financial statements
relate to estimates of final contract profit in accordance with long-term contracts, project
development costs, project assets, impairment of goodwill, impairment of long-lived assets, fair
value of derivative financial instruments, income taxes and stock-based compensation expense. Such
estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and on various other factors that
management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions are made on
an ongoing basis, and accordingly, the actual results may differ from these estimates under
different assumptions or conditions.
The following critical accounting policies, among others, affect our more significant judgments and
estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
For each arrangement we have with a customer, we typically provide a combination of one or more of
the following services or products:
| installation or construction of energy efficiency measures, facility upgrades and/or a renewable energy plant to be owned by the customer; | |
| sale and delivery, under long-term agreements, of electricity, gas, heat, chilled water or other output of a renewable energy or central plant that we own and operate; | |
| sale and delivery of PV equipment and other renewable energy products for which we are a distributor; and | |
| O&M services provided under long-term O&M agreements, as well as consulting services. |
Often, we will sell a combination of these services and products in a bundled arrangement. We
divide bundled arrangements into separate deliverables and revenue is allocated to each deliverable
based on the relative fair market value of all the elements. The fair market value is determined
based on the price of the deliverable sold on a stand-alone basis.
We recognize revenue from the installation or construction of a project on a
percentage-of-completion basis. The percentage-of-completion for each project is determined on an
actual cost-to-estimated final cost basis. In accordance with industry practice, we include in
current assets and liabilities the amounts of receivables and payables related to construction
projects that are receivable and payable over a period in excess of one year. We recognize revenue
associated with contract change orders only when the authorization for the change order has been
properly executed and the work has been performed and accepted by the customer.
When the estimate on a contract indicates a loss, or claims against costs incurred reduce the
likelihood of recoverability of such costs, our policy is to record the entire expected loss
immediately, regardless of the percentage of completion.
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Deferred revenue represents circumstances where (i) there has been a receipt of cash from the
customer for work or services that have yet to be performed, (ii) there has been a receipt of cash
where the product or service may not have been accepted by the customer or (iii) all other revenue
recognition criteria have been met, but an estimate of the final total cost cannot be determined.
Deferred revenue will vary depending on the timing and amount of cash receipts from customers and
can vary significantly depending on specific contractual terms. As a result, deferred revenue is
likely to fluctuate from period to period. Unbilled receivables represent amounts earned and
billable that had not been invoiced at the end of the fiscal period.
We recognize revenue from the sale and delivery of products, including the output of our renewable
energy plants, when produced and delivered to the customer, in accordance with the specific
contract terms, provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, our price to the
customer is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.
We recognize revenue from O&M contracts and consulting services as the related services are
performed.
For a limited number of contracts under which we receive additional revenue based on a share of
energy savings, we recognize such additional revenue as energy savings are generated.
Project Development Costs
We capitalize as project development costs only those costs incurred in connection with the
development of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, primarily direct labor, interest
costs, outside contractor services, consulting fees, legal fees and associated travel, if incurred
after a point in time when the realization of related revenue becomes probable. Project development
costs incurred prior to the probable realization of revenue are expensed as incurred.
Project Assets
We capitalize interest costs relating to construction financing during the period of construction.
The interest capitalized is included in the total cost of the project at completion. The amount of
interest capitalized for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $0.5 million. No interest
was capitalized for the three months ended September 30, 2010. The amount of interest capitalized
during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010 was $1.1 million and $0.3 million,
respectively.
Routine maintenance costs are expensed in the current years consolidated statements of income and
comprehensive income to the extent that they do not extend the life of the asset. Major
maintenance, upgrades and overhauls are required for certain components of our assets. In these
instances, the costs associated with these upgrades are capitalized and are depreciated over the
shorter of the life of the asset or until the next required major maintenance or overhaul period.
Gains or losses on disposal of property and equipment are reflected in general, administrative and
other expenses in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
We evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment as events or changes in circumstances indicate the
carrying value of these assets may not be fully recoverable. We evaluate recoverability of
long-lived assets to be held and used by estimating the undiscounted future cash flows before
interest associated with the expected uses and eventual disposition of those assets. When these
comparisons indicate that the carrying value of those assets is greater than the undiscounted cash
flows, we recognize an impairment loss for the amount that the carrying value exceeds the fair
value.
Other Assets
In 2003, we acquired an asset which was substantially monetized with a residual based on an
expectation of the contract running its full term. During the first nine months of 2010, we
received notice that the customer intended to prepay the contract at the end of 2010. Accordingly,
we recorded a non-cash charge of approximately $2.1 million related to the unexpected prepayment of
the long-term receivable.
Impairment of Goodwill
We apply ASC Topic 350 in accounting for the valuation of goodwill and identifiable intangible
assets, and test for the impairment of goodwill annually at the end of each fiscal year.
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable
intangible assets of businesses acquired. We assess the impairment of goodwill and intangible
assets with indefinite lives on an annual basis and whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. We would record an impairment
charge if such an assessment were to indicate that, more likely than not, the fair value of such
assets was less than their carrying values. Judgment is required in determining whether an event
has occurred that may impair the value of goodwill or identifiable intangible assets.
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Factors that could indicate that an impairment may exist include significant underperformance
relative to plan or long-term projections, significant changes in business strategy, significant
negative industry or economic trends or a significant decline in the base stock price of our public
competitors for a sustained period of time.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We periodically evaluate long-lived assets for events and circumstances that indicate a potential
impairment. A review of long-lived assets for impairment is performed whenever events or changes in
business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable
or that the useful lives of these assets are no longer appropriate. Each impairment test is based
on a comparison of the estimated undiscounted cash flows of the asset as compared to the recorded
value of the asset. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, an
impairment charge may be required against these assets in the reporting period in which the
impairment is determined.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We account for our interest rate swaps as derivative financial instruments in accordance with the
related guidance. Under this guidance, derivatives are carried on our consolidated balance sheet at
fair value. The fair value of our interest rate swaps is determined based on observable market data
in combination with expected cash flows for each instrument.
Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted new guidance which expands the disclosure requirements for
derivative instruments and hedging activities.
In the normal course of business, we utilize derivative contracts as part of our risk management
strategy to manage exposure to market fluctuations in interest rates. These instruments are subject
to various credit and market risks. Controls and monitoring procedures for these instruments have
been established and are routinely reevaluated. Credit risk represents the potential loss that may
occur because a party to a transaction fails to perform according to the terms of the contract. The
measure of credit exposure is the replacement cost of contracts with a positive fair value. We seek
to manage credit risk by entering into financial instrument transactions only through
counterparties that we believe to be creditworthy. Market risk represents the potential loss due to
the decrease in the value of a financial instrument caused primarily by changes in interest rates.
We seek to manage market risk by establishing and monitoring limits on the types and degree of risk
that may be undertaken. As a matter of policy, we do not use derivatives for speculative purposes.
We are exposed to interest rate risk through our borrowing activities. A portion of our project
financing includes three projects that utilize a variable rate swap instrument. Prior to December
31, 2009, we entered into two 15-year interest rate swap contracts under which we agreed to pay an
amount equal to a specified fixed rate of interest times a notional principal amount, and to, in
turn, receive an amount equal to a specified variable rate of interest times the same notional
principal amount. During 2010, we entered into a 14-year interest rate swap contract under which we
agreed to pay an amount equal to a specified fixed rate of interest times a notional principal
amount, and to in turn receive an amount equal to a specified variable rate of interest times the
same notional principal amount. We entered into the interest rate swap contracts as an economic
hedge.
We recognize all derivatives in our consolidated financial statements at fair value.
The interest rate swaps that we entered into prior to December 31, 2009, qualified, but were not
designated as cash flow hedges until April 1, 2010. Accordingly, any changes in fair value through
March 31, 2010 were reported in other income (expense) in our consolidated statements of income at
fair value, and in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) thereafter. Cash
flows from these derivative instruments are reported as operating activities on the consolidated
statements of cash flows.
The interest rate swap that we entered into during 2010 qualifies, and has been designated, as a
cash flow hedge.
We recognize the fair value of derivative instruments designated as hedges in our consolidated
balance sheet and any changes in the fair value are recorded as adjustments to other comprehensive
income (loss).
With respect to our interest rate swaps, we recorded the unrealized loss in earnings in the three
months ended September 30, 2009 of approximately $0.4 million as other income (expense) in our
consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income (loss). No unrealized gain (loss) in
earnings was recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2010. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 and 2010, we recognized approximately $1.6 million of unrealized gains and $0.1
million in unrealized losses, respectively, as other income (expense) in our consolidated
statements of income and comprehensive income (loss).
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Income Taxes
We provide for income taxes based on the liability method. We provide for deferred income taxes
based on the expected future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement basis
and the tax basis of assets and liabilities calculated using the enacted tax rates in effect for
the year in which the differences are expected to be reflected in the tax return.
We account for uncertain tax positions using a more-likely-than-not threshold for recognizing and
resolving uncertain tax positions. The evaluation of uncertain tax positions is based on factors
that include, but are not limited to, changes in tax law, the measurement of tax positions taken or
expected to be taken in tax returns, the effective settlement of matters subject to audit, new
audit activity and changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position. We evaluate
uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis and adjust the level of the liability to reflect any
subsequent changes in the relevant facts surrounding the uncertain positions. Our liabilities for
an uncertain tax position can be relieved only if the contingency becomes legally extinguished
through either payment to the taxing authority or the expiration of the statute of limitations, the
recognition of the benefits associated with the position meet the more-likely-than-not threshold
or the liability becomes effectively settled through the examination process. We consider matters
to be effectively settled once: the taxing authority has completed all of its required or expected
examination procedures, including all appeals and administrative reviews; we have no plans to
appeal or litigate any aspect of the tax position; and we believe that it is highly unlikely that
the taxing authority would examine or re-examine the related tax position. We also accrue for
potential interest and penalties, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
Business Segments
We report four segments: U.S. federal, central U.S. region, other U.S. regions and Canada. Each
segment provides customers with energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions. The other U.S.
regions segment is an aggregation of three regions: northeast U.S., southeast U.S. and southwest
U.S. These regions have similar economic characteristics in particular, expected and actual
gross profit margins. In addition, they sell products and services of a similar nature, serve
similar types of customers and use similar methods to distribute their products and services.
Accordingly, these three regions meet the aggregation criteria set forth in ASC 280. The all
other category includes activities, such as O&M and sales of renewable energy and certain other
renewable energy products, that are managed centrally at our corporate headquarters. It also
includes all corporate operating expenses not specifically allocated to the segments. We do not
allocate any indirect expenses to the segments.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Our stock-based compensation expense results from the issuances of shares of restricted common
stock and grants of stock options and warrants to employees, directors, outside consultants and
others. We recognize the costs associated with option and warrant grants using the fair value
recognition provisions of ASC 718, Compensation Stock Compensation (formerly SFAS No. 123(R),
Share-Based Payment).
Generally, ASC 718 requires the value of all stock-based payments to be recognized in the statement
of operations based on their estimated fair value at date of grant amortized over the grants
vesting period.
Grants of Restricted Shares
In October 2006, we issued 2,000,000 shares of restricted stock to George P. Sakellaris, our
founder, principal shareholder, president and chief executive officer under our 2000 Plan, as
consideration for his personal indemnity of surety arrangements required for certain projects. The
award vested in full in October 2009. At the time the shares were issued, the fair value was
determined to be $3.41 per share. During the three months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded an
expense of $443,136. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded an expense of
$1,412,872. No expense was recorded during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2010.
Issuance of Warrants
As part of a financing agreement, we issued warrants to acquire 2,000,000 and 1,600,000 shares of
common stock in 2001 and 2002, respectively. The warrants initially had a per share exercise price
of $0.005 and $0.30, respectively; however, the $0.30 per share exercise price was subsequently
reduced to $0.005. During 2008, we repurchased 3,194,714 of these warrants at an average price of
$2.505 per share, for a total price of $8.0 million. We recorded this transaction in additional
paid-in capital and it is reflected in our consolidated balance sheets for 2008 and 2009. In June
2010, we issued 405,286 shares of Class A common stock upon the exercise of a warrant at an
exercise price of $0.005 per share, and no warrants to purchase shares of our common stock remain
outstanding.
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Stock Option Grants
We have granted stock options to certain employees and directors under the 2000 Plan. At September
30, 2010, 8,206,250 shares were available for grant under the 2000 Plan; however, we will grant no
further stock options or restricted stock awards under the 2000 Plan. Our 2010 stock incentive
plan, or the 2010 Plan, which became effective upon the closing of our initial public offering, was
adopted by our board of directors in May 2010 and approved by our stockholders in June 2010. The
2010 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options,
restricted stock awards and other stock-based awards. Upon its effectiveness, 10,000,000 shares of
our Class A common stock were reserved for issuance under the 2010 Plan.
Under the terms of the 2000 Plan and the 2010 Plan, all options expire if not exercised within ten
years after the grant date. The options generally vest over five years, with 20% vesting at the end
of the first year and five percent vesting every three months beginning one year after the grant
date. If the employee ceases to be employed for any reason before vested options have been
exercised, the employee generally has 90 days to exercise vested options or they are forfeited.
We follow the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718 requiring
that all stock-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options and
modifications to existing stock options, be recognized in the consolidated statements of income and
comprehensive income based on their fair values, using the prospective-transition method.
We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to
determine the weighted-average fair value of options granted.
The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards utilizing the Black-Scholes model
is affected by the stock price and a number of assumptions, including expected volatility, expected
life, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. The following table sets forth the
significant assumptions used in the model during 2009 and 2010:
Year Ended | Nine Months | |||||||
December 31, | Ended September 30, | |||||||
2009 | 2010 | |||||||
Future dividends |
$ | | $ | | ||||
Risk-free interest
rate |
2.00-2.94 | % | 2.59-3.11 | % | ||||
Expected volatility |
57%-59 | % | 57%-59 | % | ||||
Expected life |
6.5 years | 6.5 years |
We will continue to use our judgment in evaluating the expected term, volatility and forfeiture
rate related to our own stock-based compensation on a prospective basis, and incorporating these
factors into the Black-Scholes pricing model. Higher volatility and longer expected lives result in
an increase to stock-based compensation expense determined at the date of grant. In addition, any
changes in the estimated forfeiture rate can have a significant effect on reported stock-based
compensation expense, as the cumulative effect of adjusting the rate for all expense amortization
is recognized in the period that the forfeiture estimate is changed. If a revised forfeiture rate
is higher than the previously estimated forfeiture rate, an adjustment is made that will result in
a decrease to the stock-based compensation expense recognized in our consolidated financial
statements. If a revised forfeiture rate is lower than the previously estimated rate, an adjustment
is made that will result in an increase to the stock-based compensation expense recognized in our
consolidated financial statements. These expenses will affect our direct expenses, project
development and marketing expenses, and salaries and benefits expense.
As of September 30, 2010 we had $10.0 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation cost
related to employee stock options. We expect to recognize this cost over a weighted-average period
of 3.9 years after September 30, 2010. The allocation of this expense between direct expenses,
project development and marketing expenses, and salaries and benefits expense will depend on the
salaries and work assignments of the personnel holding these options.
Determination of Fair Value
We believe we have used reasonable methodologies and assumptions in determining the fair value of
our common stock for financial reporting purposes. Our board of directors has historically
estimated the fair value of our common stock. Because there has been no public market for our
shares, our board of directors historically determined the fair value of our common stock based
primarily on the market approach, together with a number of objective and subjective factors,
including:
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| results of our operations and financial condition during the most recently completed period; | |
| forecasts of our financial results and market conditions affecting our business; and | |
| developments in our business. |
The market approach estimates the fair value of a company by applying market multiples of
publicly-traded, or recently-acquired, firms in the same or similar lines of business to the
results and projected results of the company being valued. In establishing exercise prices for our
options, we followed a methodology designed to result in exercise prices that were not lower than,
but could be higher than, the then fair value of our common stock. When choosing companies for use
in the market approach, we focused on companies that provide energy efficiency services and have
high rates of growth. To determine our enterprise value, we reviewed the multiple of market
valuations of the comparable companies to their EBITDA for the prior fiscal year (based on
publicly-available data), as well as the multiples of EBITDA for the prior fiscal year
paid by us for our acquisitions. Based on this review, we established a market multiple which was
generally higher than that of our comparable companies, and which we then applied to our own
EBITDA for the prior fiscal year. To determine equity value, we added cash on hand at the
end of the period and the cash from the pro forma exercise of stock options, and then subtracted
senior corporate debt. The resulting value was divided by the number of common shares outstanding
on a fully diluted basis to obtain the fair value per share of common stock. Typically, we
performed a new valuation annually after completing our audited consolidated financial statements.
We used EBITDA in determining our enterprise value under the market approach because we
believe that metric provides greater comparability than other metrics for the companies included in
the analysis. We considered using net income, book value and cash flow; however, we found those
metrics less meaningful than EBITDA due to varying levels of non-cash and non-operating
income and expenses, and the effects of leverage, in the other companies financial statements. We
believe EBITDA was the most meaningful financial metric for purposes of estimating the
fair value of our common stock for financial statement reporting purposes because it is an
unlevered measure of operating earnings potential before financing and certain other accounting
decisions are considered. In addition to the use of the market approach to determine the enterprise
value, we considered the discounted cash flow methodology to estimate the equity value in the
goodwill impairment analysis discussed in Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements
included in this report. The resulting equity values obtained from the discounted cash flow
methodology corroborated the results of the market approach used in our contemporaneous common
stock valuations.
Since January 1, 2010, we granted a total of 856,000 stock options with an exercise price of
$13.045 per share. The fair value of our common stock as of April 26, 2010 and May 28, 2010, the
grant dates, was determined contemporaneously to be $13.045 per share. In determining this value,
we employed the same methods and approaches used in the retrospective analyses described above. The
primary reasons for the increase in the valuation of our common stock since September 25, 2009,
when it was retrospectively valued at $11.00, to April 26, 2010 and May 28, 2010 were:
| a 30% increase in our next 12 months projected EBITDA between September 25, 2009 and the two relevant dates in 2010, due to growth in our backlog and several, previously-contracted, large efficiency and renewable energy projects entering major construction phases; | |
| our expectation that we would conduct an initial public offering within the next three months; and |
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| our preliminary estimates of our valuation for purposes of our initial public offering. |
Valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions. There are significant
judgments and estimates inherent in the determination of these valuations. These judgments and
estimates include assumptions regarding our future performance, the time to undertaking and
completing an initial public offering or other liquidity event, as well as determinations of the
appropriate valuation methods. If we had made different assumptions, our stock-based compensation
expense, net income and net income per share could have been significantly different. Additionally,
because our capital stock prior to our initial public offering had characteristics significantly
different from those that apply following the closing of the offering, and because changes in the
subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in managements
opinion, the models do not necessarily provide a reliable, single measure of fair value. The
foregoing valuation methodologies are not the only valuation methodologies available and will not
be used to value our Class A or Class B common stock now that our initial public offering is
complete. We cannot make assurances regarding any particular valuation of our shares.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We had a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting
at September 30, 2010. A material weakness is defined as a deficiency, or
combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a
reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the companys annual or interim financial
statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by the companys internal controls.
We do not currently have personnel with an appropriate level of knowledge, experience and training
in the selection, application and implementation of GAAP as it relates to certain complex
accounting issues, income taxes and SEC financial reporting requirements. This constitutes a
material weakness, which we plan to remediate by hiring additional personnel with the requisite
expertise. See Risk Factors We have a material weakness in our internal control over financial
reporting. If we fail to establish and maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability
to produce accurate financial statements could be impaired, which could adversely affect our
operating results, our ability to operate our business and investors and customers views of us.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2010
Revenue
Total revenue. Total revenue increased by $59.6 million, or 45.1%, in the third quarter of 2010 to
$191.9 million compared to the third quarter of 2009 due to higher revenue from both energy
efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Energy efficiency revenue. Energy efficiency revenue increased by $41.1 million, or 38.4%, in the
third quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2009 due to an increase in the number of
projects being installed for our municipal and other institutional customers.
Renewable energy revenue. Renewable energy revenue increased by $18.5 million, or 72.8%, in the
third quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2009. The increase was primarily due to the
greater number of renewable energy facilities being built by us for our customers. The construction
volume of such plants increased by approximately $14.3 million in the third quarter of 2010.
Additionally, during the third quarter of 2010, approximately $4.2 million of our renewable energy
revenue increase was from the operation of facilities owned by us that produce renewable energy and
from the delivery of renewable energy products. We have placed in service during the past year 12
new renewable energy plants owned by us that produce energy from landfill gas or photovoltaic
systems.
Revenue from customers outside the United States, principally Canada, was $32.4 million in the
third quarter of 2010 compared to $26.6 million in the third quarter of 2009.
Business segment revenue. Total revenue for the U.S. federal segment increased $30.0 million, or
128.9%, to $53.3 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared to the third quarter of 2009,
primarily due to increased installation of renewable energy facilities and other projects. Revenue
recognized on the installation of a renewable energy project for the U.S. Department of Energy
accounted for a significant portion of our revenue for this segment in the third quarter of 2010.
Total revenue for the central U.S. region segment increased $6.7 million, or 21.6%, to $37.5
million in the third quarter of 2010, compared to the third quarter of 2009, primarily due to the
increased installation of energy efficiency projects. Total revenue for the Canada segment
increased $6.1 million, or 22.5%, in the third quarter of 2010, to $33.5 million, compared to the
third quarter of 2009, primarily due to a larger volume of construction activity related to the
installation of energy efficiency measures, particularly two large
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projects for housing authorities. Total revenue from the other U.S. regions segment increased $14.9
million, or 58.1%, to $40.5 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared to the third quarter of
2009, primarily due to an increase in the size and, to a lesser extent, the number of projects
under construction. Total revenue not allocated to segments and presented as all other increased
$1.9 million, or 7.5%, to $27.1 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared to the third quarter
of 2009, primarily due to increased sales of renewable energy and the delivery of renewable energy
products.
Direct Expenses and Gross Profit
Total direct expenses. Direct expenses increased by $48.6 million, or 44.9%, in the third quarter
of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2009. Projects with stronger gross profit margins in the
third quarter of 2010 caused direct expenses to increase at a slower rate than revenue.
Energy efficiency. Energy efficiency gross margin increased to 17.6% in the third quarter of 2010
from 16.9% in the same period in 2009, due primarily to higher expected margins on construction
projects.
Renewable energy. Renewable energy gross margin decreased to 20.3% in the third quarter of 2010
from 22.9% in the third quarter of 2009, due primarily to a higher percentage of installation
activity relative to delivery of renewable energy products.
Operating Expenses
Salaries and benefits. Salaries and benefits increased by $1.0 million, or 14.2%, in the third
quarter of 2010 as compared with the third quarter of 2009. Higher staffing levels related to
increased business activity was the primary reason for the increase.
Project development. Project development expenses increased by $1.5 million, or 114.2%, in the
third quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2009. The increase reflects the relatively
low expense recognized last year due to the favorable timing of significant contract signings,
including the Department of Energy Savannah River Project.
General, administrative and other. General, administrative and other expenses increased by $1.1
million, or 30.6%, in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2009, due
primarily to higher insurance and professional fees.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income (expense) decreased by $2.9 million to a net expense of $2.0 million in the third
quarter of 2010 from a net income of $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2009. The decrease was
due primarily to the $2.5 million gain on a derivative realized in the third quarter of 2009. As of
April 1, 2010, we have designated all derivative instruments as hedges; therefore, unrealized gains
and losses are recognized as part of other comprehensive income (loss). The following table
presents the changes in other income (expense) from the third quarter of 2009 to the third quarter
of 2010:
Three Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2009 | 2010 | |||||||
Gain realized from derivative |
$ | 2,493,980 | $ | | ||||
Unrealized gain (loss) from derivatives |
(354,326 | ) | | |||||
Interest expense, net of interest income |
(1,156,607 | ) | (1,703,632 | ) | ||||
Amortization of deferred financing fees |
(59,016 | ) | (306,398 | ) | ||||
$ | 924,031 | $ | (2,010,030 | ) | ||||
Income Before Taxes
Income before taxes for the third quarter of 2010 increased to $16.9 million from $12.5 million for
the third quarter of 2009, an increase of 35.2%. The increase was due to higher gross profit, which
was partially offset by increases in operating expenses and other net expenses.
Business Segment Income Before Taxes. Income before taxes for the U.S. federal segment increased
$5.6 million to $8.1 million in the third quarter of 2010, from $2.4 million in the third quarter
of 2009. The increase was due to higher revenue and better operating margins. Income before taxes
for the central U.S. region segment increased $2.7 million to $6.4 million in the third
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quarter of 2010 compared to $3.7 million during the third quarter of 2009, due to higher operating
margins. Income before taxes for the Canada segment increased $0.5 million to $2.7 million in the
third quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2009, due to higher revenue and slightly
improved operating margins. Income before taxes for the other U.S. regions segment increased by
$2.8 million, or 75.4%, to $6.6 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter
of 2009. The increase in this segment was due to increased revenue and an increase in the profit
margin during the third quarter of 2010 from the same period in 2009. The loss before taxes not
allocated to segments and presented as all other, decreased by $7.2 million, or 1825.8%, to $6.8
million in the third quarter of 2010, compared to the third quarter of 2009, primarily due to an
increase in both operating expenses and other expenses. The amounts of unallocated corporate
expenses for the third quarters of 2009 and 2010 were $4.5 million and $7.7 million, respectively.
The changes in the expenses allocated to all other from the third quarter of 2009 to the third
quarter of 2010 were consistent with the overall change in consolidated expenses discussed above.
Income before taxes and unallocated corporate expenses for all other was $0.9 million in the third
quarter of 2010, a $4.0 million, or 81.6%, decrease compared to the third quarter of 2009.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes increased by $0.6 million, to $4.9 million, in the third quarter of
2010, from $4.3 million in the third quarter of 2009. The effective tax rate decreased to 28.8% for
the third quarter of 2010 from 34.4% in the third quarter of 2009. The rate variance between the
periods is due mainly to a change in permanent items from 2009 to 2010. The principal difference
between the statutory rate and the effective rate was due to deductions permitted under Section
179(d) of the Code, which relate to the installation of certain energy efficiency equipment in
federal, state, provincial and local government-owned buildings, as well as production tax credits
to which we are entitled from the electricity generated by certain plants that we own.
Net Income
Net income increased by $3.8 million, or 46.9%, in the third quarter of 2010 to $12.0 million,
compared to $8.2 million in the third quarter of 2009, due to higher pre-tax income, which was
partially offset by an increase in the tax provision. Earnings per basic share in the third quarter
of 2010 were $0.35 compared to $0.86 in the third quarter of 2009. The weighted-average number of
basic shares outstanding increased by 260.2% from 9.6 million shares during the third quarter of
2009 to 34.4 million shares during the third quarter of 2010. The increase was due mainly to the
conversion of 3.2 million shares of Series A preferred stock into 1.3 million shares of Class A
common stock and 18.0 million shares of Class B common stock in connection with our IPO, together
with the issuance and sale of 6.0 million shares of Class A common stock in the IPO, and the
vesting of restricted shares. Earnings per diluted share in the third quarter of 2010 were $0.28
compared to $0.23 in the third quarter of 2009, a 21.7% increase. The weighted-average number of
diluted shares outstanding increased by 21.9% from 35.6 million shares during the third quarter of
2009 to 43.4 million shares during the third quarter of 2010, as a result of the initial public
offering, vesting of restricted shares, the exercise of stock options, and the grant of new stock
options.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2010
Revenue
Total revenue. Total revenue increased by $143.7 million, or 48.7%, in the first nine months of
2010 to $438.9 million compared to the first nine months of 2009 due to higher revenue from both
energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Energy efficiency revenue. Energy efficiency revenue increased by $82.3 million, or 34.1%, in the
first nine months of 2010 compared to the first nine months of 2009 due to an increase in the
number of projects being installed for our municipal and other institutional customers.
Renewable energy revenue. Renewable energy revenue increased by $61.5 million, or 114.1%, in the
first nine months of 2010 compared to the first nine months of 2009. The increase was primarily due
to the greater number of renewable energy facilities being built by us for our customers. The
construction volume of such plants increased by approximately $50.6 million in the first nine
months of 2010. Additionally, during the first nine months of 2010 approximately $10.9 million of
our renewable energy revenue increase was from the operation of facilities owned by us that produce
renewable energy and from the delivery of renewable energy products. We have placed in service
during the past year 12 new renewable energy plants owned by us that produce energy from landfill
gas or photovoltaic systems.
Revenue from customers outside the United States, principally Canada, was $74.2 million in the
first nine months of 2010 compared to $58.4 million in the same period of 2009.
Business segment revenue. Total revenue for the U.S. federal segment increased $71.5 million, or
167.4%, to $114.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the same period
of 2009, primarily due to increased installation of renewable energy facilities and other projects.
Revenue recognized on the installation of a renewable energy project for the U.S. Department of
Energy accounted for a significant portion of our revenue for this segment in the first nine months
of 2010. Total revenue for the central U.S. region segment increased $14.7 million, or 23.8%, to
$76.7 million in the first nine months of 2010, compared to the first
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nine months of 2009, due to the increased installation of energy efficiency projects. Total revenue
for the Canada segment increased $16.5 million, or 28.6%, in the first nine months of 2010, to
$74.1 million, compared to the first nine months of 2009, primarily due to a larger volume of
construction activity related to the installation of energy efficiency measures, particularly two
large projects for housing authorities. Total revenue from the other U.S. regions segment increased
$31.8 million, or 47.8%, to $98.3 million in the first nine months of 2010, compared to the first
nine months of 2009, primarily due to an increase in the size and, to a lesser extent, the number
of projects under construction. Total revenue not allocated to segments and presented as all other
increased $9.2 million, or 13.8%, to $75.5 million in the first nine months of 2010, compared to
the first nine months of 2009, primarily due to increased sales of renewable energy and the
delivery of renewable energy products.
Direct Expenses and Gross Profit
Total direct expenses. Direct expenses increased by $117.3 million, or 48.4%, in the nine months
ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. An increase in gross profit margins
in the first nine months of 2010 caused direct expenses to increase at a slower rate than revenue.
The increase in gross margin was the result of shift in the proportion of revenue from renewable
energy sources during 2010.
Energy efficiency. Energy efficiency gross margin remained flat at 17.3% in the first nine months
of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
Renewable energy. Renewable energy gross margin decreased to 20.3% in the first nine months of 2010
from 20.9% in the first nine months of 2009, due primarily to a higher percentage of installation
activity relative to delivery of renewable energy products.
Operating Expenses
Salaries and benefits. Salaries and benefits increased by $3.1 million, or 16.3%, in the first nine
months of 2010 as compared with the first nine months of 2009. This was primarily due to the
increased headcount necessary to manage our expectation of an increase in our business activity in
fiscal 2010 and beyond.
Project development. Project development expenses increased by $1.0 million, or 15.0%, in the first
nine months of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009, reflecting a higher volume of business
development activity.
General, administrative and other. General, administrative and other expenses increased by $2.9
million, or 21.8%, in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the first nine months of 2009. This
increase was due to a $2.1 million non-cash charge we recorded during the second quarter of 2010
related to the unexpected prepayment of a long-term receivable described above.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income (expense) decreased by $5.6 million to a net expense of $4.1 million in the first nine
months of 2010 from a net income of $1.5 million in the first nine months of 2009. The decrease was
due primarily to unrealized and realized gains on derivatives recognized in the first nine months
of 2009. As of April 1, 2010, we have designated all derivative instruments as hedges; therefore,
unrealized gains and losses are recognized as part of other comprehensive income (loss). The
following table presents the changes in other income (expense) from the first nine months of 2009
to the first nine months of 2010:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2009 | 2010 | |||||||
Gain realized from derivative |
$ | 2,493,980 | $ | | ||||
Unrealized gain (loss) from derivatives |
1,634,619 | $ | (133,591 | ) | ||||
Interest expense, net of interest income |
(2,454,549 | ) | (3,474,423 | ) | ||||
Amortization of deferred financing fees |
(161,662 | ) | (474,403 | ) | ||||
$ | 1,512,388 | $ | (4,082,417 | ) | ||||
Income before taxes for the first nine months of 2010 increased to $29.4 million from $15.5
million for the first nine months of 2009. The increase was due to higher gross profit, which was
partially offset by increases in operating expenses and other net expenses.
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Business Segment Income Before Taxes. Income before taxes for the U.S. federal segment increased
$12.4 million to $13.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010, from $0.9 million in
the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase was due to higher revenue and better
operating margins. Income before taxes for the central U.S. region segment increased to $9.6
million in the first nine months of 2010, from $6.3 million earned during the first nine months of
2009, due to higher operating margins. Income before taxes for the Canada segment increased $1.1
million to $3.8 million in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the first nine months of 2009,
due to higher revenue and improved operating margins. Income before taxes for the other U.S.
regions segment increased by $6.8 million, or 85.3%, to $14.7 million in the first nine months of
2010 compared to the first nine months of 2009. The increase in this segment was primarily due to
increased revenue and an increase in the profit margin, as the segment avoided certain cost
overruns that impacted results in 2009. The loss before taxes not allocated to segments and
presented as all other, increased by $9.7 million, or 416.6%, to $12.0 million in the first nine
months of 2010, compared to the first nine months of 2009, primarily due to the lower margins on
renewable energy sales, and an increase in both operating expenses and other expenses. The amounts
of unallocated corporate expenses for the first nine months of 2009 and 2010 were $15.4 million,
and $21.7 million, respectively. The changes in the expenses allocated to all other from the first
nine months of 2009 to the first nine months of 2010 were consistent with the overall change in
consolidated expenses discussed above. Income before taxes and unallocated corporate expenses for
all other was $9.7 million in the first nine months of 2010, a $3.4 million, or 26.0%, decrease
compared to the first nine months of 2009.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes increased by $3.2 million, to $8.4 million in the first nine months
of 2010 from $5.2 million in the first nine months of 2009. The effective tax rate decreased to
28.5% for the first nine months of 2010 from 33.4% in the first nine months of 2009. The rate
variance between the periods is due mainly to a change in permanent items from 2009 to 2010. The
principal difference between the statutory rate and the effective rate was due to deductions
permitted under Section 179(d) of the Code, which relate to the installation of certain energy
efficiency equipment in federal, state, provincial and local government-owned buildings, as well as
production tax credits to which we are entitled from the electricity generated by certain plants
that we own.
Net Income
Net income increased by $10.7 million, or 103.5%, in the first nine months of 2010 to $21.0
million, compared to $10.3 million in the first nine months of 2009, due to higher pre-tax income,
which was partially offset by an increase in the tax provision. Earnings per basic share in the
first nine months of 2010 were $1.02 compared with $1.08 during the first nine months of 2009. The
weighted-average number of basic shares outstanding increased by 114.7% from 9.6 million shares
during the first nine months of 2009 to 20.6 million shares during the first nine months of 2010.
The increase was due mainly to the conversion of 3.2 million shares of Series A preferred stock
into 1.3 million shares of Class A common stock and 18.0 million shares of Class B common stock in
connection with our IPO, together with the issuance and sale of
6.0 million shares of Class A common stock
in the IPO, and the vesting of restricted shares. Earnings per diluted share in the third quarter
of 2010 were $0.53 compared to $0.30 in the third quarter of 2009, a
76.7% increase. The
weighted-average number of diluted shares outstanding increased by 13.5% from 34.8 million shares
during the first nine months of 2009 to 39.5 million shares during the first nine months of 2010,
as a result of the initial public offering, vesting of restricted shares, the exercise of stock
options, and the grant of new stock options.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of liquidity. Since inception, we have funded operations primarily through cash flow from
operations and various forms of debt. We believe that available cash and cash equivalents and
availability under our revolving senior secured credit facility, combined with our access to credit
markets and the net proceeds from our initial public offering, will be sufficient to fund our
operations through 2011 and thereafter.
Cash flows from operating activities. Operating activities provided $9.1 million of net cash during
the three months ended September 30, 2010. During that period, we had net income of $12.0 million,
which is net of non-cash compensation, depreciation, amortization, deferred income taxes,
unrealized losses and other non-cash items totaling $6.5 million. Net increases in accounts payable
and other liabilities provided another $22.4 million in cash. However, net increases in accounts
receivables and other assets used $31.9 million of cash.
Operating activities provided $23.1 million of net cash during the three months ended September 30,
2009. During that period, we had net income of $8.2 million, which is net of non-cash compensation,
depreciation, amortization, deferred income taxes, unrealized losses and other non-cash items
totaling $3.1 million. Increases in accounts payable, billings in excess of costs and estimated
earnings, and other liabilities provided $30.7 million of cash. However, net increases in accounts
receivable and other assets used $18.8 million in cash.
Operating activities used $6.4 million of net cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
During that period, we had net income of $21.0 million, which is net of non-cash compensation,
depreciation, amortization, deferred income taxes, unrealized losses and other non-cash items
totaling $13.3 million. Net increases in accounts payable and other liabilities provided another
$9.8 million in cash. However, net increases in accounts receivables and other assets used $50.6
million of cash.
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Operating activities used $3.1 million of net cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
During that period, we had net income of $10.3 million, which is net of non-cash compensation,
depreciation, amortization, deferred income taxes, unrealized losses and other non-cash items
totaling $6.1 million. Net increases in accounts payable and
other liabilities provided $15.5
million in cash. Net increases in accounts receivables and other assets used $35.0 million of cash.
Cash flows from investing activities. Cash used for investing activities during the three months
ended September 30, 2010 totaled $19.4 million and consisted primarily of capital investments of
$12.4 million related to the development of renewable energy plants and $6.1 million for the
acquisition of Quantum Engineering. Other investments related to leasehold improvements and office
equipment.
Cash provided by investing activities during the three months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $1.2
million and consisted of net capital returned of $2.3 million related to the development of
renewable energy plants. We applied for and received approximately $12.9 million in investment tax
rebates under Section 1603 of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This was partially
offset by other investments related to the acquisition of a company in Ontario Canada, and for
leasehold improvements and office equipment.
Cash used for investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 totaled $32.3
million and consisted primarily of capital investments of $24.8 million related to the development
of renewable energy plants and $6.1 million related to the acquisition of Quantum Engineering.
Other investments related to leasehold improvements and office equipment.
Cash used for investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $16.7
million and consisted primarily of capital investments of $14.6 million related to the development
of renewable energy plants. Other investments were related to the acquisition of a company in
Ontario Canada, and for leasehold improvements and office equipment.
Cash flows from investing activities primarily relate to capital expenditures to support our
growth.
Cash flows from financing activities. Net cash provided by financing activities during the three
months ended September 30, 2010 totaled $18.0 million. Proceeds from the issuance of Class A common
stock and the exercise of options and warrants totaled $59.6 million. We paid down our senior
secured credit facility by $31.4 million during the quarter, and paid off and retired $3.0 million
of subordinated debt. We paid off a term loan to one of our project subsidiaries totaling $5.8
million. As previously reported, this loan was in default due to the bankruptcy of one of the
counterparties. Increases in certain restricted cash accounts of $1.1 million were necessary to
meet terms of our loan agreements. Net payments for financing-related fees used cash of $0.4
million.
Net cash used by financing activities during the three months ended September 30, 2009 totaled
$18.7 million. We made payments on our senior secured credit facility of $15.1 million, and on
long-term debt financings totaling $1.2 million. In addition, we made investments in certain
restricted cash accounts of $3.8 million to meet terms of our loan agreements. Partially
offsetting these amounts were $1.4 million in project draws on long-term debt financing
agreements.
Net cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 totaled
$19.4 million. Proceeds from the issuance of Class A common stock and the exercise of options and
warrants totaled $60.1 million. Additional proceeds under long-term debt financings totaled $0.8
million during the first nine months of 2010. We paid down our senior secured credit facility by
$19.9 million during the first nine months of 2010, and paid off and retired $3.0 million of
subordinated debt. We made payments on term loans to our project subsidiaries totaling $10.5
million. Increases in certain restricted cash accounts of $6.0 million were necessary to meet
terms of our loan agreements. Net payments for financing-related fees used cash of $1.3 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled
$15.0 million. Proceeds from a long-term debt financing arrangement were $28.1 million during the
period. Partially offsetting those proceeds were $4.4 million to pay down our revolving credit
facility, $2.6 million used to pay down long-term debt, $0.9 million to repurchase outstanding
shares from an employee, $5.1 million to meet a restricted cash requirement and $0.1 million for
financing-related fees.
Subordinated Note
In connection with the organization of Ameresco, on May 17, 2000, we issued a subordinated note to
our principal stockholder in the amount of $3.0 million. The
subordinated note bore interest at
the rate of 10.00% per annum, payable monthly in arrears, and was
subordinated to our revolving
senior secured credit facility. The subordinated note was payable upon demand. We incurred $0.1
million of interest related to the subordinated note during the three months ended September 30,
2009 and 2010. We incurred $0.2 million of interest related to the subordinated note during the
nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010. We repaid in full the outstanding principal balance
of, and all accrued but unpaid interest on, the note during the third quarter of 2010.
Revolving Senior Secured Credit Facility
On June 10, 2008, we entered into a credit and security agreement with Bank of America, consisting
of a $50 million revolving facility. The agreement requires us to pay monthly interest at various
rates in arrears, based on the amount outstanding. This facility has a maturity date of June 30,
2011. The facility is secured by a lien on all of our assets other than renewable energy projects
that
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we own that were financed by others, and limits our ability to enter into other financing
arrangements. Availability under the facility is based on two times our EBITDA for the preceding
four quarters, and we are required to maintain a minimum EBITDA of $20 million on a rolling
four-quarter basis and a minimum level of tangible net worth. The full line of credit was available
to us as of September 30, 2010. As of September 30, 2010, there was no balance outstanding under
the facility. There was $19.9 million in principal outstanding under the facility as of December
31, 2009.
Project Financing
Construction and Term Loans. We have entered into a number of construction and term loan agreements
for the purpose of constructing and owning certain renewable energy plants. The physical assets and
the operating agreements related to the renewable energy plants are owned by wholly-owned, single
member special purpose subsidiaries. These construction and term loans are structured as project
financings made directly to a subsidiary, and upon acceptance of a project, the related
construction loan converts into a term loan. While we are required under GAAP to reflect these
loans as liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet, they are nonrecourse and not direct
obligations of Ameresco, Inc. As of September 30, 2010, we had outstanding $48.7 million in
aggregate principal amount under these loans, bearing interest at rates ranging from 6.3% to 8.9%
and maturing at various dates from 2013 to 2024. As of December 31, 2009, we had outstanding $58.4
million in aggregate principal amount under these loans, bearing interest at rates ranging from
6.3% to 8.9% and maturing at various dates from 2013 to 2024. As of December 31, 2009, a term loan
in the amount of $5.4 million, respectively, was in default as a result of the bankruptcy of the
customer for the energy output of the plant financed by the loan. The bankruptcy filing by the
customer constitutes an event of default under the credit agreement, which could subject us to an
assessment of default interest charges. To date, no such interest charges have been assessed. This
customer has emerged from bankruptcy, confirmed its obligations to our subsidiary and made all back
payments together with interest. This loan was paid off during the third quarter of 2010.
Federal ESPC Receivable Financing. We have arrangements with certain lenders to provide advances to
us during the construction or installation of projects for certain customers, typically federal
governmental entities, in exchange for our assignment to the lenders of our rights to the long-term
receivables arising from the ESPCs related to such projects. These financings totaled $136.9
million and $32.6 million in principal amount at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009,
respectively. Under the terms of these financing arrangements, we are required to complete the
construction or installation of the project in accordance with the contract with our customer, and
the debt remains on our consolidated balance sheet until the completed project is accepted by the
customer.
Our revolving senior secured credit facility and construction and term loan agreements require us
to comply with a variety of financial and operational covenants. As of September 30, 2010, we were
in compliance with all of our financial and operational covenants. In addition, we do not consider
it likely that we will fail to comply with these covenants during the term of these agreements.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations and commitments as of
September 30, 2010:
Payments due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
One to | Three to | |||||||||||||||||||
Less Than | Three | Five | More than | |||||||||||||||||
Total | One Year | Years | Years | Five Years | ||||||||||||||||
Term loans |
$ | 48,719 | $ | 4,933 | $ | 9,211 | $ | 7,033 | $ | 27,542 | ||||||||||
Federal ESPC receivable financing(1) |
136,877 | 3,419 | 133,458 | | | |||||||||||||||
Interest obligations (2) |
23,379 | 4,320 | 5,712 | 4,479 | 8,868 | |||||||||||||||
Operating leases |
7,753 | 2,127 | 2,919 | 1,551 | 1,156 | |||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 216,728 | $ | 14,799 | $ | 151,300 | $ | 13,063 | $ | 37,566 | ||||||||||
(1) | Federal ESPC receivable financing arrangements relate to the installation and construction of projects for certain customers, typically federal governmental entities, where we assign to the lenders our right to customer receivables. We are relieved of the financing liability when the project is completed and accepted by the customer. | |
(2) | The table does not include, for our federal ESPC receivable financing arrangements, the difference between the aggregate amount of the long-term customer receivables sold by us to the lender and the amount received by us from the lender for such sale. |
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet
arrangements, as defined under SEC rules, such as relationships with unconsolidated entities or
financial partnerships, which are often referred to as structured finance or special purpose
entities, established for the purpose of facilitating financing transactions that are not required
to be reflected on our balance sheet.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
During the quarter ended September 30, 2010,
we issued 1,272,500 shares of our Class A common
stock upon exercise of options for aggregate consideration of $2,244,773.
The options and shares of our common stock described in this Item 2 were issued pursuant to written
compensatory plans or arrangements with our employees, directors and consultants in reliance upon
the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule 701
promulgated under the Securities Act or, in some cases, in reliance upon the exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and
Regulation D promulgated thereunder as sales by an issuer not involving any public offering. No
underwriters were involved in the foregoing issuances of securities. All of the foregoing
securities are deemed restricted securities for purposes of the Securities Act. All certificates
representing the issued shares of common stock described in this Item 2 included appropriate
legends setting forth that the securities had not been registered and the applicable restrictions
on transfer.
Use of Proceeds from Initial Public Offering
The SEC declared the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-165821) related to our
initial public offering effective on July 21, 2010. In the IPO, which closed on July 27, 2010, we
sold 6,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock, and selling stockholders sold 2,696,820 shares
of our Class A common stock, at an offering price of $10.00 per share. In addition, on August 25,
2010, pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters over-allotment option, we sold an
additional 342,889 shares of our Class A common stock at an offering price of $10.00 per share.
The IPO generated gross proceeds to us of $63.4 million, or $56.9 million net of underwriting
discounts and offering expenses. The IPO generated gross proceeds to selling stockholders of $27.0
million, or $25.1 million net of underwriting discounts. We incurred $6.5 million of expenses in
connection with the IPO. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated acted as the sole
book-running manager for the offering. RBC Capital Markets Corporation acted as lead manager for
the offering, and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Canaccord Genuity Inc., Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Madison
Williams and Company LLC and Stephens Inc. acted as co-managers of the offering. From the
effective date of the registration statement through September 30, 2010, we used: $26.9 million to
repay the outstanding balance under our $50 million revolving senior secured credit facility; $3.1
million to repay in full the entire principal amount of, and accrued but unpaid interest on, the
subordinated note held by Mr. Sakellaris; and $5.0 million to repay in full the outstanding balance
on our 6.90% term loan related to a landfill has facility. There has been no change in the planned
use of proceeds from the IPO as described in our Prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the
Securities Act with the SEC on July 22, 2010.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are exposed to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates because we finance
certain operations through fixed and variable rate debt instruments and denominate our transactions
in U.S. and Canadian dollars. Changes in these rates may have an impact on future cash flows and
earnings. We manage these risks through normal operating and financing activities and, when deemed
appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments.
Interest Rate Risk
We had cash and cash equivalents totaling $47.9 million and $29.3 million, as of December 31, 2009
and September 30, 2010, respectively. Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to the
interest expense paid on our senior secured credit facility.
Derivative Instruments
We do not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. However, through
our subsidiaries we do enter into derivative instruments for purposes other than trading purposes.
Certain of the term loans that we use to finance our renewable energy projects bear variable
interest rates that are indexed to short-term market rates. We have entered into interest rate
swaps in connection with these term loans in order to seek to hedge our exposure to adverse changes
in the applicable short-term market rate. In some instances, the conditions of our renewable energy
project term loans require us to enter into interest rate swap agreements in order to mitigate our
exposure to adverse movements in market interest rates. All of our interest rate swaps qualify, and
have been designated, as fair value hedges.
By using derivative instruments, we are subject to credit and market risk. The fair market value of
the derivative instruments is determined by
using valuation models whose inputs are derived using market observable inputs, including interest
rate yield curves, and reflects the asset or liability position as of the end of each reporting
period. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes us, thus
creating a receivable risk for us. We are exposed to counterparty credit risk in the event of
non-performance by counterparties to our derivative agreements. We minimize counterparty credit (or
repayment) risk by entering into transactions with major financial institutions of investment grade
credit rating.
Our exposure to market interest rate risk is not hedged in a manner that completely eliminates the
effects of changing market conditions on earnings or cash flow.
Foreign Currency Risk
As a result of our operations in Canada, we have significant expenses, assets and liabilities that
are denominated in a foreign currency. Also, a significant number of employees are located in
Canada and we transact a significant amount of business in Canadian currency. Consequently, we have
determined that Canadian currency is the functional currency for our Canadian operations. When we
consolidate the operations of our Canadian subsidiary into our financial results, because we report
our results in U.S. dollars, we are required to translate the financial results and position of our
Canadian subsidiary from Canadian currency into U.S. dollars. We translate the revenues, expenses,
gains, and losses from our Canadian subsidiary into U.S. dollars using a weighted average exchange
rate for the applicable fiscal period. We translate the assets and liabilities of our Canadian
subsidiary into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the applicable balance sheet date.
Translation adjustments are not included in determining net income for the period but are disclosed
and accumulated in a separate component of stockholders equity until sale
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or until a complete or substantially complete liquidation of the net investment in our Canadian
subsidiary takes place. Changes in the values of these items from one period to the next which
result from exchange rate fluctuations are recorded in our consolidated statements of changes in
stockholders equity as accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss) and in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive
income as other comprehensive income (loss). For the year ended December
31, 2009, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, due to changes in the U.S.-Canadian
exchange rate that were favorable to the value of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar, our
foreign currency translation resulted in a gains of $3.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively,
which we recorded as changes in accumulated other comprehensive income.
As a consequence, gross profit, operating results, profitability and cash flows are impacted by
relative changes in the value of the Canadian dollar. We have not repatriated earnings from our
Canadian subsidiary, but have elected to invest in new business opportunities there. We do not
hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial
officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30,
2010. The term disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)
under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to
ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or
submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time
periods specified in the SECs rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without
limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by
a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and
communicated to the companys management, including its principal executive and principal financial
officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management
recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide
only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its
judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Our
management, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the
end of the period covered by this report, or the evaluation date, have concluded that as of the
evaluation date, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to a material
weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, as we do not currently have the
technical staff with an appropriate level of knowledge, experience and training in the selection,
application and implementation of GAAP as it relates to certain complex accounting issues,
specifically income taxes and SEC financial reporting requirements. We are in the process of hiring
additional technical staff to assist in the strengthening of our internal control over financial
reporting during 2010.
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Part II Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of business, we may be involved in a variety of legal proceedings.
In 2009, a lawsuit was filed against us. In the lawsuit, the plaintiff alleged that we caused
action for damages by soliciting and hiring the plaintiffs employees. We and the plaintiff settled
the lawsuit by our paying $1.8 million to the plaintiff and in exchange both parties agreed to
dismiss the lawsuit and reciprocally release and discharge each other from all claims stated or
which could have been stated in the action against each other. The settlement was not construed as
an admission of any wrongdoing, but rather was an economic decision to settle and compromise
disputed claims. The settlement was recorded in the second quarter of 2009 in general,
administrative and other expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and
comprehensive income.
On February 27, 2009, we received notice of a default termination from a customer for which we were
performing construction services. The dispute involves the customers assertion of its
understanding of the contractual scope of work involved and with the completion date of the
project. We dispute the customers assertion as we believe that the basis of the default arose from
a delay due to the discovery of and need for remediation of previously undiscovered hazardous
materials not identified by the customer during contract negotiations. In February 2010, we filed a
motion for summary judgment as to a portion of the complaint. In March 2010, the customer filed its
response. Discovery is currently ongoing and no date has been set for a hearing on our motion.
We did not record an additional accrual for this matter beyond the adjustments made to our expected
profit on this contract because we believe that the likelihood is remote that any additional
liability would be incurred related to this matter. Based on the contract termination notice, we
have adjusted our expected contract revenue and profit until such time as this contingency is
resolved. We had claims of approximately $3.0 million outstanding with the customer as of September
30, 2010. As of September 30, 2010, we have not recognized any revenue or profit associated with
these claims.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
If demand for our energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions does not develop as we expect,
our revenue will suffer and our business will be harmed.
Our revenue has increased significantly since January 1, 2005. We believe, and our growth
expectations assume, that the market for energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions will
continue to grow, that we will increase our penetration of this market and that our revenue from
selling into this market will continue to increase. If our expectations as to the size of this
market and our ability to sell our products and services in this market are not correct, our
revenue will suffer and our business will be harmed.
The projects we undertake for our customers generally require significant capital, which our
customers or we may finance through third parties, and such financing may not be available to our
customers or to us on favorable terms, if at all.
Our projects are typically financed by third parties. The cost of these projects to our customers
can reach up to $200 million. For our energy efficiency projects, we often assist our customers in
arranging third-party financing. For small-scale renewable energy plants that we own, we typically
rely on a combination of our working capital and debt to finance construction costs. The
significant disruptions in the credit and capital markets in the last several years have made it
more difficult for our customers and us to obtain financing on acceptable terms or, in some cases,
at all. If we or our customers are unable to raise funds on acceptable terms when needed, we may be
unable to secure customer contracts, the size of contracts we do obtain may be smaller or we could
be required to delay the development and construction of projects, reduce the scope of those
projects or otherwise restrict our operations.
In 2008, we entered into a $50 million revolving senior secured credit facility that matures in
June 2011. Availability under the facility is based on two times our EBITDA for the preceding four
quarters, and we are required to maintain a minimum EBITDA of $20 million on a rolling four-quarter
basis and a minimum level of tangible net worth. This facility may not be sufficient to meet our
needs as our business grows, and we may be unable to extend or replace it on acceptable terms, or
at all.
Any inability by us or our customers to raise the funds necessary to finance our projects, or any
inability by us to extend or replace our revolving credit facility, could materially harm our
business, financial condition and operating results.
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Our operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and may fall below
expectations in any particular fiscal quarter.
Our operating results are difficult to predict and have historically fluctuated from quarter to
quarter due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control. As a result,
comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and you should
not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. If our revenue or
operating results fall below the expectations of investors or any securities analysts that follow
our company in any period, the trading price of our Class A common stock would likely decline.
Factors that may cause our operating results to fluctuate include:
| our ability to arrange financing for projects; | |
| changes in federal, state and local government policies and programs related to, or a reduction in governmental support for, energy efficiency and renewable energy; | |
| the timing of work we do on projects where we recognize revenue on a percentage of completion basis; | |
| seasonality in construction and in demand for our products and services; | |
| a customers decision to delay our work on, or other risks involved with, a particular project; | |
| availability and costs of labor and equipment; | |
| the addition of new customers or the loss of existing customers; | |
| the size and scale of new customer projects; | |
| the availability of bonding for our projects; | |
| our ability to control costs, including operating expenses; | |
| changes in the mix of our products and services; | |
| the rates at which customers renew their O&M contracts with us; | |
| the length of our sales cycle; | |
| the productivity and growth of our sales force; | |
| the timing of opening of new offices or making other significant investments in the growth of our business, as the revenue we hope to generate from those expenses often lags several quarters behind those expenses; | |
| changes in pricing by us or our competitors, or the need to provide discounts to win business; | |
| costs related to the acquisition and integration of companies or assets; | |
| general economic trends, including changes in energy efficiency spending or geopolitical events such as war or incidents of terrorism; and | |
| future accounting pronouncements and changes in accounting policies. |
Our operating expenses do not always vary directly with revenue and may be difficult to adjust in
the short term. As a result, if
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revenue for a particular quarter is below our expectations, we may not be able to proportionately
reduce operating expenses for that quarter, and therefore such a revenue shortfall could have a
disproportionate effect on our operating results for that quarter.
We may not be able to maintain or increase our profitability.
We have been profitable on an annual basis since the year ended December 31, 2002. However, we have
incurred net losses in certain quarters since that time. We may not succeed in maintaining our
profitability and could incur quarterly or annual losses in future periods. We intend to increase
our expenses as we grow our business and expand into new geographic locations, and we expect to
incur additional accounting, legal and other expenses associated with being a public company. If
our revenue does not increase sufficiently to offset these increases in costs, our operating
results will be harmed. Our historical operating results should not be considered as necessarily
indicative of future operating results and we can provide no assurance that we will be able to
maintain or increase our profitability in the future.
We may not recognize all revenue from our backlog or receive all payments anticipated under awarded
projects and customer contracts.
As of September 30, 2010, we had backlog of approximately $593 million in future revenue under
signed customer contracts for the installation or construction of projects, which we expect to be
recognized over the period from 2010 to 2013, and we had been awarded, but not yet signed customer
contracts for, projects with estimated total future revenue of an additional $530 million over the
same period. As of September 30, 2009, we had backlog of approximately $380 million in future
revenue under signed customer contracts for the installation or construction of projects, which we
expected to be recognized over the period from 2009 to 2012, and we had been awarded, but not yet
signed customer contracts for, projects with estimated total future revenue of an additional $734
million over the period from 2009 to 2013. We also expect to realize recurring revenue both under
long-term O&M contracts and under long-term energy supply contracts for renewable energy plants
that we own.
Our customers have the right under some circumstances to terminate contracts or defer the timing of
our services and their payments to us. In addition, our government contracts are subject to the
risks described below under Provisions in government contracts may harm our business, financial
condition and operating results. The payment estimates for projects that have been awarded to us
but for which we have not yet signed contracts have been prepared by management and are based upon
a number of assumptions, including that the size and scope of the awarded projects will not change
prior to the signing of customer contracts, that we or our customers will be able to obtain any
necessary third-party financing for the awarded projects, and that we and our customers will reach
agreement on and execute contracts for the awarded projects. We are not always able to enter into a
contract for an awarded project on the terms proposed. As a result, we may not receive all of the
revenue that we include in our backlog or that we estimate we will receive under awarded projects.
If we do not receive all of the revenue we currently expect to receive, our future operating
results will be adversely affected. In addition, a delay in the receipt of revenue, even if such
revenue is eventually received, may cause our operating results for a particular quarter to fall
below our expectations.
Our business is affected by seasonal trends and construction cycles, and these trends and cycles
could have an adverse effect on our operating results.
We are subject to seasonal fluctuations and construction cycles, particularly in climates that
experience colder weather during the winter months, such as the northern United States and Canada,
or at educational institutions, where large projects are typically carried out during summer months
when their facilities are unoccupied. In addition, government customers, many of which have fiscal
years that do not coincide with ours, typically follow annual procurement cycles and appropriate
funds on a fiscal-year basis even though contract performance may take more than one year. Further,
government contracting cycles can be affected by the timing of, and delays in, the legislative
process related to government programs and incentives that help drive demand for energy efficiency
and renewable energy projects. As a result, our revenue and operating income in the third quarter
are typically higher, and our revenue and operating income in the first quarter are typically
lower, than in other quarters of the year. As a result of such fluctuations, we may occasionally
experience declines in revenue or earnings as compared to the immediately preceding quarter, and
comparisons of our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful.
Our business depends in part on federal, state, provincial and local government support for energy
efficiency and renewable energy, and a decline in such support could harm our business.
We depend in part on government legislation and policies that support energy efficiency and
renewable energy projects and that enhance the economic feasibility of our energy efficiency
services and small-scale renewable energy projects. The U.S. and Canadian federal governments and
several of the states and provinces in which we operate support our existing and potential
customers investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy through legislation and
regulations that authorize and regulate the manner in which certain governmental entities do
business with us, encourage or subsidize governmental procurement of our
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services, provide regulatory, tax and other incentives to others to procure our services and
provide us with tax and other incentives that reduce our costs or increase our revenue.
For example, U.S. legislation authorizing federal agencies to enter into ESPCs, such as those we
enter into with our customers, was enacted in 1992. In 2007, three years after the expiration of
the original legislation, new ESPC legislation was enacted without an expiration provision, and in
the same year, the President of the United States issued an executive order requiring federal
agencies to set goals to reduce energy use and increase renewable energy sources and use. In
addition, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allocated $67 billion to promote clean
energy, energy efficiency and advanced vehicles. Additionally, the Emergency Economic Stabilization
Act of 2008 instituted the 1603 cash grant program, which may provide cash in lieu of an investment
tax credit for eligible renewable energy generation sources for which construction commences prior
to the end of 2010 where the project is placed in service by various dates set out in the act. The
Internal Revenue Code, or the Code, currently provides production tax credits for the generation of
electricity from wind projects and from LFG-fueled power projects, and an investment tax credit or
grant in lieu of such tax credits for investments in LFG, wind, biomass and solar power generation
projects. Various state and local governments have also implemented similar programs and
incentives, including legislation authorizing the procurement of ESPCs.
We, our customers and prospective customers frequently depend on these programs to help justify the
costs associated with, and to finance, energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. If any of
these incentives are adversely amended, eliminated or not extended beyond their current expiration
dates, or if funding for these incentives is reduced, it could adversely affect our ability to
complete projects for existing customers and obtain project commitments from new customers. A delay
or failure by government agencies to administer, or make procurements under, these programs in a
timely and efficient manner could have a material adverse effect on our existing and potential
customers willingness to enter into project commitments with us.
In addition, some of our customers purchase electricity, thermal energy or processed LFG from our
renewable energy plants, or purchase other energy services from us, because tax, energy and
environmental laws encourage or in some cases require these customers to procure power from
renewable or low-emission sources, or to reduce their electricity use. Changes to these tax, energy
and environmental laws could reduce our customers incentives and mandates to purchase the kinds of
services that we supply, and could thereby adversely affect our business, financial condition and
operating results.
Changes in the laws and regulations governing the public procurement of ESPCs could have a material
impact on our business.
We derive a significant amount of our revenue from ESPCs with our government customers. While
federal, state and local government rules governing such contracts vary, such rules may, for
example, permit the funding of such projects through long-term financing arrangements; permit
long-term payback periods from the savings realized through such contracts; allow units of
government to exclude debt related to such projects from the calculation of their statutory debt
limitation; allow for award of contracts on a best value instead of lowest cost basis; and
allow for the use of sole source providers. To the extent these rules become more restrictive in
the future, our business could be harmed.
A significant decline in the fiscal health of federal, state, provincial and local governments
could reduce demand for our energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
In 2009, approximately 85% of our revenue was derived from sales to federal, state, provincial or
local governmental entities. A significant decline in the fiscal health of these existing and
potential customers may make it difficult for them to enter into contracts for our services or to
obtain financing necessary to fund such contracts, or may cause them to seek to renegotiate or
terminate existing agreements with us.
Failure of third parties to manufacture quality products or provide reliable services in a timely
manner could cause delays in the delivery of our services and completion of our projects, which
could damage our reputation, have a negative impact on our relationships with our customers and
adversely affect our growth.
Our success depends on our ability to provide services and complete projects in a timely manner,
which in part depends on the ability of third parties to provide us with timely and reliable
services and products, such as boilers, chillers, cogeneration systems, PV panels, lighting and
other complex components. In providing our services and completing our projects, we rely on
products that meet our design specifications and components manufactured and supplied by third
parties, as well as on services performed by subcontractors.
We rely on subcontractors to perform substantially all of the construction and installation work
related to our projects. We provide all design and engineering work related to, and act as the
general contractor for, our projects. We have established relationships with subcontractors that we
believe to be reliable and capable of producing satisfactory results, but we often need to engage
subcontractors with whom we have no experience for our projects. If any of our subcontractors are
unable to provide services that meet or exceed our customers expectations or satisfy our
contractual commitments, our reputation, business and operating results could be harmed.
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The warranties provided by our third-party suppliers and subcontractors typically limit any
direct harm we might experience as a result of our relying on their products and services. However,
there can be no assurance that a supplier or subcontractor will be willing or able to fulfill its
contractual obligations and make necessary repairs or replace equipment. In addition, these
warranties generally expire within one to five years or may be of limited scope or provide limited
remedies. If we are unable to avail ourselves of warranty protection, we may incur liability to our
customers or additional costs related to the affected products and components, including
replacement and installation costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and operating results.
Moreover, any delays, malfunctions, inefficiencies or interruptions in these products or services
even if covered by warranties could adversely affect the quality and performance of our
solutions. This could cause us to experience difficulty retaining current customers and attracting
new customers, and could harm our brand, reputation and growth. In addition, any significant
interruption or delay by our suppliers in the manufacture or delivery of products or services on
which we depend could require us to expend considerable time, effort and expense to establish
alternate sources for such products and services.
We may have liability to our customers under our ESPCs if our projects fail to deliver the energy
use reductions to which we are committed under the contract.
For our energy efficiency projects, we typically enter into ESPCs under which we commit that the
projects will satisfy agreed-upon performance standards appropriate to the project. These
commitments are typically structured as guarantees of increased energy efficiency that are based on
the design, capacity, efficiency or operation of the specific equipment and systems we install. Our
commitments generally fall into three categories: pre-agreed, equipment-level and whole
building-level. Under a pre-agreed efficiency commitment, our customer reviews the project design
in advance and agrees that, upon or shortly after completion of installation of the specified
equipment comprising the project, the pre-agreed increase in energy efficiency will have been met.
Under an equipment-level commitment, we commit to a level of increased energy efficiency based on
the difference in use measured first with the existing equipment and then with the replacement
equipment upon completion of installation. A whole building-level commitment requires measurement
and verification of increased energy efficiency for a whole building, often based on readings of
the utility meter where usage is measured. Depending on the project, the measurement and
verification may be required only once, upon installation, based on an analysis of one or more
sample installations, or may be required to be repeated at agreed upon intervals generally over
periods of up to 20 years.
Under our contracts, we typically do not take responsibility for a wide variety of factors outside
our control and exclude or adjust for such factors in commitment calculations. These factors
include variations in energy prices and utility rates, weather, facility occupancy schedules, the
amount of energy-using equipment in a facility, and failure of the customer to operate or maintain
the project properly. We rely in part on warranties from our equipment suppliers and subcontractors
to back-stop the warranties we provide to our customers and, where appropriate, pass on the
warranties to our customers. However, the warranties we provide to our customers are sometimes
broader in scope or longer in duration than the corresponding warranties we receive from our
suppliers and subcontractors, and we bear the risk for any differences, as well as the risk of
warranty default by our suppliers and subcontractors.
Typically, our performance commitments apply to the aggregate overall performance of a project
rather than to individual energy efficiency measures. Therefore, to the extent an individual
measure underperforms, it may be offset by other measures that overperform. In the event that an
energy efficiency project does not perform according to the agreed-upon specifications, our
agreements typically allow us to satisfy our obligation by adjusting or modifying the installed
equipment, installing additional measures to provide substitute energy savings, or paying the
customer for lost energy savings based on the assumed conditions specified in the agreement. From
our inception to September 30, 2010, our total payments to customers and incurred equipment
replacement and maintenance costs under our energy efficiency commitments, after customer
acceptance of a project, have been less than $100,000 in the aggregate. However, we may incur
additional or increased liabilities or expenses under our ESPCs in the future. Such liabilities or
expenses could be substantial, and they could materially harm our business, financial condition or
operating results. In addition, any disputes with a customer over the extent to which we bear
responsibility to improve performance or make payments to the customer may diminish our prospects
for future business from that customer or damage our reputation in the marketplace.
We may assume responsibility under customer contracts for factors outside our control, including,
in connection with some customer projects, the risk that fuel prices will increase.
We typically do not take responsibility under our contracts for a wide variety of factors outside
our control. We have, however, in a
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limited number of contracts assumed some level of risk and responsibility for certain factors
sometimes only to the extent that variations exceed specified thresholds and may also do so
under certain contracts in the future, particularly in our contracts for renewable energy projects.
For example, under a contract for the construction and operation of a cogeneration facility at the
U.S. Department of Energy Savannah River Site in South Carolina, a subsidiary of ours is exposed to
the risk that the price of the biomass that will be used to fuel the cogeneration facility may rise
during the 19-year performance period of the contract. Several provisions in that contract mitigate
the price risk, including a specified annual increase in the price our subsidiary charges the
customer for biomass fuel, incentives for the customer to make on-site biomass available to the
cogeneration facility, an escrow fund from which our subsidiary can withdraw funds should the price
of biomass in a given year exceed that charged to the customer, the right to reduce the amount of
steam generated by the use of biomass to a stipulated minimum level and the ability to use other
fuels, such as used tires, to produce up to 30% of the facilitys total production. In addition,
although we typically structure our contracts so that our obligation to supply a customer with LFG,
electricity or steam, for example, does not exceed the quantity produced by the production
facility, in some circumstances we may commit to supply a customer with specified minimum
quantities based on our projections of the facilitys production capacity. In such circumstances,
if we are unable to meet such commitments, we may be required to incur additional costs or face
penalties.
Despite the steps we have taken to mitigate risks under these and other contracts, such steps may
not be sufficient to avoid the need to incur increased costs to satisfy our commitments, and such
costs could be material. Increased costs that we are unable to pass through to our customers could
have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Our business depends on experienced and skilled personnel and substantial specialty subcontractor
resources, and if we lose key personnel or if we are unable to attract and integrate additional
skilled personnel, it will be more difficult for us to manage our business and complete projects.
The success of our business depends in large part on the skill of our personnel. Accordingly, it is
critical that we maintain, and continue to build, a highly experienced management team and
specialized workforce, including engineers, project and construction management, and business
development and sales professionals. In addition, our construction projects require a significant
amount of trade labor resources, such as electricians, mechanics, carpenters, masons and other
skilled workers, as well as certain specialty subcontractor skills.
Competition for personnel, particularly those with expertise in the energy services and renewable
energy industries, is high, and identifying candidates with the appropriate qualifications can be
costly and difficult. We may not be able to hire the necessary personnel to implement our business
strategy given our anticipated hiring needs, or we may need to provide higher compensation or more
training to our personnel than we currently anticipate.
In the event we are unable to attract, hire and retain the requisite personnel and subcontractors,
we may experience delays in completing projects in accordance with project schedules and budgets,
which may have an adverse effect on our financial results, harm our reputation and cause us to
curtail our pursuit of new projects. Further, any increase in demand for personnel and specialty
subcontractors may result in higher costs, causing us to exceed the budget on a project, which in
turn may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results and harm
our relationships with our customers.
Our future success is particularly dependent on the vision, skills, experience and effort of our
senior management team, including our executive officers and our founder, principal stockholder,
president and chief executive officer, George P. Sakellaris. If we were to lose the services of any
of our executive officers or key employees, our ability to effectively manage our operations and
implement our strategy could be harmed and our business may suffer.
If we cannot obtain surety bonds and letters of credit, our ability to operate may be restricted.
Federal and state laws require us to secure the performance of certain long-term obligations
through surety bonds and letters of credit. In addition, we are occasionally required to provide
bid bonds or performance bonds to secure our performance under energy efficiency contracts. Our
sureties have historically required that George P. Sakellaris, who is our founder, principal
stockholder, president and chief executive officer, personally indemnify them for up to an
aggregate of $50 million of losses associated with the bonds they have provided on our behalf. We
expect this indemnity will terminate in the near future. In addition, in the event that Mr.
Sakellaris no longer controls our company, our sureties may reevaluate our eligibility for surety
bonds. Although we expect the net proceeds of our initial public offering to improve our bonding
capabilities, our ability to obtain required bonds or letters of credit depends in large part upon
our capitalization, working capital, past performance, management expertise and reputation, and
external factors beyond our control, including the overall capacity of the surety market. Our
ability to obtain letters of credit under our existing credit arrangements is limited. We are not
permitted to have more than $10 million in letters of credit outstanding at any time (including
letters of credit that have been drawn
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upon but not repaid on our behalf) under the terms of our revolving senior secured credit facility.
Moreover, our use of letters of credit limits our borrowing capability under our revolving senior
secured credit facility as the aggregate amount of letters of credit we have outstanding at any
time reduces our borrowing capacity under the facility by an equal amount. As of September 30,
2010, we had no letters of credit outstanding.
In the future, we may have difficulty procuring or maintaining surety bonds or letters of credit,
and obtaining them may become more expensive, require us to post cash collateral or otherwise
involve unfavorable terms. Because we are sometimes required to have performance bonds or letters
of credit in place before projects can commence or continue, our failure to obtain or maintain
those bonds and letters of credit would adversely affect our ability to begin and complete
projects, and thus could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
operating results.
We operate in a highly competitive industry, and our current or future competitors may be able to
compete more effectively than we do, which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
revenue, growth rates and market share.
Our industry is highly competitive, with many companies of varying size and business models, many
of which have their own proprietary technologies, competing for the same business as we do. Many of
our competitors have longer operating histories and greater resources than us, and could focus
their substantial financial resources to develop a competing business model, develop products or
services that are more attractive to potential customers than what we offer or convince our
potential customers that they should require financing arrangements that would be impractical for
smaller companies to offer. Our competitors may also offer energy solutions at prices below cost,
devote significant sales forces to competing with us or attempt to recruit our key personnel by
increasing compensation, any of which could improve their competitive positions. Any of these
competitive factors could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain customers, cause us
to lower our prices in order to compete, and reduce our market share and revenue, any of which
could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results. We can
provide no assurance that we will continue to effectively compete against our current competitors
or additional companies that may enter our markets.
In addition, we may also face competition based on technological developments that reduce demand
for electricity, increase power supplies through existing infrastructure or that otherwise compete
with our products and services. We also encounter competition in the form of potential customers
electing to develop solutions or perform services internally rather than engaging an outside
provider such as us.
We may be unable to complete or operate our projects on a profitable basis or as we have committed
to our customers.
Development, installation and construction of our energy efficiency and renewable energy projects,
and operation of our renewable energy projects, entails many risks, including:
| failure to receive critical components and equipment that meet our design specifications and can be delivered on schedule; | |
| failure to obtain all necessary rights to land access and use; | |
| failure to receive quality and timely performance of third-party services; | |
| increases in the cost of labor, equipment and commodities needed to construct or operate projects; | |
| permitting and other regulatory issues, license revocation and changes in legal requirements; | |
| shortages of equipment or skilled labor; | |
| unforeseen engineering problems; | |
| failure of a customer to accept or pay for renewable energy that we supply; | |
| weather interferences, catastrophic events including fires, explosions, earthquakes, droughts and acts of terrorism; and accidents involving personal injury or the loss of life; |
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| labor disputes and work stoppages; | |
| mishandling of hazardous substances and waste; and | |
| other events outside of our control. |
Any of these factors could give rise to construction delays and construction and other costs in
excess of our expectations. This could prevent us from completing construction of our projects,
cause defaults under our financing agreements or under contracts that require completion of project
construction by a certain time, cause projects to be unprofitable for us, or otherwise impair our
business, financial condition and operating results.
Our small-scale renewable energy plants may not generate expected levels of output.
The small-scale renewable energy plants that we construct and own are subject to various operating
risks that may cause them to generate less than expected amounts of processed LFG, electricity or
thermal energy. These risks include a failure or degradation of our, our customers or utilities
equipment; an inability to find suitable replacement equipment or parts; less than expected supply
of the plants source of renewable energy, such as LFG or biomass; or a faster than expected
diminishment of such supply. Any extended interruption in the plants operation, or failure of the
plant for any reason to generate the expected amount of output, could have a material adverse
effect on our business and operating results. In addition, we have in the past, and could in the
future, incur material asset impairment charges if any of our renewable energy plants incurs
operational issues that indicate that our expected future cash flows from the plant are less than
its carrying value. Any such impairment charge could have a material adverse effect on our
operating results in the period in which the charge is recorded.
We may be unable to manage our growth effectively.
Our business and operations have expanded rapidly in the last several years, and we anticipate that
further expansion of our organization and operations will be required to achieve our expectations
for future growth. In addition, in order to manage our expanding operations, we will also need to
continue to improve our management, operational and financial controls and our reporting systems
and procedures. All of these measures will require significant expenditures and will demand the
attention of management. If we do not continue to enhance our management personnel and our
operational and financial systems and controls in response to growth in our business, we could
experience operating inefficiencies that could impair our competitive position and could increase
our costs more than we had planned. If we are unable to manage growth effectively, our business,
financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.
We expect that some of our growth will be accomplished through the opening of new offices and the
hiring of additional personnel to staff those offices. Even if an office is ultimately successful
in generating additional revenue and profit for us, there is generally a lag of several years
before we are able to recoup the expenses associated with opening that office.
In order to secure contracts for new projects, we typically face a long and variable selling cycle
that requires significant resource commitments and requires a long lead time before we realize
revenue.
The sales, design and construction process for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects
typically takes from 12 to 36 months, with sales to federal government and housing authority
customers tending to require the longest sales processes. Our existing and potential customers
generally have extended budgeting and procurement processes, and sometimes must engage in
regulatory approval processes, related to our services. Most of our potential customers issue a
request for proposal, or RFP, as part of their consideration of alternatives for their proposed
project. In preparation for responding to an RFP, we typically conduct a preliminary audit of the
customers needs and the opportunity to reduce its energy costs. For projects involving a renewable
energy plant that is not located on a customers site or that uses sources of energy not within the
customers control, the sales process also involves the identification of sites with attractive
sources of renewable energy, such as a landfill or a site with high winds, and it may involve
obtaining necessary rights and governmental permits to develop a project on that site. If we are
awarded a project, we then perform a more detailed audit of the customers facilities, which serves
as the basis for the final specifications of the project. We then must negotiate and execute a
contract with the customer. In addition, we or the customer typically need to obtain financing for
the project.
This extended sales process requires the dedication of significant time by our sales and management
personnel and our use of significant financial resources, with no certainty of success or recovery
of our related expenses. A potential customer may go through the entire sales process and not
accept our proposal. All of these factors can contribute to fluctuations in our quarterly financial
performance and increase the likelihood that our operating results in a particular quarter will
fall below investor expectations. These factors could also adversely affect our business, financial
condition and operating results due to increased spending by us that is not offset by increased
revenue.
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Provisions in our government contracts may harm our business, financial condition and operating
results.
A significant majority of our contract backlog and projects that have been awarded to us but have
not yet been committed to signed contracts is attributable to customers that are government
entities. Our contracts with the federal government and its agencies, and with state, provincial
and local governments, customarily contain provisions that give the government substantial rights
and remedies, many of which are not typically found in commercial contracts, including provisions
that allow the government to:
| terminate existing contracts, in whole or in part, for any reason or no reason; | |
| reduce or modify contracts or subcontracts; | |
| decline to award future contracts if actual or apparent organizational conflicts of interest are discovered, or to impose organizational conflict mitigation measures as a condition of eligibility for an award; | |
| suspend or debar the contractor from doing business with the government or a specific government agency; and | |
| pursue criminal or civil remedies under the False Claims Act, False Statements Act and similar remedy provisions unique to government contracting. |
Generally, government contracts contain provisions permitting unilateral termination or
modification, in whole or in part, at the governments convenience. Under general principles of
government contracting law, if the government terminates a contract for convenience, the terminated
company may recover only its incurred or committed costs, settlement expenses and profit on work
completed prior to the termination. If the government terminates a contract for default, the
defaulting company is entitled to recover costs incurred and associated profits on accepted items
only and may be liable for excess costs incurred by the government in procuring undelivered items
from another source. In most of our contracts with the federal government, the government has
agreed to make a payment to us in the event that it terminates the agreement early. The termination
payment is designed to compensate us for the cost of construction plus financing costs and profit
on the work completed.
In ESPCs for governmental entities, the methodologies for computing energy savings may be less
favorable than for non-governmental customers and may be modified during the contract period. We
may be liable for price reductions if the projected savings cannot be substantiated.
In addition to the right of the federal government to terminate its contracts with us, federal
government contracts are conditioned upon the continuing approval by Congress of the necessary
spending to honor such contracts. Congress often appropriates funds for a program on a September 30
fiscal-year basis even though contract performance may take more than one year. Consequently, at
the beginning of many major governmental programs, contracts often may not be fully funded, and
additional monies are then committed to the contract only if, as and when appropriations are made
by Congress for future fiscal years. Similar practices are likely to also affect the availability
of funding for our contracts with Canadian, as well as state, provincial and local, government
entities. If one or more of our government contracts were terminated or reduced, or if
appropriations for the funding of one or more of our contracts is delayed or terminated, our
business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.
Government contracts normally contain additional terms and conditions that may increase our costs
of doing business, reduce our profits and expose us to liability for failure to comply with these
terms and conditions. These include, for example:
| specialized accounting systems unique to government contracting, which may include mandatory compliance with federal Cost Accounting Standards; | |
| mandatory financial audits and potential liability for adjustments in contract prices; | |
| public disclosure of contracts, which may include pricing information; | |
| mandatory socioeconomic compliance requirements, including small business promotion, labor, environmental and U.S. manufacturing requirements; and |
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| requirements for maintaining current facility and/or personnel security clearances to access certain government facilities or to maintain certain records, and related industrial security compliance requirements. |
Our contracts with Canadian governmental entities frequently involve similar risks. Any failure by
us to comply with these governmental requirements could adversely affect our business.
Our renewable energy projects, particularly our LFG projects, depend on locating and acquiring
suitable operating sites, of which there are a limited number.
Our small-scale renewable energy projects must be situated at sites that have access to renewable
sources of energy. Specifically, LFG projects must originate on or near landfill sites, of which
approximately 500 are currently available in the United States for economically viable LFG
projects. Sites for our renewable energy plants must be suitable for construction and efficient
operation, which, among other things, requires appropriate road access. Further, many plants must
be interconnected to electricity transmission or distribution networks. Once we have identified a
suitable operating site, obtaining the requisite LFG and/or land rights (including access rights,
setbacks and other easements) requires us to negotiate with landowners and local government
officials. These negotiations can take place over a long time, are not always successful and
sometimes require economic concessions not in our original plans. The property rights necessary to
construct and interconnect our plants must also be insurable and otherwise satisfactory to our
financing counterparties. In addition, our ability to obtain adequate LFG and/or property rights is
subject to competition. If a competitor or other party obtains LFG and/or land rights critical to
our project development efforts and we are unable to reach agreement for their use, we could incur
losses as a result of development costs for sites we do not develop, which we would have to write
off. If we are unable to obtain adequate LFG and/or property or other rights for a renewable energy
plant, including its interconnection, that plant may be smaller in size or potentially unfeasible.
Failure to obtain insurable property rights for a project satisfactory to our financing sources
would preclude our ability to obtain third-party financing and could prevent ongoing development
and construction of that project.
We plan to expand our business in part through future acquisitions, but we may not be able to
identify or complete suitable acquisitions.
Historically, acquisitions have been a significant part of our growth strategy. We plan to continue
to use acquisitions of companies or assets to expand our project skill-sets and capabilities,
expand our geographic markets, add experienced management and increase our product and service
offerings. However, we may be unable to implement this growth strategy if we cannot identify
suitable acquisition candidates, reach agreement with acquisition targets on acceptable terms or
arrange required financing for acquisitions on acceptable terms. In addition, the time and effort
involved in attempting to identify acquisition candidates and consummate acquisitions may divert
members of our management from the operations of our company.
Any future acquisitions that we may make could disrupt our business, cause dilution to our
stockholders and harm our business, financial condition or operating results.
If we are successful in consummating acquisitions, those acquisitions could subject us to a number
of risks, including:
| the purchase price we pay could significantly deplete our cash reserves or result in dilution to our existing stockholders; | |
| we may find that the acquired company or assets do not improve our customer offerings or market position as planned; | |
| we may have difficulty integrating the operations and personnel of the acquired company; | |
| key personnel and customers of the acquired company may terminate their relationships with the acquired company as a result of the acquisition; | |
| we may experience additional financial and accounting challenges and complexities in areas such as tax planning and financial reporting; | |
| we may assume or be held liable for risks and liabilities (including for environmental-related costs) as a result of our acquisitions, some of which we may not discover during our due diligence or adequately adjust for in our acquisition arrangements; |
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| our ongoing business and managements attention may be disrupted or diverted by transition or integration issues and the complexity of managing geographically or culturally diverse enterprises; | |
| we may incur one-time write-offs or restructuring charges in connection with the acquisition; | |
| we may acquire goodwill and other intangible assets that are subject to amortization or impairment tests, which could result in future charges to earnings; and | |
| we may not be able to realize the cost savings or other financial benefits we anticipated. |
These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
operating results.
We need governmental approvals and permits, and we typically must meet specified qualifications, in
order to undertake our energy efficiency projects and construct, own and operate our small-scale
renewable energy projects, and any failure to do so would harm our business.
The design, construction and operation of our energy efficiency and small-scale renewable energy
projects require various governmental approvals and permits, and may be subject to the imposition
of related conditions that vary by jurisdiction. In some cases, these approvals and permits require
periodic renewal. We cannot predict whether all permits required for a given project will be
granted or whether the conditions associated with the permits will be achievable. The denial of a
permit essential to a project or the imposition of impractical conditions would impair our ability
to develop the project. In addition, we cannot predict whether the permits will attract significant
opposition or whether the permitting process will be lengthened due to complexities and appeals.
Delay in the review and permitting process for a project can impair or delay our ability to develop
that project or increase the cost so substantially that the project is no longer attractive to us.
We have experienced delays in developing our projects due to delays in obtaining permits and may
experience delays in the future. If we were to commence construction in anticipation of obtaining
the final, non-appealable permits needed for that project, we would be subject to the risk of being
unable to complete the project if all the permits were not obtained. If this were to occur, we
would likely lose a significant portion of our investment in the project and could incur a loss as
a result. Further, the continued operations of our projects require continuous compliance with
permit conditions. This compliance may require capital improvements or result in reduced
operations. Any failure to procure, maintain and comply with necessary permits would adversely
affect ongoing development, construction and continuing operation of our projects.
In addition, the projects we perform for governmental agencies are governed by particular
qualification and contracting regimes. Certain states require qualification with an appropriate
state agency as a precondition to performing work or appearing as a qualified energy service
provider for state, county and local agencies within the state. For example, the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and the states of Colorado and Washington pre-qualify energy service providers and
provide contract documents that serve as the starting point for negotiations with potential
governmental clients. Most of the work that we perform for the federal government is performed
under IDIQ agreements between a government agency and us or a subsidiary. These IDIQ agreements
allow us to contract with the relevant agencies to implement energy projects, but no work may be
performed unless we and the agency agree on a task order or delivery order governing the provision
of a specific project. The government agencies enter into contracts for specific projects on a
competitive basis. We and our subsidiaries and affiliates are currently party to an IDIQ agreement
with the U.S. Department of Energy that expires in 2019. If we are unable to maintain or renew our
IDIQ qualification under the U.S. Department of Energy program for ESPCs, or similar federal or
state qualification regimes, our business could be materially harmed.
Many of our small-scale renewable energy projects are, and other future projects may be, subject to
or affected by U.S. federal energy regulation or other regulations that govern the operation,
ownership and sale of the facility, or the sale of electricity from the facility.
The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, or PUHCA, and the Federal Power Act, or FPA,
regulate public utility holding companies and their subsidiaries and place constraints on the
conduct of their business. The FPA regulates wholesale sales of electricity and the transmission of
electricity in interstate commerce by public utilities. Under the Public Utility Regulatory
Policies Act of 1978, or PURPA, all of our current small-scale renewable energy projects are small
power qualifying facilities (facilities meeting statutory size, fuel and ownership requirements)
that are exempt from regulations under PUHCA, most provisions of the FPA and state rate regulation.
None of our renewable energy projects are currently subject to rate regulation for wholesale power
sales by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, under the FPA, but certain of our
projects that are under construction or development could become subject to such regulation in the
future. Also, we may acquire interests in or develop
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generating projects that are not qualifying facilities. Non-qualifying facility projects would be
fully subject to FERC corporate and rate regulation, and would be required to obtain FERC
acceptance of their rate schedules for wholesale sales of energy, capacity and ancillary services,
which requires substantial disclosures to and discretionary approvals from FERC. FERC may revoke or
revise an entitys authorization to make wholesale sales at negotiated, or market-based, rates if
FERC determines that we can exercise market power in transmission or generation, create barriers to
entry or engage in abusive affiliate transactions or market manipulation. In addition, many public
utilities (including any non-qualifying facility generator in which we may invest) are subject to
FERC reporting requirements that impose administrative burdens and that, if violated, can expose
the company to civil penalties or other risks.
All of our wholesale electric power sales are subject to certain market behavior rules. These rules
change from time to time, by virtue of FERC rulemaking proceedings and FERC-ordered amendments to
utilities FERC tariffs. If we are deemed to have violated these rules, we will be subject to
potential disgorgement of profits associated with the violation and/or suspension or revocation of
our market-based rate authority, as well as potential criminal and civil penalties. If we were to
lose market-based rate authority for any non-qualifying facility project we may acquire or develop
in the future, we would be required to obtain FERCs acceptance of a cost-based rate schedule and
could become subject to, among other things, the burdensome accounting, record keeping and
reporting requirements that are imposed on public utilities with cost-based rate schedules. This
could have an adverse effect on the rates we charge for power from our projects and our cost of
regulatory compliance.
Wholesale electric power sales are subject to increasing regulation. The terms and conditions for
power sales, and the right to enter and remain in the wholesale electric sector, are subject to
FERC oversight. Due to major regulatory restructuring initiatives at the federal and state levels,
the U.S. electric industry has undergone substantial changes over the past decade. We cannot
predict the future design of wholesale power markets or the ultimate effect ongoing regulatory
changes will have on our business. Other proposals to further regulate the sector may be made and
legislative or other attention to the electric power market restructuring process may delay or
reverse the movement towards competitive markets.
If we become subject to additional regulation under PUHCA, FPA or other regulatory frameworks, if
existing regulatory requirements become more onerous, or if other material changes to the
regulation of the electric power markets take place, our business, financial condition and
operating results could be adversely affected.
Compliance with environmental laws could adversely affect our operating results.
Costs of compliance with federal, state, provincial, local and other foreign existing and future
environmental regulations could adversely affect our cash flow and profitability. We are required
to comply with numerous environmental laws and regulations and to obtain numerous governmental
permits in connection with energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and we may incur
significant additional costs to comply with these requirements. If we fail to comply with these
requirements, we could be subject to civil or criminal liability, damages and fines. Existing
environmental regulations could be revised or reinterpreted and new laws and regulations could be
adopted or become applicable to us or our projects, and future changes in environmental laws and
regulations could occur. These factors may materially increase the amount we must invest to bring
our projects into compliance and impose additional expense on our operations.
In addition, private lawsuits or enforcement actions by federal, state, provincial and/or foreign
regulatory agencies may materially increase our costs. Certain environmental laws make us
potentially liable on a joint and several basis for the remediation of contamination at or
emanating from properties or facilities we currently or formerly owned or operated or properties to
which we arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances. Such liability is not limited to the
cleanup of contamination we actually caused. Although we seek to obtain indemnities against
liabilities relating to historical contamination at the facilities we own or operate, we cannot
provide any assurance that we will not incur liability relating to the remediation of
contamination, including contamination we did not cause. For example, in 2009, a customer for which
we were performing an energy efficiency project initiated a legal proceeding against us as a result
of project delays that we believe were attributable to the discovery of hazardous materials and
need for remediation by the customer. An adverse outcome in this proceeding could have an adverse
effect on our operating results in the period in which the outcome is determined.
We may not be able to obtain or maintain, from time to time, all required environmental regulatory
approvals. A delay in obtaining any required environmental regulatory approvals or failure to
obtain and comply with them could adversely affect our business and operating results.
International expansion is one of our growth strategies, and international operations will expose
us to additional risks that we do not face in the United States, which could have an adverse effect
on our operating results.
We generate a significant portion of our revenue from operations in Canada, and although we are
engaged in overseas projects for the U.S. Department of Defense, we currently derive a small amount
of revenue from outside of North America. However,
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international expansion is one of our growth strategies, and we expect our revenue and operations
outside of North America will expand in the future. These operations will be subject to a variety
of risks that we do not face in the United States, and that we may face only to a limited degree in
Canada, including:
| building and managing highly experienced foreign workforces and overseeing and ensuring the performance of foreign subcontractors; | |
| increased travel, infrastructure and legal and compliance costs associated with multiple international locations; | |
| additional withholding taxes or other taxes on our foreign income, and tariffs or other restrictions on foreign trade or investment; | |
| imposition of, or unexpected adverse changes in, foreign laws or regulatory requirements, many of which differ from those in the United States; | |
| increased exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk; | |
| longer payment cycles for sales in some foreign countries and potential difficulties in enforcing contracts and collecting accounts receivable; | |
| difficulties in repatriating overseas earnings; | |
| general economic conditions in the countries in which we operate; and | |
| political unrest, war, incidents of terrorism, or responses to such events. |
Our overall success in international markets will depend, in part, on our ability to succeed in
differing legal, regulatory, economic, social and political conditions. We may not be successful in
developing and implementing policies and strategies that will be effective in managing these risks
in each country where we do business. Our failure to manage these risks successfully could harm our
international operations, reduce our international sales and increase our costs, thus adversely
affecting our business, financial condition and operating results.
Our insurance and contractual protections may not always cover lost revenue, increased expenses or
liquidated damages payments.
Although we maintain insurance, obtain warranties from suppliers, obligate subcontractors to meet
certain performance levels and attempt, where feasible, to pass risks we cannot control to our
customers, the proceeds of such insurance, warranties, performance guarantees or risk sharing
arrangements may not be adequate to cover lost revenue, increased expenses or liquidated damages
payments that may be required in the future.
If the cost of energy generated by traditional sources does not increase, or if it decreases,
demand for our services may decline.
Decreases in the costs associated with traditional sources of energy, such as prices for
commodities like coal, oil and natural gas, may reduce demand for energy efficiency and renewable
energy solutions. Technological progress in traditional forms of electricity generation or the
discovery of large new deposits of traditional fuels could reduce the cost of electricity generated
from those sources and as a consequence reduce the demand for our solutions. Any of these
developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
operating results.
We have a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to
establish and maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate
financial statements could be impaired, which could adversely affect our operating results, our
ability to operate our business and investors and customers views of us.
In March 2012, we will become subject to a set of laws and regulations requiring that we establish
and maintain internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting
is defined under Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, rules as a process designed by, or
under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by
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our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding
the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with GAAP. We have not yet begun the process of documenting, reviewing and,
as appropriate, improving our internal controls and procedures in anticipation of becoming subject
to the SEC rules concerning internal control over financial reporting, which take effect beginning
with the filing of our second Annual Report on Form 10-K (which will be due in March 2012).
Establishing and maintaining adequate internal financial and accounting controls and procedures so
that we can produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis is a costly and time-consuming
effort that needs to be re-evaluated frequently, and may distract our officers and employees from
the operation of our business.
We do not currently have personnel with an appropriate level of knowledge, experience or training
in the selection, application and implementation of GAAP as it relates to certain complex
accounting issues, income taxes and SEC financial reporting requirements. This constitutes a
material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting that could result in material
misstatements in our financial statements not being prevented or detected. Although we plan to
remediate this material weakness by hiring additional personnel with the requisite expertise, we
may experience difficulties or delays in doing so, and new employees will require time and training
to learn our business and operating processes and procedures.
If we fail to enhance and then maintain our internal control over financial reporting, we may be
unable to report our financial results timely and accurately, and we may be less likely to prevent
fraud. In addition, such failure could increase our operating costs, materially impair our ability
to operate our business, result in SEC investigations and penalties and lead to the delisting of
our common stock from the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE. The resulting damage to our reputation
in the marketplace and our financial credibility could significantly impair our sales and marketing
efforts with customers. Further, investors perceptions that our internal controls are inadequate
or that we are unable to produce accurate financial statements could adversely affect the market
price of our Class A common stock.
Changes in utility regulation and tariffs could adversely affect our business.
Our business is affected by regulations and tariffs that govern the activities of utilities. For
example, utility companies are commonly allowed by regulatory authorities to charge fees to larger
industrial customers for disconnecting from the electric grid or for having the capacity to use
power from the electric grid for back-up purposes. These fees could increase the cost to our
customers of taking advantage of our services and make them less desirable, thereby harming our
business, financial condition and operating results. Our current generating projects are all
operated as qualifying facilities. FERC regulations under the FPA confer upon these facilities key
rights to interconnection with local utilities, and can entitle qualifying facilities to enter into
power purchase agreements with local utilities, from which the qualifying facilities benefit.
Changes to these federal laws and regulations could increase our regulatory burdens and costs, and
could reduce our revenue. In addition, modifications to the pricing policies of utilities could
require renewable energy systems to achieve lower prices in order to compete with the price of
electricity from the electric grid and may reduce the economic attractiveness of certain energy
efficiency measures.
Some of the demand-reduction services we provide for utilities and institutional clients are
subject to regulatory tariffs imposed under federal and state utility laws. In addition, the
operation of, and electrical interconnection for, our renewable energy projects are subject to
federal, state or provincial interconnection and federal reliability standards that are also set
forth in utility tariffs. These tariffs specify rules, business practices and economic terms to
which we are subject. The tariffs are drafted by the utilities and approved by the utilities state
and federal regulatory commissions. These tariffs change frequently and it is possible that future
changes will increase our administrative burden or adversely affect the terms and conditions under
which we render service to our customers.
Our activities and operations are subject to numerous health and safety laws and regulations, and
if we violate such regulations, we could face penalties and fines.
We are subject to numerous health and safety laws and regulations in each of the jurisdictions in
which we operate. These laws and regulations require us to obtain and maintain permits and
approvals and implement health and safety programs and procedures to control risks associated with
our projects. Compliance with those laws and regulations can require us to incur substantial costs.
Moreover, if our compliance programs are not successful, we could be subject to penalties or to
revocation of our permits, which may require us to curtail or cease operations of the affected
projects. Violations of laws, regulations and permit requirements may also result in criminal
sanctions or injunctions.
Health and safety laws, regulations and permit requirements may change or become more stringent.
Any such changes could require us to incur materially higher costs than we currently have. Our
costs of complying with current and future health and safety laws, regulations and permit
requirements, and any liabilities, fines or other sanctions resulting from violations of them,
could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
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Our credit facilities and debt instruments contain financial and operating restrictions that may
limit our business activities and our access to credit.
Provisions in our credit facilities and debt instruments impose restrictions on our and certain of
our subsidiaries ability to, among other things:
| incur additional debt, or debt related to federal projects in excess of specified limits; | |
| pay cash dividends and make distributions; | |
| make certain investments and acquisitions; | |
| guarantee the indebtedness of others or our subsidiaries; | |
| redeem or repurchase capital stock; | |
| create liens; | |
| enter into transactions with affiliates; | |
| engage in new lines of business; | |
| sell, lease or transfer certain parts of our business or property; | |
| enter into sale-leaseback arrangements; and | |
| merge or consolidate. |
These agreements also contain other customary covenants, including covenants that require us to
meet specified financial ratios and financial tests. We may not be able to comply with these
covenants in the future. Our failure to comply with these covenants may result in the declaration
of an event of default and cause us to be unable to borrow under our credit facilities and debt
instruments. In addition to preventing additional borrowings under these agreements, an event of
default, if not cured or waived, may result in the acceleration of the maturity of indebtedness
outstanding under these agreements, which would require us to pay all amounts outstanding. If an
event of default occurs, we may not be able to cure it within any applicable cure period, if at
all. If the maturity of our indebtedness is accelerated, we may not have sufficient funds available
for repayment or we may not have the ability to borrow or obtain sufficient funds to replace the
accelerated indebtedness on terms acceptable to us or at all.
If our subsidiaries default on their obligations under their debt instruments, we may need to make
payments to lenders to prevent foreclosure on the collateral securing the debt.
We typically set up subsidiaries to own and finance our renewable energy projects. These
subsidiaries incur various types of debt which can be used to finance one or more projects. This
debt is typically structured as non-recourse debt, which means it is repayable solely from the
revenue from the projects financed by the debt and is secured by such projects physical assets,
major contracts and cash accounts and a pledge of our equity interests in the subsidiaries involved
in the projects. Although our subsidiary debt is typically non-recourse to Ameresco, if a
subsidiary of ours defaults on such obligations, or if one project out of several financed by a
particular subsidiarys indebtedness encounters difficulties or is terminated, then we may from
time to time determine to provide financial support to the subsidiary in order to maintain rights
to the project or otherwise avoid the adverse consequences of a default. In the event a subsidiary
defaults on its indebtedness, its creditors may foreclose on the collateral securing the
indebtedness, which may result in our losing our ownership interest in some or all of the
subsidiarys assets. The loss of our ownership interest in a subsidiary or some or all of a
subsidiarys assets could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
operating results.
We are exposed to the credit risk of some of our customers.
Most of our revenue is derived under multi-year or long-term contracts with our customers, and our
revenue is therefore dependent to a large extent on the creditworthiness of our customers. During
periods of economic downturn in the global economy, our
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exposure to credit risks from our customers increases, and our efforts to monitor and mitigate the
associated risks may not be effective in reducing our credit risks. In the event of non-payment by
one or more of our customers, our business, financial condition and operating results could be
adversely affected.
The use and enjoyment of real property rights for our small-scale renewable energy projects may be
adversely affected by the rights of lienholders and leaseholders that are superior to those of the
grantors of those real property rights to us.
Our small-scale renewable energy projects generally are, and are likely to continue to be, located
on land we or our customers occupy pursuant to long-term easements and leases. The ownership
interests in the land subject to these easements and leases may be subject to mortgages securing
loans or other liens (such as tax liens) and other easement and lease rights of third parties (such
as leases of oil or mineral rights) that were created prior to our or our customers easements and
leases. As a result, the rights under these easements or leases may be subject, and subordinate, to
the rights of those third parties. We typically perform title searches and obtain title insurance
to protect ourselves or our customers against these risks. Such measures may, however, be
inadequate to protect against all risk of loss of rights to use the land on which these projects
are located, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
operating results.
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates can impact our results.
A significant portion of our total revenue is generated by our Canadian subsidiary, Ameresco
Canada. Changes in exchange rates between the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar may adversely
affect our operating results.
The trading price of our Class A common stock is likely to be volatile.
Our Class A common stock has only a limited trading history. In addition, the trading price of our
Class A common stock is likely to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in
response to various factors. In addition to the risks described in this section, factors that may
cause the market price of our Class A common stock to fluctuate include:
| fluctuations in our quarterly financial results or the quarterly financial results of companies perceived to be similar to us; | |
| changes in estimates of our future financial results or recommendations by securities analysts; | |
| investors general perception of us; and | |
| changes in general economic, industry and market conditions. |
In addition, if the stock market in general experiences a significant decline, the trading price of
our Class A common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial condition
or operating results.
Some companies that have had volatile market prices for their securities have had securities class
actions filed against them. If a suit were filed against us, regardless of its merits or outcome,
it would likely result in substantial costs and divert managements attention and resources. This
could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our securities have a limited trading history and a sufficiently active public trading market for
our Class A common stock may not develop.
Prior to our initial public offering, there was no public market for shares of our Class A common
stock. Although our Class A common stock is listed on the NYSE, a sufficiently active public
trading market for our Class A common stock may not develop or, if it develops, may not be
maintained. For example, applicable NYSE rules impose certain securities trading requirements,
including minimum trading price, minimum number of stockholders and minimum market capitalization.
If a sufficiently active public trading market for our Class A common stock does not develop or is
not sustained, it may be difficult for you to sell your shares of our Class A common stock at an
attractive price or at all.
Holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share, and holders of our Class B
common stock are entitled to five votes per share. The lower voting power of our Class A common
stock may negatively affect the attractiveness of our Class A common stock to investors and, as a
result, its market value.
We have two classes of common stock: Class A common stock, which was the stock sold in our initial
public offering and which is entitled to one vote per share, and Class B common stock, which is
entitled to five votes per share. The difference in the voting
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power of our Class A and Class B common stock could diminish the market value of our Class A common
stock because of the superior voting rights of our Class B common stock and the power those rights
confer.
For the foreseeable future, Mr. Sakellaris or his affiliates will be able to control the selection
of all members of our board of directors, as well as virtually every other matter that requires
stockholder approval, which will severely limit the ability of other stockholders to influence
corporate matters.
Except in certain limited circumstances required by applicable law, holders of Class A and Class B
common stock vote together as a single class on all matters to be voted on by our stockholders. Mr.
Sakellaris, our founder, principal stockholder, president and chief executive officer, owns all of
our Class B common stock, which, together with his Class A common stock, represents approximately
83% of the combined voting power of our outstanding Class A and Class B common stock. Under our
restated certificate of incorporation, holders of shares of Class B common stock may generally
transfer those shares to family members, including spouses and descendents or the spouses of such
descendents, as well as to affiliated entities, without having the shares automatically convert
into shares of Class A common stock. Therefore, Mr. Sakellaris, his affiliates, and his family
members and descendents will, for the foreseeable future, be able to control the outcome of the
voting on virtually all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors
and significant corporate transactions such as an acquisition of our company, even if they come to
own, in the aggregate, as little as 20% of the economic interest of the outstanding shares of our
Class A and Class B common stock. Moreover, these persons may take actions in their own interests
that you or our other stockholders do not view as beneficial.
Future sales of shares by existing stockholders could cause our stock price to decline.
After contractual lock-up agreements and other restrictions lapse, many of our stockholders for the
first time will have an opportunity to sell their shares. Sales by our existing stockholders of a
substantial number of shares in the public market, or the threat that substantial sales might
occur, could cause the market price of the Class A common stock to decrease significantly. These
factors could also make it difficult for us to raise additional capital by selling our Class A
common stock.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable
research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our Class A common stock depends in part on any research reports that
securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. In the event one or more
securities or industry analysts downgrade our stock or publish unfavorable reports about our
business, our stock price would likely decline. In addition, if any securities or industry analysts
cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our Class A
common stock could decrease, which could cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.
We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock and do not currently expect
to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Our revolving senior secured credit facility
with Bank of America limits our ability to declare and pay cash dividends during the term of that
agreement. We intend to use our future earnings, if any, in the operation and expansion of our
business. Accordingly, you are not likely to receive any dividends on your Class A common stock for
the foreseeable future, and your ability to achieve a return on your investment will therefore
depend on appreciation in the market price of our Class A common stock.
Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law could discourage, delay or
prevent a change in control of our company and may affect the trading price of our Class A common
stock.
We are a Delaware corporation and the anti-takeover provisions of the Delaware General Corporation
Law may discourage, delay or prevent an acquisition of our company by prohibiting us from engaging
in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years after the
person becomes an interested stockholder, even if a change in control would be supported by our
existing stockholders. In addition, our restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws may
discourage, delay or prevent an acquisition or a change in our management that stockholders may
consider favorable. Our restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws:
| provide for a dual class capital structure that allows our founder, principal stockholder, president and chief executive officer, Mr. Sakellaris, to control the outcome of the voting on virtually all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and significant corporate transactions such as an acquisition of our company; |
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| authorize the issuance of blank check preferred stock that could be issued by our board of directors to thwart a takeover attempt; | |
| establish a classified board of directors, as a result of which only approximately one-third of our directors are presented to a stockholder vote for re-election at any annual meeting of stockholders; | |
| provide that directors may be removed from office only for cause and only upon a supermajority stockholder vote; | |
| provide that vacancies on our board of directors, including newly created directorships, may be filled only by a majority vote of directors then in office; | |
| do not permit stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders; | |
| prohibit stockholder action by written consent, requiring all actions to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders; | |
| establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings; and | |
| require a supermajority stockholder vote to effect certain amendments to our restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws. |
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
During the quarter ended June 30, 2010, we issued 405,286 shares of Class A common stock upon the
exercise of a warrant at an exercise price of $0.005 per share to an individual investor, in
reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder as sales by an issuer
not involving any public offering.
During the
quarter ended September 30, 2010, we issued
1,272,500 shares of our Class A common stock upon exercise of options for aggregate consideration of
$2,244,773.
The options and shares of our common stock described in this Item 2 were issued pursuant to written
compensatory plans or arrangements with our employees, directors and consultants in reliance upon
the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule 701
promulgated under the Securities Act or, in some cases, in reliance upon the exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and
Regulation D promulgated thereunder as sales by an issuer not involving any public offering. No
underwriters were involved in the foregoing issuances of securities. All of the foregoing
securities are deemed restricted securities for purposes of the Securities Act. All certificates
representing the issued shares of common stock described in this Item 2 included appropriate
legends setting forth that the securities had not been registered and the applicable restrictions
on transfer.
Use of Proceeds from Initial Public Offering
The SEC declared the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-165821) related to our
initial public offering effective on July 21, 2010. In the IPO, which closed on July 27, 2010, we
sold 6,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock, and selling stockholders sold 2,696,820 shares
of our Class A common stock, at an offering price of $10.00 per share. In addition, on August 25,
2010, pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters over-allotment option, we sold an
additional 342,889 shares of our Class A common stock at an offering price of $10.00 per share.
The IPO generated gross proceeds to us of $63.4 million, or $56.9 million net of underwriting
discounts and offering expenses. The IPO generated gross proceeds to selling stockholders of $27.0
million, or $25.1 million net of underwriting discounts. We incurred $6.5 million of expenses in
connection with the IPO. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated acted as the sole
book-running manager for the offering. RBC Capital Markets Corporation acted as lead manager for
the offering, and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., Canaccord Genuity Inc., Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Madison
Williams and Company LLC and Stephens Inc. acted as co-managers of the offering. From the
effective date of the registration statement through September 30, 2010, we used: $26.9 million to
repay the outstanding balance under our $50 million revolving senior secured credit facility; $3.1
million to repay in full the entire principal amount of, and accrued but unpaid interest on, the
subordinated note held by Mr. Sakellaris; and $5.0 million to repay in full the outstanding balance
on our 6.90% term loan related to a landfill has facility. There has been no change in the planned
use of proceeds from the IPO as described in our Prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the
Securities Act with the SEC on July 22, 2010.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.
AMERESCO, INC. |
||||
November 15, 2010 | By: | /s/ Andrew B. Spence | ||
Andrew B. Spence | ||||
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer) |
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit No. | Description | |
31.1*
|
Principal Executive Officer Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
31.2*
|
Principal Financial Officer Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.1**
|
Principal Executive Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32.2**
|
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
* | Filed herewith. | |
** | Furnished herewith. |
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