Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
The unaudited interim financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented.
The unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Website references throughout this document are provided for convenience only, and the content on the referenced websites is not incorporated by reference into this report.
1. Nature of Business, Liquidity and Basis of Presentation
Nature of Business
For information on the nature of our business, see Part II, Item 8, Note 1 — Nature of Business, Liquidity and Basis of Presentation, Nature of Business section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Liquidity
We have generally incurred operating losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception. With the series of new debt offerings, debt extinguishments, and conversions to equity that we completed during 2023, 2022 and 2021, we had $843.5 million and $4.5 million of total outstanding recourse and non-recourse debt, respectively, as of March 31, 2024, which was classified as long-term debt.
Our future capital requirements depend on many factors, including our rate of revenue growth, the timing and extent of spending on research and development efforts and other business initiatives, the rate of growth in the volume of system builds and the need for additional working capital, the expansion of sales and marketing activities both in domestic and international markets, market acceptance of our products, our ability to secure financing for customer use of our Energy Servers, the timing of installations and of inventory build in anticipation of future sales and installations, and overall economic conditions. In order to support and achieve our future growth plans, we may need or seek advantageously to obtain additional funding through equity or debt financing. Failure to obtain this financing in future quarters may affect our financial position and results of operations, including our revenues and cash flows.
In the opinion of management, the combination of our existing cash and cash equivalents and expected timing of operating cash flows is expected to be sufficient to meet our operational and capital cash flow requirements and other cash flow needs for the next 12 months from the date of issuance of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
For information on the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IRA”) signed into law on August 16, 2022, and its impact on our business, see Part II, Item 8, Note 1 — Nature of Business, Liquidity and Basis of Presentation, Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Basis of Presentation
We have prepared the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”).
Principles of Consolidation
For information on the principles of consolidation, see Part II, Item 8, Note 1 — Nature of Business, Liquidity and Basis of Presentation, Principles of Consolidation section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Use of Estimates
For information on the use of accounting estimates, see Part II, Item 8, Note 1 — Nature of Business, Liquidity and Basis of Presentation, Use of Estimates section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Concentration of Risk
Geographic Risk — The majority of our revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2024 is attributable to operations with customers in the Republic of Korea, Japan, India and Taiwan (collectively referred to as the “Asia Pacific region”), and for the three months ended March 31, 2023 — to operations in the U.S.. The majority of our long-lived assets are attributable to operations in the U.S. for all periods presented. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, total revenue in the Asia Pacific region was 60% and 5%, respectively, of our total revenue.
Credit Risk — At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, one customer that is our related party (see Note 10 — Related Party Transactions) accounted for approximately 84% and 74% of accounts receivable, respectively.
Customer Risk — During the three months ended March 31, 2024, revenue from two customers accounted for approximately 52% and 15% of our total revenue. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, two customers represented approximately 41% and 25% of our total revenue.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Refer to the accounting policies described in Part II, Item 8, Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted
Refer to the accounting guidance not yet adopted described in Part II, Item 8, Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Based on the Company’s continued evaluation, we do not expect a material impact from new accounting guidance not yet adopted to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
There have been no significant changes in our reported financial position or results of operations and cash flows resulting from the adoption of new accounting pronouncements.
3. Revenue Recognition
Contract Balances
The following table provides information about accounts receivables, contract assets, customer deposits and deferred revenue from contracts with customers (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | |
Accounts receivable | | $ | 348,422 | | | $ | 340,740 | |
Contract assets | | 33,788 | | | 41,366 | |
Customer deposits | | 75,140 | | | 75,734 | |
Deferred revenue | | 59,468 | | | 72,328 | |
Contract assets relate to contracts for which revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of performance obligations, but where billing milestones have not been reached. Customer deposits and deferred revenue include payments received from customers or invoiced amounts prior to transfer of control of performance obligations.
Contract assets and contract liabilities are reported in a net position on an individual contract basis at the end of each reporting period. Contract assets are classified as current in the condensed consolidated balance sheets when both the milestones other than the passage of time, are expected to be complete and the customer is invoiced within one year of the balance sheet date, and as long-term when both the above-mentioned milestones are expected to be complete, and the customer is invoiced more than one year out from the balance sheet date. Contract liabilities are classified as current in the condensed consolidated balance sheets when the revenue recognition associated with the related customer payments and invoicing is expected to occur within one year of the balance sheet date and as long-term when the revenue recognition associated with the related customer payments and invoicing is expected to occur in more than one year from the balance sheet date.
Contract Assets
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | |
Beginning balance | | $ | 41,366 | | | $ | 46,727 | |
Transferred to accounts receivable from contract assets recognized at the beginning of the period | | (18,123) | | | (10,787) | |
Revenue recognized and not billed as of the end of the period | | 10,545 | | | 11,838 | |
Ending balance | | $ | 33,788 | | | $ | 47,778 | |
Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue activity during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | |
Beginning balance | | $ | 72,328 | | | $ | 94,355 | |
Additions | | 176,484 | | | 224,939 | |
Revenue recognized | | (189,344) | | | (231,446) | |
Ending balance | | $ | 59,468 | | | $ | 87,848 | |
Deferred revenue is equivalent to the total transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied, or partially unsatisfied, as of the end of the period. The primary component of deferred revenue at the end of the period consists of performance obligations relating to the provision of maintenance services under current contracts and future renewal periods.
Some of these obligations provide customers with material rights over a period that we estimate to be largely commensurate with the period of their expected use of the associated Energy Servers. As a result, we expect to recognize these amounts as revenue over a period of up to 21 years, predominantly on a relative standalone selling price basis that reflects the cost of providing these services. Deferred revenue also includes performance obligations relating to product acceptance and installation. A significant amount of this deferred revenue is reflected as additions and revenue recognized in the same 12-month period, and a portion of this deferred revenue is expected to be recognized beyond this 12-month period mainly due to deployment schedules.
We do not disclose the value of the unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed.
Disaggregated Revenue
We disaggregate revenue from contracts with customers into four revenue categories: product, installation, services and electricity (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | |
Revenue from contracts with customers: | | | | |
Product revenue | | $ | 153,364 | | | $ | 193,745 | |
Installation revenue | | 11,444 | | | 20,525 | |
Services revenue | | 56,460 | | | 40,663 | |
Electricity revenue | | 4,827 | | | 3,838 | |
Total revenue from contract with customers | | 226,095 | | | 258,771 | |
Revenue from contracts that contain leases: | | | | |
Electricity revenue | | 9,203 | | | 16,420 | |
Total revenue | | $ | 235,298 | | | $ | 275,191 | |
4. Financial Instruments
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
The carrying values of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash approximate fair values and were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
As Held: | | | | |
Cash | | $ | 112,134 | | | $ | 144,102 | |
Money market funds | | 470,588 | | | 601,076 | |
| | $ | 582,722 | | | $ | 745,178 | |
As Reported: | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 515,957 | | | $ | 664,593 | |
Restricted cash | | 66,765 | | | 80,585 | |
| | $ | 582,722 | | | $ | 745,178 | |
Restricted cash consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, | |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | |
| | | | | |
Restricted cash, current | | $ | 51,387 | | | $ | 46,821 | | |
Restricted cash, non-current | | 15,378 | | | 33,764 | | |
| | $ | 66,765 | | | $ | 80,585 | | |
Factoring Arrangements
We sell certain customer trade receivables on a non-recourse basis under factoring arrangements with a financial institution. These transactions are accounted for as sales and cash proceeds are included in cash used in operating activities. We derecognized $80.7 million and $59.6 million of accounts receivable during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The cost of factoring such accounts receivable on our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, was $1.9 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The cost of factoring is recorded in general and administrative expenses.
5. Fair Value
Our accounting policy for the fair value measurement of cash equivalents and embedded Escalation Protection Plan (“EPP”) derivatives is described in Part II, Item 8 Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The tables below set forth, by level, our financial assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value for the respective periods. The table does not include assets and liabilities that are measured at historical cost or any basis other than fair value (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fair Value Measured at Reporting Date Using |
March 31, 2024 | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total |
| | | | | | | | |
Assets | | | | | | | | |
Cash equivalents: | | | | | | | | |
Money market funds | | $ | 470,588 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 470,588 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 470,588 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 470,588 | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Derivatives: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Embedded EPP derivatives | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,218 | | | $ | 4,218 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,218 | | | $ | 4,218 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fair Value Measured at Reporting Date Using |
December 31, 2023 | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total |
| | | | | | | | |
Assets | | | | | | | | |
Cash equivalents: | | | | | | | | |
Money market funds | | $ | 601,076 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 601,076 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 601,076 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 601,076 | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Derivatives: | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Embedded EPP derivatives | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,376 | | | $ | 4,376 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,376 | | | $ | 4,376 | |
Money Market Funds — Money market funds are valued using quoted market prices for identical securities and are therefore classified as Level 1 financial assets.
Embedded Escalation Protection Plan Derivative Liability in Sales Contracts — We estimate the fair value of the embedded EPP derivatives in certain sales contracts using a Monte Carlo simulation model, which considers various potential electricity price curves over the sales contracts’ terms. We use historical grid prices and available forecasts of future electricity prices to estimate future electricity prices. We have classified these derivatives as a Level 3 financial liability.
The changes in the Level 3 financial liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2024 were as follows (in thousands): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Embedded EPP Derivative Liability | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities at December 31, 2023 | | | | | | | | $ | 4,376 | | | |
Changes in fair value | | | | | | | | (158) | | | |
Liabilities at March 31, 2024 | | | | | | | | $ | 4,218 | | | |
For more details on EPP derivatives, refer to Part II, Item 8 Note 5 — Fair Value in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Financial Assets and Liabilities and Other Items Not Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Debt Instruments — The term loans and convertible senior notes are based on rates currently offered for instruments with similar maturities and terms (Level 2). The following table presents the estimated fair values and carrying values of debt instruments (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2024 | | December 31, 2023 |
| | Net Carrying Value | | Fair Value | | Net Carrying Value | | Fair Value |
| | | | | | | | |
Debt instruments | | | | | | | | |
Recourse: | | | | | | | | |
3% Green Convertible Senior Notes due June 2028 | | $ | 616,184 | | | $ | 584,999 | | | $ | 615,205 | | | $ | 673,613 | |
2.5% Green Convertible Senior Notes due August 2025 | | 227,293 | | | 245,985 | | | 226,801 | | | 260,820 | |
Non-recourse: | | | | | | | | |
4.6% Term Loan due October 2026 | | $ | 2,972 | | | $ | 2,807 | | | $ | 3,085 | | | $ | 2,866 | |
4.6% Term Loan due April 2026 | | 1,486 | | | 1,448 | | | 1,542 | | | 1,479 | |
6. Balance Sheet Components
Inventories
The components of inventory consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | |
Raw materials | | $ | 298,079 | | | $ | 270,414 | |
Work-in-progress | | 71,137 | | | 50,632 | |
Finished goods | | 157,135 | | | 181,469 | |
| | $ | 526,351 | | | $ | 502,515 | |
The inventory reserves were $19.9 million and $18.7 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | |
Receivables from employees | | $ | 6,637 | | | $ | 6,538 | |
Tax receivables | | 5,192 | | | 3,231 | |
Prepaid hardware and software maintenance | | 4,505 | | | 5,202 | |
Prepaid managed services | | 4,452 | | | 5,636 | |
Prepaid workers compensation | | 4,275 | | | 6,851 | |
Advance income tax provision | | 2,866 | | | 2,557 | |
Deferred expenses | | 2,180 | | | 2,257 | |
Interest receivable | | 1,947 | | | 1,697 | |
Deposits made | | 1,701 | | | 1,702 | |
Prepaid deferred commissions | | 1,113 | | | 1,178 | |
Prepaid rent | | 1,067 | | | 1,232 | |
Other prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 11,704 | | | 13,067 | |
| | $ | 47,639 | | | $ | 51,148 | |
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | |
Energy Servers | | $ | 309,725 | | | $ | 309,770 | |
Machinery and equipment | | 176,130 | | | 174,549 | |
Leasehold improvements | | 116,360 | | | 94,646 | |
Construction-in-progress | | 94,574 | | | 104,650 | |
Buildings | | 50,173 | | | 49,477 | |
Computers, software and hardware | | 30,731 | | | 28,901 | |
Furniture and fixtures | | 10,713 | | | 12,541 | |
| | 788,406 | | | 774,534 | |
Less: accumulated depreciation | | (292,181) | | | (281,182) | |
| | $ | 496,225 | | | $ | 493,352 | |
Depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment was $12.5 million and $18.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Other Long-Term Assets
Other long-term assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | |
Deferred commissions | | $ | 10,516 | | | $ | 9,373 | |
Deferred expenses
| | 8,270 | | | 9,069 | |
Long-term lease receivable | | 7,028 | | | 7,335 | |
Deposits made | | 3,133 | | | 3,157 | |
Prepaid managed services | | 1,878 | | | 1,646 | |
Deferred tax asset | | 1,562 | | | 1,385 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Prepaid and other long-term assets | | 19,976 | | | 18,243 | |
| | $ | 52,363 | | | $ | 50,208 | |
Accrued Warranty and Product Performance Liabilities
Accrued warranty and product performance liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | |
Product performance | | $ | 7,033 | | | $ | 18,066 | |
Product warranty | | 2,164 | | | 1,260 | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 9,197 | | | $ | 19,326 | |
Changes in the product warranty and product performance liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
Balances at December 31, 2023 | $ | 19,326 | |
Accrued warranty and product performance liabilities, net | 4,950 | |
Warranty and product performance expenditures during the quarter | (15,079) | |
Balances at March 31, 2024 | $ | 9,197 | |
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | |
General invoice and purchase order accruals | | $ | 37,110 | | | $ | 36,266 | |
Compensation and benefits | | 27,025 | | | 47,901 | |
Interest payable | | 7,177 | | | 3,823 | |
Sales tax liabilities | | 6,752 | | | 17,412 | |
Sales-related liabilities | | 5,975 | | | 5,121 | |
Provision for income tax | | 2,994 | | | 3,374 | |
Accrued legal expenses | | 2,452 | | | 1,359 | |
Accrued consulting expenses | | 2,042 | | | 3,244 | |
Accrued restructuring costs (Note 11) | | 1,927 | | | 3,793 | |
Accrued installation | | 1,130 | | | 4,939 | |
Finance lease liability | | 981 | | | 1,072 | |
| | | | |
Other | | 3,742 | | | 2,575 | |
| | $ | 99,307 | | | $ | 130,879 | |
Preferred Stock
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized, of which 13,491,701 shares were previously designated as Series B redeemable convertible preferred stock (the “Series B RCPS”). The Series B RCPS were converted to Class A common stock as of September 23, 2023, as a result of the SK ecoplant Second Tranche Closing (for details please refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 17 — SK ecoplant Strategic Investment in our Annual Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023).
The preferred stock had $0.0001 par value. There were no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
7. Outstanding Loans and Security Agreements
The following is a summary of our debt as of March 31, 2024 (in thousands, except percentage data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Unpaid Principal Balance | | Net Carrying Value | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Dates | | Entity |
| | Current | | Long- Term | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
3% Green Convertible Senior Notes due June 2028 | | $ | 632,500 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 616,184 | | | $ | 616,184 | | | 3.0% | | June 2028 | | Company |
2.5% Green Convertible Senior Notes due August 2025 | | 230,000 | | | — | | | 227,293 | | | 227,293 | | | 2.5% | | August 2025 | | Company |
Total recourse debt | | 862,500 | | | — | | | 843,477 | | | 843,477 | | | | | | | |
4.6% Term Loan due October 2026 | | 2,972 | | | — | | | 2,972 | | | 2,972 | | | 4.6% | | October 2026 | | Korean JV |
4.6% Term Loan due April 2026 | | 1,486 | | | — | | | 1,486 | | | 1,486 | | | 4.6% | | April 2026 | | Korean JV |
Total non-recourse debt | | 4,458 | | | — | | | 4,458 | | | 4,458 | | | | | | | |
Total debt | | $ | 866,958 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 847,935 | | | $ | 847,935 | | | | | | | |
The following is a summary of our debt as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands, except percentage data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Unpaid Principal Balance | | Net Carrying Value | | | | Interest Rate | | Maturity Dates | | Entity |
| | Current | | Long- Term | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
3% Green Convertible Senior Notes due June 2028 | | $ | 632,500 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 615,205 | | | $ | 615,205 | | | | | 3.0% | | June 2028 | | Company |
2.5% Green Convertible Senior Notes due August 2025 | | 230,000 | | | — | | | 226,801 | | | 226,801 | | | | | 2.5% | | August 2025 | | Company |
Total recourse debt | | 862,500 | | | — | | | 842,006 | | | 842,006 | | | | | | | | | |
4.6% Term Loan due October 2026 | | 3,085 | | | — | | | 3,085 | | | 3,085 | | | | | 4.6% | | October 2026 | | Korean JV |
4.6% Term Loan due April 2026 | | 1,542 | | | — | | | 1,542 | | | 1,542 | | | | | 4.6% | | April 2026 | | Korean JV |
Total non-recourse debt | | 4,627 | | | — | | | 4,627 | | | 4,627 | | | | | | | | | |
Total debt | | $ | 867,127 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 846,633 | | | $ | 846,633 | | | | | | | | | |
Recourse debt refers to debt that we have an obligation to pay. Non-recourse debt refers to debt that is recourse to only our subsidiary, Bloom SK Fuel Cell, LLC, a joint venture in the Republic of Korea with SK ecoplant (the “Korean JV”). The differences between the unpaid principal balances and the net carrying values apply to deferred financing costs. We and our subsidiary were in compliance with all financial covenants as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
Recourse Debt Facilities
3% Green Convertible Senior Notes due June 2028 and Capped Call Transactions
Please refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 7 — Outstanding Loans and Security Agreements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, for discussion of our 3% Green Convertible Senior Notes due June 2028 (the “3% Green Notes”) and privately negotiated capped call transactions in connection with the pricing of the 3% Green Notes.
The noteholders could not convert their 3% Green Notes during the quarter ended March 31, 2024, as the Closing Price Condition, as defined in the indenture, dated as of May 16, 2023, between us and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, was not met during the three months ended December 31, 2023 as per the indenture, dated as of May 16, 2023.
Total interest expense recognized related to the 3% Green Notes for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $5.7 million, and was comprised of contractual interest expense of $4.7 million and amortization of the initial purchasers’ discount and other issuance costs of $1.0 million. There was no interest expense recognized related to the 3% Green Notes for the three months ended March 31, 2023. We have not recognized any special interest expense related to the 3% Green Notes to date.
The amount of unamortized debt issuance costs as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, was $16.3 million and $17.3 million, respectively.
2.5% Green Convertible Senior Notes due August 2025
Please refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 7 — Outstanding Loans and Security Agreements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, for discussion of our 2.5% Green Convertible Senior Notes due August 2025 (the “2.5% Green Notes”).
The noteholders could not convert their 2.5% Green Notes during the quarter ended March 31, 2024, as the Closing Price Condition, as defined in the indenture, dated as of August 11, 2020, between us and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, was not met during the three months ended December 31, 2023 as per the indenture, dated as of August 11, 2020.
Total interest expense recognized related to the 2.5% Green Notes for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, was $1.9 million and $1.9 million, and was comprised of contractual interest expense of $1.4 million and $1.4 million and amortization of issuance costs of $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively. We have not recognized any special interest expense related to the 2.5% Green Notes to date.
The amount of unamortized debt issuance costs as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, was $2.7 million and $3.2 million, respectively.
Non-recourse Debt Facilities
Please refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 7 — Outstanding Loans and Security Agreements in our Annual Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 for discussion of our non-recourse debt.
Repayment Schedule and Interest Expense
The following table presents details of our outstanding loan principal repayment schedule as of March 31, 2024 (in thousands):
| | | | | |
Remainder of 2024 | $ | — | |
2025 | 230,000 | |
2026 | 4,458 | |
2027 | — | |
2028 | 632,500 | |
Thereafter | — | |
| $ | 866,958 | |
8. Leases
Facilities, Energy Servers, and Vehicles
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, rent expense for all occupied facilities was $5.6 million and $5.6 million, respectively.
Operating and financing lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | |
Operating Leases: | | | | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 1, 2 | | $ | 138,941 | | | $ | 139,732 | |
Current operating lease liabilities | | (20,513) | | | (20,245) | |
Non-current operating lease liabilities | | (141,024) | | | (141,939) | |
Total operating lease liabilities | | $ | (161,537) | | | $ | (162,184) | |
| | | | |
Finance Leases: | | | | |
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net 2, 3, 4 | | $ | 2,508 | | | $ | 2,708 | |
Current finance lease liabilities5 | | (981) | | | (1,072) | |
Non-current finance lease liabilities6 | | (1,730) | | | (1,837) | |
Total finance lease liabilities | | $ | (2,711) | | | $ | (2,909) | |
Total lease liabilities | | $ | (164,248) | | | $ | (165,093) | |
1 These assets primarily include leases for facilities, Energy Servers, and vehicles.
2 Net of accumulated amortization.
3 These assets primarily include leases for vehicles.
4 Included in property, plant and equipment, net in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
5 Included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
6 Included in other long-term liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The components of our lease costs for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | |
Operating lease costs | | $ | 8,905 | | | $ | 7,799 | |
Financing lease costs: | | | | |
Amortization of right-of-use assets | | 297 | | | 201 | |
Interest on lease liabilities | | 66 | | | 62 | |
Total financing lease costs | | 363 | | | 263 | |
Short-term lease costs | | 9 | | | 444 | |
Total lease costs | | $ | 9,277 | | | $ | 8,506 | |
Weighted average remaining lease terms and discount rates for our leases as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | |
Weighted average remaining lease term: | | | | |
Operating leases | | 7.2 years | | 7.4 years |
Finance leases | | 3.2 years | | 3.2 years |
Weighted average discount rate: | | | | |
Operating leases | | 10.6 | % | | 10.6 | % |
Finance leases | | 9.6 | % | | 9.5 | % |
Future lease payments under lease agreements as of March 31, 2024 were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Operating Leases | | Finance Leases |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Remainder of 2024 | | $ | 27,468 | | | $ | 961 | |
2025 | | 34,009 | | | 888 | |
2026 | | 34,014 | | | 654 | |
2027 | | 32,875 | | | 486 | |
2028 | | 26,618 | | | 157 | |
2029 | | 19,847 | | | 4 | |
Thereafter | | 61,116 | | | — | |
Total minimum lease payments | | 235,947 | | | 3,150 | |
Less: amounts representing interest or imputed interest | | (74,410) | | | (439) | |
Present value of lease liabilities | | $ | 161,537 | | | $ | 2,711 | |
Managed Services Financing
For details on Managed Services Financing refer to Part I, Item 7, Section Purchase and Financing Options, sub-section Managed Services Financing and Part II, Item 8, Note 8 — Leases in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
We recognized $7.1 million and $7.3 million of product revenue, $2.3 million and $3.0 million of installation revenue, $1.3 million and $1.2 million of financing obligations, and $4.1 million and $5.5 million of operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities from successful sale and leaseback transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The recognized operating lease expense from successful sale and leaseback transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, was $3.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively.
At March 31, 2024, future lease payments under the Managed Services Agreements financing obligations were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Financing Obligations | | |
| | | | |
Remainder of 2024 | | $ | 32,615 | | | |
2025 | | 43,157 | | | |
2026 | | 38,595 | | | |
2027 | | 22,271 | | | |
2028 | | 12,369 | | | |
Thereafter | | 26,773 | | | |
Total minimum lease payments | | 175,780 | | | |
Less: imputed interest | | (90,616) | | | |
Present value of net minimum lease payments | | 85,164 | | | |
Less: current financing obligations | | (36,729) | | | |
Long-term financing obligations | | $ | 48,435 | | | |
The total financing obligations, as reflected in our condensed consolidated balance sheets, were $441.5 million and $444.8 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. We expect the difference between these obligations and the principal obligations in the table above to be offset against the carrying value of the related Energy Servers at the end of the lease and the remainder recognized as either a gain or loss at that point.
9. Stock-Based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The following table summarizes the components of stock-based compensation expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | |
Cost of revenue | | $ | 3,814 | | | $ | 4,161 | |
Research and development | | 5,084 | | | 8,410 | |
Sales and marketing | | 2,090 | | | 5,817 | |
General and administrative | | 7,872 | | | 11,165 | |
| | $ | 18,860 | | | $ | 29,553 | |
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we capitalized $10.0 million and $8.9 million of stock-based compensation cost, respectively, into inventory and deferred cost of goods sold.
Stock Option and Stock Award Activity
The following table summarizes the stock option activity under our stock plans during the reporting period:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Outstanding Options |
| | Number of Shares | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | | Remaining Contractual Life (Years) | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value |
| | (in thousands) |
Balances at December 31, 2023 | | 7,247,624 | | | $ | 20.93 | | | 3.8 | | $ | 19,446 | |
Granted | | 1,000,000 | | | 9.08 | | | | | |
Exercised | | (99,640) | | | 5.44 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Expired | | (284,187) | | | 27.03 | | | | | |
Balances at March 31, 2024 | | 7,863,797 | | | 19.39 | | | 4.7 | | 24,003 | |
Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2024 | | 7,519,528 | | | 19.86 | | | 4.4 | | 22,034 | |
Exercisable at March 31, 2024 | | 6,859,630 | | | $ | 20.89 | | | 3.7 | | $ | 18,252 | |
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we recognized $0.2 million and $0.2 million of stock-based compensation costs for stock options, respectively.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 we granted 1,000,000 stock options. We did not grant stock options in the three months ended March 31, 2023.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock options of $7.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively. This cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 3.3 years and 0.3 years, respectively. Cash received from stock options exercised totaled $0.5 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Executive Performance-Based Stock Options
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we granted 955,000 stock options to certain executives to purchase shares of common stock that contain certain performance-based vesting criteria related to corporate milestones (the “performance-based stock options”). The performance-based stock options were granted “at-the-money” and have a term of 10 years. The performance-based stock options vest based over a four-year or a three-year requisite service period.
The fair value of each performance-based stock option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Recognition of stock-based compensation expense associated with these performance-based stock options commences when the performance condition is considered probable of achievement, using management’s best estimates, which consider the inherent risk and uncertainty regarding the future outcomes of the milestones. Forfeitures of the performance-based stock options are recognized as they occur.
We used the following weighted-average assumptions in applying the Black-Scholes valuation model for determination of the performance-based stock options valuation:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 |
| | | | |
Risk-free interest rate | | 4.1% | | |
Expected term (years) | | 6.0 | | |
Expected dividend yield | | — | | |
Expected volatility | | 97.1% | | |
Stock Awards
A summary of our stock awards activity and related information is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Number of Awards Outstanding | | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| | | | |
Unvested Balance at December 31, 2023 | | 9,889,341 | | | $ | 18.25 | |
Granted | | 3,948,296 | | | 9.52 | |
Vested | | (1,483,902) | | | 19.43 | |
Forfeited | | (707,643) | | | 20.33 | |
Unvested Balance at March 31, 2024 | | 11,646,092 | | | $ | 15.01 | |
Stock Awards — The estimated fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance stock units (“PSUs”) is based on the fair value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we recognized $17.9 million and $22.6 million of stock-based compensation costs for stock awards, respectively.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had $99.5 million and $113.5 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock awards, expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years and 2.0 years, respectively.
Executive Awards
On March 1, 2024, the Company granted RSU, PSU and the performance-based stock option awards (the “2024 Executive Awards”) to certain executive staff pursuant to the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan. The RSUs have time-based vesting schedules, started vesting on January 15, 2024 and shall vest over a four-year period. The PSUs have either a four-year, a three-year, or a one-year cliff vesting period, and the performance-based stock options have either a four-year or a three-year cliff vesting period. The PSUs and performance-based stock options will vest based on a combination of time and achievement against performance metrics targets assuming continued employment and service through each vesting date. Stock-based compensation costs associated with the 2024 Executive Awards are recognized over the service period as we evaluate the probability of the achievement of the performance conditions. As of March 31, 2024, the unamortized compensation expense for the RSUs, PSUs, and the performance-based stock options per the 2024 Executive Awards was $9.4 million.
For details on the 2023, 2022, and 2021 Executive Awards refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 9 — Stock-Based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the unamortized compensation expense for the RSUs and PSUs per the 2023 Executive Awards was $4.1 million and $7.0 million, respectively.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the unamortized compensation expense for the RSUs and PSUs per the 2022 Executive Awards was $1.2 million and $6.2 million, respectively.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the unamortized compensation expense for the RSUs and PSUs per the 2021 Executive Awards was $7.1 million and $8.2 million.
The following table presents the stock activity and the total number of shares available for grant under our stock plans:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Plan Shares Available for Grant |
| | |
Balances at December 31, 2023 | | 32,877,906 | |
Added to plan | | 9,871,670 | |
Granted | | (4,944,248) | |
| | |
Cancelled/Forfeited | | 789,664 | |
Expired | | (221,086) | |
Balances at March 31, 2024 | | 38,373,906 | |
2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
For details on the 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2018 ESPP”), refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 9 — Stock-Based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we (reversed) recognized $(1.1) million and $6.5 million of stock-based compensation costs for the 2018 ESPP, respectively. We issued 632,688 and 449,525 shares in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we added an additional 2,418,528 and 2,239,563 shares and there were 16,990,424 and 15,204,584 shares available for issuance as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had $10.8 million and $8.8 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation costs, expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.2 years and 0.8 years, respectively.
10. Related Party Transactions
There have been no changes in related party relationships during the three months ended March 31, 2024. For information on our related party transactions, see Part II, Item 8, Note 12 — Related Party Transactions in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Our operations include the following related party transactions (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | |
| | | | | | |
Total revenue from related parties1 | | $ | 122,168 | | | $ | 833 | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Cost of product revenue2 | | 20 | | | — | | | |
General and administrative expenses3 | | 203 | | | — | | | |
Interest expense4 | | 52 | | | — | | | |
Other expense, net5 | | (491) | | | — | | | |
| | | | | | |
1 Includes revenue from SK ecoplant for the three months ended March 31, 2024, which became a related party on September 23, 2023, however we had transactions with SK ecoplant in prior periods (see Note 15 — SK ecoplant Strategic Investment). Revenue from related parties for the three months ended March 31, 2023 relate to Korean JV in its entirety.
2 Includes expenses billed by SK ecoplant to Korean JV for headcount support services.
3 Includes rent expenses per operating lease agreements entered between Korean JV and SK ecoplant and miscellaneous expenses billed by SK ecoplant to Korean JV.
4 Interest expense per two term loans entered between Korean JV and SK ecoplant in fiscal year 2023.
5 Other expense, net is represented by realized foreign gain for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Below is the summary of outstanding related party balances as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
| | | | |
Accounts receivable | | $ | 292,356 | | | $ | 262,031 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Contract assets | | 3,531 | | | 6,872 | |
Deferred cost of revenue, current | | — | | | 875 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 2,180 | | | 2,257 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets1 | | 1,853 | | | 2,031 | |
Other long-term assets | | 8,270 | | | 9,069 | |
Accounts payable | | — | | | 77 | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | 6,095 | | | 3,427 | |
Deferred revenue and customer deposits, current | | 5,678 | | | 1,707 | |
Operating lease liabilities, current1 | | 439 | | | 440 | |
Deferred revenue and customer deposits, non-current | | 3,544 | | | 6,709 | |
Operating lease liabilities, non-current1 | | 1,442 | | | 1,617 | |
Non-recourse debt2 | | 4,458 | | | 4,627 | |
1 Balances relate to operating leases entered between Korean JV and SK ecoplant.
2 Represent the total balance of two term loans entered between Korean JV and SK ecoplant in fiscal year 2023.
11. Restructuring
In September 2023, as a result of a review of current strategic priorities and resource allocation, we approved the restructuring plan (the “Restructuring Plan”) intended to realign our operational focus to support our multi-year growth, scale the business, and improve our cost structure and operating margins. Please refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 12 — Restructuring in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, for details.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, impact from restructuring on our condensed consolidated statements of operations was not material. We expect to incur $6.3 million in restructuring costs in subsequent quarters, out of which we expect $3.5 million will relate to relocation costs, $2.0 million will relate to the facility closure costs, and $0.8 million will relate to other restructuring costs. However, the actual timing and amount of costs associated with these restructuring actions may differ from our current expectations and estimates and such differences may be material.
The following table presents our current liability as accrued for restructuring charges on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The table sets forth an analysis of the components of the restructuring charges and payments made against the accrual for the three months ended March 31, 2024 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | | | | | | | |
| | | Facility Closure | | Severance | | Other | | Total | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2023 | | | $ | 2,577 | | | $ | 464 | | | $ | 752 | | | $ | 3,793 | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring accrual (release)
| | | (89) | | | (385) | | | 86 | | | (388) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payments | | | (822) | | | (79) | | | (577) | | | (1,478) | | | | | | | | |
Balance at March 31, 2024 | | | $ | 1,666 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 261 | | | $ | 1,927 | | | | | | | | |
At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, facility closure costs, severance, and other restructuring costs were included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.
12. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
Purchase Commitments with Suppliers and Contract Manufacturers — In order to reduce manufacturing lead-times for an adequate supply of inventories, we have agreements with our component suppliers and contract manufacturers to allow long lead-time component inventory procurement based on a rolling production forecast. We are contractually obligated to purchase long lead-time component inventory procured by certain manufacturers in accordance with our forecasts. We can generally give notice of order cancellation at least 90 days prior to the delivery date. However, we occasionally issue purchase orders to our component suppliers and third-party manufacturers that are not cancellable. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had no material open purchase orders with our component suppliers and third-party manufacturers that are not cancellable.
Performance Guarantees — We guarantee the performance of the Energy Servers at certain levels of output and efficiency to our customers over the contractual term. We monitor the need for any accruals arising from such guaranties, which are calculated as the difference between committed and actual power output or between natural gas consumption at warranted efficiency levels and actual consumption, multiplied by the contractual rates with the customer. Amounts payable under these guaranties are accrued in periods when the guaranties are not met and are recorded as service revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. We paid $15.1 million and $15.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, for such performance guarantees.
Letters of Credit — In 2019, pursuant to the PPA II upgrade of the Energy Servers, we agreed to indemnify our financing partner for losses that may be incurred in the event of certain regulatory, legal or legislative developments and established a cash-collateralized letter of credit facility for this purpose. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the balance of this cash-collateralized letter of credit was $26.9 million and $40.4 million, respectively.
In addition, we have other outstanding letters of credit issued to our customers and other counterparties in the U.S. and international locations under different performance and financial obligations. These letters of credit are collateralized through cash deposited in the controlled bank accounts with the issuing banks and are classified as restricted cash in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the balances of the cash-collateralized letters of credit issued to our customers and other counterparties in the U.S. and international locations were $32.5 million and $32.6 million, respectively.
Pledged Funds — In 2019, pursuant to the PPA IIIb upgrade of the Energy Servers, we established a restricted cash fund of $20.0 million, which had been pledged for a seven-year period to secure our operations and maintenance obligations with respect to the totality of our obligations to the financier. All or a portion of such funds would be released if we meet certain credit rating and/or market capitalization milestones prior to the end of the pledge period. If we do not meet the required criteria within the first five-year period, the funds would still be released to us over the following two years as long as the Energy Servers continue to perform in compliance with our warranty obligations. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the balance of the restricted cash fund was $7.4 million and $7.6 million, respectively.
Contingencies
Indemnification Agreements — We enter into standard indemnification agreements with our customers and certain other business partners in the ordinary course of business. Our exposure under these agreements is unknown because it involves future claims that may be made against us but have not yet been made. To date, we have not paid any claims or been required to defend any action related to our indemnification obligations. However, we may record charges in the future as a result of these indemnification obligations.
Investment Tax Credits — Our Energy Servers are eligible for federal Income Tax Credits (the “ITC”) that accrued to qualified property under Internal Revenue Code Section 48 when placed into service. However, the ITC program has operational criteria that extend for five years. If the energy property is disposed of or otherwise ceases to be qualified investment credit property before the close of the five-year recapture period is fulfilled, it could result in a partial reduction of the incentives.
Legal Matters — We are involved in various legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. We review all legal matters at least quarterly and assess whether an accrual for loss contingencies needs to be recorded. We record an accrual for loss contingencies when management believes that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the
amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal matters are subject to uncertainties and are inherently unpredictable, so the actual liability in any such matter may be materially different from our estimates. If an unfavorable resolution were to occur, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows for the period in which the resolution occurs or in future periods.
In March 2019, the Lincolnshire Police Pension Fund filed a class action complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Santa Clara, against us, certain members of our senior management, certain of our directors and the underwriters in our July 25, 2018 IPO alleging violations under Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act for alleged misleading statements or omissions in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC in connection with the IPO. Two related class action cases were subsequently filed in the Santa Clara County Superior Court against the same defendants containing the same allegations; Rodriquez vs Bloom Energy et al. was filed on April 22, 2019 and Evans vs Bloom Energy et al. was filed on May 7, 2019. These cases have been consolidated. Plaintiffs’ consolidated amended complaint was filed with the court on September 12, 2019. On October 4, 2019, defendants moved to stay the lawsuit pending the federal district court action discussed below. On December 7, 2019, the Superior Court issued an order staying the action through resolution of the parallel federal litigation mentioned below. We believe the complaint to be in contravention of our forum selection clause in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and we intend to defend this action vigorously. We are unable to estimate any range of reasonably possible losses.
In May 2019, Elissa Roberts filed a class action complaint in the federal district court for the Northern District of California against us, certain members of our senior management team, and certain of our directors’ alleging violations under Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act for alleged misleading statements or omissions in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC in connection with the IPO. On September 3, 2019, the court appointed a lead plaintiff and lead plaintiffs’ counsel. On November 4, 2019, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint adding the underwriters in the IPO and our auditor as defendants for the Section 11 claim, as well as adding claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), against us, and certain members of our senior management team. The amended complaint alleged a class period for all claims from the time of our IPO until September 16, 2019. On April 21, 2020, plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint, which continued to make the same claims and added allegations pertaining to the restatement and, as to claims under the Exchange Act, extended the putative class period through February 12, 2020. On July 1, 2020, we and the other defendants filed motions to dismiss the second amended complaint. On September 29, 2021, the court entered an order dismissing with leave to amend (1) five of seven statements or groups of statements alleged to violate Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act and (2) all allegations under the Exchange Act. All allegations against our auditors were also dismissed. Plaintiffs elected not to amend the complaint and instead on October 22, 2021 filed a motion for entry of final judgment in favor of our auditors so that plaintiffs could appeal the dismissal of those claims. The court denied that motion on December 1, 2021 and in response plaintiffs filed a motion asking the court to certify an interlocutory appeal as to the accounting claims. The court denied plaintiffs’ motion on April 14, 2022. The claims for violation of Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act that were not dismissed by the court entered the discovery phase.
On January 6, 2023, Bloom and the plaintiffs’ entered into an agreement in principle to settle the claims against Bloom, its executives and directors, and the IPO underwriters for a payment of $3.0 million, which we expect to be funded entirely by our insurers. If the settlement becomes effective, we expect it to result in a dismissal with prejudice of all claims against us, our executives and directors, and the underwriters. The settlement does not constitute an acknowledgement of liability or wrongdoing. On June 30, 2023, Bloom and the plaintiff’s executed a definitive settlement agreement containing the foregoing terms and customary terms for class action settlements, and on the same date, filed the settlement agreement with the court to seek its approval. The judge issued a preliminary approval of the settlement on October 31, 2023. Notice of the settlement together with requested Plaintiff attorney fees was sent to the defined class of Bloom stockholders and on May 2, 2024 the final settlement was approved.
In June 2021, we filed a petition for writ of mandate and a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief in the Santa Clara Superior Court against the City of Santa Clara for failure to issue building permits for two of our customer installations and asking the court to require the City of Santa Clara to process and issue the building permits. In October 2021, we filed an amended petition and complaint that asserts additional constitutional and tort claims based on the City’s failure to timely issue the Energy Server permits. On April 21, 2023, the parties executed a settlement agreement which allows our two pending customer installations to proceed under building permits and requires the City of Santa Clara to amend its zoning code so that future installations of Bloom Energy Servers in Santa Clara require only building permits.
In February 2022, Plansee SE/Global Tungsten & Powders Corp. (“Plansee/GTP”), a former supplier, filed a request for expedited arbitration with the World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Center in Geneva Switzerland (“WIPO”), for various claims allegedly in relation to an Intellectual Property and Confidential Disclosure
Agreement between Plansee/GTP and Bloom Energy Corporation. Plansee/GTP’s statement of claims includes allegations of infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 8,802,328, 8,753,785 and 9,434,003. On April 3, 2022, we filed a complaint against Plansee/GTP in the Eastern District of Texas to address the dispute between Plansee/GTP and Bloom Energy Corporation in a proper forum before a U.S. Federal District Court. Our complaint seeks the correction of inventorship of U.S. Patent Nos. 8,802,328, 8,753,785 and 9,434,003 (the “Patents-in-Suit”); declaratory judgment of invalidity, unenforceability, and non-infringement of the Patents-in-Suit; and declaratory judgment of no misappropriation. Further, our complaint seeks to recover damages we have suffered in relation to Plansee/GTP’s business dealings that, as alleged, constitute acts of unfair competition, tortious interference contract, breach of contract, violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and violations of the Clayton Antitrust Act. On June 9, 2022, Plansee/GTP filed a motion to dismiss the complaint filed in the Eastern District of Texas and compel arbitration (or alternatively to stay). We filed our opposition on June 30, 2022, Plansee/GTP filed its reply on July 14, 2022 and we filed our sur-reply on July 22, 2022. On February 9, 2023, Magistrate Judge Payne issued a report and recommendation to stay the district court action pending an arbitrability determination by the arbitrator for each claim.
On February 23, 2023, we filed an amended complaint adding additional causes of action and filed objections to the Magistrate’s report and recommendation. On April 26, 2023, Judge Gilstrap overruled our objections to the Magistrate’s report and recommendation and stayed the district court action pending arbitrability determinations by the arbitrator in the WIPO proceeding. The arbitration had been held in abeyance awaiting the decision of the Eastern District of Texas. A hearing by the arbitrator in WIPO on arbitrability took place on June 27, 2023. On October 2, 2023, the arbitrator in the WIPO proceeding issued a ruling concluding that all the parties’ claims were arbitrable. On November 18, 2023, the arbitrator bifurcated the arbitration into a first phase that will focus on Bloom’s claims directed to improper inventorship of the Patents-in-Suit and Bloom’s defective product claims. Briefing on the first phase will take place throughout 2024 with a potential evidentiary hearing to be scheduled in 2025. We are unable to predict the ultimate outcome of the arbitration at this time.
13. Income Taxes
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we recorded an income tax (benefit) provisions of $(0.5) million and $0.3 million on pre-tax losses of $57.0 million and $74.7 million for effective tax rates of 0.9% and (0.3)%, respectively.
The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, is lower than the statutory federal tax rate primarily due to a full valuation allowance against U.S. deferred tax assets.
New Foreign Tax Rules
In 2021, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development announced an Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, including Pillar Two Model Rules defining a global minimum tax, which calls for the taxation of large multinational corporations at a minimum rate of 15%. Subsequently, multiple sets of administrative guidance have been issued. Many non-U.S. tax jurisdictions have either recently enacted legislation to adopt certain components of the Pillar Two Model Rules beginning in 2024 (including the European Union Member States) with the adoption of additional components in later years or announced their plans to enact legislation in future years. We are continuing to evaluate the impacts of enacted legislation and pending legislation to enact Pillar Two Model Rules in the non-U.S. tax jurisdictions we operate in. However, legislation enacted as of March 31, 2024 did not have a material impact on our financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and is not expected to have a material impact on our 2024 financial statements due to the relatively small operations outside the U.S.
14. Net Loss per Share Available to Common Stockholders
Please refer to the condensed consolidated statements of operations for computation of our net loss per share available to common stockholders, basic and diluted.
The following common stock equivalents (in thousands) were excluded from the computation of our net loss per share available to common stockholders, diluted, for the three months presented as their inclusion would have been antidilutive (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | | |
| | | | | | |
Convertible notes | | 47,736 | | | 14,187 | | | |
Redeemable convertible preferred stock | | — | | | 1,349 | | | |
Stock options and awards | | 2,451 | | | 6,413 | | | |
| | 50,187 | | | 21,949 | | | |
15. SK ecoplant Strategic Investment
In September 2023, we entered into the Amended and Restated Joint Venture Agreement (the “JVA”) and the Share Purchase Agreement (together, the “Amended JV Agreements”) with SK ecoplant which allowed SK ecoplant to increase its share of the voting rights in the Korean JV to 60% and increased the scope of assembly done by the joint venture facility in the Republic of Korea to full assembly.
In January, 2024, SK ecoplant increased its capital contribution to Korean JV by $3.9 million, which increased its voting rights in the Korean JV to 60%. However, as of March 31, 2024, we continue to consolidate the Korean JV in our financial statements as we remain a primary beneficiary of this joint venture.
The following are the aggregate carrying values of the Korean JV’s assets and liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets, after eliminations of intercompany transactions and balances, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, |
| | 2024 | | 2023 |
Assets | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 7,228 | | | $ | 3,003 | |
Accounts receivable | | 13,056 | | | 19,567 | |
Inventories | | 11,548 | | | 8,156 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 2,054 | | | 644 | |
Total current assets | | 33,886 | | | 31,370 | |
Property and equipment, net | | 2,346 | | | 2,519 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | | 1,959 | | | 2,138 | |
Other long-term assets | | 44 | | | 46 | |
Total assets | | $ | 38,235 | | | $ | 36,073 | |
Liabilities | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 1,693 | | | $ | 3,480 | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | 4,221 | | | 2,347 | |
| | | | |
Operating lease liabilities | | 439 | | | 440 | |
Total current liabilities | | 6,353 | | | 6,267 | |
Operating lease liabilities | | 1,442 | | | 1,617 | |
Non-recourse debt | | 4,458 | | | 4,627 | |
Total liabilities | | $ | 12,253 | | | $ | 12,511 | |
For a description of the strategic investment with SK ecoplant Co., Ltd. (“SK ecoplant”, formerly known as SK Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.), a subsidiary of the SK Group, please refer to Part II, Item 8, Note 17 — SK ecoplant Strategic Investment in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
16. Subsequent Events
There have been no subsequent events that occurred during the period subsequent to the date of these condensed consolidated financial statements that would require adjustment to our disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements as presented.