Evergreen Solar`s Sequential Shipments Increase 35% to 31 MW for the Third Quarter
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20091104006379/en
Transition of Devens Panel Assembly to China Planned for 2010
Wafer and Cell Production to Remain in Devens
MARLBORO, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
Evergreen Solar, Inc. (NasdaqGM: ESLR), a manufacturer of String Ribbon solar
power products with its proprietary, low-cost silicon wafer technology, today
announced financial results for the third quarter ended October 3, 2009.
Key accomplishments during the quarter were:
* Shipped 31.3 MW from our Devens facility, an increase of 35% over second
quarter shipments of 23.2 MW;
* Reduced total manufacturing cost to $2.24 per watt, down 17% from $2.70 per
watt for the second quarter. Wafer manufacturing cost was approximately $0.75
per watt, down from $0.85 per watt in the second quarter;
* Generated EBITDA of $6.3 million, compared to $1.4 million in the second
quarter;
* Finalized agreements with Jiawei Solar and the Wuhan, China Government`s Hubei
Science & Technology Investment Co., Ltd. ("HSTIC"), under which:
* Evergreen Solar will manufacture String Ribbon wafers using our
state-of-the-art Quad furnaces at a leased facility currently being built by
Jiawei in Wuhan, China on Jiawei`s campus;
* Jiawei will convert the String Ribbon wafers into Evergreen Solar-branded
panels on a contract manufacturing basis beginning in the spring 2010; and
* HSTIC provided $33 million of 7.5% financing, which Evergreen Solar must repay
no later than July 2014, all of which has been received.
* Hired our Chinese executive team, including Henry Ng, former General Manager
of Suntech Power Company Ltd.`s factory in Wuxi, China;
* Began pilot production at our Michigan high-temperature filament plant.
"Due to strong demand from our customers, we were able to increase our
sequential production substantially and sell everything we produced," stated
Richard M. Feldt, Chairman, CEO and President. "While demand continues to be
solid early in the fourth quarter, we expect to experience some of the typical
seasonal moderation in December which we expect will extend into the first
quarter.
"Our Devens facility has continuously met its key operational goals of rapid
sequential production increases and significantly reduced manufacturing costs
since opening in mid-2008. In particular, we are especially pleased with the
success of our Quad wafer production performance, which has met or exceeded our
expectations to date. However, panel prices have fallen over 30% since mid-2008
making it very difficult for manufacturers located in high-cost regions to
remain price competitive. Therefore, we are accelerating our strategic
initiative of increasing the focus on our unique wafer manufacturing technology;
and we will begin to transition our Devens-based panel assembly to China in
mid-2010," continued Feldt.
"Until we begin this transition, we expect to produce approximately 30 to 35
megawatts each quarter at our Devens facility. After the transition is complete,
we will continue to produce wafers and cells at our Devens facility and may
increase capacity if market demand warrants. If long-term demand for panels
manufactured in the United States significantly increases, we will be
well-positioned to quickly reintroduce panel assembly again at Devens," Feldt
concluded.
Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results
Revenues for the third quarter of 2009 were $77.7 million, including $2.2
million of fees from our Sovello joint venture, compared to $63.8 million for
the second quarter of 2009, including $1.1 million of fees and $22.1 million for
the third quarter of 2008, including $4.3 million of fees.
Gross margin for the third quarter of 2009 was 9.7%, compared to 1.9% for the
second quarter of 2009 and 5.7% for the third quarter of 2008.
Operating loss for the third quarter was $6.0 million, compared to $11.5 million
for the second quarter of 2009 and $22.1 million for the third quarter of 2008.
Net loss for the third quarter of 2009 was $82.4 million compared to $20.3
million in the second quarter of 2009 and $24.6 million for the third quarter
2008. Net loss for the third quarter 2009 includes a charge of approximately $70
million reflecting the write-down of our investment in Sovello to its estimated
fair value. In making the assessment, we considered Sovello`s cash position,
projected cash flow, comparable market data, the current investing environment,
management changes and competition. If Sovello is not able to restructure the
terms of its loan agreements or its operations continue to deteriorate, the
carrying value of this investment could be further impaired in the future.
This press release contains both GAAP and non-GAAP financial information.
Non-GAAP figures are reconciled to the closest GAAP equivalent categories in the
financial attachment of this press release.
Conference Call Information
Management will conduct a conference call at 8:30 a.m. (ET) tomorrow (November
5, 2009) to review the Company's third quarter financial results and highlights.
The call will be webcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by logging
on to the "Investors" section of Evergreen Solar's website,
www.evergreensolar.com prior to the event.
The call also can be accessed by dialing (877) 704-5378 or (913) 312-1294
(International) prior to the start of the call and refer to confirmation code
3659743.
For those unable to join the live conference call, a webcast replay will be
available from 11:00 a.m. (ET) on November 5 through 8:00 p.m. (ET) on November
13. To access the replay, logon to the "Investors" section of Evergreen Solar`s
website, www.evergreensolar.com.
About Evergreen Solar, Inc.
Evergreen Solar, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets String Ribbon solar
power products using its proprietary, low-cost silicon wafer technology. The
Company's patented wafer manufacturing technology uses significantly less
polysilicon than conventional processes. Evergreen Solar's products provide
reliable and environmentally clean electric power for residential and commercial
applications globally. For more information about the Company, please visit
www.evergreensolar.com. Evergreen Solar and String Ribbon are trademarks of
Evergreen Solar, Inc.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe
harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These
statements are based on management`s current expectations or beliefs. Such
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those related to
expectations regarding our ability to continue to significantly reduce our
manufacturing costs; potential cost savings from the transition of our panel
operation to China; potential increases in the wafer and cell production
capacity at our Devens facility; our ability generally to manufacture and sell
our products and the possible changes in pricing and demand for our products.
These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such
forward-looking statements, including risks associated with the company`s
ability to lower manufacturing costs and otherwise successfully manufacture and
sell its products; uncertainties related to government regulations, subsidies
and incentives; risks from various economic factors such as credit market
conditions, fluctuations in currency exchange rates and other risks and
uncertainties identified in the company`s filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Evergreen Solar disclaims any obligation to update or
revise such statements to reflect any change in company expectations, or in
events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements may be based,
or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set
forth in the forward-looking statements for any reasons.
Evergreen Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESLR)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (a)
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended Year-to-Date Period Ended
September 27, October 3, September 27, October 3,
2008 2009 2008 2009
(Adjusted) (Adjusted)
Product revenues $ 17,803 $ 75,450 $ 54,180 $ 192,586
Royalty and fee revenues 4,264 2,208 13,590 4,716
Total revenues 22,067 77,658 67,770 197,302
Cost of revenues 20,820 70,092 50,914 187,842
Gross profit 1,247 7,566 16,856 9,460
Operating expenses:
Research and development 5,541 4,417 16,371 13,307
Selling, general and administrative 6,174 5,872 17,060 18,990
Write-off of loan receivable from silicon supplier - - - 43,882
Facility start-up 8,956 2,493 20,948 6,639
Restructuring charges 2,709 777 7,279 3,394
Total operating expenses 23,380 13,559 61,658 86,212
Operating loss (22,133 ) (5,993 ) (44,802 ) (76,752 )
Other income (expense):
Foreign exchange gains (losses), net (5,017 ) 2,478 (1,361 ) 3,460
Interest income 4,242 118 10,004 3,672
Interest expense (3,295 ) (7,430 ) (3,657 ) (19,342 )
Other income (expense), net (4,070 ) (4,834 ) 4,986 (12,210 )
Loss before equity income (loss) from interest in Sovello AG, impairment of equity investment and income tax benefit
(26,203 ) (10,827 ) (39,816 ) (88,962 )
Equity income (loss) from interest in Sovello AG and impairment of investment
1,558 (79,423 ) 6,224 (85,915 )
Income tax benefit - (7,805 ) - (7,805 )
Net loss $ (24,645 ) $ (82,445 ) $ (33,592 ) $ (167,072 )
Net loss per share:
Basic $ (0.19 ) $ (0.40 ) $ (0.28 ) $ (0.92 )
Diluted $ (0.19 ) $ (0.40 ) $ (0.28 ) $ (0.92 )
Weighted average shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share:
Basic 132,034 204,790 119,807 182,250
Diluted 132,034 204,790 119,807 182,250
(a) On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted FSP No. APB 14-1 "Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash Upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)" concerning convertible debt accounting, which has been incorporated into Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 470, and FSP EITF 03-6-1 "Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions are Participating Securities" concerning the calculation of earnings per share, which has been incorporated
into ASC 260. These rules require restatement of prior periods to conform to current accounting.
Evergreen Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESLR)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (a)
(in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
December 31, October 3,
2008 2009
(Adjusted)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 100,888 $ 90,960
Marketable securities 76,621 -
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts 35,458 63,796
Due from Sovello AG 1,949 3,318
Inventory 23,500 30,743
Prepaid cost of inventory 11,696 19,302
VAT receivable, net 1,474 1,601
Other current assets 7,684 7,980
Total current assets 259,270 217,700
Investment in and advances to Sovello AG 115,553 50,000
Restricted cash 212 3,138
Deferred financing costs 6,152 5,115
Loan receivable from silicon supplier 41,757 -
Prepaid cost of inventory 172,193 155,996
Fixed assets, net 406,191 440,348
Other assets 3,579 330
Total assets $ 1,004,907 $ 872,627
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 62,652 $ 25,951
Due to Sovello AG 22,840 1,620
Accrued employee compensation 6,451 5,646
Accrued interest 7,392 3,277
Accrued warranty 1,182 2,091
Total current liabilities 100,517 38,585
Senior convertible notes, net of discount 311,531 320,262
Loan Payable - 14,115
Deferred income taxes 9,776 2,400
Total liabilities 421,824 375,362
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 164,874,850 and 207,845,548 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2008 and October 3, 2009, respectively
1,649 2,078
Additional paid-in capital 803,491 881,192
Accumulated deficit (223,687) (390,759)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,630 4,754
Total stockholders' equity 583,083 497,265
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,004,907 $ 872,627
(a) On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted FSP No. APB 14-1 "Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash Upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)" which has been incorporated into Accounting Standards Codification 470. The rule requires restatement of prior periods to conform to current accounting.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes a discussion of EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP
financial measure and is provided as a complement to results provided in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America ("GAAP"). The term "EBITDA" refers to a financial measure that we define
as operating loss plus depreciation and amortization of prepaid cost of
inventory. This Non-GAAP measure should be considered in addition to results
prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for,
or superior to, GAAP results. In addition, our definition of EBITDA may not be
comparable to the definitions as reported by other companies. We believe
adjusted EBITDA is relevant and useful information because it provides us and
investors with an additional measurement to compare the Company`s operating
performance. This measure is part of our internal management reporting and
planning process and is a primary measure used by management to evaluate the
operating performance of our business. The components of EBITDA include the key
revenue and expense items for which our operating managers are responsible and
upon which we evaluate their performance. EBITDA is also used for planning
purposes and in presentations to financial institutions and our board of
directors. Furthermore, we intend to provide this non-GAAP financial measure as
part of our future earnings discussions and, therefore, the inclusion of this
non-GAAP financial measure will provide consistency in our financial reporting.
Adjusted EBITDA was determined as follows:
Quarter Ended
July 4, October 3,
2009 2009
Operating loss per statement of operations (11,488) (5,993)
Depreciation 10,017 10,583
Amortization of prepaid cost of inventory 2,918 1,709
Adjusted EBITDA 1,447 6,299
Evergreen Solar, Inc.
Michael McCarthy, 508-251-3261
Director - Investor Relations
mmccarthy@evergreensolar.com
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