omniture

ReneSola Ltd Announces Second Quarter 2014 Results

Profitable quarter with improved gross margin of 14.7%
2014-08-12 18:00 1660

JIASHAN, China, August 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- ReneSola Ltd ("ReneSola" or the "Company") (www.renesola.com) (NYSE: SOL), a leading brand and technology provider of solar photovoltaic ("PV") products, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2014.

ReneSola's Logo

Financial and Operational Highlights for Q2 2014

  • Total solar module shipments were 498.7 megawatts ("MW"), compared to 434.1 MW in Q2 2013 and 521.1 MW in Q1 2014. Total solar wafer and module shipments were 698.3 MW, compared to 849.3 MW in Q2 2013 and 710.1 MW in Q1 2014.
  • Net revenues were US$387.1 million, compared to US$377.4 million in Q2 2013 and US$415.0 million in Q1 2014.
  • Gross profit was US$56.9 million with a gross margin of 14.7%, compared to gross profit of $30.4 million with a gross margin of 8.0% in Q2 2013 and a gross profit of US$44.0 million with a gross margin of 10.6% in Q1 2014.
  • Operating income was US$10.6 million with an operating margin of 2.7%, compared to an operating loss of US$16.6 million with an operating margin of negative 4.4% in Q2 2013 and an operating loss of US$8.7 million with an operating margin of negative 2.1% in Q1 2014.
  • Net income attributable to holders of ordinary shares was US$0.8 million, representing basic and diluted income per share of US$0.00 and basic and diluted income per American depositary share ("ADS") of US$0.01.
  • Cash and cash equivalents plus restricted cash totaled $218.8 million as of the end of Q2 2014, compared to US$405.8 million as of the end of Q2 2013 and US$214.9 million as of the end of Q1 2014.
  • Net cash outflow from operating activities was US$40.6 million, compared to net cash inflow from operating activities of US$65.5 million in Q2 2013 and net cash outflow from operating activities of US$112.3 million in Q1 2014.

"We are proud to report that ReneSola recorded a profitable second quarter with a gross margin of 14.7%, beating consensus and our guidance," said Mr. Xianshou Li, ReneSola's chief executive officer. "Our quarterly results stemmed from fundamental improvements to our business operations as well as a differentiated and competitive global-centric business model, which we expect will lead to stronger results for the rest of this year."

"The current international business environment for Chinese solar manufacturers is becoming more challenging, with an increasing number of trade cases in different regions around the world. However, having positioned ourselves as a global player, we are able to leverage our differentiated business model, which comprises robust and localized international operations and an extensive international manufacturing network through our OEM partnerships across the globe and generates 1.1 GW of module capacity from 11 factories in 7 countries. Our globalized structure enables us to adapt to demand changes quickly, be they the result of market forces or changes in trade policies. Continued investment in our global network has yielded new client wins and industry recognition for our wide range of solar products."

"Our cost-reduction efforts have been successful in both our internal domestic and international OEM operations, helping us to achieve industry-competitive gross margins during the quarter. This was aided by our fully-operational, in-house polysilicon production capabilities and a more efficient process control. Going forward, we will make efforts to further reduce our production cost and to improve our profitability."

"We continue to see high growth potential in the commercial and retail markets across our international target markets. With our extensive and expanding global network, we expect increasing opportunities among commercial and retail markets with comparatively higher ASPs and better payment terms. With already more than 1,800 clients across 77 countries worldwide, we will continue to aggressively grow this large client base in the second half of this year and to provide a full suite of ReneSola-branded solar and renewable energy products to our rapidly growing and more retail-focused client base."

Mr. Daniel K. Lee, ReneSola's chief financial officer, commented, "The second quarter results demonstrate the effectiveness of our global business infrastructure to deal with the solar industry's increasingly complex trade dynamics and to position ourselves favorably for a sustainable, balanced and diversified revenue mix. Our international strategy is in line with our prudent financial approach and asset-light operating strategy. We expect to continue to expand our international platform and improve our financial metrics in the second half of the year."

Second Quarter 2014 Results

Solar Wafer and Module Shipments


2Q14

1Q14

2Q13

Q-o-Q%

Y-o-Y%

Module Shipments (MW)

498.7

521.1

434.1

(4.3%)

14.9%

Wafer Shipments (MW)

199.6

189.0

415.2

5.6%

(51.9%)

Total Solar Wafer and Module
Shipments (MW)

698.3

710.1

849.3

(1.7%)

(17.8%)

The module shipments of 499MW were within the Company's guidance of 480MW to 500MW. The sequential decrease in solar module shipments was mainly the result of decreased shipments to the United States and Europe. The sharp decrease in wafer shipments year over year was the result of a strategic business decision to use the majority of the Company's wafer for internal module production.

Net Revenues and Gross Profit


2Q14

1Q14

2Q13

Q-o-Q%

Y-o-Y%

Net Revenues (US$mln)

$387.1

$415.0

$377.4

(6.7%)

2.6%

Gross Profit (US$mln)

$56.9

$44.0

$30.4*

29.3%

87.2%

Gross Margin

14.7%

10.6%

8.0%*

-

-

* Adjusted based on the Company's current accounting classification for warranty expense, which is recognized as a selling expense rather than as a cost of goods sold, as was done prior to Q1 2014. Before the adjustment, the gross profit for Q2 2013 was $27.4 million and the gross margin was 7.3%.

Net revenues decreased quarter over quarter as a result of a decrease in module shipments. The sequential increase in the Company's gross margin was a result of full-capacity in-house polysilicon production, more efficient operational process control, and a price drop for Taiwan-produced cells.

Operating Income (Loss)


2Q14

1Q14

2Q13

Q-o-Q%

Y-o-Y%

Operating Expenses (US$mln)

$46.3

$52.8

$46.9*

(12.3%)

(1.3%)

Operating Income (Loss) (US$mln)

$10.6

($8.7)

($16.6)

-

-

Operating Margin

2.7%

(2.1%)

(4.4%)

-

-

* Adjusted based on the Company's current accounting classification for warranty expense, which is recognized as a selling expense rather than as a cost of goods sold, as was done prior to Q1 2014. Before the adjustment, the operating expense was $43.9 million for Q2 2013.

The sequential decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to a reversal of allowances for doubtful accounts provided in Q1 which was subsequently collected in Q2, as well as the impact of our cost control efforts over other general and administrative expenses.

Foreign Exchange Gain

In Q2 2014, the Company had a foreign exchange loss of US$1.3 million and recognized a US$0.9 million gain on derivatives.

Change in Fair Value of Warrant Derivative Liabilities

The Company recognized a gain from a change in fair value of warrant derivative liabilities of US$1.0 million in Q2 2014, primarily due to the decrease in the Company's stock price.

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Holders of Ordinary Shares


2Q14

1Q14

2Q13

Net Income (Loss) (US$mln)

$0.8

($14.6)

($21.1)

Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share

0.00

($0.07)

($0.12)

Diluted Earnings (Loss) per ADS

0.01

($0.14)

($0.24)

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash outflow from operating activities was US$40.6 million in Q2 2014, compared to net cash outflow of US$112.3 million in Q1 2014.

Net cash and cash equivalents plus restricted cash were US$218.8 million as of June 30, 2014, compared to US$214.9 million as of March 31, 2014.

Total debt was US$760.3 million as of June 30, 2014, compared to US$723.9 million as of March 31, 2014, excluding US$111.6 million of convertible notes due March 15, 2018, unless repurchased or converted at an earlier date. Short-term borrowings were US$696.2 million as of June 30, 2014, compared to US$653.3 million as of March 31, 2014.

Polysilicon Update

The Company's total output of polysilicon in Q2 was 1815.6 metric tons, compared to an output of 175 metric tons in Q1 2014. Operations of the Company's Sichuan polysilicon plant remained at 100% capacity after a temporary shutdown in Q1 for maintenance and technical improvements. With the overall stability in polysilicon prices, and production cost reductions resulting from seasonally lower electricity prices, the Company expects to continue to benefit from its in-house polysilicon production capabilities in Q3 2014.

Business Highlights

Geographic Breakdown of Module Shipments


2014 Q2

2014 Q1

2013 Q2

U.S.

11.2%

13.6%

13.0%

Europe

31.4%

39.2%

49.4%

Japan

23.3%

22.5%

7.4%

China

15.3%

11.4%

14.6%

Other

18.8%

13.3%

15.6%

Research and Development

During Q2, ReneSola continued to invest in research and development regarding the Company's new and existing green energy products.

Mass production was achieved for the Company's A+++ wafer, which has an average efficiency rate 0.15% higher than the A++ wafer.

The Company continues to obtain applicable certification for its inverters across several international markets, including the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

The Company has completed research and development for three more energy storage system product lines and currently features five categories and 11 series of 146 energy storage system products which are all available for purchase.

Additional certification across different continents has been completed for three categories of the Company's LED products, including bulbs, indoor lighting and outdoor lighting.

Recent Business Developments

  • In August, the Company announced that ReneSola UK will supply 22 MW of its high-efficiency polycrystalline Virtus I and Virtus II solar modules for use in two ground-mounted, utility-scale projects in the United Kingdom.
  • In July, the Company announced its industry-leading results in a series of reliability tests conducted by PV Evolution Labs (PVEL). The Company's modules achieved top performance rankings on PVEL's "PV Module Reliability Scorecard" for 2014 in four testing categories: Dynamic Mechanical Load, Damp Heat, Potential Induced Degradation, and Humidity-Freeze.
  • In July, ReneSola announced the delivery of 30 ReneSola Novaplus 2KW energy storage systems to a national distributor in Chelmsford, England for onward sale to Essex installation company Think Green Energy. An additional 10 units were on order for use by Think Green Energy customers in the southeast of England.
  • In July, the Company announced it had entered a framework agreement with China Seven Star Holdings Limited regarding a partnership in potential sales to China Seven Star of no less than 200MW of existing and new PV projects within 18 months. The parties subsequently signed a Memorandum of Understanding that stipulates ReneSola will sell to China Seven Star two utility-scale projects, both of which are completed and connected to the grid, with a total capacity of 9.7 MW in Bulgaria.
  • In June, ReneSola announced that Solar Insurance & Finance (Solarif), an international and independent insurance broker specializing in insurance for PV installations, had certified ReneSola modules based on a positive audit of the Company involving relevant technical, financial, environmental, and labor considerations.
  • In June, the Company announced it had forged a partnership with SolarMax, a Swiss based global pure-play photovoltaic (PV) inverter company with its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta, GA and more than 20 years of PV inverter experience, and had finalized its first order of SolarMax inverters for Black Rock Solar.
  • In June, ReneSola announced that ReneSola Germany, in cooperation with energy supplier EnBW Energie Baden-Wurttemberg AG, had built the largest solar park in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany with approximately 40,000 polycrystalline photovoltaic ReneSola modules and a total capacity of 10MW.
  • In May, the Company announced it had finalized an order to deliver nearly 20,000 of its high efficiency Virtus II PV modules to GeoPeak Energy, a leading solar developer and EPC. The order will be the first of its kind for ReneSola America, as the non-Chinese modules are being manufactured by the Company's OEM factory using non-Taiwanese cells.
  • In May, ReneSola appointed Jason Wu as the Company's vice president of marketing to oversee the Company's global marketing, new product management, and brand enhancement.
  • In May, the Company announced a deal to provide 1.6MW in solar modules and 1MW in mounting systems to Consolidated Energy & Economic Engineering Co. to power a series of residential and commercial rooftop projects in the country of Jordan.
  • In April, ReneSola announced the appointment of Mr. Daniel Lee as the Company's new chief financial officer.
  • In April, the Company announced it had completed the sale of three utility-scale projects in Western China, with a total capacity of 60MW, to Jiangsu Akcome Solar Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
  • In April, the Company announced it had been awarded a "TOP BRAND PV" seal in the union of states of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg ("Benelux") by EuPD Research, the leading market intelligence company in the sustainable business sector and an independent brand management appraiser of module manufacturers in Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Benelux, and France.

Outlook

For Q3 2014, the Company expects its total solar module shipments to be in the range of 530 MW to 550 MW, and its gross margin to be in the range of 15% to 17%.

Conference Call Information

ReneSola's management will host an earnings conference call on August 12, 2014 at 8 am U.S. Eastern Time (8 pm Beijing/Hong Kong time).

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

U.S. / International:

+1-845-675-0437

Hong Kong:

+852-2475-0994

Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the passcode to join the call. The passcode is "ReneSola Call".

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following number until August 20, 2014:

International:

+61-2-8199-0299

United States:

+1-855-452-5696

Passcode:

81015139

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of ReneSola's website at http://www.renesola.com

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080506/CNTU030

About ReneSola

Founded in 2005, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2008, ReneSola (NYSE:SOL) is an international leading brand and technology provider of green energy products. Leveraging its global presence and expansive OEM and sales network, Renesola is well positioned to provide its highest quality green energy products and on-time services for EPC, installers, and green energy projects around the world. For more information, please visit www.renesola.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that constitute ''forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Whenever you read a statement that is not simply a statement of historical fact (such as when the Company describes what it "believes," "expects" or "anticipates" will occur, what "will" or "could" happen, and other similar statements), you must remember that the Company's expectations may not be correct, even though it believes that they are reasonable. The Company does not guarantee that the forward-looking statements will happen as described or that they will happen at all. Further information regarding risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's annual report on Form 20-F. The Company undertakes no obligation, beyond that required by law, to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made, even though the Company's situation may change in the future.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

Ms. Laura Chen
ReneSola Ltd
Tel: +86-21-62809180-162
Email: ir@renesola.com

Mr. Derek Mitchell
Ogilvy Financial, Beijing
Tel: +86-10-8520-3073
Email: sol@ogilvy.com

In the United States:

Mr. Justin Knapp
Ogilvy Financial, U.S.
Tel: +1-616-551-9714
Email: sol@ogilvy.com

RENESOLA LTD

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet

(US dollars in thousands)




June 30,


Mar. 31,


June 30,



2014


2014


2013

ASSETS







Current assets:







Cash and cash equivalents


58,127


52,660


80,306

Restricted cash


160,708


162,283


325,517

Accounts receivable, net of allowances
for doubtful accounts


212,533


206,771


272,112

Inventories


390,010


375,655


343,279

Advances to suppliers-current


9,819


8,699


15,126

Amounts due from related parties


1,116


205


4,984

Value added tax recoverable


21,505


29,359


39,516

Prepaid income tax


3,454


2,307


6,585

Prepaid expenses and other current assets


56,066


61,918


25,584

Project assets


32,998


33,158


49,527

Deferred convertible notes issue costs-
current


784


784


784

Derivative assets


576


63


1,933

Deferred tax assets-current, net


1,786


1,557


2,535

Total current assets


949,482


935,419


1,167,788








Property, plant and equipment, net


803,721


827,460


1,148,872

Prepaid land use right


40,209


41,312


45,800

Deferred tax assets-non-current, net


17,990


19,740


22,086

Deferred convertible notes issue costs-non-
current


549


745


1,334

Advances for purchases of property, plant
and equipment


2,419


2,430


7,075

Advances to suppliers-non-current


5,627


5,627


5,928

Other long-lived assets


4,155


2,316


2,757

Total assets


1,824,152


1,835,049


2,401,640








LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY














Current liabilities:







Short-term borrowings


696,229


653,295


763,607

Accounts payable


509,200


536,067


718,491

Advances from customers-current


44,105


65,929


80,399

Amounts due to related parties


4,055


4,558


16,133

Other current liabilities


145,277


142,642


177,770

Income tax payable


1,475


2,345


2,552

Derivative liabilities


166


1,026


-

Warrant liability


7,298


8,295


-

Total current liabilities


1,407,805


1,414,157


1,758,952








Convertible notes payable-non-current


111,616


111,616


111,616

Long-term borrowings


64,030


70,561


146,271

Advances from customers-non-current


3,192


7,105


10,436

Warranty


25,688


23,546


15,412

Deferred subsidies and other


53,756


54,375


37,802

Other long-term liabilities


775


933


7,406

Total liabilities


1,666,862


1,682,293


2,087,895








Shareholders' equity







Common shares


476,441


475,816


422,207

Additional paid-in capital


6,991


6,549


5,104

Accumulated losses


(410,402)


(411,159)


(197,721)

Accumulated other comprehensive income


84,260


81,550


83,691

Total equity attribute to ReneSola Ltd


157,290


152,756


313,281

Noncontrolling interest


-


-


464

Total shareholders' equity


157,290


152,756


313,745








Total liabilities and shareholders' equity


1,824,152


1,835,049


2,401,640








RENESOLA LTD

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income

(US dollar in thousands, except ADS and share data)










Three Months Ended



June 30, 2014


Mar. 31, 2014


June 30, 2013








Net revenues


387,106


414,966


377,362

Cost of revenues


(330,232)


(370,917)


(346,989)

Gross profit (loss)


56,874


44,049


30,373

GP%


14.7%


10.6%


8.0%








Operating (expenses) income:







Sales and marketing


(21,864)


(23,125)


(20,728)

General and administrative


(13,529)


(20,202)


(11,265)

Research and development


(13,941)


(11,757)


(15,007)

Other operating income, net


3,026


2,333


55

Total operating expenses


(46,308)


(52,751)


(46,945)








Income (loss) from operations


10,566


(8,702)


(16,572)








Non-operating (expenses) income:







Interest income


1,230


1,271


1,948

Interest expense


(11,179)


(13,349)


(13,975)

Foreign exchange (loss) gain


(1,294)


1,481


(1,078)

Gain (loss) on derivatives, net


858


(1,376)


1,162

Investment gain on disposal of subsidiaries


-


2,615


-

Fair value change of warrant liability


998


1,050


-








Income (loss) before income tax,
noncontrolling interests


1,179


(17,010)


(28,515)








Income tax (expense) benefit


(422)


2,419


7,448

Net income (loss)


757


(14,591)


(21,067)








Less: Net loss attributed to
noncontrolling interests


-


(4)


(6)

Net income (loss) attributed to
holders of ordinary shares


757


(14,587)


(21,061)















Earnings per share







Basic


0.00


(0.07)


(0.12)

Diluted


0.00


(0.07)


(0.12)








Earnings per ADS







Basic


0.01


(0.14)


(0.24)

Diluted


0.01


(0.14)


(0.24)








Weighted average number of shares used in computing earnings
per share





Basic


203,373,943


203,367,464


172,876,537

Diluted


204,555,179


203,367,464


172,876,537





















(US dollar in
thousands)










Three Months ended



June 30, 2014


Mar. 31, 2014


June 30, 2013








Net income (loss)


757


(14,591)


(21,067)

Other comprehensive income (loss)







Foreign exchange translation adjustment


2,710


(2,064)


7,315

Other comprehensive income (loss)


2,710


(2,064)


7,315








Comprehensive income (loss)


3,467


(16,655)


(13,752)

Less:comprehensive loss attributable to
non-controlling interest

-


(4)


(6)

Comprehensive income (loss)
attributable to Renesola


3,467


(16,651)


(13,746)








RENESOLA LTD

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow

(US dollar in thousands)




Six Months Ended



June 30, 2014


June 30, 2013






Cash flow from operating activities:





Net loss


(13,834)


(60,078)

Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activity:




Inventory write-down


799


680

Depreciation and amortization


45,370


52,218

Amortization of deferred convertible
bond issuances costs and premium


392


392

Allowance of doubtful receivables and
advance to suppliers


5,197


2,844

Loss (gain) on derivatives


518


(5,027)

Fair value change of warrant liability


(2,048)


-

Share-based compensation


1,041


335

Loss on disposal of long-lived assets


1,255


160

Gain on disposal of land use right


(573)


(4,694)

Gain on disposal of subsidiaries


(2,615)


-






Changes in assets and liabilities:





Accounts receivables


18,642


(63,053)

Inventories


(34,540)


(86,881)

Project assets


1,369


(24,779)

Advances to suppliers


4,141


8,697

Amounts due from related parties


(5,683)


2,913

Value added tax recoverable


8,018


(3,977)

Prepaid expenses and other current
assets


3,727


9,806

Prepaid land use right


1,741


8,201

Accounts payable


(133,608)


226,648

Advances from customers


(58,659)


17,397

Income tax payable


(4,670)


(3,763)

Other current liabilities


10,922


2,606

Other long-term liabilities


(3,626)


(3,675)

Accrued warranty cost


5,076


4,899

Deferred taxes assets


(1,217)


(9,709)

Provision for litigation


-


(2,430)

Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities


(152,865)


69,730






Cash flow from investing activities:





Purchases of property, plant and
equipment


(39,330)


(28,611)

Advances for purchases of property,
plant and equipment


(2,446)


(30,427)

Cash received from government subsidy


11,762


7,984

Proceeds from disposal of property,
plant and equipment


41


-

Changes in restricted cash


95,669


(146,848)

Net cash received (paid) on settlement
of derivatives


(901)


2,782

Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries


18,473


-

Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities


83,268


(195,120)






Cash flow from financing activities:





Proceeds from bank borrowings


543,197


798,196

Repayment of bank borrowings


(508,886)


(686,976)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options


624


274

Repurchace from noncontrolling interests


-


(36)

Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities


34,935


111,458






Effect of exchange rate changes


6,016


955






Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents


(28,646)


(12,977)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year


86,773


93,283

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year


58,127


80,306






Source: ReneSola Ltd.
collection