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FTC Solar, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

10-Q

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023

 

 

OR

 

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 001-40350

FTC SOLAR, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware

 

81-4816270

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

9020 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Suite I-260,

Austin, Texas 78759

 

 

78759

  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

(737) 787-7906

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code

Not Applicable

Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value

FTCI

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

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 No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of ‘‘large accelerated filer,’’ ‘‘accelerated filer,’’ ‘‘smaller reporting company,’’ and ‘‘emerging growth company’’ in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emerging growth company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes No

As of April 30, 2023, 111,694,737 shares of the registrant's common stock were outstanding.

 

 


 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Page

 

 

Forward-looking statements

1

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

2

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

2

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

3

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

4

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

6

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

7

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

21

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

38

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

39

 

 

 

 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

40

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

40

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

41

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

41

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

41

 

Item 5.

Other Information

41

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

42

 

SIGNATURES

43

 

 

 


 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical or current facts contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may be forward-looking statements. Statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including, among others, liquidity, growth and profitability strategies and factors and trends affecting our business are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified in some cases by the use of words such as “believe,” “can,” “could,” “potential,” “plan,” “predict,” “goals,” “seek,” “should,” “may,” “may have,” “would,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” the negative of these words, other similar expressions or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions.

The forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are only predictions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors.” In addition, with respect to prior period acquisitions, these factors also include risks related to: (1) costs attributable to integration of the acquisitions, (2) the inability to successfully merge goals and technology with the acquired businesses, (3) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions (including expected orders and revenues for the acquired businesses, which are based on our reasonable due diligence of each business and the information and representations that were made to us), which may be affected by, among other things, competition, brand recognition, the ability of the combined businesses to grow and manage growth profitably and retain their key employees, (4) the failure of the combined businesses to effectively scale tracker systems and solutions in certain international markets and (5) changes in applicable laws or regulations that impact the feasibility of the operations of the combined businesses. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in our forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

You should read this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.

1


 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

FTC Solar, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

41,493

 

 

$

44,385

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

61,306

 

 

 

49,052

 

Inventories

 

 

8,610

 

 

 

14,949

 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

 

9,487

 

 

 

10,304

 

Total current assets

 

 

120,896

 

 

 

118,690

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

2,401

 

 

 

1,154

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

1,557

 

 

 

1,702

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

977

 

 

 

1,113

 

Goodwill

 

 

7,562

 

 

 

7,538

 

Equity method investment

 

 

900

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

4,744

 

 

 

4,201

 

Total assets

 

$

139,037

 

 

$

134,398

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

23,704

 

 

$

15,801

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

20,523

 

 

 

23,896

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

565

 

 

 

443

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

8,639

 

 

 

11,316

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

9,612

 

 

 

8,884

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

63,043

 

 

 

60,340

 

Operating lease liability, net of current portion

 

 

1,681

 

 

 

786

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

6,072

 

 

 

6,822

 

Total liabilities

 

 

70,796

 

 

 

67,948

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock par value of $0.0001 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock par value of $0.0001 per share, 850,000,000 shares authorized; 110,277,096 and 105,032,588 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

 

 

11

 

 

 

11

 

Treasury stock, at cost; 10,762,566 shares as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

328,903

 

 

 

315,345

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income loss

 

 

(66

)

 

 

(61

)

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(260,607

)

 

 

(248,845

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

68,241

 

 

 

66,450

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

139,037

 

 

$

134,398

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

2


 

FTC Solar, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

(unaudited)

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product

 

$

32,579

 

 

$

30,968

 

Service

 

 

8,315

 

 

 

18,585

 

Total revenue

 

 

40,894

 

 

 

49,553

 

Cost of revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product

 

 

31,767

 

 

 

34,963

 

Service

 

 

7,092

 

 

 

23,877

 

Total cost of revenue

 

 

38,859

 

 

 

58,840

 

Gross profit (loss)

 

 

2,035

 

 

 

(9,287

)

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 

1,922

 

 

 

2,701

 

Selling and marketing

 

 

1,711

 

 

 

1,972

 

General and administrative

 

 

10,799

 

 

 

13,818

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

14,432

 

 

 

18,491

 

Loss from operations

 

 

(12,397

)

 

 

(27,778

)

Interest expense, net

 

 

(58

)

 

 

(295

)

Gain from disposal of investment in unconsolidated subsidiary

 

 

898

 

 

 

337

 

Other income (expense), net

 

 

(74

)

 

 

19

 

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(11,631

)

 

 

(27,717

)

Provision for income taxes

 

 

(131

)

 

 

(76

)

Net loss

 

 

(11,762

)

 

 

(27,793

)

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

(5

)

 

 

57

 

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(11,767

)

 

$

(27,736

)

Net loss per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.11

)

 

$

(0.28

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.11

)

 

$

(0.28

)

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

106,791,198

 

 

 

99,211,792

 

Diluted

 

 

106,791,198

 

 

 

99,211,792

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3


 

FTC Solar, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Preferred stock

 

 

Common stock

 

 

Treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands, except shares)

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Additional
paid-In
capital

 

 

Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss

 

 

Accumulated
deficit

 

 

Total
stockholders'
equity
(deficit)

 

Balance as of December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

105,032,588

 

 

$

11

 

 

 

10,762,566

 

 

$

 

 

$

315,345

 

 

$

(61

)

 

$

(248,845

)

 

$

66,450

 

Shares issued during the period for vested restricted stock awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,498,987

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,775

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,775

 

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

265,125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

51

 

Shares issued for legal settlement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

797,396

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,000

 

Sale of shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,683,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,292

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,292

 

Stock issuance costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(32

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(32

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,472

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,472

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11,762

)

 

 

(11,762

)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

Balance as of March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

110,277,096

 

 

$

11

 

 

 

10,762,566

 

 

$

 

 

$

328,903

 

 

$

(66

)

 

$

(260,607

)

 

$

68,241

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4


 

FTC Solar, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Preferred stock

 

 

Common stock

 

 

Treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands, except shares)

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Additional
paid-In
capital

 

 

Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income

 

 

Accumulated
deficit

 

 

Total
stockholders'
equity
(deficit)

 

Balance as of December 31, 2021

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

92,619,641

 

 

$

9

 

 

 

10,762,566

 

 

$

 

 

$

292,082

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

(149,232

)

 

$

142,866

 

Shares issued during the period for vested restricted stock awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,311,326

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,793,876

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

428

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

428

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,610

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,610

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(27,793

)

 

 

(27,793

)

Other comprehensive gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

 

 

 

57

 

Balance as of March 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

99,724,843

 

 

$

10

 

 

 

10,762,566

 

 

$

 

 

$

297,119

 

 

$

64

 

 

$

(177,025

)

 

$

120,168

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

5


 

FTC Solar, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(11,762

)

 

$

(27,793

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

4,890

 

 

 

4,610

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

334

 

 

 

121

 

Amortization of debt issue costs

 

 

177

 

 

 

173

 

Provision for obsolete and slow-moving inventory

 

 

1,261

 

 

 

 

Gain from disposal of investment in unconsolidated subsidiary

 

 

(898

)

 

 

(337

)

Warranty provision

 

 

1,543

 

 

 

516

 

Warranty recoverable from manufacturer

 

 

(54

)

 

 

(205

)

Bad debt credit

 

 

 

 

 

(30

)

Deferred income taxes

 

 

216

 

 

 

 

Lease expense and other

 

 

229

 

 

 

198

 

Impact on cash from changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

(11,412

)

 

 

(24,652

)

Inventories

 

 

5,078

 

 

 

(58

)

Prepaid and other current assets

 

 

817

 

 

 

3,440

 

Other assets

 

 

(882

)

 

 

(40

)

Accounts payable

 

 

7,882

 

 

 

7,258

 

Accruals and other current liabilities

 

 

(616

)

 

 

(17,044

)

Deferred revenue

 

 

(2,677

)

 

 

1,679

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

(2,212

)

 

 

(752

)

Lease payments and other, net

 

 

(230

)

 

 

(190

)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(8,316

)

 

 

(53,106

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(28

)

 

 

(523

)

Investment in Alpha Steel

 

 

(900

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from disposal of investment in unconsolidated subsidiary

 

 

898

 

 

 

337

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(30

)

 

 

(186

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sale of common stock

 

 

5,450

 

 

 

 

Stock offering costs paid

 

 

(32

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from stock option exercises

 

 

51

 

 

 

428

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

5,469

 

 

 

428

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

(15

)

 

 

62

 

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

(2,892

)

 

 

(52,802

)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

 

44,385

 

 

 

102,185

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

 

$

41,493

 

 

$

49,383

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment included in ending accounts payable and accruals

 

$

32

 

 

$

59

 

Stock issued for accrued legal settlement

 

$

2,000

 

 

$

 

Right-of-use asset and lease liability recognition for new leases

 

$

1,417

 

 

$

 

Cash paid during the period for third party interest

 

$

129

 

 

$

128

 

Cash paid during the period for taxes, net of refunds

 

$

6

 

 

$

7

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

6


 

FTC Solar, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

1. Description of business

FTC Solar, Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) was founded in 2017 and is incorporated in the state of Delaware. In April 2021, we completed an initial public offering ("IPO") and our common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “FTCI”.

We are a global provider of advanced solar tracker systems, supported by proprietary software and value-added engineering services. Our mission is to provide differentiated products, software, and services that maximize energy generation and cost savings for our customers, and to help facilitate the continued growth and adoption of solar power globally. Trackers significantly increase the amount of solar energy produced at a solar installation by moving solar panels throughout the day to maintain an optimal orientation relative to the sun. Our primary tracker system is currently marketed under the Voyager brand name (“Voyager”). Voyager is a next-generation two-panel in-portrait ("2P") single-axis tracker solution that we believe offers industry-leading performance and ease of installation. In September 2022, we announced the introduction of Pioneer, a new and differentiated one module-in-portrait ("1P") solar tracker solution that allows for a pile count reduction per megawatt compared to similar industry-leading solutions, as well as providing what we believe to be other benefits, such as faster assembly capability, giving potential customers the possibility for increased flexibility and additional cost savings. We have also launched a new solution for thin-film modules, filling a gap in our offering for certain U.S. modules. We have a team of dedicated renewable energy professionals with significant project installation experience focused on delivering cost reductions to our U.S. and worldwide clients across the solar project development and construction cycle. The Company is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has international subsidiaries in Australia, China, India and South Africa.

We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. Under the JOBS Act, we elected to use the allowed extended transition period to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies.

 

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

Basis of presentation and principles of consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the results of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial statements and pursuant to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments have been made that are considered necessary for a fair statement of our financial position as of March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, and our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022 has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Certain information and disclosures normally included in the notes to annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted from these interim financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Therefore, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (our "2022 Annual Report").

We currently operate in one business segment, the manufacturing and servicing of solar tracker systems.

Liquidity

We have incurred cumulative losses since inception, resulting in an accumulated deficit of $260.6 million as of March 31, 2023, and have a history of cash outflows from operations. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, and the three months ended March 31,

 

7


 

2023, we had $132.9 million, $54.5 million and $8.3 million, respectively, of cash outflow from operations. As of March 31, 2023, we had $41.5 million of cash on hand, $57.9 million of working capital and approximately $98.1 million of unused borrowing capacity under our existing Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility (the "Credit Facility"). The Credit Facility includes a financial condition covenant stating we are required to have a minimum liquidity, consisting of cash on hand and unused borrowing capacity, of $125.0 million as of each quarter end, effective June 30, 2023. Additionally, we had no long-term borrowings or other material obligations requiring the use of cash as of March 31, 2023, apart from the additional equity investment capital contributions that may be required, as described further in "Note 3, Equity method investment" below.

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act ("UFLPA") was passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Biden on December 23, 2021. The UFLPA establishes a rebuttable presumption that the importation of any goods, wares, articles, and merchandise mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, or that are produced by certain entities, is prohibited by Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and that such goods, wares, articles, and merchandise are not entitled to entry to the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") began implementing the provisions of UFLPA on June 21, 2022, resulting in new rules for solar module importers and reviews by CBP. There continues to be uncertainty in the market around achieving full compliance with UFLPA for the importation of solar modules, whether related to sufficient traceability of materials or other factors.

On March 25, 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce, in response to a petition by Auxin Solar, Inc., initiated an investigation of claims related to alleged circumvention of U.S. antidumping and countervailing duties ("AD/CVD") by solar manufacturers in certain Southeast Asian countries in an effort to determine whether or not solar cells and/or modules made in those Southeast Asian nations use parts originating from China in order to circumvent the AD/CVD tariffs. On June 6, 2022, President Biden issued an Executive Order allowing U.S. solar deployers the ability to import solar modules and cells from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam free from certain duties for 24 months, along with other incentives designed to accelerate U.S. domestic production of clean energy technologies.

Since 2016, CBP has issued a number of withhold release orders ("WRO") directed at forced labor in China, including WROs directed specifically at activity in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. In addition, recent WROs related to polysilicon requires panel importers to demonstrate that polysilicon used in their panels has not been sourced using forced labor. To date, CBP has used the WROs to detain solar panels, which has disrupted the U.S. solar installation market and caused additional uncertainty on future projects.

These policies and actions have resulted in some developers deferring projects due to the uncertainty of panel supply and costs, which negatively impacted our 2022 revenues and cash flows and are continuing to negatively impact our revenues and our cash flows to date in 2023.

The most notable incentive program impacting our U.S. business has been the investment tax credit ("ITC") for solar energy projects, which allows taxpayers to offset their U.S. federal income tax liability by a certain percentage of their cost basis in solar energy systems placed in service for commercial use. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Biden on August 16, 2022, expanded and extended the tax credits and other tax benefits available to solar energy projects and the solar energy supply chain. ITCs have been extended for such projects through at least 2032 and, depending on the location of a particular project and its ability to satisfy certain labor and domestic content requirements, the ITC percentage can range between 30% and 50%. Manufacturers of specific solar components are now eligible to claim production tax credits as an alternative to the ITC. Implementing regulations for this law are still in process.

Our costs are affected by certain component costs including steel, motors and micro-chips, as well as transportation costs. Current market conditions and international conflicts that constrain the supply of materials and disrupt the flow of materials from international vendors impact the cost of our products and services, along with overall rates of inflation in the global economy, which have been higher than recent historical rates. Transportation costs, including ocean freight and U.S. domestic haul rates, increased at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic but have since returned to pre-pandemic rates. Domestic fuel prices, however, continue to be slightly elevated compared to pre-pandemic rates. Additionally, COVID-19 shutdowns in China during 2022 created a backlog of exports and increased demand for container shipments from China, but such shutdowns have been eased by the Chinese government. These cost increases and decreases impact our operating margins. We have taken steps to expand and diversify our manufacturing partnerships and have adjusted our modes of transportation to mitigate the impact of headwinds that arise in the global supply chain and logistics markets. As an example, we have recently modified our ocean freight from previously using charter shipments to now using containerized shipments as costs in the container market began to decrease in 2022. We continue to monitor the logistics markets and will continue to evaluate our use of various modes of transportation when warranted to optimize our transportation costs. Additionally, in February 2022, we contracted with a related-party consulting firm to support us in making ongoing improvements to our processes and performance in various areas, including design,

 

8


 

sourcing, logistics, pricing, software and our distributed generation business. For further information regarding this consulting firm, see "Note 16. Related party transactions".

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 205-40, Going Concern, we have evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, which raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date these condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. While AD/CVD and UFLPA have created uncertainty in the market in recent periods, we believe the Executive Order providing for a 24-month holiday on duties for importation of solar modules and cells from certain countries and the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, as described above, have reduced the level of uncertainty among solar project owners and developers with regard to new project development, however we note that implementing regulations for the Inflation Reduction Act are still in process, which creates uncertainty about the extent of its impact on our Company and the solar energy industry. We also took significant steps in 2022, and are continuing to take further steps in 2023, to address the recent market challenges and our historical use of cash through the following actions:

certain members of our senior management team elected to forego certain cash compensation during the second half of 2022 in exchange for equity compensation;
the members of our board of directors agreed to take equity compensation in lieu of cash compensation during 2023;
we began making certain incentive compensation payments to all employees in stock rather than cash beginning at the end of the second quarter of 2022;
we reduced our workforce by approximately 8% near the end of 2022;
we have frozen non-essential hiring, placed restrictions on certain travel, decreased the future use of consultants and are deferring non-critical initiatives;
we have initiated frequent, consistent communication with our customers, which in certain cases has allowed us to resolve issues preventing timely collection of certain past due outstanding receivables;
we have emphasized cash collections from customers, and continue to negotiate improved payment terms with both our customers and vendors and have switched vendors when needed to obtain cost savings;
we launched Pioneer, a 1P solar tracker solution, and a new solution for thin-film modules not subject to UFLPA;
we reached a settlement agreement with FCX Solar, LLC in December 2022, regarding a lawsuit filed against us relating to claims of patent infringement in order to eliminate future time and expense involved in defending ourselves in this action; under the settlement agreement, we were able to utilize our common stock to satisfy a portion of the settlement payment;
we made an investment to acquire a 45% ownership interest in Alpha Steel, a manufacturing partnership with Taihua, which will enhance our domestic supply chain to reduce our exposure to import duties and import restrictions, as described further in "Note 3, Equity method investment" below;
we began selling newly issued shares of our common stock under our ATM program (as defined herein) in 2023, as described further in "Note 4, ATM program" below; and
we continue to actively explore options to obtain additional sources of capital through either the issuance of new debt or equity.

A number of the steps above, as well as improvements in the logistics markets and easing of supply chain constraints, contributed to us having positive gross profit in the three months ended March 31, 2023, which also reduced our use of cash required to fund our operations during the current period.

Management believes that our existing cash on hand, as well as the continuing impact of certain of the actions described above and our expectations of improved market conditions and positive results from our efforts to increase gross margins, will allow us to grow profitably and generate positive cash flow from operations during the second half of 2023 in amounts that will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least one year from the date of issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the accompanying financial statements assume we will continue as a going concern through the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business.

We have achieved success in executing certain of the initiatives above and we continue to work to further reduce our use of cash to fund our operations. We expect the two-year holiday on duties announced by President Biden in June 2022 will reduce the level of uncertainty in the market due to the ongoing AD/CVD investigation by the U.S. Department of Commerce, as described above, and we

 

9


 

believe passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will also benefit demand for our products in the United States. At the same time, however, new rules for module importers and reviews by CBP pursuant to achieving full compliance with UFLPA are expected to continue creating uncertainty in the market. However, once there is additional clarity around compliance with UFLPA and customers get line-of-sight to module deliveries, we believe the market will see a recovery. While there are already many underlying drivers of growth in the solar industry, the expected positive impact on demand for our products could take longer than expected to occur. In addition, market conditions could deteriorate significantly from what we currently expect, and regulatory and international trade policies could become more stringent as a result of (i) findings from the U.S. Department of Commerce's AD/CVD investigation, (ii) the level of enforcement of regulations issued under UFLPA, and (iii) other factors, which may result in a need for us to issue additional debt or obtain new equity financing to fund our operations beyond the next twelve months. We may be unable to obtain any desired additional financing on terms favorable to us, or at all, depending on market and other conditions. The ability to raise additional financing depends on numerous factors that are outside of our control, including macroeconomic factors such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine, market conditions, the health of financial institutions (including the recent bankruptcy of Silicon Valley Bank and related impacts that have occurred and continue to occur in the banking industry), investors' and lenders' assessments of our prospects and the prospects of the solar industry in general.

Use of estimates

Preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported revenue and expenses during the period. Estimates are used for calculating the measure of progress of our solar tracker projects and deriving the standalone selling prices of the individual performance obligations when determining amounts to recognize for revenue, estimating allowances for credit losses and slow-moving and obsolete inventory, determining useful lives of noncurrent assets and the estimated fair value of those assets for impairment assessments, and estimating the fair value of investments, stock compensation awards, warranty liabilities and federal and state taxes and contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and anticipated results, trends, and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, including assumptions as to future events. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are primarily cash and accounts receivable.

We regularly maintain cash balances with various financial institutions that exceed federally insured amounts, but we have experienced no losses associated with these amounts to date. We have also taken action in 2023 to reallocate cash balances between different financial institutions based on our assessment as to the financial health of certain institutions.

The Company extends credit to customers in the normal course of business, often without requiring collateral. The Company performs credit analyses and monitors the financial health of its customers to reduce credit risk.

The Company’s accounts receivables are derived from revenue earned from customers primarily located in the U.S. and Australia. No countries other than the U.S. and Australia account for 10% or more of our revenue. Most of our customers are project developers, solar asset owners and engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) contractors that design and build solar energy projects. Often times, a small number of customers account for a significant portion of our outstanding receivables at period end and our total revenue for the period.

Cash and cash equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Accounts receivable, net

Trade receivables are recorded at invoiced amounts, net of allowances for credit losses, and do not bear interest. We generally do not require collateral from our customers; however, in certain circumstances, we may require letters of credit, other collateral, additional guarantees or advance payments.

 

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The allowance for credit losses is based on the lifetime expected credit loss of our customer accounts. To assess the lifetime expected credit loss, we utilize a loss rate method that takes into consideration historical experience and certain other factors, as appropriate, such as credit quality and current economic or other conditions that may affect a customer's ability to pay.

Receivables arising from revenue recognized in excess of billings represents our unconditional right to consideration before customers are invoiced due to the level of progress obtained as of period end on our contracts to procure and deliver tracker systems and related equipment. Further information may be found below in our revenue recognition policy.

Inventories, net

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with costs computed on a first-in, first-out basis. The Company periodically reviews its inventories for excess and obsolete items and adjusts carrying costs to estimated net realizable values when they are determined to be less than cost.

Impairment

We review our long-lived assets that are held for use for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable or that its useful life may be shorter than previously expected. If such impairment indicators are present or other factors exist that indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, we determine whether an impairment has occurred through the use of an undiscounted cash flow analysis of the asset at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exist. If an impairment has occurred, we recognize a loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset, which in most cases is estimated based upon Level 3 unobservable inputs. If the asset is determined to have a remaining useful life shorter than previously expected, an adjustment for the shorter remaining life will be made for purposes of recognizing future depreciation expense. Assets are classified as held for sale when we have a plan, approved by the appropriate levels of management, for disposal of such assets, as well as other considerations, and those assets are stated at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell.

Intangible assets, net

Intangible assets consist of developed technology in the form of software tools, licenses and intellectual property, which are amortized over the period of their estimated useful lives, generally 2.5 to 3.0 years, using the straight-line method. We evaluate our intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of our intangible assets may not be recoverable or that their useful lives may be shorter than previously expected.

Goodwill

We recognize goodwill as the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the identified assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination accounted for using the acquisition method. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to a periodic assessment for impairment at least annually, or whenever events and circumstances indicate an impairment may exist.

Equity method investment

We use the equity method of accounting for investments in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over operating and financial policies of the investee. Our proportionate share of the net income or loss of these investees is included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss. Judgment regarding the level of influence over each equity method investment includes considering key factors such as our ownership interest, legal form of the investee, representation on the board of directors or managers, participation in policy-making decisions and material intra-entity transactions. We account for distributions received from equity method investees under the "nature of the distribution" approach based on the nature of the activity or activities of the investee that generated the distribution as either a return on investment (classified as cash inflows from operating activities) or a return of investment (classified as cash inflows from investing activities).

We evaluate equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment might not be recoverable.

 

11


 

Warranty

Typically, the sale of solar tracker projects includes parts warranties to customers as part of the overall price of the product. We provide standard assurance type warranties for our products for periods generally ranging from two to ten years. We record a provision for estimated warranty expenses in cost of sales, net of amounts recoverable from manufacturers under their warranty obligations to us. We do not maintain general or unspecified reserves; all warranty reserves are related to specific projects. All actual or estimated material costs incurred for warranty services in subsequent periods are charged to those established reserves.

While we periodically monitor our warranty activities and claims, if actual costs incurred were to be different from our estimates, we would recognize adjustments to our warranty reserves in the period in which those differences arise or are identified.

Stock-based compensation

We recognize compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made, including stock options and RSUs, based on the estimated fair value of the award on the grant date. We calculate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for awards with service-based vesting or through use of a lattice model or a Monte Carlo simulation for awards with market conditions. The fair value of RSUs is based on the estimated fair value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. We consider the closing price of our stock, as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market, to be the fair value of our stock on the grant date.

Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. For service-based awards, stock-based compensation is recognized using the straight-line attribution approach over the requisite service period. For performance-based awards, stock-based compensation is recognized based on graded vesting over the requisite service period when the performance condition is probable of being achieved. Stock compensation expense for market-based awards is recognized over the derived service period determined in the valuation model, inclusive of any vesting conditions.

Revenue recognition

Product revenue includes revenue from the sale of solar tracker systems and customized components of those systems, individual part sales for certain specific transactions, and sale of term-based software licenses. Term-based software licenses are deployed on the customers’ own servers and have significant standalone functionality.

Service revenue includes revenue from shipping and handling services, engineering consulting and pile testing services, subscription fees from licensing subscription services, and maintenance and support services in connection with the term-based software licenses. Our subscription-based enterprise licensing model typically has contract terms ranging from one to two years and consists of subscription fees from the licensing of subscription services. Our hosted on-demand service arrangements do not provide customers with the right to take possession of the software supporting the hosted services. Support services include ongoing security updates, upgrades, bug fixes, and maintenance.

We recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services by following a five-step process: (1) identify the contract with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation, as further described below.

Identify the contract with a customer: A contract with a customer exists when (i) the Company enters into an enforceable contract with a customer that defines each party’s rights regarding the products and services to be transferred and identifies the payment terms related to these products and services, (ii) the contract has commercial substance, and (iii) the Company determines that collection of substantially all consideration for products and services that are transferred is probable based on the customer’s intent and ability to pay the promised consideration. In assessing the recognition of revenue, we also evaluate whether two or more contracts should be combined and accounted for as one contract and if the combined or single contract should be accounted for as multiple performance obligations which could change the amount of revenue and profit (loss) recorded in a period. Change orders may include changes in specifications or design, manner of performance, equipment, materials, scope of work, and/or the period of completion of the project. We analyze change orders to determine if they should be accounted for as a modification to an existing contract or a new stand-alone contract.

 

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Contracts we enter into with our customers for sale of solar tracker systems are generally under two different types of arrangements: (1) purchase agreements and equipment supply contracts (“Purchase Agreements”), and (2) sale of individual parts for those systems.

Change orders from our customers are generally modifications to existing contracts and are included in the total estimated contract revenue when it is probable that the change order will result in additional value that can be reliably estimated and realized.

Identify the performance obligations in the contract: We enter into contracts that can include various combinations of products and services, which are either capable of being distinct and accounted for as separate performance obligations or as one performance obligation since the majority of tasks and services are part of a single project or capability. However, determining whether products or services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately versus together may sometimes require significant judgment.

Our Purchase Agreements typically include two performance obligations: 1) our solar tracker systems or customized components of those systems, and 2) shipping and handling services. The deliverables included as part of our solar tracker systems are predominantly accounted for as one performance obligation, as these deliverables are part of a combined promise to deliver a project.

The revenue for shipping and handling services will be recognized over time based on progress in meeting shipping terms of the arrangements, as this faithfully depicts the Company’s performance in transferring control. Revenue for engineering consulting and pile testing services is recognized at a point in time upon completion of the services performed.

Sales of individual parts of our solar tracker systems for certain specific transactions include multiple performance obligations consisting of individual parts of those systems. Revenue is recognized for parts sales at a point in time when the obligations under the terms of the contract with our customer are satisfied. Generally, this occurs with the transfer of control of the asset, which is in line with shipping terms.

Determine the transaction price: The transaction price is determined based on the consideration to which we will be entitled in exchange for transferring services to the customer. Such amounts are typically stated in the customer contract, and to the extent that we identify variable consideration, we will estimate the variable consideration at the onset of the arrangement as long as it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. The majority of our contracts do not contain variable consideration provisions as a continuation of the original contract. None of our contracts contain a significant financing component. Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are not included in revenue.

Allocate the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract: Once we have determined the transaction price, we allocate the total transaction price to each performance obligation in a manner depicting the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring the good(s) or service(s) to the customer. We allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation identified in the contract on a relative standalone selling price basis.

We use the expected cost-plus margin approach based on hardware, labor, and related overhead cost to estimate the standalone selling price of our solar tracker systems, customized components of those systems, and individual parts for certain specific transactions. We use the adjusted market assessment approach for all other performance obligations except shipping, handling, and logistics. For shipping, handling, and logistics performance obligations, we use a residual approach to calculate the standalone selling price, because of the nature of the highly variable and broad range of prices we charge to various customers for this performance obligation in the contracts.

Recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation: For each performance obligation identified, we determine at contract inception whether we satisfy the performance obligation over time or at a point in time. The performance obligations in the contracts for our solar tracker systems and customized components of those systems are satisfied over time as work progresses, utilizing an input measure of progress determined by cost-to-cost measures on these projects as this faithfully depicts our performance in transferring control. Additionally, our performance does not create an asset with an alternative use, due to the highly customized nature of the product, and we have an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. Our performance obligations for individual part sales for certain specific transactions are recognized at a point in time as and when control transfers based on the Incoterms for the contract. Our performance obligations for engineering consulting and pile testing services are recognized at a point in time upon completion of the services. Our performance obligations for term-based software licenses are recognized at a point in time as and when control transfers, either upon delivery to the customer or the software license start date, whichever is later. Our performance obligations for shipping and handling services are satisfied over time as the services are delivered over the term of the contract. We recognize revenue for subscription

 

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and other services on a straight-line basis over the contract period. With regard to support revenue, a time-elapsed method is used to measure progress because we transfer control evenly over the contractual period. Accordingly, the fixed consideration related to support revenue is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract term.

Contract assets and liabilities: The timing of revenue recognition, billing, and cash collection results in the recognition of accounts receivable, unbilled receivables for revenue recognized in excess of billings, and deferred revenue in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We may receive advances or deposits from our customers before revenue is recognized, resulting in contract liabilities, which are reflected as “deferred revenue” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Cost of revenue consists primarily of costs related to raw materials, freight and delivery, product warranty, and personnel costs (salaries, bonuses, benefits, and stock-based compensation). Personnel costs in cost of revenue include both direct labor costs as well as costs attributable to any individuals whose activities relate to the procurement, installment, and delivery of the finished product and services. Deferred cost of revenue results from the timing differences between the costs incurred in advance of the satisfaction of all revenue recognition criteria consistent with our revenue recognition policy.

Recent accounting pronouncements adopted

We adopted ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), as amended, effective January 1, 2023. ASU 2016-13 changed the impairment model for most financial assets and requires the use of an expected loss model in place of the previously used incurred loss method. Under this model, we now estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on such instruments and record an allowance to offset the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, resulting in a net presentation of the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. We did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements upon adoption of ASU 2016-13.

 

3. Equity method investment

On February 9, 2023, we entered into a limited liability company agreement (the "LLC Agreement") with Taihua New Energy (Thailand) Co., LTD ("Taihua"), a leading steel fabricator and an existing vendor, and DAYV LLC, for the creation of Alpha Steel LLC ("Alpha Steel"), a Delaware limited liability company dedicated to producing steel components, including torque tubes, for utility-scale solar projects. The Alpha Steel facility, which will be located outside of Houston in Sealy, Texas, is expected to begin commercial production in mid-2023.

Alpha Steel is intended to enhance our domestic supply chain, our ability to support our customers and the growth of the U.S. solar market, with domestic manufacturing utilizing U.S. steel. We have a 45% interest in Alpha Steel, which we will account for under the equity method of accounting. Taihua has a 51% interest in Alpha Steel and DAYV LLC, an entity owned by certain members of management of Alpha Steel, has a 4% interest in Alpha Steel. The Chief Executive Officer of Taihua is the General Manager of Alpha Steel. We have equal voting representation with Taihua and DAYV LLC, combined, on Alpha Steel's Board of Managers which will be responsible, through majority vote, for making certain "major decisions" involving Alpha Steel, as specified in the LLC Agreement, including, among other things, approval of an annual business plan.

As of March 31, 2023, we made a required initial capital contribution to Alpha Steel of $0.9 million. Pursuant to the LLC Agreement, we could be required to make up to $2.6 million in additional capital contributions as Alpha Steel nears or begins commercial production. Alpha Steel had no operating revenues or expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2023.

In connection with the creation of Alpha Steel, we also entered into a three-year equipment supply agreement (the "Supply Agreement") with Alpha Steel, the terms of which will apply to equipment purchase orders we expect to issue, including specified minimum purchase amounts for each twelve-month period during the term of the Supply Agreement, following commencement of production. The Supply Agreement may be terminated early in accordance with its provisions or may be extended beyond the initial term if mutually agreed to by the parties.

 

 

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4. ATM program

On September 14, 2022, we filed a prospectus supplement under which we may from time to time, in one or more transactions, offer and sell newly issued shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $100 million, to or through Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC ("Credit Suisse"), as our sales agent, in "at the money" offerings (the "ATM program"). We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including working capital and operating expenses. We may also use a portion of such proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses, products, services or technologies; however, we do not have binding agreements or commitments for any material acquisitions or investments at this time.

In connection with the ATM program, on September 14, 2022, we entered into an equity distribution agreement (the "EDA") with Credit Suisse. The offering of our common stock pursuant to the EDA will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the sale of all common stock subject to the EDA or (2) the termination of the EDA by us or by Credit Suisse as permitted therein. The EDA contains customary representations, covenants and indemnification provisions.

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we sold 2,683,000 newly issued shares of common stock pursuant to the ATM program for approximately $6.3 million, including $0.8 million for shares sold but not yet settled as of the end of the quarter. As of March 31, 2023, approximately $93.7 million of capacity remained for future sales of our common stock under the ATM program.

 

5. Accounts receivable, net

Accounts receivable consisted of the following:

(in thousands)

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Trade receivables

 

$

37,343

 

 

$

35,367

 

Revenue recognized in excess of billings

 

 

24,104

 

 

 

14,844

 

Other receivables

 

 

1,043

 

 

 

25

 

Total

 

 

62,490

 

 

 

50,236

 

Allowance for credit losses

 

 

(1,184

)

 

 

(1,184

)

Accounts receivable, net

 

$

61,306

 

 

$

49,052

 

Included in total receivables above are amounts billed under retainage provisions totaling $3.7 million as of both March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively, which are due within the upcoming year.

 

6. Inventories, net

Inventories consisted of the following:

(in thousands)

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Finished goods

 

$

9,554

 

 

$

16,269

 

Allowance for slow-moving and obsolete inventory

 

 

(944

)

 

 

(1,320

)

Total

 

$

8,610

 

 

$

14,949

 

 

7. Prepaid and other current assets

Prepaid and other current assets consisted of the following:

(in thousands)

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Vendor deposits

 

$

5,328

 

 

$

5,085

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

2,703

 

 

 

3,544

 

Prepaid taxes

 

 

181

 

 

 

163

 

Deferred cost of revenue

 

 

33

 

 

 

 

Surety collateral

 

 

102

 

 

 

107

 

Other current assets

 

 

1,140

 

 

 

1,405

 

Total

 

$

9,487

 

 

$

10,304

 

 

 

15


 

8. Leases

We lease office and warehouse space in various locations, including our corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas. Additionally, we lease space for an applications laboratory in Austin, Texas and have a membership in a collaborative research facility in Colorado. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we also leased space in Sequin, Texas for a research and development facility as a replacement for the collaborative research facility in Colorado later this year, as well as for office space in India and employee housing in Australia. All of our manufacturing is outsourced to contract manufacturing partners, and we currently do not own or lease any manufacturing facilities.

Our lease expense consisted of the following:

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Operating lease cost

 

$

229

 

 

$

198

 

Short-term lease cost

 

 

92

 

 

 

115

 

Total lease cost

 

$

321

 

 

$

313

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue

 

$

215

 

 

$

193

 

Research and development

 

 

15

 

 

 

8

 

Selling and marketing

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

76

 

 

 

112

 

Total lease cost

 

$

321

 

 

$

313

 

Future remaining operating lease payment obligations were as follows:

(in thousands)

 

March 31,
2023

 

2023

 

$

674

 

2024

 

 

818

 

2025

 

 

755

 

2026

 

 

219

 

2027

 

 

192

 

Thereafter

 

 

16

 

Total lease payments

 

 

2,674

 

Less: imputed interest

 

 

(207

)

Present value of operating lease liabilities

 

$

2,467

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of operating lease liability

 

$

786

 

Operating lease liability, net of current portion

 

 

1,681

 

Present value of operating lease liabilities

 

$

2,467

 

 

9. Property and equipment, net

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

(in thousands)

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Leasehold improvements

 

$

22

 

 

$

22

 

Field equipment

 

 

1,078

 

 

 

1,078

 

Information technology equipment

 

 

381

 

 

 

355

 

Tooling

 

 

847

 

 

 

824

 

Capitalized software

 

 

250

 

 

 

250

 

Total

 

 

2,578

 

 

 

2,529

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(1,021

)

 

 

(827

)

Property and equipment, net

 

$

1,557

 

 

$

1,702

 

 

 

16


 

Depreciation expense recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2023, totaled $0.2 million.

 

10. Intangible assets, net and goodwill

Intangible assets consisted of the following:

(in thousands)

 

Estimated Useful Lives (Years)

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Developed technology

 

2.5 - 3.0

 

$

2,596

 

 

$

2,591

 

Total

 

 

 

 

2,596

 

 

 

2,591

 

Accumulated amortization

 

 

 

 

(1,619

)

 

 

(1,478

)

Intangible assets, net

 

 

 

$

977

 

 

$

1,113

 

Amortization expense recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2023, totaled $0.1 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, activity in our goodwill balance was as follows:

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2023

 

Balance at December 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

$

7,538

 

Translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

24

 

Balance at March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

$

7,562

 

 

11. Debt

On April 30, 2021, we entered into an agreement for our Credit Facility with various lenders, including Barclays Bank PLC, as issuing lender, the swingline lender and as administrative agent (the "Credit Facility Agreement") providing aggregate commitments of up to $100.0 million. We have not made any draws on our Credit Facility as of March 31, 2023. However, as of March 31, 2023, we had $1.9 million in letters of credit outstanding that reduced our available borrowing capacity to approximately $98.1 million.

On June 2, 2022, we entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Credit Facility Agreement (the "Amendment") which, among other things, amended certain terms of the Credit Facility Agreement, including without limitation, to (i) reduce the minimum liquidity level in the minimum liquidity financial covenant from $125.0 million to $50.0 million until March 31, 2023, and (ii) set forth additional financial condition covenants and reporting requirements that apply if we do not maintain specified minimum liquidity from the effectiveness of the Amendment until the earlier of (x) March 31, 2023, and (y) the occurrence of certain specified conditions. The new financial condition covenants include the following: (i) if loans are outstanding, (x) we shall not have more than $25.0 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents for longer than three business days, and (y) the ratio of the amount of (A) 75% of specified third party accounts receivables to (B) outstanding loans shall not be less than 1.10:1.00 at the end of each month and (ii) we shall limit the amount of cash it pays to third parties (net of all cash received by us (subject to certain exclusions)) to not more than $50.0 million, with the financial covenants described in the foregoing clauses (i)(y) and (ii) only being applicable if we fail to maintain specified minimum liquidity, with us currently maintaining such specified minimum liquidity as of March 31, 2023. Additionally, prior to March 31, 2023, we and our restricted subsidiaries under the Credit Facility Agreement were not permitted to (i) incur additional indebtedness for borrowed money, other than through the Credit Facility Agreement or specified permitted unsecured debt, or (ii) pay dividends, subject to specified exceptions. The Amendment also sets forth certain informational rights of the lenders.

Effective June 30, 2023, we will be required to maintain a minimum liquidity level of $125.0 million at each quarter end in order to utilize the Credit Facility.

 

 

17


 


 

12. Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:

(in thousands)

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

Accrued cost of revenue

 

$

14,242

 

 

$

13,198

 

Accrued compensation

 

 

3,049

 

 

 

4,688

 

Other accrued expenses

 

 

3,232

 

 

 

6,010

 

Total accrued expenses

 

$

20,523

 

 

$

23,896

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warranty reserves

 

$

8,085

 

 

$

8,004

 

Current portion of operating lease liability

 

 

786

 

 

 

417

 

Non-federal tax obligations

 

 

741

 

 

 

463

 

Total other current liabilities

 

$

9,612

 

 

$

8,884

 

We anticipate paying employee bonuses earned during the first quarter of 2023 in stock that will be issued in the second quarter of 2023, and have accrued approximately $2.0 million, which is included in accrued compensation in the table above.

Other accrued expenses primarily include amounts due for (i) legal and other costs associated with outstanding legal matters and (ii) other professional services.

We provide standard warranties on our hardware products to customers. The liability amount is based on actual historical warranty spending activity by type of product, customer and geographic region, modified by any known differences such as the impact of expected remediation activities or reliability improvements.

Activity by period in the Company's warranty accruals was as follows:

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

12,426

 

 

$

9,346

 

Warranties issued during the period(a)

 

 

1,543

 

 

 

516

 

Settlements made during the period

 

 

(1,103

)

 

 

(421

)

Changes in liability for pre-existing warranties

 

 

(309

)

 

 

(205

)

Balance at end of period

 

$

12,557

 

 

$

9,236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warranty accruals are reported in:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

8,085

 

 

$

3,771

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

4,472

 

 

 

5,465

 

Balance at end of period

 

$

12,557

 

 

$

9,236

 

(a) - Inclusive of accruals for expected remediation activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13. Income taxes

For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we recorded income tax expense of $0.13 million and income tax expense of $0.08 million respectively, both of which were lower than the statutory rate of 21%, primarily due to a valuation allowance established against the U.S. deferred tax assets.

We have had no material change in our unrecognized tax benefits since December 31, 2022. We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had no accrued interest or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits.

 

 

18


 

14. Commitments and contingencies

We may become involved in various claims, lawsuits, investigations, and other proceedings, arising in the normal course of business. We accrue a liability when information available prior to the issuance of our financial statements indicates it is probable a loss has been incurred as of the date of the financial statements and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of the probable loss is a range, we record an accrual for the most likely estimate of the loss, or the low end of the range if there is no one best estimate. We adjust our accruals to reflect the impact of negotiation, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular case. Legal costs are expensed as incurred.

In March of 2023, CBP issued notices indicating that merchandise imported from Thailand under entry number 004-1058562-5 (the “625 Assessment”) and entry number 004-1063793-9 (the “939 Assessment”), and together with the 625 Assessment, the “CBP Assessments”) had become subject to CBP’s “liquidation” process (i.e., the final determination of duties owed at the Import Specialist level). The CBP Assessments relate to certain torque beams that are used in our Voyager+ product that were imported in 2022. The CBP Assessments assert that Section 301 China tariffs, Section 232 steel & aluminum tariffs, and antidumping and countervailing duties apply to the merchandise. The 939 Assessment is for approximately $7.17 million, and the 625 Assessment is for approximately $2.15 million.

Upon review of the facts involved, and in consultation with outside legal counsel, we believe that the amounts claimed in the CBP Assessments are incorrect. In particular, the Section 301 tariffs of 25% or 7.5% of the value of the merchandise, depending on tariff classification, as well as the antidumping and countervailing duties, are only applicable to articles that originate in China. In this case, the finished goods are products of Thailand because the conversion in Thailand from flat coiled steel to rectangular beams is a substantial transformation in Thailand that produces a new and different article of commerce with a new name, character, and use. Moreover, we believe that the goods in question were properly classified as parts of structures at the time of importation and that when properly classified, the beams and other materials are not subject to Section 232 duties applicable to more basic steel products.

We are in communication with CBP about the facts involved in an effort to resolve these matters expeditiously and amicably. CBP has legally finalized the 625 Assessment, which may require that we file an administrative protest to challenge the amounts assessed. The 939 Assessment remains “suspended,” which allows the Company to work with CBP to resolve the matter without a formal protest, which we are pursuing. Based on the above, and under the relevant accounting guidance related to loss contingencies, we have made no accrual for the amounts claimed by CBP as of March 31, 2023, as we do not consider these amounts to be a probable obligation, as such term is defined and interpreted under the relevant accounting guidance, for us at this time. However, because matters of this nature are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings or developments could occur despite our belief that the tariffs and duties asserted are incorrect, there can be no certainty that the Company may not ultimately incur charges that are not currently recorded as liabilities. Since the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, the costs associated with them could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.

 

 

15. Stock-based compensation

Stock compensation expense for each period was as follows:

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Cost of revenue

 

$

816

 

 

$

309

 

Research and development

 

 

249

 

 

 

188

 

Selling and marketing

 

 

384

 

 

 

530

 

General and administrative

 

 

3,441

 

 

 

3,583

 

Total stock compensation expense

 

$

4,890

 

 

$

4,610

 

 

16. Related party transactions

We have engaged Ayna.AI LLC (as successor in interest to Fernweh Engaged Operator Company LLC) (“Ayna”) to support us with improvements to our processes and performance in various areas including design, sourcing, logistics, pricing, software and standard configuration. The consideration for such engagement is a combination of cash and stock options, including options that vest over time, as well as options with vesting tied to certain performance metrics. The foregoing engagement constitutes a related party transaction as South

 

19


 

Lake One LLC, an entity affiliated with Isidoro Quiroga Cortés, a member of our board of directors, and a holder of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock, is an investor in Ayna. In addition, Discrimen LLC is an investor in Ayna, and Isidoro Quiroga Cortés is affiliated with that entity. Isidoro Quiroga Cortés is also on the board or directors of Ayna. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we incurred $2.3 million of general and administrative expense associated with our engagement of Ayna. Cash payments to Ayna during the three months ended March 31, 2023, totaled $0.8 million. No cash payments were made during the three months ended March 31, 2022.

 

17. Net loss per share

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Net loss (in thousands)

 

$

(11,762

)

 

$

(27,793

)

 

$

(11,762

)

 

$

(27,793

)

Weighted average shares outstanding for calculating basic and diluted loss per share

 

 

106,791,198

 

 

 

99,211,792

 

 

 

106,791,198

 

 

 

99,211,792

 

Basic and diluted loss per share

 

$

(0.11

)

 

$

(0.28

)

 

$

(0.11

)

 

$

(0.28

)

For purposes of computing diluted loss per share, weighted average common shares outstanding do not include potentially dilutive securities that are anti-dilutive, as shown below.

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Anti-dilutive securities excluded from calculating dilutive loss per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares of common stock issuable under stock option plans outstanding

 

 

6,544,725

 

 

 

8,452,319

 

Shares of common stock issuable upon vesting of RSUs

 

 

6,612,849

 

 

 

4,995,792

 

Potential common shares excluded from diluted net loss per share calculation

 

 

13,157,574

 

 

 

13,448,111

 

 

 

20


 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S 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 our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q and along with information included in our 2022 Annual Report. In addition to historical financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to those differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below and those discussed in Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" included in our 2022 Annual Report. Additionally, our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in any future period.

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations contain the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted EPS, which are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted EPS are being presented because they provide the Company and readers of this Form 10-Q with additional insight into our operational performance relative to earlier periods and relative to our competitors. We do not intend Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted EPS to be substitutes for any U.S. GAAP financial information. Readers of this Form 10-Q should use Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted EPS only in conjunction with Net Loss and Net Loss per Share, the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted EPS to Net Loss and Net Loss per Share, the most comparable U.S. GAAP measures, are provided in "Non-GAAP Financial Measures".

Overview

FTC Solar, Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) was founded in 2017 and is incorporated in the state of Delaware. In April 2021, we completed an initial public offering ("IPO") and our common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “FTCI”.

We are a global provider of advanced solar tracker systems, supported by proprietary software and value-added engineering services. Our mission is to provide differentiated products, software, and services that maximize energy generation and cost savings for our customers, and to help facilitate the continued growth and adoption of solar power globally. Trackers significantly increase the amount of solar energy produced at a solar installation by moving solar panels throughout the day to maintain an optimal orientation relative to the sun. Our primary tracker system is currently marketed under the Voyager brand name (“Voyager”). Voyager is a next-generation two-panel in-portrait ("2P") single-axis tracker solution that we believe offers industry-leading performance and ease of installation. In September 2022, we announced the introduction of Pioneer, a new and differentiated one module-in-portrait ("1P") solar tracker solution that allows for a pile count reduction per megawatt compared to similar industry-leading solutions, as well as providing what we believe to be other benefits, such as faster assembly capability, giving potential customers the possibility for increased flexibility and additional cost savings. We have also launched a new solution for thin-film modules, filling a gap in our offering for certain U.S. modules. We have a team of dedicated renewable energy professionals with significant project installation experience focused on delivering cost reductions to our U.S. and worldwide clients across the solar project development and construction cycle. The Company is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has international subsidiaries in Australia, China, India and South Africa.


 

 

21


 


We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. Under the JOBS Act, we elected to use the allowed extended transition period to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies.


Key Factors Affecting Our Performance

Government Regulations. Changes in the U.S. trade environment, including the imposition of import tariffs, AD/CVD investigations and the UFLPA, which became effective in June 2022, can have an impact on the timing of developer projects. The UFLPA resulted in new rules for module importers and reviews by CBP. There is currently uncertainty in the market around achieving full compliance with UFLPA, whether related to sufficient traceability of materials or other factors. Escalating trade tensions, particularly between the United States and China, have led to increased tariffs and trade restrictions, including tariffs applicable to certain raw materials and components for our products. We have taken measures with the intention of mitigating the effect of tariffs and the impact of AD/CVD and UFLPA on our business by reducing our reliance on China and enhancing our U.S.-based supply chain, including through our investment in Alpha Steel, as described further in Note 3, "Equity method investment" in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. In 2019, 90% of our supply chain was sourced from China. As of March 31, 2023, we have qualified suppliers outside of China for all our commodities and reduced the extent to which our supply chain for U.S.-based projects is subject to existing tariffs. We have entered into partnerships with manufacturers in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Spain, Brazil, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, India, Thailand, Vietnam and Korea to diversify our supply chain and optimize costs. On June 6, 2022, President Biden issued an Executive Order allowing U.S. solar deployers the ability to import solar modules and cells from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam free from certain duties for 24 months, along with other incentives designed to accelerate U.S. domestic production of clean energy technologies.

The most notable incentive program impacting our U.S. business has been the ITC for solar energy projects, which allows taxpayers to offset their U.S. federal income tax liability by a certain percentage of their cost basis in solar energy systems placed in service for commercial use. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Biden on August 16, 2022, expanded and extended the tax credits and other tax benefits available to solar energy projects and the solar energy supply chain. ITCs have been extended for such projects through at least 2032 and, depending on the location of a particular project and its ability to satisfy certain labor and domestic content requirements, the ITC percentage can range between 30% and 50%. Manufacturers of specific solar components are now eligible to claim production tax credits as an alternative to the ITC. Implementing regulations for this law are still in process. We believe this law will bolster and extend future demand for our products in the United States, however we note that implementing regulations for this law are still in process, which creates uncertainty about the extent of its impact on our Company and the solar energy industry.

Disruptions in Transportation and Supply Chain. Our costs are affected by certain component costs including steel, motors and micro-chips, as well as transportation costs. Current market conditions and international conflicts that constrain the supply of materials and disrupt the flow of materials from international vendors impact the cost of our products and services, along with overall rates of inflation in the global economy, which have been higher than recent historical rates. Transportation costs, including ocean freight and U.S. domestic haul rates, increased at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic but have since returned to pre-pandemic rates. Domestic fuel prices, however, continue to be slightly elevated compared to pre-pandemic rates. Additionally, COVID-19 shutdowns in China during 2022 created a backlog of exports and increased demand for container shipments from China, but such shutdowns have been eased by the Chinese government. These cost increases and decreases impact our operating margins. We have taken steps to expand and diversify our manufacturing partnerships and have adjusted our modes of transportation to mitigate the impact of headwinds that arise in the global supply chain and logistics markets. As an example, we have recently modified our ocean freight from previously using charter shipments to now using containerized shipments as costs in the container market began to decrease in 2022. We continue to monitor the logistics markets and will continue to evaluate our use of various modes of transportation when warranted to optimize our transportation costs. Additionally, in February 2022, we contracted with a related-party consulting firm to support us in making ongoing improvements to our processes and performance in various areas, including design, sourcing, logistics, pricing, software and our distributed generation business. Further information may be found in Note 16, "Related party transactions" in Part 1, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q with regard to the related-party consulting firm. We intend to maintain a sharp focus on our design to value initiative to continue to improve margins by reducing manufacturing and material costs of our products.

Megawatts ("MW") Produced and MW Shipped and Average Selling Price ("ASP"). The primary operating metrics we use to evaluate our sales performance and to track market acceptance of our products are the change in quantity of MW produced and MW shipped from period to period. MW are measured for each individual project and are calculated based on the expected output of that project once installed and fully operational. We also utilize metrics related to price and cost of goods sold per watt, including the change in ASP from

 

22


 

period to period and cost per watt. ASP is calculated by dividing product and service revenue by total watts produced or shipped and product cost per watt is calculated by dividing product costs of goods sold by total watts. These metrics enable us to evaluate trends in pricing, manufacturing and logistics costs and profitability. Events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, global inflation rates and international conflicts can impact the U.S. economy, global supply chains, and our business. These impacts can cause significant shipping delays and cost increases, as well as offsetting ASP increases, and also raise the price of inputs like steel and logistics, affecting our cost per watt.

Investment in Technology and Personnel. We invest in both the people and technology behind our products. We intend to continue making significant investments in the technology for our products and expansion of our patent portfolio to attract and retain customers, expand the capabilities and scope of our products, and enhance user experience. We also intend over time to make significant investments to attract and retain employees in key positions, including sales leads, engineers, software developers, quality assurance personnel, supply chain personnel, product management, and operations personnel, to help us drive additional efficiencies across our marketplace and, in the case of sales leads, to continue to enhance and diversify our sales capabilities, including international expansion.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic. In March of 2020, the World Health Organization declared that the worldwide spread and severity of a new coronavirus, referred to as COVID-19, was severe enough to be characterized as a pandemic. In response to the initial and continued spread of COVID-19, governmental authorities in the United States and around the world imposed, and in some cases continue to impose, various restrictions designed to slow the pace of the pandemic, including restrictions on travel and other restrictions that prohibited employees from going to work, including in cities where we have offices, employees, and customers, causing severe disruptions in the worldwide economy. The continued implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, financial condition and results of operations remain uncertain and will depend on certain developments, including the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of virus variants, the rate of vaccinations, the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on our customers and suppliers and the range of governmental and community reactions to the pandemic. While our day-to-day operations have been affected, the impact has been less pronounced as most of our staff has worked remotely and continued to develop our product offerings, source materials and install our products. However, we have experienced significant supply chain disruptions that have caused delays in product deliveries due to diminished vessel capacity and port detainment of vessels as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic (including as a result of multiple COVID-19 variants), which have contributed to an increase in lead times for delivery of our tracker systems. For instance, we experienced a COVID-related supplier production slowdown in India at the end of March 2021, which continued throughout 2021 due to the emergence of the Omicron variant. In addition, recent COVID shutdowns in China created a backlog of exports and increased demand for container shipments from China. The reduced capacity for logistics has caused increases in logistics costs compared to pre-pandemic rates, although certain costs have begun to decline in recent months. Additionally, ground operations at project sites have been impacted by health-related restrictions, shelter-in-place orders and worker absenteeism, which has resulted in delays in project completions, and these restrictions have also hindered our ability to provide on-site support to our customers and conduct inspections of our contract manufacturers. The disruptions in the global supply chain have resulted in extended lead times for some of our component parts. Management will continue to monitor the impact of the global situation on our financial condition, cash flows, operations, contract manufacturers, industry, workforce and customer relationships.

Impact of Climate Change. Climate change has primarily impacted our business operations by increasing demand for solar power generation and, as a result, for use of our products. While climate change has not resulted in any material negative impact to our operations to date, we recognize the risk of disruptions to our supply chain due to extreme weather events. This has led us to expand the diversity of our supplier base and to partner with more local suppliers to reduce shipping and transportation needs. We are also increasingly partnering with larger scale steel producers rather than smaller suppliers to facilitate scaling of our operations while remaining conscious of the environmental impacts of steel manufacturing as the regulatory landscape around these high-emitting industries evolves. An example of this is our investment in Alpha Steel, a U.S.-based manufacturing partnership with Taihua, a leading steel fabricator.

We also attempt to mitigate the climate-related risks from the use of our products by designing our equipment and systems to have a high-slope tolerance and wind mitigation capabilities, while at the same time reducing the required foundation/pile count needed. This allows our trackers to be installed in increasingly hostile environments with minimal disturbance to the surrounding land.

Liquidity. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below for a discussion of the impact of the items above on our liquidity position.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net loss and adjusted earnings per share ("EPS")

We utilize Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Loss, and Adjusted EPS as supplemental measures of our performance. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net loss plus (i) provision (benefit) for income taxes, (ii) interest expense, net, (iii) depreciation expense, (iv)

 

23


 

amortization of intangibles, (v) stock-based compensation and (vi) non-routine legal fees, certain severance and other costs (credits). We also deduct the contingent gains from the disposal of our investment in unconsolidated subsidiary from net loss in arriving at Adjusted EBITDA. We define Adjusted Net Loss as net loss plus (i) amortization of debt issue costs and intangibles, (ii) stock-based compensation, (iii) non-routine legal fees, severance and certain other costs (credits), and (iv) the income tax expense (benefit) of those adjustments, if any. We also deduct the contingent gains from the disposal of our investment in unconsolidated subsidiary in arriving at Adjusted Net Loss. Adjusted EPS is defined as Adjusted Net Loss on a per share basis using the weighted average diluted shares outstanding.

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Loss, and Adjusted EPS are intended as supplemental measures of performance that are neither required by, nor presented in accordance with, U.S. GAAP. We present Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted EPS, because we believe they assist investors and analysts in comparing our performance across reporting periods on an ongoing basis by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. In addition, we use Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted EPS to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies.

Among other limitations, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Loss, and Adjusted EPS do not reflect (i) our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments, and (ii) the impact of certain cash charges resulting from matters we consider not to be indicative of our ongoing operations. Further, the adjustments noted in Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the impact of any income tax expense or benefit. Additionally, other companies in our industry may calculate Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Loss, and Adjusted EPS differently than we do, which limits its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Loss, and Adjusted EPS should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and you should not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business. These non-GAAP financial measures, when presented, are reconciled to the most closely applicable U.S. GAAP measure as disclosed below:

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

(in thousands, except shares and per share data)

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

Adjusted Net Loss

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

Adjusted Net Loss

 

Net loss per U.S. GAAP

 

$

(11,762

)

 

$

(11,762

)

 

$

(27,793

)

 

$

(27,793

)

Reconciling items -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

131

 

 

 

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

58

 

 

 

 

 

 

295

 

 

 

 

Amortization of debt issue costs in interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

177

 

 

 

 

 

 

173

 

Depreciation expense

 

 

194

 

 

 

 

 

 

121

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

140

 

 

 

140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

4,890

 

 

 

4,890

 

 

 

4,610

 

 

 

4,610

 

Gain from disposal of investment in unconsolidated subsidiary(a)

 

 

(898

)

 

 

(898

)

 

 

(337

)

 

 

(337

)

Non-routine legal fees(b)

 

 

108

 

 

 

108

 

 

 

1,078

 

 

 

1,078

 

Severance(c)

 

 

(13

)

 

 

(13

)

 

 

615

 

 

 

615

 

Other costs(d)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,370

 

 

 

1,370

 

Adjusted Non-GAAP amounts

 

$

(7,152

)

 

$

(7,358

)

 

$

(19,965

)

 

$

(20,284

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP net loss per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

N/A

 

 

$

(0.11

)

 

N/A

 

 

$

(0.28

)

Diluted

 

N/A

 

 

$

(0.11

)

 

N/A

 

 

$

(0.28

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted Non-GAAP net loss per share (Adjusted EPS):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

N/A

 

 

$

(0.07

)

 

N/A

 

 

$

(0.20

)

Diluted

 

N/A

 

 

$

(0.07

)

 

N/A

 

 

$

(0.20

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

N/A

 

 

 

106,791,198

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

99,211,792

 

Diluted

 

N/A

 

 

 

106,791,198

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

99,211,792

 

 

 

24


 

 

(a) Our management excludes the gain from collections of contingent contractual amounts arising from the sale in 2021 of our investment in our unconsolidated subsidiary when evaluating our operating performance.

(b) Non-routine legal fees represent legal fees and other costs incurred for matters that were not ordinary or routine to the operations of the business.

(c) Severance costs were incurred in 2022 related to agreements with certain executives due to restructuring changes. Amounts for 2023 represent adjustments to preexisting accruals associated with our December 2022 reduction in workforce.

(d) Other costs in 2022 include certain costs attributable to accelerated vesting of stock-based compensation awards resulting from our IPO and shareholder follow on registration costs pursuant to our IPO.

Key Components of Our Results of Operations

The following discussion describes certain line items in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Revenue

Revenue from the sale of our solar tracker systems and customized components of those systems is recognized over time, as work progresses, utilizing an input measure of progress determined by cost incurred to date relative to total expected cost on these projects to correlate with our performance in transferring control over the tracker systems and their components. Revenue from the sale of individual parts is recognized at a point in time as and when control transfers based on the terms of the contract. Revenue from sale of term-based software licenses is recognized upon transfer of control to the customer. Revenue for shipping and handling services is recognized over time based on progress in meeting shipping terms of the arrangements. Revenue for engineering consulting and pile tested is recognized as the services are performed. Subscription revenue, which is derived from our subscription-based enterprise licensing model, and support revenue, which is derived from ongoing security updates and maintenance, are generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract.

Our customers include project developers, solar asset owners and EPC contractors that design and build solar energy projects. For each individual solar project, we enter into a contract with our customers covering the price, specifications, delivery dates and warranty for the products being purchased, among other things. Our contractual delivery period for our solar tracker systems and related parts can vary depending on size of the project and availability of vessels and other means of delivery. Contracts can range in value from tens of thousands to tens of millions of dollars.

Our revenue is affected by changes in the volume and ASP of our solar tracking systems purchased by our customers and volume of sales of software products and engineering services, among other things. The ASP of our solar tracker systems and quarterly volume of sales is driven by the supply of, and demand for, our products, changes in product mix, geographic mix of our customers, strength of competitors’ product offerings, tariff and import restrictions, supply chain issues and availability of government incentives to the end-users of our products. Additionally, our revenue may be impacted by seasonality due to cold weather, which can cause variability in site construction activity.

The vast majority of our revenue in the periods presented was attributable to sales in the United States and Australia. Our revenue growth is dependent on continued growth in the number of solar tracker projects and engineering services we win in competitive bidding processes and growth in our software sales each year, as well as our ability to increase our market share in each of the geographies in which we currently compete, expand our global footprint to new emerging markets, grow our production capabilities to meet demand and continue to develop and introduce new and innovative products that address the changing technology and performance requirements of our customers, among other things.

Cost of revenue and gross profit (loss)

We subcontract with third-party manufacturers to manufacture and deliver our products directly to our customers. Our product costs are affected by the underlying cost of raw materials procured by these contract manufacturers, including steel and aluminum; component costs, including electric motors and gearboxes; technological innovation in manufacturing processes; and our ability to achieve economies of scale resulting in lower component costs. We do not currently hedge against changes in the price of raw materials, but we continue to explore opportunities to mitigate the risks of foreign currency and commodity fluctuations through the use of hedges and foreign exchange lines of credit. Some of these costs, primarily personnel, are not directly affected by sales volume.

We have made changes to our headcount in recent years as we initially scaled up our business and, more recently, made adjustments in response to current market conditions. Our gross profit may vary period-to-period due to changes in our headcount, ASP, product costs, product mix, customer mix, geographical mix, shipping methods, warranty costs and seasonality.

 

25


 

Operating expenses

Operating expenses consist of research and development expenses, selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses. Personnel-related costs are the most significant component of our operating expenses and include salaries, benefits, bonuses, commissions and stock-based compensation expenses.

While we froze non-essential hiring during the latter part of 2022, in response to regulatory issues that were negatively impacting solar project activity levels, and implemented a reduction in workforce of approximately 8% of our employee base at the end of 2022, we expect to resume hiring new employees in the future as needed to support our future expected growth and in response to expected turnover. In addition, our operating costs have been impacted by (i) our level of research activities to originate, develop and enhance our products, (ii) our sales and marketing efforts as we expand our development activities in other parts of the world, and (iii) variations in legal and professional fees, compliance costs, insurance, facility costs and other costs associated with a legal settlement reached in December 2022 with respect to an outstanding lawsuit and other strategic changes in response to changing market conditions.

Results of Operations - Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

Amounts

 

 

Percentage of revenue

 

 

Amounts

 

 

Percentage of revenue

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product

 

$

32,579

 

 

 

79.7

%

 

$

30,968

 

 

 

62.5

%

Service

 

 

8,315

 

 

 

20.3

%

 

 

18,585

 

 

 

37.5

%

Total revenue

 

 

40,894

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

49,553

 

 

 

100.0

%

Cost of revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product

 

 

31,767

 

 

 

77.7

%

 

 

34,963

 

 

 

70.6

%

Service

 

 

7,092

 

 

 

17.3

%

 

 

23,877

 

 

 

48.2

%

Total cost of revenue

 

 

38,859

 

 

 

95.0

%

 

 

58,840

 

 

 

118.7

%

Gross profit (loss)

 

 

2,035

 

 

 

5.0

%

 

 

(9,287

)

 

 

(18.7

%)

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 

1,922

 

 

 

4.7

%

 

 

2,701

 

 

 

5.5

%

Selling and marketing

 

 

1,711

 

 

 

4.2

%

 

 

1,972

 

 

 

4.0

%

General and administrative

 

 

10,799

 

 

 

26.4

%

 

 

13,818

 

 

 

27.9

%

Total operating expenses

 

 

14,432

 

 

 

35.3

%

 

 

18,491

 

 

 

37.3

%

Loss from operations

 

 

(12,397

)

 

 

(30.3

%)

 

 

(27,778

)

 

 

(56.1

%)

Interest expense, net

 

 

(58

)

 

 

(0.1

%)

 

 

(295

)

 

 

(0.6

%)

Gain from disposal of investment in unconsolidated subsidiary

 

 

898

 

 

 

2.2

%

 

 

337

 

 

 

0.7

%

Other income (expense)

 

 

(74

)

 

 

(0.2

%)

 

 

19

 

 

 

0.0

%

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(11,631

)

 

 

(28.4

%)

 

 

(27,717

)

 

 

(55.9

%)

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

 

 

(131

)

 

 

(0.3

%)

 

 

(76

)

 

 

(0.2

%)

Net loss

 

$

(11,762

)

 

 

(28.8

%)

 

$

(27,793

)

 

 

(56.1

%)

Revenue

We generate our revenue in two streams – Product revenue and Service revenue. Product revenue is derived from the sale of solar tracker systems, customized components for those systems, individual part sales for certain specific transactions and the sale of term-based software licenses. Service revenue includes revenue from shipping and handling services, engineering consulting and pile testing services, our subscription-based enterprise licensing model and maintenance and support services in connection with the term-based software licenses.

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Product

 

$

32,579

 

 

$

30,968

 

 

$

1,611

 

 

 

5.2

%

Service

 

 

8,315

 

 

 

18,585

 

 

 

(10,270

)

 

 

(55.3

)%

Total revenue

 

$

40,894

 

 

$

49,553

 

 

$

(8,659

)

 

 

(17.5

)%

 

 

26


 

Product revenue

The increase in product revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, was primarily due to a customer concession charge in 2022 that reduced product revenue by $2.0 million.

Service revenue

The decrease in service revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, primarily resulted from a decrease in shipping and logistics activity as a result of higher production activity in the latter part of 2021 as compared to the latter part of 2022 due to regulatory issues involving AD/CVD and UFLPA. Adding to this impact was a customer concession charge against service revenue in 2022 of $3.0 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, increases in shipping and logistics costs were not fully recoverable under existing contracts at that time.

Cost of revenue and gross profit (loss)

Cost of revenue consists primarily of costs related to raw materials, freight and delivery, product warranty, and personnel costs (salaries, bonuses, benefits, and stock-based compensation). Personnel costs in cost of revenue include both direct labor costs as well as costs attributable to any individuals whose activities relate to the procurement, installment, and delivery of the finished product and services.

Gross profit may vary from period-to-period and is primarily affected by our ASP, product costs, timing of tracker production and delivery, customer mix, geographical mix, shipping method, logistics costs, warranty costs and seasonality.

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Product

 

$

31,767

 

 

$

34,963

 

 

$

(3,196

)

 

 

(9.1

)%

Service

 

 

7,092

 

 

 

23,877

 

 

 

(16,785

)

 

 

(70.3

)%

Total cost of revenue

 

$

38,859

 

 

$

58,840

 

 

$

(19,981

)

 

 

(34.0

)%

Gross profit (loss)

 

$

2,035

 

 

$

(9,287

)

 

$

11,322

 

 

 

(121.9

)%

Gross profit (loss) percentage of revenue

 

 

5.0

%

 

 

(18.7

%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The decrease in cost of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, was primarily driven by (i) a decrease of 12% in MW produced and (ii) a decrease of 56% in shipping and logistics activity. In addition, payroll expense and certain other indirect costs decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, as a result of headcount reductions and other cost control efforts.

Our gross profit (loss) percentage of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was a positive 5.0%, as compared to negative 18.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

We had positive gross margin for the three months ended March 31, 2023 largely due to (i) an increase of 12% in our product average selling price, (ii) lower direct and indirect product costs resulting from our design to value efforts and (iii) positive margins on our shipping and logistics services under our more recent contracts.

We had a gross margin loss for the three months ended March 31, 2022 due to (i) a customer concession charge totaling $5.0 million, which reduced our revenue, (ii) production volumes which were not sufficient to cover certain relatively fixed overhead costs and (iii) our inability to fully recover certain increased shipping and logistics costs under existing contracts at that time.

Research and development

Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries, employee benefits, stock-based compensation expenses and travel expenses related to our engineers performing research and development activities to originate, develop and enhance our products. Additional expenses include consulting charges, component purchases and other costs for performing research and development on our software products.

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Research and development

 

$

1,922

 

 

$

2,701

 

 

$

(779

)

 

 

(28.8

%)

 

 

27


 

The decrease in research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, was primarily attributable to (i) lower payroll-related costs of $0.4 million as a result of decreased headcount, (ii) lower spending for professional services of $0.3 million and (iii) slightly lower spending on lab activities. Research and development expenses as a percentage of revenue were 4.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to 5.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Selling and marketing

Selling and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries, employee benefits, stock-based compensation expenses and travel expenses related to our sales and marketing and business development personnel. Additionally, selling and marketing expenses include costs associated with professional fees and support charges for software subscriptions and licenses, trade shows and conventions.

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Selling and marketing

 

$

1,711

 

 

$

1,972

 

 

$

(261

)

 

 

(13.2

%)

The decrease in selling and marketing expenses was primarily attributable to (i) $0.2 million of lower payroll-related costs and (ii) $0.1 million of lower stock-based compensation expense. Selling and marketing costs as a percentage of revenue were 4.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 4.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increased percentage was due mainly to the lower level of revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2023.

General and administrative

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, employee benefits, stock-based compensation expenses, and travel expenses related to our executives, finance team, and administrative employees. It also consists of legal, consulting, and professional fees, rent and lease expenses pertaining to our headquarters and international offices, business insurance costs and other costs.

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

General and administrative

 

$

10,799

 

 

$

13,818

 

 

$

(3,019

)

 

 

(21.8

%)

The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to (i) $1.9 million of lower payroll-related costs due to lower severance and cash incentive expense as compared to the same period last year and (ii) $1.3 million of lower professional service fees, primarily related to our December 2022 settlement of an outstanding legal matter which eliminated a large amount of legal fees during the three months ended March 31, 2023. These decreases were partially offset by amortization of intangible assets acquired in our June 2022 acquisition of HX Tracker. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue were 26.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to 27.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Interest expense, net

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Interest expense, net

 

$

58

 

 

$

295

 

 

$

(237

)

 

 

(80.3

)%

Interest expense totaled $0.3 million during each of the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 and primarily consisted of commitment fees on the Credit Facility, along with associated debt issue cost amortization. Interest income earned on our cash equivalents totaled approximately $0.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The amount of interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was not significant.

Gain from disposal of investment in unconsolidated subsidiary

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Gain from disposal of investment in unconsolidated subsidiary

 

$

898

 

 

$

337

 

 

$

561

 

 

 

166.5

%

 

 

28


 

We sold our interest in our unconsolidated subsidiary, Dimension Energy LLC ("Dimension"), on June 24, 2021. Dimension is a community solar developer based in Atlanta, Georgia that provides renewable energy solutions for local communities in the United States. The sales agreement with Dimension includes an earnout provision which provides the potential to receive additional contingent consideration of up to approximately $14.0 million through December 2024, based on Dimension achieving certain performance milestones. The sales agreement also includes a projects escrow release which is an additional contingent consideration to receive $7 million based on Dimension’s completion of certain construction projects in progress at the time of the sale. We made an accounting policy election to account for the contingent gains from the earnout provision and projects escrow release only when those amounts become realizable in the periods subsequent to the disposal date. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, we received escrow release payments of $0.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively, that were recognized in accordance with our policy election.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

Since our inception, we have financed our operations primarily through sales of shares of common stock, including our IPO in April 2021, issuance of debt and payments from our customers. Our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations is dependent on contract payment terms, timely collections from our customers and the strength of our gross margins.

We have incurred cumulative losses since inception, resulting in an accumulated deficit of $260.6 million as of March 31, 2023, and have a history of cash outflows from operations. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, and the three months ended March 31, 2023, we had $132.9 million, $54.5 million and $8.3 million, respectively, of cash outflow from operations. As of March 31, 2023, we had $41.5 million of cash on hand, $57.9 million of working capital and approximately $98.1 million of unused borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility includes a financial condition covenant stating we are required to have a minimum liquidity, consisting of cash on hand and unused borrowing capacity, of $125.0 million as of each quarter end, effective June 30, 2023. Additionally, we had no long-term borrowings or other material obligations requiring the use of cash as of March 31, 2023, apart from the additional equity investment capital contributions that may be required, as described further in "Note 3, Equity method investment" above.

The UFLPA was passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Biden on December 23, 2021. The UFLPA establishes a rebuttable presumption that the importation of any goods, wares, articles, and merchandise mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, or that are produced by certain entities, is prohibited by Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and that such goods, wares, articles, and merchandise are not entitled to entry to the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") began implementing the provisions of UFLPA on June 21, 2022, resulting in new rules for solar module importers and reviews by CBP. There continues to be uncertainty in the market around achieving full compliance with UFLPA for the importation of solar modules, whether related to sufficient traceability of materials or other factors.

On March 25, 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce, in response to a petition by Auxin Solar, Inc., initiated an investigation of claims related to alleged circumvention of U.S. antidumping and countervailing duties ("AD/CVD") by solar manufacturers in certain Southeast Asian countries in an effort to determine whether or not solar cells and/or modules made in those Southeast Asian nations use parts originating from China in order to circumvent the AD/CVD tariffs. On June 6, 2022, President Biden issued an Executive Order allowing U.S. solar deployers the ability to import solar modules and cells from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam free from certain duties for 24 months, along with other incentives designed to accelerate U.S. domestic production of clean energy technologies.

Since 2016, CBP has issued a number of WROs directed at forced labor in China, including WROs directed specifically at activity in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. In addition, recent WROs related to polysilicon requires panel importers to demonstrate that polysilicon used in their panels has not been sourced using forced labor. To date, CBP has used the WROs to detain solar panels, which has disrupted the U.S. solar installation market and caused additional uncertainty on future projects.

These policies and actions have resulted in some developers deferring projects due to the uncertainty of panel supply and costs, which negatively impacted our 2022 revenues and cash flows and are continuing to negatively impact our revenues and our cash flows to date in 2023.

The most notable incentive program impacting our U.S. business has been the ITC for solar energy projects, which allows taxpayers to offset their U.S. federal income tax liability by a certain percentage of their cost basis in solar energy systems placed in service for commercial use. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Biden on August 16, 2022, expanded and extended the tax credits and other tax benefits available to solar energy projects and the solar energy supply chain.

 

29


 

ITCs have been extended for such projects through at least 2032 and, depending on the location of a particular project and its ability to satisfy certain labor and domestic content requirements, the ITC percentage can range between 30% and 50%. Manufacturers of specific solar components are now eligible to claim production tax credits as an alternative to the ITC. Implementing regulations for this law are still in process.

Our costs are affected by certain component costs including steel, motors and micro-chips, as well as transportation costs. Current market conditions and international conflicts that constrain the supply of materials and disrupt the flow of materials from international vendors impact the cost of our products and services, along with overall rates of inflation in the global economy, which have been higher than recent historical rates. Transportation costs, including ocean freight and U.S. domestic haul rates, increased at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic but have since returned to pre-pandemic rates. Domestic fuel prices, however, continue to be slightly elevated compared to pre-pandemic rates. Additionally, COVID-19 shutdowns in China during 2022 created a backlog of exports and increased demand for container shipments from China, but such shutdowns have been eased by the Chinese government. These cost increases and decreases impact our operating margins. We have taken steps to expand and diversify our manufacturing partnerships and have adjusted our modes of transportation to mitigate the impact of headwinds that arise in the global supply chain and logistics markets. As an example, we have recently modified our ocean freight from previously using charter shipments to now using containerized shipments as costs in the container market began to decrease in 2022. We continue to monitor the logistics markets and will continue to evaluate our use of various modes of transportation when warranted to optimize our transportation costs. Additionally, in February 2022, we contracted with a related-party consulting firm to support us in making ongoing improvements to our processes and performance in various areas, including design, sourcing, logistics, pricing, software and our distributed generation business. For further information regarding this consulting firm, see Note 16, "Related party transactions" in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

30


 

In accordance with ASC 205-40, Going Concern, we have evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, which raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date these condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. While AD/CVD and UFLPA have created uncertainty in the market in recent periods, we believe the Executive Order providing for a 24-month holiday on duties for importation of solar modules and cells from certain countries and the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, as described above, have reduced the level of uncertainty among solar project owners and developers with regard to new project development, however we note that implementing regulations for the Inflation Reduction Act are still in process, which creates uncertainty about the extent of its impact on our Company and the solar energy industry. We also took significant steps in 2022, and are continuing to take further steps in 2023, to address the recent market challenges and our historical use of cash through the following actions:

certain members of our senior management team elected to forego certain cash compensation during the second half of 2022 in exchange for equity compensation;
the members of our board of directors agreed to take equity compensation in lieu of cash compensation during 2023;
we began making certain incentive compensation payments to all employees in stock rather than cash beginning at the end of the second quarter of 2022;
we reduced our workforce by approximately 8% near the end of 2022;
we have frozen non-essential hiring, placed restrictions on certain travel, decreased the future use of consultants and are deferring non-critical initiatives;
we have initiated frequent, consistent communication with our customers, which in certain cases has allowed us to resolve issues preventing timely collection of certain past due outstanding receivables;
we have emphasized cash collections from customers, and continue to negotiate improved payment terms with both our customers and vendors and have switched vendors when needed to obtain cost savings;
we launched Pioneer, a 1P solar tracker solution, and a new solution for thin-film modules not subject to UFLPA;
we reached a settlement agreement with FCX Solar, LLC in December 2022, regarding a lawsuit filed against us relating to claims of patent infringement in order to eliminate future time and expense involved in defending ourselves in this action; under the settlement agreement, we were able to utilize our common stock to satisfy a portion of the settlement payment;
we made an investment to acquire a 45% ownership interest in Alpha Steel, a manufacturing partnership with Taihua, which will enhance our domestic supply chain to reduce our exposure to import duties and import restrictions, as described further in "Note 3, Equity method investment" below;
we began selling newly issued shares of our common stock under our ATM program (as defined herein) in 2023, as described further in "Note 4, ATM program" below; and
we continue to actively explore options to obtain additional sources of capital through either the issuance of new debt or equity.

A number of the steps above, as well as improvements in the logistics markets and easing of supply chain constraints, contributed to us having positive gross profit in the three months ended March 31, 2023, which also reduced our use of cash required to fund our operations during the current period.

Management believes that our existing cash on hand, as well as the continuing impact of certain of the actions described above and our expectations of improved market conditions and positive results from our efforts to increase gross margins, will allow us to grow profitably and generate positive cash flow from operations during the second half of 2023 in amounts that will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least one year from the date of issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the accompanying financial statements assume we will continue as a going concern through the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business.

We have achieved success in executing certain of the initiatives above and we continue to work to further reduce our use of cash to fund our operations. We expect the two-year holiday on duties announced by President Biden in June 2022 will reduce the level of uncertainty in the market due to the ongoing AD/CVD investigation by the U.S. Department of Commerce, as described above, and we believe passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will also benefit demand for our products in the United States. At the same time, however, new rules for module importers and reviews by CBP pursuant to achieving full compliance with UFLPA are expected to continue creating uncertainty in the market. However, once there is additional clarity around compliance with UFLPA and customers get

 

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line-of-sight to module deliveries, we believe the market will see a recovery. While there are already many underlying drivers of growth in the solar industry, the expected positive impact on demand for our products could take longer than expected to occur. In addition, market conditions could deteriorate significantly from what we currently expect, and regulatory and international trade policies could become more stringent as a result of (i) findings from the U.S. Department of Commerce's AD/CVD investigation, (ii) the level of enforcement of regulations issued under UFLPA, and (iii) other factors, which may result in a need for us to issue additional debt or obtain new equity financing to fund our operations beyond the next twelve months. We may be unable to obtain any desired additional financing on terms favorable to us, or at all, depending on market and other conditions. The ability to raise additional financing depends on numerous factors that are outside of our control, including macroeconomic factors such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine, market conditions, the health of financial institutions (including the recent bankruptcy of Silicon Valley Bank and related impacts that have occurred and continue to occur in the banking industry), investors' and lenders' assessments of our prospects and the prospects of the solar industry in general.

Statements of cash flows

The following table shows our cash flows from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the stated periods:

 

 

Three months ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

$

(8,316

)

 

$

(53,106

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(30

)

 

 

(186

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

5,469

 

 

 

428

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

(15

)

 

 

62

 

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

$

(2,892

)

 

$

(52,802

)

Operating activities

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we used approximately $4.1 million of cash to fund a portion of our current period expenditures for personnel and facilities, legal and professional fees, insurance, research and development and various other operating activities. This compares to $22.7 million of cash used during the three months ended March 31, 2022, primarily for funding of (i) losses on certain projects and (ii) prior period expenditures for personnel and facilities, legal and professional fees, and various other period costs.

Approximately $4.3 million of cash was also used for working capital and other increases during the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily as a result of production activity and the timing of vendor payments. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we also used approximately $30.4 million of cash to fund increases in working capital and other items, largely related to (i) a slowdown in collections from customers during the period and (ii) project activity.

Investing activities

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we made an initial equity investment of $0.9 million in Alpha Steel, a manufacturing partnership with Taihua, in which we hold a 45% interest. Additionally, we received $0.9 million of contingent payments from escrow in connection with the June 2021 sale of our equity interest in Dimension due to the subsequent completion of certain construction projects that were in progress at the time of the sale.

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, our capital spending on new lab, computer and IT equipment was approximately $0.5 million. Additionally, we received $0.3 million in contingent payments from escrow in connection with the sale of our equity interest in Dimension, as described above.

Financing activities

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we began sales of newly issued shares of our common stock in various daily transactions under our ATM program, receiving cash proceeds of nearly $5.5 million. We also received $0.1 million of proceeds from employee exercises of stock options. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, $0.4 million of proceeds from employee exercises of stock options were received.

 

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Revolving line of credit

On April 30, 2021, we entered into the Credit Facility Agreement.

On June 2, 2022, we entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Credit Facility Agreement (the "Amendment") which, among other things, amended certain terms of the Credit Facility Agreement, including without limitation, to (i) reduce the minimum liquidity level in the minimum liquidity financial covenant from $125.0 million to $50.0 million until March 31, 2023, and (ii) set forth additional financial condition covenants and reporting requirements that apply if we do not maintain specified minimum liquidity from the effectiveness of the Amendment until the earlier of (x) March 31, 2023, and (y) the occurrence of certain specified conditions. The new financial condition covenants include the following: (i) if loans are outstanding, (x) we shall not have more than $25.0 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents for longer than three business days, and (y) the ratio of the amount of (A) 75% of specified third party accounts receivables to (B) outstanding loans shall not be less than 1.10:1.00 at the end of each month and (ii) we shall limit the amount of cash it pays to third parties (net of all cash received by us (subject to certain exclusions)) to not more than $50.0 million, with the financial covenants described in the foregoing clauses (i)(y) and (ii) only being applicable if we fail to maintain specified minimum liquidity, with us currently maintaining such specified minimum liquidity as of March 31, 2023. Additionally, prior to March 31, 2023, we and our restricted subsidiaries under the Credit Facility Agreement were not permitted to (i) incur additional indebtedness for borrowed money, other than through the Credit Facility Agreement or specified permitted unsecured debt, or (ii) pay dividends, subject to specified exceptions. The Amendment also sets forth certain informational rights of the lenders.

The Credit Facility Agreement includes the following terms: (i) a base rate of LIBOR, plus 3.25% per annum, (ii) initial commitment fees of 0.50% per annum; (iii) initial letter of credit fees of 3.25% per annum; and (iv) other customary terms for a corporate revolving credit facility. Should LIBOR rates become unavailable during the term of the Credit Agreement, the rate per annum on loans will be based on the secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a successor SOFR administrator.

We have not made any draws on our Credit Facility as of March 31, 2023. However, as of March 31, 2023, we had $1.9 million in letters of credit outstanding that reduced our available borrowing capacity to approximately $98.1 million.

The Credit Facility is secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of our assets, subject to certain exclusions, and customary guarantees. As of March 31, 2023, we were in full compliance with our financial condition covenants.

Effective June 30, 2023, we will be required to maintain a minimum liquidity level of $125.0 million at each quarter end in order to utilize the Credit Facility.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Management Estimates

We prepare our interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements also requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported revenue and expenses during the period. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ significantly from the estimates made by our management. To the extent that there are differences between our estimates and actual results, our future financial statement presentation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows will be affected. We believe that the accounting policies discussed below are critical to understanding our historical and future performance, as these policies relate to the more significant areas involving management’s judgments and estimates. Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that we consider the most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations because they require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain.

We believe that the accounting policies described below involve a significant degree of judgment and complexity. Accordingly, we believe these are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our condensed consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Revenue recognition

Policy description

We recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services by following a five-step process: (1) identify the contract with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation, as further described below.

Identify the contract with a customer: A contract with a customer exists when (i) the Company enters into an enforceable contract with a customer that defines each party’s rights regarding the products and services to be transferred and identifies the payment terms related to these products and services, (ii) the contract has commercial substance, and (iii) the Company determines that collection of substantially all consideration for products and services that are transferred is probable based on the customer’s intent and ability to pay the promised consideration. In assessing the recognition of revenue, we also evaluate whether two or more contracts should be combined and accounted for as one contract and if the combined or single contract should be accounted for as multiple performance obligations which could change the amount of revenue and profit (loss) recorded in a period. Change orders may include changes in specifications or design, manner of performance, equipment, materials, scope of work, and/or the period of completion of the project. We analyze change orders to determine if they should be accounted for as a modification to an existing contract or a new stand-alone contract.

Contracts we enter into with our customers for sale of solar tracker systems are generally under two different types of arrangements: (1) purchase agreements and equipment supply contracts (“Purchase Agreements”), and (2) sale of individual parts for those systems.

Change orders from our customers are generally modifications to existing contracts and are included in the total estimated contract revenue when it is probable that the change order will result in additional value that can be reliably estimated and realized.

Identify the performance obligations in the contract: We enter into contracts that can include various combinations of products and services, which are either capable of being distinct and accounted for as separate performance obligations or as one performance obligation since the majority of tasks and services are part of a single project or capability. However, determining whether products or services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately versus together may sometimes require significant judgment.

Our Purchase Agreements typically include two performance obligations: 1) our solar tracker systems or customized components of those systems, and 2) shipping and handling services. The deliverables included as part of our solar tracker systems are predominantly accounted for as one performance obligation, as these deliverables are part of a combined promise to deliver a project.

The revenue for shipping and handling services will be recognized over time based on progress in meeting shipping terms of the arrangements, as this faithfully depicts the Company’s performance in transferring control. Revenue for engineering consulting and pile testing services is recognized at a point in time upon completion of the services performed.

Sales of individual parts of our solar tracker systems for certain specific transactions include multiple performance obligations consisting of individual parts of those systems. Revenue is recognized for parts sales at a point in time when the obligations under the terms of the contract with our customer are satisfied. Generally, this occurs with the transfer of control of the asset, which is in line with shipping terms.

Determine the transaction price: The transaction price is determined based on the consideration to which we will be entitled in exchange for transferring services to the customer. Such amounts are typically stated in the customer contract, and to the extent that we identify variable consideration, we will estimate the variable consideration at the onset of the arrangement as long as it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. The majority of our contracts do not contain variable consideration provisions as a continuation of the original contract. None of our contracts contain a significant financing component. Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are not included in revenue.

Allocate the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract: Once we have determined the transaction price, we allocate the total transaction price to each performance obligation in a manner depicting the amount of consideration to which we expect to be

 

34


 

entitled in exchange for transferring the good(s) or service(s) to the customer. We allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation identified in the contract on a relative standalone selling price basis.

We use the expected cost-plus margin approach based on hardware, labor, and related overhead cost to estimate the standalone selling price of our solar tracker systems, customized components of those systems, and individual parts for certain specific transactions. We use the adjusted market assessment approach for all other performance obligations except shipping, handling, and logistics. For shipping, handling, and logistics performance obligations, we use a residual approach to calculate the standalone selling price, because of the nature of the highly variable and broad range of prices we charge to various customers for this performance obligation in the contracts.

Recognize revenue when or as the Company satisfies a performance obligation: For each performance obligation identified, we determine at contract inception whether we satisfy the performance obligation over time or at a point in time. The performance obligations in the contracts for our solar tracker systems and customized components of those systems are satisfied over time as work progresses, utilizing an input measure of progress determined by cost-to-cost measures on these projects as this faithfully depicts our performance in transferring control. Additionally, our performance does not create an asset with an alternative use, due to the highly customized nature of the product, and we have an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. Our performance obligations for individual part sales for certain specific transactions are recognized at a point in time as and when control transfers based on the Incoterms for the contract. Our performance obligations for engineering consulting and pile testing services are recognized at a point in time upon completion of the services. Our performance obligations for term-based software licenses are recognized at a point in time as and when control transfers, either upon delivery to the customer or the software license start date, whichever is later. Our performance obligations for shipping and handling services are satisfied over time as the services are delivered over the term of the contract. We recognize revenue for subscription and other services on a straight-line basis over the contract period. With regard to support revenue, a time-elapsed method is used to measure progress because we transfer control evenly over the contractual period. Accordingly, the fixed consideration related to support revenue is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract term.

Contract assets and liabilities: The timing of revenue recognition, billing, and cash collection results in the recognition of accounts receivable, unbilled receivables for revenue recognized in excess of billings, and deferred revenue in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We may receive advances or deposits from our customers before revenue is recognized, resulting in contract liabilities, which are reflected as “deferred revenue” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Judgments and assumptions

The timing and amounts of revenue and cost of revenue recognition, as well as recording of related receivables and deferred revenue, is highly dependent on our identification of performance obligations in each contract and our estimates by contract of total project cost and our progress toward project completion as of each period end. Certain estimates are subject to factors outside of our control that may impact our suppliers and the global supply chain. As an example, we began to experience increases in steel prices and shipping and logistics costs, as well as delays in delivery of our products to customers during 2021, which negatively impacted our results of operations as we were not able to recover all of the additional costs under certain of our fixed fee contracts. Certain of these increases have since been mitigated as supply chain constraints have eased and as we have adjusted our use of various modes of transportation when warranted to optimize our transportation costs. We base our estimates on the best information available at each period end, but future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, and actual results could differ materially from our assumptions and estimates.

Accounts receivable, net

Policy description

Trade receivables are recorded at invoiced amounts, net of allowances for credit losses, and do not bear interest. We generally do not require collateral from our customers; however, in certain circumstances, we may require letters of credit, other collateral, additional guarantees or advance payments.

We adopted ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments effective January 1, 2023. As a result, we now establish an allowance for credit losses based on the expected lifetime credit loss of our customer accounts. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, we utilized the incurred loss model in estimating our allowance for doubtful accounts during that period.

 

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Judgments and assumptions

The allowance for credit losses is based on the lifetime expected credit loss of our customer accounts. To assess the lifetime expected credit loss, we utilize a loss rate method that takes into consideration historical experience and certain other factors, as appropriate, such as credit quality and current economic or other conditions that may affect a customer's ability to pay.

Adjustments to the allowance are largely dependent on historical experience involving amounts previously collected from our customers in recent years. Historical experience used in making such adjustments may not reflect current actual experience and may result in greater variability in the amounts recognized in our allowance for expected credit losses as compared to the incurred loss method that was utilized prior to January 1, 2023.

Warranty

Policy description

Typically, the sale of solar tracker projects includes parts warranties to customers as part of the overall price of the product. We provide standard assurance type warranties for our products for periods generally ranging from two to ten years. We record a provision for estimated warranty expenses in cost of sales, net of amounts recoverable from manufacturers under their warranty obligations to us. We do not maintain general or unspecified reserves; all warranty reserves are related to specific projects. All actual or estimated material costs incurred for warranty services in subsequent periods are charged to those established reserves.

Judgments and assumptions

We base our estimated warranty obligations on our historical experience and forward-looking factors including the nature and frequency of product failure rates and costs to address future claims. These estimates are inherently uncertain given our relatively short history of sales and changes to our historical or projected warranty experience may result in material changes to our warranty reserve in the future. Additionally, we make estimates of what costs we believe will be recoverable from the manufacturer of our products that we use to offset our obligations to our customers.

While we periodically monitor our warranty activities and claims, if actual costs incurred were to be different from our estimates, we would recognize adjustments to our warranty reserves in the period in which those differences arise or are identified. Such adjustments could be material to our results of operations in the period the adjustments are made.

Stock-based compensation

Policy description

We recognize compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made, including stock options and RSUs, based on the estimated fair value of the award on the grant date. We calculate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for awards with service-based vesting or through use of a lattice model or a Monte Carlo simulation for awards with market conditions. The fair value of RSUs is based on the estimated fair value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. We consider the closing price of our stock, as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market, to be the fair value of our stock on the grant date.

Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. For service-based awards, stock-based compensation is recognized using the straight-line attribution approach over the requisite service period. For performance-based awards, stock-based compensation is recognized based on graded vesting over the requisite service period when the performance condition is probable of being achieved. Stock compensation expense for market-based awards is recognized over the derived service period determined in the valuation model, inclusive of any vesting conditions.

Judgments and assumptions

The Black-Scholes model relies on various assumptions, in addition to the exercise price of the option and the value of our common stock on the date of grant. These assumptions include:

 

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Expected Term: The expected term represents the period that the Company’s stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding and is calculated as the average of the option vesting and contractual terms, based on the simplified method. The simplified method deems the term to be the average of the time-to-vesting and the contractual life of the options.

Expected Volatility: Since the Company did not have a trading history of its common stock prior to our IPO and since such trading history subsequent to our IPO is limited, the expected volatility is derived from the average historical stock volatilities of several public companies within the Company’s industry that it considers to be comparable to its business over a period equivalent to the expected term of the stock option grants.

Risk-Free-Interest-Rate: The Company bases the risk-free interest rate on the implied yield available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equivalent to the expected term.

Expected Dividend: The Company has not issued any dividends in its history and does not expect to issue dividends over the life of the options and, therefore, has estimated the dividend yield to be zero.

We used Monte Carlo simulations for certain awards granted with market conditions which provided an estimated average present value for each award based on a simulation assuming Geometric Brownian Motion in a risk-neutral framework using 100,000 simulation paths to determine the derived service and vesting periods.

Changes to any of our assumptions, but particularly our estimates of expected term and volatility, could change the fair value of our options and impact the amount of stock-based compensation expense we report each period.

Impairment

Policy description - long-lived assets and intangible assets

We review our long-lived assets that are held for use for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable or that its useful life may be shorter than previously expected. If such impairment indicators are present or other factors exist that indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, we determine whether an impairment has occurred through the use of an undiscounted cash flow analysis of the asset at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exist. If an impairment has occurred, we recognize a loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset, which in most cases is estimated based upon Level 3 unobservable inputs. If the asset is determined to have a remaining useful life shorter than previously expected, an adjustment for the shorter remaining life will be made for purposes of recognizing future depreciation expense. Assets are classified as held for sale when we have a plan, approved by the appropriate levels of management, for disposal of such assets, as well as other considerations, and those assets are stated at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell.

Policy description - goodwill

Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to a periodic assessment for impairment at least annually, or whenever events and circumstances indicate an impairment may exist. Our assessments may include qualitative factors such as current or expected industry and market conditions, our overall financial performance, share price trends, market capitalization and other company-specific events.

We operate in one segment, being the consolidated entity, which we have also determined is the reporting unit for goodwill impairment.

Judgments and assumptions

Key judgments and assumptions may include:

determination of whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our long-lived assets or goodwill might be impaired. Such factors to consider may include an evaluation of changes in the business or regulatory climate, market conditions or other events impacting our operations;

 

37


 

estimating future cash flows of our long-lived assets or asset groups and intangible assets, which may involve assumptions as to the lowest level of our assets at which cash flows are generated, as well as future growth and risk-adjusted discount rates, as well as a terminal growth rate or value and future market conditions;
estimates of assumptions a market participant would use in determining the fair value of the affected long-lived assets or asset groups; and
estimating the fair value of the consolidated company.

We have not identified any impairments of our long-lived assets, intangible assets or goodwill as of March 31, 2023.

JOBS Act accounting election

We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We elected to use the allowed extended transition period for adopting new or revised accounting standards.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risk in the ordinary course of our business. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily a result of customer concentrations and fluctuations in steel, aluminum and logistics/transportation prices. We do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.

Fair value of financial instruments

Our financial instruments consist of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable. Cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are stated at their carrying value, which approximates fair value due to the short time to the expected receipt or payment date.

We had $41.5 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand, the vast majority of which was located in the United States, and no debt outstanding as of March 31, 2023. We regularly maintain cash balances with various financial institutions that exceed federally insured amounts, but we have experienced no losses associated with these amounts as of March 31, 2023. We have also taken action in 2023 to reallocate cash balances between different financial institutions based on our assessment as to the financial health of certain institutions.

We have no other financial instruments as of March 31, 2023, other than cash equivalents and certain non-functional currency intercompany and third-party receivables and payables, which are subject to foreign exchange, interest rate or market risks.

Concentrations of major customers

Our customers include project developers, solar asset owners and EPC contractors that design and build solar energy projects We do not require collateral on our accounts receivables.

We typically rely on a small number of customers that account for a large portion of our revenue each period and our outstanding receivables at each period end.

Further, our accounts receivables are from companies within or serving the solar industry and, as such, we are exposed to normal industry credit risks. We continually evaluate our reserves for potential credit losses and establish initial reserves based on our expectation of lifetime expected credit losses.

Commodity Price Risk

We subcontract to various contract manufacturers, who manufacture and deliver products directly to our customers. We, therefore, do not procure raw materials and commodities directly. We are subject to indirect risk from fluctuating market prices of certain commodity raw materials, including steel and aluminum, which are used in our products, through our contract manufacturers, as increases in these

 

38


 

commodity prices would increase our cost of procuring subcontracting services. Prices of these raw materials may be affected by supply restrictions or other market factors from time to time. Significant price increases for these raw materials could reduce our operating margins if we are unable to recover such increases in costs from our customers, and could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q were effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company can be detected.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

From time to time, we may become involved in various claims, lawsuits, investigations, and other proceedings, arising in the normal course of business.

In March of 2023, CBP issued notices indicating that merchandise imported from Thailand under entry number 004-1058562-5 (the “625 Assessment”) and entry number 004-1063793-9 (the “939 Assessment”), and together with the 625 Assessment, the “CBP Assessments”) had become subject to CBP’s “liquidation” process (i.e., the final determination of duties owed at the Import Specialist level). The CBP Assessments relate to certain torque beams that are used in our Voyager+ product that were imported in 2022. The CBP Assessments assert that Section 301 China tariffs, Section 232 steel & aluminum tariffs, and antidumping and countervailing duties apply to the merchandise. The 939 Assessment is for approximately $7.17 million, and the 625 Assessment is for approximately $2.15 million.

Upon review of the facts involved, and in consultation with outside legal counsel, we believe that the amounts claimed in the CBP Assessments are incorrect. In particular, the Section 301 tariffs of 25% or 7.5% of the value of the merchandise, depending on tariff classification, as well as the antidumping and countervailing duties, are only applicable to articles that originate in China. In this case, the finished goods are products of Thailand because the conversion in Thailand from flat coiled steel to rectangular beams is a substantial transformation in Thailand that produces a new and different article of commerce with a new name, character, and use. Moreover, we believe that the goods in question were properly classified as parts of structures at the time of importation and that when properly classified, the beams and other materials are not subject to Section 232 duties applicable to more basic steel products.

We are in communication with CBP about the facts involved in an effort to resolve these matters expeditiously and amicably. CBP has legally finalized the 625 Assessment, which may require that we file an administrative protest to challenge the amounts assessed. The 939 Assessment remains “suspended,” which allows the Company to work with CBP to resolve the matter without a formal protest, which we are pursuing. Based on the above, and under the relevant accounting guidance related to loss contingencies, we have made no accrual for the amounts claimed by CBP as of March 31, 2023, as we do not consider these amounts to be a probable obligation, as such term is defined and interpreted under the relevant accounting guidance, for us at this time. However, because matters of this nature are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings or developments could occur despite our belief that the tariffs and duties asserted are incorrect, there can be no certainty that the Company may not ultimately incur charges that are not currently recorded as liabilities. Since the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, the costs associated with them could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

We are subject to a number of risks that if realized could adversely affect our business, strategies, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Some of the more significant risks and uncertainties we face include those summarized below. The summary below is not exhaustive and is qualified by reference to the full set of risk factors set forth in Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our 2022 Annual Report. Please carefully consider all of the information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our 2022 Annual Report, including the full set of risks set forth in Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of our 2022 Annual Report, and in our other filings with the SEC before making an investment decision regarding us.

Risks related to our business and our industry – We are a relatively new public company with a history of losses that provides products and services to the solar industry, which is rapidly changing and dependent on being competitive with the price of electricity generated from other sources. We face competition from other companies that may be larger than us and have more financial resources than we have which could impact our ability to compete for new business.
Risks related to government regulations and legal compliance – We face risks to the demand for our products from our customers due to changes in, or expiration of, governmental incentives and existing tax credits and other benefits. Additionally, changes in the trade environment and tax treaties between the United States and other countries, such as China, as well as import tariffs and other laws and regulations that impact the ability to import our products or other products necessary for the construction of solar energy projects, have adversely and could continue to adversely affect our business.
Risks related to manufacturing and supply chain – We face risks in meeting the needs of our customers due to our reliance on contract manufacturers, including on their ability to obtain raw materials in a cost effective and timely manner and to provide timely deliveries of finished products to us and our customers.

 

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Risks related to intellectual property – We face the risk of not being able to adequately protect or defend our intellectual property and property rights in the various countries in which we do business.
Risks related to information technology and data privacy – We face reputational and monetary risks from cybersecurity incidents and the unauthorized disclosure of personal or sensitive data relating to our employees, customers, vendors and others.
Risks related to ownership of our common stock – The holders of our common stock face a risk of loss in their investment in us due to fluctuations in our stock price as a result of changing market conditions, any future issuances of stock, our future financial performance, our corporate legal structure and the substantial ownership in our stock by our directors, executive officers and principal stockholders.
Risks related to COVID-19 and other health epidemics – We face risks of our business being adversely impacted by the effects of a widespread outbreak of contagious disease, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 caused significant supply chain disruptions beginning in 2020 that resulted in delays in product delivery and completion and caused increased transportation costs, as well as labor shortages. As a result of its multiple variants, the duration and intensity of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic remains uncertain and continues to evolve.

Additionally, as described further in Note 2 in Part 1, Item 1 under the section "Liquidity" and in Part 1, Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the section "Liquidity and Capital Resources", we have a history of cash outflows to fund operations.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

None.

Use of Proceeds From Initial Public Offering of Common Stock

On April 30, 2021, the Company completed an IPO (Commission file number 333-254797) of 19,840,000 shares of its common stock receiving proceeds of $241.2 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions, but before offering costs. Prior to the completion of the IPO, the board of directors and stockholders approved an approximately 8.25-for-1 forward stock split of the Company’s shares of common stock which became effective on April 28, 2021. Proceeds from the IPO were used to purchase an aggregate of 4,455,384 shares of our common stock at a cost of $54.2 million, including shares resulting from the settlement of certain vested RSUs and exercise of certain options in connection with the IPO at the IPO price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The remaining proceeds have been used and continue to be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures and operating expenses. There has been no material change in our planned use of the net proceeds from the IPO as described in our final prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b).

Purchases of Equity Securities

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

3.1

**

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of FTC Solar, Inc.(filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 3, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).
 

3.2

**

Amended and Restated Bylaws of FTC Solar, Inc.(filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 3, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).
 

3.3

**

Certificate of Correction of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 8, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference)

4.1

**

Specimen Common Stock Certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference)

10.1

*

Amendment, dated March 1, 2023, to the September 2021 Employment Agreement between FTC Solar, Inc. and Sean Hunkler

10.2

**

Amendment 2, dated April 3, 2023, to the September 2021 Employment Agreement between FTC Solar, Inc, and Sean Hunkler (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 3, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference)

31.1

*

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to SEC Rule 13a−14(a)/15d−14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

*

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to SEC Rule 13a−14(a)/15d−14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

*

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

*

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS

*

Inline XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104

*

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in exhibit 101)

 

* Filed herewith

** Incorporated herein by reference

 

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SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

FTC SOLAR, INC.

 

 

 

 

Date: May 10, 2023

/s/ Sean Hunkler

 

Sean Hunkler, Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 10, 2023

/s/ Phelps Morris

 

Phelps Morris, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

43