|
Quotes & Info
|
| ASTI > SEC Filings for ASTI > Form 10-Q on 8-Nov-2012 | All Recent SEC Filings |
8-Nov-2012
Quarterly Report
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited financial statements and the notes to those financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. This discussion and analysis contains statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or our future financial performance. As a result of many factors, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
Overview
We are a development stage company formed in October 2005 to commercialize
flexible photovoltaic modules using our proprietary technology. For the nine
months ended September 30, 2012, we generated $1,152,000 of revenue. Our revenue
from government research and development contracts was $605,000 and our revenue
from product sales was $547,000. For the three months ended September 30, 2012,
our product revenue was $474,000, the highest level of quarterly product revenue
in our history.
Following the appointment of our new President and CEO on February 2, 2012, we
began to reposition our business model with an immediate focus into developing
consumer products. With this line of products we plan to capture a larger
portion of the value chain with higher profit margins as products are developed
and designed in-house and sold directly to end consumers or through distributors
globally. In June we launched our new EnerPlex™ brand line of consumer products,
and introduced the first product under the EnerPlex brand with a solar-assisted
charger for the Apple® iPhone® 4/4S smart phone featuring our ultra-light CIGS
thin film technology. The charger incorporates our ultra-light and thin solar
module into a sleek, protective iPhone 4/4S case, along with a thin battery. The
charger adds minimal weight and size to an iPhone smart phone, yet provides
significantly improved battery life.
In August we announced the launch of our second consumer product, a
solar-assisted charger for the Samsung® Galaxy S® III, which provides 95% more
battery life for the Galaxy S III while allowing the user to utilize the
integrated CIGS solar panel to provide supplemental charging when traditional
power sources are unavailable. Our charger maintains the slim and attractive
form factor of the Galaxy S III. In October we made our iPhone 4/4S case
available on www.amazon.com and we launched the website for our consumer
products at www.EnerPlex.biz. The website will bring EnerPlex products directly
to consumers.
Currently we are in limited production based on demand for our products in
emerging and specialty markets, particularly our EnerPlex line of consumer
products. In the near term we are focusing on emerging and specialty markets
with higher average selling prices. Under our current business plan, we expect
losses to continue until we have fully implemented our new strategy. Although we
plan to continue manufacturing at our current facilities, our plans are also to
have significant future production capacity enabled through our relationship
with TFG Radiant.
We believe that there remains strong interest in renewable energy in general and
solar in particular, but existing global political and financial conditions are
significantly disrupting key solar markets. Over the past several years, the PV
market has continued to experience a significant decline in average selling
prices for PV modules. This was a result of many factors, most significantly the
increased industry-wide manufacturing capacity, which has contributed to excess
industry channel inventories, and a concurrent scaling back of government
subsidies and incentives related to solar energy.
We believe that our lightweight, ultra-thin, and flexible technology is
transformational in nature, and will provide us advantages in serving specialty
markets like consumer, defense, portable power, transportation, off grid and
distributed power, as well as, customized building applied photovoltaic ("BAPV")
and building integrated photovoltaic ("BIPV") markets.
We believe that our use of CIGS on a flexible, durable, lightweight, ultra-thin,
high-tech plastic substrate will allow for unique and seamless integration of
our PV modules into a variety of electronic products, building materials,
defense, transportation and space applications, as well as other products and
applications that may emerge. We believe that the unique attributes of our
materials and manufacturing process will enable a reduction in the overall
system and installation cost-per-watt ratios. For markets that place a high
premium on weight, such as rooftop, defense, space and near-space markets, we
believe our materials should provide attractive increases in power-to-weight
ratios, and we believe that our materials have higher power-to-area ratios and
voltage-to-area ratios than competing flexible PV thin-film technologies. These
metrics will be critical as we position ourselves to compete in high value-added
markets, including; consumer, defense, transportation, space and rooftop
applications.
Commercialization and Manufacturing Expansion Plan
We intend to be the first company to commercialize the manufacture of
roll-format, PV modules that use CIGS on a flexible, plastic substrate. Our
manufacturing expansion plan entails the qualification, testing and operation of
our production tools to increase production. During the nine months ended
September 30, 2012, we had product sales of approximately $547,000, of which
$474,000 occurred during the third quarter. We do not consider this level of
sales sufficient for exiting development stage.
Substantially all equipment necessary for production has been delivered as of
September 30, 2012. Our current production volumes are based primarily on market
demand for our products in emerging and specialty markets. In March 2011, based
on market conditions, we revised our near-term strategy to focus on applications
for emerging and specialty markets, including off-grid, military and defense and
consumer oriented products, which we believe will better leverage the unique
characteristics of our product and carry higher average selling prices. We plan
to continue to develop our customized rooftop applications and we will re-enter
this market when the economics are favorable to us.
The manufacture of photovoltaic modules is a capital-intensive business. Our
unique technology enables the manufacture of differentiated PV products with
high power density which are lightweight and flexible. We believe markets of
substantial size, particularly the customized BIPV and BAPV markets will exist
long term, requiring significant additional production capacity.
We plan to continue the development of our current PV technology to increase
module efficiency, improve our manufacturing tooling and process capabilities
and reduce manufacturing costs. We also plan to continue to take advantage of
research and development contracts to fund a portion of this development.
Capital Equipment Expenditures and Manufacturing Costs
Since our formation in October 2005, the majority of our cash outlays have gone
toward the investment in capital equipment necessary to develop our
manufacturing capabilities for producing the commercial products we envision and
for research and development.
As of September 30, 2012, we have remaining obligations for equipment purchases
in the approximate amount of $0.6 million, of which approximately $0.4 million
is recorded in "Accrued property, plant and equipment." The timing and amount of
our production capacity and actual output will depend on customer demand as well
as a number of technical factors such as module efficiency, production yield and
throughput. Future production will depend on our continuing efforts to
successfully ramp up the production equipment.
We are continuing the process of qualifying the production tools that have been
delivered. We have additional tools on order that have not been delivered. We
intend to continue to optimize our manufacturing processes including throughput,
efficiency and yield to improve product performance and reduce manufacturing
costs within the context of our new market focus.
Related Party Activity
On February 1, 2012, we announced the appointment of Victor Lee as President and
Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Lee has served on our Board since November 2011.
Mr. Lee is the managing director of Tertius Financial Group Pte Ltd, the joint
venture partner with Radiant Group in TFG Radiant. As President and Chief
Executive Officer, Mr. Lee will not receive any cash, equity or other
compensation from the Company. In April 2012 we appointed the Chairman of TFG
Radiant, Mr. Winston Xu (aka Xu Biao), as a member of our Board of Directors.
In June 2012 we entered into a supply agreement and a contract manufacturing
agreement with TFG Radiant. Under the terms of the contract manufacturing
agreement TFG Radiant will oversee certain aspects of the contract manufacturing
process related to the our EnerPlex™ line of consumer products. We will
compensate TFG Radiant for acting as general contractor in the contract
manufacturing process. TFG Radiant also provides consulting services related to
product design. Under the supply agreement TFG Radiant intends to distribute our
consumer products in Asia. Included in Research and development expense for
contract manufacturing and consulting fees with TFG Radiant is $695,000 for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2012. During the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2012 we recognized revenue in the amount of $405,000 for
products distributed through TFG Radiant and then sold to unrelated third
parties. As of September 30, 2012 we held $632,000 in receivables due from and
deposits paid to TFG Radiant.
Significant Trends, Uncertainties and Challenges
We believe that the significant trends, uncertainties and challenges that
directly or indirectly affect our financial performance and results of
operations include:
• Customer acceptance of and demand for our products;
• Our ability to raise additional capital, if necessary, on terms favorable to us;
• Our ability to qualify production tools to achieve desired production yields, throughput, module efficiencies and other performance targets, and to obtain in a timely manner necessary or desired certifications for our PV modules, in a timely manner;
• Our ability to maintain the listing of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market or Capital Market;
• Our ability to achieve projected operational performance and cost metrics;
• Our ability to consummate strategic relationships with key partners, including OEMs, customers, system integrators, value-added resellers and distributors who deal directly with manufacturers and end-users in the BIPV/BAPV, portable power, EIPV and government/defense solar panel markets;
• The availability of, or changes to, governmental policies, subsidies and incentives that effect the use or cost of renewable energy;
• Changes in the supply and demand for PV modules as well as fluctuations in selling prices for PV modules worldwide;
• Our ability to manage the planned expansion of our manufacturing facilities, operations and personnel;
• Our ability to enter into commercially viable licensing, joint venture, or other commercial arrangements;
• Our ability and the ability of our distributors, suppliers and customers to manage operations and orders and timely delivery of production tools; and
• Availability of raw materials.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates Critical accounting policies used in reporting our financial results are reviewed by management on a regular basis. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Processes used to develop these estimates are evaluated on an ongoing basis. Estimates are based on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ
as outcomes from assumptions may change.
Our significant accounting policies were described in Note 3 to our audited
financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2011. There have been no changes to these policies that are
of potential significance to us during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 3, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," in the Notes to
Condensed Financial Statements. There are no new accounting pronouncements that
are of significance or potential significance to us.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
Our activities to date have substantially consisted of raising capital, business
and product development, research and development and the development of our
production lines.
Revenues. Our revenues were $556,000 for the three months ended September 30,
2012 compared to $989,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011, a
decrease of $433,000. Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2012
include $474,000 of product sales, of which $405,000 were sales to a related
party, compared to $156,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011, an
increase of $317,000. Product sales in third quarter 2012 were at the highest
quarterly rate in our history. Revenues earned on our government research and
development contracts decreased by $750,000 during the three months ended
September 30, 2012, due to the winding down of several government contracts.
Our revenues were $1,152,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012
compared to $3,199,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, a decrease
of $2,047,000. Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 include
$547,000 of product sales, of which $405,000 were sales to a related party,
compared to $457,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, an increase
of $90,000. Revenues earned on our government research and development contracts
decreased by $2,137,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, due to
the winding down of several government contracts.
Research and development. Research and development costs were $5,730,000 for the
three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $4,145,000 for the three
months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $1,585,000. Research and
development costs include the costs incurred for pre-production and production
activities in our manufacturing facility and facility and equipment
infrastructure costs. Research and development costs also include costs related
to our governmental contracts. Costs related to pre-production and production
activities increased by $2,170,000. The pre-production and production cost
increase was comprised of materials and equipment related costs of $931,000,
consulting and contract services of $740,000, depreciation and amortization of
$210,000 and personnel related costs of $180,000. Governmental research and
development expenditures decreased by $585,000 in the three months ended
September 30, 2012. This decrease is the result of reductions in consulting and
contract service costs of $503,000 and personnel related costs of $70,000.
Research and development costs were $14,950,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2012 compared to $19,440,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2011, a decrease of $4,490,000. Costs related to pre-production
and production activities decreased by $3,166,000. The pre-production and
production cost decrease was comprised of materials and equipment related costs
of $1,736,000, depreciation and amortization of $1,245,000 and facility related
costs of $355,000, partially offset by an increase in consulting and contract
services costs of $336,000. Governmental research and development expenditures
decreased by $1,324,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2012. This
decrease is the result of reductions in consulting and contract services costs
of $1,258,000 and personnel related costs of $60,000.
Selling, general and administrative. Selling, general and administrative
expenses were $1,188,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared
to $1,524,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011, a decrease of
$336,000. This decrease is comprised of personnel related costs of $280,000,
consulting and contract services of $157,000, general supply expenses of
$108,000 and stock compensation expense of $52,000, partially offset by
increases in legal fees of $248,000 and insurance costs of $33,000.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $3,868,000 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2012 compared to $5,620,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2011, a decrease of $1,752,000. This decrease is comprised of
personnel related costs of $1,171,000, stock compensation expense of $544,000
and depreciation costs of $266,000, partially offset by increases in facility
and IT related expenses of $133,000 and insurance costs of $103,000.
Impairment loss. As a result of significant changes in market conditions,
particularly the decreases in current and
expected average selling prices for PV modules, an impairment charge was taken
against Property, Plant and Equipment during the second quarter of 2011.
Impairment loss incurred on the write-down of Property, Plant and Equipment and
Deposits on manufacturing equipment was $78,000,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2011.
Other Income / (Expense), net. Other Income / (Expense) was $37,000 net expense
for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $683,000 net expense
for the three months ended September 30, 2011, a decrease of $646,000. The
decrease was the result of decreases in contract cancellation loss of $567,000
and foreign currency transaction loss of $70,000.
Other Income / (Expense) was $149,000 net expense for the nine months ended
September 30, 2012 compared to $326,000 net expense for the nine months ended
September 30, 2011, a decrease of $177,000. The decrease was the result of a
decrease in contract cancellation loss of $567,000, offset by an increase in
interest expense of $101,000, and decreases in foreign currency transaction gain
of $199,000, realized gain on forward contracts of $64,000 and interest income
of $25,000.
Net Loss. Our Net Loss was $6,398,000 for the three months ended September 30,
2012 compared to a Net Loss of $5,363,000 for the three months ended
September 30, 2011, an increase of $1,035,000. Our Net Loss was $17,815,000 for
the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to a Net Loss of $100,187,000
for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, a decrease of $82,372,000.
The decrease in Net Loss can be summarized in variances in significant account activity as follows:
Decrease (increase) Decrease (increase)
to Net Loss to Net Loss
For the Three For the Nine
Months Ended Months Ended
September 30, 2012 Compared September 30, 2012 Compared
to the Three Months Ended to the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2011 September 30, 2011
Revenues
Products $ 317,000 $ 90,000
Government Contracts (750,000 ) (2,137,000 )
Research and development costs
Manufacturing research and development (2,086,000 ) 3,194,000
Government research and development 584,000 1,323,000
Non-cash stock based compensation (83,000 ) (26,000 )
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Corporate selling, general and administrative 285,000 1,207,000
Non-cash stock based compensation 52,000 544,000
Impairment loss - 78,000,000
Other Income / (Expense), net 646,000 177,000
Decrease to Net Loss $ (1,035,000 ) $ 82,372,000
|
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2012, we had approximately $18.6 million in cash and cash
equivalents. We have remaining obligations for equipment purchases in the
approximate amount of $0.6 million, of which approximately $0.4 million is
recorded in "Accrued property, plant and equipment."
We have commenced limited production at our manufacturing facility. We do not
expect that sales revenue and cash flows will be sufficient to support
operations and cash requirements until we have fully implemented our new
strategy. Changes in the level of expected operating losses, the timing of
planned capital expenditures or other factors may negatively impact cash flows
and reduce current cash and investments faster than anticipated. We will need to
raise additional capital in the future. There is no assurance that we will be
able to raise additional capital on acceptable terms or at all.
On April 11, 2012, we received notice from The NASDAQ Stock Market ("Nasdaq")
stating that because we had not regained compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid
price requirement for continued listing, our common stock (listed on The Nasdaq
Global Market) would be subject to delisting. On August 17, 2012, we received
notification from The Nasdaq Listing Qualifications department that we had
regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement, and that our
noncompliance had been rectified.
The use of cash for operational expenses averaged approximately $1.4 million per
month during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to approximately
$1.9 million per month during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, a
decrease of approximately $0.5 million per month. Cash used for operational
expenses is related to manufacturing and engineering activities, research and
development, business development and general corporate expenses. As of October
31, 2012, we had 85 employees. Additionally we had 57 contractors provided
through an employment services provider. We expect our current cash balance to
be sufficient to cover our planned capital and operational expenditures through
2013 based on currently known factors projected revenues.
The total net change in cash and cash equivalents for the nine months ended
September 30, 2012 was an increase of approximately $7.3 million. The increase
in cash and cash equivalents was the result of the maturity of
available-for-sale securities of $12.6 million, net proceeds received from our
latest firm commitment offering of $10.2 million and aggregate proceeds from
shares sold under our At-The-Market facility of $1.9 million. This increase was
partially offset by net loss (adjusted for non-cash expenses and other items
such as depreciation and amortization, non-cash based stock based compensation
and impairment), purchases of property, plant and equipment and repayment of
debt.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, our cash used in operations was
approximately $12.8 million compared to approximately $17.1 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2011, a decrease of $4.3 million. The decrease in
cash used in operating activities for the year ended September 30, 2012 as
compared to the same period in 2011 was primarily due to a decrease in net loss
(after deducting non-cash adjustments) and a decrease in inventory purchases.
On August 12, 2011, we completed a strategic alliance with TFG Radiant. As part
of this strategic alliance, TFG Radiant acquired 6,400,000 shares of our common
stock at a price of $1.15 per share or $7,360,000 in the aggregate. The closing
price of our common stock on August 12, 2011 was $0.73 per share. In addition,
TFG Radiant received an option to acquire an additional 9,500,000 shares of our
common stock at an exercise price of $1.55 per share. The option was approved by
our shareholders on October 27, 2011, as well as an increase in the number of
authorized shares of common stock to 125,000,000. TFG Radiant may not exercise
this option unless and until TFG Radiant meets a specified milestone associated
with the construction of the first East Asia FAB. This option expires on
February 12, 2014.
On December 29, 2011, we filed a "shelf" Registration Statement on Form S-3 with
the SEC, which replaced our previously effective shelf registration. With the
shelf registration, we may from time to time sell common stock, preferred stock,
warrants or some combination in one or more offerings for up to $25.0 million.
The registration became effective February 14, 2012.
On January 5, 2012, we entered into an At-the-Market Offering Sales Agreement
pursuant to which we may issue and sell such number of shares of our common
stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $5,000,000. Sales of common
stock, if any, will be made at market prices by any method that is deemed an
"at-the-market" offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act,
including sales made directly on the NASDAQ stock exchange and any other trading
market for our common stock, and sales to or through a market maker other than
on an exchange. There is no assurance we will be able to sell shares of our
common stock under this agreement at acceptable prices or at all. The aggregate
compensation payable to the sales agent shall be equal to 3% of the gross sales
price of the shares sold. As of September 30, 2012, 1,972,181 shares had been
sold under this facility with net proceeds of $1,894,103.
On September 19, 2012, we entered into an underwriting agreement with Aegis
Capital Corp., providing for the sale, in a firm commitment offering, of
9,166,700 shares our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, at a price to
the public of $1.20 per share. The Offering closed on September 25, 2012. Net
proceeds were $10.2 million after deducting the underwriting discount and
offering expenses payable by us of approximately $825,000. In addition, the
Underwriting Agreement provides the Underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up
to an additional 1,375,005 shares from us at a price of $1.20 per share. If
exercised this option is expected to yield net proceeds of $1.5 million after
deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses payable by us in the
amount of $107,000.
Contractual Obligations
The following table presents our contractual obligations as of September 30,
2012. Our long-term debt obligation is related to our building loan reflecting
both principal and interest. Our purchase obligations include orders for
equipment, inventory and operating expenses.
|
|