FUELCELL ENERGY INC - Quarter Report: 2010 January (Form 10-Q)
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
þ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2010
OR
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 1-14204
FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 06-0853042 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
3 Great Pasture Road Danbury, Connecticut |
06813 |
|
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (203) 825-6000
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed
by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its
corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period
that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large
accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer þ | Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the Exchange Act).
Yes o No þ
Number of shares of common stock, par value $.0001 per share, outstanding at March 9, 2010:
84,460,112
FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
FORM 10-Q
FORM 10-Q
Table of Contents
Page | ||||||||
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION | ||||||||
Item 1. | Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) |
|||||||
3 | ||||||||
4 | ||||||||
5 | ||||||||
6 | ||||||||
Item 2. | 16 | |||||||
Item 3. | 30 | |||||||
Item 4. | 31 | |||||||
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION | ||||||||
Item 1. | 32 | |||||||
Item 1A. | 32 | |||||||
Item 6. | 32 | |||||||
33 | ||||||||
Exhibit 31.1 | ||||||||
Exhibit 31.2 | ||||||||
Exhibit 32.1 | ||||||||
Exhibit 32.2 |
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FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
January 31, | October 31, | |||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 45,543 | $ | 57,823 | ||||
Investments U.S. treasury securities |
5,015 | 7,004 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
24,013 | 22,920 | ||||||
Inventories, net |
31,422 | 25,433 | ||||||
Other current assets |
3,954 | 6,499 | ||||||
Total current assets |
109,947 | 119,679 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
31,138 | 32,394 | ||||||
Investments U.S. treasury securities |
7,050 | | ||||||
Investment in and loans to affiliate |
9,904 | 10,064 | ||||||
Other assets, net |
587 | 551 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 158,626 | $ | 162,688 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt and other liabilities |
$ | 990 | $ | 997 | ||||
Accounts payable |
7,689 | 8,484 | ||||||
Accounts payable due to affiliate |
284 | 1,584 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities |
15,441 | 13,808 | ||||||
Deferred revenue, royalty income and customer deposits |
28,311 | 17,013 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
52,715 | 41,886 | ||||||
Long-term deferred revenue and royalty income |
9,533 | 10,124 | ||||||
Long-term debt and other liabilities |
4,314 | 4,410 | ||||||
Total liabilities |
66,562 | 56,420 | ||||||
Redeemable preferred stock of subsidiary |
15,533 | 14,976 | ||||||
Redeemable preferred stock (liquidation preference of
$64,020 at January 31, 2010 and $64,120 at October 31,
2009) |
59,857 | 59,950 | ||||||
Total Equity: |
||||||||
Shareholders equity |
||||||||
Common stock ($.0001 par value); 150,000,000
shares authorized; 84,383,259 and 84,387,741
shares issued and outstanding at January 31,
2010 and October 31, 2009, respectively. |
8 | 8 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
631,338 | 631,296 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(614,592 | ) | (599,960 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
6 | (2 | ) | |||||
Treasury stock, Common, at cost (5,679 shares at
January 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009) |
(53 | ) | (53 | ) | ||||
Deferred compensation |
53 | 53 | ||||||
Total shareholders equity |
16,760 | 31,342 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries |
(86 | ) | | |||||
Total equity |
16,674 | 31,342 | ||||||
Total liabilities and equity |
$ | 158,626 | $ | 162,688 | ||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
January 31, | ||||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||
Product sales and revenues |
$ | 12,808 | $ | 19,031 | ||||
Research and development contracts |
1,808 | 2,692 | ||||||
Total revenues |
14,616 | 21,723 | ||||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||
Cost of product sales and revenues |
18,013 | 28,937 | ||||||
Cost of research and development contracts |
2,096 | 2,238 | ||||||
Administrative and selling expenses |
4,156 | 4,246 | ||||||
Research and development expenses |
4,620 | 5,737 | ||||||
Total costs and expenses |
28,885 | 41,158 | ||||||
Loss from operations |
(14,269 | ) | (19,435 | ) | ||||
Interest expense |
(63 | ) | (60 | ) | ||||
Loss from equity investment |
(148 | ) | (346 | ) | ||||
Interest and other income, net |
319 | 415 | ||||||
Loss before redeemable preferred stock of subsidiary |
(14,161 | ) | (19,426 | ) | ||||
Accretion of redeemable preferred stock of subsidiary |
(557 | ) | (493 | ) | ||||
Loss before provision for income taxes |
(14,718 | ) | (19,919 | ) | ||||
Provision for income taxes |
| | ||||||
Net loss |
(14,718 | ) | (19,919 | ) | ||||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest |
86 | | ||||||
Net loss attributable to FuelCell Energy, Inc. |
(14,632 | ) | (19,919 | ) | ||||
Preferred stock dividends |
(802 | ) | (802 | ) | ||||
Net loss to common shareholders |
$ | (15,434 | ) | $ | (20,721 | ) | ||
Loss per share basic and diluted: |
||||||||
Net loss per share to common shareholders |
$ | (0.18 | ) | $ | (0.30 | ) | ||
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding |
84,401,558 | 68,831,033 | ||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
January 31, | ||||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (14,718 | ) | $ | (19,919 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||
Share-based compensation |
642 | 1,451 | ||||||
Loss from equity investment |
148 | 346 | ||||||
Accretion of redeemable preferred stock of subsidiary |
557 | 493 | ||||||
Interest receivable on loan to affiliate |
(34 | ) | (39 | ) | ||||
Loss (gain) on derivatives |
8 | (58 | ) | |||||
Depreciation |
1,923 | 2,179 | ||||||
Amortization of bond premium |
13 | 374 | ||||||
Provision (recovery) for doubtful accounts |
12 | (5 | ) | |||||
(Increase) decrease in operating assets: |
||||||||
Accounts receivable |
(1,105 | ) | (14,275 | ) | ||||
Inventories |
(5,989 | ) | (1,551 | ) | ||||
Other assets |
2,543 | 554 | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable |
(2,095 | ) | (741 | ) | ||||
Accrued liabilities |
1,742 | (470 | ) | |||||
Deferred revenue, royalty income and customer deposits |
10,707 | (2,321 | ) | |||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(5,646 | ) | (33,982 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(660 | ) | (1,192 | ) | ||||
Convertible loan to affiliate |
| (600 | ) | |||||
Treasury notes matured |
5,000 | 14,000 | ||||||
Treasury notes purchased |
(10,074 | ) | | |||||
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |
(5,734 | ) | 12,208 | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||
Repayment of debt |
(106 | ) | (53 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from debt |
| 436 | ||||||
Payment of preferred dividends |
(802 | ) | (802 | ) | ||||
Net proceeds from sale of common stock |
| 433 | ||||||
Common stock issued for option plans |
| 15 | ||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(908 | ) | 29 | |||||
Effects on cash from changes in foreign currency rates |
8 | | ||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
(12,280 | ) | (21,745 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of period |
57,823 | 38,043 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents-end of period |
$ | 45,543 | $ | 16,298 | ||||
Supplemental cash flow disclosures: |
||||||||
Cash interest paid |
$ | 63 | $ | 60 | ||||
Noncash operating activity: |
||||||||
Accrued sales of common stock |
$ | 109 | $ | 456 | ||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Note 1. Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
FuelCell Energy, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company, we, us, or our) is a Delaware
corporation engaged in the development and manufacture of high temperature fuel cells for clean
electric power generation. Our Direct FuelCell power plants produce reliable, secure and
environmentally friendly 24/7 base load electricity for commercial, industrial, government and
utility customers. We have been commercializing our stationary fuel cells and are beginning the
development of planar solid oxide fuel cell and other fuel cell technology. We expect to incur
losses as we continue to participate in government cost share programs, sell certain products at
prices lower than current production costs, and invest in cost reduction initiatives.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding interim
financial information. Accordingly, they do not contain all of the information and footnotes
required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for
complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments
necessary to fairly present our financial position as of January 31, 2010 have been included. All
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with information included
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009 filed with the SEC.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and
expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from
those estimates. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, revenue recognition,
contract loss reserves, excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventories, product warranty costs,
reserves on long-term service agreements, share-based compensation expense, allowance for doubtful
accounts, depreciation and amortization, long-lived asset impairments and contingencies. Estimates
and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the
consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary.
Revenue Recognition
We earn revenue from (i) the sale and installation of fuel cell power plants, modules and component
parts to customers (i.e. product sales), (ii) providing services under long-term service agreements
(LTSA), (iii) the sale of electricity under power purchase agreements (PPA), (iv) incentive
revenue from the sale of electricity under PPAs, (v) site engineering and construction services and
(vi) customer-sponsored research and development projects. Our revenue is primarily generated from
customers located throughout the U.S. and Asia and from agencies of the U.S. government. Revenue
from customer-sponsored research and development projects is recorded as research and development
contracts revenue and all other revenues are recorded as product sales and revenues in the
consolidated statements of operations.
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FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Revenue from sales of our DFC power plants and modules are recognized under the percentage of
completion method of accounting. Revenues are recognized proportionally as costs are incurred and
assigned to a customer contract by comparing total expected costs for each contract to the total
contract value. Historically, we have not provided for a contract loss reserve on product sales
contracts as products were in their early stages of development and market acceptance, and the
total costs to produce, install and commission these units could not be reasonably estimated. As a
result of a consistent production rate over the past two fiscal years and installation and
commissioning experience for our major product lines, management now believes that it has
sufficient product cost history to reasonably estimate the total costs of our fuel cell product
sales contracts. Accordingly, effective November 1, 2009, a contract loss reserve on product sales
contracts is recognized at the time we become aware that estimated total costs are expected to
exceed the contract sales price. We have reviewed open contracts and recorded an estimated loss of
$0.2 million as of and for the three months ended January 31, 2010. Actual results could vary from
initial estimates and reserve estimates will be updated as we gain further manufacturing and
operating experience. For component and spare parts sales, revenue is recognized upon shipment
under the terms of the customer contract.
Revenue earned by performing routine monitoring and maintenance under LTSAs is recognized ratably
over the term of the contract. For service contracts which include a minimum operating output over
the course of the contract, a portion of the contract revenue is deferred until such time as it is
earned through power plant performance.
Revenue from the sale of electricity is recognized as electricity is provided to the customer.
Incentive revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the PPA. Site engineering and construction
services revenue is recognized as costs are incurred.
Revenue from research and development contracts is recognized proportionally as costs are incurred
and compared to the estimated total research and development costs for each contract. Revenue from
government funded research, development and demonstration programs are generally multi-year,
cost-reimbursement and/or cost-shared type contracts or cooperative agreements. We are reimbursed
for reasonable and allocable costs up to the reimbursement limits set by the contract or
cooperative agreement, and on certain contracts we are reimbursed only a portion of the costs
incurred. While government research and development contracts may extend for many years, funding
is often provided incrementally on a year-by-year basis if contract terms are met and Congress has
authorized the funds.
Warranty and Service Expense Recognition
We warranty our products for a specific period of time against manufacturing or performance
defects. Our warranty is limited to a term generally 15 months after shipment or 12 months after
installation of our products. We reserve for estimated future warranty costs based on historical
experience. Given our limited operating experience, particularly for newer product designs, actual
results could vary from initial estimates. Estimates used to record warranty reserves will be
updated as we gain further operating experience.
In addition to the standard product warranty, we have entered into LTSA contracts with certain
customers to provide monitoring, maintenance and repair services for fuel cell power plants ranging
from one to 13 years. Our standard service agreement term is five years. Under the terms of our
LTSA, the power plant must meet a minimum operating output during the term. If minimum output
falls below the contract requirement, we may replace the customers fuel cell stack with a new or
used unit. Our contractual liability under LTSAs is limited to the amount of service fees payable
under the contract. This can often times be less than the cost of a new stack replacement. However,
in order to continue to meet customer expectations on early product designs, we have incurred costs
in excess of our contractual liabilities.
LTSAs for power plants that have our five-year stack design (introduced in 2009) are not expected
to require a stack change to continue to meet minimum operating levels during the initial five-year
term of the contract, although we have limited operating experience with these products. Stack
replacements for these agreements are expected to only be required upon renewal of the service
agreement. We expect the replacement of older stacks produced prior to 2009 will continue over the
next several years, and as a result, we expect to continue to incur
losses in order to maintain power plants. Reserve estimates for future costs associated with
maintaining legacy service agreements will be determined by a number of factors including the
estimated life of the stack, used replacement stacks available, our limit of liability on service
agreements and future operating plans for the power plant.
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FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
As our fuel cell products are in their early stages of commercialization and market acceptance, we
cannot reliably estimate the total costs to complete an individual service contract and therefore
have not provided for a contract loss reserve. We provide for a reserve of LTSA costs if
agreements are sold below our standard pricing. As of January 31, 2010, this reserve totaled $5.7
million compared to $6.0 million as of October 31, 2009. Pricing for LTSAs is based upon estimates
of future costs, which given our products early stage of commercialization could be materially
different from actual expenses. As noted under the revenue recognition policy, revenue allocable to
meeting the performance requirements of the LTSA (which may include a new or used stack
replacement) is deferred until it is earned. Deferred LTSA revenue as of January 31, 2010 totaled
$2.7 million compared to $2.5 million as of October 31, 2009. Actual costs incurred on our service
agreements have and could continue to exceed pricing reserves and deferred revenue and materially
impact gross margin. As products continue to achieve commercial market acceptance and we gain
further operating experience, a reliable history of service costs and product life should enable
management to reasonably estimate future costs to complete an individual service contract and
adjust reserves for such costs, if necessary. Estimates for future LTSA costs and reserve estimates
will be updated as we gain further operating experience.
Inventories and Advance Payments to Vendors
Inventories consist principally of raw materials and work-in-process and are stated at the lower of
cost or market. In certain circumstances, we will make advance payments to vendors for future
inventory deliveries. These advance payments (net of related reserves) are recorded as other
current assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
As we have historically sold products at or below cost, we have provided for a lower of cost or
market (LCM) reserve to the cost basis of inventory. This reserve is computed by comparing the
current sales prices of our fuel cell products to their estimated costs. As a result of a
consistent production rate over the past two fiscal years and installation and commissioning
experience for our major product lines, management now believes that it has sufficient product cost
history to reasonably estimate the total costs of our fuel cell product sales contracts. During the
second half of 2009, we began production of our newest megawatt-class power plants and modules. The
manufactured cost per kilowatt of these products is lower than previous models due to a 17 percent
power increase and lower component and raw
materials cost. We expect the lower manufactured cost of these products to result in gross margin
improvement on a unit by unit basis and a reserve may not be required.
As of January 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, the LCM reserve to the cost basis of inventory and
advance payments to vendors was $7.9 million and $9.5 million, respectively, which equates to a
reduction of 19 percent and 25 percent, respectively, of the gross inventory and advance payments to
vendors value. As of January 31, 2010, the LCM reserve is primarily applied against inventory
which is expected to be used to satisfy terms of long-term service agreements.
Concentrations
We contract with a small number of customers for the sale of products and for research and
development contracts. Our top two customers, POSCO Power (POSCO) and the U.S. government
(primarily the Department of Energy) accounted for 75 percent of consolidated revenues for each of
the three month periods ended January 31, 2010 and
2009, respectively, with POSCO accounting for 63 percent and the U.S. government accounting
for 12 percent of consolidated revenues in each period.
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FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
There can be no assurance that we will continue to achieve historical levels of sales of our
products to our largest customers. Even though our customer base is expected to increase and our
revenue streams to diversify, a substantial portion of net revenues could continue to depend on
sales to a limited number of customers. Our agreements with these customers may be cancelled if we
fail to meet certain product specifications or materially breach the agreement, and our customers
may seek to renegotiate the terms of current agreements or renewals. The loss of, or reduction in
sales to, one or more of our larger customers, could have a material adverse affect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Subsequent Events
We have evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure in the
financial statements.
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss for the periods presented was as follows:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
January 31, | ||||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
Net loss attributable to FuelCell Energy, Inc. |
$ | (14,632 | ) | $ | (19,919 | ) | ||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
8 | | ||||||
Comprehensive loss |
$ | (14,624 | ) | $ | (19,919 | ) | ||
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance
In
April 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued accounting guidance that amends the factors that should be
considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a
recognized intangible asset. In developing assumptions about renewal or extension options used to
determine the useful life of an intangible asset, a company needs to consider its own historical
experience adjusted for company-specific factors. In the absence of that experience, the company
shall consider the assumptions that market participants would use about renewal or extension
options. The new guidance was effective for the first quarter of fiscal 2010. We currently do not
have any intangible assets recorded in our consolidated balance sheets; therefore, the impact of
this guidance on our consolidated financial statements will be determined when and
if we acquire definite-lived intangible assets.
In December 2007, the FASB issued revised accounting guidance for business combinations that
requires an acquirer to measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any
noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their fair values on the acquisition date, with goodwill
being the excess value over the net identifiable assets acquired. The guidance also requires that
certain other assets and liabilities related to the acquisition, such as contingencies and research
and development, be recorded at fair value. The new guidance was effective for the first quarter of
fiscal 2010. The potential impact of this revised guidance on our consolidated financial
statements will be based upon future business combinations, if any.
In December 2007, the FASB issued new guidance that requires noncontrolling interests (formerly
minority interests) in a subsidiary be reported as equity in the consolidated financial
statements. Consolidated net income should include the net income for both the parent and the
noncontrolling interest with disclosure of both amounts in the consolidated statements of
operations. The calculation of earnings per share would continue to be based on
income amounts attributable to the parent. This guidance became effective for the quarter
ended January 31, 2010 and changed the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling interests in
our subsidiaries.
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FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of Alliance Monterrey,
LLC; Alliance Chico, LLC; Alliance Star Energy, LLC; and Alliance TST Energy, LLC (collectively,
the Alliance Entities). Each of the Alliance Entities is a joint venture with Alliance Power,
Inc. (Alliance) established to construct fuel cell power plants and sell power under power
purchase agreements. We have an 80 percent interest in each entity and accordingly, the
financial results of the Alliance Entities are consolidated with our financial results.
Each of the Alliance Entities has a capital deficit as they have historically operated at a loss.
Under previous accounting guidance, we absorbed the noncontrolling interests share of these losses
because the noncontrolling interest was under no obligation to repay these losses. If the Alliance
Entities generated future earnings, we would be credited to the extent of the noncontrolling
interests losses previously absorbed. Additionally, the consolidated balance sheets
did not reflect the noncontrolling interests share of the capital deficit of the Alliance
Entities. Under the new accounting guidance, the noncontrolling interests share of the losses is
reflected in the consolidated statements of operations and its share of the capital deficit of the
Alliance Entities is reflected as equity in the consolidated balance sheets.
The prior period financial statements have not been adjusted as our noncontrolling interests
holders have always been in a deficit position. The proforma impact on the total equity section of
our consolidated balance sheet as of October 31, 2009 had this guidance been required for that
period would have been a $1.9 million reduction in accumulated deficit in total shareholders
equity and an increase in the deficit position for noncontrolling interst in subsidiaries. The
proforma impact on the consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended January 31,
2009 had this guidance been required for that period would have been a $0.1 million increase in net
loss attributable to noncontrolling interest and a corresponding decrease in the net loss
attributable to FuelCell Energy, Inc. and net loss to common shareholders.
Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Effective
In January 2010, the FASB issued guidance that requires new disclosures for fair value measurements
and provides clarification for existing disclosure requirements. This amended guidance require
disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value as well as disclosures
about significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and
disclosures about the purchase, sale, issuance and settlement activity of Level 3 fair value
measurements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after
December 15, 2009, except for disclosures about the purchase, sale, issuance and settlement
activity of Level 3 fair value measurements, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2010. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on
our financial statements or disclosures.
In October 2009, the FASB issued guidance updating accounting standards for revenue recognition for
multiple-deliverable arrangements. The stated objective of the update was to
address the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for
products or services separately rather than as a combined unit. The guidance provides amended methodologies for separating consideration in
multiple-deliverable arrangements and expands disclosure requirements. The guidance will be
effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal
years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the
impact of adopting this guidance.
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FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
In June 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance which requires a company to perform ongoing
reassessment of whether it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (VIE).
Specifically, the guidance modifies how
a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled
through voting (or similar rights) should be consolidated. The guidance clarifies that the
determination of whether a company is required to consolidate a VIE is based on, among other
things, an entitys purpose and design and a companys ability to direct the activities of the VIE
that most significantly impact the VIEs economic performance. The guidance requires an ongoing
reassessment of whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE and enhanced disclosures of
the companys involvement in VIEs and any significant changes in risk exposure due to that
involvement. The guidance will be effective for the first quarter of fiscal 2011. We do not expect
the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our financial statements or
disclosures.
Note 2. Equity investments
Versa Power Systems, Inc. (Versa) is one of our sub-contractors under the Department of Energys
large-scale hybrid project to develop a coal-based, multi-megawatt solid oxide fuel cell-based
(SOFC) system. Versa is a private company founded in 2001 that has been developing advanced SOFC
systems for various stationary and mobile applications.
We own
77,140 shares of Versa common stock, representing 39 percent of
Versas outstanding common shares. In
addition, we have convertible loans receivable from Versa of $2.6 million and hold warrants for the
right to purchase an additional 3,108 shares of Versa common stock at a weighted average price of
$167 per share. Should the convertible notes and warrants be converted, our total ownership
interest in Versa would increase to 44 percent. Our total investment in and loans to Versa was $9.9
million and $10.1 million as of January 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, respectively.
We account for Versa under the equity method of accounting and recognize our share of the losses as
loss from equity investments on the consolidated statements of operations.
Note 3. Investments
We classify our investments as held-to-maturity and record them at amortized cost. These
investments consist entirely of U.S. treasury securities. The following table summarizes the
amortized cost basis and fair value (based on quoted market prices) at January 31, 2010 and October
31, 2009:
Gross | Gross | |||||||||||||||
Amortized | unrealized | unrealized | ||||||||||||||
cost | gains | (losses) | Fair value | |||||||||||||
U.S. government obligations |
||||||||||||||||
As of January 31, 2010 |
$ | 12,065 | $ | 12 | $ | (5 | ) | $ | 12,072 | |||||||
As of October 31, 2009 |
$ | 7,004 | $ | 40 | $ | | $ | 7,044 |
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FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of investments at amortized cost and
fair value as of January 31, 2010:
Weighted | ||||||||||||
average | ||||||||||||
Amortized | yield to | |||||||||||
cost | Fair value | maturity | ||||||||||
Due within one year |
$ | 5,015 | $ | 5,027 | 1.36 | % | ||||||
Due after one year |
7,050 | 7,045 | 0.99 | % | ||||||||
Total investments |
$ | 12,065 | $ | 12,072 | 1.15 | % | ||||||
Note 4. Inventories
The components of inventory at January 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009 consisted of the following:
January 31, | October 31, | |||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
Raw materials |
$ | 17,752 | $ | 15,945 | ||||
Work-in-process |
13,670 | 9,488 | ||||||
Total |
$ | 31,422 | $ | 25,433 | ||||
Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market price. The above inventory amounts
include a lower of cost or market adjustment of $7.5 million and $8.9 million as of January 31,
2010 and October 31, 2009, respectively, to write down the carrying value of inventory to its
estimated market value.
Note 5. Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable at January 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009 consisted of the following:
January 31, | October 31, | |||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
U.S. Government: |
||||||||
Amount billed |
$ | 74 | $ | 574 | ||||
Unbilled recoverable costs |
329 | 776 | ||||||
403 | 1,350 | |||||||
Commercial Customers: |
||||||||
Amount billed |
10,121 | 5,439 | ||||||
Unbilled recoverable costs |
13,489 | 16,131 | ||||||
23,610 | 21,570 | |||||||
$ | 24,013 | $ | 22,920 | |||||
We bill customers for power plant and module sales based on certain milestones being reached.
We bill the U.S. government for research and development contracts based on actual costs incurred,
typically in the month subsequent to incurring costs. Unbilled recoverable costs relate to revenue
recognized on customer contracts that have not been billed. Accounts receivable are presented net
of an allowance for doubtful accounts, which was immaterial at January 31, 2010 and October 31,
2009.
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FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Note 6. Share-Based Compensation Plans
We have shareholder approved equity incentive plans and a shareholder approved Section 423 Stock
Purchase Plan (the ESPP). We account for stock awards to employees and non-employee directors
under the fair value method. We determine the fair value of stock options at the grant date using the
Black-Scholes valuation model. The model requires us to make estimates and assumptions regarding
the expected life of the award, the risk-free interest rate, the expected volatility of our common
stock price and the expected dividend yield. The fair value of restricted stock awards
(RSA) is based on the common stock price on the date of grant. The fair value of stock awards is
amortized to expense over the vesting period, generally four years.
Share-based compensation reflected in the consolidated statements of operations for the three
months ended January 31, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:
Three months ended | ||||||||
January 31, | ||||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
Cost of product sales and revenues |
$ | 224 | $ | 304 | ||||
Cost of research and development contracts |
39 | 52 | ||||||
General and administrative expense |
194 | 834 | ||||||
Research and development expense |
185 | 246 | ||||||
Total share-based compensation |
$ | 642 | $ | 1,436 | ||||
The following table summarizes stock option activity for the three months ended January 31,
2010:
Weighted | ||||||||
Number of | average | |||||||
options | option price ($) | |||||||
Outstanding at October 31, 2009 |
5,740,705 | 10.86 | ||||||
Cancelled |
(402,750 | ) | 8.73 | |||||
Outstanding at January 31, 2010 |
5,337,955 | 11.03 | ||||||
As of January 31, 2010, there were 577,762 RSAs outstanding with a weighted average per share
fair value of $2.88. There were 2,000 RSAs granted during the three months ended January 31,
2010 and forfeitures totaled 17,500 during this period.
For the three months ended January 31, 2010, 39,858 shares were issued under the ESPP at a per
share cost of $2.70. There were 167,349 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under
the ESPP as of January 31, 2010.
Note 7. Conversion of Preferred Stock
During the three months ended January 31, 2010, 100 shares of Series B redeemable preferred
stock, with a book value of $93,000 net of original issuance costs, were converted into 8,510
shares of common stock.
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FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Note 8. Equity
Changes in shareholders equity were as follows for the three months ended January 31, 2010:
Total | ||||||||||||
Shareholders | Noncontrolling | |||||||||||
Equity | interest | Total Equity | ||||||||||
Balance at October 31, 2009 |
$ | 31,342 | $ | | $ | 31,342 | ||||||
Share-based compensation |
642 | | 642 | |||||||||
Stock issued under benefit plans |
109 | | 109 | |||||||||
Preferred dividends Series B |
(802 | ) | | (802 | ) | |||||||
Conversion of Series B preferred
stock to common stock, net of original issuance
costs |
93 | | 93 | |||||||||
Effect of foreign currency translation |
8 | 8 | ||||||||||
Net loss |
(14,632 | ) | (86 | ) | (14,718 | ) | ||||||
Balance at January 31, 2010 |
$ | 16,760 | $ | (86 | ) | $ | 16,674 | |||||
Note 9. Loss Per Share
The calculation of basic and diluted loss per share was as follows:
Three months ended | ||||||||
January 31, | ||||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
Numerator |
||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (14,718 | ) | $ | (19,919 | ) | ||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest |
86 | | ||||||
Preferred stock dividend |
(802 | ) | (802 | ) | ||||
Net loss to common shareholders |
$ | (15,434 | ) | $ | (20,721 | ) | ||
Denominator |
||||||||
Weighted average basic common shares |
84,401,558 | 68,831,033 | ||||||
Effect of dilutive securities (1) |
| | ||||||
Weighted average diluted common shares |
84,401,558 | 68,831,033 | ||||||
Basic loss per share |
$ | (0.18 | ) | $ | (0.30 | ) | ||
Diluted loss per share (1) |
$ | (0.18 | ) | $ | (0.30 | ) | ||
(1) | Diluted loss per share was computed without consideration to potentially dilutive
instruments as their inclusion would have been antidilutive. Potentially dilutive
instruments include stock options, warrants and convertible preferred stock. At January
31, 2010 and 2009, there were options to purchase 5.3 million and 5.9 million shares of
common stock, respectively. There were no outstanding warrants as of January 31, 2010
and 507,500 outstanding warrants at January 31, 2009. Refer to our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009 for information on our convertible
preferred stock. |
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FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies
We have pledged approximately $3.0 million of our cash and cash equivalents as collateral and
letters of credit for certain banking requirements and contracts. As of January 31, 2010,
outstanding letters of credit totaled $0.9 million. These expire on various dates through January
2011.
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ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENTS
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is
provided as a supplement to the accompanying financial statements and footnotes to help provide an
understanding of our financial condition, changes in our financial condition and results of
operations. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with information included in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC). Unless otherwise indicated, the terms Company, FuelCell Energy,
we, us, and our refer to FuelCell Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries. All tabular dollar
amounts are in thousands. The MD&A is organized as follows:
Caution concerning forward-looking statements. This section discusses how certain
forward-looking statements made by us throughout the MD&A are based on managements present
expectations about future events and are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in
circumstances.
Overview and recent developments. This section provides a general description of our business.
We also briefly summarize any significant events occurring subsequent to the close of the
reporting period.
Results of operations. This section provides an analysis of our results of operations for the
three months ended January 31, 2010 and 2009. In addition, a description is provided of
transactions and events that impact the comparability of the results being analyzed.
Liquidity and capital resources. This section provides an analysis of our cash position and
cash flows.
Critical accounting policies and estimates. This section discusses those accounting policies
and estimates that are both considered important to our financial condition and operating
results and require significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in their
application.
Recent
accounting guidance. This section summarizes recently issued accounting guidance and
its potential impact on our financial statements and disclosures.
CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In addition to historical information, this MD&A contains forward-looking statements. All
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those projected. Factors that could cause such a difference include,
without limitation, general risks associated with product development, manufacturing, changes in
the regulatory environment, customer strategies, potential volatility of energy prices, rapid
technological change, competition, and the ability to achieve our sales plans and cost reduction
targets, as well as other risks set forth under Part II. Item 1A Risk Factors in this report.
OVERVIEW AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Overview
We are a world leader in the development and production of stationary fuel cells for commercial,
industrial, government, and utility customers. Our ultra-clean and high efficiency power plants
are generating power at over 50 locations worldwide. Our products have generated over 450 million
kilowatt hours (kWh) of power using a variety of fuels including renewable wastewater gas, food and
beverage waste, natural gas and other hydrocarbon fuels.
Our power plants offer higher-efficiency stationary power generation for customers. In
addition to our commercial products, we continue to develop our carbonate fuel cells, planar solid
oxide fuel cell technology and other fuel cell technology with our own and government research and
development funds.
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Our proprietary carbonate power plants electrochemically (without combustion) produce
electricity directly from readily available hydrocarbon fuels such as natural gas and biogas.
Customers buy fuel cells to reduce cost and pollution, and improve power reliability. Electric
generation without combustion significantly reduces harmful pollutants such as NOX and
particulates. Higher fuel efficiency results in lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a major
greenhouse gas, and also results in less fuel needed per kWh of electricity generated and Btu of
heat produced. Greater efficiency reduces customers exposure to volatile fuel costs and minimizes
operating costs. Our fuel cells operate 24/7 providing reliable power to both on-site customers
and for grid-support applications.
Compared to other power generation technologies, our products offer significant advantages
including:
| Near-zero toxic emissions; |
||
| High fuel efficiency; |
||
| Ability to site units locally as distributed power generation; |
||
| Potentially lower cost power generation; |
||
| Byproduct heat ideal for cogeneration applications; |
||
| Reliable, 24/7 base load power; |
||
| Quiet operation; and |
||
| Fuel flexibility. |
Typical customers for our products include manufacturers, mission critical institutions such as
correction facilities and government installations, hotels, natural gas letdown stations and
customers who can use renewable gas for fuel such as breweries, food processors and wastewater
treatment facilities. Our megawatt-class products are also used to supplement the grid for utility
customers. With increasing demand for renewable and ultra-clean power options and increased
volatility in electric markets, our customers gain control of power generation economics,
reliability, and emissions.
Recent Developments
Connecticut Renewable Portfolio Standards Program
Connecticuts Renewable Portfolio Standard program requires utilities to purchase 20 percent of
their electricity, or about 1,000 megawatts (MW), from clean power sources by 2020. Connecticuts Department of
Utility Control selected 43.5 MW of projects incorporating our power plants for power purchase
agreements under the program. All of the projects use our 2.8 MW DFC3000 power plants either alone
or in combination with turbines. We have submitted applications to finance the projects under the
U.S. Department of Energys $6 billion loan guarantee program and 27.3 MW have passed the initial
eligibility requirements. We are also in discussions with commercial financing sources to fund
these projects.
Contracts Awarded for Hydrogen Fueling Station
In February 2010, we were awarded contracts totaling $2.1 million to demonstrate a
renewable hydrogen refueling station in California. The three-year project is the result of
collaboration with Air Products and Chemicals to combine our power plants with Air Products gas
separation technology to yield pure hydrogen for transportation, utility and other uses. The
product, the DFC-H2, will operate on biogas from the Orange County Sanitation District and generate
hydrogen for vehicle refueling in addition to ultra-clean electricity and usable heat.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Management evaluates the results of operations and cash flows using a variety of key performance
indicators including revenues compared to prior periods and internal forecasts, costs of our
products and results of our cost-out initiatives, and operating cash use. These are discussed
throughout the Results of Operations and Liquidity and Capital Resources sections.
Comparison of Three Months Ended January 31, 2010 and January 31, 2009
Revenues and Costs of revenues
Our revenues and cost of revenues for the three months ended January 31, 2010 and 2009 were as
follows:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
January 31, | Change | |||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | $ | % | |||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Product sales and revenues |
$ | 12,808 | $ | 19,031 | $ | (6,223 | ) | (33 | ) | |||||||
Research and development contracts |
1,808 | 2,692 | (884 | ) | (33 | ) | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 14,616 | $ | 21,723 | $ | (7,107 | ) | (33 | ) | |||||||
Cost of revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Product sales and revenues |
$ | 18,013 | $ | 28,937 | $ | (10,924 | ) | (38 | ) | |||||||
Research and development contracts |
2,096 | 2,238 | (142 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 20,109 | $ | 31,175 | $ | (11,066 | ) | (35 | ) | |||||||
Total revenues for the three months ended January 31, 2010 decreased $7.1 million, or 33
percent to $14.6 million from $21.7 million during the same period last year. Total cost of
revenues for the three months ended January 31, 2010 decreased
$11.1 million, or 35 percent to $20.1
million from $31.2 million during the same period last year.
We contract with a small number of customers for the sale of products and for research and
development contracts. Our top two customers, POSCO Power (POSCO), our distribution partner in
South Korea, and the U.S. government, accounted for a combined 75 percent of consolidated revenues
for each of the three months ended January 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, with POSCO accounting
for 63 percent and the U.S. government accounting for 12 percent of consolidated revenues in each
period.
There can be no assurance that we will continue to achieve historical levels of sales of our
products to our largest customers. Even though our customer base is expected to increase and our
revenue streams to diversify, a substantial portion of net revenues could continue to depend on
sales to a limited number of customers. Our agreements with these customers may be cancelled if we
fail to meet certain product specifications or materially breach the agreement, and our customers
may seek to renegotiate the terms of current agreements or renewals. The loss of, or reduction in
sales to, one or more of our larger customers, could have a material adverse affect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Product sales and revenues
Product sales and revenues, cost of product sales and revenues and the cost-to-revenue ratio for
the quarters ended January 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
January 31, | Change | |||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | $ | % | |||||||||||||
Product sales and revenues (1) |
$ | 12,808 | $ | 19,031 | $ | (6,223 | ) | (33 | ) | |||||||
Cost of product sales and revenues (2) |
18,013 | 28,937 | (10,924 | ) | (38 | ) | ||||||||||
Gross margin |
$ | (5,205 | ) | $ | (9,906 | ) | $ | 4,701 | 47 | |||||||
Cost-to-revenue ratio (3) |
1.41 | 1.52 | N/M | (7 | ) | |||||||||||
(1) | Product sales and revenues consist primarily of revenue from power plant
products, long-term service agreements and power purchase agreements. |
|
(2) | Cost of product sales and revenues includes costs to manufacture and ship power
plants and power plant components, site engineering and construction costs where we are
responsible for power plant system installation, scrap, non-recurring engineering costs,
warranty expense, liquidated damages, costs of monitoring and maintenance services under
long-term service agreements (including stack replacement costs), operating costs for power
purchase agreements, inventory reserves and over capacity costs. |
|
(3) | Cost-to-revenue ratio is calculated as cost of product sales and revenues divided
by product sales and revenues. |
Product sales and revenues declined $6.2 million, or 33 percent in the first quarter 2010 to
$12.8 million compared to $19.0 million for the prior year period. Product sales mix was primarily
stack modules to POSCO compared to complete power plants in the prior year quarter resulting in
lower overall product revenue. Partially offsetting this decline was higher revenue from long-term
service agreements (LTSAs) due to sales of service agreements on power plant installations in
South Korea.
Cost of product sales and revenues decreased $10.9 million, or 38 percent in the first quarter 2010
to $18.0 million compared to $28.9 million for the prior year. This decrease is also due to the
shift in production from complete power plants to fuel cell stack modules for POSCO, as well as
production of lower cost multi-megawatt products.
Since 2003, we have made significant progress in reducing the total life cycle costs of our power
plants through value engineering our products, manufacturing process improvements, technology
improvements, and global sourcing. As a measure of cost reduction progress prior to achieving
positive margins, we calculate a cost-to-revenue ratio. The cost-to-revenue ratio for the first
quarter 2010 improved 7 percent to 1.41-to-1 compared to 1.52-to-1 for the first quarter 2009.
Service agreement costs, net of revenue, was $2.8 million and $2.7 million for the quarters ended
January 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Costs in excess of revenues are largely driven by
replacement of our earlier stack designs that had a stack life of less than five years, which is
the standard term of our LTSAs. Should the power plant fail to meet minimum operating levels, we
may be required to replace the fuel cell stack with a new or used stack. Our contractual liability
under LTSAs is limited to the amount of service fees payable under the contract, which can often
times be less than the cost of a new stack replacement. However, in order to continue to meet
customer expectations on early product designs, we sometimes incur costs in excess of our
contractual liabilities. Excluding this impact, the cost-to-revenue ratio would have been 1.22-to-1
for the first quarter 2010 compared to 1.41-to-1 for the first quarter 2009.
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Power plants with our five-year stack design (introduced in 2009) are not expected to require a
stack change to continue to meet minimum operating levels during the initial five-year term of the
LTSA. Stack replacements for these agreements are expected to only be required upon renewal of the
LTSA. We expect the replacement of older stacks produced prior to 2009 to continue over the next
several years, and as a result, we expect to continue to
incur losses in order to maintain power plants. Future costs for maintaining legacy service
agreements will be determined by a number of factors including the estimated life of the stack, used replacement
stacks available, our limit of liability on service agreements and future operating plans for the
power plant.
Research and development contracts
Research and development contracts revenue and related costs for the quarter ended January 31, 2010
and 2009 were as follows:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
January 31, | ||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Change | ||||||||||
Research and development contracts |
$ | 1,808 | $ | 2,692 | $ | (884 | ) | |||||
Cost of research and development contracts |
2,096 | 2,238 | (142 | ) | ||||||||
Gross margin |
$ | (288 | ) | $ | 454 | $ | (742 | ) | ||||
Research and development contract revenue decreased $0.9 million to $1.8 million for the three
months ended January 31, 2010 compared to $2.7 million for the same period in 2009. Cost of
research and development contracts decreased $0.1 million to $2.1 million for the three months
ended January 31, 2010 compared to $2.2 million during the first quarter of 2009. The decline in
revenue was due to completion of the Vision 21 and Ship Service fuel cell contracts with the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Navy, respectively. We expect revenues and margin to increase
in the second quarter based on the current backlog and planned development activities.
Research and development contract backlog
as of January 31, 2010
was $11.9 million,
of which Congress has authorized
funding of $4.9 million compared to $14.2 million and $3.3 million funded as of
October 31, 2009. Should government funding be delayed or if business initiatives
change, we may choose to devote resources to other activities, including internally funded research
and development.
Administrative and selling expenses
Administrative and selling expenses for the three months ended
January 31, 2010 and 2009 totaled
$4.2 million. This line item is flat year over year as decreases in salaries, benefits and share-based
compensation as a result of the cash management plan implemented in February 2009 were
offset by higher costs of bid and proposal activities.
Research and development expenses
Research and development expenses were $4.6 million for the three months ended January 31, 2010, a
decrease of $1.1 million compared to last years period as a result of the cash management plan
implemented in February 2009 and an increased support of non-research and development
activities.
Loss from operations
Loss from operations decreased to $14.3 million for the three months ended January 31, 2010
compared to $19.4 million for same period last year.
Loss from equity investment
Our share of equity losses in Versa decreased to $0.1 million for the three months ended January
31, 2010 compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended January 31, 2009 due to lower research
and development activity at Versa.
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Interest and other income, net
Interest and other income, net, decreased to $0.3 million for the three months ended January 31,
2010 compared to $0.4 million for the same period in 2009. The decrease is due to lower interest
income on lower average invested balances and interest rates partially offset by increased license
fee income on the POSCO agreements.
Accretion of Preferred Stock of Subsidiary
The Series 1 Preferred Shares issued by our subsidiary, FuelCell Energy, Ltd., were originally
recorded at a substantial discount to par value (fair value discount). On a quarterly basis, the
carrying value of the Series 1 Preferred Shares is increased to reflect the passage of time with a
corresponding non-cash charge (accretion). The accretion of the fair value discount was $0.6
million and $0.5 million for the three months ended January 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Provision for income taxes
We have not paid federal or state income taxes in several years due to our history of net operating
losses. Additionally, no tax benefit has been recognized for these net operating losses or other
deferred tax assets since management cannot reasonably estimate when production volumes will be
sufficient to generate taxable income.
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
The net loss attributed to the noncontrolling interest for the quarter ended January 31, 2010 was
$0.1 million. In the first quarter 2010, we adopted new guidance on the accounting for
noncontrolling interest (formerly minority interest). See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements for further details.
Preferred Stock dividends
Dividends paid on the Series B Preferred Stock were $0.8 million in each of the quarters ended
January 31, 2010 and 2009.
Net loss to common shareholders and loss per common share
Net loss to common shareholders represents the net loss for the period less the net loss
attributable to noncontrolling interest plus the preferred stock dividends on the Series B
Preferred Stock. For the quarters ended January 31, 2010 and 2009, net loss to common shareholders
was $15.4 million and $20.7 million, respectively and loss per common share was $(0.18) and
$(0.30), respectively.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We have historically sold our fuel cell products below cost while the market develops,
manufacturing output expands and product costs are reduced. We have been engaged in a formal
commercial cost-out program since 2003 to reduce the total life cycle costs of our power plants and
have made significant progress primarily through value engineering our products, manufacturing
process improvements, higher production levels, technology improvements and global sourcing.
During fiscal 2009, we began production of our newest megawatt-class power plants. These power
plants incorporate new fuel cell stacks with outputs of 350 kilowatts (kW) compared to 300 kW
previously, along with lower component and raw material costs. As a result, units produced with
350 kW stacks are expected to result in gross margin improvement.
As a result of excess capacity, new product introductions and service costs, product sales gross
margin is negative. Our overall manufacturing process (module manufacturing, final assembly,
testing and conditioning) has a production capacity of 70 MW per year
for our current product design. Our manufacturing run-rate was an
annualized 30 MW in fiscal 2009 and the first quarter of 2010. In
February 2010, we reduced our run-rate to an annualized 25 MW to match production of current
backlog with customer requirements. Our current product backlog is approximately 38 MW.
We
believe we can reach net income breakeven at a sustanined annual
order and production volume of approximately 75 MW to 125 MW. The low
end for this range would require sustained annual production
primarily of our DFC3000 power plants. The higher end of this range
assumes a broader mix of our products including modules, components
and our DFC1500 and DFC300 power plants. Actual results will depend
on product mix, volume, future service costs, and market pricing.
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We anticipate that our existing capital resources, together with anticipated revenues and cash
flows, will be adequate to satisfy our financial requirements and agreements through at least the
next twelve months. Our future liquidity will be dependent on obtaining the order volumes and cost
reductions necessary to achieve profitable operations. We may also raise capital through debt or
equity offerings; however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional
capital in the future. If we are unable to raise additional capital, our growth potential may be
adversely affected and we may have to modify our plans.
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments in U.S. treasuries totaled $57.6 million as of January 31,
2010 compared to $64.8 million as of October 31, 2009. Net cash and investments used during the
quarter ended January 31, 2010 was $7.2 million compared to $36.1 million during the quarter ended
January 31, 2009 and $23.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2009. Cash use improved over prior
quarters on increased customer milestone payments as commissioning for power plants in South Korea
was completed. For the remainder of fiscal 2010, we are targeting a cash use of $10 to $12 million
per quarter. Actual cash use is impacted by numerous factors including the timing of new orders
and customer milestone payments, changes in working capital, capital spending and the factory
production rate.
Cash Flows
Cash and cash equivalents as of January 31, 2010 was $45.5 million compared to $57.8 million as of
October 31, 2009. The key components of our cash inflows and outflows were as follows:
Operating Activities Cash used for operating activities was $5.6 million during the first
quarter of 2010 compared to $34.0 million used during the first quarter of 2009. The
improvement over the prior year period was driven primarily by lower net loss of $5.2 million
and reduced net working capital usage of $24.6 million. Driving the reduction in working capital
usage was higher collections of accounts receivable of $13.2 million and increased deferred
revenue of $13.0 million due to receipt of milestone payments on POSCOs 2009 order for which we
have not yet begun recognizing revenue. These working capital improvements were partially offset
by higher inventory purchases of $4.4 million.
Investing Activities Cash used in investing activities was $5.7 million during the first
quarter of 2010 compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $12.2 million during
the first quarter of 2009. The decrease of $17.9 million was mainly due to the net purchase of
U.S treasuries during the first quarter 2010 of $5.1 million compared to cash provided of $14.0
million from the maturities of U.S. treasuries during the first quarter 2009.
Financing Activities Cash used in financing activities was $0.9 million during the first
quarter of 2010 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $29 thousand in the
prior year period. The reduction in cash in the first quarter 2010 compared to the first
quarter 2009 was due to the receipt of cash in 2009 from the sale of common stock ($0.4 million)
and the issuance of debt ($0.4 million).
Sources and Uses of Cash and Investments
We continue to invest in new product and market development and, as such, we are not currently
generating positive cash flow from our operations. Our operations are funded primarily through
cash generated from product sales and research and development contracts, license fee income and
sales of equity and debt securities. In order to produce positive cash flow from operations, we
need to be successful at increasing annual order volume and implementing our cost reduction efforts
as well as continuing involvement in research and development contracts. The status of these
activities is described below.
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Increasing annual order volume
We need to increase annual order volume to achieve profitability. Increased production volumes
lower costs by leveraging supplier/purchasing opportunities, creating opportunities for
incorporating manufacturing process
improvements, and spreading fixed costs over more units. Our overall manufacturing process has a
production capacity of 70 MW per year. Updates on our key markets are as follows:
South Korea: South Korea is our fastest growing market. Approximately 24 MW of
our power plants are currently generating electricity for South Koreas power grid. POSCO
has ordered approximately 69 MW of our products to date. South Korea is in the process of
creating a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) that will encourage the installation of fuel
cells operating on natural gas. South Koreas Knowledge Economy Committee passed the RPS in
February and the National Assembly is expected to enact the measure in April. The RPS will
increase each year to approximately 4 percent clean energy by 2015 and 10
percent by 2022. Highly efficient and reliable fuel cells will help South Korea achieve
these targets.
To meet this demand, POSCO built a balance-of-plant manufacturing facility and is
constructing a new facility to manufacture stack modules in a strategy to localize fuel cell
manufacturing. We will supply cell components to POSCO that it will assemble into modules
and manufacture entire power plants after completion of its construction.
California: California is a strong market for our products because of its commitment to the
reduction of pollution and greenhouse gases using distributed, clean energy generation.
California supports the installation of fuel cell power plants through several programs,
including the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP). This program provides
approximately $83 million for clean power technologies annually. Fuel cell projects up to 3
MW are eligible for up to $4,500 per kW when operating on biogas and $2,500 per kW when
operating on natural gas.
During the first quarter, the City of Tulare, California ordered its fourth DFC300, enabling
its wastewater treatment facility to generate 40 percent of its own electricity. With
near-zero emissions of NOX, SOX and particulate matter, emissions are further reduced
because the power plant uses the wastewater facilitys own methane byproduct as fuel,
eliminating the need for flaring.
Connecticut: In February, Connecticuts Senator Dodd announced initiatives to support the
expansion of the stationary fuel cell market. The Senator said he would introduce
legislation to increase the federal Investment Tax Credit from 30 percent to 40 percent up
to $3,500 per kW for fuel cells in combined heat and power applications. Senator Dodd also
proposed that the 2005 Energy Policy Act be funded with $100 million to enable federal
agencies to purchase fuel cells. The U.S. government is the largest electricity consumer in
the world and could increase power reliability and energy independence and significantly
reduce its carbon footprint if it used reliable, highly efficient and ultra-clean fuel cell
power generators.
Canada: The Ontario government ruled that gas distribution companies may own and operate
power plants that generate both electricity and heat, including fuel cells operating on
natural gas, up to 10 MW per facility. Ontario is currently implementing mechanisms to
affect this ruling.
FuelCell Energy and Enbridge, Canadas largest gas-distribution company, developed the
DFC-ERG to address the worldwide natural gas pipeline market. By combining the clean
generation of our power plants with an unfired turbine, the DFC-ERG can achieve electrical
efficiencies of approximately 60 percent twice that of grid electricity and much more
than other distributed generation technologies. High electrical efficiency means less fuel
is used, resulting in significantly lower CO2 emissions. The potential market for the
DFC-ERG is estimated to be 250 to 350 MW in just the Northeast, Ontario, and Northern
California.
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Cost reduction efforts
Product cost reductions are essential for us to more fully penetrate the market for our fuel cell
products and attain profitability. Cost reductions will also reduce or eliminate the need for
incentive funding programs which
currently allow us to price our products to compete with grid-delivered power and other distributed
generation technologies. Product cost reductions come from several areas including:
| engineering improvements; |
||
| technology advances; |
||
| supply chain management; |
||
| production volume; and |
||
| manufacturing process improvements. |
We continually strive to reduce product costs and increase power output of our products. As
previously mentioned, we began production of our newest megawatt-class power plants during fiscal
2009, which incorporate higher output stacks and lower component and raw material costs. Also in
2009, we introduced a five-year fuel cell stack which is expected to reduce our long-term service
costs.
Continued involvement in research and development contracts
Our research and development contracts are generally multi-year, cost reimbursement contracts. The
majority of these are U.S. government contracts that are dependent upon the continued allocation of
funds and may be terminated in whole or in part at the convenience of the government. We will
continue to seek research and development contracts, and to obtain these contracts, we must
continue to prove the benefits of our technologies and be successful in our competitive bidding.
Our most significant programs are:
Advanced Hydrogen Programs: In February 2010, we were awarded contracts totaling $2.1
million to demonstrate a renewable hydrogen refueling station in California. The three-year
project is the result of collaboration with Air Products and Chemicals to combine our power
plants with Air Products gas separation technology to yield pure hydrogen for
transportation, utility and other uses. The product, the DFC-H2, will operate on biogas from
the Orange County Sanitation District and generate hydrogen for vehicle refueling in
addition to ultra-clean electricity and usable heat.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Development: We have a 39 percent ownership interest in Versa Power
Systems Inc., a world leader in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack technology. These
solid oxide fuel cells have the potential for reliable, efficient, ultra-clean power
generation complementary to our commercially proven products in a range of sizes. This
program is currently in Phase II of the DOEs Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA)
Large Scale Coal-Based Program and is on track to meet cost and performance objectives for
a minimum 25 kW stack in this phase. This current phase, awarded in fiscal 2009, is a
$30.2 million program that began in January 2009 and extends through September 2010.
The full scale advanced fuel cell system to be demonstrated in Phase III is expected to
incorporate multiple SOFC modules with output of approximately 300 kW to efficiently
convert the energy contained in coal to ultra-clean grid electrical power.
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Commitments and Significant Contractual Obligations
A summary of our significant future commitments and contractual obligations as of January 31, 2010
and the related payments by fiscal year are as follows:
Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less | More | |||||||||||||||||||
than | 13 | 35 | than | |||||||||||||||||
Total | 1 Year | Years | Years | 5 Years | ||||||||||||||||
Capital and operating lease commitments
(1) |
$ | 4,310 | $ | 981 | $ | 1,521 | $ | 1,397 | $ | 411 | ||||||||||
Term loans (principal and interest) |
5,932 | 1,030 | 730 | 730 | 3,442 | |||||||||||||||
Purchase commitments(2) |
24,537 | 22,059 | 2,274 | 204 | | |||||||||||||||
Series 1 Preferred dividends payable (3) |
23,558 | 11,863 | 2,339 | 2,339 | 7,017 | |||||||||||||||
Series B Preferred dividends payable (4) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Totals |
$ | 58,337 | $ | 35,933 | $ | 6,864 | $ | 4,670 | $ | 10,870 | ||||||||||
(1) | Future minimum lease payments on capital and operating leases. |
|
(2) | Purchase commitments with suppliers for materials, supplies and services incurred in
the normal course of business. |
|
(3) | Annual dividends of Cdn.$1.25 million ($1.17 million) accrue on the Series 1 Preferred
Stock. We have agreed to pay a minimum of Cdn.$500,000 ($467,800) in cash or common stock
annually through December 31, 2010. Interest accrues on unpaid dividends at an annual rate
of 9 percent. Cumulative unpaid dividends and accrued interest on January 31, 2010 was
$9.9 million. All cumulative unpaid dividends and accrued interest must be paid
by December 31, 2010 at which time the required annual dividend payment increases to
Cdn.$1.25 million. We have the option of paying these amounts in stock or cash. All U.S.
dollar amounts in this footnote (3) and the payment amounts in the table above are based on
the January 31, 2010 exchange rate of Cdn.$0.936 to U.S.$1.00. |
|
(4) | We are currently paying $3.2 million in annual dividends on our Series B Preferred
Stock. We may, at our option, convert these shares into that number of shares of our common
stock that are issuable at the then prevailing conversion rate if the closing price of our
common stock exceeds 150 percent of the then prevailing conversion price ($11.75) for 20
trading days during any consecutive 30 trading day period. The $3.2 million annual
dividend payment has not been included as we cannot reasonably determine when and if we
will be able to convert the Series B Preferred Stock into shares of our common stock. |
In April 2008, we entered into a 10-year loan agreement with the Connecticut Development
Authority allowing for a maximum amount borrowed of $4.0 million. At January 31, 2010, principal
of $3.9 million was outstanding on this loan. The stated interest rate is 5 percent and the loan
is collateralized by the assets procured under this loan as well as $4.0 million of additional
machinery and equipment. Interest only payments were due on outstanding balances through November
2009 and, commencing in December 2009, interest and principal payments are required through May
2018.
Bridgeport FuelCell Park, LLC (BFCP), one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, has an outstanding
loan with the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, secured by assets of BFCP. Interest accrues monthly
at an annual rate of 8.75 percent and repayment of principal and accrued interest is not required
until the occurrence of certain events. As of January 31, 2010, no repayments of principal and
interest have been made and we cannot reasonably determine when such repayments will begin. The
outstanding balance on this loan, including accrued interest, is $0.7 million as of January 31,
2010.
We have pledged approximately $3.0 million of our cash and cash equivalents as collateral and
letters of credit for certain banking requirements and contracts. As of January 31, 2010,
outstanding letters of credit totaled $0.9 million. These expire on various dates through January
2011.
We have identified uncertain tax positions aggregating $15.7 million and reduced our net operating
loss carryforwards by this amount. Because of the level of net operating losses and valuation
allowances, unrecognized tax benefits, even if not resolved in our favor, would not result in any
cash payment or obligation and therefore have not been included in the contractual obligation table
above.
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In addition to the commitments listed in the table above, we have the following outstanding
obligations:
Power purchase agreements
In California, we have 3 MW of power plant installations under power
purchase agreements
ranging in duration from five to ten years. As owner of the power plants, we are responsible for
all operating costs necessary to maintain, monitor and repair the power plants. Under certain
agreements, we are also responsible for procuring fuel to run the power plants.
We qualified for incentive funding for these projects under Californias SGIP and from other
government programs. Funds are payable upon commercial installation and demonstration of the plant
and may require return of the funds for failure of certain performance requirements during the
period specified by the government program. Revenue related to these incentive funds is recognized
ratably over the performance period. As of January 31, 2010, we had deferred incentive funding
revenue totaling $2.1 million.
Service and warranty agreements
We warranty our products for a specific period of time against manufacturing or performance
defects. Our standard warranty period is generally 15 months after shipment or 12 months after
installation of the product. In addition to the standard product warranty, we have contracted with
certain customers to provide services to ensure the power plants meet minimum operating levels for
terms ranging from one to 13 years. Our standard LTSA term is five years. Pricing for service
contracts is based upon estimates of future costs, which given our products early stage of
development, could be materially different from actual expenses. Also see Critical Accounting
Policies and Estimates for additional details.
Research and development cost-share contracts
We have contracted with various government agencies to conduct research and development as either a
prime contractor or sub-contractor under multi-year, cost-reimbursement and/or cost-share type
contracts or cooperative agreements. Cost-share terms require that participating contractors share
the total cost of the project based on an agreed upon ratio. In many cases, we are reimbursed only
a portion of the costs incurred or to be incurred on the contract. While government research and
development contracts may extend for many years, funding is often provided incrementally on a
year-by-year basis if contract terms are met and Congress authorizes the funds. As of January 31,
2010, research and development sales backlog totaled $11.9 million, of which $4.9 million is
funded. Should funding be delayed or if business initiatives change, we may choose to
devote resources to other activities, including internally funded research and development.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and
expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from
those estimates. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, revenue recognition,
contract loss reserves, excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventories, product warranty costs,
reserves on long-term service agreements, share-based compensation expense, allowance for doubtful
accounts, depreciation and amortization, impairment of long-lived assets and contingencies.
Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in
the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary.
Our critical accounting policies are those that are both most important to our financial condition
and results of operations and require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments on the
part of management in their application, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the
effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Refer to Critical Accounting Policies and
Estimates in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2009 for detailed
information regarding our accounting policies and estimates that we consider critical in preparing
our consolidated financial statements. The critical accounting policies below represent those
polices that management has updated during the quarter.
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Revenue Recognition
We earn revenue from (i) the sale and installation of fuel cell power plants, modules and component
parts to customers (i.e. product sales), (ii) providing services under long-term service
agreements, (iii) the sale of electricity under power purchase agreements (PPA), (iv) incentive revenue
from the sale of electricity under PPAs, (v) site engineering and construction services and (vi)
customer-sponsored research and development projects. Our revenue is primarily generated from
customers located throughout the U.S. and Asia and from agencies of the U.S. government. Revenue
from customer-sponsored research and development projects is recorded as research and development
contracts revenue and all other revenues are recorded as product sales and revenues in the
consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue from sales of our power plants and modules are recognized under the percentage of
completion method of accounting. Revenues are recognized proportionally as costs are incurred and
assigned to a customer contract by comparing total expected costs for each contract to the total
contract value. Historically, we have not provided for a contract loss reserve on product sales
contracts as products were in their early stages of development and market acceptance, and the
total costs to produce, install and commission these units could not be reasonably estimated. As a
result of a consistent production rate over the past two fiscal years and installation and
commissioning experience for our major product lines, management now believes that it has
sufficient product cost history to reasonably estimate the total costs of our fuel cell product
sales contracts. Accordingly, effective November 1, 2009, a contract loss reserve on product sales
contracts is recognized at the time we become aware that estimated total costs are expected to
exceed the contract sales price. We have reviewed open contracts and recorded an estimated loss of
$0.2 million as of and for the three months ended January 31, 2010. Actual results could vary from
initial estimates and reserve estimates will be updated as we gain further manufacturing and
operating experience. For component and spare parts sales, revenue is recognized upon shipment
under the terms of the customer contract.
Revenue earned by performing routine monitoring and maintenance under LTSAs is recognized ratably
over the term of the contract. For service contracts that include a minimum operating output over
the course of the contract, a portion of the contract revenue is deferred until such time as it is
earned through power plant performance.
Revenue from the sale of electricity is recognized as electricity is provided to the customer.
Incentive revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the PPA. Site engineering and construction
services revenue is recognized as costs are incurred.
Revenue from research and development contracts is recognized proportionally as costs are incurred
and compared to the estimated total research and development costs for each contract. Revenue from
government funded research and development programs are generally multi-year, cost-reimbursement
and/or cost-shared type contracts or cooperative agreements. We are reimbursed for reasonable and
allocable costs up to the reimbursement limits set by the contract or cooperative agreement, and on
certain contracts we are reimbursed only a portion of the costs incurred. While government
research and development contracts may extend for many years, funding is often provided
incrementally on a year-by-year basis if contract terms are met and Congress has authorized the
funds.
Warranty and Service Expense Recognition
We warranty our products for a specific period of time against manufacturing or performance
defects. Our warranty is limited to 15 months after shipment or 12 months after installation of our
products. We reserve for estimated future warranty costs based on historical experience. Given our
limited operating experience, particularly for newer product designs, actual results could vary
from initial estimates. Estimates used to record warranty reserves will be updated as we gain
further operating experience.
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In addition to the standard product warranty, we have entered into LTSA contracts with certain
customers to provide monitoring, maintenance and repair services for fuel cell power plants. Under
the terms of our LTSA, the power plant must meet a minimum operating output during the term. If
minimum output falls below the contract requirement, we may replace the power plants fuel cell
stack with a new or used unit. Our contractual liability
under LTSAs is limited to the amount of service fees payable under the contract, which can often
times be less than the cost of a new stack replacement. However, in order to continue to meet
customer expectations on early product designs, we have incurred costs in excess of our contractual
liabilities.
LTSAs for power plants that have our five-year stack design (introduced in 2009) are not expected
to require a stack change to continue to meet minimum operating levels during the initial five-year
term of the contract, although we have limited operating experience with these products. Stack
replacements for these agreements are expected to only be required upon renewal of the service
agreement. We expect the replacement of older stacks produced prior to 2009 will continue over the
next several years, and as a result, we expect to continue to incur losses in order to maintain
power plants. Reserve estimates for future costs associated with maintaining legacy service
agreements will be determined by a number of factors including the estimated life of the stack,
used replacement stacks available, our limit of liability on service agreements and future
operating plans for the power plant.
As our fuel cell products are in their early stages of commercialization and market acceptance, we
cannot reliably estimate the total costs to complete an individual service contract and therefore
have not provided for a contract loss reserve. We provide for a reserve of LTSA costs if
agreements are sold below our standard pricing. As of January 31, 2010, this reserve totaled $5.7
million compared to $6.0 million as of October 31, 2009. Pricing for LTSAs is based upon estimates
of future costs, which given our products early stage of commercialization could be materially
different from actual expenses. As noted under the revenue recognition policy, revenue allocable to
meeting the performance requirements of the LTSA (which may include a new or used stack
replacement) is deferred until it is earned. Deferred LTSA revenue as of January 31, 2010 totaled
$2.7 million compared to $2.5 million as of October 31, 2009. Actual costs incurred on our service
agreements have and could continue to exceed pricing reserves and deferred revenue and materially
impact gross margin. As products continue to achieve commercial market acceptance and we gain
further operating experience, a reliable history of service costs and product life should enable
management to reasonably estimate future costs to complete an individual service contract and
adjust reserves for such costs, if necessary.
Inventories and Advance Payments to Vendors
Inventories consist principally of raw materials and work-in-process and are stated at the lower of
cost or market. In certain circumstances, we will make advance payments to vendors for future
inventory deliveries. These advance payments (net of related reserves) are recorded as other
current assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
As we have historically sold products at or below cost, we have provided for a lower of cost or
market (LCM) reserve to the cost basis of inventory. This reserve is computed by comparing the
current sales prices of our fuel cell products to their estimated costs. As a result of a
consistent production rate over the past two fiscal years and installation and commissioning
experience for our major product lines, management now believes that it has sufficient product cost
history to reasonably estimate the total costs of our fuel cell product sales contracts. During the
second half of 2009, we began production of our newest megawatt-class power plants and modules. The
manufactured cost per kilowatt of these products is lower than previous models due to a 17 percent
power increase and lower component and raw
materials cost. We expect the lower manufactured cost of these products to result in gross margin
improvement on a unit by unit basis and a reserve may not be required.
As of January 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009, the LCM reserve to the cost basis of inventory and
advance payments to vendors was $7.9 million and $9.5 million, respectively, which equates to a
reduction of 19 percent and 25 percent, respectively, of the gross inventory and advance payments to
vendors value. As of January 31, 2010 the LCM reserve is primarily applied against inventory that
is expected to be used to satisfy terms of long-term service agreements.
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ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE UPDATE
Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance
In April 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued accounting guidance that
amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to
determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset. In developing assumptions about renewal
or extension options used to determine the useful life of an intangible asset, a company needs to
consider its own historical experience adjusted for company-specific factors. In the absence of
that experience, the company shall consider the assumptions that market participants would use
about renewal or extension options. The new guidance was effective for the first quarter of fiscal
2010. We currently do not have any intangible assets recorded in our consolidated balance sheets;
therefore, the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements
will be determined when and if we acquire definite-lived intangible assets.
In December 2007, the FASB issued new guidance that requires noncontrolling interests (formerly
minority interests) in a subsidiary be reported as equity in the consolidated financial
statements. Consolidated net income should include the net income for both the parent and the
noncontrolling interest with disclosure of both amounts in the consolidated statements of
operations. The calculation of earnings per share would continue to be based on income amounts
attributable to the parent. This guidance became effective for the quarter ended January 31, 2010
and changed the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling interests in our subsidiaries.
In December 2007, the FASB issued revised accounting guidance for business combinations that
requires an acquirer to measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any
noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their fair values on the acquisition date, with goodwill
being the excess value over the net identifiable assets acquired. The guidance also requires that
certain other assets and liabilities related to the acquisition, such as contingencies and research
and development, be recorded at fair value. The new guidance was effective for the first quarter of
fiscal 2010. The potential impact of this revised guidance on our consolidated financial
statements will be based upon future business combinations, if any.
Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Effective
In January 2010, the FASB issued guidance that requires new disclosures for fair value measurements
and provides clarification for existing disclosure requirements. This amended guidance require
disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value as well as disclosures
about significant transfers in and out of Levels 1 and Levels 2 fair value measurements and
disclosures about the purchase, sale, issuance and settlement activity of Level 3 fair value
measurements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after
December 15, 2009, except for disclosures about the purchase, sale, issuance and settlement
activity of Level 3 fair value measurements, which is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2010. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on
our financial statements or disclosures.
In October 2009, the FASB issued guidance updating accounting standards for revenue recognition for
multiple-deliverable arrangements. The stated objective of the update was to
address the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for
products or services separately rather than as a combined unit. The
guidance provides amended methodologies for separating consideration in multiple-deliverable
arrangements and expands disclosure requirements. The guidance will be
effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal
years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the
impact of adopting this guidance.
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In June 2009, the FASB issued accounting guidance which requires a company to perform ongoing
reassessment of whether it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (VIE).
Specifically, the guidance modifies how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently
capitalized or is not controlled through voting (or similar rights) should be consolidated. The
guidance clarifies that the determination of whether a company is required to consolidate a VIE is
based on, among other things, an entitys purpose and design and a companys
ability to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIEs economic
performance. The guidance requires an ongoing reassessment of whether a company is the primary
beneficiary of a VIE and enhanced disclosures of the companys involvement in VIEs and any
significant changes in risk exposure due to that involvement. The guidance will be effective for
the first quarter of fiscal 2011. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance will have a
material impact on our financial statements or disclosures.
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Exposure
We typically invest in U.S. treasury securities with maturities ranging from less than three months
to one year or more. We expect to hold these investments until maturity and accordingly, these
investments are carried at cost and not subject to mark-to-market accounting. At January 31, 2010,
U.S. treasury investments had a carrying value of $12.1 million, which approximated fair value.
These investments have maturity dates ranging from April 2010 to September 2011 and a weighted
average yield to maturity of 1.2%. Cash is invested overnight with high credit quality financial
institutions and therefore we are not exposed to market risk from changing interest rates. Based
on our overall interest rate exposure at January 31, 2010, including all interest rate sensitive
instruments, a change in interest rates of one percent would not have a material impact on our
results of operations.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
As of January 31, 2010, less than one percent of our total cash, cash equivalents and investments
were in currencies other than U.S. dollars (primarily Canadian dollars and South Korean Won). We
make purchases from certain vendors in currencies other than U.S. dollars. Although we have not
experienced significant foreign exchange rate losses to date, we may in the future, especially to
the extent that we do not engage in currency hedging activities. The economic impact of currency
exchange rate movements on our operating results is complex because such changes are often linked
to variability in real growth, inflation, interest rates, governmental actions and other factors.
These changes, if material, may cause us to adjust our financing and operating strategies.
Derivative Fair Value Exposure
Series 1 Preferred Stock
The conversion feature and variable dividend obligation of
our Series 1 Preferred shares are embedded derivatives that require bifurcation from the host
contract.
The aggregate
fair value of these derivatives included within long-term debt and other liabilities as of January
31, 2010 was $0.5 million. The fair value was based on valuation models using various assumptions
including historical stock price volatility, risk-free interest rate and a credit spread based on
the yield indexes of technology high yield bonds, foreign exchange volatility as the Series 1
Preferred security is denominated in Canadian dollars, and the closing price of our common stock.
Changes in any of these assumptions would change the underlying fair value with a corresponding
charge or credit to earnings. However, any changes to these assumptions would not have a material
impact on our results of operations.
Warrants
We hold warrants for the right to purchase an additional 3,108 shares of Versas common stock. The
fair value of the warrants at January 31, 2010 was $0.2 million. The fair value was determined
based on the Black-Scholes valuation model using historical stock price, volatility (based on a
peer group since Versas common stock is not publicly traded) and risk-free interest rate
assumptions. Changes in any of these assumptions would change the fair value of the
warrants
with a corresponding charge or credit to earnings. However, any changes to these assumptions
would not have a material impact
on our results of operations.
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Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures, which are designed to provide reasonable
assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Companys periodic SEC reports is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules
and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to its principal executive
officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding
required disclosure.
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal
executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation
of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Based on that evaluation, the Companys principal executive officer and principal financial officer
have concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide
reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Companys periodic SEC
reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the
SECs rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to its principal
executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions
regarding required disclosure.
There has been no change in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the
last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our
internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are involved in legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising out of the ordinary conduct of
our business. Although we cannot assure the outcome, management presently believes that the result
of such legal proceedings, either individually, or in the aggregate, will not have a material
adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements, and no material amounts have been accrued
in our consolidated financial statements with respect to these matters.
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes with respect to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2009.
Item 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit | ||
No. | Description | |
31.1
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
31.2
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
32.1
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
32.2
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized on March 12, 2010.
FUELCELL ENERGY, INC. | ||||
(Registrant) | ||||
March 12, 2010
|
/s/ Joseph G. Mahler | |||
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial | ||||
Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary | ||||
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
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INDEX OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit | ||
No. | Description | |
31.1
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
31.2
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
32.1
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
32.2
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |