Unassociated Document
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
20-F
(Mark
One)
¨
|
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
|
OR
x ANNUAL
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
OR
¨ TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
For
the transition period from
to
OR
¨
|
SHELL
COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
|
Date
of event requiring this shell company report
Commission
file number: 001-33911
RENESOLA
LTD
(Exact
name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
N/A
(Translation
of Registrant’s name into English)
British
Virgin Islands
(Jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
No. 8
Baoqun Road
Yaozhuang
Town
Jiashan
County
Zhejiang
Province 314117
People’s
Republic of China
(Address
of principal executive offices)
Charles
Xiaoshu Bai, Chief Financial Officer
No. 8
Baoqun Road
Yaozhuang
County
Jiashan
Town
Zhejiang
Province 314117
People’s
Republic of China
Tel:
+86-573-8477-3061
Fax:
+86-573-8477-3383
E-mail:
charles.bai@renesola.com
(Name,
Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact
Person)
Securities
registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the
Act:
|
|
Name
of each exchange on which registered
|
American
Depositary Shares, each representing two shares, no par value per
share
|
|
New
York Stock Exchange
|
Securities
registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the
Act:
Securities
for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Act:
Indicate
the number of outstanding shares of each of the Issuer’s classes of capital or
common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual
report.
137,624,912
shares, no par value per share, as of December 31, 2008.
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
If this
report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the
registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Yes ¨
No x
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to
be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x
No ¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on
its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be
submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this
chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to submit and post such
files). Yes ¨
No ¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check
one):
Large
accelerated filer ¨
|
|
Accelerated
filer x
|
|
Non-accelerated
filer ¨
|
Indicate
by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the
financial statements included in this filing: U.S.
GAAP x
International
Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board ¨
Other ¨
If “Other” has been checked in response
to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial
statement item the registrant has elected to
follow. Item 17
¨ Item 18 ¨
If this
is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell
company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act). Yes ¨ No ¨
(APPLICABLE
ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE
YEARS)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports
required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a
court. Yes ¨ No ¨
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
PART
I
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
ITEM
1.
|
IDENTITY
OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
|
|
4
|
ITEM
2.
|
OFFER
STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
|
|
4
|
ITEM
3.
|
KEY
INFORMATION
|
|
4
|
ITEM
4.
|
INFORMATION
ON THE COMPANY
|
|
28
|
ITEM
4A.
|
UNRESOLVED
STAFF COMMENTS
|
|
44
|
ITEM
5.
|
OPERATING
AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
|
|
44
|
ITEM
6.
|
DIRECTORS,
SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
|
|
68
|
ITEM
7.
|
MAJOR
SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
|
|
76
|
ITEM
8.
|
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
|
|
80
|
ITEM
9.
|
THE
OFFER AND LISTING
|
|
81
|
ITEM
10.
|
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
|
|
83
|
ITEM
11.
|
QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
|
|
93
|
ITEM
12.
|
DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
|
|
94
|
|
|
|
|
PART
II
|
|
|
95
|
|
|
|
|
ITEM
13.
|
DEFAULTS,
DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
|
|
95
|
ITEM
14.
|
MATERIAL
MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF
PROCEEDS
|
|
95
|
ITEM
15.
|
CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES
|
|
96
|
ITEM
16A.
|
AUDIT
COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
|
|
97
|
ITEM
16B.
|
CODE
OF ETHICS
|
|
97
|
ITEM
16C.
|
PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
|
|
97
|
ITEM
16D.
|
EXEMPTIONS
FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
|
|
97
|
ITEM
16E.
|
PURCHASES
OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED
PURCHASERS
|
|
97
|
ITEM
16F.
|
CHANGE
IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
|
|
98
|
ITEM
16G.
|
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
|
|
98
|
|
|
|
|
PART
III |
|
|
98 |
|
|
|
|
ITEM
17.
|
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
|
|
98
|
ITEM
18.
|
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
|
|
98
|
ITEM
19.
|
EXHIBITS
|
|
98
|
INTRODUCTION
Unless
otherwise indicated and except where the context otherwise requires, references
in this annual report on Form 20-F to:
|
·
|
“we,”
“us,” “our company,” “our” or “ReneSola” refer to ReneSola Ltd, a British
Virgin Islands company, its predecessor entities and its subsidiaries, and
in the context of describing our financial results prior to June 2008,
also includes Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor Silicon Material Co., Ltd.,
or Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor, a then variable interest entity of
our company;
|
|
·
|
“China”
or “PRC” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the
purpose of this annual report on Form 20-F only, Taiwan, Hong Kong and
Macau;
|
|
·
|
all
references to “RMB” or “Renminbi” refer to the legal currency of China;
all references to “$,” “dollars” and “U.S. dollars” refer to the legal
currency of the United States; all references to “£” and “pounds sterling”
refer to the legal currency of the United
Kingdom;
|
|
·
|
“ADSs”
refers to our American depositary shares, each of which represents two
shares, and “ADRs” refers to the American depositary receipts that
evidence our ADSs; and
|
All
discrepancies in any table between the amounts identified as total amounts and
the sum of the amounts listed therein are due to rounding.
Consistent
with industry practice, we measure our solar wafer manufacturing capacity
and production output in watts, or W, or mega watts, or MW, representing
1,000,000 watts, of power-generating capacity. We believe MW is a more
appropriate unit to measure our manufacturing capacity and production output
compared to pieces of wafers, as our solar wafers differ in size, thickness,
power output and conversion efficiency. Furthermore, we manufacture both
monocrystalline wafers and multicrystalline wafers, and solar cells using these
two types of wafers have different conversion efficiencies. Even though we have
achieved, as of December 31, 2008, conversion efficiency rates of 17.3% and
15.5% for solar cells using our monocrystalline wafers and multicrystalline
wafers, respectively, for purposes of this annual report, we assume an average
conversion efficiency rate of 16.0% for solar cells using our monocrystalline
wafers, and an average conversion efficiency rate of 15.0% for solar cells using
our multicrystalline wafers. Based on the conversion efficiency above, we assume
that each 125 millimeters, or mm, by 125 mm, monocrystalline wafer we produce
can generate approximately 2.4 W of power and each 156 mm by 156 mm
monocrystalline wafer we produce can generate approximately 3.9 W of power. We
also assume that each 156 mm by 156 mm multicrystalline wafer we produce can
generate approximately 3.7 W of power based on the conversion efficiency above.
We also measure our ingot manufacturing capacity and production output in MW
according to the solar wafers in MW that our current manufacturing processes
generally yield.
This
annual report on Form 20-F includes our audited consolidated financial
statements for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and
2008.
This
annual report contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S.
dollars at the rate of RMB6.8225 to $1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on
December 31, 2008 in New York City for cable transfers of Renminbi as
certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. We make
no representation that the Renminbi or dollar amounts referred to in this annual
report on Form 20-F could have been or could be converted into dollars or
Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. See “Item 3. Key
Information—D. Risk Factors—Risk Related to Doing Business in China—Fluctuations
in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on your investment.” On
June 5, 2009, the noon buying rate was RMB6.8329 to US$1.00.
Unless
otherwise noted, all translations from pounds sterling to U.S. dollars and from
U.S. dollars to pounds sterling in this annual report were made at a rate of
£1.00 to $1.4619, the noon buying rate in effect on December 31, 2008 in
New York City for cable transfers of pounds sterling as certified for customs
purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. We make no representation that
any pounds sterling or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be,
converted into U.S. dollars or pounds sterling, as the case may be, at any
particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all. On June 5, 2009, the noon
buying rate was £1.00 to $1.6017.
We and
certain selling shareholders of our company completed an initial public offering
of 10,000,000 ADSs on January 29, 2008 and listed our ADSs on the New York
Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the symbol “SOL.” On June 23, 2008, we
completed a follow-on public offering of 10,350,000 ADSs sold by us and certain
selling shareholders. Our shares are also currently traded on the Alternative
Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange, or the AIM.
PART
I
ITEM
1.
|
IDENTITY
OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND
ADVISERS
|
Not
Applicable.
ITEM
2.
|
OFFER
STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
|
Not
Applicable.
A.
|
Selected Financial
Data
|
Our
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
The
following selected consolidated statements of income data for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and the selected consolidated balance
sheet data as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 are derived from our audited
consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. The
selected consolidated statements of income data for the year ended December 31,
2005 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2005 and
2006 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are
not included in this annual report. The selected consolidated condensed
financial data should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their
entirety by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements and
related notes and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”
included elsewhere in this annual report. Our consolidated financial statements
are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and reflect our current
corporate structure as if it has been in existence throughout the relevant
periods. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of results to be
expected in any future period.
Our
selected consolidated statement of income data for the year ended
December 31, 2004 and our consolidated balance sheet as of
December 31, 2004 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial
statements, which are not included in this annual report. Our unaudited
consolidated financial statements were prepared on the same basis as our audited
consolidated financial statements.
|
|
For
the Year Ended
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands, except percentage, share, per share data)
|
|
Consolidated
Statement of Income Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product
sales
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
5,088 |
|
|
$ |
78,515 |
|
|
$ |
231,282 |
|
|
$ |
580,375 |
|
Processing
services
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,856 |
|
|
|
17,691 |
|
|
|
89,991 |
|
Total
net revenues
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,088 |
|
|
|
84,371 |
|
|
|
248,973 |
|
|
|
670,366 |
|
Cost
of revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product
sales
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(3,677 |
) |
|
|
(57,141 |
) |
|
|
(184,292 |
) |
|
|
(631,677 |
) |
Processing
services
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(2,505 |
) |
|
|
(11,185 |
) |
|
|
(52,999 |
) |
Total
cost of revenues
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(3,677 |
) |
|
|
(59,646 |
) |
|
|
(195,477 |
) |
|
|
(684,676 |
) |
Gross
profit (loss)
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,411 |
|
|
|
24,725 |
|
|
|
53,496 |
|
|
|
(14,310 |
) |
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales
and marketing expenses
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(210 |
) |
|
|
(335 |
) |
|
|
(584 |
) |
|
|
(620 |
) |
General
and administrative expenses
|
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
|
(356 |
) |
|
|
(2,285 |
) |
|
|
(8,754 |
) |
|
|
(23,194 |
) |
Research
and development expenses
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
(1,143 |
) |
|
|
(9,713 |
) |
Impairment
loss on property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(763 |
) |
Other
general income (expenses)
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
(243 |
) |
|
|
169 |
|
|
|
418 |
|
|
|
84 |
|
Total
operating income (expenses)
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
(809 |
) |
|
|
(2,490 |
) |
|
|
(10,063 |
) |
|
|
(34,206 |
) |
Income
(loss) from operations
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
602 |
|
|
|
22,235 |
|
|
|
43,433 |
|
|
|
(48,516 |
) |
Interest
income
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
312 |
|
|
|
1,934 |
|
|
|
1,783 |
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
(331 |
) |
|
|
(4,512 |
) |
|
|
(11,869 |
) |
Foreign
exchange gain (loss)
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
364 |
|
|
|
(4,047 |
) |
|
|
(3,097 |
) |
Income
(loss) before income tax, minority interest and equity in earnings
of investee
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
574 |
|
|
|
22,580 |
|
|
|
36,808 |
|
|
|
(61,699 |
) |
Income
tax benefit
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
617 |
|
|
|
2,721 |
|
|
|
6,155 |
|
|
|
2,420 |
|
Minority
interest
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
(802 |
) |
Equity
in earnings of investee, net of tax
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,175 |
|
Net
income (loss) attributable to equity holders
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
|
$ |
1,191 |
|
|
$ |
25,301 |
|
|
$ |
42,936 |
|
|
|
(54,906 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per
share:(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
|
$ |
0.43 |
|
|
$ |
(0.43 |
) |
Diluted
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
|
$ |
0.43 |
|
|
$ |
(0.43 |
) |
Earnings
per ADS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.63 |
|
|
$ |
0.86 |
|
|
$ |
(0.86 |
) |
Diluted
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.63 |
|
|
$ |
0.86 |
|
|
$ |
(0.86 |
) |
Weighted average
number of shares used in computing earnings per share:(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
66,666,699 |
|
|
|
80,000,032 |
|
|
|
100,000,032 |
|
|
|
127,116,062 |
|
Diluted
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
66,666,699 |
|
|
|
80,122,052 |
|
|
|
108,221,480 |
|
|
|
127,116,062 |
|
Other
Consolidated Financial Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
margin
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
27.7 |
% |
|
|
29.3 |
% |
|
|
21.5 |
% |
|
|
(2.1 |
)% |
Operating
margin
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
11.8 |
% |
|
|
26.4 |
% |
|
|
17.4 |
% |
|
|
(7.2 |
)% |
Net
margin
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
23.4 |
% |
|
|
30.0 |
% |
|
|
17.2 |
% |
|
|
(8.2 |
)% |
Selected
Consolidated Operating Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Solar products
shipped (in MW)
(2)
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
39.5 |
|
|
|
124.5 |
|
|
|
350.1 |
|
Total solar wafers
shipped (in MW)
(3)
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
26.0 |
|
|
|
98.6 |
|
|
|
227.9 |
|
Average selling price
($/W)(4)
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
1.55 |
|
|
$ |
2.16 |
|
|
$ |
2.30 |
|
|
$ |
2.52 |
|
|
(1)
|
2005
and 2006 shares and per share data are presented to give retrospective
effect to our reorganization in
2006.
|
|
(2)
|
Includes
solar wafers shipped, solar wafers shipped from processing services and
ingots shipped.
|
|
(3)
|
Excludes
solar wafers shipped from processing
services.
|
|
(4)
|
Calculated
based on net revenues attributable to solar wafers shipped divided
by the amount of solar wafers shipped during such
period.
|
|
|
As
of December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands)
|
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheet Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
40 |
|
|
$ |
404 |
|
|
$ |
9,862 |
|
|
$ |
53,137 |
|
|
|
112,334 |
|
Inventories
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
3,233 |
|
|
|
44,775 |
|
|
|
110,630 |
|
|
|
193,036 |
|
Advances
to suppliers
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
1,151 |
|
|
|
16,952 |
|
|
|
53,727 |
|
|
|
36,991 |
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
261 |
|
|
|
6,769 |
|
|
|
89,365 |
|
|
|
263,241 |
|
|
|
440,134 |
|
Property,
plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
463 |
|
|
|
2,426 |
|
|
|
19,908 |
|
|
|
136,598 |
|
|
|
341,427 |
|
Advances
for purchases of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
14,957 |
|
|
|
29,648 |
|
|
|
161,705 |
|
Advances
to suppliers over one year
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
45,729 |
|
Total
assets
|
|
|
908 |
|
|
|
10,059 |
|
|
|
128,586 |
|
|
|
440,609 |
|
|
|
1,007,788 |
|
Short-term
borrowings
|
|
|
245 |
|
|
|
712 |
|
|
|
14,675 |
|
|
|
71,691 |
|
|
|
191,987 |
|
Advances
from suppliers and customers
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4,495 |
|
|
|
34,452 |
|
|
|
59,626 |
|
|
|
49,284 |
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
469 |
|
|
|
7,316 |
|
|
|
55,982 |
|
|
|
158,376 |
|
|
|
333,137 |
|
Total
shareholders’ equity
|
|
|
439 |
|
|
|
2,703 |
|
|
|
72,541 |
|
|
|
125,708 |
|
|
|
381,808 |
|
Total
liabilities and shareholders’ equity
|
|
$ |
908 |
|
|
$ |
10,059 |
|
|
$ |
128,586 |
|
|
$ |
440,609 |
|
|
|
1,007,788 |
|
B.
|
Capitalization and
Indebtedness
|
Not
Applicable.
C.
|
Reasons for the Offer
and Use of Proceeds
|
Not
Applicable.
Risks
Related To Our Business
Turbulence
in global financial markets and economies may adversely affect the solar
industry, the demand for our products, and our operating results, financial
condition and liquidity.
Global
economies have recently experienced, and continue to experience, a period of
slow or negative economic growth, which have contributed to a slowdown of the
market demand for products that require significant initial capital
expenditures, including the demand for solar power products. A
near-term economic recovery is uncertain.
We are
affected by the solar power market and industry trends. In the fourth
quarter of 2008, the global solar power industry experienced a precipitous
decline in demand primarily due to the global economic downturn. For example,
recent global economic, capital markets and credit disruptions have resulted in
slower investments in new installation projects that make use of solar power
products. Existing projects have also been delayed as a result of
credit and other disruptions. The demand for solar power products is also
influenced by macroeconomic factors such as the worldwide credit crisis, the
devaluation of the Euro, the supply and the prices of other energy products,
such as oil, coal and natural gas, as well as government regulations and
policies concerning the electric utility industry.
If the
solar market demand significantly deteriorates due to these macroeconomic
effects, and if the turbulence in the international financial markets and
economies continues, our liquidity and financial condition, and the liquidity
and financial condition of our customers, including our ability to refinance
maturing liabilities and access the capital markets to meet liquidity needs may
be adversely affected. This would delay and lengthen our sales cycles.
Additionally, our stock price could decrease if investors have concerns that our
business, financial condition and results of operations will be negatively
impacted by a worldwide macroeconomic downturn.
The
current weak demand for solar power products has resulted in substantial
downward pressure on the prices of our products and has a negative impact on our
revenues and profitability.
Our solar
wafer prices are based on a variety of factors, including in-house polysilicon
costs, supply and demand conditions globally, the quality of our wafers, and the
terms of our customer contracts, including sales volumes and the terms on which
certain customers supply us with polysilicon. As the solar power industry is
expected to be increasingly competitive, we expect there to be downward
pressures on pricing along the solar value chain in the next few years. In
addition, any aggressive expansion of manufacturing capacity by us and our
competitors may result in significant excess capacity in the solar wafer sector
and, as a result, prices may further decline and our utilization rate may
decrease.
Starting
from the fourth quarter of 2008, the global supply of solar power products has
exceeded the market demand due to excess production capacity and weak demand
associated with the global economic downturn, which contributed to a decline in
the average selling price of solar wafers. Due to the surplus of
silicon raw materials and weak industry demand, we have renegotiated our
long-term wafer sales contracts with our customers. Although the contract
renegotiations reset our average selling prices to mirror the pricing of solar
wafers on the spot market, we have experienced delayed purchases and
shipments from several of our customers during this period, which has negatively
impacted our operating cash flows. If the global economic recovery is slow,
or the demand for solar power products continues to decline and the supply of
solar power products continues to grow, the average selling price of our
products will be materially and adversely affected. If these negative market and
industry trends continue and the downward trends in wafer pricing continue, and
we are unable to lower our costs in line with the price declines, whether
through increasing manufacturing efficiency, securing feedstock and consumable
supplies at reasonable costs, or through technological advances, our revenues
and profitability would be materially and adversely affected.
Volatility
in polysilicon prices may adversely affect our earnings and results of
operations.
Polysilicon
is an essential raw material in the production of our solar wafers. In the past
few years, there was an industry-wide shortage of polysilicon, primarily due to
the growing demand for solar power products and limited supply of polysilicon,
which resulted in increasing prices of polysilicon under both long-term supply
contract prices and spot prices until the beginning of the fourth quarter of
2008. Since late 2008, there has been an industry-wide excess supply
of polysilicon, primarily due to increased supply from both existing polysilicon
manufacturers and new entrants and weakened demand from the end-user market.
These factors have resulted in a short-term channel inventory build-up along the
value chain of the solar industry and the polysilicon spot prices have fallen
significantly since late 2008. As a result of the significant decline in the
market price and value of polysilicon feedstock, work in progress and finished
solar wafers, in the fourth quarter of 2008, we recorded a $131.0 million
inventory write-down against the net realizable value of inventories, and a
provision for inventory purchase commitment of $6.0 million. In the first
quarter of 2009, we recorded another $68.0 million inventory write-down against
the net realizable value of inventories. As a result, our gross margin dropped
from 21.5% in 2007 to negative 2.1% in 2008 and negative 47.8% in the first
quarter of 2009. If the industry demand remains weak and the price of
polysilicon continues to decrease in the future, our carrying value of our
finished goods, work-in-progress and raw materials in inventory may expose us to
further inventory write-downs on a net realizable value basis, which may have a
material adverse effect on our gross margin. To the extent we were not be able
to pass these costs on to our customers, our business, results of operations and
financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
Our
advance payments to most of our silicon raw material suppliers expose us to the
credit risk of such suppliers, which may materially and adversely affect our
financial condition and results of operations.
In order
to secure silicon raw material supply and consistent with the industry practice,
we have made advance payments to some of our polysilicon suppliers. As of
December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, our advances to suppliers amounted to
approximately $17.0 million, $53.7 million and $82.7 million, respectively. We
have made such advance payments without receiving any collateral. As a result,
our claims for such advance payments would rank only as unsecured claims,
exposing us to the credit risks of the suppliers in the event of their
insolvency or bankruptcy. We may not be able to recover such advance payments
and would suffer losses should any supplier fail to fulfill its delivery
obligations under its supply contract, which would include failure to provide
sufficient quantity of raw materials or raw materials of such quality as
specified in the contract. For example, solar wafers produced using
polysilicon of substandard quality would result in lower quality and defected
wafers. From time to time, we are involved in negotiations
and disputes with certain suppliers that supply us with polysilicon with quality
defects. Any default by our suppliers may materially and adversely
affect our financial condition and results of operations. Any
litigation arising out of the disputes could subject us to
potentially significant legal expenses, distract management from the
day-to-day operation of our business and expose us to risks for which
appropriate damages may not be awarded to us, all of which could materially and
adversely affect our financial condition and results of
operations.
Our
dependence on a limited number of third-party suppliers for key manufacturing
equipment could prevent us from the timely fulfillment of customer orders and
successful execution of our expansion plan.
We rely
on a limited number of equipment suppliers for some of our principal
manufacturing equipment and spare parts, including wire saws that we use to
slice ingots into wafers. Our major equipment suppliers include ALD Vacuum
Technologies GmbH, Beijing Oriental Keyun Crystal Technologies Co., Ltd.,
Shanghai Hanhong Precision Machinery Co., Ltd., Miyamoto Trading Limited and
Meyer Burger AG. These suppliers have supplied most of our current equipment and
spare parts, and we expect to rely on them to provide a substantial portion of
the principal manufacturing equipment and spare parts contemplated in our
expansion program. Due to high demand for these suppliers’ products
and services, we have experienced, and may continue to experience, delays in the
delivery of such equipment or the provision of technical support. If we fail to
develop new relationships or maintain existing relationships with equipment and
spare suppliers, or should any of our major equipment and spare suppliers
encounter difficulties in the manufacturing or shipment of its spare parts to
us, including due to natural disasters or otherwise, it will be difficult for us
to find alternative providers for such equipment on a timely basis or on
commercially reasonable terms. As a result, the implementation of our expansion
plan may be interrupted and our production may be adversely
impacted.
If
we fail to renegotiate our fixed price, prepaid equipment supply contracts to
postpone or cancel orders when we decide to slow down our production expansion
plan, we may incur losses of prepayments to the suppliers.
Due to
the strong market demand for manufacturing equipment experienced during the past
few years, we entered into purchase contracts to secure the equipment to meet
our wafer capacity expansion goal for 2009, which was planned prior to the
global financial crisis. We have decided to scale back the original capacity
expansion plan in 2009 due to the current weak market demand, and have been
negotiating with the suppliers to postpone or cancel some of our equipment
orders. In addition, as the purchase contracts were entered into when the
equipment was in tight supply, we may suffer a competitive disadvantage to our
competitors if they purchase equipment at a lower cost. If we fail to
renegotiate with our suppliers to cancel or postpone some of the purchase orders
according to our revised business plan, or we are not able to pass these
increased costs to our customers, our business, cash flows and financial
condition may be materially and adversely affected.
Our
limited operating history may not serve as an adequate indicator of our future
prospects and results of operations.
We
commenced our solar power business in July 2005 and have a limited operating
history. As such, our historical operating results may not provide a meaningful
basis for evaluating our business, financial performance and prospects in the
future. We may not be able to achieve a similar growth rate in future periods or
maintain profitability following the expansion of our operations. Accordingly,
you should not rely on our results of operations for any prior periods as an
indication of our future performance. You should evaluate our business and
prospects in light of the risks and challenges that we are likely to face as an
early-stage company seeking to develop and expand in a rapidly evolving
market.
Because
we operate in a highly competitive market and many of our competitors have
greater resources than we do, we may not be able to compete successfully and we
may lose or be unable to gain market share.
The solar
power market is increasingly competitive and continually evolving, which may
result in price reductions, reduced profit margins or loss of market share. Our
competitors include specialized solar wafer manufacturers and solar wafer
manufacturing divisions of large conglomerates. In addition, some of the
polysilicon suppliers have decided to move downstream by establishing ingot
and wafer producing capacities. Many of our competitors have longer operating
histories, stronger market positions, greater resources, better name recognition
and better access to silicon raw materials than we do. Some of our competitors
have an established track record in large-scale polysilicon manufacturing
and they may have an advantage over us in feedstock costs. Many of our
competitors also have more established distribution networks and larger customer
bases. As a result, they may be able to devote greater resources to the
research, development, promotion and sale of their products or respond more
quickly to evolving industry standards and changes in market conditions than we
can. The key barriers to enter into our industry at present consist of access to
cost competitive polysilicon, advanced manufacturing technologies with a
competitive cost structure, capital resources and skilled personnel. If these
barriers disappear or become more easily surmountable, new competitors may
successfully enter our industry. If we fail to compete successfully, our
business would suffer and we may lose or be unable to gain market
share.
One of
the competitive factors in solar power industry is conversion
efficiency. Conversion efficiency of solar power products is not only
determined by the quality of solar wafers but is also dependent on the solar
cell and module production processes and technologies. Therefore, solar wafer
manufacturers usually assume the conversion efficiency of their solar wafers
based on the conversion efficiency of solar cells and modules manufactured by
their customers, and there is a lack of publicly available information on the
conversion efficiency of solar wafers. Accordingly, investors may not be able to
obtain a comprehensive view of our competitive position vis-à-vis our
competitors.
Our
future success substantially depends on our ability to closely monitor and
accurately predict market demand and to efficiently manage our manufacturing
capacity and output to meet such demand. This exposes us to a number of risks
and uncertainties.
As of
December 31, 2008, we had 306 monocrystalline furnaces, 64 multicrystalline
furnaces and 133 wire saws. We expect to install additional equipment to
increase both our ingot and wafer annual manufacturing capacity to approximately
825 MW by July 2009. Our future success depends on our ability to reach a
balance between closely matching our manufacturing capacity and production
output to market demands for our products. If we are unable to do so, we may be
unable to reduce our manufacturing costs and improve our profitability. Our
ability to manage the balance between the growth in manufacturing capacity or
output and market demand is subject to significant risks and uncertainties,
including:
|
·
|
the
ability to adjust our growth strategy in manufacturing capacity and output
when the industry is rapidly
evolving;
|
|
·
|
the
ability to maintain existing customer relationships and expand our market
share when our customers integrate upstream or we integrate
downstream;
|
|
·
|
the
need to implement a variety of new and upgraded operational and financial
systems, procedures and controls, which require substantial management
efforts, attention and other resources. Fast growth and expansions, or
rapid decrease in demand, have in the past and will continue to place
significant strain on our management personnel, systems and
resources;
|
|
·
|
the
success in renegotiating equipment supply contracts previously entered
into for our wafer production if we reduce our scheduled expansion plan,
or success in purchasing additional equipment in a timely manner when
market demand increases;
|
|
·
|
the
ability to maintain a financially healthy level of liquidity, and to
manage our liquidity if we are unable to obtain additional funds and/or
refinance existing debt on commercially viable terms or at
all;
|
|
·
|
the
occurrence of construction delays and cost
overruns;
|
|
·
|
the
delay or denial of required approvals by relevant government authorities;
and
|
|
·
|
any
significant diversion of management
attention.
|
If we are
unable to successfully manage growth in manufacturing capacity and output in
responding to market demand, or if we encounter and fail to resolve any of the
risks described above, we may be unable to expand our business as planned.
Therefore, we cannot assure you that we can meet our targeted polysilicon
production costs and consequently stay competitive. Moreover, even if we are
able to manage our growth in accordance with the market demand, we may be unable
to secure sufficient customer demand or meet market demand for our products,
which could adversely affect our business and operations.
Our
dependence on a limited number of customers may cause significant fluctuations
or declines in our revenues.
We sell a
substantial portion of our solar wafers to a limited number of customers. In
2008, our top five customers accounted for 64.8% of our net revenues. Sales to
Suntech Power Co., Ltd. represented over 32% of our net revenues in
2008.
Sales to
our major customers are typically made under multi-year framework contracts or
multi-year sales contracts. Framework contracts typically provide for the sales
volumes and price of our solar wafers for the first year. The pricing terms, and
sometimes the sales volumes, for subsequent years are subject to annual
renegotiation. Therefore, if prices for later years cannot be determined through
renegotiation, the framework contract will be terminated or become
unenforceable. Multi-year sales contracts typically provide for the sales volume
and price of our solar wafers for each year during the contract term, which
terms are binding. However, the pricing terms are either fixed or subject to
reset in situations where the market benchmark price for solar wafers changes
more than a certain percentage from the contracted price. In addition, we also
entered into one-year sales contracts with some of our customers which provide
for an agreed sales volume at a fixed price. Due to recent industry dynamics
with the back drop of the global economic downturn, we have been renegotiating
many of our multi-year framework contracts, multi-year sales contracts and
one-year sales contracts with our customers to reflect rapidly changing market
conditions in the last several months.
While we
have further diversified our customers, including the addition of certain
new international customers, we anticipate that our dependence on a limited
number of customers will continue in the near future. Consequently, any one of
the following events may cause material fluctuations or declines in our
revenues:
|
·
|
reduction,
delay or cancellation of orders from one or more of our significant
customers;
|
|
·
|
unilateral
change of contractual technological specifications by one or more of our
customers;
|
|
·
|
failure
to reach an agreement with our customers on the pricing terms or sales
volumes under various contracts;
|
|
·
|
loss
of one or more of our significant customers and our failure to identify
additional or replacement customers;
and
|
|
·
|
failure
of any of our significant customers to make timely payment for our
products.
|
Our
proposed polysilicon projects may not succeed, which may cause a setback to our
growth strategy.
We began
building a polysilicon manufacturing facility in Meishan, Sichuan Province,
China, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Sichuan ReneSola Silicon Material
Co., Ltd., or Sichuan ReneSola, which was established in Sichuan Province in
August 2007. This manufacturing facility, with an expected annualized
manufacturing capacity of 3,000 metric tons, will be built in two phases and is
expected to become operational incrementally in the second half of 2009. We do
not have any operating experience in polysilicon production with capacity over
annualized capacity of 1,000 metric tons. Manufacturing polysilicon is a highly
complex process and we may not be able to produce polysilicon of sufficient
quantity and quality or on schedule to meet our wafer manufacturing
requirements. Minor deviations in the manufacturing process can cause
substantial decreases in yield and in some cases cause production to be
suspended or yield no output.
If the
polysilicon project experiences a major delay or is unable to start polysilicon
production as planned, we will suffer a setback to our raw material procurement
strategy. Furthermore, if the polysilicon project fails, we may be unable to
recoup our investments. This could materially and adversely affect our growth
strategy and our results of operations.
Our
return on investment is exposed to the credit risk of our joint venture
partner.
In August
2007, we invested in a 49% interest in Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor, a
polysilicon manufacturing company located in Henan Province, China. Linzhou
Zhongsheng Steel Co., Ltd., or Linzhou Zhongsheng Steel, invested 51% in the
joint venture in the form of equipment, factory premises and land use rights.
The joint venture started producing polysilicon in early 2008. In
late 2008, we sold our equity interest of 49% in the joint venture to Linzhou
Zhongsheng Steel pursuant to a share transfer agreement and a supplemental
agreement for a total consideration of RMB200 million, represented by cash paid
on completion of RMB44 million and either cash of RMB156 million or a credit of
RMB156 million through the supply of polysilicon at a discount price to the
market price until fully credited. We were advised by our PRC legal counsel,
Haiwen & Partners, that this prepayment arrangement is subject to foreign
exchange control by the PRC government, the failure of obtaining approvals and
registrations from relevant authorities may subject us to penalties and such
arrangement may be unenforceable in the PRC. In addition, we have not imposed
any security over this arrangement. Therefore, we may not be able to recover
such return of investment if Linzhou Zhongsheng Steel fails to honor its
obligations under the share transfer agreement, or if we fail to enforce such
arrangement under PRC laws and regulations. If any of these happens, our
operations would be materially and adversely affected.
Our
expansion into downstream operations in the solar value chain may cause us to
compete with our customers.
In May
2009, as a part of our development strategy, we acquired 100% equity interest of
Wuxi Jiacheng Solar Energy Technology Co., Ltd, or JC Solar, for a
total cash consideration of RMB140.3 million ($20.5 million). JC Solar is a
solar cell and module manufacturer located in Yixing, Jiangsu Province,
China. JC Solar had an annual cell production capacity of 25 MW and
an annual module production capacity of 50 MW as of May 31, 2009. We currently
sell solar wafer products primarily to solar cell and module manufacturers
globally. Therefore, after the acquisition of JC Solar, we may compete directly
with our existing customers who are cell and module manufacturers and our
relationships with those customers may be impeded. Furthermore, we cannot assure
you that we can successfully integrate JC Solar’s operations into our existing
operations, compete effectively with other cell and module manufacturers, or
maintain good relationship with our existing customers who are also cell and
module manufacturers. If we fail to successfully integrate JC Solar’s operations
and compete effectively with other competitors, or if our customers stop to
purchase wafers from us due to our competing relationship with them, we may not
gain the expected return of investment from the acquisition of JC Solar and may
lose our existing customers, and our business and results of operations will be
materially and adversely affected.
Together
with the acquisition of JC Solar, we also assumed all of the product warranty
obligations that JC Solar has granted to its customers on module products. JC
Solar has provided warranties for minimum power output for up to 25 years
following the date of sale. JC Solar also provided warranties for solar modules
against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 2 years from the
date of sale. We expect to continue JC Solar’s policy. If we receive significant
warranty claims from the customers of JC Solar and the amount of warranty costs
accrued exceeds our estimates, we may need to recognize higher warranty costs
and our profits may be adversely affected.
Future
acquisitions, investments or alliances may have an adverse effect on our
business.
If we are
presented with appropriate opportunities, we may acquire or invest in
technologies, businesses or assets that are strategically important to our
business or form alliances with key players in the solar power industry to
further expand our business. Such acquisitions and investments could expose
us to potential risks, including risks associated with the assimilation of new
operations, technologies and personnel, unforeseen or hidden liabilities, the
inability to generate sufficient revenue to offset the costs and expenses of
acquisitions, and potential loss of, or harm to, our relationships with
employees, customers and suppliers as a result of integration of new businesses.
Furthermore, we may not be able to maintain a satisfactory relationship with our
joint venture or other partners or handle other risks associated with future
alliances, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Investments in new businesses may also divert our cash flow from servicing our
debts and making necessary capital expenditures. In addition, we may incur
impairment losses on our acquisitions and investments in equity securities. We
lack sufficient experience in identifying, financing or completing large
investments or acquisitions or joint venture transactions. Such transactions and
the subsequent integration processes would require significant attention from
our management. The diversion of our management’s attention and any difficulties
encountered with respect to the acquisitions, investments or alliances or in the
process of integration could have an adverse effect on our ability to manage our
business. Any failure to integrate any acquired businesses or joint
ventures into our operations successfully and any material liabilities or
potential liabilities of any acquired businesses or joint ventures that are not
identified by us during our due diligence process for such acquisitions or
investments could adversely affect our business and
financial condition.
The
reduction or elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives for
on-grid solar energy applications could cause demand for our products and our
revenues to decline.
Our solar
wafers are made into modules by our customers, and modules are subsequently
assembled in the solar power systems, which are either connected to the utility
grid and generate electricity to feed into the grid or installed to supply
electricity to businesses and residents. We believe that the near-term growth of
the market for on-grid applications depends in large part on the availability
and size of government subsidies and economic incentives. The reduction or
elimination of subsidies and economic incentives may adversely affect the growth
of this market or result in increased price competition, either of which could
cause our revenues to decline.
When
upfront system costs are factored into the cost of electricity generation, the
cost of solar power substantially exceeds the cost of power generated from
conventional means in many markets though the solar cost has been reduced
significantly. As a result, national and local governmental bodies in many
countries, most notably in Germany, Spain, Italy, the United States and Japan
have provided subsidies and economic incentives in the form of feed-in tariffs,
rebates, tax credits and other incentives to end users, distributors, system
integrators and manufacturers of solar power products to promote the use of
solar energy and to reduce dependence on other forms of energy. In
China, the Renewable Energy Law became effective in early 2006. In
March 2009, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural
Development jointly issued the implementation opinions on Promoting the
Application of Solar Photovoltaic in Construction which, among others,
announced that fiscal support will be provided to the qualified solar
photovoltaic construction projects.
These
government economic incentives could potentially be reduced or eliminated
altogether. Although the solar power industry is currently moving towards the
economies of scale necessary for solar power to become cost-effective in a
non-subsidized market, reductions in, or eliminations of, subsidies and economic
incentives for on-grid solar energy applications could result in decreased
demand for our products and cause our revenues to decline.
If
solar power technology is not suitable for widespread adoption, or if sufficient
demand for solar power products does not develop or takes longer to develop than
we anticipate, our revenues may not continue to increase or may even decline,
and we may be unable to achieve or sustain our profitability.
The solar
power market is at a relatively early stage of development, and the extent of
acceptance of solar power products is uncertain. Historical and current market
data on the solar power industry are not as readily available as those for
established industries where trends can be assessed more reliably from data
gathered over a longer period of time. In addition, demand for solar power
products may not continue to develop or may develop to a lesser extent than
we anticipate. Many factors may affect the viability of widespread adoption of
solar power technology and demand for solar power products,
including:
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cost-effectiveness,
performance and reliability of solar power products compared to
conventional and other renewable energy sources and
products;
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success
of other alternative energy generation technologies, such as wind power,
hydroelectric power and biomass;
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fluctuations
in economic and market conditions that affect the viability of
conventional and other renewable energy sources, such as increases or
decreases in the prices of oil and other fossil fuels or decreases in
capital expenditures by end users of solar power
products;
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fluctuations
in interest rates, which may affect the effective prices paid for solar
power products by end users who rely on long-term loans to finance their
purchases; and
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deregulation
of the electric power industry and the broader energy
industry.
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We have
formulated our expansion plan based on the expected growth of the solar power
market. If solar power technology is not viable for widespread adoption or
sufficient demand for solar power products does not develop or develops to a
lesser extent than we anticipate, our revenues may suffer and we may be unable
to sustain our profitability.
In
addition, the entire solar power industry faces competition from conventional
and non-solar renewable energy technologies. Due to the relatively high
manufacturing costs compared to most other energy sources, solar energy is
generally not competitive without government subsidies and economic
incentives.
Advances
in solar power technology could render our products uncompetitive or obsolete,
which could reduce our market share and cause our sales and profit to
decline.
The solar
power market is characterized by evolving technologies and customer needs. This
requires us to develop enhancements for our products to keep pace with evolving
industry standards and changing customer requirements. Currently, we produce
monocrystalline wafers and multicrystalline wafers. Some of our competitors may
devise production technologies that enable them to produce, at a higher yield
and lower cost, larger and thinner wafers with higher quality than our products.
In addition, some producers have focused on developing alternative forms of
solar power technologies, such as thin-film technologies. We will need to invest
significant financial resources in research and development to maintain our
market position, keep pace with technological advances in the solar power
industry and effectively compete in the future. Our failure to further refine
our products and technology, or to develop and introduce new solar power
products, could cause our products to become uncompetitive or obsolete, which
could reduce our market share and cause our revenues to decline. In addition, if
we, or our customers, are unable to manage product transitions, our business and
results of operations would be negatively affected.
We
may experience difficulty in achieving acceptable yields and product
performance, or may experience production curtailments or
shutdowns.
The
technology for the manufacture of ingots and solar wafers is continuously being
modified in an effort to improve yields and product performance. Microscopic
impurities such as dust and other contaminants, difficulties in the
manufacturing process or unsuccessful adoption of new processing technologies or
malfunctions of the equipment or facilities used can lower yields or silicon
consumption rate, cause quality control problems, interrupt production or result
in losses of products in process. For example, when we began slicing wafers
during the initial training period for our employees, we encountered a higher
than expected number of solar wafers that did not pass our quality control
standards and thus required reprocessing. We experienced product returns because
the products did not meet the quality standards required by some of our
customers. Moreover, during the second quarter of 2007, a number of our
monocrystalline furnaces were temporarily shut down for upgrades, which resulted
in a shortfall from our planned production output for that quarter. We may also
experience floods, droughts, power losses, labor disputes and similar events
within or beyond our control that would affect our operations.
We
experienced partial shut-down of our operations due to routine transmission line
maintenance conducted by local electricity transmission line in 2008. Because
our wafer manufacturing capabilities are concentrated in Jiashan, China, and our
polysilicon manufacturing facilities are located in Meishan, Sichuan Province,
China, any unplanned transmission line maintenance work with short notices from
local electricity transmission line operators may force our production to shut
down, limit our ability to manufacture products and to fulfill our commitments
to customers on a timely basis. Our polysilicon manufacturing processes may
generate hazardous wastes. Although our technologies and equipment are designed
to minimize and eliminate the leakage of such wastes, unexpected accidents may
result in environmental consequences, production curtailments or shutdowns or
periods of reduced production, which would negatively affect our results of
operations. In addition, such events could cause damage to properties, personal
injuries or deaths. Any such event could result in civil lawsuits or regulatory
enforcement proceedings, which in turn could lead to significant
liabilities.
Our
business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our executive
officers and key employees, and our business may be severely disrupted if we
lose their services.
Our
future success depends substantially on the continued services of our executive
officers and key employees, especially Mr. Xianshou Li, our chief executive
officer, Mr. Charles Xiaoshu Bai, our chief financial officer,
Dr. Panjian Li, our chief operating officer and chief executive officer of
ReneSola America. If one or more of our executive officers or key employees were
unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we might not be able
to replace them easily, in a timely manner, or at all. Our business may be
severely disrupted, our financial conditions and results of operations may be
materially and adversely affected, and we may incur additional expenses to
recruit, train and retain personnel. If any of our executive officers or key
employees joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose
customers, suppliers, know-how and key professionals and staff members. Each of
our executive officers and key employees has entered into an employment
agreement with us, which contains non-competition provisions. However, if any
dispute arises between our executive officers and us, these agreements may not
be enforceable in China, where these executive officers reside, in light of
uncertainties with China’s legal system. See “—Risks Related to Doing Business
in China—Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely
affect us.”
Our
future success depends, to a significant extent, on our ability to attract,
train and retain qualified personnel, particularly technical personnel with
expertise in the solar power industry. Since our industry is characterized by
high demand and intense competition for talent, there can be no assurance that
we will be able to attract or retain qualified technical staff or other
highly-skilled employees that we will need to achieve our strategic objectives.
As we are still a relatively young company and our business has grown rapidly,
our ability to train and integrate new employees into our operations may not
meet the growing demands of our business. If we are unable to attract and retain
qualified personnel, our business may be materially and adversely
affected.
Problems
with product quality or product performance could result in increased costs,
damage to our reputation and loss of revenues and market share.
From time
to time, we encounter sales returns due to non-conformity with customers’
specifications and are required to replace our products promptly. Our products
may contain defects that are not detected until after they are shipped or
installed. Any proven defects could lead to return or refund of our products
under our warranties, cause us to incur additional costs and divert the
attention of our personnel from our operations. Similarly, if we fail to
maintain the consistent quality of our other products via effective quality
control, we may deliver products with defects or other quality problems, which
may result in increased costs associated with replacements or other remedial
measures. Product defects and the possibility of product defects could also
cause significant damage to our market reputation and reduce our product sales
and market share.
We
need a substantial amount of cash to fund our operations; if we fail to obtain
additional capital when we require it, our growth prospects and future
profitability may be materially and adversely affected.
We
require a significant amount of cash to fund our operations, in particular for
payments to suppliers to secure our raw materials requirements. Although we have
not extended credit terms to customers, credit terms may be extended to
customers to secure future purchase commitments from customers when this becomes
an industry wide practice.
We will
also need capital to fund the expansion of our manufacturing capacity and our
research and development activities in order to remain competitive in this
market. Future expansions, changes in market conditions or other developments
may also cause us to require additional funds. Our ability to obtain external
financing in the future is subject to a number of uncertainties,
including:
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our
future financial condition, operations and
reputation;
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general
market conditions in our industry;
and
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economic,
political and other conditions in China and
elsewhere.
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Global
financial crisis may negatively impact our ability to obtain necessary capital
in a timely manner or on commercially acceptable terms. Our operation, results
of operations and growth prospects may be materially and adversely affected if
current global financial crisis persists.
We
face risks associated with the marketing, distribution and sale of our solar
power products internationally. If we are unable to effectively manage these
risks, our ability to expand our business abroad would be materially and
severely impaired.
In 2008,
43.6% of our net revenues were generated from customers outside of China. We
have expanded our international sales efforts in 2009 by focusing on
international top tier solar companies with strong global distribution
capabilities and initiating relationship with some of the key companies with
established regional distribution capabilities in our international key markets.
The marketing, distribution and sales of our solar wafer products in
international markets expose us to a number of risks,
including:
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fluctuations
in currency exchange rates;
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increased
costs associated with maintaining marketing efforts in various
countries;
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difficulty
and costs relating to compliance with the different commercial and legal
requirements of the overseas markets in which we offer our
products;
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difficulty
in engaging and retaining sales personnel who are knowledgeable about, and
can function effectively in, overseas markets;
and
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trade
barriers such as export requirements, tariffs, taxes and other
restrictions and expenses, which could increase the prices of our products
and make us less competitive in some
countries.
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If we are
unable to effectively manage these risks, our ability to expand our business
aboard would be materially and severely impaired.
If
we fail to establish an effective system of internal controls, we may be unable
to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, and investor
confidence and the market price of our ADSs may be adversely
impacted.
We are
subject to reporting obligations under U.S. securities laws and AIM rules. The
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as required by
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act,
has adopted rules requiring every public company to include a management report
on such company’s internal control over financial reporting in its annual
report, which contains management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the
company’s internal control over financial reporting. In addition, an independent
registered public accounting firm must audit and report on the effectiveness of
the company’s internal control over financial reporting. This requirement first
applied to this annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ending on
December 31, 2008. Our reporting obligations as a public company have
placed, and will continue to place, a significant strain on our management,
operational and financial resources and systems for the foreseeable
future.
During
the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2007, we identified a material weakness and certain
deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in the
standards established by the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The
material weakness identified related to our failure to apply, or failure to
apply in a consistent manner, certain aspects of accounting policies and
procedure, such as inadequate formal documentation of the control procedures on
the financial reporting of certain subsidiaries and inadequate
control procedures to identify and apply relevant accounting treatment to
non-routine transactions. If we had performed a thorough assessment of our
internal control over financial reporting or if our independent registered
public accounting firm had performed an audit of our internal control over
financial reporting, additional material weaknesses, significant deficiencies or
control deficiencies might have been identified.
We have
ratified these material weakness and deficiencies, and we have concluded that
our internal control over financial reporting was effective for our fiscal year
ended December 31, 2008. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal
controls, our management may conclude that our internal control over financial
reporting is not effective in the future. Moreover, effective internal control
over financial reporting is necessary for us to produce reliable financial
reports and to prevent fraud. As a result, our failure to achieve and maintain
effective internal control over financial reporting could result in the loss of
investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in
turn could harm our business and negatively impact the market price of our
ADSs.
Our
failure to protect our intellectual property rights may undermine our
competitive position, and litigation to protect our intellectual property rights
may be costly.
We rely
primarily on patent laws, trade secrets and other contractual restrictions to
protect our intellectual property. Nevertheless, these afford only limited
protection and the actions we take to protect our intellectual property rights
may not be adequate to provide us with meaningful protection or commercial
advantage. For example, we have six patents and ten pending patent applications
in China as of the date of this annual report. We cannot assure you that our
patent applications will be eventually issued with sufficiently broad coverage
to protect our technology and products. As a result, third parties may be able
to use the technologies that we have developed and compete with us, which could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating
results. In addition, contractual arrangements, such as the confidentiality and
non-competition agreements and terms between us and our research and development
personnel, afford only limited protection and the actions we may take to protect
our trade secrets and other intellectual property may not be adequate. Our
failure to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights may
undermine our competitive position. Third parties may infringe or misappropriate
our proprietary technologies or other intellectual property and proprietary
rights. Policing the unauthorized use of proprietary technology can be difficult
and expensive. In particular, the laws and enforcement procedures of the PRC and
certain other countries are uncertain or do not protect intellectual property
rights to the same extent as do the laws and enforcement procedures of the
United States. See “—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Uncertainties with
respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.” We may need to
resort to court proceedings to enforce our intellectual property rights in the
future. Litigation relating to our intellectual property might result in
substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention away from
our business. An adverse determination in any such litigation will impair our
intellectual property and proprietary rights and may harm our business,
prospects and reputation.
We
may be exposed to infringement or misappropriation claims by third parties,
which, if determined adversely to us, could cause us to pay significant damage
awards.
Our
success depends largely on our ability to use and develop our technology and
know-how without infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties.
The validity and scope of claims relating to solar power technology patents
involve complex scientific, legal and factual questions and analysis and,
therefore, may be highly uncertain. We may be subject to litigation involving
claims of patent infringement or violation of other intellectual property rights
of third parties. The defense and prosecution of intellectual property suits,
patent opposition proceedings, and related legal and administrative proceedings
can be both costly and time-consuming and may significantly divert the efforts
and resources of our technical and management personnel. An adverse
determination in any such litigation or proceedings to which we may become a
party could subject us to significant liability to third parties, require us to
seek licenses from third parties, to pay ongoing royalties, or to redesign our
products or subject us to injunctions prohibiting the manufacture and sale of
our products or the use of our technologies. Protracted litigation could also
result in our customers or potential customers deferring or limiting their
purchase or use of our products until resolution of such
litigation.
Increases
in electricity costs or a shortage of electricity supply may adversely affect
our operations.
We
consume a significant amount of electricity in our operations. Moreover, with
the rapid development of the PRC economy, demand for electricity has continued
to increase. There have been shortages in electricity supply in various regions
across China, especially during peak seasons, such as summer. To mitigate the
effect of possible interruptions or shortages of electricity, we have installed
backup power transformer substations at our site with an aggregate capacity of
11.0 million volt-amperes. The capacity of our backup transformer
substation is not sufficient to fully support our current production. In view of
our operations and planned production expansion, we cannot assure you that there
will be no risk of interruption or shortages in our electricity supply or that
there will be sufficient electricity available to meet our future requirements.
We also cannot assure you that our electricity cost will not rise significantly
or that we will be able to pass the increased cost to our customers. Increases
in electricity costs may adversely affect our profitability.
Compliance
with environmental regulations can be expensive, and non-compliance with these
regulations may result in adverse publicity and potentially significant monetary
damages and fines.
As our
manufacturing processes, including processing reclaimable silicon raw materials,
and producing ingots and slicing wafers, generate noise, waste water and gaseous
and other industrial wastes, we are required to comply with all applicable
regulations regarding protection of the environment. We are in compliance with
present environmental protection requirements and have all the necessary
environmental permits to conduct our business. However, if more stringent
regulations are adopted in the future, the cost of compliance with these new
regulations could be substantial. If we fail to comply with present or future
environmental regulations, we may be required to pay substantial fines, suspend
production or cease operations. We use, generate and discharge toxic, volatile
and otherwise hazardous chemicals and wastes in our research and development and
manufacturing activities. Any failure by us to control the use of, or to
restrict adequately the discharge of, hazardous substances could subject us to
potentially significant monetary damages and fines or suspensions in our
business operations.
We
have limited insurance coverage and may incur losses resulting from product
liability claims or business interruptions.
As the
insurance industry in China is still in an early stage of development, the
product liability insurance and business interruption insurance available in
China offer limited coverage compared to that offered in many other countries.
We do not have any product liability insurance or business interruption
insurance. Any business disruption or natural disaster could result in
substantial costs and a diversion of resources, which would have an adverse
effect on our business and results of operations.
Same with
other solar product manufacturers, we are exposed to risks associated with
product liability claims if the use of our solar power products results in
injury. Since our solar wafers are made into electricity generating devices and
our solar modules generate electricity, it is possible that users could be
injured or killed by our products as a result of product malfunctions, defects,
improper installation or other causes. We only began commercial shipment of our
solar power products in July 2005, and, because of our limited operating
history, we cannot predict whether product liability claims will be brought
against us in the future or the effect of any resulting negative publicity on
our business. The successful assertion of product liability claims against us
could result in potentially significant monetary damages and require us to make
significant payments. Historically, our solar modules were typically sold with a
warranty for minimum power output for up to 20 years following the date of sale.
We also provided warranties for our solar modules against defects in materials
and workmanship for a period of two years from the date of sale. We do not
provide similar warranties for our solar wafers. We have sold solar modules only
since July 2005, and discontinued the sale of our solar modules in
April 2006. Due to the short usage history of our products, we cannot
assure you that our assumptions regarding the durability and reliability of our
products are reasonable. Our warranty provisions may be inadequate, and we may
have to incur substantial expense to repair or replace defective products in the
future. See “—Problems with product quality or product performance could
result in increased costs, damage to our reputation and loss of revenues and
market share.” Any increase in the defect rate of our products would cause us to
increase the amount of our warranty reserves and have a correspondingly negative
impact on our operating results. Furthermore, widespread product failures may
damage our market reputation, reduce our market share and cause our sales to
decline.
Our
financial leverage may hamper our ability to expand and may materially affect
our results of operations.
In
addition to the RMB928,700,000 U.S. Dollar Settled 1% Convertible Bonds due
2012 issued in March 2007, which were used primarily for working capital
purposes and capital expenditures, we have significant borrowings from Chinese
commercial banks.
We expect
to incur additional debt obligations to finance our operations and, as a result,
we will allocate an increasing portion of our cash flow to service these
obligations. This could impair our ability to make necessary capital
expenditures, develop business opportunities or make strategic acquisitions. We
cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from
operations in the future to service our debts and make necessary capital
expenditures, in which case we may seek additional financing, dispose of certain
assets or seek to refinance some or all of our debts. We cannot assure you that
any of these alternatives can be implemented on satisfactory terms, if at all.
In the event that we are unable to meet our obligations when they become due or
if our creditors take legal action against us for payment, we may have to
liquidate our long-term assets to repay our creditors. We may have difficulty
converting our long-term assets into current assets in such a situation and may
suffer losses from the sale of our long-term assets. This would materially and
adversely affect our operations and prevent us from successfully implementing
our business strategy.
Risks
Related To Doing Business In China
Adverse
changes in political and economic policies of the PRC government could have a
material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could
reduce the demand for our products and materially and adversely affect our
competitive position.
We
conduct substantially all of our business operations in China. As the
solar industry is highly sensitive to business and personal discretionary
spending levels, it tends to decline during general economic
downturns. Accordingly, our results of operations, financial
condition and prospects are subject to a significant degree to economic,
political and legal developments in China. China’s economy differs
from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including with
respect to the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth
rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. While
the PRC economy has experienced significant growth in the past decades, growth
has been uneven across different regions and among various economic sectors of
China. The PRC government has implemented various measures to
encourage economic development and guide the allocation of
resources. While some of these measures benefit the overall PRC
economy, they may also have a negative effect on us. For example, our
financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by
government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that
are applicable to us. As the PRC economy is increasingly intricately
linked to the global economy, it is affected in various respects by downturns
and recessions of major economies around the world, such as the recent financial
services and economic crises of these economies. The various economic
and policy measures the PRC government enacts to forestall economic downturns or
shore up the PRC economy could affect our business.
The PRC
economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented
economy. Although the PRC government has implemented measures since
the late 1970s emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform,
the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of
improved corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of
productive assets in China are still owned by the PRC government. In
addition, the PRC government continues to play a significant role in regulating
industry development by imposing industrial policies. The PRC
government also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth
through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign
currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing
preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Future actions and
policies of the PRC government could materially affect our liquidity and access
to capital and our ability to operate our business.
Uncertainties
with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.
We are a
holding company, and we conduct our business primarily through our subsidiary,
Zhejiang Yuhui Solar Energy Source Co., Ltd., or Zhejiang Yuhui, incorporated in
China. Zhejiang Yuhui is generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to
foreign investment in China and, in particular, laws applicable to
wholly-foreign owned enterprises. The PRC legal system is based on written
statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited
precedential value. Since 1979, PRC legislation and regulations have
significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign
investments in China. However, since the PRC legal system continues to rapidly
evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always
uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involve
uncertainties, which may limit legal protections available to us. In addition,
any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and
diversion of resources and management attention.
Expiration
of, or changes to, current PRC tax incentives that our business enjoys could
have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
The PRC
government has provided various incentives to foreign-invested enterprises to
encourage foreign investments. Such incentives include reduced tax rates and
other measures. As a foreign-invested enterprise in a manufacturing business
with an authorized term of operation for more than ten years, Zhejiang Yuhui is
entitled to full exemption from enterprise income tax for the years of 2005 and
2006 and a 50% reduction during the three succeeding years.
In March
2007, the National People’s Congress of China enacted a new Enterprise Income
Tax Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008. In December 2007, the
State Council of China promulgated the Implementing Regulation of the new
Enterprise Income Tax Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008. The
new tax law imposes a unified state income tax rate of 25% on all domestic
enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises unless they qualify under certain
limited exceptions. According to the new Enterprise Income Tax Law and its
relevant implementation rules, enterprises that were established before March
16, 2007 and were eligible for preferential tax exemptions or reduction within
the specified time under the then effective laws and regulations will continue
to enjoy the original preferential tax exemptions or reductions until the
expiration of the specified terms, except that the relevant exemption or
reduction shall start from January 2008 if the first profitable year for the
relevant enterprise is later than January 1, 2008. Therefore, Zhejiang Yuhui
will continue to be entitled to the above preferential tax exemption and
reduction currently enjoyed by it during such transition period.
Zhejiang
Yuhui increased its registered capital from $1.5 million to $16.5 million in
April 2006, $28.5 million in September 2006, $45.0 million in January 2007
and $102.5 million in August 2007. According to relevant PRC tax regulations
before the enactment of the Enterprise Income Tax Law, Zhejiang Yuhui is
entitled to full exemption from enterprise income tax for the two years starting
from its first profitable year of operation with respect to the income
attributable to operations funded by the increased capital and a 50% deduction
in income taxes for the following three years, upon written approval from the
tax authority. Since Zhejiang Yuhui’s capital increase from $45.0 million to
$102.5 million was registered after March 16, 2007, it has received an
approval from the PRC tax authority in Zhejiang Province which provided that
income derived from this registered capital increase will receive preferential
tax treatment until December 31, 2007. However, since the new Enterprise
Income Tax Law was only recently enacted, there remains uncertainty as to
whether we can maintain the preferential tax treatment for income derived from
some of Zhejiang Yuhui’s registered capital increases.
In
addition, although the approval letter Zhejaing Yuhui received from the PRC tax
authority has indicated that income derived from Zhejiang Yuhui’s capital
increase from $45.0 million to $102.5 million can only enjoy preferential tax
treatment before December 31, 2007, in practice Zhejiang Yuhui has paid tax
on income derived from such capital increase at the rate of 12.5% after
January 1, 2008, which is 50% of the statutory tax rate. The tax authority
may request Zhejiang Yuhui to make a supplementary tax payment on our income
which have been paid at the rate of 12.5% and also request that Zhejiang Yuihui
pays tax at the rate of 25% in the future.
Moreover,
under the new Enterprise Income Tax Law, enterprises organized under the laws of
jurisdictions outside China with their de facto management bodies located within
China may be considered PRC resident enterprises and, therefore, subject to PRC
enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on their worldwide income. The
Implementing Regulation of the new tax law defines “de facto management body” as
an establishment that exerts substantial overall management and control over the
operation, personnel, financial affairs, assets and other aspects of the
enterprise. If a majority of the members of our management team continues to be
located in China, we may be deemed as a PRC tax resident enterprise and,
therefore, subject to PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 25% on our
worldwide income except that the dividends we received from our PRC subsidiaries
may be exempt from the enterprise income tax to the extent that such dividends
are deemed as dividends among PRC resident enterprises. If our current tax
benefits expire or otherwise become unavailable to us for any reason, our
profitability may be materially or adversely affected. In addition, our PRC
subsidiary, Zhejiang Yuhui, is required to pay Value Added Tax, or VAT, with
respect to the gross sales proceeds. Historically, when exporting products,
Zhejiang Yuhui was entitled to a 13% refund of VAT that it had already paid or
borne. However, starting from July 1, 2007, the VAT refund was reduced
to 5%, which materially affects the gross margin of our overseas sales.
According to the latest tax regulation, the VAT refund has been reverted to 13%
from April 1, 2009. Our profitability may be materially and adversely affected
if this VAT refund changes significantly and frequently.
We
rely on dividends paid by our subsidiary and repayment of shareholder’s loan for
our cash needs.
Up to the
date of this annual report, we have relied on dividends paid by our PRC
subsidiary, Zhejiang Yuhui, for our cash needs, including the funds necessary to
pay dividends and other cash distributions to our shareholders, to service
any debt we may incur and to pay our operating expenses. In addition, we also
rely on Zheiiang Yuhui to repay US Dollar denominated shareholder’s loans we
grant to it to support our repayment obligations to the holders of our RMB928.7
million US Dollar settled convertible bonds due in March 26, 2012 with
holders’ put right in March 26, 2010. The repayment of our shareholder’s
loan in US Dollars is subject to approval from State Administration of Foreign
Exchange or its branches, or SAFE. If SAFE does not approve in a timely
manner or at all for the repayment by Zhejiang Yuhui of the shareholder’s loan
in US Dollars to us, we may be unable to repay the bondholders when our
repayment obligations are due. See “—Risks Related to Doing Business In
China—Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use
our revenues or financing effectively.”
The
payment of dividends by entities organized in China is subject to limitations.
Regulations in the PRC currently permit payment of dividends only out of
accumulated profits as determined in accordance with accounting standards and
regulations in China. Zhejiang Yuhui is also required to set aside at least 10%
of its after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards each year to its
general reserves until the accumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50% of
its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends.
Zhejiang Yuhui is also required to allocate a portion of its after-tax profits,
as determined by its board of directors, to its staff welfare and bonus funds,
which may not be distributed to equity owners. In addition, when Zhejiang Yuhui
incurs debt on its own behalf, the instruments governing the debt may restrict
its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us. For example,
according to certain loan agreements between Zhejiang Yuhui and its banks,
Zhejiang Yuhui is not permitted to pay dividends for any given year if it has no
after-tax profit or any principal or interest due in that year that has not been
paid.
Under
the Enterprise Income Tax Law, dividends payable by us and gains on the
disposition of our shares or ADSs could be subject to PRC taxation.
Pursuant
to the new PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its Implementing Regulation, which
became effective on January 1, 2008, a 10% withholding tax applies to
dividends, interests, rent or royalties payable by a foreign-invested
enterprise, such as our PRC subsidiary, to any of its non-resident enterprises
investors for PRC enterprise income tax purposes unless any such non-resident
enterprise’s jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with China that
provides for a different withholding arrangement. The British Virgin Islands,
where our company was incorporated, does not have such a treaty with
China. Thus, the Company expects that a 10% withholding tax will apply to
dividends paid to the Company by its PRC subsidiaries if the Company is
classified as a non-resident enterprise. Circular CaiShui [2008] No.1
jointly issued by the State Administration of Taxation, or SAT, and Minister of
Finance, or MOF, on February 22, 2008 further clarifies that dividends
distributed by foreign-invested enterprise to foreign investors out of the
profits generated before January 1, 2008 are still exempt from withholding tax
even if they are paid after January 1, 2008. Our PRC entities’ undistributed
earnings as of December 31, 2008 will be permanently reinvested to the PRC
entities. Therefore, no dividend withholding tax was accrued. However, if
we are classified as a resident enterprise, our shareholders and ADS holders who
are deemed non-resident enterprise may be subject to the new PRC Enterprise
Income Tax Law at the rate of 10% upon the dividends paid by us or the gains on
the disposition of our shares or ADSs.
Fluctuations
in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on your
investment.
A
substantial portion of our sales, costs and expenses is denominated in Renminbi
and U.S. dollars, with the remainder in Euros and Japanese Yen. Fluctuations in
exchange rates, particularly among the U.S. dollar and Renminbi, could affect
our net profit margins and could result in foreign exchange losses and operating
losses. For example, we recognized a foreign exchange loss of $3.1 million in
2008. In addition, our foreign currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC
exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into
foreign currencies.
The value
of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar, Euro and other currencies is affected
by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions and
China’s foreign exchange policies. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed
its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar.
Under the new policy, the Renminbi was permitted to fluctuate within a narrow
and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. This change in
policy caused the Renminbi to appreciate approximately 21.5% against the U.S.
dollar over the following three years. Since reaching a high against the U.S.
dollar in July 2008, however, the Renminbi has traded within a narrow band
against the U.S. dollar, remaining within 1% of its July 2008 high but never
exceeding it. As a consequence, the Renminbi has fluctuated sharply since July
2008 against other freely traded currencies, in tandem with the U.S.
dollar. For example, the Renminbi appreciated approximately 27%
against the Euro between July 2008 and November 2008. It is difficult
to predict how long the current situation may last and when and how it may
change again.
In
addition, as we rely entirely on dividends paid to us by our operating
subsidiaries in China and on repayments of U.S. dollar shareholder’s loan from
Zhejiang Yuhui, any significant depreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S.
dollar may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and financial
condition, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, our shares. For
example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into Renminbi for
our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar would have
an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we receive from the conversion.
Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the
purpose of making payments for dividends on our shares or for other business
purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a
negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us. As a proportion of
our revenue is paid to us in Euros, fluctuation between the Euro and the RMB may
also have a material effect on our results of operations.
Restrictions
on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use our revenues or
financing effectively.
A
significant portion of our revenues and expenses are denominated in Renminbi. If
our revenues denominated in Renminbi increase or expenses denominated in
Renminbi decrease in the future, we may need to convert a portion of our
revenues into other currencies to meet our foreign currency obligations,
including, among others, payment of dividends declared, if any, in respect of
our shares or ADSs. Under China’s existing foreign exchange regulations,
Zhejiang Yuhui is able to pay dividends in foreign currencies, without prior
approval from the SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements.
However, we cannot assure you that the PRC government will not take further
measures in the future to restrict access to foreign currencies for current
account transactions.
Foreign
exchange transactions by Zhejiang Yuhui under capital accounts continue to be
subject to significant foreign exchange controls and require the approval of, or
registration with, PRC governmental authorities. In particular, if Zhejiang
Yuhui borrows foreign currency loans from us or other foreign lenders, these
loans must be registered with the SAFE, and if we finance it by means of
additional capital contributions, these capital contributions must be approved
or registered by certain government authorities including the SAFE, the Ministry
of Commerce or their local counterparts. These limitations could affect the
ability of Zhejiang Yuhui to obtain foreign exchange in China, and could affect
our business and financial condition.
If
we are required to obtain the prior approval of the China Securities Regulatory
Commission, or CSRC, for the listing and trading of our ADSs on the New York
Stock Exchange, we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions which may
adversely affect our financial condition.
On
August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the CSRC,
promulgated a regulation that became effective on September 8, 2006. This
regulation, among other things, has some provisions that purport to require that
an offshore special purpose vehicle, or SPV, formed for listing purposes and
controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or individuals shall obtain
the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such SPV’s
securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC
published on its official website procedures specifying documents and materials
required to be submitted to it by SPVs seeking CSRC approval of their overseas
listings.
We
completed the listing of our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange in January 2008
and completed our follow-on offering in June 2008. We did not seek CSRC approval
in connection with either our initial public offering or our follow-on offering.
However, the application of this PRC regulation remains unclear with no
consensus currently existing among the leading PRC law firms regarding the scope
and applicability of the CSRC approval requirement. Our PRC counsel at the time
of listing advised us that because we completed our restructuring for the
initial public offering before September 8, 2006, the effective date of the
new regulation, it was not and is not necessary for us to submit the application
to the CSRC for its approval, and the listing of our ADSs on the New York Stock
Exchange did not require CSRC approval.
If the
CSRC or another PRC regulatory agency subsequently determines that CSRC approval
was required for the initial public offering or the follow-on offering, we may
face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory
agencies. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our
operations in the PRC, limit our operating privileges in the PRC, delay or
restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from our initial public offering and
the follow-on offering into the PRC, or take other actions that could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of
operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our
ADSs.
If the
CSRC later requires that we obtain its approval, we may be unable to obtain a
waiver of the CSRC approval requirements, if and when procedures are established
to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties and/or negative publicity regarding
this CSRC approval requirement could have a material adverse effect on the
trading price of our ADSs.
PRC
regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies
by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident shareholders to personal liability
and limit our ability to inject capital into our PRC subsidiary, limit our
subsidiary’s ability to increase its registered capital, distribute profits to
us, or otherwise adversely affect us.
On
October 21, 2005, the SAFE issued the Notice on Issues Relating to the
Administration of Foreign Exchange in Fund-raising and Reverse Investment
Activities of Domestic Residents Conducted via Offshore Special Purpose
Companies, or Notice 75, which became effective as of November 1, 2005.
According to Notice 75, prior registration with the local SAFE branch is
required for PRC residents to establish or to control an offshore company for
the purposes of financing that offshore company with assets or equity interests
in an onshore enterprise located in the PRC. An amendment to registration or
filing with the local SAFE branch by such PRC resident is also required for the
injection of equity interests or assets of an onshore enterprise in the offshore
company or overseas funds raised by such offshore company, or any other material
change involving a change in the capital of the offshore company. Moreover,
Notice 75 applies retroactively. As a result, PRC residents who have established
or acquired control of offshore companies that have made onshore investments in
the PRC in the past were required to complete the relevant registration
procedures with the local SAFE branch by March 31, 2006.
We have
urged our shareholders who are PRC residents to make the necessary applications
and filings as required under Notice 75 and other related rules. However, as a
result of uncertainty concerning the reconciliation of Notice 75 with other
approval or registration requirements, it remains unclear how Notice 75, and any
future legislation concerning offshore or cross-border transactions, will be
interpreted, amended and implemented by the relevant government authorities. To
our knowledge, our primary shareholders have completed the necessary filings as
required under Notice 75 and other related rules, except that
(i) Mr. Xianshou Li and Mr. Yuncai Wu have filed and updated
their filings in connection with their transfer of shares in our company to
their respective holding vehicles and the change in our company’s shareholding
structure due to our AIM admission with Jiashan County SAFE Branch, but they
have not filed or updated any filing with Zhejiang Province SAFE Branch as
required by PRC SAFE regulations; (ii) Mr. Li and Mr. Wu have not
updated their filings in connection with our U.S. initial public offering in
January 2008 and our follow-on offering in June 2008; (iii) we are in the
process of making filings in connection with options granted to our PRC
employees under our 2007 share incentive plan and
(iv) Mr. Zhengmin Lian and Mr. Xiangjun Dong have inquired with
the relevant local branch of the SAFE with respect to the filings of the shares
that Mr. Li and Mr. Wu hold on trust for them as described in “Item 7.
Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party
Transactions—Restructuring,” but were advised that such applications could not
be accepted as there is a lack of precedents for filing such trust arrangements.
We attempt to comply, and attempt to ensure that our shareholders who are
subject to these rules comply with the relevant requirements. However, we cannot
provide any assurances that all of our shareholders who are PRC residents will
comply with our request to make or obtain any applicable registrations or comply
with other requirements required by Notice 75 or other related rules. The
failure or inability of our PRC resident shareholders to make any required
registrations or comply with other requirements may subject such shareholders to
fines and legal sanctions and may also limit our ability to contribute
additional capital into or provide loans to our PRC subsidiary, limit our PRC
subsidiary’s ability to pay dividends or otherwise distribute profits to us, or
otherwise adversely affect us.
We
face risks related to health epidemics and other outbreaks.
Our
business could be adversely affected by the effects of avian flu, severe acute
respiratory syndrome, or SARS, swine flu or another epidemic or outbreak. From
2005 to present, there have been reports on the occurrence of avian flu in
various parts of China and elsewhere in Asia, including a few confirmed human
cases and deaths. In April 2009, an outbreak of swine flu occurred in Mexico and
the United States and there have been recent cases in China and elsewhere in
Asia. Any prolonged occurrence or recurrence of avian flu, SARS,
swine flu or other adverse public health developments in China may have a
material adverse effect on our business operations. Our operations may be
impacted by a number of health-related factors, including, among other things,
quarantines or closures of our facilities, which could severely disrupt our
operations, the sickness or death of our key officers and employees, and a
general slowdown in the Chinese economy. Any of the foregoing events or other
unforeseen consequences of public health problems could adversely affect our
business and results of operations. We have not adopted any written preventive
measures or contingency plans to combat any future outbreak of avian flu, SARS,
swine flu or any other epidemic.
Risks
Related To Our ADSs
Volatility
of the AIM market may adversely affect the price of our shares and
ADSs.
Our
shares are traded on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, in addition to
the New York Stock Exchange. AIM, like any other securities exchange, may
experience problems that affect the market price and liquidity of the securities
of its listed companies. These problems may include temporary exchange closures,
the suspension of stock exchange administration, broker defaults, settlement
delays and strikes by brokers. Similar problems could occur in the future and,
if they do, they could harm the market price and liquidity of our shares and the
price of our ADSs.
The
market price for our ADSs may be volatile.
The
market price for our ADSs may be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in
response to factors including the following:
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actual
or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating
results;
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changes
in financial estimates by securities research
analysts;
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changes
in the economic performance or market valuations of other solar power
companies;
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announcements
by us or our competitors of new products, patent litigation, issuance of
patents, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital
commitments;
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technological
breakthroughs in the solar and other renewable power
industries;
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reduction
or elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives for the
solar power industry;
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potential
litigation or administrative
investigations;
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addition
or departure of key personnel;
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fluctuations
of exchange rates between the RMB and U.S. dollar or other foreign
currencies;
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release
of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding ADSs or
shares or sales of additional ADSs;
and
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general
market conditions or other developments affecting us or our
industry.
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You
should note that the stock prices of solar power companies have experienced wide
fluctuations. Such wide market fluctuations may adversely affect the market
price of our ADSs.
In
addition, the securities market has from time to time experienced significant
price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance
of particular companies. Such
a fluctuation has occurred since 2008, and has impacted the trading price of our
ADSs. Continued market fluctuations may materially and adversely affect the
market price of our ADSs.
Our
existing principal shareholders have substantial influence over our company, and
their interests may not be aligned with the interests of our other
shareholders.
Mr. Xianshou
Li, our chief executive officer and director, and Mr. Yuncai Wu, our vice
president and director, currently hold, indirectly, approximately 26.5% and
13.6% of our outstanding share capital, respectively, as of the date of this
annual report. As such, Messrs. Li and Wu have substantial influence over our
business, including decisions regarding mergers, consolidations and the sale of
all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and other
significant corporate actions. This concentration of ownership may discourage,
delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could deprive
our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part
of a sale of our company and might reduce the price of our ADSs. For example,
holders of a majority of our shares entitled to vote in a duly convened and
constituted shareholders’ meeting may pass a shareholders’ resolution to issue
preferred shares in one or more series and to fix the powers and rights of these
shares, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of
redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than
the rights associated with our existing shares. Preferred shares could thus be
issued with terms that would delay or prevent a change in control or make
removal of management more difficult. These actions may be taken even if they
are opposed by our other shareholders and holders of our ADSs.
We
may need additional capital and may sell additional ADSs or other equity
securities or incur indebtedness, which could result in additional dilution to
our shareholders or increase our debt service obligations.
We
believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, anticipated cash flows from
our operations and bank borrowings, existing bank facilities and proceeds from
the follow-on offering will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs,
including our cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures. We may
require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other
future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to
pursue. If these resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we
may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit
facility. The sale of additional equity securities could result in additional
dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in
increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing
covenants that would restrict our operations. We cannot assure you that
financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at
all.
Substantial
future sales of our ADSs in the public market, or the perception that these
sales could occur, could cause the price of our ADSs to decline.
Sales of
our shares or ADSs in the public market, or the perception that these sales
could occur, could cause the market price of our ADSs to decline. As of December
31, 2008, we had 32,628,749 ADSs outstanding. All ADSs sold in our
initial public offering and the follow-on offering are freely transferable
without restriction or additional registration under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or the Securities Act. The remaining ADSs outstanding
after the initial public offering and the follow-on offering are currently
available for sale, subject to volume and other restrictions as applicable under
Rule 144 and Rule 701 of the Securities Act.
As
a holder of our ADSs, you may not have the same voting rights as the holders of
our shares and may not receive voting materials in time to be able to exercise
your right to vote.
As a
holder of ADSs, you are not treated as one of our shareholders. Instead, the
depositary is treated as the holder of the shares underlying your ADSs. However,
you may exercise some of the shareholders’ rights through the depositary, and
you have the right to withdraw the shares underlying your ADSs from the deposit
facility. Except as described in the deposit agreement, holders of our ADSs are
not be able to directly exercise voting rights attaching to the shares evidenced
by our ADSs on an individual basis. Holders of our ADSs are entitled to instruct
the depositary how to vote the shares represented by the ADSs. However, you may
not receive voting materials in time to instruct the depositary to vote, and it
is possible that you, or persons who hold their ADSs through brokers, dealers or
other third parties, will not have the opportunity to exercise a right to
vote.
You
may not be able to participate in rights offerings and may experience dilution
of your holdings as a result.
We may
from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to
acquire our securities. Under the deposit agreement for the ADSs, the depositary
will not offer those rights to ADS holders unless both the rights and the
underlying securities to be distributed to ADS holders are either registered
under the Securities Act or exempt from registration under the Securities Act
with respect to all holders of ADSs. We are under no obligation to file a
registration statement with respect to any such rights or underlying securities
or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective.
In addition, we may not be able to take advantage of any exemptions from
registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, holders of our ADSs may be
unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in
their holdings as a result.
You
may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.
Your ADSs
represented by the ADRs are transferable on the books of the depositary.
However, the depositary may close its transfer books from time to time when it
deems that it is expedient for the performance of its duties. In addition, the
depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs
generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any
time if we or the depositary deem it advisable to do so because of any
requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any
provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.
You
may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect
your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited, because we are
incorporated under British Virgin Islands law, conduct substantially all of our
operations in China and most of our officers and directors reside outside the
United States.
We are
incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, and conduct substantially all of our
operations in China through our wholly-owned subsidiary in China. Most of our
officers and directors reside outside the United States, and some or all of the
assets of those persons are located outside of the United States. As a result,
it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an original action against us
or against these individuals in a British Virgin Islands or China court in the
event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the U.S.
federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an
action of this kind, the laws of the British Virgin Islands and of China may
render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our
directors and officers. There is no statutory recognition in the British Virgin
Islands of judgments obtained in the United States, although the courts of the
British Virgin Islands will generally recognize and enforce a non-penal judgment
of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the
merits.
Our
corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association and
by the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 and common law of the British Virgin
Islands. The rights of shareholders to take legal action against our directors
and us, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of
our directors to us under British Virgin Islands law are to a large extent
governed by the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The common law of the
British Virgin Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial
precedent in the British Virgin Islands as well as from English common law,
which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the British
Virgin Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary
responsibilities of our directors under British Virgin Islands law are not as
clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in
the United States. In particular, the British Virgin Islands has no securities
laws as compared to the United States, and provides significantly less
protection to investors. In addition, British Virgin Islands companies may not
have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action before the federal
courts of the United States.
As a
result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in
protecting their interests through actions against our management, directors or
major shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a
jurisdiction in the United States.
ITEM
4.
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INFORMATION
ON THE COMPANY
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A.
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History and
Development of the Company
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Our
predecessor, Zhejiang Fending Construction Material Machinery Manufacturing Co.,
Ltd., or Fengding Construction, was established as a limited liability company
in the PRC in 2003. Following a series of share transfers, Fengding Construction
was renamed Zhejiang Yuhui in June 2005 and commenced the solar power business
in July 2005. As companies incorporated overseas can more efficiently and
conveniently issue equity securities to overseas investors without going through
lengthy PRC governmental approval procedures, our company, ReneSola Ltd., or
ReneSola, was incorporated as a limited liability company in the British Virgin
Islands on March 17, 2006. Our choice of the British Virgin Islands as the
jurisdiction of incorporation of our company was motivated in part by its
relatively well-developed body of corporate law, various tax and other
incentives, and its acceptance among internationally recognized securities
exchanges as a jurisdiction for companies seeking to list securities. As a
limited liability company under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, the
liability of our shareholders to our company is limited to: (i) any amount
unpaid on a share held by the shareholder and (ii) any liability to repay a
distribution by our company that was not made in accordance with the laws of the
British Virgin Islands.
ReneSola
acquired all of the equity interests in Zhejiang Yuhui in April 2006 through a
series of transactions that have been accounted for as a reorganization. In
August 2006, we placed 33,333,333 shares on the Alternative Investment Market of
the London Stock Exchange, or AIM, and raised gross proceeds of approximately
$50.0 million. In July 2007, we invested in a 51% equity interest in ReneSola
(Malaysia) SDN BHD, or ReneSola Malaysia, through ReneSola Singapore Pte
Ltd. ReneSola Malaysia was incorporated in Malaysia in February 2007 to process
certain types of reclaimable silicon raw materials sourced overseas that did not
meet the import requirements by Chinese government. The processed
reclaimable silicon raw materials were then shipped to Zhejiang Yuhui for
further processing as feedstock for our wafer manufacturing. We sold our
interest in ReneSola Malaysia to our joint venture partner in December 2008 as
part of our strategy to use polysilicon as our primary feedstock, instead of
reclaimable silicon raw materials, for wafer manufacturing. In August 2007, we
invested in a 49% interest in Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor, a polysilicon
manufacturing company located in Henan Province, China. Zhongsheng Steel
invested 51% in the joint venture in the form of equipment, factory premises and
land use rights. We sold our 49% interest in the joint venture to Zhongsheng
Steel in late 2008 because the production cost of the joint venture was
expected to be less competitive in terms of the technology used compared to our
wholly-owned polysilicon manufacturing facility in Meishan, Sichuan Province,
China. Our wholly-owned polysilicon manufacturing facility is expected to equip
with international first-class technology providing a more cost effective
production process.
In
January 2008, we and certain selling shareholders completed our initial public
offering of 10,000,000 ADSs listed on the NYSE. In June 2008, we completed a
follow-on public offering of 10,350,000 ADSs sold by us and certain selling
shareholders. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had a total of 137,624,912
outstanding shares and 32,628,749 outstanding ADSs.
In May
2009, as part of our growth strategy, Zhejiang Yuhui acquired 100% equity
interest of JC Solar for a total cash consideration of RMB140.3 million
($20.5 million) (including tax paid in connection with the transfer of equity
interests). JC Solar is a cell and module manufacturer located in Yixing,
Jiangsu Province, China. JC Solar began cell production in October 2008 and
module production in November 2005, and had an annual cell production capacity
of 25 MW and an annual module production capacity of 50 MW as of May 2009. It
has obtained TÜV certificate for monocrystalline PV modules made of 125 mm by
125 mm solar cells. JC Solar offers monocrystalline modules ranging from 160 to
240 W and multicrystalline modules ranging from 240 to 280 W and exports its
products primarily to European markets through its distribution
channels.
As of the
date of this annual report, we conduct our business through the following
subsidiaries:
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Zhejiang
Yuhui, our principal operating company in
China;
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ReneSola
America Inc., or ReneSola America, which was incorporated in the State of
Delaware, the United States, in November 2006 to facilitate our
procurement of silicon raw materials in North
America;
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ReneSola
Singapore Pte Ltd., which was incorporated in Singapore in March 2007 as
an offshore vehicle for our international polysilicon procurement and
product sales;
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Sichuan
ReneSola, which was established in Sichuan Province, China in August 2007
to engage in the production of raw materials;
and
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JC
Solar, which was incorporated in Jiangsu Province, China in November 2005
to engage in the production of solar cell and modules.1
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(1) Acquired
in May 2009
We are a
leading global manufacturer of solar wafers, complemented by a recent addition
of downstream operations in cell and module manufacturing. We expect
to become a fully integrated solar power products manufacturer when our in-house
polysilicon production in Meishan, Sichuan Province, China commences in the
second half of 2009.
Historically,
we focused on manufacturing monocrystalline wafers and have accumulated
extensive experience and expertise in developing and using monocrystalline wafer
production technologies. In 2005 and 2006, we offered 125 mm by 125 mm
monocrystalline wafers with a thickness of 220 microns, and reduced the
thickness to 200 microns in late 2006, and to 180 microns by the end of 2007. In
mid 2007, we started offering 156 mm by 156 mm monocrystalline wafers with a
thickness of 200 microns. By the end of the first quarter of 2008, we were able
to offer both sizes of monocrystalline wafers with a thickness of 180 microns.
We began manufacturing 156 mm by 156 mm multicrystalline wafers with a thickness
of 220 microns in the third quarter of 2007. By the end of the first quarter of
2008, we were able to reduce the thickness of multicrystalline wafers to 180
microns.
While
monocrystalline wafers generally yield higher conversion efficiencies but are
more expensive to produce, multicrystalline wafers are less expensive to produce
and have less stringent raw material requirements. With our production of
multicrystalline wafers, we have realized cost synergies by utilizing some of
the silicon materials reclaimable from our monocrystalline wafer production
process.
We have
rapidly expanded our manufacturing capacity since we began the production of
solar wafers. We possess one of the largest solar wafer manufacturing plants in
China based on production capacity as of December 31, 2008. As
of December 31, 2008, we had 306 monocrystalline furnaces and 64
multicrystalline furnaces installed. As of December 31, 2008, we
had annual wafer manufacturing capacity of approximately 645 MW, consisting of
monocrystalline wafer manufacturing capacity of approximately 325 MW and
multicrystalline wafer manufacturing capacity of approximately 320
MW. This represents a significant increase from our annual wafer
manufacturing capacity of approximately 378 MW as of December 31, 2007,
consisting of monocrystalline wafer manufacturing capacity of 218 MW and
multicrystalline wafer manufacturing capacity of 160 MW.
As part
of our expansion strategy, we plan to expand our annual wafer manufacturing
capacity to approximately 825 MW for 2009, consisting of monocrystalline wafer
manufacturing capacity of approximately 325 MW and multicrystalline wafer
manufacturing capacity of approximately 500 MW. Due to the current
volatile market conditions, we cannot assure you that we will achieve our 2009
expansion plan.
By using
proprietary technologies, processes and know-how, we historically manufactured
solar wafers primarily from a wide range of reclaimable silicon raw materials,
including broken wafers and broken cells that are difficult to process but less
expensive than other reclaimable silicon raw materials. We stopped purchasing
reclaimable silicon raw materials since the fourth quarter of 2008 because the
polysilicon spot price dropped significantly, and as a result, processing
reclaimable silicon raw materials is less economically efficient to us if taking
into account the processing costs associated with recycling reclaimable silicon
raw materials. We currently manufacture solar wafers mainly from
polysilicon.
With our
competitive cost structure, we believe we are well positioned to address the
challenges presented by the current industry-wide weak demand for solar wafers
as a result of global financial crisis and industry seasonal
factor. Through continuous technology innovation and improvement in
management efficiency, we were able to reduce our silicon consumption rate to
6.0 grams per watt in the first quarter of 2009, one of the lowest in the
industry to our knowledge, from over 6.7 grams per watt in the third quarter of
2007. Our product cost competitiveness is expected to be further enhanced as we
expect to become a fully integrated solar manufacturing company with our recent
acquisition of JC Solar and our expected upstream polysilicon manufacturing
ability. We believe our in-house polysilicon production in Meishan, Sichuan
Province, China, which is expected to be operational during the second half of
2009, together with our existing long term polysilicon purchase contracts, will
not only enhance our ability to better control our raw material costs across our
business and operation segments but ensure a reliable polysilicon supply. We
also believe the acquisition of JC Solar will bring further synergy in cost
savings.
We have
grown rapidly since we began manufacturing solar wafers and related products in
2005. Our net revenues increased significantly from $84.4 million in 2006 to
$249.0 million and $670.4 million in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Our
income from operations increased from $22.2 million in 2006 to $43.4 million in
2007. Our net income increased from $25.3 million in 2006 to $42.9 million
in 2007. We suffered an operating loss of $48.5 million and a net loss of $54.9
million in 2008, partly due to an inventory write-down in the fourth quarter of
2008 of $131.0 million against the net realizable value of inventories and a
provision for inventory purchase commitment of $6.0 million as a result of the
significant decline in the market price and value of polysilicon feedstock, work
in progress and finished solar wafers. In the first quarter of 2009, we recorded
another $68.0 million inventory write-down against the net realizable value of
inventories. As a result, our gross margin dropped from 21.5% in 2007 to
negative 2.1% in 2008 and negative 47.8% in the first quarter of
2009.
Recent
Acquisition
In May
2009, as part of our growth strategy, we acquired 100% equity interest of JC
Solar for a total cash consideration of RMB140.3 million ($20.5 million)
(including tax paid in connection with the transfer of equity
interests). JC Solar is a cell and module manufacturer located in
Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China. JC Solar began cell production in October 2008
and module production in November 2005, and had an annual cell production
capacity of 25 MW and an annual module production capacity of 50 MW as of May
2009. It has obtained TÜV certificate for monocrystalline PV modules made of 125
mm by 125 mm solar cells. JC Solar offers monocrystalline modules ranging from
160–240 W and multicrystalline modules ranging from 240-280 W and exports its
products primarily to European markets through its distribution
channels.
Our
Products
We offer
monocrystalline wafers and multicrystalline wafers of various sizes and
thicknesses. In wafer manufacturing, we believe we are one of the few wafer
manufacturers in China capable of slicing wafers with a thickness less than 180
microns on a large scale. We also offer ingot and wafer processing services to
certain customers.
Manufacturing
The
manufacture of solar wafers can be divided into two main steps:
Ingot
Production
To
produce monocrystalline ingots, we place polysilicon into a quartz crucible in a
furnace, where the polysilicon is melted. Then, a thin crystal seed is dipped
into the molten silicon to determine the crystal orientation. The seed is
rotated and then slowly extracted from the molten silicon to form a single
crystal as the molten silicon and crucible cool. Once the single crystals have
been grown to pre-determined specifications, they are surface-ground to produce
ingots. The uniform properties of a single crystal promote the conductivity of
electrons, thus yielding higher conversion efficiencies. We have developed a
proprietary method for producing more ingots in one heating and cooling cycle by
adding silicon raw materials during the melting process. This innovation enables
us to increase our yield of ingots, reduce electricity cost and enhance the
utilization rate of furnaces and consumables, such as crucibles. As of
December 31, 2008, we had a total of 306 monocrystalline furnaces
installed.
To
produce multicrystalline ingots, the molten polysilicon is changed into a block
through a casting process in the multicrystalline furnaces. Crystallization
starts by gradually cooling the crucibles in order to create multicrystalline
ingot blocks. The resulting ingot blocks consist of multiple smaller crystals as
opposed to the single crystal of a monocrystalline ingot. The output of a
multicrystalline furnace is higher than that of a monocrystalline
furnace. As of December 31, 2008, we had a total of 64 multicrystalline
furnaces installed.
Wafer
Slicing
To
produce monocrystalline wafers, monocrystalline ingots are squared by squaring
machines after being inspected. Through high-precision cutting techniques, the
squared ingots are then sliced into wafers by wire saws using steel wires and
silicon carbon powder. After inserting into frames, the wafers are cleaned to
remove debris from the previous processes and then dried. Finally, the wafers
are inspected before they are packed in boxes and shipped to
customers.
To
produce multicrystalline wafers, multicrystalline ingots are first cut into
pre-determined sizes. After a testing process, the multicrystalline ingots are
cropped and the usable parts of the ingots are sliced into wafers by wire saws
by the same high-precision cutting techniques as used for slicing
monocrystalline wafers. After a cleansing and drying process, the wafers are
inspected, packed and shipped.
Manufacturing
Capacity
We have
rapidly expanded our manufacturing capacity since we began the production of
solar wafers. With the installation of our first eight monocrystalline furnaces
in September 2005, we expanded our monocrystalline ingot manufacturing
capacity by installing 82 additional monocrystalline furnaces in 2006. In first
half of 2007, we installed additional 96 monocrystalline furnaces, bringing the
total number of monocrystalline furnaces to 186. In the third quarter of 2007,
we began the production of multicrystalline wafer by installing our first
fifteen multicrystalline furnaces.
As of
December 31, 2008, we had 306 monocrystalline furnaces and 64
multicrystalline furnaces installed, and had an annual wafer manufacturing
capacity of approximately 645 MW, consisting of monocrystalline wafer
manufacturing capacity of approximately 325 MW and multicrystalline wafer
manufacturing capacity of approximately 320 MW. This represents a
significant increase from our annual wafer manufacturing capacity of
approximately 378 MW as of December 31, 2007, consisting of monocrystalline
wafer manufacturing capacity of 218 MW and multicrystalline wafer manufacturing
capacity of 160 MW. We possess one of the largest solar wafer manufacturing
plants in China based on production capacity as of December 31,
2008.
In 2006,
2007 and 2008, we had solar product shipment of approximately 39.5 MW, 124.5 MW
and 350.1 MW, respectively, including ingots and wafers that were processed in
connection with our processing services.
While we
have no plan to increase monocrystalline wafer manufacturing capacity in
2009, we plan to expand our annual manufacturing capacities for multicrystalline
wafers to approximately 500 MW by July 2009. We cannot assure you that we will
achieve our 2009 expansion plan. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk
Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Our dependence on a limited number of
third-party suppliers for key manufacturing equipment could prevent us from
timely fulfillment of customer orders and successful execution of our expansion
plans.” The following table sets forth the manufacturing capacities of our
facilities.
Manufacturing Facilities
|
|
Annual
Manufacturing
Capacity as of
December 31,
2008
|
|
Expected
Annual
Manufacturing
Capacity as of
December 31,
2009
|
|
Expected
Annual
Manufacturing
Capacity as of
December 31,
2010
|
Ingot
|
—
Monocrystalline
|
|
325 MW
|
|
325 MW
|
|
325 MW
|
|
—
Multicrystalline
|
|
320 MW
|
|
500 MW
|
|
500 MW
|
Wafer
|
|
645 MW
|
|
825 MW
|
|
825 MW
|
We
selectively use automation to enhance the quality and consistency of our
finished products and improve efficiency in our manufacturing processes. All of
our current monocrystalline furnaces and a portion of our squaring machines were
purchased from Chinese and Chinese-foreign joint venture solar power equipment
suppliers in order to lower our equipment procurement, transportation and
installation costs. Other major equipment are sourced from
overseas.
Raw
Materials
The key
raw material for our wafer production is polysilicon. Currently, we use
polysilicon as primary feedstock to produce solar wafers. We procure our raw
materials from diversified sources. In 2008, we have procured 64.8% of our
polysilicon supply from international suppliers.
In
October 2007, we entered into a supply contract with Sichuan Yongxiang
Polysilicon Co. Ltd., under which Sichuan Yongxiang agreed to supply 200 metric
tons, 500 metric tons and 3,000 metric tons of polysilicon to us in 2008, 2009
and 2010, respectively, and an aggregate of 9,000 metric tons from 2011 to 2013,
with the price tied to a percentage below the market price calculated each
quarter. In October 2007, we entered into a supply contract with Daqo New
Material Co. Ltd., or Daqo, under which Daqo agreed to supply to us 150 to
200 metric tons of polysilicon in 2008 at a fixed price and 300 metric tons in
2009 and 1,500 metric tons from 2010 to 2012 with prices to be negotiated each
quarter. In July 2007, we entered into a supply contract with Desheng Energy
Co., Ltd., or Desheng Energy, under which Desheng Energy agreed to supply us
with 240 metric tons of reclaimable silicon raw materials in 2008, with the
price subject to renegotiation if the change of the market price exceeds a
benchmark provided in the contract. In May 2008, we, Desheng Energy and Jiangxi
Jingke Energy Co., Ltd., or Jingke, entered into a liability transfer
agreement, under which Desheng Energy transferred all of its rights and
obligations under the above supply contract to Jingke. We and Jingke
have terminated this agreement in December 2008. In 2009, we have not
entered into any new long-term polysilicon purchase arrangement.
In 2008,
we purchased a monthly average of approximately 150 metric tons of silicon raw
materials. Our top five suppliers, namely Jingke, Micro Materials Inc, MEMC
Singapore Pte Ltd, Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor and Worldwide Energy
Limited, collectively accounted for over 27.0% of the silicon raw material
supplies procured in 2008. None of them accounted for more than 10% of
our total procurement of silicon raw materials in 2008.
With
respect to processing service arrangements, we secure polysilicon from some of
our customers and sell solar wafers to them in return. We also provide some of
our customers with wafer and ingot processing services. These arrangements not
only help to increase the utilization rate of our manufacturing capacity and
mitigate the risk of delayed shipment from some of our customers due to industry
weak demand, but also strengthen our partnerships with customers. In 2008, we
provided processing services to companies such as BP Solar International
Inc. and Suntech Power Co., Ltd.
In
addition to long-term and short-term purchase agreements, an established
international network of polysilicon suppliers, processing services arrangements
which polysilicon is provided by customers and purchases from spot market, we
are constructing a polysilicon manufacturing facility with a designed annualized
manufacturing capacity of 3,000 metric tons through our wholly-owned subsidiary,
Sichuan ReneSola in Meishan, Sichuan Province, China. Once this facility is
operational in 2009, we will have secured stable and cost effective supplies of
polysilicon from in-house production.
In August
2007, we invested in a 49% interest in Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor, a
polysilicon manufacturing company located in Henan Province, China. The first
phase of the joint venture with an annualized polysilicon manufacturing capacity
of 300 metric tons commenced trial production of polysilicon in January 2008 and
has been supplying polysilicon to Zhejiang Yuhui. We have sourced polysilicon
from Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor since February 2008 and initially
committed to purchasing 90% of the joint venture’s production output when we set
up the joint venture in August 2007. In June 2008, we and our joint venture
partner amended the commercial arrangement in the joint venture contract to
reduce this contract purchase obligation to 55% of the joint venture’s
production output with a term of three years. In order to focus on developing
our wholly-owned polysilicon manufacturing facility in Sichuan Province, we
sold our 49% equity interest in Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor to our joint
venture partner in late 2008. As part of the divestment agreement, Linzhou
Zhongsheng Semiconductor is obliged to provide us with a certain amount of
polysilicon at a price discounted to the spot market until our invested capital
and return on our investment is fully credited against an accumulated discounted
amount.
Polysilicon
market prices have fallen significantly since the fourth quarter of 2008 due to
weak industry demand as a result of microeconomic downturn. We have mitigated
our risks relating to the quickly falling market polysilicon prices by having
pricing terms linked to the spot market prices, instead of fixed costs, in all
of our long-term polysilicon purchase agreements. Although the industry has
recently experienced weakened demand, the declining selling prices and the
lowering of production costs along the solar value chain should improve end-user
affordability and ultimately increase demand for solar generated electricity. We
aim to continue driving down production costs while improving operational
efficiency to help shorten the gap to grid parity.
We
believe that the purchase contracts we entered into prior to the date of this
annual report, the inventory carried forward from 2008, the expected output from
Sichuan ReneSola, the purchase from Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor,
polysilicon secured under our processing service arrangements, and, to a lesser
extent, purchases from the spot market will provide us with sufficient feedstock
required for 2009.
Customers
and Sales
We sell
solar wafers primarily to solar cell and module manufacturers globally. Our top
customers include some of the global industry leaders, including MEMC Singapore
Ptd Ltd., JA Solar Co., Ltd., Q-Cells AG, Jetion Holding Limited and
Suntech Power Co., Ltd. Other notable customers include Arise
Technology Gmbh, Canadian Solar Inc. and Schott Solar AG. We derived 62.3% and
60.9% of our sales from customers in China in 2007 and 2008, respectively. In
2007 and 2008, our top five customers collectively accounted for approximately
77.7% and 64.8%, respectively, of our total sales. In 2007, sales to each of
Motech Industries Inc., Solarfun Power Holding Ltd. and Suntech Power Co., Ltd.
accounted for over 10% of our net revenues, with sales to each of Motech
Industries Inc. and Suntech Power Co., Ltd. representing over 20% of our net
revenues. In 2008, sales to Suntech Power Co., Ltd. and Jetion Solar
Holdings Ltd. accounted for over 10% of our net revenues, with sales to Suntech
Power Co., Ltd. representing over 30% of our net revenues.
In 2007
and 2008, a majority of our sales were made to companies based in Asia,
primarily to leading solar cell and module companies in China, Hong Kong
and Taiwan. While we will continue to maintain our customer base in this region,
particularly China, where many leading solar cell and module manufacturers are
located and where the central government and some of the regional governments
have recently implemented strong policy and fiscal support to the growth of
solar industry, we will also expand sales to international key markets in Europe
and the United States. With our capacity expansion and the addition of larger
sized solar wafers to our product portfolio, we will be able to offer a
diversified selection of solar wafers to our customers to satisfy their
needs.
The
following table sets forth by region our total net revenues for the periods
indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands, except percentages)
|
|
China
|
|
$ |
56,591 |
|
|
|
67.1 |
% |
|
$ |
155,015 |
|
|
|
62.3 |
% |
|
$ |
378,009
|
|
|
|
56.4 |
% |
Taiwan
|
|
|
14,706 |
|
|
|
17.4 |
|
|
|
71,681 |
|
|
|
28.8 |
|
|
|
48,384 |
|
|
|
7.2 |
|
Hong
Kong
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
29,915 |
|
|
|
4.5 |
|
Singapore
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
168,159 |
|
|
|
25.0 |
|
Korea
|
|
|
6,942 |
|
|
|
8.2 |
|
|
|
8,185 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
|
|
|
1,864 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
India
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6,837 |
|
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
|
1,784 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
Rest
of Asia
|
|
|
1,543 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
406 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Germany
|
|
|
1,990 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
37,382 |
|
|
|
5.6 |
|
United
States
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6,744 |
|
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Others
|
|
|
2,599 |
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4,813 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
84,371 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
248,973 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
670,366 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
A
substantial portion of our sales, particularly our sales to major customers, are
made under multi-year framework contracts and multi-year sales contracts.
Framework contracts typically provide for the sales volume and price of our
solar wafers for the first year. The pricing terms and sometimes the sales
volumes for subsequent years are subject to annual renegotiation. Therefore, if
prices for later years cannot be determined through renegotiation, the framework
contract will be terminated or will not be performed. Multi-year sales contracts
typically provide for the sales volume and price of our solar wafers for each
year during the contract term. However, the pricing terms are either fixed or
subject to reset in situations where the market benchmark price for solar wafers
changes more than a certain percentage from the contracted price. In
addition, we have entered into one-year sales contracts with some of our
customers, which provide for an agreed sales volume at a fixed price. Some of
our customers also make their purchases by purchase orders.
Under our
buy-and-sell arrangements with some of our customers, we obtain feedstock from
these customers and sell solar wafers to them in return. The payments we make
for the feedstock and the payments our customers make for the solar wafers are
generally settled separately in line with market practice. Since 2006, we have
also entered into wafer processing arrangements with certain customers, under
which we process their silicon raw materials into ingots or wafers for a
processing fee. In 2009, we entered into a wafer processing arrangement with BP
Solar. Under the terms of the contract, we will supply BP Solar with 120MW of
monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar wafers in 2009 and BP Solar will
supply certain amount of polysilicon to us.
In
December 2007, we entered into a framework contract with JA Solar Co., Ltd.,
under which JA Solar Co., Ltd. agreed to purchase an aggregate of 80 MW and 520
MW of monocrystalline wafers from July 2008 to June 2010 and from July 2010 to
August 2013, respectively.
In 2008
and 2009, we entered into several framework contracts and long-term contracts.
In April 2008, we entered into multi-year sales contracts with Ningbo Solar
Electric Power Co., Ltd., Eoplly New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen
Topray Solar Co., Ltd. Under the terms of the contracts, we will supply each
customer with 105 MW of monocrystalline solar wafers over a six-year period
beginning in mid-2008. In May 2008, we entered into a multi-year sales
contract with Gintech Energy Co., Ltd. Under the terms of the contract, we will
supply Gintech Energy Co., Ltd. with 525 MW of monocrystalline solar wafers over
a six-year period beginning in July 2008. In June 2008, we entered into a
multi-year sales contract with ARISE Technologies Deutschland GmbH. Under the
terms of the contract, we will supply ARISE Technologies GmbH with 203.5 MW of
multicrystalline solar wafers over a six-year period beginning in July
2008.
In June
2008, we entered into a wafer sales contract with a cell manufacturer
in northern China to deliver 225 MW of solar wafers over a five-year period
beginning in the third quarter of 2008. We also entered into a wafer
sales contract with ShanShan Ulica Science & Technology Co., Ltd. in Jiangsu
Province, China to deliver 105 MW of solar wafers over a six-year period
beginning in the third quarter of 2008. In the same month, we entered into an
agreement with Suntech Power Co. Ltd. for the supply of approximately 1.5
GW of wafers over an eight-and-half-year period beginning in July 2008 to
supersede the four-year contract between us in October 2007 for the supply
of 510MW of silicon wafers. We also entered into an agreement with Jetion
Holdings Ltd. to deliver 120 MW of solar wafers over a six-year period
beginning in the third quarter of 2008. This agreement replaces our previous
three-year wafer sales contract signed in August 2007 for 2008 to
2010.
Starting
from the fourth quarter of 2008, most of our sales have been made by short term
contracts or purchase orders at the market price.
Despite
all of our wafer sales contracts are priced in fixed terms with pre-set delivery
schedules, recently many of our customers have failed to honor their contractual
obligations with us, resulting in delayed purchase orders, and in several cases
our customers would request a pricing adjustment to reflect the current lowered
average selling price resulting from the weak industry demand and reduced
polysilicon prices. We have been working with our customers on renegotiating the
contract terms and seeking for mutually agreeable solutions. As a result
of renegotiations, our wafer selling prices have been adjusted downwards to
mirror the pricing of solar wafers on the spot market.
Quality
Control
We apply
our quality control system at each stage of our manufacturing process, from raw
materials procurement to production and delivery, in order to ensure a
consistent quality of our products. We conduct systematic inspections of
incoming raw materials, ranging from silicon raw materials to various
consumables, such as crucibles, steel wires and silicon carbon powder. We have
formulated and adopted guidelines for recycling reclaimable silicon, ingot
production and wafer slicing, and continue to devote efforts to developing and
improving our inspection measures and standards. Prior to packaging, we conduct
a final quality check to ensure that our solar wafers meet all our internal
standards and customers’ specifications. We received the ISO 9001: 2000
certification for our quality assurance system for production of monocrystalline
ingots and wafers, which we believe demonstrates our technological capabilities
and instills customer confidence.
As of
December 31, 2008, we had a dedicated team of 225 employees overseeing our
quality control processes, who also work collaboratively with our sales team to
provide customer support and after-sale services. We emphasize gathering
customer feedback for our products and addressing customer concerns in a timely
manner.
Competition
The solar
power market is highly competitive and continually evolving. We expect to face
increased competition, which may result in price reductions, reduced margins or
loss of market share. We believe that the key competitive factors in the market
for solar wafers include:
|
·
|
price
and cost competitiveness;
|
|
·
|
manufacturing
technologies and efficiency;
|
|
·
|
strength
of customer relationships;
|
|
·
|
economies
of scale; and
|
Our
competitors include specialized solar wafer manufacturers such as LDK Solar Co.,
Ltd., Jiangsu Shunda PV-Tech Co., Ltd. and Jinggong P-D Shaoxing Solar Energy
Technology Co., Ltd. Our competitors also include solar wafer manufacturing
divisions of large conglomerates engaging in solar wafer manufacturing such as
Deutsche Solar AG, Kyocera Corporation and M. SETEK Co., Ltd. In addition, some
of the polysilicon suppliers may decide to develop downstream by acquiring ingot
and wafer producing capacities. Many of our competitors have a longer operating
history, stronger market position, greater resources, better name recognition
and better access to polysilicon than we do. Many of our competitors also have
more established distribution networks and larger customer bases. In addition,
many of our competitors are developing and are currently producing products
based on alternative solar power technologies, such as thin-film technologies,
that may reduce the dependence on solar wafers for use in solar power
products.
The
standard specifications of monocrystalline wafers used by most solar cell
manufacturers are wafers in sizes of 125 mm by 125 mm and 156 mm by 156 mm. Most
China-based monocrystalline wafer manufacturers offer wafers in the size of 125
mm by 125 mm. We currently offer monocrystalline wafers in sizes of both 125 mm
by 125 mm and 156 mm by 156 mm. Due to the lack of sufficient market
information, it is difficult for us to ascertain our competitive position
vis-à-vis our competitors based on some important competitive factors. For
example, conversion efficiency of solar power products is not only determined by
the quality of solar wafers but is also dependent on the solar cell and
module production processes and technologies. Therefore, solar wafer
manufacturers usually assume the conversion efficiency of their solar wafers
based on the conversion efficiency of solar cells and modules manufactured by
their customers, and there is a lack of publicly available information on the
conversion efficiency of the solar wafers.
Environmental
Matters
We are in
compliance with present environmental protection requirements and have all the
necessary environmental permits to conduct our business. Our manufacturing
processes generate noise, waste water, gaseous wastes and other industrial
wastes. We have installed various types of anti-pollution equipment at our
premises to reduce, treat, and, where feasible, recycle the wastes generated in
our manufacturing processes. We outsource the treatment of some of our wastes to
third-party contractors. Our operations are subject to regulation and periodic
monitoring by local environmental protection authorities.
Our
polysilicon manufacturing facility in Meishan, Sichuan Province in China is
equipped with world-class technology. We plan to adopt the latest proven
technology from abroad with high-end equipment to achieve a fully closed loop
system which can recycle and convert certain waste into products (TCS) that can
be reused in the production process.
Insurance
We
maintain property insurance policies with insurance companies covering our
equipment, facilities, buildings and building improvements. These insurance
policies cover losses due to fire, explosion, flood and a wide range of other
natural disasters. Insurance coverage for our properties and inventory in China
amounted to approximately RMB1,422 million ($208 million) as of
December 31, 2008. We do not maintain product liability insurance or
business interruption insurance. We consider our insurance coverage to be in
line with other manufacturing companies of similar size in China.
Regulation
Renewable
Energy Law and Other Government Directives
In
February 2005, China enacted its Renewable Energy Law, which became effective on
January 1, 2006. The Renewable Energy Law sets forth policies to encourage
the development and use of solar energy and other non-fossil energy. The
renewable energy law sets out the national policy to encourage and support the
use of solar and other renewable energy and the use of on-grid generation. It
also authorizes the relevant pricing authorities to set favorable prices for the
purchase of electricity generated by solar and other renewable power generation
systems.
The law
also sets out the national policy to encourage the installation and use of solar
energy water-heating systems, solar energy heating and cooling systems, solar
photovoltaic systems and other solar energy utilization systems. It also
provides the general principles regarding financial incentives for the
development of renewable energy projects. The projects, as listed in the
renewable energy industry development guidance catalogue, may obtain
preferential loans from financial institutions and can enjoy tax preferences.
The State Council is authorized to stipulate the specific tax preferential
treatments. However, so far, no rule has been issued by the State Council
pertaining to this matter. In January 2006, China’s National Development and
Reform Commission promulgated two implementation directives of the Renewable
Energy Law. These directives set out specific measures in setting prices for
electricity generated by solar and other renewal power generation systems and in
sharing additional expenses occurred. The directives further allocate the
administrative and supervisory authorities among different government agencies
at the national and provincial levels and stipulate the responsibilities of
electricity grid companies and power generation companies with respect to the
implementation of the Renewable Energy Law.
China’s
Ministry of Construction also issued a directive in June 2005, which seeks to
expand the use of solar energy in residential and commercial buildings and
encourages the increased application of solar energy in different townships. In
addition, the State Council promulgated a directive in July 2005, which sets out
specific measures to conserve energy resources.
In March
2009, China’s Ministry of Finance issued the Provisional Rule to the
Administrative Regulations on Subsidy Capital for Application of Solar
Photovoltaic Technology in Housing Construction, which are formulated to
implement the Renewable Energy Law, realize the State Council’s strategic plan
on energy conservation and emission reduction, and promote the solar
photovoltaic technology application in housing construction. The provisional
rule sets out that the subsidy standard is basically set to be RMB 20 per watt
in 2009 and will be adjusted annually with the development of the industry.
Certain criterion shall be met in order to apply for the subsidy, which mainly
relates to the minimum scale of the project, minimum conversion rate of the
solar products, and certain industries with preferential granting of the
subsidy.
On April
16, 2009, the General Offices of the PRC Ministry of Finance and the PRC
Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development jointly issued the Guidelines
for Declaration of Demonstration Project of Solar Photovoltaic Building
Applications. These guidelines set the subsidy to be given in 2009 to qualified
solar projects at no more than RMB20 per watt for projects involving the
integration of PV components into buildings’ structural elements and at no more
than RMB15 per watt for projects involving the installation of PV components
onto building rooftops and wall surfaces.
Environmental
Regulations
We are
subject to a variety of governmental regulations related to environmental
protection. The major environmental regulations applicable to us include the
Environmental Protection Law of PRC, the Law of PRC on the Prevention and
Control of Water Pollution, Implementation Rules of the Law of PRC on the
Prevention and Control of Water Pollution, the Law of PRC on the Prevention and
Control of Air Pollution, the Law of PRC on the Prevention and Control of Solid
Waste Pollution, and the Law of PRC on the Prevention and Control of Noise
Pollution.
We are in
compliance with present environmental protection requirements and have all
necessary environmental permits to conduct our business. Our operations are
subject to regulation and periodic monitoring by local environmental protection
authorities.
Restriction
on Foreign Ownership
The
principal regulation governing foreign ownership of solar power businesses in
the PRC is the Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue issued by PRC
National Development and Reform Commission and PRC Ministry of Commerce,
effective as of December 1, 2007, or the Catalogue 2007. However, the
Catalogue 2007 is a replacement of the Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance
Catalogue effective as of January 1, 2005, or the Catalogue 2005. Both
Catalogue 2005 and Catalogue 2007 classify the various industries into four
categories: encouraged, permitted, restricted and prohibited. Foreign invested
companies categorized as “encouraged” are entitled to preferential treatment by
the PRC government authorities, including exemption from tariffs on equipment
imported for its own use. As confirmed by government authorities, Zhejiang Yuhui
was categorized in the “encouraged” industry under Catalogue 2005. Although it
is uncertain whether Zhejiang Yuhui will be categorized in the “encouraged”
industry under Catalogue 2007, Catalogue 2005 shall still apply for the
investment projects approved before the effective date of Catalogue
2007.
Waste
Importation Regulations
We
frequently imported reclaimable silicon raw materials until the fourth quarter
of 2008. China has established a regime regulating the import of waste materials
into China. The major laws and regulations include the Law of the People’s
Republic of China on Prevention of Environmental Pollution Caused by Solid Waste
and the Provisional Measures on the Prevention of Environmental Pollution
Regarding Import of Waste Materials. Under these laws and regulations, waste
materials are categorized as “permitted,” “restricted” or “prohibited.” If
certain imported material is recognized as waste material and is not categorized
as “permitted” or “restricted,” it generally will be deemed as “prohibited” for
import. The prohibited waste materials are not allowed to be imported into
China. The import of restricted waste material is subject to the approval of
relevant authorities, including environmental protection authorities. In
addition, the General Administration of Environmental Protection of the PRC, the
Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, the National Development and Reform Commission,
the China Customs General Administration, and the General Administration of
Quality, Supervision and Quarantine of the PRC promulgated the following three
categories: (i) Category of Importation Prohibited Solid Wastes;
(ii) Category of Importation Restricted Solid Wastes That May Be Used As
Raw Materials; and (iii) Category of Importation Permitted Solid Wastes
That May Be Used As Raw Materials. The reclaimable silicon we imported does not
fall into any of these categories.
According
to the advice of our PRC counsel, Haiwen & Partners, and our consultation
with relevant governmental authorities, it was unclear whether reclaimable
silicon we used would be regarded as waste materials and thus was subject to the
waste importation regulations. In the past, relevant PRC local customs allowed
the import of reclaimable silicon. If the reclaimable silicon is categorized as
“restricted” or “prohibited” waste material in the future, then we may be unable
to import reclaimable silicon raw materials in sufficient quantities to support
our production, or at all.
Regulation
of Foreign Currency Exchange and Dividend Distribution
Foreign Currency Exchange.
The principal regulations governing foreign currency exchange in China are the
Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations (1996), as amended, and the
Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign Exchange
(1996). Under these regulations, Renminbi are freely convertible for current
account items, including the distribution of dividends, interest payments, trade
and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not for most capital
account items, such as direct investment, loan, repatriation of investment and
investment in securities outside China without the prior approval of the SAFE or
its local counterparts. In addition, any loans to our operating subsidiaries in
China, which are foreign-invested enterprises, cannot, in the aggregate, exceed
the difference between their respective approved total investment amount and
their respective approved registered capital amount. Furthermore, any foreign
loan must be registered with the SAFE or its local counterparts for the loan to
be effective. Any increase in the amount of the total investment and registered
capital must be approved by the PRC Ministry of Commerce or its local
counterpart. We may not be able to obtain these government approvals or
registrations on a timely basis, if at all, which could result in a delay in the
process of making these loans.
Pursuant
to the Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of Foreign
Exchange (1996), foreign-invested enterprises in China may purchase or remit
foreign exchange, subject to a cap pre-approved by the SAFE, for settlement of
current account transactions without the approval of the SAFE. Foreign exchange
transactions under the capital account are still subject to limitations and
require approvals from, or registration with, the SAFE and other relevant PRC
governmental authorities.
Dividend Distribution. The
principal regulations governing the distribution of dividends by
foreign-invested entities include the Foreign Investment Enterprise Law (1986),
as amended, and the Administrative Rules under the Foreign Investment Enterprise
Law (1990), as amended.
Under
these regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in China may pay dividends only
out of their retained profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC
accounting standards and regulations. In addition, foreign-invested enterprises
in China are required to allocate at least 10% of their respective retained
profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds unless these reserves
have reached 50% of the registered capital of the enterprises. These reserves
are not distributable as cash dividends.
Regulation of Certain Onshore and
Offshore Transactions. On October 21, 2005, the SAFE issued Notice
75, which became effective as of November 1, 2005. According to Notice 75,
prior registration with the local SAFE branch is required for PRC residents to
establish or to control an offshore company for the purposes of financing that
offshore company with assets or equity interests in an onshore enterprise
located in the PRC. An amendment to registration or filing with the local SAFE
branch by such PRC resident is also required for the injection of equity
interests or assets of an onshore enterprise in the offshore company or overseas
funds raised by such offshore company, or any other material change involving a
change in the capital of the offshore company.
Moreover,
Notice 75 applies retroactively. As a result, PRC residents who have established
or acquired control of offshore companies that have made onshore investments in
the PRC in the past are required to complete the relevant registration
procedures with the local SAFE branch by March 31, 2006. Under the relevant
rules, failure to comply with the registration procedures set forth in Notice 75
may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of
the relevant onshore company, including the increase of its registered capital,
the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent or
affiliate and capital inflow from the offshore entity, and may also subject
relevant PRC residents to penalties under PRC foreign exchange administration
regulations.
PRC
residents who have established or acquired control of our company are
required to register with the SAFE in connection with their investments in
us.
Intellectual
Property Rights
Patent
The PRC
has domestic laws for the protection of rights in copyrights, patents,
trademarks and trade secrets. The PRC is also a signatory to the world’s major
intellectual property conventions, including:
|
·
|
Convention
establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO
Convention) (June 4, 1980);
|
|
·
|
Paris
Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (March 19,
1985);
|
|
·
|
Patent
Cooperation Treaty (January 1, 1994);
and
|
|
·
|
The
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs)
(November 11, 2001).
|
Patents
in the PRC are governed by the China Patent Law (March 12, 1984), as amended and
its Implementing Regulations (January 19, 1985), as amended.
The PRC
is a signatory to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial
Property, in accordance with which any person who has duly filed an application
for a patent in one signatory country shall enjoy, for the purposes of filing in
the other countries, a right of priority during the period fixed in the
convention (12 months for inventions and utility models, and 6 months for
industrial designs).
The China
Patent Law covers three kinds of patents, namely, patents for inventions,
utility models and designs. The Chinese patent system adopts the principle of
first to file. This means that, where multiple patent applications are filed for
the same invention, a patent will be granted only to the party that filed its
application first. Consistent with international practice, the PRC only allows
the patenting of inventions or utility models that possess the characteristics
of novelty, inventiveness and practical applicability. For a design to be
patentable, it should not be identical with or similar to any design which has
been publicly disclosed in publications in the country or abroad before the date
of filing or has been publicly used in the country before the date of filing,
and should not be in conflict with any prior right of another.
PRC law
provides that anyone wishing to exploit the patent of another must conclude a
written licensing contract with the patent holder and pay the patent holder a
fee. One rather broad exception to this, however, is where a party possesses the
means to exploit a patent for inventions or utility models but cannot obtain a
license from the patent holder on reasonable terms and in a reasonable period of
time, the PRC State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) is authorized to grant a
compulsory license. A compulsory license can also be granted where a national
emergency or any extraordinary state of affairs occurs or where the public
interest so requires. The patent holder may appeal such decision within three
months from receiving notification by filing a suit in the People’s
Court.
PRC law
defines patent infringement as the exploitation of a patent without the
authorization of the patent holder. A patent holder who believes his patent is
being infringed may file a civil suit or file a complaint with a local PRC
Intellectual Property Administrative Authority, which may order the infringer to
stop the infringing acts. A preliminary injunction may be issued by the People’s
Court upon the patentee’s or the interested parties’ request before instituting
any legal proceedings or during the proceedings. Evidence preservation and
property preservation measures are also available both before and during the
litigation. Damages in the case of patent infringement is calculated as either
the loss suffered by the patent holder arising from the infringement or the
benefit gained by the infringer from the infringement. If it is difficult
to ascertain damages in this manner, damages may be determined with reference to
the license fee under a contractual license.
Trademark
The PRC
Trademark Law, adopted in 1982 and revised in 1993 and 2001, with its
implementation rules adopted in 2002, protects registered trademarks. The
Trademark Office of the State Administration of Industry and Commerce, or SAIC,
handles trademark registrations and grants trademark registrations for a term of
ten years.
C.
|
Organizational
Structure
|
We
currently conduct our business through the following subsidiaries:
|
·
|
Zhejiang
Yuhui, our principal operating company in
China;
|
|
·
|
ReneSola
America Inc., or ReneSola America, which was incorporated in the State of
Delaware, the United States, in November 2006 to facilitate our
procurement of silicon raw materials in North
America;
|
|
·
|
ReneSola
Singapore Pte Ltd., which was incorporated in Singapore in March 2007 as
an offshore vehicle to procure polysilicon in international
markets;
|
|
·
|
Sichuan
ReneSola, which was established in Sichuan Province, China in August 2007
to engage in the production of raw materials;
and
|
|
·
|
JC
Solar, which was incorporated in Jiangsu Province, China in November 2005
to engage in the production of solar cell and modules.1
|
(1) Acquired
in May 2009
In August
2007, we invested in a 49% interest in Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor, a
polysilicon manufacturing company located in Henan Province, China. Zhongsheng
Steel invested 51% in the joint venture in the form of equipment, factory
premises and land use rights. We sold our 49% equity interest in the
joint venture to Zhongsheng Steel in late 2008 for a total consideration of
RMB200 million, represented by cash paid on completion of RMB44 million, and
either cash in the amount of RMB156 million or a credit of RMB156 million
through future supplies of polysilicon at a discount price to the spot
price.
ReneSola
(Malaysia) SDN. BHD., in which we have held a 51% equity interest since July
2007, was incorporated in Malaysia in February 2007 to process reclaimable
silicon for Zhejiang Yuhui. In March 2009, we sold all of our equity interest in
ReneSola (Malaysia) to our joint venture partner due to our decision to stop
using reclaimable silicon as feedstock.
The
following diagram illustrates our current corporate structure:
D.
|
Property, Plants and
Equipment
|
We
conduct our research, development and manufacturing of solar wafers at our
facilities in Jiashan, China, where we occupy a site area of approximately
246,000 square meters as of December 31, 2008. On this site, there are
completed manufacturing facilities and office premises occupying an area of
approximately 182,000 square meters and additional manufacturing facilities,
office premises and dormitories under construction occupying an area of 63,000
square meters. Except as noted otherwise, we own the facilities completed and
under construction and own the right to use the relevant land for the durations
described below (including capacities and major equipment):
Facility
No.
|
|
Construction
Area (square
meters)
|
|
Duration of
Land
Use Right
|
|
Products
|
|
Annual
Capacities as of
December 31,
2008
|
|
Expected
Annual
Manufacturing
Capacities as of
December 31,
2009
|
|
Expected
Annual
Manufacturing
Capacities as of
December 31,
2010
|
|
Major
Equipment
|
1
|
|
42,000
|
|
January 2007
to November 2053 (a plot of 22,000 square meters); May 2006 to
November 2053 (a plot of 18,000 square meters); and October 2006 to
October 2056 (a plot of 23,000 square meters)
|
|
Monocrystalline
ingots
Monocrystalline
wafers
|
|
165MW
|
|
165MW
|
|
165MW
|
|
Monocrystalline
Furnaces
(1)
NTC
Wire
Saws
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
27,000
|
|
January 2007 to
December 2056
|
|
Multicrystalline
ingots
|
|
320MW
|
|
360MW
|
|
360MW
|
|
ALD
Multicrystalline
Furnaces
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Multicrystalline
wafers
|
|
320MW
|
|
360MW
|
|
360MW
|
|
Meyer
Burger
Wire
Saws
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
46,000*
|
|
July 2007 to
July 2057
|
|
Monocrystalline
ingots
|
|
160MW
|
|
160MW
|
|
160MW
|
|
Monocrystalline
Furnaces
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monocrystalline
wafers
|
|
160MW
|
|
160MW
|
|
160MW
|
|
Meyer
Burger
Wire
Saws
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
50,000*
|
|
May 2008 to
April 2058
|
|
Multicrystalline
ingots
|
|
—
|
|
140MW
|
|
140MW
|
|
ALD
Multicrystalline
Furnaces
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Multicrystalline
wafers
|
|
—
|
|
140MW
|
|
140MW
|
|
HCT
Wire
Saws
and
Meyer
Burger
Wire
Saws
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
75,000 (3)
|
|
—
|
|
Polysilicon
|
|
—
|
|
3000MT
|
|
3,000MT
|
|
Deposition
reactors,
rectifying
tower and
hydrogenation
reactor
|
(1)
|
Manufactured
by Beijing Oriental Keyun Crystal Technologies Co., Ltd. for producing
ingots in sizes of 6-inch and 8-inch in diameter, each with a capacity of
0.8 to 0.9 MW per year.
|
(2)
|
Manufactured
by Shanghai Hanhong Precision Machinery Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of
Ferrotec Corporation, for producing ingots in the size of 8-inch in
diameter, each with a capacity of 1.3 to 1.4 MW per
year.
|
(3)
|
This
is an estimated figure. The facility is still under construction, and the
construction plan has not been finalized as of the date of this annual
report.
|
*
|
The
construction of the facilities has been completed and we are in the
process of obtaining real estate ownership certificates for some of the
buildings in facility no. 3 and all the buildings in facility
no.4.
|
The table
above does not include the facilities of JC Solar, which we acquired in May
2009. We believe that our existing facilities, together with our facilities
under construction, are adequate for our expansion plan in 2009 and
2010.
ITEM
4A.
|
UNRESOLVED
STAFF COMMENTS
|
None.
ITEM
5.
|
OPERATING
AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND
PROSPECTS
|
The
following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of
operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial
statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this annual report on
Form 20-F. This discussion may contain forward-looking statements based upon
current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results
may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements
as a result of various factors, including those set forth under “Item 3. Key
Information—D. Risk Factors” or in other parts of this annual report on Form
20-F.
Overview
We are a
leading global manufacturer of solar wafers, complemented by a recent addition
of downstream operations in cell and module manufacturing. We expect
to become a fully integrated solar power products manufacturer when our in-house
polysilicon production in Meishan, Sichuan Province, China commences in the
second half of 2009.
Historically,
we focused on the manufacturing of monocrystalline wafers and have accumulated
extensive experience and expertise in developing and using monocrystalline wafer
production technologies. As part of our expansion plan, we commenced
the production of multicrystalline wafers in the third quarter of 2007. As of
December 31, 2008, we had annual wafer manufacturing capacity of
approximately 645 MW, consisting of monocrystalline wafer manufacturing capacity
of approximately 325 MW and multicrystalline wafer manufacturing capacity of
approximately 320 MW. We sell our solar wafers primarily to solar cell and
module manufacturers globally. Our top customers include some of the global
industry leaders, including MEMC Singapore Pte Ltd., JA Solar Co., Ltd., Q-Cells
AG, Jetion Holding Limited and Suntech Power Co., Ltd. In 2008, a
majority of our sales were made to companies based in Asia, primarily to leading
solar cell and module companies in the greater China region.
We have
grown rapidly since we began manufacturing solar wafers and related products in
2005. Our net revenues increased significantly from $84.4 million in 2006 to
$249.0 million and $670.4 million in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Our
income from operations increased from $22.2 million in 2006 to $43.4 million in
2007. Our net income increased from $25.3 million in 2006 to $42.9 million
in 2007. We suffered an operating loss of $48.5 million and a net loss of $54.9
million in 2008, partly due to an inventory write-down in the fourth quarter of
2008 of $131.0 million against the net realizable value of inventories and a
provision for inventory purchase commitment of $6.0 million as a result of the
significant decline in the market price and value of polysilicon feedstock, work
in progress and finished solar wafers.
Our
growth is driven by the industry demand for solar power products, our
ability to win market share from our competitors, our ability to manage our
manufacturing capacity and production output, and our ability to improve
operational efficiencies. The most significant factors that affect the financial
performance and results of operations of our solar products business
are:
|
·
|
industry
demand and product pricing;
|
|
·
|
our
manufacturing capability;
|
|
·
|
availability
and prices of polysilicon;
|
|
·
|
advancement
in process technologies; and
|
Industry
demand and product pricing
Our
business and revenue growth largely depends on market demand for solar power.
Although solar power technology has been used for several decades, the global
solar power market has only grown significantly in the past several years. We
expect our leading position as a solar wafer manufacturer will help us capture
the significant expansion opportunities for upstream manufacturers provided by
the market.
Our wafer
prices are based on a variety of factors, including polysilicon costs, supply
and demand conditions globally, the quality of our wafers, and our pricing
strategy, and the terms of our customer contracts, including sales volumes and
the terms on which certain customers supply us with silicon raw materials under
buy-and-sell arrangements. In 2006, 2007 and in the first three quarters of
2008, the average selling price of our wafers increased due to strong demand.
However, the weak industry demand since late 2008 has resulted in selling price
reduction along the value chain of the industry. We expect wafer prices to
continue to decline in the near future due to increased production efficiencies,
expected reduction in polysilicon costs and expected increase in wafer
manufacturing capacity in our industry. Although the industry has recently
experienced weakened demand, the declining selling prices and the lowering of
production costs along the solar value chain should improve end-user
affordability and ultimately increase demand for solar generated
electricity.
Our
manufacturing capacity
We have
rapidly expanded our manufacturing capacity since we began the production of
solar wafers. We possess one of the largest solar wafer manufacturing plants in
China based on production capacity as of December 31, 2008. As of December 31,
2008, we had 306 monocrystalline furnaces and 64 multicrystalline furnaces
installed. As of December 31, 2008, we had annual wafer manufacturing capacity
of approximately 645 MW, consisting of monocrystalline wafer manufacturing
capacity of approximately 325 MW and multicrystalline wafer manufacturing
capacity of approximately 320 MW. This represents a significant increase from
our annual wafer manufacturing capacity of approximately 378 MW as of December
31, 2007, consisting of monocrystalline wafer manufacturing capacity of 218 MW
and multicrystalline wafer manufacturing capacity of 160 MW.
As part
of our expansion strategy, we plan to expand our annual wafer manufacturing
capacity to approximately 825 MW, consisting of monocrystalline wafer
manufacturing capacity of approximately 325 MW and multicrystalline wafer
manufacturing capacity of approximately 500 MW by July 2009. Due to the
current volatile market conditions, we cannot assure you that we will achieve
our 2009 expansion plan. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks
Related to Our Business—Our dependence on a limited number of third-party
suppliers for key manufacturing equipment could prevent us from timely
fulfillment of customer orders and successful execution of our expansion
plans.” We believe the economies of scale resulting from our
increasing manufacturing capacity have enhanced, and will continue to enhance,
our cost structure and manufacturing efficiency.
Availability
and prices of polysilicon
Polysilicon
is the primary raw material used to make crystalline silicon solar wafers. The
increase in demand for solar power products in the past few years led to an
industry-wide silicon shortage and significant price increases in polysilicon.
To address this shortage, we manufactured solar wafers from a wide range of
silicon raw materials, including reclaimable silicon raw materials such as
broken wafers and broken cells that are difficult to process but are less
expensive than other reclaimable silicon raw materials. We have developed
proprietary technologies, processes and know-how to facilitate the processing of
various types of broken wafers and cells that can be purchased at significantly
lower costs than polysilicon and other types of reclaimable silicon raw
materials. We believe we enjoyed a cost advantage over many competitors that
rely on polysilicon and reclaimable silicon raw materials that were easy to
process and are purchased from the spot market.
The solar
industry has been experiencing weakening demand since late 2008 as a result of
the global economic downturn. With increased industry supply of polysilicon
since the fourth quarter of 2008, market polysilicon prices have fallen rapidly
and the cost advantage in the continuing use of reclaimable silicon raw
materials has been quickly diminishing. As a result, we decided in late 2008 to
stop using reclaimable silicon raw materials as primary feedstock, and use
polysilicon as primary raw materials instead. We currently source polysilicon
from long-term supply contracts, Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor, customers
under processing services, and short-term and spot purchases in China and
internationally. Our purchase contracts generally have the pricing set to a
discount to the prevailing market prices, which helps us to mitigate exposure to
the pricing risks typically associated with fixed price purchase contracts. We
also source a portion of our polysilicon from the spot market from time to time
depending on the price as well as our requirements.
In
addition, we secure feedstock from some of our customers and sell solar wafers
or ingots to them in return. We also provide some of our customers with wafer
and ingot processing services. These agreements not only enhance the utilization
rate of our manufacturing capacity and mitigate the risk of raw material price
increases, they also strengthen our strategic partnerships with
customers.
We began
building a polysilicon manufacturing facility in Meishan, Sichuan Province,
China, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Sichuan ReneSola, which was
established in Sichuan Province in August 2007. This manufacturing facility is
expected to become operational incrementally starting from the second half of
2009 and to have an annualized manufacturing capacity of 3,000 metric tons of
polysilicon by the end of 2009.
Advancement
in process technologies
Advancement
in our process technologies is important to our financial performance as it
improves production yield, reduces manufacturing costs and enhances the quality
and performance of our products. We have developed proprietary technologies in
our wafer manufacturing processes. For example, we are able to produce more
monocrystalline ingots by adding silicon raw materials in the furnaces after
each production cycle without waiting for the furnaces to cool. This innovation
enables us to increase the yield of our ingots, reduce electricity costs and
enhance the utilization rate of our furnaces and consumables, such as crucibles.
We have also developed advanced processes for sorting, cleaning and testing
reclaimable silicon, which enable us to process reclaimable silicon waste
generated in our wafer production process. Our experience in using
reclaimable silicon waste enables us to produce solar wafers comparable in
quality and performance to those made from solar-grade
polysilicon. Through continuous technology innovation and improvement
in operational efficiency, we were able to reduce our silicon consumption rate
to 6.0 grams per watt in the first quarter of 2009, one of the lowest in the
industry to our knowledge, from over 6.7 grams per watt in the third quarter of
2007. Furthermore, we have customized our manufacturing equipment and
trained our employees to enhance our product quality and manufacturing
efficiency.
Gross
margin
Our gross
margin is affected by changes in our net revenues and cost of revenues. Our net
revenues are determined by the average selling price of our products, as well as
MW of products that we are able to sell. Our cost of revenues is affected by our
ability to manage raw material costs and our ability to manage our manufacturing
processes efficiently. Our gross margin decreased from 29.3% in 2006 to 21.5% in
2007. The decrease was primarily due to the increase in silicon raw material
prices, which increased at a faster rate than the prices of wafer products. Our
gross margin decreased from 21.5% in 2007 to negative 2.1% in 2008. The decrease
was primarily due to the lowering of the average selling price of our products,
as well as an inventory write-down in the fourth quarter of 2008 to
reflect the decreased value of our feedstock such as polysilicon and reclaimable
silicon materials, work in progress and finished solar wafers as a result
of the significant decline of the market prices for silicon raw materials.
Excluding inventory write-down, our gross margin was 18.3% in
2008. In the last three years, we were able to alleviate some of
the pressure on our gross margin by:
|
·
|
increasing
production yield by efficiently utilizing silicon consumption, enhancing
process technologies and improving labor
skills;
|
|
·
|
controlling
raw material costs through sourcing of silicon raw materials from
strengthened international procurement network and recycling these raw
materials using our proprietary technologies;
and
|
|
·
|
eliminating
processing fees paid to third parties after ramping our in-house
wafer-slicing operations.
|
Net
Revenues
We derive
revenue primarily from the sale of solar wafers. To focus on the production and
sale of solar wafers, we discontinued the sale of solar modules in April 2006.
We also sold solar cells in 2006 and silicon raw materials in 2006 and 2007 to
meet our liquidity needs. In 2006, 2007 and 2008, we also derived a portion of
our revenues from the sale of ingots, when our ingot manufacturing capacity was
larger than our wafer slicing capacity. In 2006, a portion of our revenues
related to our disposition of solar cells after we discontinued the sale of
solar modules. In 2006, 2007 and 2008, we also generated processing services
revenues by processing some of our customers’ silicon raw materials into silicon
ingots or solar wafers. Set forth below is the breakdown of our net revenues by
product and service, in absolute amount and as a percentage of total net
revenues, for the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands, except percentages)
|
|
Net
revenues by products:
|
|
|
|
Solar
wafers
|
|
$ |
56,219 |
|
|
|
66.6 |
% |
|
$ |
226,552 |
|
|
|
91.0 |
% |
|
$ |
555,897 |
|
|
|
82.9 |
% |
Solar
modules
|
|
|
2,176 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Ingots
|
|
|
13,764 |
|
|
|
16.3 |
|
|
|
1,255 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
561 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
Solar
cells
|
|
|
2,840 |
|
|
|
3.4 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8,864 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
Other
materials
|
|
|
3,516 |
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
|
|
3,475 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
15,052 |
|
|
|
2.3 |
|
Processing
services
|
|
|
5,855 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
|
|
|
17,691 |
|
|
|
7.1 |
|
|
|
89,992 |
|
|
|
13.4 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
84,371 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
248,973 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
670,366 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
Our net
revenues derived from product sales are net of value added tax, sales returns
and exchanges. Factors affecting our net revenues derived from product sales
include our unit sales volume and average selling price. We discontinued the
sale of solar modules in April 2006 to focus on upstream solar power products as
we believed our solar module business would face increased competition and
margin pressure. We increased sales of our solar wafers in 2006, 2007 and 2008
due to strong market demand and increased production output. Selling prices of
our solar power products increased overall in 2006 primarily due to increases in
silicon raw material costs. Selling prices of our solar wafers increased
sequentially from quarter to quarter in 2007 primarily due to the robust market
demand. Selling prices of our solar wafers continued to increase in
2008 until the fourth quarter when selling prices started falling due to the
negative impact of the global financial crisis on the solar
industry.
Sales to
our major customers are typically made under multi-year framework contracts or
multi-year sales contracts. Framework contracts typically provide for the sales
volume and price of our solar wafers for the first year. The pricing terms and
sometimes the sales volumes for subsequent years are subject to annual
renegotiation. Therefore, if prices for later years cannot be determined through
renegotiations, the framework contracts will be terminated or will not be
performed. Multi-year sales contracts typically provide for the sales volume and
price of our solar wafers for each year of the contract term. However, the
pricing terms are either fixed or subject to reset in situations where the
market benchmark price for solar wafers changes more than a certain percentage
from the contracted price. In addition, we have entered into one-year sales
contracts with some of our customers which provide for an agreed sales volume at
a fixed price. Compared to spot sales contracts, we believe our framework
contracts and sales contracts not only provide us with better visibility into
future revenues, but also help us enhance relationships with our customers.
Generally the prices of our solar wafers are determined near the end of the
previous year or at the time when the contracts or framework contracts are
entered into. Our sales contracts and framework contracts typically require our
customers to make a prepayment depending on their credit status market demand
and the term of the contracts, with the remaining price to be paid within a
short period after shipment.
In 2006,
2007 and 2008, our top five customers collectively accounted for 59.1%, 77.7%
and 64.8%, respectively, of our net revenues. In 2006, sales to each of Konca
Solar Energy (Wuxi) Co., Ltd., Motech Industries Inc. and Suntech Power Co.,
Ltd. accounted for over 10% of our net revenues. In 2007, sales to each of
Motech Industries Inc., Solarfun Power Holding Ltd. and Suntech Power Co., Ltd.
accounted for over 10% of our net revenues, with sales to each of Motech
Industries Inc. and Suntech Power Co., Ltd. representing over 20% of our net
revenues. In 2008, sales to Suntech Power Co., Ltd. and Jetion Solar Holdings
Ltd. accounted for over 10% of our net revenues, with sales to Suntech Power
Co., Ltd. representing over 30% of our net revenues.
In the
past, changes in our product mix resulted in changes in our geographical market
concentration. For example, our sales to Europe decreased
substantially in 2006 as we discontinued the sale of solar modules, the primary
customers of which are based in Europe. We determine the geographical
market of our net sales based on the immediate destination of our shipped goods.
The following table sets forth the breakdown of our net revenues by geographic
market, in absolute amount and as a percentage of total net revenues, for the
periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands, except percentages)
|
|
China
|
|
$ |
56,591 |
|
|
|
67.1 |
% |
|
$ |
155,015 |
|
|
|
62.3 |
% |
|
$ |
378,009 |
|
|
|
56.4 |
% |
Taiwan
|
|
|
14,706 |
|
|
|
17.4 |
|
|
|
71,681 |
|
|
|
28.8 |
|
|
|
48,384 |
|
|
|
7.2 |
|
Hong
Kong
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
29,915 |
|
|
|
4.5 |
|
Singapore
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
168,159 |
|
|
|
25.0 |
|
Korea
|
|
|
6,942 |
|
|
|
8.2 |
|
|
|
8,185 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
|
|
|
1,864 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
India
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6,837 |
|
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
|
1,784 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
Rest
of Asia
|
|
|
1,543 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
406 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Germany
|
|
|
1,990 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
37,382 |
|
|
|
5.6 |
|
United
States
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
6,744 |
|
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Others
|
|
|
2,599 |
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
4,813 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
84,371 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
248,973 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
670,366 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
In 2007
and 2008, a majority of our sales were made to companies based in Asia,
primarily to leading solar cell and module companies in the greater China
region. While we will continue to maintain our customer base in this region,
particularly in China, where many leading solar cell and module manufacturers
are located and where the central government and some of the regional
governments have recently stepped up strong policy and fiscal support to the
growth of the solar industry, we will also expand sales to international key
markets in Europe and the United States.
Cost
of Revenues
Our cost
of revenues consists primarily of costs for:
|
·
|
polysilicon
and reclaimable silicon raw materials, which include part-processed and
broken wafers, broken solar cells, pot scrap, silicon powder, ingot tops
and tails, and other off-cuts;
|
|
·
|
consumables,
including crucibles, steel sawing wires, chemicals and packaging
materials;
|
|
·
|
direct
labor costs, including salaries and benefits for our manufacturing
personnel;
|
|
·
|
overhead
costs, including equipment maintenance and utilities such as electricity
and water used in manufacturing;
and
|
|
·
|
depreciation
of manufacturing facilities and
equipment.
|
All the
above costs increased from 2006 to 2007 and most of 2008 as we expanded our
manufacturing capacity and increased our sales volume. The increase in our
silicon raw materials costs was attributable to increases in the prices of
silicon raw materials and purchase volume from 2006, 2007 and 2008, as well as a
change in raw material mix in 2007 during which we purchased higher quality raw
materials. The polysilicon spot price started to fall significantly
in the fourth quarter of 2008 as a result of the negative impact of the global
financial crisis on the solar industry. We also had an inventory
write-down in the fourth quarter of 2008 to reflect the decreased value of our
feedstock such as polysilicon and reclaimable silicon materials, work in
progress and finished solar wafers as a result of the significant decline of the
market prices for silicon raw materials. Excluding inventory write-down, our
gross margin was 18.3% in 2008.
In 2006,
our cost of revenues included provisions for warranties in respect to our solar
modules. We sold solar modules until April 2006 typically with a warranty for
minimum power output of up to 20 years following the date of sale. We also
provided a warranty for our solar modules against defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of two years from the date of sale. We accrued warranty
costs generated from solar module sales of approximately $22,000, nil and nil in
2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
Operating
Expenses
Our
operating expenses include sales and marketing expenses, general and
administrative expenses and research and development expenses.
Sales
and marketing expenses
Sales and
marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries, bonuses and benefits for our
sales personnel, commission paid to our sales agents, expenses for attending
industrial exhibitions and other sales and marketing expenses.
We expect
our selling expenses to increase in the near term as we increase our sales
efforts, hire additional sales personnel, and target new markets and initiate
additional marketing programs to build our brand. However, because most of our
wafers are sold under arrangements where our customers bear the transportation
costs, absent other factors, we do not expect sales and marketing expenses to
increase at a proportionate rate with increases in net revenues. Accordingly, as
a result of economies of scale, sales and marketing expenses, as a percentage of
net revenues, may decrease with increased sales.
General
and administrative expenses
General
and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, bonuses and benefits
for our administrative and management personnel, consulting and professional
service fees, travel, and related costs of our administrative and management
personnel. In 2006, 2007 and 2008, we recognized share-based compensation
expenses in connection with share awards to certain members of our management
team. In 2007, our general and administrative expenses increased
primarily due to increased salaries and benefits as we hired more staff to
manage our growing business, as well as expenses related to setting up our
offices in Malaysia, Singapore and the United States. During the same period, we
also experienced an increase in professional fees and compliance expenses as we
became a public company listed on AIM. Likewise for 2008, our general and
administrative expenses increased primarily due to increased salaries and
benefits as we hired additional staff to manage our growing business. During the
same period, we also experienced an increase in professional fees and compliance
expenses as we became a public company listed on the NYSE.
We expect
our general and administrative expenses to continue to increase as we hire
additional personnel and advisors and incur expenses including costs to support
our growing operations and compliance-related costs due to our becoming a U.S.
listed public company.
Research
and development expenses
Research
and development expenses primarily relate to equipment and raw materials used in
our research and development activities, research and development personnel
costs, and other costs related to the design, development, testing and
enhancement of our products and processes. In 2006, 2007 and 2008, our research
and development expenses amounted to approximately $39,000, approximately $1.1
million and approximately $9.7 million, respectively. We expect our research and
development expenses to increase in the near future as we hire more research and
development personnel and devote greater resources to research and development
efforts. Our research and development efforts are undertaken primarily to
innovate new raw material recycling technologies, enhance our manufacturing
processes, reduce manufacturing costs and enhance product
performance.
Other
Income and Expenses
Our other
income and expenses consist primarily of interest income, interest expenses, and
foreign currency exchange gains or losses.
Our
interest income represents interest on our cash balances. Our interest expenses
relate primarily to our short-term borrowings from banks and our convertible
bonds issued in March 2007, less capitalized interest expenses to the extent
they relate to our capital expenditures.
Our
foreign currency exchange gain or loss results from our net exchange gains and
losses on our monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies
during the relevant period. Our functional currency is Renminbi. Foreign
currency transactions have been translated into functional currency at the
exchange rate prevailing on the date of transaction. Foreign currency
denominated monetary assets and liabilities are translated into our functional
currency at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Due to the
continued appreciation of Renminbi against the U.S. dollar from 2005, we
incurred foreign exchange losses when we held more U.S. dollar-denominated
assets than our U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities. Our reporting currency is
the U.S. dollar. Assets and liabilities have been translated into our reporting
currency using exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Income
statement items have been translated into our reporting currency using the
weighted average exchange rate for the relevant periods. Translation adjustments
have been reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in
the consolidated balance sheets. In 2006, we had a foreign exchange gain of $0.4
million. In 2007 and 2008, we had foreign exchange losses of $4.0 million and
$3.1 million, respectively.
We also
recognized other income and expenses from the disposal of fixed assets and cash
incentives received from the PRC government to support the solar power
industry.
Taxation
Under the
current laws of the British Virgin Islands, we are not subject to any income or
capital gains tax. Additionally, dividend payments made by us are not subject to
any withholding tax in the British Virgin Islands.
PRC
enterprise income tax is calculated primarily on the basis of taxable income
determined under PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law. As a foreign-invested enterprise
in a manufacturing business, Zhejiang Yuhui is entitled to a two-year exemption
from enterprise income tax starting from its first profitable year of operation,
which is 2005, and a 50% deduction for the succeeding three years, which are
2007, 2008 and 2009. To enjoy the above preferential treatment, the authorized
operation duration of Zhejiang Yuhui shall be no less than 10
years.
In March
2007, the National People’s Congress of China enacted a new Enterprise Income
Tax Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008. In December 2007, the
State Council of China promulgated the Implementing Regulation of the new
Enterprise Income Tax Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008. The
new Enterprise Income Tax Law imposes a unified enterprise income tax rate of
25% on all domestic enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises unless they
qualify under certain limited exceptions. According to the new Enterprise Income
Tax Law and its relevant implementation rules, enterprises that were established
before March 16, 2007 and were eligible for preferential tax exemptions or
reduction within the specified time under the then effective laws and
regulations will continue to enjoy the original preferential tax exemptions or
reductions until the expiration of the specified terms, except that the relevant
exemption or reduction shall start from January 2008 if the first profitable
year for the relevant enterprise is later than January 1, 2008. Therefore,
Zhejiang Yuhui will continue to be entitled to the above preferential tax
exemption and reduction currently enjoyed by it during such transition
period.
Zhejiang
Yuhui increased its registered capital from $1.5 million to $16.5 million in
April 2006, $28.5 million in September 2006, $45.0 million in January 2007
and $102.5 million in August 2007. According to relevant PRC tax regulations
before the enactment of the Enterprise Income Tax Law, it is entitled to full
exemption from enterprise income tax for the two years starting from its first
profitable year of operation with respect to the income attributable to
operations funded by the increased capital and a 50% deduction in income taxes
for the following three years, upon written approval from the tax authority.
Since Zhejiang Yuhui’s capital increase from $45.0 million to $102.5 million was
registered after March 16, 2007, it has received an approval from the PRC
tax authority in Zhejiang Province which provided that income derived from this
registered capital increase will receive preferential tax treatment until
December 31, 2007. However, since the new Enterprise Income Tax Law was
only recently enacted, there remains uncertainty as to whether we can maintain
the preferential tax treatment for income derived from some of Zhejiang Yuhui’s
registered capital increases.
In
addition, although the approval letter Zhejaing Yuhui received from the PRC tax
authority has indicated that income derived from Zhejiang Yuhui’s capital
increase from $45.0 million to $102.5 million can only enjoy preferential tax
treatment before December 31, 2007, in practice Zhejiang Yuhui has paid tax
on income derived from such capital increase at the rate of 12.5% after
January 1, 2008, which is 50% of the statutory tax rate. The tax authority
may request Zhejiang Yuhui to make a supplementary tax payment on our income
which have been paid at the rate of 12.5% and also request that Zhejiang Yuihui
pays tax at the rate of 25% in the future.
Under the
Provisional Regulation of China on Value Added Tax and its implementing rules,
all entities and individuals engaged in the sale of goods, the provision of
processing, repairs and replacement services, and the importation of goods into
China are generally required to pay Value Added Tax, or VAT, at a rate of 17.0%
of the gross sales proceeds received, less any deductible VAT already paid or
borne by the taxpayer. Further, when exporting goods, the exporter is entitled
to a partial or full refund of VAT that it has already paid or borne.
Accordingly, we are subject to a 17.0% VAT with respect to our sales of solar
wafers in China. Historically, we were entitled to a 13% refund on VAT that we
had already paid or borne with respect to our export of solar wafers. However,
starting from July 1, 2007, the VAT refund is reduced to 5%, which
materially affects our export of solar wafers. Since April 1, 2009, the VAT
refund has reverted to 13%. Imported raw materials that are used for
manufacturing export products and are deposited in bonded warehouses are exempt
from import VAT.
Zhejiang
Yuhui was also entitled to tax credits for up to 40% of the purchase price of
certain domestic equipment purchases. Such tax credits could be used to offset
up to the incremental amount of Zhejiang Yuhui’s income tax compared to that of
the year before such purchases, and the tax credit could be carried forward for
up to seven years. This tax credit is no longer available for any purchase of
PRC equipment from January 1, 2008 due to the enactment of the new Enterprise
Income Tax Law.
Disposal
of Equity Interest in Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor
In August
2007, we invested in a 49% interest in Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor, a
polysilicon manufacturing company located in Henan Province, China. Zhongsheng
Steel invested 51% in the joint venture in the form of equipment, plant premises
and land-use rights. Under the joint venture agreement, we are
obligated to purchase 90% of the Joint Venture’s output, at 97% of the market
price, for a period of thirty years. In June 2008, we and Zhongsheng
Steel amended our joint venture agreement to reduce our contracted obligation to
purchase the output of Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor from 90% to a minimum of
55% at market price with a term of three years, instead of thirty years in the
original agreement. We sold our 49% equity interest in the joint
venture to Zhongsheng Steel in late 2008. Under the requirements of
FASB Interpretation No. 46 (Revised), Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities, or FIN 46(R), we consolidated Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor in our
December 31, 2007 balance sheet, as Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor was deemed
a variable interest entity with our company as the primary beneficiary. The
equity interest of Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor not owned by us was reported
as a minority interest on the balance sheet as of December 31,
2007.
As a
result of our amendment to the joint venture agreement to reduce our contractual
obligation to purchase the output of Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor, Linzhou
Zhongsheng Semiconductor was no longer considered a variable interest entity
under FIN 46(R) given that we no longer absorbed significant variability of
Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor and were no longer the primary beneficiary of
Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor. Effective from June 28, 2008, we
accounted for our investment in Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor prospectively
under the equity method of accounting. Equity method adjustments
include our proportionate share of the investee’s income or loss, gains or
losses resulting from investee capital transactions, adjustments to recognize
certain differences between our carrying value and our equity in net assets of
the investee at the date of investment, impairments, and other adjustments
required by the equity method. Our equity interest in the earnings of
Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor was RMB159.7 million ($22.1 million) prior to
the divestiture.
Critical
Accounting Policies
We
prepare our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires us
to make judgments, estimates and assumptions. We continually evaluate these
estimates and assumptions based on the most recently available information, our
own historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be
reasonable under the circumstances. Since the use of estimates is an integral
component of the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from
those estimates.
An
accounting policy is considered critical if it requires an accounting estimate
to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the
time such estimate is made, and if different accounting estimates that
reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are
reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the
consolidated financial statements. We believe that the following accounting
policies involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity in their application
and require us to make significant accounting estimates. The following
descriptions of critical accounting policies, judgments and estimates should be
read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and other
disclosures included in this annual report.
Revenue
recognition
We
recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement with the customer
exists, the product is shipped and title has passed, provided that we do not
have significant post delivery obligations, the amount due from the customer is
fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. We extend credit
terms only to a limited number of customers and receive cash for the
majority of the sales transactions before delivery of products, which are
recorded as advances from customers. For customers to whom credit terms are
extended, we assess collectibility based on a number of factors, including
past transaction history with the customer and creditworthiness of the
customer.
We also
generate revenue from processing silicon raw materials into silicon ingots or
solar wafers for customers.
Impairment
of long-lived assets
We
evaluate our long-lived assets and definite life intangibles for impairment
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of
an asset may not be recoverable. When these events occur, we measure impairment
by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted net cash
flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual
disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the
carrying amount of the assets, we recognize an impairment loss based on the fair
value of the assets. The determination of fair value of the intangible and long
lived assets acquired involves certain judgments and estimates. These judgments
can include, but are not limited to, the cash flows that an asset is expected to
generate in the future. This analysis also relies on a number of factors,
including changes in strategic direction, business plans, regulatory
developments, economic and budget projections, technological improvements, and
operating results. Any write-downs would be treated as permanent reductions in
the carrying amounts of the assets and an operating loss would be
recognized. These impairment tests also involve the use of accounting
estimates and assumptions believed to be reasonable, the results of which form
the basis for our conclusions. Significant changes to these estimates and
assumptions could adversely impact our conclusion to these impairment
tests.
The
impairment loss of long-lived assets was nil, nil and $0.7 million for the years
ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008. The impairment loss incurred in fiscal
year 2008 is related to the impairment of long-lived assets of ReneSola
Malaysia. We determined the fair value using a market-based valuation
technique.
Income
tax
As
required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 109,
“Accounting for Income Taxes,” we periodically evaluate the likelihood of the
realization of deferred tax assets, and reduce the carrying amount of these
deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance to the extent we believe a portion
will not be realized. We consider many factors when assessing the likelihood of
future realization of our deferred tax assets, including our recent cumulative
earnings experience by taxing jurisdiction, expectations of future taxable
income, the carry-forward periods available to us for tax reporting purposes,
and other relevant factors. Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary
differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported
amounts in the financial statements, net operating loss carry forwards and
credits by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of
management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred
tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in
accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities. The components of
the deferred tax assets and liabilities are individually classified as current
and non-current based on the characteristics of the underlying assets and
liabilities, or the expected timing of their use when they do not relate to a
specific asset or liability.
Share-based
compensation
The costs
of share based payments are recognized in our consolidated financial statements
based on their grant-date fair value over the required period, which is
generally the period from the date of grant to the date when the share
compensation is no longer contingent upon additional service, or the vesting
period. We determine fair value of our share options as of the grant date using
the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. Under this model, we make a
number of assumptions regarding fair value including the maturity of the
options, the expected volatility of our future share price, the risk free
interest rate and the expected dividend rate. Determining the value of our
share-based compensation expense in future periods also requires the input of
highly subjective assumptions around estimated forfeitures of the underlying
shares. We grant our restricted shares at the fair value, which is the market
value at the date of grant. We estimate our forfeitures based on past employee
retention rates, our expectations of future retention rates, and we will
prospectively revise our forfeiture rates based on actual history. Our
compensation charges may change based on changes to our
assumptions.
Inventory
Our
inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The
valuation of inventory requires us to estimate excess and slow moving inventory.
The determination of the value of excess and slow moving inventory is based upon
assumptions of future demands and market conditions. If actual market conditions
are less favorable than those projected by management, inventory write-downs may
be required. We routinely evaluate quantities and value of our inventories in
light of current market conditions and market trends, and record write-down
against the cost of inventories for a decline in net realizable value. Inventory
write-down charges establish a new cost basis for inventory. In estimating
obsolescence, we utilize our backlog information and project future demand.
Market conditions are subject to change and actual consumption of inventories
could differ from forecasted demand. Furthermore, the price of polysilicon, our
primary raw material, is subject to fluctuations based on global supply and
demand. If actual market conditions are less favorable or other factors arise
that are significantly different than those anticipated by management,
additional inventory write-downs or increases in obsolescence reserves may be
required. Our management continually monitors the changes in the purchase price
paid for polysilicon, including prepayments to suppliers. Our products have a
long life cycle and obsolescence has not historically been a significant factor
in the valuation of inventories.
In the
fourth quarter of 2008, in connection with rapidly declining spot prices of
polysilicon, we recorded a $137 million non-cash reserve charge on
inventory. If actual future demand or market conditions are less favorable than
those projected by our management, additional inventory write-downs may be
required.
Allowance
for doubtful receivables and advances to suppliers
We
maintain allowances for doubtful accounts and advances to suppliers primarily
based on the age of receivables or advances and factors surrounding the credit
risk of specific customers or suppliers. If there is a deterioration of a major
customer or supplier’s creditworthiness or actual defaults are higher than our
historical experience, we may need to maintain additional
allowances.
In order
to secure a stable supply of silicon raw materials, we make advance payments to
suppliers for raw material supplies. Advances to suppliers for purchases
expected within twelve months as of each balance sheet date are recorded as
advances to suppliers in current assets. Future balances are recorded
in long-term advances to suppliers. As of December 31, 2007 and 2008, advances
to suppliers in current assets were $53.7 million and $37.0 million,
respectively, and long-term advances to suppliers for silicon raw material
supplies were nil and $45.7 million, respectively. We do not require collateral
or other security against our advances to suppliers. We perform ongoing credit
evaluation of the financial condition of our suppliers. As the
result, our claims for such prepayments are unsecured, which expose us to the
suppliers’ credit risk.
We
conduct credit evaluations of our customer and generally do not require
collateral or other security from our customers. We establish an
allowance for doubtful receivables mainly based on the age of receivables and
factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers. Allowances
for doubtful receivables are comprised of allowances for account receivables,
allowances for other receivables and allowances for advances to suppliers. We
made provision for doubtful receivables of in the aggregate amount of $66,000,
$0.5 million and $4.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and
2008, respectively.
Fair
value measurement
On
January 1, 2008, we adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value
Measurements,” or SFAS 157, that were not deferred by Financial Accounting
Standards Board, or FASB, Staff Position FAS No. 157-2, “Effective
Date of FASB Statement No. 157.” SFAS 157 defines fair value as the
price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in
an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (also
referred to as an exit price). SFAS 157 establishes a hierarchy for inputs
used in measuring fair value that gives the highest priority to observable
inputs and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. Valuation techniques used
to measure fair value shall maximize the use of observable inputs.
When
available, we measure the fair value of financial instruments based on quoted
market prices in active markets, valuation techniques that use observable
market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market
data. When observable market prices are not readily available, we
generally estimate the fair value using valuation techniques that rely on
alternate market data or inputs that are generally less readily observable from
objective sources and are estimated based on pertinent information available at
the time of the applicable reporting periods.
Fair
value of purchase price settlement
We
account for the fair value of purchase price settlement in the form of a credit
against long-term polysilicon supply contract, which was related to the sale of
our equity interest in Linzhou Zhongsheng Semiconductor, using the income
approach model. The income approach model requires measuring the fair
value based on the present value of expected cash flows calculated using
management’s best estimates of key assumptions, including credit losses and
discount rates commensurate with the risks involved.
Derivative
assets related to foreign currency forward contracts
We
account for derivative instruments pursuant to SFAS No. 133,
“Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” or
SFAS 133, and recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or
liabilities at fair value in other financial assets or other financial
liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not offset the
carrying amounts of derivatives with the same counterparty in accordance with
FASB Interpretation No. 39, “Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain
Contracts — an interpretation of APB Opinion No. 10 and FASB Statement
No. 105,” or FIN 39. The recognition of gains or losses resulting from
changes in the values of those derivative instruments is based on the use of
each derivative instrument. Net loss on derivative instruments from
foreign currency forward exchange contracts was $4,267, $475,518 and nil in the
years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. As of December 31,
2008, we had no outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts.
Results
of Operations
The
following table sets forth a summary, for the periods indicated, of our
consolidated results of operations with each item expressed as a percentage of
our total net revenues.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in
thousands, except percentages)
|
|
Net
revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product
sales
|
|
$ |
78,515 |
|
|
|
93.1 |
% |
|
$ |
231,282 |
|
|
|
92.9 |
% |
|
$ |
580,375 |
|
|
|
86.6 |
% |
Processing
services
|
|
|
5,856 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
|
|
|
17,691 |
|
|
|
7.1 |
|
|
|
89,991 |
|
|
|
13.4 |
|
Total
net revenues
|
|
|
84,371 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
248,973 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
670,366 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
Cost
of revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product
sales
|
|
|
(57,141 |
) |
|
|
(67.7 |
) |
|
|
(184,292 |
) |
|
|
(74.0 |
) |
|
|
(631,677 |
) |
|
|
(94.2 |
) |
Processing
services
|
|
|
(2,505 |
) |
|
|
(3.0 |
) |
|
|
(11,185 |
) |
|
|
(4.5 |
) |
|
|
(52,999 |
) |
|
|
(7.9 |
) |
Total
cost of revenues
|
|
|
(59,646 |
) |
|
|
(70.7 |
) |
|
|
(195,477 |
) |
|
|
(78.5 |
) |
|
|
(684,676 |
) |
|
|
(102.1 |
) |
Gross
profit (loss)
|
|
|
24,725 |
|
|
|
29.3 |
|
|
|
53,496 |
|
|
|
21.5 |
|
|
|
(14,310 |
) |
|
|
(2.1 |
) |
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales
and marketing
|
|
|
(335 |
) |
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
|
|
(584 |
) |
|
|
(0.2 |
) |
|
|
(620 |
) |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
General
and administrative
|
|
|
(2,285 |
) |
|
|
(2.6 |
) |
|
|
(8,754 |
) |
|
|
(3.5 |
) |
|
|
(23,194 |
) |
|
|
(3.5 |
) |
Research
and development
|
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
(1,143 |
) |
|
|
(0.5 |
) |
|
|
(9,713 |
) |
|
|
(1.4 |
) |
Impairment
loss on property, plant
and equipment
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(763 |
) |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
Other
general (expenses) income
|
|
|
169 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
418 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|