ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
T1 Energy Inc., a Delaware corporation (“T1,” the “Company”, “we”, or “us”), is an energy solutions provider building an integrated U.S. supply chain for solar and batteries. We manufacture and sell photovoltaic (“PV”) solar modules in the United States for our U.S. customers.
We are one of the leading solar manufacturing companies in the United States. Our PV solar module manufacturing facility in Wilmer, TX (“G1 Dallas”) is operating and is expected to have an installed base of five gigawatts (“5 GW”) per annum after the expected completion of equipment commissioning in 2025. We believe our facility is one of the most technologically advanced PV solar module plants globally. T1 produces PV solar modules that employ highly energy efficient Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact (“PERC”) and Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (“TOPCon”) technologies. We believe the superior performance characteristics of the PV solar modules that we manufacture through our commercial partnership with Trina Solar (“Trina”) and our domestic content will competitively differentiate T1 in the U.S. market.
On November 6, 2024, we announced that we had entered into an agreement (“Transaction Agreement”), to acquire all the shares of capital stock of Trina Solar (U.S.) Holding Inc., a Delaware corporation and related subsidiaries (collectively “Trina Solar US Holding”). The transaction closed on December 23, 2024 (“Trina Business Combination”). As part of the Transaction Agreement, we acquired G1 Dallas from Trina Solar US Holding and entered into a series of commercial support and technology licensing agreements with Trina.
Our Business and Strategy
Our vision is to establish T1 as a U.S.-based leader in the U.S. solar and storage markets by executing our plan to build an integrated domestic manufacturing presence based on advanced technologies. With G1 Dallas now ramping up production, the next phase of the plan will be to construct a five GW nameplate capacity solar cell manufacturing facility in Milam County, Texas (“G2 Austin”). T1 is targeting a start of construction in Q2 or Q3 2025 with solar cell production beginning in Q4 2026. Creating a U.S. owned and operated company that can manufacture PV solar modules with a high domestic content percentage is expected to solve a bottleneck for developers, and potentially create more than 3,000 direct jobs, satisfy local content requirements for U.S. solar projects, and competitively differentiate T1. The following are the key elements of our strategic plan:
•Ramp solar module production at G1 Dallas during 2025;
•Execute long-term solar module off-take contracts with key U.S. customers for PV solar modules with our planned U.S. solar cells;
•Start construction of G2 Austin in Q2 or Q3 2025; and
•Explore and establish deeper solar value chain integration and battery technology partnerships.
We expect that the following competitive strengths will emerge as we execute our strategic plan:
•Position T1 as one of the first/only U.S. solar manufacturer domestically producing cells and PV solar modules with advanced PERC and TOPCon technologies through our licensing agreements with Trina;
•Differentiated among U.S. producers by an established, flexible and growing global supply chain with our commercial partner, Trina;
•Enhanced competitive position from integrated U.S. solar cell and module production with a high domestic content percentage;
•Robust financial performance tied to our U.S. commercial enterprise and commitment to shareholder value creation.
•Our strategy is grounded in the view that the world needs more sources of reliable, affordable, and clean energy in all forms to satisfy global demand growth and eliminate energy poverty. We intend to help solve this problem by investing in our planned American manufacturing projects, building new capacity, creating new jobs, and delivering U.S.-made solar equipment that is critical to global energy infrastructure development.
Operations: Investing in U.S. Manufacturing
G1 Dallas
G1 Dallas is our first operating solar module manufacturing facility and is located in Wilmer, Texas. The plant has a total annual nameplate production capacity of 5 GW and is located on a 1.3 million square foot property.
We are in the process of ramping up production while we finalize installation and commissioning of production line equipment. The facility features seven assembly lines that will produce three different types of PV solar modules for utility,
commercial and industrial (“C&I”) and residential scale applications. These modules include the Trina TSM-NEG19RC.20 and the Trina TSM-DEG21C.20 modules, which will be used for utility-scale projects, and the Trina TSM-NE09RC.05 module for C&I and residential-scale uses. The facility’s total annual nameplate capacity of 5 GW is expected to consist of approximately 4.5 GW of utility-scale capacity and approximately 0.5 GW of annual C&I and residential-scale module capacity.
We believe that G1 Dallas is one of the most highly automated facilities of its kind in the world. All the production lines can be configured to manufacture utility-scale, C&I and residential products using either of Trina’s leading-edge PERC or TOPCon technologies, providing operational and commercial flexibility. The team from Trina that has joined T1 has deep experience working with our equipment suppliers, which is expected to result in efficient installation, commissioning, and production processes under strict quality control guidelines. We are currently ramping up production and expect to achieve full production in H2 2025.
G2 Austin
On March 17, 2025, we announced the selection of a 100 acre site in Milam, County, Texas for our planned 5 GW solar cell manufacturing facility. Upon securing the required debt and equity financing for the facility, we plan to start construction in Q2 or Q3 2025 with targeted first production in Q4 2026.
The U.S. solar cell production facility is core to our U.S. commercial strategy. Once we have completed the cell facility, we intend to utilize our U.S. manufactured cells to produce PV solar modules at G1 Dallas, thereby increasing the domestic content percentage of our products. Enhancing our domestic content is expected to:
•Provide our customers with opportunities to capture additional financial bonuses under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IRA”); and
•Enhance the commercial value of our integrated U.S. commercial enterprise.
Leveraging Trina’s Leading Edge Solar Technologies
We have access to produce, distribute and sell solar products using Trina’s advanced solar technologies, which we believe will be a source of competitive differentiation in the U.S. market. Trina has a proven history of innovating and commercializing value added technologies, including pioneering the introduction of modules manufactured with 210mm solar cells.
Advanced PV Solar Modules
The Trina TSM-NEG19RC.20 module uses 132 monocrystalline silicon half-cut TOPCon cells in a bifacial dual-glass construction. The frame depth is 30mm, which differs from the industry standard thickness of 35mm. Although our market intelligence indicates that the thin frame is emerging in terms of design and technology, we believe the field performance of this module will meet or exceed TOPCon modules and PERC modules currently in the market.
The Trina TSM-DEG21C.20 module utilizes 132 monocrystalline silicon half-cut-cells in a bifacial dual-glass construction. The design, technology, warranty periods and performance specifications of this module are similar to other commercially available modules, however, we believe the Trina TSM-DEG21C.20 will have better field performance than those modules.
The Trina TSM-NE09RC.05 module uses 144 monocrystalline silicon third-cut cells in a monofacial glass/backsheet construction. This module also has similar design, technology, warranty periods and performance specifications to that of other commercially available modules present in the market, however, we believe the field performance will exceed other TOPCon modules in the market.
Markets and Customers
Solar power has emerged as one of the fastest growing subsegments of the U.S. energy sector in recent years as the total cost to deploy utility, C&I and residential systems has declined. U.S electricity demand growth is expected to accelerate in the near to medium term, driving demand for all forms of power, including solar energy. We are exclusively focusing our commercial strategy on the U.S. solar market, which exhibits strong industry fundamentals, including the emergence of power intensive technologies such as artificial intelligence and crypto-currencies, supportive public policy that insulates the U.S. from global solar equipment market volatility, and robust customer demand for high domestic content solar equipment.
The favorable underlying growth drivers of U.S. solar demand are expected to persist over the next several years, with more than 40 GWdc of annual installations forecast through 2030 across the U.S. utility-scale, C&I and residential sectors. We are supplying the U.S. solar market with PV solar modules, and we plan to expand into domestic solar cell production with the development of G2 Austin. We believe we are well positioned to address growing demand for U.S. solar power by establishing an integrated solar plus storage business based on advanced manufacturing technologies. As of late 2024, over a third of all active interconnection requests across the U.S. power grid were tied to solar plus storage projects. We are focused on addressing this commercial opportunity and establishing a competitive advantage by becoming the first U.S. company to produce and offer turnkey U.S. produced solar and battery solutions to U.S. utility and project development customers with domestically manufactured technologies.
We sell our PV solar modules to utility-scale developers, C&I and residential end users. The flexibility of our U.S. solar module facility, G1 Dallas, enables us to change our mix of production across Trina’s leading edge technologies and end user applications to optimize product sales in accordance with market dynamics and customer demand patterns. We intend to apply this customer focused approach to develop strategic partnerships with key customers as we pursue vertical integration beyond the G1 Dallas platform in the United States.
Research & Development and Technology
On December 23, 2024, we signed an IP license agreement with Trina Solar Co., Ltd., a company incorporated in China (“TCZ”). This agreement allows us to:
1.Manufacture PV solar modules and solar cells at G1 Dallas or any other approved facility owned by our subsidiary, Trina Solar US Manufacturing Module 1, LLC (“TUM 1”), in the United States.
2.Use the licensed software necessary for operating our solar module manufacturing facility.
These licenses give us the right to make, distribute, and sell the solar products in the United States, operate the approved facilities, and receive services from TCZ or its affiliates as outlined in the commercial agreements with Trina. For the first two years, subject to certain limitations, TUM 1 and its approved subsidiaries will be the only manufacturers of TCZ solar modules in the United States.
Additionally, TCZ will handle patent-related tasks, including filing, prosecuting, and maintaining patents, and will cover the associated costs.
The IP license agreement initially lasts for five years, but we can choose to extend it for additional five-year periods.
Commercial Agreements
Module Operational Support Agreement
On December 23, 2024, we signed an agreement with Trina Solar (U.S.), Inc., a Delaware corporation (“TUS”), to support the operations of our solar module manufacturing facility (“Module Operational Support Agreement”).
Under the Module Operational Support Agreement, TUS will provide various services including advisory, technical support, manufacturing quality and risk management, smart manufacturing systems, equipment operation and maintenance, training, warehouse management and logistics. We will handle all other aspects of managing and operating the solar module manufacturing facility, including strategic planning, financial management, manufacturing, quality controls, maintenance, human resources, and managing contracts and vendors.
In return for their services, we will pay TUS an annual fee that is 5% of adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) of TUM 1 or the combined adjusted EBITDA of TUM 1 and Trina Solar US Manufacturing Cell 1, LLC (“TUM 2)”, as applicable, for the relevant year. The calculation of adjusted EBITDA is calculated after deducting the general and administrative allocation (the “G&A allocation”) and all costs outlined in the commercial agreements with Trina. The G&A allocation will be $8 million until a final investment decision is made for the solar cell manufacturing facility owned by TUM 2, after which it will increase to $15 million. Additionally, we will reimburse TUS and its affiliates for any costs and expenses they incur while providing these services.
This agreement will remain in effect until the later of either the fifth anniversary of the effective date or the date when all obligations under the Credit Agreement (as defined below) are fully repaid or discharged.
Sales Agency and Aftermarket Services Agreement
On December 23, 2024, TUM 1 signed a sales agency and aftermarket services agreement with TUS pursuant to which TUS will handle the marketing and sales of solar energy modules made by or for TUM 1. These modules will be branded with trademarks licensed under a separate agreement between TCZ and TUM 1, effective from July 16, 2024.
Under this agreement, TCZ will provide product warranties for all the PV solar modules sold. TUS will also offer support services to customers in the U.S. who buy these modules. This includes managing a call center for customer complaints, handling returns and resolving warranty claims.
For the marketing and sales services, TUS will earn commissions based on the following:
1.For the first 1.5 GWs of production capacity: $0.02 per watt if the solar cells are sourced from outside the United States and $0.035 per watt if the solar cells are sourced from within the United States.
2.For any additional production capacity:
a.2% of the sales price;
b.An additional 50% of the sales price exceeding a target price (with a 20% margin); and
c.A bonus of 5% of the higher of: adjusted EBITDA as defined above of TUM or 60% of the combined adjusted EBITDA of TUM 1 and TUM 2.
3.For the warranty and aftermarket support services, TUS will receive 1% of the sales price.
The total amount we owe under this agreement under (1) parts (i) and (ii) above of the commission under the marketing and sales services in the sales agency and aftermarket services, (2) certain amounts due under the IP license agreement between TCZ and TUM 1 dated July 16, 2024, as amended by an amendment dated December 23, 2024 and (3) certain amounts due under an amended and restated trademark license agreement, dated December 23, 2024, between TUS and TUM1, will not exceed $200 million per year. This agreement will remain in effect until the later of either the fifth anniversary of the effective date or the date when all obligations under the Credit Agreement are fully repaid or discharged.
Suppliers
We are executing a plan to establish and integrate a U.S. solar equipment supply chain with product offerings. We expect that it will take years to fully develop a U.S. supply chain and manufacturing operation encompassing every step from raw materials procurement through final product sales to our utility scale, C&I and residential customers. In the interim, we are sourcing poly silicon, the key raw material in solar equipment production, from the United States, which we believe is a point of competitive differentiation. For more information relating to our suppliers, see the risk factor “Several of our key raw materials and components are either single-sourced or sourced from a limited number of suppliers, and their failure to perform could cause manufacturing delays and impair our ability to deliver PV solar modules to customers in the required quality and quantities and at a price that is profitable to us.”
Sustainable Development
We are committed to operating responsibly, sustainably and profitably. As a solar energy equipment manufacturer, our business and strategy are intrinsically linked to environmental stewardship; and our corporate philosophy is to collaborate with our partners, customers and suppliers to serve the communities in which we work.
We are committed to integrating best practices with several aspects of our business and strategy, including financial discipline, responsible environmental management, health and safety, human rights, technology implementation, supply chain management, and corporate governance standards.
Our mission, which is to build an integrated U.S. solar and energy storage leader, is intended to accelerate the ongoing global transition to cost competitive and sustainable energy. As we grow our manufacturing footprint in the United States, we will continue to explore and pursue options to ensure that our supply chain and operations are resilient and responsible.
The pillars of our sustainable development strategy are as follows:
•Product Technology - The high performance of our PV solar modules enable us to deliver a highly energy efficient and competitive solution to our customers, reducing overall system costs and energy usage. Additionally, our commercial partnerships give us access to advances in product technology through Trina’s robust global research and development program. By being on the leading-edge of PV technology, we expect to continue to enhance the sustainability of our operations and finished products, driving greater energy efficiency, lower emissions, and lower costs.
•Strong Corporate Governance - We are committed to instituting best-practice governance policies and procedures to support sustainable value creation. Honesty, integrity, fairness, and respect should be exhibited in all of our business dealings. We promote transparency and accountability in our business practices. To this end, we have implemented policies and procedures including an Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy, a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and a Supplier Code of Conduct. We also have a Whistleblower Program to allow confidential reporting of violations of our policies.
•Human Rights/Health and Safety - We are committed to safeguarding human and labor rights, providing appropriate working conditions and workplace safety training, and protecting the health and safety of our employees. Our Human Rights Policy underscores our commitment to our workforce and extends to our contractors, suppliers, and partners. We work to ensure that our employees receive training to work in a safe and secure manner and provide the equipment necessary to conduct the work safely.
Employees and Human Capital
Our people are vital to our success as an organization and to our ability to implement our long-term goals and objectives. Our human capital goals include ensuring that we have the right talent, in the right place, and at the right time.
We have designed a compensation structure, including an array of benefit plans and programs, that we believe is attractive to prospective employees and supports the retention of existing employees. We also offer share-based compensation under our long-term incentive program to certain employees.
We have a diversified and experienced management team with relevant international experience. The team combines strategic partnership, solar, and battery expertise, execution track-record from large scale industry and renewable energy projects.
As of December 31, 2024, we had 328 employees, substantially all of which were full time.
Potential Manufacturing Site Updates
Georgia Land
We owned 368 acres of land in Coweta County, Georgia. We entered into a binding agreement to sell the land in January 2025 and the sale was completed in February 2025 with gross sales proceeds of $50.0 million, and net proceeds totaling $22.5 million following the repayment of previously received state and local grants.
European Assets
Under the terms of the Transaction Agreement, within six months of closing, we agreed to use reasonable efforts to dispose, divest, transfer or otherwise sell the assets and operations that constitute our European business.
Customer Qualification Plant (“CQP”) and 24M License and Technology
The 13,000 square meter CQP facility is located in Mo i Rana, Norway, and houses the equipment for the initial planned production line and a battery testing center. After the Transaction Agreement, we suspended operations of the CQP.
We previously held licenses with 24M Technologies (“24M”), which provided, among other things, rights to manufacture, assemble, test, operate and service SemiSolidTM battery cells and modules. As part of the termination of the 24M license, we agreed to (i) pay a service payment of $3.0 million to 24M and (ii) grant 24M an irrevocable redemption right to all our 24M preferred stock for $1.00. The redemption is expected to occur in the first half of 2025. We do not have any further cash obligations.
Giga Arctic
In June 2022, prior to the passage of the IRA, we formally sanctioned the construction of Giga Arctic, a 120,000 square meter gigafactory in Mo i Rana, Norway. In 2023, we substantially completed groundworks and certain foundation structures, erected, secured and weatherized the initial building which is 86,000 square meters, and then suspended work on the planned gigafactory.
Competitive Landscape
The U.S. solar market is subject to distinct supply-demand dynamics due to trade policies, including tariffs, duties, and tax credits that are intended to enhance the economic competitiveness of domestic suppliers such as T1. Against this policy backdrop, U.S. solar module and cell manufacturing capacity is expanding, driven by aspirations to capture production tax credits available under the IRA. Announced U.S. solar module capacity expansions could exceed projected installations by year-end 2025 according to some forecasts, while the U.S. solar cell market is still likely to rely upon imports to meet expected demand in 2025 and beyond. We intend to capitalize on this shortfall of domestic U.S. solar cell production with our planned solar cell manufacturing facility.
Our competitors in the U.S. solar manufacturing market include established and emerging solar equipment manufacturers, the largest of which are First Solar (FSLR), Canadian Solar (CSIQ), JinkoSolar (JKS), and Hanwha Qcells. Of these, only First Solar and Hanwha Qcells have established significant solar cell production capacity in the United States. We have selected G2 Austin as the site for our first U.S. solar cell manufacturing facility, which is the next step in our strategic plan to establish a vertically integrated U.S. solar supply chain.
Our commercial partnership in the United States with Trina Solar, which is one of the world’s largest solar equipment manufacturers, is expected to be a source of competitive strength. Trina Solar brings an established U.S. commercial presence with key customers, developed global supply chains, and advanced technology. The collaboration is supported by a comprehensive strategic plan to build upon the manufacturing platform at G1 Dallas by growing U.S. supply chains, including planned future U.S. solar cell and wafer production. In addition, our commitment to invest in U.S. manufacturing is expected enhance domestic solar technical know how and drive job creation for the communities in which we operate.
Government Regulation and Incentives
We are subject to government regulations and compliance with various laws and business practices in federal, state and local jurisdictions in the United States, as well as in multiple jurisdictions internationally. These laws and regulations include, but are not limited to, those related to general corporate regulations, health and safety, and industry-specific compliance.
We are also subject to certain workplace safety requirements, such as the Occupational Health and Safety Administration in the United States and the Norwegian health, safety and environment requirements in Norway. We will also
be subject to health and safety regulations specifically applicable to our business, for instance in relation to the handling of high voltage electricity in production facilities, chemicals and materials handling, and explosion hazards.
Industry specific regulations, including those related to the manufacture, transportation, use, and ultimate disposition of PV solar modules are a changing area of compliance. Industry specific regulations may apply to our activities on a company-wide basis or in specific jurisdictions.
Many states have enacted legislation adopting Renewable Portfolio Standard (“RPS”) mechanisms. Under an RPS, regulated utilities and other load serving entities are required to procure a specified percentage of their total retail electricity sales to end-user customers from eligible renewable resources, such as solar energy generation facilities, by a specified date. RPS mechanisms and other legislation vary significantly from state to state, particularly with respect to the percentage of renewable energy required to achieve the state’s RPS, the definition of eligible renewable energy resources, and the extent to which renewable energy credits qualify for RPS compliance.
We are committed to complying with all relevant laws and regulations for our business and operations.
Government Incentives
In the United States, support programs exist at both the federal and state levels and can take the form of investment and production tax credits, sales and property tax exemptions and abatements, and/or renewable energy targets. Certain of these incentives, including the advanced manufacturing production credit under Section 45X of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”), are available to manufacturers of PV solar modules, such as FREYR. Other incentives, including the production and investment tax credits under Sections 45, 45Y, 48 and 48E of the IRC, are available to certain end-users of FREYR’s products. Aspects of these and other incentives are discussed below:
•Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit. In August 2022, the IRA was signed into law, and is intended to accelerate the United States’ ongoing transition to clean energy. The IRA offers various tax credits, including the advanced manufacturing production credit, pursuant to Section 45X of the IRC, for PV solar modules and certain solar module components manufactured in the United States and sold to unrelated persons. Such credit, which may be refundable by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or transferable to a third party for cash, is available through 2032, subject to phase down beginning in 2030. For eligible components, the credit is equal to (i) $12 per square meter for a PV wafer, (ii) 4 cents multiplied by the capacity of a PV cell, and (iii) 7 cents multiplied by the capacity of a PV module. Such credit is expected to increase domestic manufacturing of PV solar modules and solar module components in the near term. For more information about certain risks associated with the benefits available to us under the IRA, see Item 1A. “Risk Factors – We expect certain financial benefits as a result of tax incentives provided by the IRA. If these expected financial benefits vary significantly from our assumptions, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.”
•Investment and Production Tax Credits. Certain end-users of FREYR’s products may be eligible for the federal energy investment tax credit (“ITC”) under Sections 48 or 48E of the IRC, which provides an up-front tax credit for newly constructed clean energy projects that meet certain requirements and have commenced construction by a certain date. Similarly, certain end-users of FREYR’s products may be eligible for the renewable electricity production tax credit (“PTC”) under Sections 45 and 45Y of the IRC, which provides a tax credit for electricity generated by solar and other qualifying technologies for the first 10 years of a system’s operations. Both the ITC and PTC are available until a four-year phase down is triggered, which occurs no earlier than 2032. The IRA includes a tax credit adder, known as the domestic content bonus credit, for the use of “domestic content” for certain renewable energy projects that qualify for PTCs and ITCs.
•Renewable Portfolio Standards. Many states have enacted legislation adopting Renewable Portfolio Standard (“RPS”) mechanisms. Under an RPS, regulated utilities and other load serving entities are required to procure a specified percentage of their total retail electricity sales to end-user customers from eligible renewable resources, such as solar energy generation facilities, by a specified date. RPS mechanisms and other legislation vary significantly from state to state, particularly with respect to the percentage of renewable energy required to achieve the state’s RPS, the definition of eligible renewable energy resources, and the extent to which renewable energy credits qualify for RPS compliance.
•Domestic Content Bonus Credit. The IRA includes a 10% tax credit adder, known as the domestic content bonus credit, for the use of “domestic content” for certain renewable energy projects that qualify for PTCs and ITCs. To satisfy the domestic content bonus criteria, taxpayers must construct a project with 100% U.S. content steel and iron (the steel or iron requirement) and incorporate the appropriate “adjusted percentage” of domestically manufactured products (the manufactured products requirement). The adjusted percentage for projects that begin construction in 2024 is 40% (20% for offshore wind), which increases to 55% for projects that begin construction after 2026 (after 2027 for offshore wind). The applicable percentage applies to the percentage of the energy project’s direct cost of manufactured products that are manufactured in the United States.
The credits under Sections 45X, 48, 48E, 45 and 45Y of the IRC, as well as the domestic content adder, are generally available under current law. However, various proposed and contemplated environmental and tax policies may create regulatory uncertainty in the renewable energy sector, including the solar energy sector, and may lead to a reduction or removal of various clean energy programs and initiatives designed to curtail climate change. For more information about the risks associated with these potential government actions, see Item 1A. “Risk Factors – The reduction, elimination, or
expiration of government subsidies and economic incentives, tax incentives could reduce demand for PV solar modules and harm our business.”
Corporate Information
On January 29, 2021, FREYR AS, a private limited liability company organized under the laws of Norway (“FREYR Legacy”) and Alussa Energy Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“Alussa”), among others, entered into the Business Combination Agreement to effect a merger between the companies (the “Alussa Business Combination”). FREYR Battery, a Luxembourg public limited liability company (“société anonyme”) (“FREYR Lux”) was formed on January 20, 2021, to complete the Alussa Business Combination and to serve as the successor entity to FREYR Legacy, the predecessor entity. On July 9, 2021, FREYR Lux completed the Alussa Business Combination and FREYR Legacy and Alussa became wholly owned subsidiaries of FREYR Lux. In 2023, FREYR Lux completed a redomiciliation plan and FREYR Battery, Inc. (“FREYR”) became the successor issuer to FREYR Lux. In February 2025, we changed our corporate name from FREYR Battery, Inc. to T1 Energy Inc.
Our common stock and warrants are currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbols “TE” and “TE WS”, respectively. Our principal executive offices are located at 1211 E 4th St., Austin, Texas 78702, and our telephone number is (409) 599-5706.
Available Information
Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports are available free of charge on the investor section of our Company website at https://www.T1energy.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.
Website addresses referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are not intended to function as hyperlinks, and the information contained on our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other report or documents we file with or furnish to the SEC.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Summary of Risk Factors
The following summarizes the significant factors, events, and uncertainties that could create risk with an investment in our securities. The events and consequences discussed in these risk factors could, in circumstances we may not be able to accurately predict, recognize, or control, have a material adverse effect on our business, growth, strategy, financial condition, operating results, cash flows, liquidity, and stock price. These risk factors are not exhaustive and do not identify all risks that we face; our operations could also be affected by factors, events, or uncertainties that are not presently known to us or that we currently do not consider as presenting significant risks to our operations, or which we currently deem immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
•Our ability to successfully integrate the businesses and operations of us and Trina;
•Our ability to construct and equip manufacturing facilities in a timely and cost-effective manner;
•The concentration of our operations in Texas;
•Our dependence on a limited number of suppliers;
•Interruption of the flow of components and materials from international vendors;
•The costs of raw materials, components, equipment, and machinery;
•Our ability to target and retain customers and suppliers;
•Damage, failure, or interruption of our information technology systems, including due to cyber-based attacks and breaches;
•The approval of certain aspects of the Trina Business Combination by CFIUS (as defined below);
•General economic and geopolitical conditions;
•Our ability to attract and retain key employees and qualified personnel;
•Our ability to protect our intellectual property;
•The outcome of any legal proceedings relating to our products and services, including intellectual property or product liability claims;
•Changes in applicable laws or regulations, including environmental and export control laws;
•Our ability to comply with legal and environmental regulations;
•Competition in solar markets globally and across the solar value chain;
•The availability of tax incentives provided by the IRA;
•Commercial or contractual disputes, warranty claims, and other legal proceedings;
•The substantial regulation to which we are subject;
•Our ability to compete in international markets in light of export and import controls;
•The safety and environmental risks inherent to our worksites;
•The impact of international trade policies, including tariffs, on our products and our competitive position;
•Our indebtedness and our ability to service our debt;
•The capital-intensive nature of our business and our ability to raise additional capital on attractive terms;
•Our ability to incur substantially more debt;
•Our capital, organizational, and ownership structure; and
•Whether and when we might pay dividends.
Risks Relating to Operations, Development and Commercialization
The failure to integrate successfully the businesses and operations of us and Trina in the expected time frame may adversely affect our future results.
Prior to the completion of the Trina Business Combination, we operated independently from Trina. There can be no assurances that our respective businesses can be integrated successfully. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of our key employees or key Trina employees; the loss of customers; the disruption of either company’s or both companies’ ongoing businesses; inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies; unexpected integration issues; higher than expected integration costs; and an overall post-completion integration process that takes longer than originally anticipated. In addition, due to the integration process, customers may be slow to award new business to us or may not award new business to us at all. Specifically, the following issues, among others, must be addressed in integrating the operations of the Company and Trina in order to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition so we perform as expected:
•combining the companies’ operations and corporate functions;
•combining the Trina businesses with our business and meeting our capital requirements in a manner that permits us to achieve the synergies and other benefits we anticipate from the acquisition;
•successfully obtaining all necessary visas, work permits and other employment-related documentation for foreign nationals employed by Trina who will provide services to G1 Dallas;
•integrating the companies’ personnel, technologies, systems and processes;
•integrating and unifying the offerings and services available to customers;
•identifying and eliminating redundant and underperforming functions and assets;
•harmonizing the companies’ operating practices, employee development and compensation programs, internal controls and other policies, procedures and processes;
•maintaining existing agreements with customers, distributors, providers and vendors, and avoiding delays in entering into new agreements with prospective customers, distributors, providers and vendors;
•addressing possible differences in business backgrounds, corporate cultures and management philosophies;
•consolidating the companies’ administrative and information technology infrastructure;
•coordinating distribution and sales and marketing efforts;
•coordinating geographically dispersed organizations; and
•effecting actions that may be required in connection with obtaining regulatory approvals.
In addition, at times the attention of certain members of either company’s or both companies’ management teams and resources may be focused on completion of the acquisition and the integration of the businesses of the two companies and diverted from day-to-day business operations, which may disrupt each company’s ongoing business. Furthermore, integrating certain members of management team of Trina into our management team could require the reconciliation of differing
priorities and philosophies. As a result of the integration of the acquisition, significant demands will be placed on the managerial, financial and other personnel and systems of the Company and Trina. We and Trina cannot assure you that our systems, procedures and controls will be adequate to support the transition and integration of operations following and resulting from the acquisition.
Our success depends in part on the ability to construct and equip manufacturing facilities in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Our ability to plan, construct and equip manufacturing facilities, including G2 Austin, is subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The construction of manufacturing facilities is subject to the risks and uncertainties inherent in any construction project particularly in the development and construction of new facilities, including risks of delays and cost overruns, which we have experienced in the past. Additionally, manufacturing equipment may take longer and cost more to engineer, build, and install than expected, and may not operate as required to meet our production plans.
The development phase of the manufacturing facilities includes obtaining several consents, commercial agreements, permits, and licenses from relevant authorities and stakeholders to secure rights for construction and operation activities, and of which could be delayed or denied, negatively impacting construction timeframes and cost estimates. We also depend on third-party relationships in the development and construction of production equipment, which may subject us to the risk that such third parties do not fulfill their obligations.
If we are unable to build our manufacturing facilities, we will be unable to operate our business as expected. If the demand for our production output is not as expected, our constructed manufacturing facilities may have capacity significantly in excess of the demand for our products, resulting in a higher cost per unit.
Additionally, because our industry is capital intensive and we have significant fixed and semi-fixed costs, our profitability is sensitive to material changes in volume. The property, plant and equipment needed to manufacture products for our customers and provide our processes and solutions can be very expensive. We must spend a substantial amount of capital to purchase and maintain such property, plant and equipment. Although we believe our current cash balance, along with our projected internal cash flows and available financing sources, will provide sufficient cash to support our currently anticipated operating and capital needs, if we are unable to generate sufficient cash or secure financing to purchase and maintain the property, plant and equipment necessary to operate our business, we may be required to reduce or delay planned capital expenditures or to incur additional indebtedness.
The inability to construct and equip our manufacturing facilities in a timely or cost-effective manner or any significant excess of production capacity over product demand, including the impact of factors both within and outside of our control, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.
Our planned manufacturing plants, facilities, systems, and infrastructure are subject to risks that could result in these facilities not becoming operable on schedule, or at all, or becoming damaged or destroyed, resulting in disruptions to production.
G1 Dallas is under a lease. The construction of the plant, or other plants or facilities constructed in the future, and its related systems and infrastructure may be halted, damaged, or rendered uninhabitable or inoperable, by natural or man-made disasters, including earthquakes, fire, flood, hurricanes, power outages, telecommunications failures, break-ins, political conflicts, war, riots, terrorist attacks, and health epidemics or pandemics. Any of the foregoing events may give rise to interruptions, breakdowns, system failures, technology platform failures, or internet failures, which could adversely affect our ability to manufacture PV solar modules and could cause the loss or corruption of data or malfunctions of software or hardware.
The plant and equipment we will use to manufacture the PV solar modules would be costly to repair, replace, or qualify for use, all of which could require substantial lead time.
The inability to produce PV solar modules or the backlog that could develop if a manufacturing plant or facility is inoperable for any length of time may result in the loss of customers or harm our reputation.
Any delays in the construction or equipping of a manufacturing plant or any damage or destruction to a plant could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.
We have had a history of losses and may incur future losses, which may prevent us from attaining profitability.
We have incurred significant net losses since inception. Our net losses were approximately $450.6 million and $73.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of $725.2 million. We may continue to incur significant losses in the future for a number of reasons, including post-Business Combination integration costs, unforeseen expenses, delays and other unknown events.
We anticipate that our operating expenses will increase substantially in the foreseeable future as we undertake to integrate the acquired Trina assets, incur expenses associated with maintaining compliance as a public company and increase production, marketing and sales efforts to increase our customer base. These increased expenditures may make it more difficult to achieve and maintain profitability, despite revenue-generating activity following the Trina Business Combination. In addition, our efforts to develop our solar business may be more expensive than we expect, and we may not be able to generate sufficient revenue to offset increased operating expenses. If we are required to reduce our expenses, our solar
business strategy could be materially affected. We will need to generate and sustain significant revenue levels in future periods in order to become profitable, and, even if we do, we may not be able to maintain or increase our level of profitability.
Our business is concentrated in certain markets including Texas, putting us at risk of region-specific disruptions.
As of December 31, 2024, a substantial portion of our manufacturing facilities and installations were in Texas and we expect much of our near-term future growth to occur in Texas, further concentrating our operational infrastructure. Accordingly, our business and results of operations are particularly susceptible to adverse economic, regulatory, political, weather and other conditions in this market and in other markets that may become similarly concentrated. We may not have adequate insurance, including business interruption insurance, to compensate for losses that may occur from any such significant events. A significant natural disaster in Texas could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. To the extent that any of these disruptions results in delays or cancellations of installations or the deployment of solar service offerings, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be adversely affected.
Our growth strategy depends on the widespread adoption of solar power technology.
The distributed solar energy market is at a relatively early stage of development in comparison to fossil fuel-based electricity generation. If additional demand for distributed solar energy systems fails to develop sufficiently or takes longer to develop than we anticipate, we may be unable to originate additional solar service agreements and related solar energy systems and energy storage systems to grow our business. In addition, demand for solar energy systems and energy storage systems in our targeted markets may not develop to the extent we anticipate. As a result, we may be unsuccessful in broadening our customer base through origination of solar service agreements and related solar energy systems and energy storage systems within our current markets or in new markets we may enter.
Many factors may affect the demand for solar energy systems, including, but not limited to, the following:
•the availability, substance and magnitude of solar support programs including government targets, subsidies, incentives and renewable portfolio standards;
•the relative pricing of other conventional and non-renewable energy sources, such as natural gas, coal, oil and other fossil fuels, wind, utility-scale solar, nuclear, geothermal and biomass;
•performance, reliability and availability of energy generated by solar energy systems compared to conventional and other non-solar renewable energy sources;
•availability and performance of energy storage technology, the ability to implement such technology for use in conjunction with solar energy systems and the cost competitiveness such technology provides to customers as compared to costs for those customers reliant on the conventional electrical grid; and
•general economic conditions and the level of interest rates.
The solar energy industry is constantly evolving, which makes it difficult to evaluate our prospects. We cannot be certain if historical growth rates reflect future opportunities or our anticipated growth will be realized. The failure of distributed solar energy to achieve, or it being significantly delayed in achieving, widespread adoption could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Several of our key raw materials and components are either single-sourced or sourced from a limited number of suppliers, and their failure to perform could cause manufacturing delays and impair our ability to deliver PV solar modules to customers in the required quality and quantities and at a price that is profitable to us.
We have a limited number of suppliers for our products and manufacturing facilities. Our failure to obtain raw materials and components that meet our quality, quantity, and cost requirements in a timely manner could interrupt or impair our ability to manufacture our solar modules or increase our manufacturing costs. As a result, the failure of our current suppliers or any of our future suppliers to perform or any disruption to their respective supply chain operations could interfere with our supply chain and adversely impact our operations. We may be unable to identify new suppliers or qualify their products for use on our production lines in a timely manner and on commercially reasonable terms. A constraint on our production may result in our inability to meet our capacity plans and/or our obligations under our customer contracts, which would have an adverse impact on our business. Additionally, reductions in our production volume may put pressure on suppliers, resulting in increased material and component costs. If we are not able to obtain the raw materials required for us to manufacture solar modules, our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.
The interruption of the flow of components and materials from international vendors could disrupt our supply chain, including as a result of the imposition of additional duties, tariffs and other charges on imports and exports.
We purchase our components through arrangements with various suppliers located across the globe. We depend on our suppliers to source materials and manufacture critical components for our products. Our reliance on these suppliers makes us vulnerable to possible capacity constraints and reduced control over component availability, delivery schedules and costs which could disrupt our ability to procure these components in a timely and cost-efficient manner. The suppliers rely on other
suppliers to provide them with raw materials and sub-components that are critical to manufacturing the components of our tracker products. Any shortages of components and materials would affect our ability to timely deliver our products to our customers consistent with our contractual obligations, which may result in liquidated damages or contractual disputes with our customers, harm our reputation and lead to a decrease in demand for our products.
Our ability to deliver our products in a cost-efficient manner could be adversely impacted by other factors not within our control, including, but not limited to, shortages in available cargo capacity, changes by carriers and transportation companies in policies and practices such as scheduling, pricing, payment terms and frequency of service, increases in the cost of fuel, sanctions and labor availability and cost.
In addition, the IRA provides incremental tax credits for U.S. solar projects satisfying certain domestic content requirements. While the impact of these requirements on us will remain unclear pending the release of implementing regulations, if we are unable to provide our products in a manner that satisfies applicable domestic content requirements and our competitors are able to do so, we might experience a decline in sales for U.S. projects. In addition, compliance with these requirements may increase our production costs. In light of the foregoing, our U.S. sales, profitability and results of operations in the United States may be adversely affected by the applicable domestic content requirements which must be satisfied in order for solar projects to be eligible for these incremental credits.
Other events that could also cause disruptions to our supply chain include:
•the imposition of additional trade law provisions or regulations;
•the imposition of additional duties, tariffs and other charges or quotas on imports and exports, or other trade law provisions or regulations including those proposed by the new presidential administration, such as anti-dumping and countervailing duties, and our ability to pass along such charges to our customers;
•foreign currency fluctuations;
•inflationary pressure and its impact on labor, commodities and fuel prices;
•natural disasters, severe weather, political instability, war, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict or geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, terrorist attacks, social unrest and economic instability in the regions in which our suppliers are located, or through which our components and materials travel;
•shipping and transport disruptions;
•public health issues and epidemic diseases, and their effects (including measures taken by governmental authorities in response to their effects);
•theft or other loss;
•restrictions on the transfer of funds;
•the financial instability or bankruptcy of vendors; and
•significant labor disputes, strikes, work stoppages or boycotts.
Any significant disruption to our ability to procure our products, and our suppliers’ ability to procure materials to manufacture our products and components for our products could increase the cost or reduce or delay the supply of components and materials available to us and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and profitability. Further, if any of our suppliers were unable or unwilling to manufacture the components that we require for our products in sufficient volumes and at high-quality levels or renew existing terms under supply agreements, we would need to identify, qualify and select acceptable alternative suppliers. An alternative supplier may not be available to us when needed or may not be in a position to satisfy our quality or production requirements on commercially reasonable terms, including price. Any significant interruption in manufacturing by our suppliers would require us to reduce our supply of products to our customers or increase our shipping costs to make up for such delays, which in turn could reduce our revenues and margins, harm our relationships with our customers, damage our reputation with other stakeholders involved with solar projects and cause us to forego potential revenue opportunities.
We may be unable to adequately control the costs or adjust to substantial increases in the prices for raw materials, components, equipment, and machinery.
We are exposed to multiple risks relating to the availability and pricing of raw materials and components. We have incurred and expect to continue to incur, significant costs related to procuring components and materials required to manufacture and assemble our PV modules. We expect to use various expensive and difficult-to-source materials in our manufacturing. We may not be able to control fluctuation in the prices for these materials or negotiate agreements with suppliers on terms that are beneficial to us. Inflation, increases in building material costs, changing exchange rates, and other factors have impacted our expenses in the past. In the future, currency fluctuations, trade barriers, tariffs, shortages and other general economic or political conditions may limit our ability to obtain key components for our PV solar modules or significantly increase freight charges, raw material costs and other expenses associated with our business. Additionally, our
business model, brand, and reputation depend in part on the ability to find ethically sourced materials, which could further increase prices.
Manufacturing of PV solar modules is a capital-intensive process that requires a significant investment in buildings, equipment, and components of the manufacturing process. Investment in high-tech equipment could allow us to be more flexible in responding to customer needs and specifications and could allow for more efficient manufacturing operations, however, such equipment can be expensive to purchase, install, and maintain. The cost of purchasing or constructing manufacturing operations is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties both within and beyond our ability to control. These risks include, but are not limited to, inflationary pressures on costs, increased commodity pricing for building materials such as steel, and increased global logistics costs.
Substantial increases in the prices for our raw materials or components could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.
A drop in the price of electricity sold may harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Decreases in the price of electricity, whether in organized electric markets or with contract counterparties, may negatively impact the owners of the solar energy projects or make the purchase of solar energy systems less economically attractive and would likely lower future sales of our products. The price of electricity could decrease as a result of:
•construction of a significant number of new, lower-cost power generation plants, including plants utilizing natural gas, renewable energy or other generation technologies;
•relief of transmission constraints that enable distant, lower-cost generation to transmit energy less expensively or in greater quantities;
•reductions in the price of natural gas or other fuels;
•utility rate adjustment and customer class cost reallocation;
•decreased electricity demand, including from energy conservation technologies and public initiatives to reduce electricity consumption;
•development of smart-grid technologies that lower the peak energy requirements;
•development of new or lower-cost customer-sited energy storage technologies that have the ability to reduce a customer’s average cost of electricity by shifting load to off-peak times; and
•development of new energy generation technologies that provide less expensive energy.
If the cost of electricity generated by solar energy installations incorporating our systems is high relative to the cost of electricity from other sources, then our business, financial condition and results of operations may be harmed.
Our expected use of joint ventures and other collaborative arrangements subjects us to various risks and uncertainties.
We have in the past entered into, and anticipate in the future entering into, joint ventures or other collaboration arrangements with various partners with expertise in raw material supply, component manufacturing and other synergistic proficiencies. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to consummate such joint ventures or other arrangements or that such arrangements will provide the expected benefits to us. Joint venture arrangements have in the past and may in the future require us, among other things, to pay certain costs, make certain capital investments, or seek the joint venture partner’s consent to take certain actions. In addition, if a joint venture partner is unable or unwilling to meet its economic or other obligations under the joint venture arrangements, we may be required to either fulfill those obligations alone or dissolve and liquidate the joint venture. As a result, such joint ventures and collaborative arrangements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.
The loss of any of our customers, or the inability of our customers and counterparties to perform under their contracts with us, could significantly reduce our net sales and negatively impact our results of operations.
The loss of any of our large customers, their inability to perform under their contracts, or their default in payment could significantly reduce our net sales and/or adversely impact our operating results. While our contracts with customers typically have certain firm purchase commitments and may include provisions for the payment of amounts to us in certain events of contract termination, these contracts may be subject to amendments made by us or requested by our customers. These amendments may reduce the volume of PV solar modules to be sold under the contract, adjust delivery schedules, or otherwise decrease the expected revenue under these contracts. We may be unable, in whole or in part, to reallocate modules to other customers on similar terms or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, and cash flows. We may also require some form of payment security from our customers, such as cash deposits, parent guarantees, bank guarantees, surety bonds, or commercial letters of credit, however, in the event the providers of such payment security fail to perform their obligations, our operating results could be adversely impacted.
Our corporate structure and our subsidiaries are incorporated in several jurisdictions which are subject to tax risk from local tax laws and regulations.
Our business plan includes operations in various international markets, including the United States, Norway, and Europe. Conducting and launching operations on an international scale requires close coordination of activities across multiple jurisdictions, time zones, currencies, and legal systems, which consumes significant management resources. International sales and operations entail a variety of risks, including challenges in:
•staffing and managing foreign operations;
•complying with local laws, regulatory requirements, and business practices;
•protecting or procuring intellectual property rights;
•addressing political and economic instability;
•obtaining export licenses and managing tariffs and other trade barriers; and
•addressing currency needs and exchange rate fluctuations.
Any of the above challenges could favor local companies or could result in delivery delays, significant taxes, or other burdens. If we fail to coordinate and manage these activities effectively, our business, financial condition, revenues, operating results, and cash flows could be adversely affected.
In addition, our corporate structure and our subsidiaries with entities in several jurisdictions such as the United States, Norway, Luxembourg, Finland, and the Cayman Islands, are subject to tax risk in addition to the challenges described in the risk factor “Doing business internationally creates operational, financial, and tax risks.” The expected tax treatment of us and our subsidiaries relies on current tax laws and regulations, as well as certain tax treaties between several jurisdictions. As such, unexpected changes, interpretation, application, or enforcement practices of the legislative or regulatory requirements of such tax laws, including but not limited to, changes in the treatment of sales and net income (losses) earned in various jurisdictions, transfer pricing between related parties, tax treaty protections and provisions, value added taxes, recognition of tax law principles, and other changes in corporate tax law, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, revenues, operating results, and cash flows.
Our business relies on information technology and any failure, inadequacy, interruption, or security lapse of that technology, including any cybersecurity incidents, could harm our ability to operate our business effectively.
Organized crime, government-backed threat actors, and hackers may be able to penetrate our network or systems, misappropriate or compromise our confidential information or that of third parties, create system disruptions, corrupt data, or cause shutdowns. Using different tools and methodologies the threat actors may be able to deploy malware that attacks our systems or our suppliers’ systems, or otherwise exploits any security vulnerabilities of our facilities and equipment. Such vulnerabilities in our systems can also occur due to a lack of robustness, quality, integrity, and holistic architecture in the digital systems as a whole. While we employ a number of technical, organizational, and physical protective measures, these measures may in the future fail to prevent or detect all attacks on or weaknesses in our systems.
In addition, our hardware and software, including third-party components and software, may contain defects in design or manufacture, including “bugs”, security vulnerabilities, and other problems that could unexpectedly interfere with our security or operations. The costs to eliminate or mitigate cyber or other security problems, bugs, viruses, worms, malware, and security vulnerabilities could be significant and, if our efforts to address these problems are not successful, could result in interruptions, delays, cessation of service, and loss of existing or potential customers that may impede our manufacturing, sales, distribution, or other critical functions.
We manage and store various proprietary, sensitive, and confidential information and data relating to our business as well as from our suppliers and customers. Breaches of this information and data by us or any third party due to insufficient security measures, accidental loss, inadvertent disclosure, or unapproved dissemination, including incidents as a result of fraud, trickery, or other forms of deception, could expose us or our customers or suppliers to a risk of loss or misuse of this information.
Any claim that our facilities, equipment, products, or systems are subject to cybersecurity risk or data breaches, whether legitimate or not, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, revenues, operating results, and cash flows.
To the extent we experience cybersecurity incidents in the future, our relationships with our customers and suppliers may be materially impacted, our brand and reputation may be harmed and we could incur substantial costs in responding to and remediating the incidents and in resolving any investigations or disputes that may result, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, revenues, operating results, and cash flows. In addition, the cost and operational consequences of implementing and adding further data protection measures could be significant.
Cybersecurity incidents or information or security breaches, or those of third parties with which we do business, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We may face significant challenges with respect to information security as well as maintaining the security and integrity of our systems, other systems used in our business, and the data stored on or processed by these systems. Our information and data can include our or third-party confidential information, personal information, and other information and data. Because our business relies on confidential data from third parties, any compromise of that data, or the perception that any such compromise has occurred, could materially affect our business and reputation. Advances in technology, an increased level of sophistication and expertise of hackers, new discoveries in the field of cryptography, or other factors can result in a compromise or breach of the systems and security measures used in our business to protect information and data.
Our ability to conduct our business and operations depends on the continued operation of information technology and communications systems, including systems that may be acquired or developed in the future. Systems used in our business, including data centers and other information technology systems, are vulnerable to damage or interruption. Such systems could be subject to break-ins, sabotage, and intentional acts of vandalism, as well as disruptions and security incidents as a result of non-technical issues, including both intentional and inadvertent acts or omissions by employees, service providers, or others. We utilize outsourced service providers and consultants and these companies face similar security and system disruption risks as us. Some of the systems used in our business will not be fully redundant, and our disaster recovery planning cannot account for all eventualities. Any data security incidents or other disruptions to data centers or other systems used in our business could result in lengthy interruptions in its service.
Significant capital and other resources may be required in efforts to protect against information security breaches, security incidents, and system disruptions, or to alleviate problems caused by actual or suspected information security breaches and other data security incidents and system disruptions. The resources required may increase over time as the methods used by hackers and others who are engaged in online criminal activities or who seek to obtain unauthorized access to or disrupt systems and data, are increasingly sophisticated and constantly evolving. Any failure or perceived failure by us or our service providers to prevent information security breaches, security incidents, system disruptions, or any compromise of security, that results in or is perceived or reported to result in unauthorized access to, loss, theft, alteration, release, or transfer of information or data of our or third parties could harm our reputation. Such actual or perceived events could also expose us to legal claims, regulatory investigations and proceedings, fines, penalties, and other liabilities and could divert the efforts of our technical and management personnel, require us to incur significant costs to investigate or remediate, by putting in place additional tools and devices designed to prevent such incidents in the future.
Certain post-closing actions related to the Trina Business Combination may be delayed or ultimately prohibited since such acquisition may be subject to regulatory review and approval, including pursuant to foreign investment regulations and review by governmental entities such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”).
Certain investments that involve the acquisition of, or investment in, a “U.S. business” by a non-U.S. individual or entity (a “foreign person”) may be subject to review and approval by CFIUS. Whether CFIUS has jurisdiction to review an acquisition or investment transaction depends on, among other factors, the nature and structure of the transaction, the nationality of the parties, the level of beneficial ownership interest, and the nature of any information or governance rights involved.
For example, transactions that result in “control” of a U.S. business by a foreign person are subject to CFIUS jurisdiction. CFIUS also has jurisdiction to review non-“control” transactions that afford a foreign person certain information, governance, and/or access rights in a U.S. business that has a qualifying nexus to “critical technologies,” “covered investment critical infrastructure,” and/or “sensitive personal data” as those terms are defined in the CFIUS regulations. Foreign investments in U.S. businesses that deal in “critical technology” or that involve certain foreign government interests may be subject to mandatory pre-closing CFIUS filing requirements. Failure to make a CFIUS filing where one is required may subject the transacting parties to significant civil fine. The parties believe that we are not a “foreign person” as defined in 31 C.F.R. § 800.224, that Trina does not operate a TID U.S. business, as that term is defined in 31 C.F.R. § 800.248, and that CFIUS filing is neither required nor warranted. Nevertheless, CFIUS may take a different view, and determine that it has jurisdiction over the acquisition.
CFIUS may decide to investigate, delay, or block the acquisition, or impose conditions with respect to it, which may delay or prevent the parties from consummating certain post-closing actions related to the Trina Business Combination, including the consummation of the PIPE transaction and Convertible Note. Because we have only a limited time to complete such actions, our failure to obtain any approvals within the requisite time period may require us to restructure the transaction. In such event, our stockholders will miss the opportunity to benefit from the acquisition and the potential appreciation in value of such investment.
In addition, under the terms of the Transaction Agreement, within six months of closing, we are required to use reasonable efforts to dispose, divest, transfer or otherwise sell the assets and operations that constitute our European business. Our management team may devote a significant amount of time and we may incur significant costs in evaluating and completing any such disposition, which could negatively impact our operations.
Any financial or economic crisis, or perceived threat of such a crisis, could affect our business.
In recent years, the global economies suffered dramatic downturns as a result of worldwide pandemics and public health crises, a deterioration in credit markets and the related financial crisis, political conflicts and unrest, such as the regional violence in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as a variety of other factors. This has resulted in, among other impacts, inflationary pressures, increased energy prices, volatility in security prices, diminished liquidity and credit availability, and rating downgrades and declining values of certain investments. The U.S. and certain other governments have taken actions in an attempt to address and rectify these extreme market and economic conditions by providing liquidity and stability to the financial markets. The return of adverse economic conditions may negatively impact the demand for our PV solar modules and may negatively impact our ability to raise capital, on acceptable terms or at all.
If we are unable to attract and retain key employees and qualified personnel and add significant staff, it could negatively impact our ability to operate our business and achieve our growth plans.
Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain key personnel, including our executive officers, as well as qualified sales, marketing, manufacturing, plant operations, and support personnel. To build and staff our manufacturing facilities, we will need to hire, train, and retain a considerable number of qualified and experienced operators and managers. The successful integration of these operators and their families in Wilmer, Texas or in future locations will involve several challenges, including securing work permits for international employees. The failure to add and retain sufficient staffing for our plants and operations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.
Our business could be adversely affected by a failure to obtain visas or work permits or to properly verify the employment eligibility of certain Trina employees who will provide services to G1 Dallas.
We anticipate that certain Trina employees who are foreign nationals will provide services to G1 Dallas. Some of such employees’ ability to work in the United States depends on obtaining and maintaining necessary visas and work permits. Trina or we may be unable to obtain visas or work permits to bring necessary employees to the United States for any number of reasons including, among others, more stringent limits or requirements set by the new presidential administration’s U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the U.S. Department of State. Although we require all workers to provide us with government-specified documentation evidencing their employment eligibility, unauthorized workers are subject to deportation and may subject us to fines or penalties, and if any of the Trina employees are found to be unauthorized, we could experience adverse publicity that may negatively impact our reputation and may make it more difficult to hire and keep qualified employees. Termination of a significant number of unauthorized workers may disrupt our operations, cause temporary increases in our labor costs as we source and train new workers and result in adverse publicity. We could also become subject to fines, penalties and other costs related to claims that we did not fully comply with all recordkeeping obligations of federal and state immigration compliance laws. These factors could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.
Risks Relating to Our Intellectual Property
Failure to protect and enforce Trina’s material hardware and software and intellectual property rights could substantially harm our business.
The success of our business depends, in part, on our ability to protect and enforce our proprietary technology and intellectual property rights. Trina has relied on material hardware and software for various functions, including its manufacturing executing system, its warehouse management system and its quality management system. Despite Trina’s efforts to protect its proprietary technology and trade secrets, unauthorized parties may attempt to misappropriate, reverse engineer or otherwise obtain and use them. The contractual provisions that Trina enters into with employees, consultants, partners, vendors and customers may not be sufficient to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of its proprietary technology or trade secrets and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of its proprietary technology or trade secrets. Furthermore, following the Business Combination, Trina expects that it will need to provide additional support for us to successfully operate such hardware and software. If Trina encounters difficulties or interruptions in providing adequate services, then our operations and functionality may be disrupted, which could harm our business and operating results.
Monitoring and protecting against unauthorized use of Trina’s technologies, software and intellectual property is difficult, expensive and time-consuming. Trina may be unable to detect or determine the extent of any unauthorized use or infringement of its software, technologies or intellectual property rights.
From time to time, Trina may need to engage in litigation or other administrative proceedings to protect its intellectual property rights. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and could negatively affect its business and revenue. If Trina is unable to protect and enforce its intellectual property rights, our business, which partially comprises of the acquired assets operated by Trina’s material hardware and software and intellectual property, may also be adversely affected.
If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, including our licensing rights to third-party intellectual property, our business and competitive position would be harmed.
We seek to establish and protect intellectual property rights through nondisclosure and invention assignment agreements with our employees and consultants, and through nondisclosure agreements with business partners and other third
parties. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, third parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property. Monitoring unauthorized use of our intellectual property will be difficult and costly, and the steps we have taken, and will take in the future, to prevent misappropriation may not be sufficient. Any of our enforcement efforts, including litigation, could be time-consuming and expensive and could divert management’s attention. In addition, existing intellectual property laws and contractual remedies may afford less protection than needed to safeguard our intellectual property. Failure to adequately protect such intellectual property could result in competitors offering similar products, potentially resulting in the loss of our competitive advantage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, revenues, operating results, and cash flows.
We have not established or protected, and may not be able to establish, adequately protect, or prevent unauthorized use of any material intellectual property developed or owned by us. Patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secrecy laws vary significantly throughout the world. A number of countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S. or Europe. Failure to establish, adequately protect, or prevent unauthorized use of our intellectual property rights could result in our competitors using the intellectual property to offer similar products, potentially resulting in the loss of our competitive advantage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, revenues, operating results, and cash flows.
For us to establish or adequately protect our intellectual property and prevent or stop infringement, we may have to file infringement claims. Such claims can be time-consuming and costly to assert and there can be no assurance that any such claims will be successful. Policing unauthorized use of intellectual property is difficult and costly, and we may not successfully prevent the misappropriation of our proprietary rights. Unauthorized use of intellectual property may damage our reputation, decrease the value of such property, and reduce our market share.
Loss of key personnel may also create a risk that such personnel may exploit knowledge, information, and know-how to the detriment of us, and/or that we may face difficulties in operating our technology or business methods as a result of the loss of such personnel. We cannot be assured that our know-how and trade secrets will provide us with any competitive advantage, as the know-how and trade secrets may become known to, or be independently developed by, others including our competitors, regardless of measures we may take to try to preserve confidentiality. We cannot give assurance that our measures for preserving our trade secrets and confidential information are sufficient to prevent others from obtaining such information.
We may need to defend against intellectual property infringement claims, which may be time-consuming and could cause us to incur substantial costs.
Companies, organizations, or individuals, including our current and future competitors, may hold or obtain patents, trademarks, or other proprietary rights that would prevent, limit, or interfere with our ability to make, use, develop, or sell our products, which could make it more difficult for us to operate our business. From time to time, we may receive inquiries from holders of patents or trademarks, inquiring whether we are infringing their proprietary rights and/or seeking court declarations that they do not infringe upon our owned and/or licensed intellectual property rights. In addition, if we or our suppliers are determined to have infringed upon a third party’s intellectual property rights, we may be required to do one or more of the following:
•cease selling, incorporating, or using products that incorporate the challenged intellectual property;
•pay substantial damages;
•obtain a license from the holder of the infringed intellectual property right, which license may not be available on reasonable terms, or at all;
•redesign our PV modules; or
•change technology providers.
In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to obtain a license for the infringed technology, our business, financial condition, revenues, operating results, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. In addition, any litigation or claims, whether or not valid, could result in substantial costs and the diversion of resources and management’s attention.
Risks Relating to Industry and Market Trends and Developments
Competition in solar markets globally and across the solar value chain is intense and could remain that way for an extended period of time. The solar industry may experience periods of structural imbalance between global PV module supply and demand that result in periods of pricing volatility, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Competition in solar markets globally and across the solar value chain is intense and could remain that way for an extended period of time. The solar industry may experience periods of structural imbalance between global PV module
supply and demand that result in periods of pricing volatility, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We believe that our primary competitors are other solar equipment manufacturers that supply technology solutions to utility-scale project developers, C&I end users, and residential customers. We compete with these other entities on the efficiency of our technology, the reliability of our operations, the quality assurance of our products, the domestic content we can offer, and to a lesser extent, on price. If we cannot offer compelling value to our customers based on these factors, then our business will not grow.
In the aggregate, we believe manufacturers of solar cells and PV solar modules have significant installed production capacity, relative to global demand, and the ability for additional capacity expansion. We believe the solar industry may from time to time experience periods of structural imbalance between supply and demand, and that excess capacity will continue to put pressure on pricing. Although module average selling prices in many global markets have generally declined for several years, near-term module pricing in the U.S., our primary market, remains strong primarily due to the rising demand for domestically manufactured PV solar modules as a result of the IRA. There may be additional pressure on global demand and average selling prices in the future resulting from fluctuating demand in certain major solar markets, such as China. If our competitors reduce module pricing to levels near or below their manufacturing costs, or are able to operate at minimal or negative operating margins for sustained periods of time, or if global demand for PV solar modules decreases relative to installed production capacity, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We face intense competition from manufacturers of crystalline silicon solar modules; if global supply exceeds global demand, it could lead to a further reduction in the average selling price for PV solar modules, which could reduce our net sales and adversely affect our results of operations.
The solar and renewable energy industries are highly competitive and are continually evolving as participants strive to distinguish themselves within their markets and compete with the larger electric power industry. Within the global PV solar industry, we face intense competition from crystalline silicon module manufacturers. Existing or future module manufacturers might be acquired by larger companies with significant capital resources, thereby further intensifying competition with us. In addition, the introduction of a low-cost disruptive technology could adversely affect our ability to compete, which could reduce our net sales and adversely affect our results of operations. We expect to compete with future entrants into the PV solar industry and existing market participants that offer new or differentiated technological solutions. Even if demand for PV solar modules continues to grow, the rapid manufacturing capacity expansion undertaken by many module manufacturers in China and certain parts of Southeast Asia, cells, and modules, has created and may continue to cause periods of structural imbalances between supply and demand. The solar industry may experience periods of structural imbalance between global PV module supply and demand that result in periods of pricing volatility, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.” In addition, we believe any significant decrease in the cost of silicon feedstock or polysilicon would reduce the manufacturing cost of crystalline silicon modules and lead to further pricing pressure for PV solar modules and potentially an oversupply of solar modules. Our competitors could decide to reduce their sales prices in response to competition, even below their manufacturing costs, in order to generate sales, and may do so for a sustained period. Certain competitors, including many in China, may have direct or indirect access to sovereign capital or other forms of state support, which could enable such competitors to operate at minimal or negative operating margins for sustained periods of time. As a result, we may be unable to sell our PV solar modules at attractive prices, or for a profit, during any period of excess supply of solar modules, which would reduce our net sales and adversely affect our results of operations. Additionally, we may decide to lower our average selling prices to customers in certain markets in response to competition, which could also reduce our net sales and adversely affect our results of operations.
Risks Relating to Financing, Accounting, and Taxes
We expect certain financial benefits as a result of tax incentives provided by the IRA. If these expected financial benefits vary significantly from our assumptions, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.
T1 expects to qualify for the advanced manufacturing production credit under Section 45X of the IRC, which provides certain specified benefits for PV solar modules and certain solar module components manufactured in the United States and sold to unrelated persons. Such credit may be refundable by the IRS or transferable to a third party for cash and is available from 2023 to 2032, subject to phase-down beginning in 2030.
Any changes to the statutes or regulatory guidance regarding Section 45X of the IRC arising, for example, through (i) technical guidance and regulations from the IRS and U.S. Treasury Department, (ii) subsequent amendments to or interpretations of the law by the IRS, the U.S. Treasury Department, or the courts, (iii) future laws or regulations rendering certain provisions of the IRA less effective or ineffective, in whole or in part, or (iv) changes to U.S. government priorities, policies, or initiatives as a result of the change in presidency in 2025, could materially adversely impact our tax expense, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our ability to use net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.
As of December 31, 2024, we had significant net operating loss carryforwards in the U.S. Utilization of these loss carryforwards assumes that prior to their expiration, we will have sufficient taxable income in U.S. to utilize the carryforwards, and that such usage is not limited based on anti-abuse provisions or other statutes and laws. Any such
limitations on our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and other tax assets could adversely impact our tax expense, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Risks Relating to Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Product liability claims could harm our business and liquidity if we are not able to successfully defend or insure against such claims.
We may become subject to product liability claims, even those without merit. We face an inherent risk of exposure to claims in the event our products do not perform as expected, or in the event of a malfunction resulting in personal injury or death. A successful product liability claim against us could require us to pay a substantial monetary award, in the form of compensatory or punitive damages, and generate significant legal fees. Moreover, a product liability claim could generate substantial negative publicity about us, which would have a material adverse effect on our brand and reputation. Insurance coverage may not cover specific product liability claims, is unlikely to cover punitive damages, and may be insufficient to cover all expenses and monetary awards. Any lawsuit seeking significant monetary damages in excess of, or outside of our insurance coverage, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We may not be able to secure product liability insurance coverage at commercially acceptable terms, or at all, and past product liability claims may make it more difficult for us to find insurance coverage in the future.
From time to time, we may be involved in commercial or contractual disputes, warranty claims, and other legal proceedings, which could have an adverse impact on us.
We may be involved in commercial or contractual disputes, warranty claims, and other legal proceedings, which could be significant. These are typically claims that arise in the normal course of business including, without limitation, disputes with suppliers or customers; intellectual property matters; personal injury claims; environmental issues; tax matters; and employment matters. It is difficult to predict the outcome or ultimate financial exposure, if any, represented by these matters, and there can be no assurance that any such exposure will not be material.
Additionally, we are subject to warranty claims and will need to maintain warranty reserves to cover such claims. If our warranty claims are significant or unexpected, if warranty claims are more expensive to resolve than anticipated, or if our warranty reserves are inadequate, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.
Claims for indemnification by our directors and officers may reduce our available funds to satisfy successful third-party claims against us and may reduce the amount of money available to us.
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers, in each case, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by Delaware law. Pursuant to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our directors will not be personally liable to us or any stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. The Amended and Restated Bylaws also require us, if so requested, to advance expenses that such director or officer incurred in defending or investigating a threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding, provided that such person will return any such advance if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification by us. Any claims for indemnification by our directors and officers may reduce our available funds to satisfy successful third-party claims against us and may reduce the amount of money available to us.
Changes in laws relating to privacy and data protection could disrupt our business.
We are also subject to various laws regarding privacy, data protection, and the protection of certain data relating to individuals. Our handling of data relating to individuals is subject to a variety of laws and regulations relating to privacy, data protection, and data security, and we may become subject to additional obligations, including contractual obligations, relating to the maintenance and processing of this data. For example, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation imposes stringent data protection requirements and provides for significant penalties for noncompliance. Laws, regulations, and other actual and potential obligations relating to privacy, data protection, and data security are evolving rapidly, and the related regulatory landscape is likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. We may be subject to new laws and regulations, or new interpretations of laws and regulations, in various jurisdictions in the future. These laws, regulations, and other obligations, and changes in their interpretation, could require us to modify our operations and practices, restrict our activities, and increase our costs, and it is possible that these laws, regulations, and other obligations may be, or interpreted or asserted to be, inconsistent with each other or with our business or practices. Any inability to adequately address privacy and security concerns or comply with applicable privacy and data security laws, rules, and regulations could have an adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
We are subject to substantial regulation and unfavorable changes to, or failure by us to comply with, these regulations could substantially harm our business and operating results.
We are subject to substantial regulation under international, U.S. federal and state, European, and applicable local laws, including anti-bribery, export control, and safety, environmental, and sustainability laws. We expect to incur significant costs in complying with these regulations.
To the extent the laws change, our products may not comply with applicable international, U.S. federal or state, European, or applicable local laws and such changes could imply the need to materially alter our operations and may prompt the need to apply for further permits, which would have an adverse effect on our business and prospects. Compliance with changing regulations could be burdensome, time-consuming, and expensive. To the extent compliance with new regulations is cost prohibitive, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
Export and import controls could subject us to liability or impair our ability to compete in international markets.
The U.S. and various foreign governments have imposed controls, export license requirements and restrictions on the import or export of certain products, technologies, and software. We must export and import our products in compliance with any applicable controls. We may not always be successful in obtaining necessary governmental approvals, and failure to obtain required import or export approval for our products or limitations on our ability to export or sell our products may adversely affect our revenue. Noncompliance with these laws could have negative consequences, including government investigations, penalties, and reputational harm.
Changes in our products or changes in export, import, and economic sanctions laws and regulations may delay us introducing new products in international markets, prevent our customers from using our products internationally or in some cases, prevent the export or import of our products to or from certain countries altogether. Any change in export or import regulations or legislation; shift or change in enforcement; or change in the countries, persons, or technologies targeted by these regulations could result in decreased use of our products by, or in our decreased ability to, export or sell our products to existing or potential customers with international operations, adversely affecting our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We are subject to anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, financial and economic sanctions, and similar laws in many jurisdictions, and non-compliance with such laws can subject us to administrative, civil and criminal fines and penalties, collateral consequences, injunctions, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, remedial measures, and legal expenses.
We are subject to anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, financial and economic sanctions, and similar laws and regulations in various jurisdictions in which we conduct, or in the future may conduct, activities, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), the U.S. domestic bribery statute contained in 18 U.S.C. § 201, the U.S. Travel Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, and other anti-corruption laws and regulations. Anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws have been enforced aggressively in recent years and are interpreted broadly to generally prohibit companies, and their employees, agents, representatives, business partners, and third-party intermediaries from authorizing, offering, or providing, directly or indirectly, improper payments or benefits to recipients in the public or private sector.
We may sometimes leverage third parties to sell our products and conduct our business abroad. We, our employees, agents, representatives, business partners, and third-party intermediaries have in the past and may in the future have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or state-owned or affiliated entities and we may be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of these employees, agents, representatives, business partners, or third-party intermediaries even if we do not explicitly authorize such activities. We cannot assure that all of our employees and agents have not and will not take actions in violation of applicable law, for which we may be ultimately held responsible.
The FCPA also requires companies to make and keep books, records, and accounts that accurately reflect transactions and dispositions of assets and to maintain a system of adequate internal accounting controls. Our policies and procedures are designed to ensure compliance with these laws, but we cannot assure that none of our employees, agents, representatives, business partners, or third-party intermediaries have or will engage in improper conduct that violates our policies and applicable law, for which we may be held responsible.
Although we have policies and procedures and a compliance program designed to ensure that we comply with the FCPA and other anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, we will need to integrate the acquired Trina assets into our compliance program and whistleblowing framework, and there is no assurance that we will be able to integrate such policies or procedures successfully. If we are found to be liable for violations of applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption laws and regulations (either due to our own acts or our inadvertence or due to the acts or inadvertence with respect to the acquired Trina assets), we could incur severe criminal or civil penalties or other sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged violations of these acts is expensive and could consume significant time and attention of our senior management.
Non-compliance with anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, or financial and economic sanctions laws could subject us to whistleblower complaints, adverse media coverage, investigations, civil and criminal sanctions, settlements, prosecution, enforcement actions, loss of export privileges, suspension, or debarment from U.S. government contracts and other collateral consequences and remedial measures, all of which could adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Responding to any investigation or action will likely result in a materially significant diversion of management’s attention and resources, and significant defense costs, and other professional fees. In addition, changes in economic sanctions laws in the future could adversely impact our business and investments in our common stock.
We and our partners, suppliers, and customers are subject to requirements relating to environmental, permitting, and safety regulations as well as environmental remediation matters.
We and our partners, suppliers, and customers are subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations governing, among other things, solid and hazardous waste storage, treatment, and disposal; and remediation of releases of hazardous materials. There are significant capital, operating, and other costs associated with compliance with these environmental, permitting, and safety laws and regulations. Environmental laws and regulations may become more stringent in the future, which could increase costs of compliance or require us to manufacture with alternative technologies and materials. Moreover, if we or any of our partners, suppliers, or customers were found to be in violation of environmental, permitting, or safety laws, our reputation could be harmed, potentially resulting in significant damage to our brand.
Our manufacturing process has hazards including, but not limited to, hazardous materials, machines with moving parts, and high voltage and/or high current electrical systems. There may be safety incidents that damage machinery or products, slow or stop production, or harm employees. Consequences may include litigation, regulation, fines, increased insurance premiums, mandates to temporarily halt production, workers’ compensation claims, or other actions that impact our brand, reputation, finances, or ability to operate.
Many of our work sites are workplaces with inherent safety and environmental risks. The occurrence of an accident or safety incident involving employees, contractors or others can result in injuries, disabilities or even loss of life, which could expose us to significant financial losses and reputational harm, as well as civil and criminal liabilities.
At work sites, our employees, contractors and others are at times in close proximity with large pieces of mechanized equipment, moving vehicles, manufacturing processes and hazardous and regulated materials, in a challenging environment. We are responsible for safety on some of those project sites, and, accordingly, we have an obligation to comply with applicable laws, including to implement effective safety policies and procedures and to provide appropriate personal protective equipment. The failure by us or others working at such sites to comply with such laws, to implement effective safety procedures, to provide necessary equipment, to protect other contractors at work sites we manage or to conduct work in a safe manner, may result in injury, disability or loss of life, which may result in investigations, claims or litigation or result in delays in the completion or commencement of our projects. Unsafe work sites also have the potential to increase employee turnover, increase the cost of a project to our customers and raise our operating and insurance costs. In addition, releases of hazardous materials or pollutants, or fires, explosions or other incidents, may result in environmental damages, or public safety concerns, and the related costs and liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Our safety record is critical to our reputation. For all of the foregoing reasons, if we fail to maintain adequate safety standards, we could suffer harm to our reputation, reduced profitability or the loss of projects or business partners, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be subject to work stoppages or other labor disturbances.
Work stoppages or other labor disturbances, such as industrial action, with our employees or those of our contractors, suppliers and customers may occur in the future. In addition, our employees, and those employed by our contractors, may become members of or represented by labor unions. If this occurred, we or our contractors may not be able to negotiate acceptable collective bargaining agreements or future restructuring agreements or may become subject to material cost increases or additional work rules imposed by such agreements. The occurrence of any such action, could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
International trade policies may impact demand for our products and our competitive position.
Government policies on international trade and investment such as sanctions, import quotas, capital controls, or tariffs, whether adopted by non-governmental bodies, individual governments, or addressed by regional trade blocs, may affect the demand for our products, impact our competitive position, or prevent us from being able to sell products to certain customers or in certain countries. The implementation of more protectionist trade policies, such as more detailed inspections, higher tariffs, or new barriers to entry, in countries where we sell products could negatively impact our business, financial position, and results of operations.
The reduction, elimination or expiration of government subsidies and economic incentives for on-grid solar electricity applications could reduce demand for solar PV modules and harm our business.
Federal, state, local and foreign government bodies provide incentives to promote solar electricity in the form of rebates, tax credits or exemptions and other financial incentives, including through Sections 45, 45Y, 48 and 48E of the IRC. The market for on-grid applications, where solar power is used to supplement a customer’s electricity purchased from the utility network or sold to a utility under tariff, often depends in large part on the availability and size of government and economic incentives. Because our customers’ sales are typically to the on-grid market, the reduction, elimination or expiration of government subsidies and incentives for on-grid solar electricity may negatively affect the desirability of solar electricity and could harm or halt the growth of the solar electricity industry and our business. For example, future reduction in the tax credits described above could reduce the demand for solar energy solutions in the U.S. which would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In general, subsidies and incentives may expire on a particular date, and end when the allocated funding is reduced or terminated due to, inter alia, legal challenges, the adoption of new statutes or regulations or the passage of time, which often occur without warning. In addition, several
jurisdictions have adopted renewable portfolio standards, mandating that a certain portion of electricity delivered by utilities to customers come from a set of eligible renewable energy resources, such as solar, by a certain compliance date. Under some programs, a utility can receive a “credit” for renewable energy produced by a third party by either purchasing the electricity directly from the producer or paying a fee to obtain the right to renewable energy generated but used or sold by the generator. A renewable energy credit allows the utility to add this electricity to its renewable portfolio requirement without actually expending the capital for generating facilities. However, there can be no assurances that such policies will continue. Reduction or elimination of renewable portfolio standards or successful efforts to meet current standards could harm or halt the growth of the solar PV industry and our business.
Changes in the U.S. trade environment, including the imposition of trade restrictions, import tariffs, anti-dumping and countervailing duties could adversely affect the amount or timing of our revenue, results of operations or cash flows.
Escalating trade tensions, particularly between the U.S. and China, have led to increased tariffs and trade restrictions, including tariffs applicable to certain materials and components for our products or for products used in solar energy projects more broadly, such as module supply and availability. More specifically, in March 2018, the U.S. imposed a 25% tariff on steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminum imports pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and has imposed additional tariffs on steel and aluminum imports pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Additionally, in January 2018, the U.S. adopted a tariff on imported PV solar modules and cells pursuant to Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974, which was extended in February 2022 for another four years. The tariff was initially set at 30%, with a gradual reduction over four years to 15%. This tariff may indirectly affect us by impacting the financial viability of solar energy projects, which could in turn reduce demand for our products. Furthermore, in July 2018, the U.S. adopted a 10% tariff on a long list of products imported from China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, including inverters and power optimizers, which became effective on September 24, 2018. In June 2019, the U.S. Trade Representative increased the rate of such tariffs from 10% to 25%. These tariffs could impact the solar energy projects in which our products are used, which could lead to decreased demand for our products.
Tariffs and the possibility of additional tariffs in the future, including as a result of the petition pending with the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding circumvention of antidumping and countervailing duties, have created uncertainty in the industry. If the price for solar systems in the U.S. increases, the use of solar systems could become less economically feasible and could reduce our gross profits or reduce the demand of solar systems manufactured and sold, which in turn may decrease demand for our products. Additionally, existing or future tariffs or other trade restrictions may negatively affect key customers, suppliers, and manufacturing partners. Such outcomes could adversely affect the amount or timing of our revenue, results of operations or cash flows, and continuing uncertainty could cause sales volatility, price fluctuations or supply shortages or cause our customers to advance or delay their purchase of our products. It is difficult to predict what further trade-related actions governments may take, which may include additional or increased tariffs and trade restrictions, and we may be unable to quickly and effectively react to such actions.
Risks Related to Indebtedness and Financing
Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial flexibility and our competitive position.
Our level of indebtedness increases the risk that we may be unable to generate cash sufficient to pay amounts due in respect of our indebtedness. Our indebtedness could have other important consequences to you and significant effects on our business. For example, it could:
•increase our vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions;
•require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to make payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes;
•limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;
•restrict us from exploiting business opportunities;
•make it more difficult to satisfy our financial obligations, including payments on our indebtedness;
•place us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; and
•limit our ability to borrow additional funds for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our business strategy or other general corporate purposes.
In addition, our Senior Secured Credit Facility includes restrictive financial covenants and future debt contracts might incorporate additional restrictive covenants, which could hinder our capability to perform actions that support our long-term objectives. Our failure to comply with those covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all of our indebtedness. In addition, a default by us under any agreement governing any current or future indebtedness may trigger cross-defaults under agreements governing our indebtedness. Upon the occurrence of an event of default or cross-default under any of the present or future agreements governing our indebtedness, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding to be due and payable and exercise other remedies as set forth in the agreements. If any of our indebtedness were to be accelerated, there can be no assurance that our assets would be sufficient to
repay this indebtedness in full, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue to operate as a going concern.
Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition.
We currently have, and we will continue to have, a significant amount of indebtedness, including the Credit Agreement, Notes and Convertible Notes. This significant amount of indebtedness could limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, stock repurchases or other purposes. It may also increase our vulnerability to adverse economic, market and industry conditions, limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business operations or to our industry overall, and place us at a disadvantage in relation to our competitors that have lower debt levels. Any or all of the above events and/or factors could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Further, the interest rates applicable to Credit Agreement, Note and Convertible Note are based on, and the interest rates applicable to certain debt obligations we may incur in the future may be based on, a fluctuating rate of interest determined by reference to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“Term SOFR”). Term SOFR is a relatively new index rate that is administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “New York Fed”). There can be no assurance that the New York Fed will not discontinue the publication of Term SOFR, in which case interest payments on our Senior Secured Credit Facility would need to be calculated using a different index rate, or alter the manner in which Term SOFR is calculated. As a result, our interest expense could increase, in which event we may have difficulties making interest payments and our available cash flow for general corporate requirements may be adversely affected. Our interest expense could also be increased by rising interest rates.
Servicing our debt requires a significant amount of cash, and we may not have sufficient cash flow from our business to pay our substantial debt.
Our ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness, including the Credit Agreement, Note and Convertible Notes, depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. Our business may not continue to generate cash flow from operations in the future sufficient to service our debt and make necessary capital expenditures. If we are unable to generate such cash flow, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on our debt obligations.
Our business plan is capital-intensive, and we may not be able to raise additional capital on attractive terms, if at all, which could materially adversely affect our ability to operate our business and execute our growth plans. If we do raise additional capital, through debt or equity financing, this could impose additional restrictions on our operations and/or have a dilutive effect on current stockholders.
Our business plan is capital-intensive. Our long-term operating needs and planned investments in our business and manufacturing footprint, as currently devised, will require significant financing to complete. Such financing may not be available at acceptable terms, or at all. Interest rates are subject to fluctuation, and a rise in interest rates could increase our cost of capital. The credit market and financial services industry have in the past, and may in the future, experience periods of uncertainty that could impact the availability and cost of equity and debt financing. If we are unable to raise substantial additional capital in the near term, our ability to invest in a solar cell factory other gigafactories or development projects will be significantly delayed or curtailed.
If we raise funds by issuing debt securities, these debt securities would have rights, preferences, and privileges senior to those of holders of our common stock. The terms of debt securities or other borrowings could impose significant restrictions on our operations.
If we raise funds or otherwise fund transactions by issuing common stock or other equity securities, dilution to stockholders may result. Any equity securities issued may also provide for rights, preferences, or privileges senior to those of holders of our common stock.
Any of the above scenarios could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.
We may not be able to raise additional capital to execute our current or future business strategies on favorable terms, if at all, or without dilution to our stockholders.
We expect that we may need to raise additional capital to execute our current or future business strategies. However, we do not know what forms of financing, if any, will be available to us. Some financing activities in which we may engage could cause your equity interest in the Company to be diluted, which could cause the value of your stock to decrease. There can be no assurance that further deterioration in credit and financial markets and confidence in economic conditions will not occur, including as a result of recent increases in interest rates. A severe or prolonged economic downturn could result in a variety of risks to our business, including weakened demand for our products and harm our ability to raise additional capital when needed on acceptable terms, if at all. If the equity and credit markets deteriorate, it may make any necessary debt or equity financing more difficult, more costly, and more dilutive. If financing is not available on acceptable terms, if and when needed, our ability to fund our operations, expand our R&D and sales and marketing functions, develop and enhance our
products, respond to unanticipated events, including unanticipated opportunities, or otherwise respond to competitive pressures would be significantly limited. In any such event, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially harmed, and we may be unable to continue our operations.
Despite our current debt levels, we may still incur substantially more debt or take other actions which would intensify the risks discussed above.
Despite our current consolidated debt levels, we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional debt in the future, subject to the restrictions contained in our debt instruments, some of which may be secured debt. We will not be restricted under the terms of the indenture governing the Convertible Notes from incurring additional debt, securing existing or future debt, recapitalizing our debt or taking a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of the indenture governing the Convertible Notes that could have the effect of diminishing our ability to make payments on the Convertible Notes when due. Our Senior Secured Credit Facility restricts our ability to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, but if the facility matures or is repaid, we may not be subject to such restrictions under the terms of any subsequent indebtedness.
Risks Relating to Ownership of our Common Stock
The concentration of ownership among our executive officers, directors, and their affiliates may prevent new investors from influencing significant corporate decisions.
Our executive officers, directors, and their affiliates own shares of our common stock and have outstanding warrants and options that may allow them to acquire additional shares of common stock. As a result, these stockholders as a group could exercise a level of control over matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, amendment of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and approval of significant corporate transactions. This control could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or changes in management and will make the approval of certain transactions more difficult without the support of these stockholders.
We do not expect to declare dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
Given the capital-intensive nature of our business, we do not currently anticipate declaring any cash dividends to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. Consequently, investors may need to rely on sales of their shares after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any future gains on their investment.
We may call certain of our unexpired warrants prior to their exercise at a time that is disadvantageous to warrant holders, thereby making their warrants worthless, and the exercise of a significant number of the warrants could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
We have 24.6 million warrants consisting of 14.7 million public warrants (“Public Warrants”) and 9.9 million private warrants (“Private Warrants”). The warrants entitle the holder thereof to purchase one share of our common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustments. The warrants will expire on July 9, 2026, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.
We may call the Public Warrants for redemption once they become exercisable, in whole and not in part, at a price of $0.01 per Public Warrant, so long as we provide at least 30 days prior written notice of redemption to each Public Warrant holder, and if, and only if, the reported last sales price of our common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share for each of 20 trading days within the 30 trading-day period ending on the third trading day before the date on which we send the notice of redemption to the Public Warrant holders. However, we may not exercise the redemption right if the issuance of the common stock upon exercise of the warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or we are unable to effect such registration or qualification. None of the Private Warrants are redeemable by us so long as they are held by a certain holder or any of its permitted transferees.
Redemption of the outstanding warrants could force holders to:
•exercise their warrants and pay the exercise price therefore at a time when it may be disadvantageous for them to do so;
•sell their warrants at the then-current market price when they might otherwise wish to hold their warrants; or
•accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time the outstanding warrants are called for redemption, is likely to be substantially less than the market value of their warrants.
Additionally, if a significant number of warrant holders exercise their warrants instead of accepting the nominal redemption price, the issuance of these shares would dilute other equity holders, which could reduce the market price of our common stock.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to comply with the continued listing standards of the NYSE.
Our common stock and warrants trade on the NYSE under the symbols “TE” and “TE WS”, respectively. If the NYSE delists our securities from trading on its exchange for failure to meet the listing standards, including stock prices falling below minimum listing requirements, and we are not able to list such securities on another national securities
exchange, we expect such securities could be quoted on an over-the-counter market. If this were to occur, our stockholders could face significant material adverse consequences including:
•a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;
•reduced liquidity for our securities;
•a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; and
•a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.