ReneSola Ltd Announces First Quarter 2015 Results

JIASHAN, China, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- ReneSola Ltd ("ReneSola" or the "Company") (www.renesola.com) SOL, a leading brand and technology provider of energy-efficient products, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015.

ReneSola Logo

First Quarter 2015 Financial and Operating Highlights

  • Total solar module shipments were 496.4 megawatts ("MW"), representing an increase of 1.6% from Q4 2014. Total solar wafer and module shipments in Q1 2015 were 691.5 MW, compared to 744.3 MW in Q4 2014, and 710.1MW in Q1 2014.
  • Net revenues were US$349.0 million, representing a decrease of 9.8% from US$387.0 million in Q4 2014, and a decrease of 15.9% from US$415.0 million in Q1 2014.
  • Gross profit was US$36.7 million with a gross margin of 10.5%, compared to gross profit of US$51.2 million with a gross margin of 13.2% in Q4 2014, and gross profit of US$44.0 million with a gross margin of 10.6% in Q1 2014.
  • Operating loss was US$9.5 million with an operating margin of negative 2.7%, compared to an operating loss of US$2.2 million with an operating margin of negative 0.6% in Q4 2014, and an operating loss of US$8.7 million with an operating margin of negative 2.1% in Q1 2014.
  • Net loss attributable to holders of ordinary shares was US$18.0 million, representing basic and diluted loss per share of US$0.09 and basic and diluted loss per American depositary share ("ADS") of US$0.18.
  • Cash and cash equivalents plus restricted cash totaled $228.1 million as of the end of Q1 2015, compared to US$221.7 million as of the end of Q4 2014, and US$214.9 million as of the end of Q1 2014.
  • Net cash outflow from operating activities was US$9.0 million compared to net cash inflow from operating activities of US$41.9 million in Q4 2014, and net cash outflow from operating activities of US$112.3 million in Q1 2014.
  • Quarterly revenue and gross margin were lower than guidance mainly due to continued headwind from foreign exchange fluctuations, a decrease in module ASPs, and a delay in revenue recognition of a UK project.

"Amidst a first quarter backdrop with a number of macroeconomic challenges and lingering foreign exchange volatility, we continued with our strategy to transition our business into the downstream project and services segment of the market," said Mr. Xianshou Li, ReneSola's chief executive officer. "We are leveraging the flexibility in our business model to quickly respond to changing market dynamics and to capture market opportunities. At the beginning of 2015, we began to scale back our global OEM capacity and focus more on our downstream project opportunities. We have completed over 70 MW of projects in the UK and expect to monetize in the near-term while expanding into a larger portfolio of downstream projects in the second half of 2015. As we continue with this strategic transition into the downstream services and project area, we believe we will be better positioned to achieve long-term profitability."

Mr. Daniel K. Lee, ReneSola's chief financial officer, said, "We continue to focus on actively managing our balance sheet. In Q1 we substantially reduced our inventory by $88.8 million as well as our long-term liabilities, reducing our convertible notes by $31.7 million. Going forward, we expect to further improve our balance sheet as well as cash flow as we monetize on our existing project portfolio and successfully execute on our long-term downstream strategy."

First Quarter 2015 Results

Solar Wafer and Module Shipments


1Q15

4Q14

1Q14

Q-o-Q%

Y-o-Y%

Module Shipments (MW)

496.4

488.4

521.1

1.6%

-4.7%

Wafer Shipments (MW)

195.1

255.9

189.0

-23.8%

3.2%

Total Solar Wafer and Module Shipments (MW)

691.5

744.3

710.1

-7.1%

-2.6%

The quarter-over-quarter increase in module shipments was mainly due to strong demand in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom. The quarter-over-quarter decrease in wafer shipments reflects the Company's strategy of shifting away from the lower-margin wafer business and towards the higher-margin module business as well as downstream business.

Net Revenues and Gross Profit


1Q15

4Q14

1Q14

Q-o-Q%

Y-o-Y%

Net Revenues (US$mln)

$349.0

$387.0

$415.0

-9.8%

-15.9%

Gross Profit (US$mln)

$36.7

$51.2

$44.0

-28.3%

-16.6%

Gross Margin

10.5%

13.2%

10.6%

-

-

Net revenues decreased quarter over quarter due to lower average selling price (ASP) of modules, as well as a decrease in wafer shipments. The quarter-over-quarter decrease in the Company's gross margin was a result of a lower average selling price (ASP) of modules, which was partially affected by appreciation of the US dollar, especially against the euro.

Operating Income (Loss)


1Q15

4Q14

1Q14

Q-o-Q%

Y-o-Y%

Operating Expenses (US$mln)

$46.2

$53.4

$52.8

-13.5%

-12.5%

Operating Income (Loss)
(US$mln)

($9.5)

($2.2)

($8.7)

-

-

Operating Margin

-2.7%

-0.6%

-2.1%

-

-

The quarter-over-quarter decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to lower SG&A expenses as well as one-time administrative gain.

Foreign Exchange Gain (Loss)

In Q1 2015, the Company had a foreign exchange loss of US$16.1 million and recognized a US$4.5 million gain on derivatives. The foreign exchange loss was primarily due to the depreciation of the euro, pound and yen against the U.S. dollar.

Other Gains (Loss)

During the first quarter of 2015, the Company recognized a gain of $11.6 million from the repurchase of convertible notes.

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Holders of Ordinary Shares


1Q15

4Q14

1Q14

Net Income (Loss) (US$mln)

($18.0)

($8.1)

($14.6)

Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share

($0.09)

($0.04)

($0.07)

Diluted Earnings (Loss) per ADS

($0.18)

($0.08)

($0.14)

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash outflow from operating activities was US$9.0 million in Q1 2015, compared to net cash inflow of US$41.9 million in Q4 2014.

Net cash and cash equivalents plus restricted cash totaled US$228.1 million as of March 31, 2015, compared to US$221.7 million as of December 31, 2014.

Total bank borrowing was US$723.0 million as of March 31, 2015, compared to US$698.1 million as of December 31, 2014. Short-term borrowings were US$681.7 million at March 31, 2015, compared to US$654.7 million at December 31, 2014.

The Company has US$62.9 million of convertible notes due on March 15, 2018 with a put option on March 15, 2016. In Q1 2015, the Company repurchased $31.7 million notional amount of its convertible notes. The Company might continue to repurchase its convertible bonds from time to time, subject to market conditions and other strategic considerations.

Polysilicon Update

The Company's total output of polysilicon Q1 2015 was 1,522 metric tons, a slight decrease from the previous quarter due to annual maintenance which is regularly scheduled in Q1. The Company's polysilicon factory is currently running at full capacity and generating positive cash flow.

Project Business Update

ReneSola currently has a total of approximately 96.1 MW in existing projects, including four utility-scale projects totaling 71 MW in the United Kingdom and four utility-scale projects totaling 25.1 MW in Eastern Europe.

In Q1 2015, the Company successfully completed and connected three utility-scale projects totaling 57.5 MW in the United Kingdom, all of which are eligible for the R.O.C 1.4 scheme. In addition, the Company has signed an agreement to sell a 13.5 MW utility-scale project in the United Kingdom, which was connected to the grid by end of 2014. All together the Company expects to complete the sale for all 71 MW UK projects in coming quarters.

The Company is actively exploring project opportunities in several developed markets and expects to provide a detailed pipeline later this year.

Business Highlights

Geographic Breakdown of Module Shipments


2015 Q1

2014 Q4

2014 Q1

U.S.

3.3%

13.9%

13.6%

Europe

44.4%

30.5%

39.2%

Japan

30.4%

26.8%

22.5%

China

4.8%

7.7%

11.4%

Other

17.1%

21.1%

13.3%

The sequential increase of shipments to the European market was a result of a significant increase in shipments to the United Kingdom. The sequential decrease in shipments to the U.S. and China was mainly due to the Company's strategic shift towards higher margin markets during the quarter.

Research and Development

During Q1 2015, ReneSola continued to invest in the development of new technologies and to increase the efficiency of its current range of solar and other clean energy products.

Wafers and Modules

The Company's innovative A+++ wafer is now at 100% mass production. While maintaining the same average efficiency of 17.8%, the wafer's processing cost was reduced by 4%. Following the successful launch of its A+++ wafer, the Company will focus on the development of its A4+ wafer which has concentrated efficiency distribution and 0.1% higher cell average efficiency than the new A+++ wafer.

The Company's double-glass module with 1500V maximum system voltage has been certificated as 1500V maximum system voltage and Class-A fire rating by TUV. The Four Bus-Bar Cell module product is also certified by TUV, with around 5W output improvement compared to Three Bus-Bar products. Both module products have entered mass production in late May.

Inverter

ReneSola's innovative 5KW hybrid inverter has now received applicable certification and the Company has started promotions in Australia.

The Company's TLE-series inverter has received related certifications in the United Kingdom and Ireland and scale shipments have begun in these markets.

Both software and hardware have been upgraded for the Company's first generation micro-inverters, which have achieved elevated stability following half-year testing.

LED

In the North American market, ReneSola launched its T8 LED replacement series products, which commercial lighting clients can use to replace traditional fluorescent tubes. The T8 LED series can work with magnetic and electronic ballast and access the electricity power supply directly, which eliminates the need for clients to change wires in old fixtures. The T8 LED series is compatible with most traditional electronic ballast systems in the North American market. The T8 LED series comes with a 5-year warranty and with features including convenient installation, quick start-up, good heat dissipation, high efficiency, and low power consumption with more stable performance.

Recent Business Developments

  • In February 2015, the Company announced the expansion of its new LED lighting solutions division in the U.S. The Company's sales and logistics network was expanded to 12 states with further expansion planned in 2015. LED sales and technical specialists work closely with the Company's large customer base, including electrical distribution clients, to supply high-quality LED products and services across the country. Since 2014, ReneSola's LED products have been procured for a wide range of lighting projects, including in seaports, hotels, automobile dealerships, and universities.
  • In February 2015, the Company announced that its PV testing laboratory in Jiangsu, China has achieved Witness Testing Data Program certification from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a globally renowned and independent safety science company.

Outlook

For Q2 2015, the Company expects its net revenues to be in the range of US$250 million to US$300 million, and gross margin to be in the range of 16% to 18%.

Conference Call Information

ReneSola's management will host an earnings conference call on June 2, 2015 at 8 am U.S. Eastern Time (8 pm Beijing/Hong Kong time).

U.S. / International:    

+1-866-519-4004

Hong Kong:               

+852-3018-6771

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 June 10, 2015:

International:              

+1-646-254-3697

Passcode:                    

49776591

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.

About ReneSola

Founded in 2005, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2008, ReneSola 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. Juliet Yang
ReneSola Ltd
Tel: +86 (21) 6280-9180 ext. 105
Email: ir@renesola.com

Mr. Derek Mitchell
Ogilvy Financial, Beijing
Tel: +86 (10) 8520-6139
Email: sol@ogilvy.com

In the United States:

Ogilvy Financial
Tel: +1 (646) 867-1888
Email: sol@ogilvy.com

 

 RENESOLA LTD 

 Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet 

 (US dollars in thousands) 










Mar 31,


Dec 31,


Mar 31,



2015


2014


2014

 ASSETS 







 Current assets: 







 Cash and cash equivalents  


47,857


99,848


52,660

 Restricted cash  


180,291


121,862


162,283

 Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts 


133,462


125,743


206,771

 Inventories 


268,546


357,361


375,655

 Advances to suppliers-current 


50,629


27,494


8,699

 Amounts due from related parties 


12


452


205

 Value added tax recoverable 


29,261


30,514


29,359

 Prepaid income tax 


1,108


1,247


2,307

 Prepaid expenses and other current assets  


48,457


44,252


61,918

 Project assets 


65,791


37,040


33,158

 Deferred convertible notes issue costs-current  


414


661


784

 Derivative assets 


1,839


1,688


63

 Deferred tax assets-current, net 


3,568


11,368


1,557

 Total current assets  


831,235


859,531


935,419








 Property, plant and equipment, net 


728,670


750,298


827,460

 Prepaid land use right 


40,381


39,574


41,312

 Deferred tax assets-non-current, net 


17,428


8,462


19,740

 Deferred convertible notes issue costs-non-current 


-


138


745

 Advances for purchases of property, plant and
 equipment  


954


1,756


2,430

 Advances to suppliers-non-current 


-


-


5,627

 Other long-lived assets 


8,360


9,249


2,316

 Total assets  


1,627,028


1,669,008


1,835,049








 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 














 Current liabilities: 







 Convertible notes payable, current portion 


62,850


-


-

 Short-term borrowings  


681,707


654,675


653,295

 Accounts payable  


478,559


461,499


536,067

 Advances from customers-current 


53,109


84,412


65,929

 Amounts due to related parties  


2,889


7,570


4,558

 Other current liabilities  


118,794


126,623


142,642

 Income tax payable 


124


123


2,345

 Derivative liabilities 


22


-


1,026

 Warrant liability 


1,733


1,890


8,295

 Total current liabilities  


1,399,787


1,336,792


1,414,157








 Convertible notes payable-non-current  


-


94,599


111,616

 Long-term borrowings  


41,342


43,452


70,561

 Advances from customers-non-current 


1,191


936


7,105

 Warranty  


34,298


31,778


23,546

 Deferred subsidies and other 


24,988


25,347


54,375

 Other long-term liabilities  


1,128


946


933

 Total liabilities  


1,502,734


1,533,851


1,682,293








 Shareholders' equity 







   Common shares  


478,391


476,766


475,816

   Additional paid-in capital  


6,882


7,512


6,549

 Accumulated losses 


(448,230)


(430,202)


(411,159)

   Accumulated other comprehensive income  


87,251


81,080


81,550

 Total equity attribute to ReneSola Ltd 


124,294


135,156


152,756

 Noncontrolling interest 


-


-


-

 Total  shareholders' equity 


124,294


135,156


152,756








 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  


1,627,028


1,669,008


1,835,049








 

 

RENESOLA LTD

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income

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










Three Months Ended 



Mar 31, 2015


Dec 31, 2014


Mar 31, 2014








Net revenues


349,003


386,968


414,966

Cost of revenues 


(312,338)


(335,733)


(370,917)

Gross profit (loss)


36,665


51,235


44,049

GP%


10.5%


13.2%


10.6%








Operating (expenses) income:







Sales and marketing 


(21,843)


(23,338)


(23,125)

General and administrative 


(13,736)


(16,051)


(20,202)

Research and development 


(13,418)


(13,571)


(11,757)

Other operating income, net


2,812


(440)


2,333

Total operating expenses 


(46,185)


(53,400)


(52,751)








Income (loss) from operations 


(9,520)


(2,165)


(8,702)








Non-operating (expenses) income:







Interest income 


932


1,172


1,271

Interest expense


(10,842)


(12,273)


(13,349)

Foreign exchange gain (loss)


(16,070)


(13,501)


1,481

Gain (loss) on derivatives, net


4,501


4,359


(1,376)

Investment gain on disposal of subsidiaries


-


4,895


2,615

Gains on repurchase of convertible bonds


11,648


7,048


-

Fair value change of warrant liability


158


4,672


1,050








Income (loss) before income tax, noncontrolling interests


(19,193)


(5,793)


(17,010)








Income tax (expense) benefit


1,165


(2,262)


2,419

Net income (loss)


(18,028)


(8,055)


(14,591)








Less: Net income (loss) attributed to noncontrolling interests


-


-


(4)

Net income (loss) attributed to holders of ordinary shares


(18,028)


(8,055)


(14,587)















Earnings per share







  Basic


(0.09)


(0.04)


(0.07)

  Diluted


(0.09)


(0.04)


(0.07)








Earnings per ADS







  Basic


(0.18)


(0.08)


(0.14)

  Diluted


(0.18)


(0.08)


(0.14)








Weighted average number of shares used in computing earnings per share






  Basic


203,918,702


203,777,464


203,367,464

  Diluted


203,918,702


203,777,464


203,367,464






















RENESOLA LTD

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

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










Three Months ended



Mar 31, 2015


Dec 31, 2014


Mar 31, 2014








Net income (loss)


(18,028)


(18,028)


(14,591)

Other comprehensive income (loss)







Foreign exchange translation adjustment


6,171


(3,872)


(2,064)

Other comprehensive income (loss)


6,171


(3,872)


(2,064)








Comprehensive income (loss)


(11,857)


(21,900)


(16,655)

Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest


-


-


(4)

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Renesola


(11,857)


(21,900)


(16,651)








 

 

RENESOLA LTD

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow

(US dollar in thousands)



 Three Months Ended  



Mar 31, 2015


Mar 31, 2014






Cash flow from operating activities:





Net loss


(18,028)


(14,591)

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





  Inventory write-down


331


816

  Depreciation and amortization


22,430


28,449

  Amortization of deferred convertible bond issuances costs and premium


387


196

  Allowance of doubtful receivables and advance to suppliers


383


3,627

  Loss (gain) on derivatives


(4,501)


1,376

  Fair value change of warrant liability


(158)


(1,050)

  Share-based compensation


425


600

  Loss on disposal of long-lived assets


(493)


440

  Gain on disposal of land use right


-


(411)

  Gain on disposal of subsidiaries


-


(2,615)

  Gain on CB repurchase


(11,648)


-






Changes in assets and liabilities:





  Accounts receivables


(6,921)


24,479

  Inventories


52,526


(21,772)

  Project assets


(2,098)


886

  Advances to suppliers


(23,833)


5,319

  Amounts due from related parties


(170)


(4,297)

  Value added tax recoverable


473


44

  Prepaid expenses and other current assets


(2,245)


949

  Prepaid land use rights


(742)


1,324

  Accounts payable


21,510


(106,786)

  Advances from customers


(27,133)


(32,973)

  Income tax payable


99


(2,654)

  Other  current liabilities


(9,510)


9,902

  Other long-term liabilities


(380)


(3,049)

  Other long-term assets


(239)


-

  Accrued warranty cost


2,520


2,367

  Deferred taxes assets


(2,011)


(2,829)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities


(9,026)


(112,253)






Cash flow from investing activities:





  Purchases of property, plant and equipment


(387)


(35,876)

  Advances for purchases of property, plant and equipment


(1,241)


(1,188)

  Cash received from government subsidy


-


12,010

  Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment


23


27

  Changes in restricted cash 


(58,197)


94,775

  Net cash received (paid) on settlement of  derivatives


4,371


(371)

  Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries


-


14,765

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities


(55,431)


84,142






Cash flow from financing activities:





  Proceeds from bank borrowings


265,599


249,143

  Repayment of related party


(4,072)


-

  Repayment of bank borrowings


(236,907)


(249,960)

  Proceeds from exercise of stock options


1,625


-

  Paid for CB repurchase


(20,059)


-

Net cash provided  by (used in) financing activities


6,186


(817)






Effect of exchange rate changes


6,280


(5,185)






Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents


(51,991)


(34,113)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year


99,848


86,773

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year


47,857


52,660






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To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/renesola-ltd-announces-first-quarter-2015-results-300092471.html

SOURCE ReneSola Ltd.

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