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ReneSola Ltd Announces First Quarter 2015 Results

June 2, 2015 7:26 AM

JIASHAN, China, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- ReneSola Ltd ("ReneSola" or the "Company") (www.renesola.com) (NYSE: 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.

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 (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. Juliet YangReneSola LtdTel: +86 (21) 6280-9180 ext. 105Email: [email protected]

Mr. Derek MitchellOgilvy Financial, BeijingTel: +86 (10) 8520-6139Email: [email protected]

In the United States:

Ogilvy FinancialTel: +1 (646) 867-1888Email: [email protected]

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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SOURCE ReneSola Ltd.

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