CANADIAN SOLAR INC.
PROSPECTUS
Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4)
Registration No. 333-138144
7,700,000 Common Shares
This is an initial public offering of common shares of Canadian
Solar Inc. We are offering 6,300,000 common shares, and the
selling shareholders identified in this prospectus are offering
1,400,000 common shares. We will not receive any of the
proceeds from the common shares sold by the selling
shareholders. Prior to this offering, there has been no public
market for our common shares.
Our common shares have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq
Global Market under the symbol CSIQ.
Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of
risk. See Risk Factors beginning on page 11.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underwriting | |
|
|
|
Proceeds to the | |
|
|
|
|
Discounts and | |
|
Proceeds to | |
|
Selling | |
|
|
Price to Public | |
|
Commissions | |
|
Us | |
|
Shareholders | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Per common share
|
|
$ |
15.00 |
|
|
$ |
1.05 |
|
|
$ |
13.95 |
|
|
$ |
13.95 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
115,500,000 |
|
|
$ |
8,085,000 |
|
|
$ |
87,885,000 |
|
|
$ |
19,530,000 |
|
The underwriters have an option to purchase up to
700,000 additional common shares from us and an aggregate
of 455,000 additional common shares from the selling
shareholders at the public offering price, less underwriting
discounts and commissions, within 30 days from the date of
this prospectus, to cover over-allotments.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
Delivery of the common shares will be made on or about
November 14, 2006.
|
|
Deutsche Bank Securities |
Lehman Brothers |
|
|
CIBC World Markets |
Piper Jaffray |
The date of this prospectus is November 8, 2006.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
|
102 |
|
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
|
107 |
|
|
|
|
109 |
|
|
|
|
117 |
|
|
|
|
119 |
|
|
|
|
125 |
|
|
|
|
132 |
|
|
|
|
133 |
|
|
|
|
133 |
|
|
|
|
134 |
|
|
|
|
F-1 |
|
You should rely only on the information contained in this
prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
information that is different. This prospectus may only be used
where it is legal to sell these securities. The information in
this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this
prospectus.
Until December 3, 2006 (the 25th day after the
commencement of the offering), all dealers that buy, sell, or
trade our common shares, whether or not participating in this
offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in
addition to the obligation of dealers to deliver a prospectus
when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold
allotments or subscriptions.
i
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
You should read the following summary together with the
entire prospectus, including the more detailed information
regarding us, the common shares being sold in this offering, and
our financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere
in this prospectus.
Unless the context otherwise requires, in this prospectus,
we, us, our company,
our, and CSI refer to Canadian Solar
Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries; China or
PRC refers to the Peoples Republic of China,
excluding Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; RMB or
Renminbi refers to the legal currency of China;
$ or U.S. dollars refers to the
legal currency of the United States; C$ refers to
the legal currency of Canada; and Euro or
refers to the legal currency of the European Union.
Overview
We design, manufacture and sell solar module products that
convert sunlight into electricity for a variety of uses. We are
incorporated in Canada and conduct all of our manufacturing
operations in China. Our products include a range of standard
solar modules built to general specifications for use in a wide
range of residential, commercial and industrial solar power
generation systems. We also design and produce specialty solar
modules and products based on our customers requirements.
Specialty solar modules and products consist of customized
modules that our customers incorporate into their own products,
such as solar-powered bus stop lighting, and complete specialty
products, such as solar-powered car battery chargers. Our
products are sold primarily under our own brand name and also
produced on an original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, basis
for our customers. We also implement solar power development
projects, primarily in conjunction with government organizations
to provide solar power generation in rural areas of China.
We currently sell our products to customers located in various
markets worldwide, including Germany, Spain, Canada, China and
Japan. We currently sell our standard solar modules to
distributors and system integrators. We sell our specialty solar
modules and products directly to various manufacturers who
either integrate these solar modules into their own products or
sell and market them as part of their product portfolio.
Supply chain management is critical to the success of our
business, particularly during the current industry-wide shortage
of high-purity silicon. We proactively manage our supply chain,
which consists of silicon feedstock, ingots, wafers and solar
cells, to secure a cost-effective supply of solar cells, the key
component of our solar module products. We do this primarily by
directly sourcing silicon feedstock, which consists of
high-purity silicon and reclaimable silicon. Under toll
manufacturing arrangements, we provide the silicon feedstock to
manufacturers of ingots, wafers and cells, which in turn convert
these silicon raw materials ultimately into the solar cells that
we use for our production of solar modules. We believe we were
one of the first solar module companies to process reclaimable
silicon, which consists primarily of broken wafers and scrap
silicon, for reuse in the solar power supply chain.
We have grown rapidly since March 2002, when we sold our first
solar module products. Our net revenues increased from
$4.1 million in 2003 to $18.3 million in 2005,
representing a compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 111.1%.
Correspondingly, our net income increased from $761,245 to
$3.8 million over the same period, representing a CAGR of
123.5%. Our net revenues increased from $7.0 million for
the six months ended June 30, 2005 to $26.0 million
over the same period in 2006. We sold 0.7 megawatts, or MW,
2.2 MW and 4.1 MW of our solar module products in
2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. We sold 1.4 MW and
6.2 MW of our solar module products in the six months ended
June 30, 2005 and 2006, respectively.
Industry Background
Solar power has recently emerged as one of the most rapidly
growing renewable energy sources. Solar cells are fabricated
from silicon wafers and convert sunlight into electricity
through a process known as the photovoltaic effect. Solar
modules, which are an array of interconnected solar cells
encased in a weatherproof frame, are mounted in areas with
direct exposure to the sun to generate electricity from
sunlight. Solar power
1
systems, which are comprised of solar modules, related power
electronics and other components, are used in residential,
commercial and industrial applications and for customers who
have no access to an electric utility grid.
According to Solarbuzz, an independent solar energy research
firm, the global solar power market, as measured by annual solar
system installations, increased from 345 MW in 2001 to
1,460 MW in 2005, representing a CAGR of 43.4%. During the
same period, solar power industry revenues grew from
approximately $2.4 billion in 2001 to approximately
$9.8 billion in 2005, representing a CAGR of 42.2%.
Solarbuzz projects that solar power industry revenues and solar
system installations will reach $18.6 billion and
3,250 MW, respectively, by 2010. According to Solarbuzz,
worldwide installations of solar power systems are expected to
grow at a CAGR of 17.4% from 2005 to 2010, led by shipments for
on-grid applications, where solar power is used to supplement a
customers electricity purchased from the utility network.
We believe growth in the near term will be constrained by the
limited availability of high-purity silicon, but, according to
Solarbuzz, is expected to accelerate after 2007.
We believe the following factors have driven and will continue
to drive growth in the solar power industry:
|
|
|
|
|
government incentives for solar power and other renewable energy
sources; |
|
|
|
fossil fuel supply constraints and desire for energy security; |
|
|
|
growing awareness of the advantages of solar power, including
its peak energy generation advantage, fuel risk advantage,
scalability, reliability and environmentally friendly nature; |
|
|
|
advances in technologies making solar power more cost-efficient;
and |
|
|
|
large market among underserved populations in rural areas of
developing countries with little or no access to electricity. |
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe that the following competitive strengths enable us to
compete effectively and to capitalize on the rapid growth in the
global solar power market:
|
|
|
|
|
our ability to manage our supply chain, through sourcing of
silicon feedstock, our silicon reclamation program and toll
manufacturing arrangements, allows us to secure a cost-effective
supply of solar cells; |
|
|
|
significant experience in the development and manufacture of
high-margin specialty solar modules and products; |
|
|
|
flexible and low-cost manufacturing capability; and |
|
|
|
established senior management team with significant industry and
international expertise. |
Our Strategies
Our objective is to be a global leader in the development and
manufacture of solar module products. We have developed the
following strategies, based on our experience, to anticipate
changes in the industry:
|
|
|
|
|
pursue a balanced and diversified solar cell supply channel mix
by entering into long-term cell supply contracts, toll
manufacturing arrangements and in-house cell manufacturing; |
|
|
|
continue to proactively manage silicon raw material supply by
securing long term silicon raw materials contracts, diversifying
silicon supply sources and further developing and leveraging our
silicon reclamation program; |
|
|
|
further diversify our geographic presence, customer base and
product mix; |
2
|
|
|
|
|
enhance innovation and efficiency through R&D; and |
|
|
|
build a leading global brand. |
Our Challenges
We believe that the following are some of the major challenges,
risks and uncertainties that may materially affect us:
|
|
|
|
|
our limited operating history may not serve as an adequate basis
to judge our prospects and future results of operations; |
|
|
|
the current industry-wide shortage of high-purity silicon may
constrain our revenue growth and decrease our margins and
profitability; |
|
|
|
failure to secure a sufficient and cost-effective supply of
solar cells could decrease our revenues and margins and prevent
us from expanding as planned; |
|
|
|
the reduction or elimination of government subsidies and
economic incentives for on-grid solar power applications could
cause a reduction in demand for our products and decrease our
revenues; |
|
|
|
we may not be able to compete successfully in our highly
competitive market; and |
|
|
|
we may not be able to manage our expansion of operations
effectively. |
Corporate Structure
We were incorporated pursuant to the laws of the Province of
Ontario in October 2001. We changed our jurisdiction by
continuing under the Canadian federal corporate statute, the
Canada Business Corporations Act, or CBCA, effective
June 1, 2006. As a result, we are governed by the CBCA.
In November 2001, we established CSI Solartronics (Changshu)
Co., Ltd., or CSI Solartronics, which is our wholly owned
subsidiary located in Changshu, China. Through CSI Solartronics,
we focus primarily on the production of specialty solar modules
and products. In addition to CSI Solartronics, we also currently
have five other wholly owned subsidiaries: (i) CSI Solar
Manufacture Inc., or CSI Solar Manufacturing, located in Suzhou,
China, which we incorporated in January 2005, through which we
focus primarily on the production of standard solar modules;
(ii) CSI Solar Technologies Inc., or CSI Solar
Technologies, also located in Suzhou, China, which we
incorporated in August 2003, through which we focus on solar
module product development; (iii) CSI Central Solar Power
Co., Ltd., or CSI Luoyang, in Luoyang, China, which we
incorporated in February 2006, through which we intend to
manufacture solar module products; (iv) CSI Solarchip
International Co., Ltd, or CSI Solarchip, which we incorporated
in June 2006, through which we intend to manufacture solar cells
and solar modules; and (v) Changshu CSI Advanced Solar Inc., or
CSI Advanced, which was incorporated in August 2006 and in which
we plan to inject registered capital after this offering,
through which we intend to manufacture solar modules. CSI
Luoyang, CSI Solarchip and CSI Advanced have yet to begin
manufacturing operations and are currently in the preparatory
phase, including applying for necessary land and other permits
for such operations.
3
The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure and
the place of organization and affiliation of each of our
subsidiaries as of the date of this prospectus.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at Xin Zhuang
Industry Park, Changshu, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215562, Peoples
Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is
(86-512)
6269-6010 and our fax
number is
(86-512) 5247-7589.
Our mailing address in Canada is located at The Exchange Tower,
Suite 1600, P.O. Box 480, 130 King Street
West, Toronto, Ontario MSX 1J5. Our telephone number at
this address is
(1-416) 365-1110
and our fax number is
(1-416) 365-1876.
You should direct all inquiries to us at the address and
telephone number of our principal executive offices set forth
above. Our website is www.csisolar.com. The information
contained on our website does not form part of this prospectus.
Our agent for service of process in the United States is
CT Corporation System located at 111 Eighth Avenue,
New York, New York 10011.
4
THE OFFERING
|
|
|
Price per Common Share |
|
$15.00 |
|
This Offering: |
|
|
|
Common Shares Offered by Us |
|
6,300,000 common shares |
|
Common Shares Offered by the
Selling
Shareholders |
|
1,400,000 common shares |
|
Total |
|
7,700,000 common shares |
|
Reserved Common Shares |
|
At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale, at the
initial public offering price, up to an aggregate of 385,000
common shares to certain of our directors, officers, employees,
business associates and related persons through a directed share
program. These reserved common shares account for an aggregate
of 5.0% of the common shares offered in the offering. |
|
Common Shares Outstanding
Immediately After This
Offering |
|
27,270,000 common shares (or 27,970,000 common shares if the
underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full). |
|
Over-Allotment Option |
|
We and the selling shareholders have granted to the underwriters
an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this
prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,155,000
additional common shares at the initial public offering price
listed on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting
discounts and commissions, solely for the purpose of covering
over-allotments. |
|
Use of Proceeds |
|
We will receive net proceeds for this offering of approximately
$83.2 million, (or $93.0 million if the underwriters
exercise the over-allotment option in full) after deducting the
underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated
offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use our net
proceeds from this offering for the following purposes: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
approximately
$30.0 million to purchase or prepay for solar cells and
silicon raw materials; |
|
|
|
|
approximately
$35.0 million for our expansion into solar cell
manufacturing, including purchasing solar cell equipment and
construction of our solar cell facilities, to support our core
solar module business and for the expansion of our solar module
manufacturing capabilities; and |
|
|
|
|
the
remaining amount for other general corporate purposes. |
|
|
|
|
|
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of common
shares by the selling shareholders. |
5
|
|
|
Risk Factors |
|
See Risk Factors and other information included in
this prospectus for a discussion of the risks you should
carefully consider before deciding to invest in our common
shares. |
|
Listing |
|
Our common shares have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq
Global Market. |
|
Nasdaq Global Market Symbol |
|
CSIQ |
|
Lock-up |
|
We, the selling shareholders, our directors and executive
officers and our other shareholders have agreed with the
underwriters not to sell, transfer or dispose of any common
shares or similar securities for a period of 180 days after
the date of this prospectus. See Underwriting. |
Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus:
|
|
|
|
|
assumes the issuance and sale of 6,300,000 common shares in this
offering at an initial public offering price of $15.00 per
common share; |
|
|
|
reflects the share split: (i) in November 2005 of one to
5.668421; (ii) in July 2006 of one to 1.168130772; and
(iii) in October 2006 of one to 2.33; |
|
|
|
does not include 566,190 restricted shares with restricted
voting and dividend rights issued under our 2006 share incentive
plan that are outstanding but not vested as of the date of this
prospectus; |
|
|
|
does not include 1,337,700 common shares issuable upon the
exercise of stock options issued under our 2006 share incentive
plan that are outstanding as of date of this prospectus, with
exercise prices ranging from $2.12 to the initial public
offering price per share and a weighted average exercise price
of $4.16 per share; |
|
|
|
does not include 426,041 additional common shares (including
common shares with restricted voting and dividend rights)
reserved for future grants under our 2006 share incentive
plan as of the date of this prospectus; and |
|
|
|
assumes that the underwriters do not exercise their
over-allotment option to purchase additional common shares. |
6
SUMMARY FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
The following summary consolidated statement of operations data
for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and
the six months ended June 30, 2006 and the summary
consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2003,
2004 and 2005 and as of June 30, 2006 have been derived
from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this
prospectus. The following summary consolidated statement of
operations data for the six months ended June 30, 2005 have
been derived from our unaudited financial statements included
elsewhere in this prospectus. You should read the summary
consolidated financial data in conjunction with those financial
statements and the accompanying notes and
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations. Our consolidated
financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance
with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or
U.S. GAAP. Our historical results do not necessarily
indicate our results expected for any future periods.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended | |
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands of US$, except share and per share data, | |
|
|
operating data and percentages) | |
Statement of operations data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenues
|
|
$ |
4,113 |
|
|
$ |
9,685 |
|
|
$ |
18,324 |
|
|
$ |
6,982 |
|
|
$ |
26,041 |
|
|
Cost of
revenues(1)
|
|
|
2,372 |
|
|
|
6,465 |
|
|
|
11,211 |
|
|
|
3,920 |
|
|
|
18,623 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
1,741 |
|
|
|
3,220 |
|
|
|
7,113 |
|
|
|
3,062 |
|
|
|
7,418 |
|
|
Operating
expenses(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
269 |
|
|
|
158 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
529 |
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
1,039 |
|
|
|
1,069 |
|
|
|
1,708 |
|
|
|
762 |
|
|
|
1,750 |
|
|
Research and development
expenses(2)
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
1,098 |
|
|
|
1,379 |
|
|
|
1,882 |
|
|
|
837 |
|
|
|
2,323 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
643 |
|
|
|
1,841 |
|
|
|
5,231 |
|
|
|
2,225 |
|
|
|
5,095 |
|
|
Interest expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(239 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,635 |
) |
|
Loss on change in fair value of derivatives related to
convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(316 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,997 |
) |
|
Loss on financial instruments related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(263 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,190 |
) |
|
Income tax expenses
|
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
(363 |
) |
|
|
(605 |
) |
|
|
(336 |
) |
|
|
111 |
|
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
(209 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before extraordinary gain
|
|
|
411 |
|
|
|
1,457 |
|
|
|
3,804 |
|
|
|
1,879 |
|
|
|
(4,564 |
) |
|
Extraordinary gain
|
|
|
351 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
761 |
|
|
$ |
1,457 |
|
|
$ |
3,804 |
|
|
$ |
1,879 |
|
|
$ |
(4,564 |
) |
|
Earnings per share, basic and diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extraordinary gain
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.12 |
|
|
$ |
(0.30 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended | |
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands of US$, except share and per share data, | |
|
|
operating data and percentages) | |
|
Shares used in computation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
Other financial data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross margin
|
|
|
42.3% |
|
|
|
33.2% |
|
|
|
38.8% |
|
|
|
43.9% |
|
|
|
28.5% |
|
|
Operating margin
|
|
|
15.6% |
|
|
|
19.0% |
|
|
|
28.5% |
|
|
|
31.9% |
|
|
|
19.6% |
|
|
Net margin
|
|
|
18.5% |
|
|
|
15.0% |
|
|
|
20.8% |
|
|
|
26.9% |
|
|
|
(17.5)% |
|
Selected operating data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Products sold (in MW)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Standard solar modules
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
3.4 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
Specialty solar modules and products
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
6.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average selling price (in $ per watt)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Standard solar modules
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3.62 |
|
|
$ |
3.92 |
|
|
$ |
3.98 |
|
|
$ |
4.09 |
|
|
Specialty solar modules and products
|
|
$ |
5.70 |
|
|
$ |
5.23 |
|
|
$ |
5.13 |
|
|
$ |
5.07 |
|
|
$ |
4.87 |
|
_______________
|
|
(1) |
Share-based compensation expenses are included in our cost of
revenues and operating costs and expenses as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Six Months | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
Ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands of US$) | |
Share-based compensation expenses included in:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
24 |
|
Selling expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
229 |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
324 |
|
Research and development expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
(2) |
We also conduct research and development activities in
connection with our implementation of solar power development
projects. These expenditures are included in our cost of
revenues. See Our Business Solar Power
Development Projects. |
8
The following table presents a summary of our balance sheet data
as of December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005 and as of June 30,
2006 on an actual basis; and, as of June 30, 2006, on a pro
forma basis to give effect to (1) the conversion of all of
our outstanding convertible notes into 5,542,005 common shares
that occurred on July 1, 2006 (after taking into account
post-conversion share splits) and (2) the issuance and sale
of the 6,300,000 common shares by us in this offering,
based on an initial public offering price of $15.00 per share,
after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and
estimated offering expenses payable by us and assuming no
exercise of the underwriters over-allotment option.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
As of | |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
June 30, 2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Actual | |
|
Actual | |
|
Actual | |
|
Actual | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands of US$) | |
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
1,879 |
|
|
$ |
2,059 |
|
|
$ |
6,280 |
|
|
$ |
10,682 |
|
|
$ |
94,739 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
313 |
|
|
|
2,397 |
|
|
|
12,163 |
|
|
|
26,398 |
|
|
|
26,398 |
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
|
|
257 |
|
|
|
636 |
|
|
|
2,067 |
|
|
|
6,134 |
|
|
|
6,134 |
|
|
Advances to suppliers
|
|
|
81 |
|
|
|
370 |
|
|
|
4,740 |
|
|
|
9,115 |
|
|
|
9,115 |
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
244 |
|
|
|
453 |
|
|
|
932 |
|
|
|
1,239 |
|
|
|
1,239 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
3,053 |
|
|
|
6,145 |
|
|
|
27,430 |
|
|
|
57,505 |
|
|
|
140,732 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term borrowing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,300 |
|
|
|
14,298 |
|
|
|
14,298 |
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
426 |
|
|
|
824 |
|
|
|
4,306 |
|
|
|
7,578 |
|
|
|
7,578 |
|
|
Advances from suppliers and customers
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
273 |
|
|
|
2,823 |
|
|
|
7,321 |
|
|
|
7,321 |
|
|
Income tax payable
|
|
|
119 |
|
|
|
407 |
|
|
|
914 |
|
|
|
659 |
|
|
|
659 |
|
|
Embedded derivatives related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,679 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
1,201 |
|
|
|
2,756 |
|
|
|
15,367 |
|
|
|
32,885 |
|
|
|
32,884 |
|
|
Accrued warranty costs
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
167 |
|
|
|
341 |
|
|
|
590 |
|
|
|
590 |
|
|
Convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,387 |
|
|
|
8,828 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial instruments related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,107 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
1,541 |
|
|
|
3,184 |
|
|
|
20,463 |
|
|
|
43,923 |
|
|
|
33,761 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
|
1,512 |
|
|
|
2,961 |
|
|
|
6,967 |
|
|
|
13,582 |
|
|
|
106,971 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders equity
|
|
$ |
3,053 |
|
|
$ |
6,145 |
|
|
$ |
27,430 |
|
|
$ |
57,505 |
|
|
$ |
140,732 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
For the three months ended September 30, 2006, our net revenues
were $17.8 million, an increase of 3.2% from the prior
quarter ended June 30, 2006 and 292.9% from the quarter
ended September 30, 2005. We achieved these results
following a strong quarter ended June 30, 2006, in which
net revenues increased 96.2% from the prior quarter ended
March 31, 2006. The increase from the third quarter of 2005
was due primarily to a significant increase in net revenues
generated from the sale of our standard solar modules to our
customers located in Europe.
For the three months ended September 30, 2006, our net
income was $238,722, a decrease from the $2.5 million for
the prior quarter ended June 30, 2006. The decrease was due
primarily to the 122.2% increase in our total operating expenses
from $1.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2006
to $4.0 million for the quarter ended September 30,
2006. That increase was attributable primarily to the increase
in our share-based compensation expenses included as part of our
selling expenses, general and administrative expenses and
research and development expenses, from $0.2 million,
$0.3 million and $12,681, respectively, for the quarter
ended June 30, 2006 to $0.9 million, $1.9 million
and $38,042, respectively, for the quarter ended
September 30, 2006. The decrease was also due in part to
income tax expense of $312,997 for the three months ended
September 30, 2006 as compared to a tax gain of $183,502
for the prior quarter ended June 30, 2006.
For more information, see Recent Developments.
10
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common shares involves significant
risks. You should carefully consider the risks described below
before you decide to buy our common shares. If any of the
following risks actually occurs, our business, prospects,
financial condition and results of operations could be
materially harmed, the trading price of our common shares could
decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry
Evaluating
our business and prospects may be difficult because of our
limited operating history.
There is limited historical information available about our
company upon which you can base your evaluation of our business
and prospects. We began business operations in October 2001 and
shipped our first solar module products in March 2002. With the
rapid growth of the solar power industry, we have experienced a
high growth rate since our inception and, in particular, in 2004
and 2005 after we began to sell standard solar modules. As such
our historical operating results may not provide a meaningful
basis for evaluating our business, financial performance and
prospects. We may not be able to achieve a similar growth rate
in future periods and our business model at higher volumes is
unproven. Accordingly, you should not rely on our results of
operations for any prior periods as an indication of our future
performance. You should consider our business and prospects in
light of the risks, expenses and challenges that we will face as
an early-stage company seeking to develop and manufacture new
products in a rapidly growing market.
The
current industry-wide shortage of high-purity silicon may
constrain our revenue growth and decrease our margins and
profitability.
We produce solar modules, which are an array of interconnected
solar cells encased in a weatherproof package, and products that
use solar modules. We do not currently produce solar cells
ourselves but source them from other companies, either through
direct purchases or toll manufacturing arrangements. High-purity
silicon is an essential raw material in the production of solar
cells and is also used in the semiconductor industry generally.
There is currently an industry-wide shortage of high-purity
silicon because of increased demand as a result of recent
expansions of, and increased demand in, the solar power and
semiconductor industries. The shortage of high-purity silicon
has driven the overall increase in silicon feedstock prices. For
example, according to a March 2006 report by Solarbuzz, the
average long-term silicon feedstock contracted price increased
from approximately $28-32 per kilogram in 2004 to
$35-40 per
kilogram in 2005, and is expected to increase to
$45-50 per
kilogram in 2006. In addition, according to Solarbuzz, spot
prices for silicon feedstock were generally $60-80 per kilogram
and reached in excess of $100 per kilogram as of March 2006. The
shortage of high-purity silicon has also resulted in a shortage
of, and significant price increases for, solar cells. According
to Solarbuzz, the average selling price of solar cells increased
from approximately
1.65-1.75 per
watt in 2004 depending on the size of the cell and the type of
technology used to approximately
2.20 per
watt in 2005. Based on our experience, we believe the average
price of silicon feedstock and solar cells to continue to
increase. Any further increase in the demand from the
semiconductor industry will compound the shortage and price
increases. The shortage of high-purity silicon has constrained
our revenue growth in the past and may continue to do so.
Increases in the prices of silicon feedstock and solar cells
have in the past increased our production costs and may impact
our cost of revenues and net income in the future. The
production of high-purity silicon is capital intensive and
adding additional capacity requires significant lead time. While
we are aware that several new facilities for the manufacture of
high-purity silicon are under construction, we do not believe
that the supply shortage will be remedied in the near term. We
expect that demand for high-purity silicon will continue to
outstrip supply for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, if
solar cells are not available to us at commercially viable
prices, this could adversely affect our margins and operating
results. This would have a material negative impact on our
business and operating results.
11
If
we are unable to secure an adequate and cost effective supply of
solar cells or reclaimable silicon, our revenue, margins and
profits could be adversely affected.
Solar cells are the most important component of solar module
products. We engage in supply chain management to secure a
sufficient and cost-effective supply of solar cells through our
sourcing of silicon feedstock, toll manufacturing arrangements
with suppliers of ingots, wafers and cells and direct purchases
from solar cell suppliers. While we have been able to secure
silicon to meet our production needs in the past, due to ongoing
industry shortages of silicon feedstock and solar cells, we
cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to
successfully manage our supply chain and secure an adequate and
cost-effective supply of solar cells. For example, we have
entered into three long-term contracts with silicon raw material
suppliers, but we cannot assure you that we will be able to
obtain adequate supplies from them under these contracts or from
other suppliers in sufficient quantities and at commercially
viable prices in the future. Moreover, toll manufacturing
arrangements may not be available to us in the future or at
higher volumes, in particular as high-purity silicon becomes
more readily available in the future, which could have an
adverse effect on our margins and profitability. Moreover, if we
are unable to procure an adequate supply of solar cells, either
through direct purchasing or through toll manufacturing
arrangements or if solar cells are not available to us at
commercially viable prices, we may be unable to meet demand for
our products and could lose our customers and market share, and
our margins and revenues could decline.
In addition, while we have been able to generate cost savings in
the past through our recycling of reclaimable silicon, we cannot
assure you that we will be able to secure sufficient reclaimable
silicon at higher volumes in the future as we believe there is a
limited supply of reclaimable silicon available in the market.
If we are unable to secure a sufficient supply of reclaimable
silicon, we will not be able to take advantage of the cost
savings we achieve through our reclamation program and our
margins could decline.
Because
the markets in which we compete are highly competitive and many
of our competitors have greater resources than us, we may not be
able to compete successfully and we may lose or be unable to
gain market share.
We compete with a large number of competitors in the solar
module market. These include international competitors such as
BP Solar International Inc., or BP Solar, Sharp Solar
Corporation, or Sharp Solar, SolarWorld AG, or SolarWorld, and
competitors located in China such as Suntech Power Holdings Co.,
Ltd. or Suntech Power. We expect to face increasing competition
in the future. Further, many of our competitors are developing
and are currently producing products based on new solar power
technologies that may ultimately have costs similar to, or lower
than, our projected costs. For example, some of our competitors
are developing or currently producing products based on
alternative solar technologies, such as thin film photovoltaic
materials, which they believe will ultimately cost the same as
or less than crystalline silicon technologies, which we use.
Solar modules produced using thin film materials, such as
amorphous silicon and cadmium telluride, require significantly
less silicon to produce than crystalline silicon solar modules,
such as our products, and are less susceptible to increases in
silicon costs. We may also face competition from semiconductor
manufacturers, several of which have already announced plans to
start production of solar modules. In addition, the entry
barriers are relatively low in the solar module manufacturing
business given the low capital requirements and relatively less
technological complexity involved. Due to the scarcity of
high-purity silicon, supply chain management and access to
financing are key entry barriers at present. However, if
high-purity silicon capacity increases, these barriers may no
longer exist and many new competitors may enter into the
industry resulting in rapid industry fragmentation and loss of
our market share.
Many of our current and potential competitors have longer
operating histories, greater name recognition, access to larger
customer bases and resources and significantly greater economies
of scale. In addition, our competitors may have stronger
relationships or may enter into exclusive relationships with
some of the key distributors or system integrators to whom we
sell our products. As a result, they may be able to respond more
quickly to changing customer demand or to devote greater
resources to the development, promotion and sales of their
products than we can. The sale of our solar module products
generated 97.7% and 99.7% of our net revenues in 2005 and for
the six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively. Our
12
competitors with more diversified product offerings may be
better positioned to withstand a decline in the demand for solar
power products. Some of our competitors have also become
vertically integrated, from upstream silicon wafer manufacturing
to solar power system integration. It is possible that new
competitors or alliances among existing competitors could emerge
and rapidly acquire significant market share, which would harm
our business. If we fail to compete successfully, our business
would suffer and we may lose or be unable to gain market share.
In the immediate future, we believe that the competitive arena
will continue to, and increasingly be contested on securing
silicon feedstock and forming strategic relationships to secure
a supply of solar cells. Many of our competitors have greater
access to silicon raw materials and cell supply, including
stronger strategic relationships with leading global and
domestic silicon feedstock suppliers, or have upstream silicon
wafer and cell manufacturing capabilities. We believe that as
the supply of high-purity silicon stabilizes, the key to
competing successfully in the industry will shift to more
traditional sales and marketing activities. We have conducted
very limited advertising in the past and cannot assure you that
we will be able to make that transition successfully. The
greater name recognition of some of our competitors may make it
difficult for us to compete if and when this transition occurs.
In addition, the solar power market in general competes with
other sources of renewable energy and conventional solar power
generation. If prices for conventional and other renewable
energy resources decline, or if these resources enjoy greater
policy support than solar power, the solar power market could
suffer.
The
reduction or elimination of government subsidies and economic
incentives for solar power could cause demand for our products
and our revenues, profits and margins to decline.
We believe that the near-term growth of the market, particularly
for on-grid applications, depends in large part on the
availability and size of government subsidies and economic
incentives. Because a substantial portion of our sales is made
in the on-grid market, the reduction or elimination of
government subsidies and economic incentives may adversely
hinder the growth of this market or result in increased price
competition, which could cause our revenues to decline.
Today, the cost of solar power substantially exceeds the cost of
power provided by the electric utility grid in many locations.
Governments around the world have used different policy
initiatives to accelerate the development and adoption of solar
power and other renewable energy sources. Renewable energy
policies are in place in the European Union, most notably
Germany and Spain, certain countries in Asia, and many of the
states in Australia and the United States. Examples of
customer-focused financial incentives include capital cost
rebates, feed-in tariffs, tax credits and net metering and other
incentives to end users, distributors, system integrators and
manufacturers of solar power products to promote the use of
solar power in both on-grid and off-grid applications and to
reduce dependency on other forms of energy. These government
economic incentives could be reduced or eliminated altogether.
Reductions in, or eliminations of, government subsidies and
economic incentives before the solar power industry reaches a
scale of economy sufficient to be cost-effective in a
non-subsidized market place could result in decreased demand for
our products and decrease our revenues, profits and margins.
Existing
regulations and policies and changes to these regulations and
policies may present technical, regulatory and economic barriers
to the purchase and use of solar power products, which may
significantly reduce demand for our products.
The market for electricity generation products is heavily
influenced by government regulations and policies concerning the
electric utility industry, as well as policies promulgated by
electric utilities. These regulations and policies often relate
to electricity pricing and technical interconnection of
customer-owned electricity generation. In a number of countries,
these regulations and policies have been modified and may
continue to be modified. Customer purchases of, or further
investment in the research and development of, alternative
energy sources, including solar power technology, could be
deterred by these regulations and policies, which could result
in a significant reduction in the potential demand for our
products. For example, without a regulatory mandated exception
for solar power systems, utility customers are often charged
interconnection or standby fees for putting distributed power
generation on the electric utility grid. These fees could
increase the cost to our customers of using our solar module
products and make them less desirable,
13
thereby harming our business, prospects, results of operations
and financial condition. In addition, pricing regulations and
policies may place limits on our ability to increase the price
of our solar module products in response to increases in our
solar cells and silicon raw materials costs.
We anticipate that our products and their installation will be
subject to oversight and regulation in accordance with national
and local regulations relating to building codes, safety,
environmental protection, utility interconnection and metering
and related matters. It is difficult to track the requirements
of individual jurisdictions and design products to comply with
the varying standards. For example, the European Unions
Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, which took effect
in July 2006, is a general directive. Each European Union member
state will adopt its own enforcement and implementation policies
using the directive as a guide. Therefore, there could be many
different versions of this law that we will have to comply with
to maintain or expand our sales in Europe. Any new government
regulations or utility policies pertaining to our solar module
products may result in significant additional expenses to us
and, as a result, could cause a significant reduction in demand
for our solar module products. In particular, any changes to
existing regulations and policies or new regulations and
policies in Germany could have a material adverse effect on our
business and operating results. Sales to customers located in
Germany accounted for 75.3% and 76.3% of our net revenues in
2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006,
respectively, in part because of the availability and amounts of
government subsidies and economic incentives in Germany.
The
lack or unavailability of financing for on-grid and off-grid
solar power applications could cause our sales to
decline.
Our solar module products are used in both on-grid applications
and off-grid applications. Off-grid applications are used where
access to utility networks is not economical or physically
feasible. In some developing countries, government agencies and
the private sector have, from time to time, provided financing
on preferential terms for rural electrification programs. We
believe that the availability of financing programs could have a
significant effect on the level of sales of solar modules for
both on-grid and off-grid applications. If existing financing
programs for on-grid and off-grid applications are eliminated or
if financing programs are inaccessible or inadequate, the growth
of the market for on-grid and off-grid applications may be
materially and adversely affected, which could cause our sales
to decline. In addition, a rise in interest rates could render
existing financings more expensive and present an obstacle for
potential financings that would otherwise spur the growth of the
solar power industry, which could materially and adversely
affect our business.
Our
dependence on a limited number of solar cell and silicon raw
material suppliers could prevent us from timely delivering our
products to our customers in the required quantities, which
could result in order cancellations and decreased
revenues.
We purchase silicon raw materials and solar cells from a limited
number of third-party suppliers. Our major suppliers of silicon
raw materials include Kunical International Ltd., or Kunical
International, of the United States and Luoyang Zhong Gui High
Tech Co. Ltd., or Luoyang Zhong Gui, of China, which provide us
specified minimum levels of silicon feedstock, Jiangxi Saiwei
LDK Solar Energy High-Tech Limited, or LDK, which provides us
specified minimum levels of solar wafers, Swiss Wafers AG,
or Swiss Wafers, of Switzerland, which provides us specified
minimum levels of solar cells and solar wafers. These suppliers
may not be able to meet the specified minimum levels set forth
in the contracts. We also have a limited number of suppliers
from whom we either purchase directly or obtain solar cells
through our toll manufacturing arrangements. If we fail to
develop or maintain our relationships with these or our other
suppliers, we may not be able to secure a supply of solar cells
at cost-effective prices, or at all. If that were to occur, we
may be unable to manufacture our products in a timely manner or
our products may be manufactured only at a higher cost, and we
could be prevented from delivering our products to our customers
in the required quantities and at prices that are profitable.
Problems of this kind could cause us to experience order
cancellations and loss of market share and harm our reputation.
The failure of a supplier to supply solar cells or silicon raw
materials that meet our quality, quantity and cost requirements
in a timely manner could impair our ability to manufacture our
products or increase our costs, particularly if we are unable to
obtain these
14
solar cells or silicon raw materials from alternative sources on
a timely basis or on commercially reasonable terms. For example,
in late 2005, one of our major suppliers of solar cells incurred
serious fire damage at its facilities. This resulted in a
signification reduction in the number of solar cells we were
able to obtain during the succeeding five months, which in turn
materially and adversely affected our net revenues for those
months.
Our
dependence on a limited number of customers and our lack of
long-term contracts may cause significant fluctuations or
declines in our revenues.
We currently sell a substantial portion of our solar module
products to a limited number of customers, including
distributors and system integrators, and various manufacturers
who either integrate our products into their own products or
sell them as part of their product portfolio. In 2005, our top
five customers collectively accounted for approximately 68.2% of
our net revenues. Bihler GmbH, or Bihler, and Sonn-en GmbH, or
Sonn-en, contributed 36.8% and 14.0%, respectively, of our net
revenues for the same time period. For the six months ended
June 30, 2006, our top five customers collectively
accounted for approximately 91.2% of our net revenues, and
Iliotec Solar GmbH, or Iliotec, Schuco International KG, or
Schuco, Instalaciones Pevafersa, or Pevafersa, and Bihler
contributed 36.0%, 18.2%, 17.3% and 11.2%, respectively, of our
net revenues for the same period. See Business
Markets and Customers. As is customary in the solar power
industry, sales to our customers are typically made through
non-exclusive, short-term arrangements. For example, our sales
contracts with Bihler are typically for periods of three months
and are in the forms of pro forma invoices and order
confirmations. The delivery terms of these orders are ex-works,
under which we fulfill our obligation to make delivery when we
make the goods available to Bihler at our factory in China. We
require Bihler to pay 20% to 30% of the purchase price as a
prepayment for the goods covered by the pro forma invoice and
require that the balance be paid by telex transfer in advance
prior to each shipment. We anticipate that our dependence on a
limited number of customers will continue for the foreseeable
future. Consequently, any one of the following events may cause
material fluctuations or declines in our revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
reduction, delay or cancellation of orders from one or more of
our significant customers; |
|
|
|
loss of one or more of our significant customers and our failure
to identify additional or replacement customers; and |
|
|
|
failure of any of our significant customers to make timely
payment for our products. |
We
may not be able to manage our expansion of operations
effectively.
We commenced business operations in October 2001 and have grown
rapidly since. We expect to continue to significantly expand our
business to meet the growth in demand for our products, as well
as to capture new market opportunities. To manage the potential
growth of our operations, we will be required to improve our
operational and financial systems and procedures and controls.
Our rapid growth has strained our resources and made it
difficult to maintain and update our internal procedures and
controls as necessary to meet the expansion of our overall
business. We must also increase production output, expand, train
and manage our growing employee base, and successfully establish
new subsidiaries to operate new or expanded facilities.
Additionally, access to additional funds to support the
expansion of our business may not always be available to us.
Furthermore, our management will be required to maintain and
expand our relationships with our customers, suppliers and other
third parties.
We cannot assure you that our current and planned operations,
personnel, systems and internal procedures and controls will be
adequate to support our future growth. If we are unable to
manage our growth effectively, we may not be able to take
advantage of market opportunities, execute our business
strategies or respond to competitive pressures.
15
If
solar power technology is not suitable for widespread adoption,
or sufficient demand for solar module products does not develop
or takes longer to develop than we anticipate, our revenues may
not continue to increase or may even decline, and we may be
unable to sustain our profitability.
The solar power market is at a relatively early stage of
development, and the extent of acceptance of solar module
products is uncertain. Market data on the solar power industry
are not as readily available as those for other more established
industries where trends can be assessed more reliably from data
gathered over a longer period of time. If solar power technology
proves unsuitable for widespread adoption or if demand for solar
module products fails to develop sufficiently, we may not be
able to grow our business or generate sufficient revenues to
sustain our profitability. In addition, demand for solar module
products in our targeted markets, including Germany, Spain, the
United States, Canada, China and Japan may not develop or may
develop to a lesser extent than we anticipate. Many factors may
affect the viability of widespread adoption of solar power
technology and demand for solar module products, including:
|
|
|
|
|
cost-effectiveness, performance and reliability of solar power
products compared to conventional and other renewable energy
sources and products; |
|
|
|
availability of government subsidies and incentives to support
the development of the solar power industry; |
|
|
|
success of other alternative energy generation technologies,
such as fuel cells, wind power, hydroelectric power and biomass; |
|
|
|
fluctuations in economic and market conditions that affect the
viability of renewable energy sources, such as increases or
decreases in the prices of oil and other fossil fuels; and |
|
|
|
deregulation of the electric power industry and broader energy
industry. |
Technological
changes in the solar power industry could render our products
uncompetitive or obsolete, which could reduce our market share
and cause our revenues and profit to decline.
The solar power market is characterized by evolving technology
standards that require improved features, such as more efficient
and higher power output, improved aesthetics and smaller size.
This requires us to develop new solar module products and
enhancements for existing solar module products to keep pace
with evolving industry standards and changing customer
requirements. Technologies developed by others may prove more
advantageous than ours for the commercialization of solar module
products and may render our technology obsolete. Our failure to
further refine our technology and develop and introduce new
solar module products could cause our products to become
uncompetitive or obsolete, which could reduce our market share
and cause our revenues to decline. We will need to invest
significant financial resources in research and development to
maintain our market position, keep pace with technological
advances in the solar power industry and effectively compete in
the future.
If our future innovations fail to enable us to maintain or
improve our competitive position, we may lose market share. If
we are unable to successfully design, develop and introduce or
bring to market competitive new solar module products, or
enhance our existing solar module products, we may not be able
to compete successfully. Competing solar power technologies may
result in lower manufacturing costs or higher product
performance than those expected from our solar module products.
In addition, if we are unable to manage product transitions, our
business and results of operations would be negatively affected.
Our
business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our
executive officers, and our business may be severely disrupted
if we lose their services.
Our future success depends substantially on the continued
services of our executive officers, especially Dr. Shawn
Qu, our chairman, president and chief executive officer,
Bencheng Li, general manager of CSI Luoyang, Gregory
Spanoudakis, our vice president of international sales and
marketing, Robert Patterson, our vice president of corporate and
product development and general manager of Canadian operations,
and Bing Zhu, our chief financial officer. If one or more of our
executive officers are unable or unwilling to continue in
16
their present positions, we may not be able to replace them
readily, if at all. Therefore, our business may be severely
disrupted, and we may incur additional expenses to recruit and
retain new officers, in particular those with a significant mix
of both international and China-based solar power industry
experience as many of our current officers have. In addition, if
any of our executives joins a competitor or forms a competing
company, whether in violation of their agreements with us or
otherwise, we may lose some of our customers.
We
face risks associated with the marketing, distribution and sale
of our solar module products internationally. If we are unable
to effectively manage these risks, they could impair our ability
to expand our business abroad.
In 2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006, we sold
approximately 97.2% and 99.4%, respectively, of our products to
customers located outside of China. The marketing, distribution
and sale of our solar module products in the international
markets expose us to a number of risks, including:
|
|
|
|
|
fluctuations in the currency exchange rates of the Euro,
U.S. dollar and RMB; |
|
|
|
difficulty in engaging and retaining distributors who are
knowledgeable about and, can function effectively in, overseas
markets; |
|
|
|
increased costs associated with maintaining marketing efforts in
various countries; |
|
|
|
difficulty and cost relating to compliance with the different
commercial and legal requirements of the overseas markets in
which we offer our products; |
|
|
|
cultural, language and logistical barriers to working with
customers in different countries; and |
|
|
|
trade barriers such as export requirements, tariffs, taxes and
other restrictions and expenses, which could increase the prices
of our products and make us less competitive in some countries. |
Problems
with product quality or product performance, including defects,
in our products could damage our reputation, or result in a
decrease in customers and revenue, unexpected expenses and loss
of market share.
Our products may contain defects that are not detected until
after they are shipped or are installed because we cannot test
for all possible scenarios. These defects could cause us to
incur significant costs, divert the attention of our personnel
from product development efforts and significantly affect our
customer relations and business reputation. If we deliver solar
module products with errors or defects, or if there is a
perception that our products contain errors or defects, our
credibility and the market acceptance and sales of our solar
module products could be harmed. In two instances in 2005,
customers raised concerns about the stated versus actual
performance output of some of our solar modules. We determined
that both concerns resulted from differences in calibration
methodologies and we resolved the issue with these customers.
However, the corrective actions and procedures that we took may
turn out to be inadequate to prevent further incidents of the
same problem or to protect against future errors or defects. In
addition, some of our ingot, wafer and cell suppliers with whom
we have toll manufacturing arrangements have raised concerns
about the quality and consistency of the silicon feedstock, in
particular the reclaimable silicon that we recycle through our
silicon reclamation program for re-use in the solar power
industry, that we have provided to them for their ultimate
conversion into solar cells. The use of reclaimed silicon in the
solar power supply chain has an inherent risk as it is difficult
to maintain the consistency and quality of reclaimed silicon at
the same level as high-purity silicon. The successful use of
reclaimed silicon requires extensive experience, know-how and
additional quality control measures from both the provider of
reclaimed silicon and the toll manufacturers. If we cannot
successfully maintain the consistency and quality of the
reclaimed silicon from our silicon reclamation program at an
acceptable level, this may result in less efficient solar cells
for our solar modules or in a lower conversion ratio of solar
cells per ton of silicon feedstock that we provide, and may
potentially delay and reduce our supply of solar cells. This may
reduce or eliminate the cost advantages of recycling silicon
through our silicon reclamation program. This could also cause
problems with product quality or product performance, including
defects in our products, and increase the cost of producing our
products.
17
In addition, as we obtain the solar cells that we use in our
products from third parties, either directly or through toll
manufacturing arrangements, we have limited control over the
quality of the solar cells we incorporate into our solar
modules. Unlike solar modules, which are subject to certain
uniform international standards, solar cells generally do not
have uniform international standards, and it is often difficult
to determine whether solar module product defects are a result
of the solar cells or other components or reasons. We also rely
on third party suppliers for other components that we use in our
products, such as glass, frame and backing for our solar
modules, and electronic components for our specialty solar
modules and products. Furthermore, the solar cells and other
components that we purchase from third party suppliers are
typically sold to us without any, or with only limited,
warranty. The possibility of future product failures could cause
us to incur substantial expense to repair or replace defective
products. Furthermore, widespread product failures may damage
our market reputation, reduce our market share and cause our
revenues to decline.
Since
we cannot test our products for the duration of our standard
warranty periods, we may be subject to unexpected warranty
expense.
Our standard solar modules are typically sold with a two-year
guarantee for defects in materials and workmanship and a
10-year and
25-year warranty
against declines of more than 10.0% and 20.0%, respectively, of
the initial minimum power generation capacity at the time of
delivery. Our specialty solar modules and products are typically
sold with a one-year guarantee against defects in materials and
workmanship and may, depending on the characteristics of the
product, contain a limited warranty of up to ten years, against
declines of the minimum power generation capacity specified at
the time of delivery. We believe our warranty periods are
consistent with industry practice. Due to the long warranty
period, we bear the risk of extensive warranty claims long after
we have shipped our products and recognized revenue. We began
selling specialty solar modules and products in 2002 and only
began selling standard solar modules in 2004. Any increase in
the defect rate of our products would cause us to increase the
amount of warranty reserves and have a corresponding negative
impact on our operating results. Although we conduct quality
testing and inspection of our solar module products, our solar
module products have not been and cannot be tested in an
environment simulating the up to
25-year warranty
periods. As a result, we may be subject to unexpected warranty
expense and associated harm to our financial results as long as
25 years after the sale of our products.
Our
future growth depends in part on our ability to make strategic
acquisitions and investments and to establish and maintain
strategic relationships, and our failure to do so could have a
material adverse effect on our market penetration and revenue
growth.
The solar power industry has only recently emerged as a high
growth market and is currently experiencing shortages of its key
component, high-purity silicon, due to rapid industry growth and
demand. We believe it is critical that we continue to manage
upstream silicon supply sources by, among other strategies,
pursuing strategic acquisitions and investments in solar cell
and silicon raw materials suppliers to secure a guaranteed
supply and better control the specifications and quality of the
materials delivered and fostering strategic relationships,
particularly with silicon feedstock and solar cell suppliers. We
cannot assure you, however, that we will be able to successfully
make such strategic acquisitions and investments or establish
strategic relationships with third parties that will prove to be
effective for our business. Our inability in this regard could
have a material adverse effect on our market penetration, our
revenue growth and our profitability.
Strategic acquisitions, investments and relationships with third
parties could subject us to a number of risks, including risks
associated with sharing proprietary information and loss of
control of operations that are material to our business.
Moreover, strategic acquisitions, investments and relationships
may be expensive to implement and subject us to the risk of
non-performance by a counterparty, which may in turn lead to
monetary losses that materially and adversely affect our
business.
18
We
may not succeed in developing a cost-effective solar cell
manufacturing capability.
We plan to expand into areas further up the supply chain,
including manufacturing solar cells to support our core solar
module manufacturing business. We plan to complete our first
solar cell production line in the first quarter of 2007 with
commercial production targeted for the second quarter of 2007.
We do not have any significant operating experience in this
market and we will face significant challenges in the solar cell
business. Manufacturing solar cells is a highly complex process
and we may not be able to produce solar cells of sufficient
quality to meet our solar module manufacturing standards. Minor
deviations in the manufacturing process can cause substantial
decreases in yield and in some cases cause production to be
suspended or yield no output. We will need to make capital
expenditures to purchase manufacturing equipment for solar cell
production and will also need to make significant investments in
research and development to keep pace with technological
advances in solar power technology. The technologies, designs
and customer preferences for solar cells change more rapidly,
and solar cell product life cycles are shorter than those for
solar modules. We may not be able to successfully address these
new challenges. We will also face increased costs to comply with
environmental laws and regulations. Any failure to successfully
develop a cost-effective solar cell manufacturing capability may
have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects.
In addition, although we intend to continue our toll
manufacturing arrangements, if we engage in the large scale
production of solar cells it may disrupt our existing
relationships with solar cell suppliers. If solar cell suppliers
discontinue or reduce the supply of solar cells to us, either
through direct sales or through toll manufacturing arrangements,
and we are not able to compensate for the loss or reduction with
our own manufacturing of solar cells, our business and results
of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
We
may fail to successfully bring to market our new specialty solar
modules and products, which may prevent us from achieving
increased sales, margins and market share.
We expect to derive a greater portion of our revenues from sales
of our new specialty solar modules and products and will
increase our research and development expenses in connection
with developing these products. If we fail to successfully
develop our new specialty solar modules and products, we will
likely be unable to recover the expenses that we will incur to
develop these products and may be unable to increase our sales
and market share and to increase our margins. Many of our new
specialty solar modules and products have yet to receive market
acceptance, and it is difficult to predict whether we will be
successful in completing their development or whether they will
be commercially successful. We may also need to develop new
manufacturing processes that have yet to be tested and which may
result in lower production output.
Our
failure to protect our intellectual property rights in
connection with new specialty solar modules and products may
undermine our competitive position.
As we develop and bring to market new specialty solar modules
and products, we may need to increase our expenses to protect
our intellectual property and our failure to protect our
intellectual property rights may undermine our competitive
position. We currently use contractual arrangements with
employees and trade secret protections to protect our
intellectual property. Nevertheless, these afford only limited
protection and the actions we take to protect our intellectual
property rights as we develop new specialty solar modules and
products may not be adequate. We currently only have one patent
and two patent applications pending in China for products that
makes up a relatively small percentage of our net revenues and
one trademark application pending in China. Policing
unauthorized use of proprietary technology can be difficult and
expensive. Also, litigation, which can be costly and divert
management attention, may be necessary to enforce our
intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets or
determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of
others.
19
We
may be exposed to infringement, misappropriation or other claims
by third parties, which, if determined adversely to us, could
cause us to pay significant damage awards.
Our success depends on our ability to use and develop our
technology and know-how and sell our solar module products
without infringing the intellectual property or other rights of
third parties. We do not have, and have not applied for, any
patents for our proprietary technologies outside China, although
we have sold, and expect to continue to sell, a substantial
portion of our products outside China. The validity and scope of
claims relating to solar power technology patents involve
complex scientific, legal and factual questions and analysis
and, therefore, may be highly uncertain. We may be subject to
litigation involving claims of patent infringement or violation
of intellectual property rights of third parties. In addition,
we have not yet registered our trade name, CSI,
outside of China, and our trademark application in China is
still pending. As a result, we could be subject to trademark
disputes and may not be able to police the unauthorized use of
our trade name. The defense and prosecution of intellectual
property suits, patent opposition proceedings and related legal
and administrative proceedings can be both costly and time
consuming and may significantly divert the efforts and resources
of our technical and management personnel. An adverse
determination in any such litigation or proceedings to which we
may become a party could subject us to significant liability to
third parties, require us to seek licenses from third parties,
to pay ongoing royalties, or to redesign our products or subject
us to injunctions prohibiting the manufacture and sale of our
products or the use of our technologies. Protracted litigation
could also result in our customers or potential customers
deferring or limiting their purchase or use of our products
until resolution of such litigation.
In addition, our competitors and other third parties may
initiate legal proceedings against us or our employees that may
strain our resources, divert our management attention and damage
our reputation. For example, in March 2002, ICP Global
Technologies Inc., or ICP Global, a manufacturer of solar power
products, filed an action in the Superior Court of the Province
of Quebec, Canada (Action
No. 500-05 071241-028)
against our vice president of international sales and marketing,
Gregory Spanoudakis, and ATS Automation Tooling
Systems Inc., or ATS. ICP Global subsequently amended the
complaint to include us, our subsidiary, CSI Solartronics, and
our chairman and chief executive officer, Dr. Shawn Qu, as
defendants. The amended complaint contends that all of the
defendants jointly engaged in unlawful conduct and unfair
competition in directing a business opportunity away from ICP
Global to us. Although there have been no meaningful discovery,
court filings or communications from the plaintiff on this
matter since early 2004, we cannot assure you that ICP Global
will not move forward with this case or that the litigation will
not be determined adversely to us. See Our
Business Legal Proceedings for more details.
We also cannot assure you that similar proceedings will not
occur in the future.
If
we are unable to attract, train and retain technical personnel,
our business may be materially and adversely affected.
Our future success depends, to a significant extent, on our
ability to attract, train and retain technical personnel.
Recruiting and retaining capable personnel, particularly those
with expertise in the solar power industry, are vital to our
success. There is substantial competition for qualified
technical personnel, and there can be no assurance that we will
be able to attract or retain our technical personnel. If we are
unable to attract and retain qualified employees, our business
may be materially and adversely affected.
Fluctuations
in exchange rates could adversely affect our business.
Historically, a major portion of our sales were denominated in
Euros, with the remainder in Renminbi and U.S. dollars.
Since June 2005, substantially all of our sales contracts have
been denominated in U.S. dollars. The major portion of our
costs and expenses is denominated in U.S. dollars. We also
incur a portion of our costs and expenses in Renminbi, primarily
related to domestic sourcing of solar cells and silicon raw
materials, toll manufacturing fees, labor costs and local
overhead expenses. We also have loan arrangements with Chinese
commercial banks that are denominated in Renminbi. Therefore,
fluctuations in currency exchange rates could have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition and results of
operations. Fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly among
the U.S. dollar, Renminbi and Euro, affect our gross and
net profit margins and could result in fluctuations in foreign
exchange and operating gains and
20
losses. We cannot predict the impact of future exchange rate
fluctuations on our results of operations and we may incur net
foreign currency losses in the future.
Product
liability claims against us could result in adverse publicity
and potentially significant monetary damages.
As with other solar module product manufacturers, we are exposed
to risks associated with product liability claims if the use of
our solar module products results in injury. Since our products
generate electricity, it is possible that users could be injured
or killed by our products as a result of product malfunctions,
defects, improper installation or other causes. We only shipped
our first products in March 2002 and, because of our limited
operating history, we cannot predict whether product liability
claims will be brought against us in the future or the effect of
any resulting negative publicity on our business. Although we
carry limited product liability insurance, we may not have
adequate resources to satisfy a judgment if a successful claim
is brought against us. The successful assertion of product
liability claims against us could result in potentially
significant monetary damages and require us to make significant
payments. Even if the product liability claims against us are
determined in our favor, we may suffer significant damage to our
reputation.
Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate from period
to period in the future.
Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate from period to
period based on the seasonality of consumer spending and
industry demand for solar power products. In addition, purchases
of solar products tends to decrease during the winter months in
our key markets, such as Germany, due to adverse weather
conditions that can complicate the installation of solar power
systems. As a result, you may not be able to rely on period to
period comparisons of our operating results as an indication of
our future performance. See Managements Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Overview for factors that are
likely to cause our operating results to fluctuate.
Our
founder, Dr. Shawn Qu, will have a substantial influence over
our company and his interests may not be aligned with the
interests of our other shareholders.
Dr. Shawn Qu, our founder, chairman and chief executive
officer, currently beneficially owns 65.20% of our outstanding
share capital and will beneficially own approximately 50.14% of
our outstanding share capital upon completion of this offering.
As such, Dr. Qu has, and will continue to have, substantial
influence over our business, including decisions regarding
mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all
of our assets, election of directors and other significant
corporate actions. This concentration of ownership may
discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company,
which could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to
receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our
company and might reduce the price of our common shares. These
actions may be taken even if they are opposed by our other
shareholders, including those who purchase shares in this
offering.
Compliance
with environmental regulations can be expensive, and
noncompliance with these regulations may result in adverse
publicity and potentially significant monetary damages, fines
and suspensions of our business operations.
We are required to comply with all national and local
regulations regarding protection of the environment. We believe
that our manufacturing processes do not generate any material
levels of noise, waste water, gaseous wastes and other
industrial wastes and that we are in compliance with present
environmental protection requirements and have all necessary
environmental permits to conduct our business as it is presently
conducted. However, if more stringent regulations are adopted in
the future, the costs of compliance with these new regulations
could be substantial. For example, we increased our expenditures
to comply with the European Unions Restriction of
Hazardous Substances Directive, which took effect in July 2006,
by reducing the amount of lead and other restricted substances
used in our solar module products. Furthermore, we may need to
comply with the European Unions Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment Directive if we begin to sell specialty
solar modules and products to customers located in Europe or if
our customers
21
located in other markets demand that our products be compliant.
In addition, as we expand our silicon reclamation program and
research and development activities and expand into solar cell
manufacturing, we may begin to generate material levels of
noise, waste water, gaseous wastes and other industrial wastes.
If we fail to comply with present or future environmental
regulations, we may be required to pay substantial fines,
suspend production or cease operations. Any failure by us to
control the use of, or to restrict adequately the discharge of,
hazardous substances could subject us to potentially significant
monetary damages and fines or suspensions of our business
operations.
We
may not be successful in establishing our brand names among all
consumers in important markets and the products we sell under
our brand name may compete with the products we manufacture on
an OEM basis for our customers.
We sell our products primarily under our own brand name and also
on an OEM basis for our customers. In certain markets our brand
may not be as prominent as other more established solar power
vendors, and there can be no assurance that the CSI
brand name or any of our potential future brand names, will gain
acceptance among customers. Moreover, because the range of
products we sell under our own brands and those we manufacture
for our customers may be substantially similar, there can be no
assurance that, currently or in the future, there will be no
direct or indirect competition between products sold under the
CSI brand, or any of our potential other future brands, and
products we manufacture on an OEM basis. This could negatively
affect our relationship with these customers.
If
we grant employee share options, restricted shares or other
share-based compensation in the future, our net income could be
adversely affected.
We adopted a share incentive plan in 2006. As of the date of
this prospectus, we have issued 1,337,770 share options and
566,190 restricted shares under our share incentive plan. In
December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or
FASB, issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or
SFAS, No. 123R, Share-Based Payment. This
statement, which became effective in our first quarter of 2006,
will prescribe how we account for share-based compensation, and
may have an adverse or negative impact on our results of
operations or the price of our common shares.
SFAS No. 123R requires us to recognize share-based
compensation as compensation expense in the statement of
operations based on the fair value of equity awards on the date
of the grant, with the compensation expense recognized over the
period in which the recipient is required to provide service in
exchange for the equity award. This statement also requires us
to adopt a fair value-based method for measuring the
compensation expense related to share-based compensation. The
additional expenses associated with share-based compensation may
reduce the attractiveness of issuing share options or restricted
shares under our share incentive plan. However, if we do not
grant share options or restricted shares, or reduce the number
of share options or restricted shares that we grant, we may not
be able to attract and retain key personnel. If we grant more
share options or restricted shares to attract and retain key
personnel, the expenses associated with share-based compensation
may adversely affect our net income.
There
have been historical deficiencies with our internal controls and
there remain areas of our internal and disclosure controls that
require improvement. If we fail to maintain an effective system
of internal controls, we may be unable to accurately report our
financial results or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and
the market price of our common shares may be adversely
impacted.
When our auditors audited our financial statements as of and for
the period ended December 31, 2005, they observed a number
of deficiencies in our internal controls. These deficiencies
included a lack of detail in our documented accounting policies,
insufficient functionality of certain of our IT systems,
and a limitation of tax, financial reporting, and accounting
resources that could impact our financial reporting in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
U.S. These deficiencies in the design and operation of our
internal controls could adversely affect our ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial data consistent with the
assertions of management in the financial statements. These
historical deficiencies included several errors made by our
accounting staff initially in preparing our 2005 financial
statements. For
22
example, we had used assumptions in calculating the fair values
of our convertible notes and the related derivatives and
freestanding financial instruments that were inappropriate under
U.S. GAAP and subsequently we had to revise the allocation of
the proceeds from the issuance of the convertible notes. We also
uncovered a record-keeping error with one of our foreign
currency bank accounts, which resulted in an incorrect credit to
our exchange gains/ losses. In addition, we did not properly
apply U.S. GAAP in calculating the gain on an acquisition
that we made in 2003, which resulted in an overstatement of
extraordinary item by $93,446.
Following the identification of these deficiencies, we undertook
remedial steps to address these deficiencies, including hiring
additional staff, training our new and existing staff and
installing new or improving current IT systems. In particular,
we hired a financial controller, a manager of internal audit, a
manager of financial control and an accounting manager. We
continue to take additional steps to improve our internal
controls and disclosure controls. If we are unable to implement
solutions to deficiencies in our existing internal and
disclosure controls and procedures, or if we fail to maintain an
effective system of internal and disclosure controls in the
future we may be unable to accurately report our financial
results or prevent fraud and investor confidence and the market
price of our common shares may be adversely impacted.
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
Uncertainties
with respect to the Chinese legal system could have a material
adverse effect on us.
We conduct substantially all of our manufacturing operations
through our subsidiaries in China. These subsidiaries are
generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign
investment in China and, in particular, laws applicable to
wholly foreign-owned enterprises. The PRC legal system is based
on written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for
reference but have limited precedential value. Since 1979, PRC
legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the
protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in
China. However, since these laws and regulations are relatively
new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the
interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not
always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and
rules involve uncertainties, which may limit legal protections
available to us. In addition, any litigation in China may be
protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of
resources and management attention.
Fluctuation
in the value of the Renminbi may have a material adverse effect
on your investment.
The change in value of the Renminbi against the
U.S. dollar, Euro and other currencies is affected by,
among other things, changes in Chinas political and
economic conditions. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government
changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the
Renminbi to the U.S. dollar. Under the new policy, the
Renminbi is permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed
band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. This change
in policy has resulted in an approximately 5.0% appreciation of
Renminbi against the U.S. dollar between July 21, 2005
and November 8, 2006. While the international reaction to
the Renminbi revaluation has generally been positive, there
remains significant international pressure on the PRC government
to adopt an even more flexible currency policy, which could
result in a further and more significant appreciation of the
Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. As a portion of our costs
and expenses is denominated in Renminbi, the revaluation in July
2005 and potential future revaluation has and could further
increase our costs in U.S. dollar terms. In addition, as we
rely entirely on dividends paid to us by our operating
subsidiaries in China, any significant revaluation of the
Renminbi may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and
financial condition, and the value of, and any dividends payable
on, our common shares. For example, to the extent that we need
to convert U.S. dollars we receive from this offering into
Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi
against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the
Renminbi amount we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if
we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the
purpose of making payments for dividends on our common shares or
for other business purposes, appreciation of the
U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative
effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us.
23
Restrictions
on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use
our revenues effectively.
Certain portions of our revenue and expenses are denominated in
Renminbi. If our revenues denominated in Renminbi increase or
expenses denominated in Renminbi decrease in the future, we may
need to convert a portion of our revenues into other currencies
to meet our foreign currency obligations, including, among
others, payment of dividends declared, if any, in respect of our
common shares. Under Chinas existing foreign exchange
regulations, our PRC subsidiaries are able to pay dividends in
foreign currencies, without prior approval from the State
Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, by complying with
certain procedural requirements. However, we cannot assure you
that the PRC government will not take further measures in the
future to restrict access to foreign currencies for current
account transactions.
Foreign exchange transactions by our PRC subsidiaries under most
capital accounts continue to be subject to significant foreign
exchange controls and require the approval of PRC governmental
authorities. In particular, if we finance our PRC subsidiaries
by means of additional capital contributions, these capital
contributions must be approved by certain government authorities
including the Ministry of Commerce or its local counterparts.
These limitations could affect the ability of our PRC
subsidiaries to obtain foreign exchange through equity financing.
Our
business benefits from certain PRC government incentives.
Expiration of, or changes to, these incentives could have a
material adverse effect on our operating results.
Under current PRC laws and regulations, a foreign invested
enterprise, or FIE, in China is typically subject to enterprise
income tax, or EIT, at the rate of 30% on taxable income, and
local income tax at the rate of 3% on taxable income. The PRC
government has provided various incentives to FIEs, such as each
of our PRC subsidiaries, to encourage the development of foreign
investments. Such incentives include reduced tax rates and other
measures. FIEs that are determined by PRC tax authorities to be
manufacturing companies with authorized terms of operation more
than ten years, are eligible for: (i) a two-year exemption
from EIT from their first profitable year; and (ii) a
reduced EIT of 50% for the succeeding three years. CSI
Solartronics is entitled to a preferential EIT rate of 24%, as
it is a manufacturing enterprise located in a coastal economic
development zone in Changshu. CSI Solartronics first
profitable year was 2002 and it is currently paying an EIT rate
of 12% until the end of 2006. CSI Solar Manufacturing is
entitled to a preferential EIT rate of 15%. CSI Solar
Manufacturings first profitable year was 2005 and it is
exempt from EIT until 2006. It will be subject to an EIT rate of
7.5% from 2007 until 2009. CSI Solar Technologies, CSI Luoyang,
CSI Solarchip and CSI Advanced have not made a profit and have
therefore not applied for preferential tax treatment. If these
subsidiaries turn profitable, they will apply for preferential
tax rates and tax holidays. As these tax benefits expire, the
effective tax rate of our PRC subsidiaries may increase
significantly, and any increase of their EIT rates in the future
could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition
and results of operations.
There
may be some uncertainty surrounding a recently adopted PRC
regulation that requires certain offshore listings to be
approved by the China Securities Regulatory Commission.
On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including
the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC, promulgated
a regulation that took effect on September 8, 2006. This
regulation, among other things, requires offshore special
purpose vehicles, or SPVs, formed for listing purposes through
acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by Chinese
domestic companies or PRC individuals to obtain the approval of
the CSRC prior to publicly listing their securities on an
overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC
published on its official website a notice specifying the
documents and materials that are required to be submitted for
obtaining CSRC approval. We believe, based on the advice of
Chen & Co., our PRC counsel, that this regulation does
not apply to us and that CSRC approval is not required because
we are not an SPV covered by the new regulation as we are owned
and controlled by non-PRC individual and entities, and all our
PRC subsidiaries are foreign-funded and have been incorporated
through our direct investment instead of acquisition. However,
since the regulation has only recently been adopted, there may
be some uncertainty as to how this regulation will be
interpreted or implemented. If the CSRC or other PRC regulatory
body subsequently determines that we need to obtain the
CSRCs approval for
24
this offering, we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC
regulatory agencies. In such event, these regulatory agencies
may impose fines and penalties on our operations in the PRC,
limit our operating privileges in the PRC, delay or restrict the
repatriation of the proceeds from this offering into the PRC, or
take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition, results of operations,
reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our
common shares. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies may
also take actions requiring us, or making it advisable to us, to
halt this offering before settlement and delivery of the common
shares offered by this prospectus.
We
face risks related to health epidemics and other
outbreaks.
Our business could be adversely affected by the effects of avian
flu or another epidemic or outbreak. In 2005 and 2006, there
have been reports on the occurrences of avian flu in various
parts of China, including a few confirmed human cases and
deaths. Any prolonged recurrence of avian flu or other adverse
public health developments in China may have a material adverse
effect on our business operations. These could include our
ability to travel or ship our products outside of China, as well
as temporary closure of our manufacturing facilities. Such
closures or travel or shipment restrictions would severely
disrupt our business operations and adversely affect our results
of operations. We have not adopted any written preventive
measures or contingency plans to combat any future outbreak of
avian flu or any other epidemic.
Risks Related to This Offering
There
has been no public market for our common shares prior to this
offering, and you may not be able to resell our common shares at
or above the price you paid, or at all.
Prior to this initial public offering, there has been no public
market for our common shares. Our common shares have been
approved for listing on the Nasdaq Global Market. If an active
trading market for our common shares does not develop after this
offering, the market price and liquidity of our common shares
will be materially and adversely affected. The initial public
offering price for our common shares is determined by
negotiations between us and the underwriters and may bear no
relationship to the market price for our common shares after
this initial public offering. We cannot assure you that an
active trading market for our common shares will develop or that
the market price of our common shares will not decline below the
initial public offering price.
The
market price for our common shares may be volatile.
The market price for our common shares is likely to be highly
volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors
including the following:
|
|
|
|
|
announcements of technological or competitive developments; |
|
|
|
regulatory developments in our target markets affecting us, our
customers or our competitors; |
|
|
|
actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating
results; |
|
|
|
changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts; |
|
|
|
changes in the economic performance or market valuations of
other solar power companies; |
|
|
|
addition or departure of our executive officers and key research
personnel; |
|
|
|
announcements regarding patent litigation or the issuance of
patents to us or our competitors; |
|
|
|
fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar,
the Euro and RMB; |
|
|
|
release or expiry of
lock-up or other
transfer restrictions on our outstanding common shares; and |
|
|
|
sales or perceived sales of additional common shares. |
25
In addition, the securities market has from time to time
experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are
not related to the operating performance of particular
companies. These market fluctuations may also have a material
adverse effect on the market price of our common shares.
Because
the initial public offering price is substantially higher than
our net tangible book value per share, you will incur immediate
and substantial dilution.
If you purchase our common shares in this offering, you will pay
more for the common shares than the amount paid by our existing
shareholders for their common shares on a per share basis. As a
result, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution
of $11.32 per share (assuming no exercise by the
underwriters their option to acquire additional common shares),
representing the difference between our net tangible book value
per share as of December 31, 2005, after giving effect to
this offering and the initial public offering price of
$15.00 per share. In addition, you may experience further
dilution to the extent that our common shares are issued upon
the exercise of share options.
Substantial
future sales or perceived sales of our common shares in the
public market could cause the price of our common shares to
decline.
Sales of our common shares in the public market after this
offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, could
cause the market price of our common shares to decline. Upon
completion of this offering, we will have 27,270,000 common
shares outstanding (assuming no exercise by the underwriters of
their option to acquire additional shares). All common shares
sold in this offering will be freely transferable without
restriction or additional registration under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended. The remaining common shares outstanding
after this offering will be available for sale, upon the
expiration of the
180-day
lock-up period
beginning from the date of this prospectus and subject to
volume, holding period and other restrictions as applicable
under Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act.
Any or all of these shares (other than those held by certain
option holders) may be released prior to expiration of the
lock-up period at the
discretion of the joint lead underwriters. To the extent shares
are released before the expiration of the
lock-up period and
these shares are sold into the market, the market price of our
common shares could decline.
Your
right to participate in any future rights offerings may be
limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings.
We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders,
including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot
make rights available to you in the United States unless we
register the rights and the securities to which the rights
relate under the Securities Act or an exemption from the
registration requirements is available. We are under no
obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any
such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a
registration statement to be declared effective. Moreover, we
may not be able to establish an exemption from registration
under the Securities Act. Accordingly, you may be unable to
participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution
in your holdings.
Our
articles of continuance contain anti-takeover provisions that
could adversely affect the rights of holders of our common
shares.
We intend to adopt an amendment to our articles of continuance
that will become effective immediately upon the closing of this
offering. We intend to include certain provisions in our amended
articles of continuance that would limit the ability of others
to acquire control of our company, and deprive our shareholders
of the opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over the
prevailing market price by discouraging third parties from
seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or
similar transactions.
26
We intend to include the following provisions in our amended
articles of continuance that may have the effect of delaying or
preventing a change of control of our company:
|
|
|
|
|
Our board of directors has the authority, without approval by
the shareholders, to issue an unlimited number of preferred
shares in one or more series. Our board of directors may
establish the number of shares to be included in each such
series and may fix the designations, preferences, powers and
other rights of the shares of a series of preferred shares. |
|
|
|
Our board of directors shall fix and may change the number of
directors within the minimum and maximum number of directors
provided for in our articles. Our board of directors may appoint
one or more additional directors, who shall hold office for a
term expiring no later than the close of the next annual meeting
of shareholders, subject to the limitation that the total number
of directors so appointed may not exceed one-third of the number
of directors elected at the previous annual meeting of
shareholders. |
You
may have difficulty enforcing judgments obtained against
us.
We are a corporation organized under the laws of Canada and
substantially all of our assets are located outside of the
United States. Substantially all of our current operations are
conducted in the PRC. In addition, most of our directors and
officers, as well as the expert named in this prospectus, are
nationals and residents of countries other than the United
States. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons are
located outside the United States. As a result, it may be
difficult for you to effect service of process within the United
States upon these persons. It may also be difficult for you to
enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained in
U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the
U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers
and directors, most of whom are not residents in the United
States and the substantial majority of whose assets are located
outside of the United States. In addition, we have been advised
by our Canadian counsel that a monetary judgment of a
U.S. court predicated solely upon the civil liability
provisions of U.S. federal securities laws would likely be
enforceable in Canada if the U.S. court in which the
judgment was obtained had a basis for jurisdiction in the matter
that was recognized by a Canadian court for such purposes. We
cannot assure you that this will be the case. It is unlikely
that an action could be brought in Canada in the first instance
for civil liability under U.S. federal securities laws.
There is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the PRC would
recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or
such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of
the securities laws of the United States or any state. In
addition, it is uncertain whether such PRC courts would be
competent to hear original actions brought in the PRC against us
or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the
United States or any state. See Enforceability of Civil
Liabilities.
We
may be classified as a passive foreign investment company, which
could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax
consequences to U.S. holders of our common shares.
Based on, among other things, the price of our common shares in
this offering and the expected price of our common shares
following this offering, we do not expect to be considered a
passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for
U.S. federal income tax purposes for our current taxable
year ending December 31, 2006, and we expect to operate in
such a manner so as not to become a PFIC in future taxable
years. However, we must make a separate determination each year
as to whether we are a PFIC (after the close of each taxable
year). Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will not be a
PFIC for our current taxable year ending December 31, 2006
or any future taxable year. A
non-U.S. corporation
will be considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either
(1) at least 75% of its gross income is passive income or
(2) at least 50% of the value of its assets is attributable
to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive
income. The market value of our assets may be determined in
large part by the market price of our common shares, which is
likely to fluctuate after this offering (and may fluctuate
considerably given that market prices of technology companies
have been especially volatile). In addition, the composition of
our income and assets will be affected by how, and how quickly,
we spend the cash we raise in this offering. If we were treated
as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. person
held a common share, certain adverse U.S. federal
27
income tax consequences could apply to such U.S. person.
See Taxation United States Federal
Taxation Passive Foreign Investment Company.
We
will incur increased costs as a result of being a public
company.
As a public company, we will incur a significantly higher level
of legal, accounting and other expenses than we did as a private
company. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as
new rules subsequently implemented by the Securities and
Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and the Nasdaq Global Market,
have required changes in corporate governance practices of
public companies. We expect these new rules and regulations to
increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make
some activities more time-consuming and costly. We are currently
evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these new
rules, and we cannot predict or estimate the amount of
additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.
28
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
The following is a summary of our selected unaudited
consolidated financial results for the three months ended
September 30, 2006.
Net revenues were $17.8 million, a 3.2% increase from
$17.3 million for the prior quarter ended June 30,
2006. We achieved these results following a strong quarter ended
June 30, 2006, in which net revenues increased 96.2% from
the prior quarter ended March 31, 2006. Net revenues for
the three months ended September 30, 2006 increased by
292.9% from $4.5 million for the quarter ended
September 30, 2005, due primarily to a significant increase
in net revenues generated from the sale of our standard solar
modules to our customers located in Europe.
Cost of revenues were $13.0 million, a 5.7% increase from
$12.3 million for the prior quarter ended June 30,
2006. The increase was due primarily to the increase in the
quantity of solar cells needed to produce an increased output of
our standard solar modules and to a slight increase in the cost
of materials for the production of our solar modules.
As a result of the foregoing, gross profit was $4.8 million
as compared to $4.9 million for the prior quarter ended
June 30, 2006.
Total operating expenses were $4.0 million, a 122.2%
increase from $1.8 million for the prior quarter ended
June 30, 2006. The increase was due primarily to the
significant increases in share-based compensation expenses
included in each of our selling expenses, general and
administrative expenses and research and development expenses,
as set forth below.
Share-based compensation expenses included in our cost of
revenues, selling expenses, general and administrative expenses
and research and development expenses were $72,499,
$0.9 million, $1.9 million and $38,042, as compared to
$24,166, $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $12,681,
respectively, for the prior quarter ended June 30, 2006. We
granted additional options and restricted shares to our
personnel in the third quarter of 2006. In addition, we did not
grant any options or restricted shares under our share incentive
plan until May 30, 2006. As a result, share-based
compensation expenses only comprised one month of our second
quarter 2006 results as compared to the entirety of our third
quarter 2006 results. For more information, see
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Share-based
Compensation Expenses.
Income tax expense was $312,997, compared to a tax gain of
$183,502 for the prior quarter ended June 30, 2006. The
second quarter tax gain was due in part to the tax benefit from
an increase in accrued warranty costs, which were recorded as
deferred tax assets under U.S. GAAP.
As a result of the foregoing, net income was $238,722 as
compared to net income of $2.5 million for the prior
quarter ended June 30, 2006.
29
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains many forward-looking statements that
reflect our current expectations and views of future events. The
forward-looking statements are contained principally in the
sections entitled Prospectus Summary, Risk
Factors, Use of Proceeds,
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and Our
Business. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors, may cause our actual results, performance or
achievements to be materially different from any future results,
performances or achievements expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements. See Risk Factors for a
discussion of some risk factors that may affect our business and
results of operations. These risks are not exhaustive. Other
sections of this prospectus may include additional factors that
could adversely impact our business and financial performance.
Moreover, because we operate in an emerging and evolving
industry, new risk factors may emerge from time to time. It is
not possible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor
can we assess the impact of these factors on our business or the
extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause
actual result to differ materially from those expressed or
implied in any forward-looking statement.
In some cases, the forward-looking statements can be identified
by words or phrases such as may, will,
expect, anticipate, aim,
estimate, intend, plan,
believe, potential,
continue, is/are likely to or other
similar expressions. We have based the forward-looking
statements largely on our current expectations and projections
about future events and financial trends that we believe may
affect our financial condition, results of operations, business
strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements
include, among other things, statements relating to:
|
|
|
|
|
our expectations regarding the worldwide demand for electricity
and the market for solar power; |
|
|
|
our beliefs regarding lack of infrastructure reliability and
long-term fossil fuel supply constraints; |
|
|
|
our beliefs regarding the inability of traditional fossil
fuel-based generation technologies to meet the demand for
electricity; |
|
|
|
our beliefs regarding the importance of environmentally friendly
power generation; |
|
|
|
our expectations regarding governmental support for the
deployment of solar power; |
|
|
|
our beliefs regarding the future shortage or availability of the
supply of high-purity silicon; |
|
|
|
our beliefs regarding the acceleration of adoption of solar
power technologies; |
|
|
|
our beliefs regarding the competitiveness of our solar module
products; |
|
|
|
our expectations with respect to increased revenue growth and
our ability to achieve profitability resulting from our supply
chain management; |
|
|
|
our beliefs regarding the effects of environmental regulation; |
|
|
|
our beliefs regarding the changing competitive arena in the
solar power industry; |
|
|
|
our future business development, results of operations and
financial condition; and |
|
|
|
competition from other manufacturers of solar power products and
conventional energy suppliers. |
This prospectus also contains data related to the solar power
market in several countries. These market data, including market
data from Solarbuzz, include projections that are based on a
number of assumptions. The solar power market may not grow at
the rates projected by the market data, or at all. The failure
of the market to grow at the projected rates may materially and
adversely affect our business and the market price of our common
shares. In addition, the rapidly changing nature of the solar
power market subjects any projections or estimates relating to
the growth prospects or future condition of our market to
significant uncertainties. If any one or more of the assumptions
underlying the market data proves to be incorrect, actual
30
results may differ from the projections based on these
assumptions. You should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate
only to events or information as of the date on which the
statements are made in this prospectus. Except as required by
law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which
the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events. You should read this prospectus and the
documents that we referenced in this prospectus and have filed
as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this
prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that
our actual future results may be materially different from what
we expect.
31
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will receive net proceeds for this offering of approximately
$83.2 million, (or $93.0 million if the underwriters
exercise the over-allotment option in full) after deducting the
underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering
expenses payable by us.
We intend to use the net proceeds we receive from this offering
for the following purposes:
|
|
|
|
|
approximately $30.0 million to purchase or prepay for solar
cells and silicon raw materials; |
|
|
|
approximately $35.0 million for our expansion into solar
cell manufacturing, including purchasing solar cell equipment
and construction of our solar cell facilities, to support our
core solar module business and for the expansion of our solar
module manufacturing capabilities; and |
|
|
|
the remaining amount for other general corporate purposes. |
We have not yet determined all of our anticipated expenditures
and therefore cannot estimate the amounts to be used for each of
the purposes discussed above. The amounts and timing of any
expenditure will vary depending on the amount of cash generated
by our operations, competitive and technological developments
and the rate of growth, if any, of our business. Accordingly,
our management will have significant discretion in the
allocation of the net proceeds we will receive for this
offering. Depending on future events and other changes in the
business climate, we may determine at a later time to use the
net proceeds for different purposes. Pending their use, we
intend to place our net proceeds in short-term bank deposits.
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of common
shares by the selling shareholders.
32
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization, as of
June 30, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
on an actual basis; and |
|
|
|
on a pro forma basis to give effect to (1) the conversion
of all of our outstanding convertible notes into 5,542,005
common shares (after taking into account post-conversion share
splits) that occurred on July 1, 2006 and (2) the
issuance and sale of the 6,300,000 common shares by us in this
offering, based on the initial public offering price of
$15.00 per share, after deducting underwriting discounts,
commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us and
assuming no exercise of the underwriters over-allotment
option. |
You should read this table together with our financial
statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this
prospectus and the information under Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Actual | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Convertible notes
|
|
$ |
8,827,567 |
|
|
|
|
|
Financial instruments related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Embedded derivatives related to convertible notes
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares, no par value: unlimited authorized shares;
15,427,995 shares issued and
outstanding(1)(2) |
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
$ |
93,600,062 |
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
11,005,094 |
|
|
|
11,005,094 |
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
2,083,236 |
|
|
|
2,083,236 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
282,657 |
|
|
|
282,657 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
|
13,581,830 |
|
|
|
106,971,049 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total capitalization
|
|
$ |
22,410,397 |
|
|
$ |
106,971,049 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Excludes 566,190 restricted shares and 1,337,700 common shares
issuable upon the exercise of options that are outstanding, and
not exercisable until after 60 days, as of the date of this
prospectus and 426,041 common shares reserved for future
issuance under our 2006 share incentive plan. |
|
(2) |
The proforma amount also includes $1,333,648 of deferred tax
liabilities associated with the convertible notes. The deferred
tax liabilities represent a component of the carrying value of
the convertible notes upon conversion. |
33
DILUTION
If you invest in our common shares, your interest will be
diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial
public offering price per common share and our net tangible book
value per share after this offering. Dilution results from the
fact that the initial public offering price per common share is
substantially in excess of the book value per common share
attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently
outstanding common shares.
Our net tangible book value as of June 30, 2006 was
approximately $23.7 million, or $1.13 per common share,
after taking into account all share splits that occurred after
June 30, 2006 and after giving effect to the conversion of
conversion notes into 5,542,005 common shares on July 1,
2006. Net tangible book value represents the amount of our total
consolidated tangible assets, minus the amount of our total
consolidated liabilities. Without taking into account any other
changes in such net tangible book value after June 30, 2006,
other than to give effect to (i) the conversion of all of the
convertible notes on July 1, 2006 into 5,542,005 common shares,
and (ii) our sale of common shares in this offering at the
initial public offering price of $15.00 per share, after
deduction of underwriters discounts and commissions and
estimated offering expenses of this offering payable by us, our
adjusted net tangible book value per common share as of June 30,
2006 would have increased to $106.9 million or
$3.92 per common share. This represents an immediate
increase in net tangible book value of $2.79 per common
share, to the existing shareholders, and an immediate dilution
in net tangible book value of $11.08 per share to investors
purchasing common shares in this offering. The following table
illustrates such per share dilution:
|
|
|
|
|
Initial public offering price per common share
|
|
$ |
15.00 |
|
Net tangible book value per common share as of June 30, 2006
|
|
$ |
0.88 |
|
Pro forma net tangible book value per common share after giving
effect to conversion of convertible notes
|
|
$ |
1.13 |
|
Increase in net tangible book value per common share
attributable to this offering
|
|
$ |
2.79 |
|
Pro forma net tangible book value per common share after giving
effect to the conversion of convertible notes and this offering
|
|
$ |
3.92 |
|
Pro forma amount of dilution in net tangible book value per
common share to new investors in this offering after giving
effect to the conversion of convertible notes
|
|
$ |
11.08 |
|
34
The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis as of
June 30, 2006, the differences between existing
shareholders and the new investors with respect to the number of
common shares purchased from us, the total consideration paid
and the average price per common share paid before deducting the
underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering
expenses. The total number of common shares in the following
table does not include common shares issuable upon the exercise
of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters. The
information in the following table is illustrative only and the
total consideration paid and the average price per common share
for new investors is subject to adjustment based on the actual
initial public offering price of our common shares and other
terms of this offering determined at pricing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares | |
|
|
|
Average | |
|
|
Purchased | |
|
Total Consideration | |
|
Price Per | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
Common | |
|
|
Number | |
|
Percent | |
|
Amount | |
|
Percent | |
|
Share | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Existing shareholders
|
|
|
20,970,000 |
|
|
|
77 |
% |
|
$ |
10,373,058 |
|
|
|
11 |
% |
|
$ |
0.49 |
|
New investors
|
|
|
6,300,000 |
|
|
|
23 |
% |
|
|
83,227,004 |
|
|
|
89 |
% |
|
|
13.21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
27,270,000 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
93,600,062 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
3.43 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The discussion and tables above assume no exercise of any
outstanding share options. As of June 30, 2006, there were
970,795 common shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding
share options at an exercise price of $2.12 and $4.29 per share,
respectively, and in July and August we granted additional
options exercisable into 366,975 common shares at exercise
prices of $4.29, $12.00 and $15.00 per share. If all of these
options had been exercised on June 30, 2006, after giving
effect to the conversion of the convertible notes and this
offering, our net tangible book value would have been
approximately $112.5 million, or $3.93 per common share,
and the dilution in net tangible book value to new investors
would have been $11.07 per common share. In addition, the
dilution to new investors will be $10.83 per common share, if
the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional
common shares in full.
35
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never declared or paid any dividends, nor do we have any
present plan to pay any cash dividends on our common shares in
the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain most, if
not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to
operate and expand our business.
Our board of directors has complete discretion on whether to pay
dividends. Even if our board of directors decides to pay
dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our
future operations and earnings, capital requirements and
surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions
and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant.
Cash dividends on our common shares, if any, will be paid in
U.S. dollars.
36
EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
Our business is primarily conducted in China and a portion of
our expenses are denominated in RMB. Periodic reports made to
shareholders will be expressed in U.S. dollars using the
then current exchange rates. The conversion of RMB into
U.S. dollars in this prospectus is based on the noon buying
rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of RMB as
certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of
New York. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB
to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to RMB in this
prospectus were made at a rate of RMB8.0702 to $1.00, the noon
buying rate in effect as of December 31, 2005. We make no
representation that any RMB or U.S. dollar amounts could
have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or RMB,
as the case may be, at any particular rate, the rates stated
below, or at all. The PRC government imposes control over its
foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of
the conversion of RMB into foreign exchange and through
restrictions on foreign trade. On November 8, 2006, the
noon buying rate was RMB 7.8651 to $1.00.
The following table sets forth information concerning exchange
rates between the RMB and the U.S. dollar for the periods
indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noon Buying Rate | |
|
|
| |
Period |
|
Period End | |
|
Average | |
|
Low | |
|
High | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(RMB per $1.00) | |
2001
|
|
|
8.2766 |
|
|
|
8.2772 |
|
|
|
8.2709 |
|
|
|
8.2786 |
|
2002
|
|
|
8.2800 |
|
|
|
8.2772 |
|
|
|
8.2700 |
|
|
|
8.2800 |
|
2003
|
|
|
8.2767 |
|
|
|
8.2771 |
|
|
|
8.2765 |
|
|
|
8.2800 |
|
2004
|
|
|
8.2765 |
|
|
|
8.2768 |
|
|
|
8.2764 |
|
|
|
8.2774 |
|
2005
|
|
|
8.0702 |
|
|
|
8.1826 |
|
|
|
8.0702 |
|
|
|
8.2765 |
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May
|
|
|
8.0165 |
|
|
|
8.0133 |
|
|
|
8.0005 |
|
|
|
8.0300 |
|
|
June
|
|
|
7.9943 |
|
|
|
8.0042 |
|
|
|
7.9943 |
|
|
|
8.0225 |
|
|
July
|
|
|
7.9690 |
|
|
|
7.9897 |
|
|
|
7.9690 |
|
|
|
8.0018 |
|
|
August
|
|
|
7.9538 |
|
|
|
7.9722 |
|
|
|
7.9712 |
|
|
|
8.0000 |
|
|
September
|
|
|
7.9040 |
|
|
|
7.9334 |
|
|
|
7.8965 |
|
|
|
7.9533 |
|
|
October
|
|
|
7.8785 |
|
|
|
7.9018 |
|
|
|
7.8728 |
|
|
|
7.9168 |
|
|
November (through November 8, 2006)
|
|
|
7.8651 |
|
|
|
7.8712 |
|
|
|
7.8651 |
|
|
|
7.8750 |
|
37
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We were incorporated as an Ontario corporation in October 2001
and were continued as a Canadian corporation under the CBCA in
June 2006.
WeirFoulds LLP, our Canadian counsel, has advised us that a
monetary judgment of a U.S. court predicated solely upon
the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal securities
laws would likely be enforceable in Canada if the
U.S. court in which the judgment was obtained had a basis
for jurisdiction in the matter that was recognized by a Canadian
court for such purposes. We cannot assure you that this will be
the case. It is unlikely that an action could be brought in
Canada in the first instance for civil liability under the
U.S. federal securities laws.
We have appointed CT Corporation System as our agent to receive
service of process with respect to any action brought against us
in the United States District Court for the Southern District of
New York under the federal securities laws of the United States
or of any state in the United States or any action brought
against us in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in the
County of New York under the securities laws of the State of New
York.
Our constituent documents do not contain provisions requiring
that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws
of the United States, between us, our officers, directors and
shareholders, be arbitrated.
Substantially all of our current operations are conducted in
China, and substantially all of our assets are located in China.
A majority of our directors and officers are nationals or
residents of jurisdictions other than the United States and a
substantial portion of their assets are located outside the
United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a
shareholder to effect service of process within the United
States upon us or such persons, or to enforce against us or them
judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments
predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities
laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
Chen & Co. Law Firm, our counsel as to PRC law, has
advised us that there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of
the PRC would:
|
|
|
|
|
recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained
against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the
civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United
States or any state in the United States; or |
|
|
|
entertain original actions brought in each respective
jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated
upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in
the United States. |
Chen & Co. Law Firm has advised us further that the
recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided
for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize
and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the
requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on
treaties between the PRC and the country where the judgment is
made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not
have any treaties or other arrangements that provide for the
reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments with
the United States or Canada. As a result, it is generally
difficult to recognize and enforce in China a judgment rendered
by a court in either of these two jurisdictions.
38
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
The following selected statement of operations data for the
years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and for the
six months ended June 30, 2006 and the balance sheet data
as of December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and as of
June 30, 2006 have been derived from our audited
consolidated financial statements, which have been audited by
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA, Ltd., an independent registered
public accounting firm. The report of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
CPA, Ltd. on those financial statements is included elsewhere in
this prospectus. The following selected consolidated statement
of operations data for the six months ended June 30, 2005
have been derived from our unaudited financial statements
included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected financial
data should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in
their entirety by reference to, our audited financial statements
and related notes and Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
included elsewhere in this prospectus.
The audited financial statements are prepared and presented in
accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our selected consolidated
statement of operations data for the year ended
December 31, 2002 and our consolidated balance sheet data
as of December 31, 2002 have been derived from our
unaudited consolidated financial statements which are not
included in this prospectus, but which have been prepared on the
same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements. Our
historical results do not necessarily indicate results expected
for any future periods. Although we were incorporated in October
2001, our operation in 2001 was
39
immaterial. As a result, the financial data for the year ended
December 31, 2001 are not meaningful, and thus have not
been included in this section or elsewhere in the prospectus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands of US$, except share and per share data, and | |
|
|
operating data and percentages) | |
Statement of operations data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenues
|
|
$ |
4,042 |
|
|
$ |
4,113 |
|
|
$ |
9,685 |
|
|
$ |
18,324 |
|
|
$ |
6,982 |
|
|
$ |
26,041 |
|
|
Cost of
revenues(1)
|
|
|
2,628 |
|
|
|
2,372 |
|
|
|
6,465 |
|
|
|
11,211 |
|
|
|
3,920 |
|
|
|
18,623 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
1,414 |
|
|
|
1,741 |
|
|
|
3,220 |
|
|
|
7,113 |
|
|
|
3,062 |
|
|
|
7,418 |
|
|
Operating
expenses(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
|
81 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
269 |
|
|
|
158 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
529 |
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
405 |
|
|
|
1,039 |
|
|
|
1,069 |
|
|
|
1,708 |
|
|
|
762 |
|
|
|
1,750 |
|
|
Research and development expenses
(2)
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
493 |
|
|
|
1,098 |
|
|
|
1,379 |
|
|
|
1,882 |
|
|
|
837 |
|
|
|
2,323 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
921 |
|
|
|
643 |
|
|
|
1,841 |
|
|
|
5,231 |
|
|
|
2,225 |
|
|
|
5,095 |
|
|
Interest expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(239 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,635 |
) |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
Loss on change in fair value of derivatives related to
convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(316 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,997 |
) |
|
Loss on financial instruments related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(263 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,190 |
) |
|
Other net
|
|
|
( |
)(3) |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
(81 |
) |
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
(363 |
) |
|
|
(605 |
) |
|
|
(336 |
) |
|
|
111 |
|
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
(215 |
) |
|
|
(209 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income/(loss) before extraordinary gain
|
|
|
625 |
|
|
|
411 |
|
|
|
1,457 |
|
|
|
3,804 |
|
|
|
1,879 |
|
|
|
(4,564 |
) |
|
Extraordinary gain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(loss)
|
|
$ |
625 |
|
|
$ |
761 |
|
|
$ |
1,457 |
|
|
$ |
3,804 |
|
|
$ |
1,879 |
|
|
$ |
(4,564 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share, basic and diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extraordinary gain
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.12 |
|
|
$ |
(0.30 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares used in computation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other financial data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross margin
|
|
|
35.0 |
% |
|
|
42.3 |
% |
|
|
33.2 |
% |
|
|
38.8 |
% |
|
|
43.9 |
% |
|
|
28.5 |
% |
|
Operating margin
|
|
|
22.8 |
% |
|
|
15.6 |
% |
|
|
19.0 |
% |
|
|
28.5 |
% |
|
|
31.9 |
% |
|
|
19.6 |
% |
|
Net margin
|
|
|
15.5 |
% |
|
|
18.5 |
% |
|
|
15.0 |
% |
|
|
20.8 |
% |
|
|
26.9 |
% |
|
|
(17.5 |
)% |
40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands of US$, except share and per share data, and | |
|
|
operating data and percentages) | |
Selected operating data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Products sold (in MW)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Standard solar modules
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
3.4 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
Specialty solar modules and products
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
6.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average selling price (in $ per watt)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Standard solar modules
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3.62 |
|
|
$ |
3.92 |
|
|
$ |
3.98 |
|
|
$ |
4.09 |
|
|
Specialty solar modules and products
|
|
$ |
5.36 |
|
|
$ |
5.70 |
|
|
$ |
5.23 |
|
|
$ |
5.13 |
|
|
$ |
5.07 |
|
|
$ |
4.87 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Share-based compensation expenses are included in our cost of
revenues and operating costs and expenses as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands of US$) | |
Share-based compensation expenses included in:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
24 |
|
Selling expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
229 |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
324 |
|
Research and development expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
(2) |
We also conduct research and development activities in
connection with our implementation of solar power development
projects. These expenditures are included in our cost of
revenues. See Our Business Solar Power
Development Projects. |
|
(3) |
Less than one thousand. |
41
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, | |
|
As of June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands of US$) | |
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
596 |
|
|
$ |
1,879 |
|
|
$ |
2,059 |
|
|
$ |
6,280 |
|
|
$ |
10,682 |
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
312 |
|
|
|
313 |
|
|
|
2,397 |
|
|
|
12,163 |
|
|
|
26,398 |
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
|
|
1,047 |
|
|
|
257 |
|
|
|
636 |
|
|
|
2,067 |
|
|
|
6,134 |
|
|
Advances to suppliers
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
81 |
|
|
|
370 |
|
|
|
4,740 |
|
|
|
9,115 |
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
291 |
|
|
|
244 |
|
|
|
453 |
|
|
|
932 |
|
|
|
1,239 |
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
2,476 |
|
|
|
3,053 |
|
|
|
6,145 |
|
|
|
27,430 |
|
|
|
57,505 |
|
|
Short-term borrowings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,300 |
|
|
|
14,298 |
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
488 |
|
|
|
426 |
|
|
|
824 |
|
|
|
4,306 |
|
|
|
7,578 |
|
|
Advances from suppliers and customers
|
|
|
113 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
273 |
|
|
|
2,823 |
|
|
|
7,321 |
|
|
Income tax payable
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
119 |
|
|
|
407 |
|
|
|
914 |
|
|
|
659 |
|
|
Embedded derivatives related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,679 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
831 |
|
|
|
1,201 |
|
|
|
2,756 |
|
|
|
15,367 |
|
|
|
32,885 |
|
|
Accrued warranty costs
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
167 |
|
|
|
341 |
|
|
|
590 |
|
|
Convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,387 |
|
|
|
8,828 |
|
|
Financial instruments related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,107 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
1,131 |
|
|
|
1,541 |
|
|
|
3,184 |
|
|
|
20,463 |
|
|
|
43,923 |
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
|
779 |
|
|
|
1,512 |
|
|
|
2,961 |
|
|
|
6,967 |
|
|
|
13,582 |
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders equity
|
|
$ |
2,476 |
|
|
$ |
3,053 |
|
|
$ |
6,145 |
|
|
$ |
27,430 |
|
|
$ |
57,505 |
|
42
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our
financial condition and results of operations in conjunction
with the section entitled Selected Consolidated Financial
and Operating Data and our consolidated financial
statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this
prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements
that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and the
timing of selected events could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of
various factors, including those set forth under Risk
Factors and elsewhere in this prospectus.
Overview
We design, manufacture and sell solar module products that
convert sunlight into electricity for a variety of uses. We are
incorporated in Canada and conduct all of our manufacturing
operations in China. Our products include a range of standard
solar modules built to general specifications for use in a wide
range of residential, commercial and industrial solar power
generation systems. We also design and produce specialty solar
modules and products based on our customers requirements.
Specialty solar modules and products consist of customized
modules that our customers incorporate into their own products,
such as solar-powered bus stop lighting, and complete specialty
products, such as solar-powered car battery chargers. Our
products are sold primarily under our own brand name and also
produced on an OEM basis for our customers. We also implement
solar power development projects, primarily in conjunction with
government organizations to provide solar power generation in
rural areas of China.
We have grown rapidly since March 2002, when we sold our first
solar module products. Our net revenues increased from
$4.1 million in 2003 to $18.3 million in 2005,
representing a CAGR of 111.1%. Correspondingly, our net income
increased from $761,245 to $3.8 million over the same
period, representing a CAGR of 123.5%. Our net revenues
increased from $7.0 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2005 to $26.0 million over the same period in
2006. We sold 0.7 MW, 2.2 MW and 4.1 MW of our
solar module products in 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. We
sold 1.4 MW and 6.2 MW of our solar module products in
the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2006, respectively.
The most significant factors that affect our financial
performance and results of operations are:
|
|
|
|
|
availability and price of solar cells and silicon raw materials; |
|
|
|
industry demand; |
|
|
|
government subsidies; and |
|
|
|
product mix and pricing. |
Availability and Price of Solar Cells and Silicon Raw
Materials. We produce solar modules, which are an array
of interconnected solar cells encased in a weatherproof frame,
and products that use solar modules. Solar cells are the most
important component for making solar modules. There is presently
a shortage of solar cells as a result of a shortage of
high-purity silicon caused primarily by the recent expansion of,
and increased demand in, the solar power and semiconductor
industries. The shortage of high-purity silicon has also
contributed to significant price increases for solar cells. For
example, according to Solarbuzz, the average long term silicon
feedstock contracted price increased from approximately
$28-32 per kilogram in 2004 to $35-40 per kilogram in
2005, and is expected to increase to $45-50 per kilogram in
2006. In addition, according to Solarbuzz, spot prices for
silicon feedstock were generally $60-80 per kilogram and reached
in excess of $100 per kilogram as of March 2006. According to
Solarbuzz, the average selling price of solar cells increased
from approximately
1.65-1.75 per
watt in 2004, depending on the size of the cell and the type of
technology used, to approximately
2.20 per
watt in 2005. Based on our experience, we believe that the
average prices of high-purity silicon and solar cells will
continue to increase for the foreseeable future until the
industry-wide high-purity silicon shortgage eases. Any increase
in demand from the semiconductor industry will compound the
shortage. Increases in the prices of high-purity silicon and
solar cells have in the past increased our production costs and
may continue to impact our cost of
43
revenues and net income in the future. In addition, we have
experienced late delivery and supply shortages, which have
affected our production.
Beginning in early 2005, we began managing our supply chain
through toll manufacturing arrangements and our silicon
reclamation program to secure a cost-effective supply of solar
cells. This has allowed us to mitigate the effects of the
industry-wide shortage of high-purity silicon, while reducing
margin pressure. Currently, we secure our supply of solar cells
primarily through our sourcing of silicon raw materials and toll
manufacturing arrangements with suppliers of ingots, wafers and
cells. We also purchase a limited amount of solar cells directly
from our solar cell suppliers. In the past, we have been able to
achieve cost savings through our toll manufacturing arrangements
primarily because of our silicon reclamation processes. However,
as the supply of high-purity silicon becomes more readily
available in the future, toll manufacturing arrangements may not
be available to us at higher or similar volumes, which could
have an adverse effect on our margins and profitability.
We believe our current silicon raw material supply agreements
and toll manufacturing arrangements will enable us to secure
solar cells sufficient for a major portion of our estimated 2006
and a portion of our estimated 2007 production output. However,
as we grow our business and as high-purity silicon becomes more
readily available, we plan to diversify our cell supply channel
mix to ensure flexibility in adapting to the future changes in
the supply of and demand for solar cells. We plan to enter into
long-term supply contracts and commence in-house manufacture of
solar cells. We plan to complete our first solar cell production
line in the first quarter of 2007 with commercial production
targeted for the second quarter of 2007. Despite our plans to
have a balanced and diversified solar cell supply channel mix,
we cannot assure you that we will be able to secure sufficient
quantities of solar cells and silicon raw materials to grow our
revenues as planned or that we will be able to successfully
develop a cost-effective solar cell manufacturing capability.
See Risk Factors Risks Related to Our Company
and Our Industry The current industry wide shortage
of high-purity silicon may constrain our revenue growth and
decrease our gross margins and profitability and
We may not succeed in developing a
cost-effective solar cell manufacturing capability.
Given the current state of the industry, suppliers of solar
cells and silicon raw materials typically require customers to
make prepayments well in advance of their shipment. While we
also typically require our customers to make prepayments, there
is typically a lag between the time of our prepayment for solar
cells and silicon raw materials and the time that our customers
make prepayments to us. As a result, the purchase of solar cells
and silicon feedstock, and other silicon raw materials through
toll manufacturing arrangements, has required, and will continue
to require, us to make significant working capital commitments
beyond that generated from our cash flows from operations to
support our estimated production output.
Industry and Seasonal Demand. Our business and
revenue growth depends on demand for solar power. Although solar
power technology has been used for several decades, the solar
power market has grown significantly in the past several years.
According to Solarbuzz, the global solar power market, as
measured by annual solar system installations, increased from
345 MW in 2001 to 1,460 MW in 2005, representing a
CAGR of 43.4%. During the same period, solar power industry
revenues grew from approximately $2.4 billion in 2001 to
approximately $9.8 billion in 2005, representing a CAGR of
42.2%. Solarbuzz projects that solar power industry revenues and
solar system installations will reach $18.6 billion and
3,250 MW by 2010, respectively. Worldwide installations of
solar power systems are expected to grow at an annual rate of
17.4% to 2010, led by on-grid shipments, according to Solarbuzz.
We believe growth in the near term will be constrained by the
limited availability of high-purity silicon, but is expected to
accelerate after 2007. See Business Our
Industry for a more detailed discussion on the factors
driving the growth of the solar power industry and the
challenges that it faces. In addition, we believe that industry
demand may be affected by seasonality. Demand tends to be lower
in the first quarter than in the subsequent three quarters,
primarily because of adverse weather conditions in our key
markets, such as Germany, that complicate the installation of
solar power systems.
Government Subsidies. We believe that the
near-term growth of the market for on-grid applications depends
in large part on the availability and size of government
subsidies and economic incentives. Today, the cost of
implementing and operating a solar power system substantially
exceeds the cost of purchasing
44
power provided by the electric utility grid in many locations.
As a result, federal, state and local governmental bodies in
many countries, most notably Germany, Spain, the United States,
Japan and China, have provided subsidies and economic incentives
to reduce dependency on conventional sources of energy. These
have come in the form of rebates, tax credits and other
incentives to end users, distributors, system integrators and
manufacturers of solar power products, to promote the use of
solar energy in on-grid and, to a lesser extent, off-grid
applications. The demand for our solar module products, in
particular our standard solar modules, is affected significantly
by these government subsidies and economic incentives. Any
reductions or eliminations in government subsidies and economic
incentives could reduce demand for our products and affect our
revenues.
Product Mix and Pricing. We began selling our
solar module products in March 2002 and all of our net revenues
in 2002 and 2003 were generated from sales of specialty solar
modules and products. We did not begin selling standard solar
modules until 2004. By the end of 2004, the sale of standard
solar modules represented 72.5% of our net revenues for the
year. That percentage increased to 76.9% and 93.5% in 2005 and
for the six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively. Our
specialty solar modules and products generally generate higher
margins compared with those generated by our standard solar
modules, primarily because of the higher average selling price.
We are able to charge a higher average selling price because of
the greater complexity of design, the higher labor cost to
design and manufacture specialty solar modules and products and
the cost, if any, of purchasing additional components to
complete the product. For example, the average selling price per
watt of our standard solar modules was $3.92 for the year ended
December 31, 2005, as compared to $5.13 per watt for
our specialty solar modules and products over that same time
period. While we expect sales of standard solar modules to drive
our net revenues in the near future, we expect to increase sales
of both our standard solar modules and our specialty solar
modules and products going forward.
Our standard solar modules are priced based on the number of
watts of electricity they can generate as well as overall demand
in the solar power industry. We price our standard solar modules
based on the prevailing market price at the time we enter into
sales contracts with our customers, taking into account the size
of the contract, the strength and history of our relationship
with each customer and our solar cells and silicon raw materials
costs. Over the past few years, the average selling prices for
standard solar modules have risen
year-to-year across the
industry primarily because of high demand. Correspondingly, the
average selling price of our standard solar module products
increased from $3.62 per watt in 2004 to $3.92 per watt in 2005,
and from $3.98 per watt for the six months ended
June 30, 2005 to $4.09 per watt for the six months
ended June 30, 2006. We generally enter into short-term
sales contracts of approximately three months in term with our
customers under which we are obligated to sell our products at
set prices during the term of the contract. Given the strong
industry demand for standard solar modules and increases in
average selling prices per watt over recent years, the
short-term nature of our contracts has allowed us to benefit
from price increases. As demand and prices stabilize, we have
begun, and will continue, to enter into longer-term sales
contracts to help reduce our exposure to risks from decreases in
standard solar module prices generally.
The price for our specialty solar modules and products is
determined on a product-by-product basis, taking into account
the complexity of design, direct labor costs in designing and
manufacturing the product and the cost of purchasing additional
components, if any, to complete the product. Specialty solar
modules and products have shorter product life cycles, and
product designs and customer preferences change more rapidly for
specialty solar modules and products than for standard solar
modules. As a result, the prices that we charge for these
products are not directly comparable from year to year because
our customers typically order these products for limited time
periods. When a customer order ends, we may not be able to
replace the customer order with orders for similarly-sized and
-priced solar modules from that same customer or other
customers. In addition, because we have a relatively small
number of customers of specialty solar modules and products,
sales of these products are susceptible to significant
fluctuations. We sold 0.7 MW, 0.4 MW, 0.7 MW and
0.3 MW of these products in 2003, 2004, 2005 and for the
six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively.
45
Overview of Financial Results
We evaluate our business using a variety of key financial
measures.
Net
Revenues
We generate revenues primarily from the sale of solar module
products, consisting of standard solar modules and specialty
solar modules and products. Solar module products accounted for
97.5%, 92.3%,97.7% and 99.7% of our net revenues in 2003, 2004,
2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006,
respectively. We also generate revenues from the implementation
of solar power development projects, primarily in conjunction
with government organizations, to provide solar power generation
in rural areas of China. To date, these have consisted of
government-related assistance packages. Factors affecting our
net revenues include average selling prices per watt, unit
volume shipped, product demand and product mix. Our net revenues
are net of business tax, value-added tax and returns and
exchanges.
A small number of customers have historically accounted for a
major portion of our net revenues. In 2004, 2005 and for the six
months ended June 30, 2006, our top five customers during
those periods collectively accounted for approximately 64.0%,
62.1% and 91.2% of our net revenues, and sales to our largest
customer accounted for 16.3%, 36.8% and 36.0%, respectively. Our
largest customers have changed from year to year, primarily
because of the short product life cycles of our specialty solar
modules and products and our recent entry into the standard
solar module business. We did not make any sales in 2004 to our
largest customer in 2005, which is a distributor of our standard
solar modules. Changes in our product mix and strategic
marketing decisions have also resulted in changes in our market
concentration from year to year. The following table sets forth
certain information relating to our total net revenues derived
from our customers categorized by their geographic location for
the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Total Net | |
|
|
|
Total Net | |
|
|
|
Total Net | |
|
|
|
Total Net | |
|
|
|
Total Net | |
|
|
Region |
|
Revenues | |
|
% | |
|
Revenues | |
|
% | |
|
Revenues | |
|
% | |
|
Revenues | |
|
% | |
|
Revenues | |
|
% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands of US$, except percentages) | |
Europe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Germany
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
% |
|
$ |
6,499 |
|
|
|
67.1 |
% |
|
$ |
13,801 |
|
|
|
75.3 |
% |
|
$ |
4,121 |
|
|
|
59.0 |
% |
|
$ |
19,859 |
|
|
|
76.3 |
% |
|
Spain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
445 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
455 |
|
|
|
6.4 |
|
|
|
4,496 |
|
|
|
17.3 |
|
|
Others
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
1,018 |
|
|
|
5.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe Total
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
6,625 |
|
|
|
68.4 |
|
|
|
15,264 |
|
|
|
83.3 |
|
|
|
4,566 |
|
|
|
65.4 |
|
|
|
24,354 |
|
|
|
93.6 |
|
China
|
|
|
271 |
|
|
|
6.6 |
|
|
|
109 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
504 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
|
|
259 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
|
|
|
169 |
|
|
|
0.6 |
|
North America
|
|
|
3,798 |
|
|
|
92.3 |
|
|
|
2,853 |
|
|
|
29.5 |
|
|
|
2,556 |
|
|
|
13.9 |
|
|
|
2,157 |
|
|
|
30.9 |
|
|
|
1,456 |
|
|
|
5.6 |
|
Others
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
|
97 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net revenues
|
|
$ |
4,113 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
9,685 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
18,324 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
6,982 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
26,041 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Less than a thousand. |
Cost
of Revenues
Our cost of revenues consists primarily of the costs of:
|
|
|
|
|
solar cells; |
|
|
|
other materials for the production of solar modules such as
glass, aluminum frame and polymer backing; |
|
|
|
production labor, including salaries and benefits for
manufacturing personnel; |
|
|
|
warranty costs; |
46
|
|
|
|
|
since the second quarter of 2006, share-based compensation
expenses for options and restricted shares granted to our
manufacturing employees and suppliers; and |
|
|
|
other materials, such as electronic components, used for the
production of our specialty solar modules and products. |
Solar cells make up the major portion of our cost of revenues.
We purchase some of our solar cells directly from cell
suppliers. The costs of solar cells that we directly purchase
are the price that we pay to our suppliers. The substantial
majority of our solar cells are obtained through toll
manufacturing arrangements through which we source and provide
silicon feedstock to suppliers of ingots, wafers and cells.
These suppliers ultimately convert these silicon raw materials
into the solar cells that we use for our production of solar
modules. The costs of solar cells that we obtain through these
toll manufacturing arrangements comprise of: (i) the costs
of purchasing the silicon feedstock; (ii) labor costs
incurred in inventory management; (iii) labor costs
incurred in sorting the reclaimable silicon as part of our
silicon reclamation program; and (iv) tolling fees charged
by our suppliers under the tolling arrangements. The payments we
make to our suppliers for the solar cells and the payment our
suppliers make to us for the silicon feedstock that we source
are generally settled separately. We do not include payments we
receive for providing silicon feedstock as part of these toll
manufacturing arrangements in our net revenues.
Our cost of revenues also includes warranty costs. We accrue
1.0% of our net revenues as warranty costs at the time revenues
are recognized. Our standard solar modules are typically sold
with a two-year guarantee for defects in materials and
workmanship and a
10-year and
25-year warranty
against declines of more than 10.0% and 20.0%, respectively, of
the initial minimum power generation capacity at the time of
delivery. Our specialty solar modules and products are typically
sold with a one-year guarantee against defects and may,
depending on the characteristics of the product, contain a
limited warranty of up to ten years, against declines of the
minimum power generation capacity specified at the time of
delivery. We have not had any warranty claims to date. Our cost
of revenues have historically increased as we increased our net
revenues. We expect cost of revenues to increase as we increase
our production volume.
Gross
Profit/ Gross Margin
Our gross profit is affected by a number of factors, including
the average selling prices for our products, product mix and our
ability to cost-effectively manage our supply chain.
Our gross margin decreased from 42.3% in 2003 to 33.2% in 2004,
primarily as a result of the change in product mix focus from
specialty solar modules and products to standard solar modules
in 2004 and the rising cost of solar cells due to high industry
demand for solar power and shortages of silicon raw materials.
Our specialty solar modules and products generally have higher
margins compared to our standard solar modules. The primary
reason for this is the higher average selling price per watt
that we are generally able to charge for our specialty solar
modules and products due to their more complex design.
Our gross margin increased from 33.2% in 2004 to 38.8% in 2005
as we initiated our supply chain management strategy in 2005.
Our gross margin decreased from 43.9% for the six months ended
June 30, 2005 to 28.5% for the six months ended
June 30, 2006, primarily as a result of our changing
product mix as we completed one of our large specialty solar
module product contracts in mid-2005. Specialty solar modules
and products, which tend to have higher margins than our
standard solar modules, accounted for 31.6% and 6.0% of our net
revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2006,
respectively. The decrease in gross margin is also attributable
to the higher costs of solar cells in the six months ended
June 30, 2006 and the substantial completion of one of our
CIDA projects in mid-2005. A major component of our supply chain
management involves the purchase of reclaimable silicon and
processing it for reuse at a lower cost. This provides a
significant cost advantage over the purchase of high-purity
silicon. Our ability to select cost-effective suppliers for
solar cells also provides us with cost savings. The successful
use of reclaimed silicon requires extensive experience, know-how
and additional quality control measures from both the provider
of reclaimed silicon and the toll manufacturers. We must
continue to maintain the consistency and quality of the
reclaimed silicon from our silicon reclamation program at an
acceptable level in order to continue receiving the cost
advantages of recycling silicon through our silicon reclamation
program.
47
We believe that we will face some margin compression in the sale
of standard solar modules as high-purity silicon prices increase
and as average selling prices stabilize and possibly decrease in
the future. However, we expect this to be offset to a certain
degree by increasing economies of scale and cost savings through
the continued development and use of our silicon reclamation
program and as we commence in-house manufacturing of solar
cells. Expansion of our specialty solar modules and product
business will be a driver of our gross margins in the future.
Operating
Expenses
Our operating expenses include selling expenses, general and
administrative expenses and research and development expenses.
Our operating expenses have decreased in recent years as a
percentage of our net revenues primarily due to economies of
scale that we have achieved in connection with our revenue
growth. We expect this trend to continue as our net revenues
grow in the future.
Selling
Expenses
Selling expenses consist primarily of salaries, sales
commissions for sales and marketing personnel, advertising,
promotional and other sales and marketing expenses. Since the
second quarter of 2006, selling expenses have included
share-based compensation expenses for options and restricted
shares granted to our sales and marketing personnel. We have
incurred only limited selling expenses to date as we have relied
primarily on sales of standard solar modules in 2004, 2005 and
for the first six months ended June 30, 2006, which have
become increasingly commoditized. As we expand our business, we
will increase our sales and marketing efforts and target
companies in selected industry sectors. We expect our selling
expenses to increase in the near term as we increase our sales
efforts, hire additional sales personnel, target more markets
and initiate additional marketing programs to reach our goal of
building a leading global brand. However, assuming our net
revenues increase at the rate we expect, over time we anticipate
that our selling expenses will decrease as a percentage of our
net revenues.
General
and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of
salaries and benefits for our administrative and finance
personnel, consulting and professional service fees, government
and administration fees, exchange gain or loss, insurance fees
and provisions for bad debt. Since the second quarter of 2006,
our general and administrative expenses have included
share-based compensation expenses for options and restricted
shares granted to our general and administrative personnel,
directors and consultants. We expect our general and
administrative expense to increase as we hire additional
personnel, upgrade our information technology infrastructure and
incur expenses necessary to fund the anticipated growth of our
business. We also expect general and administrative expenses to
increase to support our operations as a public company,
including compliance-related costs. However, assuming our net
revenues increase at the rate we expect, over time we anticipate
that our general and administrative expenses will decrease as a
percentage of our net revenues.
Research
and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs of
raw materials used in our research and development activities,
salaries and benefits for research and development personnel and
prototype and equipment costs related to the design,
development, testing and enhancement of our products and silicon
reclamation program. Since the second quarter of 2006, our
research and development activities have included share-based
compensation expenses for options and restricted shares granted
to our research and development employees. We expense our
research and development costs as incurred. To date, our
research and development expenses have been minor. A significant
portion of our research and development activities have been in
connection with our implementation of solar power development
projects, primarily in conjunction with government organizations
to provide solar power generation in rural areas of China. We
have recorded the expenditures in connection with these solar
power development projects in our cost of revenues.
48
We expect to devote more efforts to research and development and
expect that our research and development expenses will increase
in the near future as we hire additional research and
development personnel, expand and promote innovation in our
specialty solar modules and products portfolio, devote more
resources towards using new technologies in our silicon
reclamation program and expand into solar cell manufacturing. We
will also continue to devote efforts to ensure that our products
comply with the European Unions Restriction of Hazardous
Substances Directive, which took effect in July 2006, by
reducing the amount of lead and other restricted substances used
in our solar module products.
Share-based
Compensation Expenses
We adopted our 2006 share incentive plan effective March
2006 and have granted a total of 574,150 options to
purchase our common shares and 243,000 restricted shares as of
September 15, 2006. For a description of the options and
restricted shares granted, including the exercise prices and
vesting periods, see Management
2006 Share Incentive Plan. Under
SFAS No. 123R, we are required to recognize
share-based compensation as compensation expense in our
statement of operations based on the fair value of equity awards
on the date of the grant, with the compensation expense
recognized over the period in which the recipient is required to
provide service in exchange for the equity award. This statement
also requires us to adopt a fair value-based method for
measuring the compensation expense related to share-based
compensation. For options granted to employees, we have recorded
a compensation charge for the fair value of the options at the
grant date. We then amortize share-based compensation expense
over the vesting periods of the related options.
We have used Black-Scholes option pricing model to assess the
fair value of our options. We used the Black-Scholes option
pricing model to determine the fair value of our options. This
option-pricing model requires the input of highly subjective
assumptions, including the options expected life,
estimated forfeitures and the price volatility of the underlying
stock. We grant our restricted shares at their fair value which
generally represents the fair value of an unrestricted share
less a discount calculated based on the length of time the share
is restricted.
We estimate our forfeitures based on past employee retention
rates, our expectations of future retention rates, and we will
prospectively revise our forfeiture rates based on actual
history. Our share option and restricted share compensation
charges may change based on changes to our actual forfeitures.
In addition, a portion of the options were granted with exercise
prices either at the price of this initial public offering or at
80% of the initial public offering price. As we did not know the
actual offering price at the date of grant, we have estimated
the expense based on our best estimate of that initial public
offering price. Under U.S. GAAP, we are required to update those
assumptions, and the related expenses, until the initial public
offering occurs and the fair values are ultimately known.
For the first six months ended June 30, 2006, we recorded
share-based compensation expenses of approximately $589,698. We
have categorized these share-based compensation expenses in our
(i) cost of revenues; (ii) selling expenses;
(iii) general and administrative expenses; and
(iv) research and development expenses, depending on the
job functions of grantees to whom we granted the options or
restricted shares. For the six months ended June 30, 2006,
we recorded share-based compensation expenses of approximately
$24,166, $229,007, $323,844 and $12,681 for each of those line
items, respectively.
Assuming no change in the estimated forfeiture rates, our total
share-based compensation expenses for future periods in respect
of the equity awards that we have granted to date is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Period |
|
US$ | |
|
|
| |
Three Months Ended September 30, 2006
|
|
|
2,904,488 |
|
Three Months Ended December 31, 2006
|
|
|
2,686,865 |
|
Year Ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
8,283,309 |
|
Year Ended December 31, 2008
|
|
|
5,262,893 |
|
Year Ended December 31, 2009
|
|
|
4,245,135 |
|
Year Ended December 31, 2010
|
|
|
1,304,467 |
|
49
Given the preliminary nature of our estimates, our actual
share-based compensation expenses may be materially different
from our current expectations. In addition to the subjective
assumptions and estimates discussed above, see
Forward-Looking Statements for information regarding
the various risks and uncertainties inherent in estimates of
this type.
In determining the fair value of our common shares, we
considered the guidance prescribed by the AICPA Audit and
Accounting Practice Aid Valuation of
Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as
Compensation, or the Practice Aid. Specifically,
paragraph 16 of the Practice Aid indicates a hierarchy in
deciding on the type of valuation to perform and the valuation
specialist to use. We have followed the level A
recommendation of the Practice Aid by establishing the fair
value of the common shares as of various dates in 2005 and 2006
in contemporaneous valuations by an independent valuation firm
American Appraisal China Limited, or American Appraisal.
The following table shows the grant date and terms of share
options and restricted shares granted to our employees,
directors and other individuals from May 30, 2006 until
September 2006 and the fair value of our common shares as of the
date of each grant without taking into account any post-grant
share splits.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common | |
|
|
|
Fair Value | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares | |
|
Exercise | |
|
of Common | |
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Price | |
|
Shares | |
|
Used in | |
Grant Date |
|
Type of Awards | |
|
the Awards | |
|
($/share) | |
|
($/share) | |
|
Calculation* | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
May 30, 2006
|
|
|
Options(1) |
|
|
|
339,500 |
|
|
$ |
4.94 |
|
|
$ |
38.21 |
(6) |
|
|
5,811,421 |
|
May 30, 2006
|
|
|
Options(1) |
|
|
|
55,150 |
|
|
|
10.00 |
|
|
|
38.21 |
(6) |
|
|
5,811,421 |
|
May 30, 2006
|
|
|
Restricted Shares (2) |
|
|
|
143,000 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
38.21 |
(6) |
|
|
5,811,421 |
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
Options(1) |
|
|
|
22,000 |
|
|
|
10.00 |
|
|
|
39.07 |
(7) |
|
|
5,861,421 |
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
Restricted Shares (2) |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
39.07 |
(7) |
|
|
5,861,421 |
|
July 17, 2006
|
|
|
Options(1) |
|
|
|
47,500 |
|
|
|
10.00 |
|
|
|
32.82 |
(8) |
|
|
9,193,000 |
|
July 28, 2006
|
|
|
Options(1) |
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
10.00 |
|
|
|
32.89 |
(9) |
|
|
9,243,000 |
|
July 28, 2006
|
|
|
Restricted Shares (2) |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
32.89 |
(9) |
|
|
9,243,000 |
|
August 8, 2006
|
|
|
Options(3) |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
(4) |
|
|
32.89 |
(9) |
|
|
9,243,000 |
|
August 8, 2006
|
|
|
Options(1) |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
|
(5) |
|
|
32.89 |
(9) |
|
|
9,243,000 |
|
August 31, 2006
|
|
|
Options(1) |
|
|
|
5,000 |
|
|
|
|
(5) |
|
|
35.84 |
(10) |
|
|
9,243,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Vest over a four-year period. |
|
|
(2) |
Vest over a two-year period. |
|
|
(3) |
Granted to independent directors, vesting either
(i) immediately upon the date of grant or (ii) in two
equal installments, the first upon the date of grant and the
second upon the first year anniversary of the grant date so long
as the director remains in service. |
|
|
(4) |
Exercise price for 40,000 of these options will be the initial
public offering price of the common shares as stated on the
front cover of the prospectus, and for 20,000 options will
be $10.00. |
|
|
(5) |
Exercise price will be 80% of the initial public offering price
of the common shares as stated on the front cover of the
prospectus. |
|
|
(6) |
Based on the valuation as of May 31, 2006 by the
independent appraiser. |
|
|
(7) |
Based on the valuation as of June 30, 2006 by the
independent appraiser. |
|
|
(8) |
Based on the valuation as of July 17, 2006 by the
independent appraiser. |
|
|
(9) |
Based on the valuation as of July 28, 2006 by the
independent appraiser. |
|
|
(10) |
Based on the valuation as of August 31, 2006 by the
independent appraiser. |
|
|
|
|
* |
Shares used in calculation include common shares outstanding as
of such date and all restricted shares granted as of such date.
On July 1, 2006, all of our outstanding convertible notes
were converted into common shares and we implemented a 1 for
1.16830772 share split that applied to all outstanding common
shares but not the options or restricted shares. On October
2006, we implemented a 1 for 2.33 share split. See
Description of Share Capital History of
Securities Issuances. |
50
Determining the fair value of our common shares requires making
complex and subjective judgments regarding projected financial
and operating results, our unique business risks, the liquidity
of our shares and our operating history and prospects at the
time of grant. American Appraisal used a combination of the
income approach and the guideline company approach to assess the
fair value of our common shares. For the income approach,
American Appraisal utilized a weighted discounted cash flow, or
DCF, analysis based on our projected cash flows through 2010 in
different scenarios. The cash flow projections were formulated
to take into consideration the nature of our company, our
relatively limited operating history, the growth of our
operations and the business risks facing our company. Under the
guideline company approach, American Appraisal analyzed the
financial ratios and market price data of comparable companies.
Nine comparable companies were selected primarily based on the
nature of the business, the geographical location and the
consideration of other market participants. The nine companies
selected are primarily engaged in the solar power industry.
American Appraisal determined market multiples of the guideline
companies based on the latest available financial information,
then adjusted those market multiples to take into account our
growth and business risks. The market multiple was then applied
to our performance indicators and discounted to reflect the lack
of marketability.
In addition to business specific assumptions, American Appraisal
relied on the following major assumptions in calculating the
fair values of our common shares, including:
|
|
|
|
|
Weight of income and guideline company multiples: American
Appraisal assigned 60% weight to the income approach and 40%
weight to the guideline company multiples approach because we
had achieved better visibility of future earnings at the time,
which made the income approach more meaningful. |
|
|
|
Weighted average costs of capital, or WACC: WACC of 17-18% was
used. This was the combined result of the changes in risk-free
rate, industry average beta, and our company-specific risk
premium that reflects the risk associated with achieving
projections at various stages of development. |
|
|
|
Capital market valuation multiples: American Appraisal obtained
and assessed updated capital market valuation data of nine
comparable companies. |
|
|
|
Lack of Marketability Discount, or LOMD: American Appraisal
quantified the LOMD by the option-pricing method. This model
considered the size of our company, the volatility factor of
comparable companies in the solar power sector and the expected
time to this initial public offering. In addition, the
floatation cost and comparable restricted stock studies were
also considered. The LOMD applied gradually decreased from 16%
in November 2005 to 6% in June 2006 as the expected initial
public offering date approached. |
The increase in the fair value of our common shares since
November 30, 2005, the date we issued convertible notes
with a conversion price of $4.94 per share, is primarily
attributable to increased projections of our future revenues and
net income. Since November 30, 2005, we had achieved
various milestones that increased the likelihood that we would
obtain the necessary funding and resources to meet future
financial projections. These milestones include:
|
|
|
|
|
consistent quarterly revenue growth in 2005, including increased
total revenues in 2005 of almost twice that achieved in 2004; |
|
|
|
our rapid and substantial expansion in sales and production of
module products from 2.2 MW in 2004 to 4.1 MW in 2005,
evidencing the viability of our business strategy and execution
capability; |
|
|
|
further quarter-on-quarter growth in revenues from
$6.8 million for the three months ended December 31,
2005 to $8.8 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2006, despite historical seasonality effects
during the first quarter of each year; |
51
|
|
|
|
|
revenues in the first half of 2006 that exceeded total revenues
in the full year 2005 by 45%, as well as significant
quarter-on-quarter growth from $8.8 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2006 to $17.3 million for the
three months ended June 30, 2006; |
|
|
|
production output on a megawatt basis in the first half of 2006
that exceeded production for the full year 2005; |
|
|
|
receipt of third-party guaranteed loans of RMB 105 million
($10.5 million) used to secure raw materials and fund
construction of our new solar cell manufacturing facility; and |
|
|
|
finalization of several large supply agreements in 2006 to
support our production expansion plans, including a five-year
wafer contract with LDK, and several financing facilities,
including a $3.3 million working capital facility. |
In determining the fair value of its common shares, we have
considered the guidance prescribed by the AICPA Audit and
Accounting Practice Aid Valuation of
Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as
Compensation, or the Practice Aid, which provides that
the value of a private enterprise during the period culminating
in a successful initial public offering may increase
significantly. Increases in enterprise value may be attributed
partly to (a) changes in the amount and relative timing of
future net cash flows (estimated and actual) as the enterprise
successfully executes its business plan and responds to risks
and opportunities in the market, and (b) a reduction in the
risk associated with achieving projected results (or, from
another perspective, narrowing the range of possible future
results and increasing the likelihood of achieving desired
results). In addition, the marketability provided by the
offering itself increases enterprise value, because, among other
things, it allows the enterprise access to the public capital
markets. Moreover, macroeconomic factors also may affect the
extent to which an enterprises value changes during the
period culminating in its successful initial public offering. As
our preparation for this offering progressed through 2006, the
likelihood that we would benefit from an initial public offering
and achieve a public market valuation also increased.
Accordingly, we believe that the approach the independent
appraiser has taken to value the common shares is appropriate
and follows the recommendation set forth in the Practice Aid.
Interest
Expenses
Interest expenses consist primarily of interest expenses with
respect to our short-term loans and the accrued interest and
non-cash charges on the convertible notes that we issued to HSBC
HAV2 (III) Limited, or HSBC, and JAFCO Asia Technology
Fund II, or JAFCO, which reference includes any affiliate
to which it transferred shares issued upon conversion of the
notes. HSBC and JAFCO are entitled to receive cash interest at
2% per annum. If the notes mature without being converted,
HSBC and JAFCO are entitled to receive a premium at redemption
equal to 10% per annum on the principal amount of the notes
from their issue date to redemption. Discounts against the debt
portion of the convertible notes were amortized over the
maturity of the convertible notes using the straight-line
method, which is not materially different from the effective
interest rate method. We accrued non-cash charges in connection
with the premium at redemption equal to 10% per annum on
the principal amount of the notes from their issue date to
redemption assuming the convertible notes had matured without
being converted and amortization of discounts against the debt
portion. Our non-cash charges of $134,666 and $706,320 in 2005
and for the six months ended June 30, 2006, respectively,
consisted primarily of the amortization of discount on debt and
the charges we incurred in connection with this premium.
Loss
on Change in Fair Value of Derivatives
Loss on change in fair value of derivatives is associated with
the convertible notes that we issued to HSBC and JAFCO. Prior to
March 2006, at any time after the occurrence of a predefined
event of default upon written demand from the note holders, the
note holders were entitled to receive a premium of the higher of
12% per annum internal rate of return to the note holders or a
market value-based return assuming full conversion of all
convertible notes. Since the market value-based return created a
net settlement provision, we were required to bifurcate the
compound embedded derivatives and record them as derivatives or
derivative financial instruments, which are stated at fair value
on the issuance date and each financial reporting period
52
thereafter. Changes in fair value of the compound embedded
derivatives were recorded in profits and losses as non-cash
charges. The fair value of the convertible notes, excluding the
compound embedded derivative liabilities, were determined with
reference to a valuation conducted by American Appraisal. These
non-cash charges amounted to $316,000 and $7.0 million in
2005 and for the six months ended June 30, 2006,
respectively. In March 2006, this feature was eliminated such
that an event of default entitles the note holders to receive a
premium of 18% per annum internal rate of return to the note
holders, effectively removing the net settlement provision. As a
result, from March 2006, we no longer incur this charge.
Loss on Financial Instruments Related to Convertible
Notes
In addition to the compound embedded derivatives which arose as
part of the issuance of our convertible notes, our convertible
notes also included freestanding financial instrument
liabilities associated with the obligation to issue the second
tranche of convertible notes to the investors and the
investors option to subscribe for a third tranche of
convertible notes. These financial instruments do not meet the
definition of derivative instruments under US GAAP. However, the
investors option to subscribe to the third tranche of
convertible notes represents our written option which was
required to be marked to market on the date of issuance and each
financial reporting period thereafter. The changes in the fair
value of the marked to market financial instrument was reported
in profits and losses as a non-cash charge. These non-cash
charges amounted to $263,089 in 2005 and $1.2 million for
the six months ended June 30, 2006, all of which was
incurred during the first quarter of 2006. We issued the second
tranche convertible notes together with the convertible notes
pursuant to the investors option in March 2006. As a
result, from March 2006, we no longer incur this charge.
Income
Tax Expense
We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary
differences between financial statement and income tax bases of
assets and liabilities. Valuation allowances are provided
against deferred tax assets when management cannot conclude that
it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the
deferred tax asset will be realized.
We are incorporated in Canada and are subject to Canadian
federal and provincial corporate income taxes. As a Canadian
controlled private corporation, we enjoy preferential tax rates
for active business income carried on in Canada up to an annual
limit. We will no longer be eligible for these preferential tax
rates upon the listing of our common shares on the Nasdaq Global
Market.
Under current PRC laws and regulations, an FIE in China is
typically subject to EIT, at the rate of 30% on taxable income,
and local income tax at the rate of 3% on taxable income. The
PRC government has provided various incentives to FIEs, such as
each of our PRC subsidiaries, to encourage the development of
foreign investments. Such incentives include reduced tax rates
and other measures. FIEs that are determined by PRC tax
authorities to be manufacturing companies with authorized terms
of operation of more than ten years, are eligible for:
(i) a two-year exemption from EIT from their first
profitable year; and (ii) a reduced EIT of 50% for the
succeeding three years. CSI Solartronics is entitled to a
preferential EIT rate of 24%, as it is a manufacturing
enterprise located in a coastal economic development zone in
Changshu. CSI Solartronics first profitable year was 2002
and it is currently paying an EIT rate of 12% until the end of
2006. CSI Solar Manufacturing is entitled to a preferential EIT
rate of 15%. CSI Solar Manufacturings first profitable
year was 2005 and it is exempt from EIT until 2006. It will be
subject to a tax rate of 7.5% from 2007 until 2009. CSI Solar
Technologies, CSI Luoyang, CSI Solarchip and CSI Advanced have
not yet made a profit and have therefore not applied for
preferential tax treatment. If these subsidiaries turn
profitable, they will apply for preferential tax rates and tax
holidays.
As these tax benefits expire, the effective tax rate of our PRC
subsidiaries may increase significantly.
Extraordinary
gain
In December 2003, we acquired the remaining 31.9% interests in
CSI Changshu, in which we initially held 68.1% prior to the
transaction. The acquisitions were recorded using the purchase
method of accounting.
53
The acquired assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair
value at the date of acquisition. An excess of fair value of
acquired net assets over cost resulted because the fair value of
the consideration paid in the form of cash and products was less
than the fair value of the acquired net assets. We recognized an
extraordinary gain as a result of this excess excluding
(i) the amounts allocated as a pro rata reduction that
otherwise would have been assigned to all of the acquired
assets, except for financial assets other than investments,
which are accounted for by the equity method, (ii) assets
to be disposed of by sale, (iii) deferred tax assets,
(iv) prepaid assets relating to pension or other
postretirement benefit plans (v) and any other current
assets.
Minority
interests
Prior to our acquisitions of the remaining interests in CSI
Changhsu, we recognized minority interests in 2003 to account
for the 31.9% interests held by the other shareholders in CSI
Changhsu.
Critical Accounting Policies
We prepare financial statements in accordance with
U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make judgments, estimates
and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of our
assets and liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of our
contingent assets and liabilities at the end of each fiscal
period and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during each fiscal period. We continually evaluate
these estimates based on our own historical experience,
knowledge and assessment of current business and other
conditions, our expectations regarding the future based on
available information and reasonable assumptions, which together
form our basis for making judgments about matters that are not
readily apparent from other sources. Since the use of estimates
is an integral component of the financial reporting process, our
actual results could differ from those estimates. Some of our
accounting policies require a higher degree of judgment than
others in their application.
When reviewing our financial statements, you should consider
(i) our selection of critical accounting policies,
(ii) the judgment and other uncertainties affecting the
application of such policies, (iii) the sensitivity of
reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions. We
believe the following accounting policies involve the most
significant judgment and estimates used in the preparation of
our financial statements.
Revenue
Recognition
We record sales of our solar module products when the products
are delivered and title has passed to our customers. We only
recognize revenues when prices to the seller are fixed or
determinable and collection is reasonably assured. We also
recognize revenues from reimbursements of shipping and handling
costs of products sold to customers. Our sales contracts
typically contain our customary product warranties but do not
contain post-shipment obligations or any return or credit
provisions. A majority of our contracts provide that products
are shipped under the term of free on board, or FOB,
ex-works, or cost,
insurance and freight, or CIF. Under FOB, we fulfill our
obligation to make delivery when the goods have passed over the
ships rail at the named port of shipment. From that point
on, the customer has to bear all costs and risks of loss or
damage to the goods. Under
ex-works, we fulfill
our obligation to make delivery when we have made the goods
available at our premises to the customer. The customer bears
all costs and risks involved in transporting the goods from our
premises to their desired destination. Under CIF, we must pay
the costs, marine insurance and freight necessary to bring the
goods to the named port of destination but the risk of loss of
or damage to the goods, as well as any additional costs due to
events occurring after the time the goods have been delivered on
board the vessel, is transferred to the customer when the goods
pass the ships rail at the port of shipment. Most of our
sales require that customers prepay before delivery has
occurred. We record these prepayments as advances from customers
until delivery is made. Our sales contracts typically contain
our customary product warranties but do not contain any
post-shipment obligations nor any return or credit provisions.
We also generate revenues from our implementation of solar power
development projects, consisting primarily of government related
assistance packages for our demonstration, promotion and
feasibility projects and studies. The revenue is recognized when
the projects are provided and accepted by the customers.
54
Warranty
Cost
It is customary in our business and industry to warrant or
guarantee the performance of our solar module products at
certain levels of conversion efficiency for extended periods.
Our standard solar modules are typically sold with a two-year
guarantee for defects in materials and workmanship and a
10-year and
25-year warranty
against declines of more than 10.0% and 20.0%, respectively, of
the initial minimum power generation capacity at the time of
delivery. Our specialty solar modules and products are typically
sold with a one-year guarantee against defects in materials and
workmanship and may, depending on the characteristics of the
product, contain a limited warranty of up to ten years, against
declines of the minimum power generation capacity specified at
the time of delivery. We therefore maintain warranty reserves
(recorded as accrued warranty costs) to cover potential
liabilities that could arise from these guarantees and
warranties. We accrue 1.0% of our net revenues as warranty costs
at the time revenues are recognized and include that amount in
our cost of revenues. Due to limited warranty claims to date, we
accrue the estimated costs of warranties based primarily on an
assessment of our competitors accrual history. Through our
relationships with, and managements experience working at,
other solar power companies and on the basis of publicly
available information regarding other solar power
companies accrued warranty costs, we believe that accruing
1.0% of our net revenues as warranty costs is within the range
of industry practice and is consistent with industry-standard
accelerated testing, which assists us in estimating the
long-term reliability of solar modules, estimates of failure
rates from our quality review and other assumptions that we
believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. However,
although we conduct quality testing and inspection of our solar
module products, our solar module products have not been and
cannot be tested in an environment simulating the up to 25-year
warranty periods. We have not experienced any material warranty
claims to date in connection with declines of the power
generation capacity of our solar modules. As is typical in the
industry, however, we have experienced some claims concerning
other defects or workmanship. We will prospectively revise our
actual rate to the extent that actual warranty costs differ from
the estimates.
Impairment
of Long-lived Assets
We evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events
or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of
an asset may not be recoverable. When these events occur, we
measure impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the
assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to result
from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If
the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the
carrying amount of the assets, we will recognize an impairment
loss based on the fair value of the assets.
Allowance
for Doubtful Accounts
We conduct credit evaluations of customers and generally do not
require collateral or other security from our customers. We
establish an allowance for doubtful accounts primarily based
upon the age of the receivables and factors surrounding the
credit risk of specific customers. With respect to advances to
suppliers, our suppliers are primarily suppliers of solar cells
and silicon raw materials. We perform ongoing credit evaluations
of our suppliers financial conditions. We generally do not
require collateral or security against advances to suppliers.
However, we maintain a reserve for potential credit losses.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is
determined by the weighted average method. Cost of inventories
consists of costs of direct materials, such as solar cells,
glass, aluminum frame and polymer backing and other components,
and where applicable, direct labor costs, tolling costs and any
overhead that we incur in bringing the inventories to their
present location and condition.
Adjustments are recorded to write down the cost of obsolete and
excess inventory to the estimated market value based on
historical and forecast demand.
We outsource portions of our manufacturing process, including
converting silicon into ingots, cutting ingots into wafers, and
converting wafers into solar cells, to various third-party
manufacturers. These
55
outsourcing arrangements may or may not include transfer of
title of the raw material inventory (silicon, ingots or wafers)
to the third-party manufacturers. Such raw materials are
recorded as raw materials inventory when purchased from
suppliers.
For those outsourcing arrangements in which the title is not
transferred, we maintain such inventory on our balance sheet as
raw materials inventory while it is in physical possession of
the third-party manufacturer. Upon receipt of the processed
inventory, it is reclassified to work-in-process inventory and a
processing fee is paid to the third-party manufacturer.
For those outsourcing arrangements, which are characterized as
sales, in which title (including risk of loss) transfer to the
third-party manufacturer, we are constructively obligated,
through raw materials sales contracts and processed inventory
purchase contracts which have been entered into simultaneously
with the third-party manufacturers, to repurchase the inventory
once processed. In this case, the raw material inventory remains
classified as raw material inventory while in physical
possession of the third-party manufacturer and cash is received,
which is classified as advances from suppliers and customers on
the balance sheet and not as revenue or deferred revenue. Cash
payments for outsourcing arrangements, which require prepayment
for repurchase of the processed inventory are classified as
advances to suppliers on the balance sheet. There is no right of
offset for these arrangements and accordingly, advances from
suppliers and customers and advances to suppliers remain on the
balance sheet until the processed inventory is repurchased. We
do not recognize revenue until finished solar modules are
delivered and title has passed to our customers.
Fair
value of derivative and freestanding financial
instruments
Valuations for derivative and freestanding financial instruments
are typically based on the following hierarchy: (i) prices
quoted on an organized market, (ii) prices obtained from
other external sources such as brokers or over the counter third
parties and (iii) valuation models and other techniques
usually applied by market participants. Because our convertible
notes and common shares were not publicly traded, we had relied
solely on valuation models in determining these values.
We used a binomial model to value the conversion option and
early redemption put option. The binomial model requires the
input of assumptions, some of which are subjectively determined,
such as the fair values of the common shares and the underlying
notes, life of the option, the risk free interest rate over the
period of the option, a standard derivation of expected
volatility, and expected dividend yields. We determined the fair
value of the underlying common shares based on valuations by
American Appraisal. For a more detailed discussion on the
assumptions involved in determining the fair value of our common
shares, see Overview of Financial
Results Share-based Compensation Expenses.
In determining the fair value of the freestanding note option,
we used the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The
option-pricing model requires the input of assumptions, some of
which are subjectively determined, such as the fair value of the
underlying convertible note, the exercise price of the option,
the life of the option, the risk free rate over the period of
the option, and a standard derivation of expected volatility.
In determining the fair value of the freestanding forward
instrument, we used the fair value of the convertible note less
the subscription price and interest forgone by not exercising
the forward, discounted for the expected time the forward would
be outstanding.
Changes to any of the assumptions used in the valuation model
could materially impact the valuation results. A more detailed
discussion on fair value calculations is reflected in
Note 2(q) and Note 8 to our consolidated financial
statements.
Income
Taxes
Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences
between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their
reported amounts in the financial statements, net operating loss
carry forwards and credits by applying enacted statutory tax
rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are
reduced by a valuation allowance when, in our opinion, it is
more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred
tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are
provided for in accordance with the laws of the
56
relevant taxing authorities. The components of the deferred tax
assets and liabilities are individually classified as current
and non-current based on the characteristics of the underlying
assets and liabilities.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth a summary, for the periods
indicated, of our consolidated results of operations and each
item expressed as a percentage of our total net revenues. Our
historical results presented below are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for any future
period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, | |
|
For the Six Months Ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands of US$, except percentages) | |
Net revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Solar modules
|
|
$ |
4,008 |
|
|
|
97.5% |
|
|
$ |
8,941 |
|
|
|
92.3% |
|
|
$ |
17,895 |
|
|
|
97.7% |
|
|
$ |
6,554 |
|
|
|
93.9% |
|
|
$ |
25,973 |
|
|
|
99.7% |
|
|
Others
|
|
|
105 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
744 |
|
|
|
7.7 |
|
|
|
429 |
|
|
|
2.3 |
|
|
|
428 |
|
|
|
6.1 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net revenues
|
|
|
4,113 |
|
|
|
100.0% |
|
|
|
9,685 |
|
|
|
100.0% |
|
|
|
18,324 |
|
|
|
100.0% |
|
|
|
6,982 |
|
|
|
100.0% |
|
|
|
26,041 |
|
|
|
100.0% |
|
Cost of
revenues(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Solar modules
|
|
|
2,253 |
|
|
|
54.8 |
|
|
|
5,894 |
|
|
|
60.9 |
|
|
|
10,885 |
|
|
|
59.4 |
|
|
|
3,595 |
|
|
|
51.5 |
|
|
|
18,555 |
|
|
|
71.2 |
|
|
Others
|
|
|
119 |
|
|
|
2.9 |
|
|
|
571 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
|
326 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
325 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost of revenues
|
|
|
2,372 |
|
|
|
57.7 |
|
|
|
6,465 |
|
|
|
66.8 |
|
|
|
11,211 |
|
|
|
61.2 |
|
|
|
3,920 |
|
|
|
56.1 |
|
|
|
18,623 |
|
|
|
71.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
1,741 |
|
|
|
42.3 |
|
|
|
3,220 |
|
|
|
33.2 |
|
|
|
7,113 |
|
|
|
38.8 |
|
|
|
3,062 |
|
|
|
43.9 |
|
|
|
7,418 |
|
|
|
28.5 |
|
Operating
expenses(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
|
269 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
|
|
158 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
529 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
1,039 |
|
|
|
25.3 |
|
|
|
1,069 |
|
|
|
11.0 |
|
|
|
1,708 |
|
|
|
9.3 |
|
|
|
762 |
|
|
|
10.9 |
|
|
|
1,750 |
|
|
|
6.7 |
|
|
|
Research and development
expenses(2)
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
1,098 |
|
|
|
26.7 |
|
|
|
1,379 |
|
|
|
14.2 |
|
|
|
1,882 |
|
|
|
10.3 |
|
|
|
837 |
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
|
2,323 |
|
|
|
8.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
643 |
|
|
|
15.6 |
|
|
|
1,840 |
|
|
|
19.0 |
|
|
|
5,231 |
|
|
|
28.5 |
|
|
|
2,225 |
|
|
|
31.9 |
|
|
|
5,095 |
|
|
|
19.6 |
|
Interest expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(239 |
) |
|
|
(1.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,635 |
) |
|
|
(6.3 |
) |
Interest income
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
Loss on change in fair value of derivatives related to
convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(316 |
) |
|
|
(1.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,997 |
) |
|
|
(26.8 |
) |
Loss on financial instruments relating to convertible bonds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(263 |
) |
|
|
(1.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,190 |
) |
|
|
(45.6 |
) |
Other gain/(loss) net
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
(0.2 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before taxes
|
|
|
654 |
|
|
|
15.9 |
|
|
|
1,820 |
|
|
|
18.7 |
|
|
|
4,409 |
|
|
|
24.1 |
|
|
|
2,215 |
|
|
|
31.7 |
|
|
|
(4,675 |
) |
|
|
(17.9 |
) |
Income tax expense
|
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
(0.8 |
) |
|
|
(363 |
) |
|
|
(3.7 |
) |
|
|
(605 |
) |
|
|
(3.3 |
) |
|
|
(336 |
) |
|
|
(4.8 |
) |
|
|
111 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
(209 |
) |
|
|
(5.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income/(loss) before extraordinary gain
|
|
|
411 |
|
|
|
10.0 |
|
|
|
1,457 |
|
|
|
15.0 |
|
|
|
3,804 |
|
|
|
20.8 |
|
|
|
1,879 |
|
|
|
26.9 |
|
|
|
(4,564 |
) |
|
|
(17.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extraordinary gain
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
8.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(loss)
|
|
$ |
761 |
|
|
|
18.5% |
|
|
$ |
1,457 |
|
|
|
15.0% |
|
|
$ |
3,804 |
|
|
|
20.8% |
|
|
$ |
1,879 |
|
|
|
26.9% |
|
|
$ |
(4,564 |
) |
|
|
(17.5 |
)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Share-based compensation expenses are included in our cost of
revenues and operating costs and expenses as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Six | |
|
|
|
|
months Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands of US$) | |
Share-based compensation expenses included in:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
24 |
|
Selling expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
229 |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
324 |
|
Research and development expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 |
|
57
|
|
(2) |
We also conduct research and development activities in
connection with our implementation of solar power development
projects. These expenditures are included in our cost of
revenues. See Our Business Solar Power
Development Projects. |
Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 Compared to Six Months
Ended June 30, 2005
Net Revenues. Our total net revenues increased
significantly from $7.0 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2005 to $26.0 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2006. The increase was due primarily to a significant
increase in net revenues generated from the sale of our solar
module products from $6.6 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2005 to $26.0 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2006, which as a percentage of total revenues also
increased from 93.9% to 99.7%. There was a significant decrease
in other net revenues generated from our implementation of solar
power development projects from $428,417 for the six months
ended June 30, 2005 to $67,834 for the six months ended June 30,
2006, primarily due to our substantial completion of the
remaining milestones in the Solar Electrification for
Western China project in 2005. The volume of our solar
module products sold increased from 1.4 MW for the six
months ended June 30, 2005 to 6.2 MW for the six months
ended June 30, 2006. Among our solar module product
categories, the increase was driven primarily by sales of our
standard solar modules. Net revenues from the sale of standard
solar modules increased from $3.9 million for the six
months ended June 30, 2005 to $24.4 million for the
six months ended June 30, 2006 with an increase in volume
from 1.0 MW for the six months ended June 30, 2005 to
5.9 MW for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Net
revenues from the sale of specialty solar modules and products
decreased from $2.2 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2005 to $1.6 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2006 with a decrease in volume from 0.4 MW to
0.3 MW for the six months ended June 30, 2006. This
decrease was primarily as a result of the completion of one of
our large specialty solar module product contracts in mid-2005.
The significant increase in the volume of our products sold was
driven primarily by a significant increase in market demand for
our standard solar modules, in particular in Germany and Spain.
The average selling price of our standard solar modules rose
from $3.98 per watt for the six months ended June 30,
2005 to $4.09 per watt for the six months ended
June 30, 2006. The average selling price of our specialty
solar modules and products decreased from $5.07 per watt
for the six months ended June 30, 2005 to $4.87 per
watt for the six months ended June 30, 2006, primarily due
to a change in the product mix of our specialty solar modules as
one of our large specialty solar module contracts ended in
mid-2005 and, as a result, a larger percentage of the
specialty solar modules and products that we sold in the six
months ended June 30, 2006 consisted of smaller-sized
modules sold to Chinese domestic customers that were less
complex and commanded a lower average selling price per watt.
The prices that we charge for specialty solar modules and
products are not directly comparable from period to period nor
between different products. See Product Mix and
Pricing.
Cost of Revenues. Our cost of revenues increased
significantly from $3.9 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2005 to $18.6 million for the six months
ended June 30, 2006. The increase in our cost of revenues
was due primarily to a significant increase in the quantity of
solar cells needed to produce an increased output of our
standard solar modules and the rising prices of silicon
feedstock and solar cells arising from the industry-wide
shortage of high-purity silicon. As a percentage of our total
net revenues, cost of revenues increased from 56.1% for the six
months ended June 30, 2005 to 71.5% for the six months
ended June 30, 2006, primarily as a result of our changing
product mix. The sale of specialty solar modules and products,
which tend to have lower cost of revenues than standard solar
modules, decreased as a percentage of our net revenues from
31.6% to 6.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and
2006, respectively.
Gross Profit. As a result of the foregoing, our
gross profit increased significantly from $3.1 million for
the six months ended June 30, 2005 to $7.4 million for
the six months ended June 30, 2006. Our gross margin
decreased from 43.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2005
to 28.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2006.
Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses
increased by 177.5% from $836,690 for the six months ended
June 30, 2005 to $2.3 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2006. The increase in our operating
58
expenses was due primarily to an increase in our general and
administrative expenses and selling expenses. Operating expenses
as a percentage of our total net revenue decreased from 12.0%
for the six months ended June 30, 2005 to 8.9% for the six
months ended June 30, 2006.
Selling Expenses. Our selling expenses increased
significantly from $67,135 for the six months ended
June 30, 2005 to $528,544 for the six months ended
June 30, 2006. Selling expenses as a percentage of our
total net revenues doubled from 1.0% for the six months ended
June 30, 2005 to 2.0% for the six months ended
June 30, 2006. The increase in our selling expenses was due
primarily to (i) share-based compensation expenses that we
incurred in connection with our grant of share options and
restricted shares to sales and marketing personnel in the six
months ended June 30, 2006, and (ii) an increase in
salaries and benefits as we hired additional sales personnel to
handle our increased sales volume. The increase was also due to
an increase in advertising expenses as we further promoted our
products, in particular in Europe, and to an increase in freight
charges for samples and customs and clearance charges.
General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and
administrative expenses increased by 129.7% from $761,465 for
the six months ended June 30, 2005 to $1.8 million for
the six months ended June 30, 2006, primarily due to
(i) the share-based compensation expenses that we incurred
in connection with our grant of share options and restricted
shares to general and administrative employees in the six months
ended June 30, 2006, and (ii) increases in salaries
and benefits for our administrative and finance personnel as we
hired additional personnel in connection with the growth of our
business. As a percentage of our total net revenues, general and
administrative expenses decreased from 10.9% for the six months
ended June 30, 2005 to 6.7% for the six months ended
June 30, 2006, primarily as a result of the greater
economies of scale that we achieved in the six months ended
June 30, 2006.
Research and Development Expenses. Our research and
development expenses increased significantly from $8,090 for the
six months ended June 30, 2005 to $44,440 for the
six months ended June 30, 2006.
Interest Expenses. We incurred interest expenses
of approximately $1.6 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2006 compared to none for the six months
ended June 30, 2005. The interest expenses were in
connection with (i) the convertible notes that we sold to
HSBC and JAFCO in November 2005 and March 2006 and which were
outstanding in the six months ended June 30, 2006,
(ii) the $1.3 million loan that we borrowed from ATS
in September 2005 and which remains outstanding,
(iii) interest payable for our short-term borrowings, and
(iv) non-cash amortization of discount on debts in relation
to the convertible notes issued to HSBC and JAFCO.
Loss on Change in Fair Value of Derivatives Related to
Convertible Notes. We recorded a charge of
$7.0 million for the six months ended June 30,
2006 compared to nil for the six months ended June 30,
2005 for the loss on change in fair value of derivatives related
to convertible notes. After amending the terms of our
convertible notes in March 2006, we no longer incur this charge.
Loss on Financial Instruments Related to Convertible
Notes. We recorded a non-cash charge of
$1.2 million for the six months ended June 30,
2006 compared to nil for the six months ended June 30,
2005. After issuing the second tranche convertible notes
together with convertible notes issued pursuant to the
investors option in March 2006, we no longer incur this
charge.
Income Tax Expense. Our income tax expense was
$336,315 for the six months ended June 30, 2005, as
compared to a gain of $110,568 for the six months ended
June 30, 2006, in part due to the tax benefit from an
increase in accrued warranty costs, which were recorded as
deferred tax assets under U.S. GAAP.
Net Income/ Loss. As a result of the cumulative
effect of the above factors, we recorded net income of
$1.9 million for the six months ended June 30,
2005, as compared to a $4.6 million net loss for the
six months ended June 30, 2006.
59
Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2004
Net Revenues. Our total net revenues increased
significantly from $9.7 million in 2004 to
$18.3 million in 2005. The increase was due primarily to a
significant increase in net revenues generated from the sale of
solar module products from $8.9 million in 2004 to
$17.9 million in 2005. This was offset in part by a
decrease in other net revenues generated from our implementation
of solar power development projects from $743,601 in 2004 to
$428,417 in 2005. The volume of our solar module products sold
increased from 2.2 MW in 2004 to 4.1 MW in 2005. Among
our solar module product categories, the increase was driven
primarily by sales of our standard solar modules. Net revenues
from the sale of standard solar modules increased from
$6.5 million in 2004 to $13.7 million in 2005 with an
increase in volume from 1.8 MW in 2004 to 3.4 MW in
2005. Net revenues from the sale of specialty solar modules and
products increased to a lesser extent from $2.3 million in
2004 to $3.7 million in 2005 with an increase in volume
from 0.4 MW to 0.7 MW in 2005.
The significant increase in the volume of our products sold was
driven primarily by a significant increase in market demand for
our standard solar modules, in particular in Germany and
elsewhere in Europe. The average selling price of our standard
solar modules rose from $3.62 per watt in 2004 to $3.92 per watt
in 2005. The average selling price of our specialty solar
modules and products decreased from $5.23 per watt in 2004 to
$5.13 per watt in 2005. The decrease was primarily due to a
change in our product mix from 2004 to 2005 as the orders on one
of our specialty solar modules and products from 2004 ended in
mid-2005. In addition, a larger percentage of the specialty
solar modules and products that we sold in 2005 consisted of
smaller-sized modules sold to Chinese domestic customers that
were less complex and commanded a lower average selling price
per watt. The prices that we charge for specialty solar modules
and products are not directly comparable from period to period
nor between different products. See Product
Mix and Pricing.
Cost of Revenues. Our cost of revenues increased
significantly from $6.5 million in 2004 to
$11.2 million in 2005. The increase in our cost of revenues
was due primarily to a significant increase in our expenditures
on silicon feedstock and solar cells. This was caused by a
significant increase in the quantity of solar cells needed to
produce an increased output of our standard solar modules and
the rising prices of silicon feedstock and solar cells due to
the industry-wide shortage of high-purity silicon. As a
percentage of our total net revenues, however, cost of revenues
decreased from 66.8% in 2004 to 61.2% in 2005 primarily because
of the cost savings we achieved largely through our silicon
reclamation program in 2005, which allowed us to purchase more
lower-cost reclaimable silicon for use in our toll manufacturing
arrangements with ingot, wafer and cell suppliers. The decrease
was also due in part to the economies of scale achieved through
an increase in our production volume.
Gross Profit. As a result of the foregoing, our
gross profit increased significantly from $3.2 million in
2004 to $7.1 million in 2005. Our gross margin increased
from 33.2% in 2004 to 38.8% in 2005.
Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses
increased by 36.5% from $1.4 million in 2004 to
$1.9 million in 2005. Operating expenses as a percentage of
our total net revenue decreased from 14.2% in 2004 to 10.3% in
2005. The increase in our operating expenses was due primarily
to an increase in our general and administrative expenses,
offset by decreases in our selling expenses and research and
development expenses.
Selling Expenses. Our selling expenses decreased by 41.4%
from $268,994 in 2004 to $157,763 in 2005. Selling expenses as a
percentage of our total net revenues, decreased from 2.8% in
2004 to 0.9% in 2005. The decrease in our selling expenses was
due primarily to a significant decrease in sales commissions. In
2005 we negotiated a reduction of our cash sales commissions
with our sales and marketing personnel. We intend to
prospectively tie a portion of sales commissions related to
future product sales by granting either options to purchase our
common shares or by granting restricted shares. The decrease was
offset in part by an increase in salaries and benefits as we
hired additional sales personnel to handle our increased sales
volume.
General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and
administrative expenses increased by 59.7% from
$1.1 million in 2004 to $1.7 million in 2005. The
increase in our general and administrative expenses
60
was due primarily to increases in salaries and benefits for our
administrative and finance personnel as we hired additional
personnel in connection with the growth of our business. The
increase was also due to foreign exchange losses as a result of
the fluctuations of the Euro, which was the currency that most
of our sales contracts were denominated in prior to mid-2005,
against the U.S. dollar. However, general and
administrative expenses as a percentage of our total net
revenues decreased from 11.0% in 2004 to 9.3% in 2005, primarily
as a result of the greater economies of scale we achieved in
2005.
Research and Development Expenses. Our research and
development expenses decreased by 59.7%from $40,623 in 2004 to
$16,381 in 2005.
Interest Expenses. We incurred interest expenses
of approximately $239,225 in 2005 compared to none in 2004. Our
interest expenses in 2005 were primarily attributable to the
non-cash charges that we accrued in connection with the
convertible notes that we issued to HSBC and JAFCO in November
2005 and, to a lesser extent, to interest on short-term
borrowings.
Loss on Change in Fair Value of Derivatives Related to
Convertible Notes. We recorded a charge of $316,000 in
2005 compared to none in 2004. The loss on change in fair value
of derivatives related to convertible notes was recorded in
connection with an increase in the option value of the
convertible notes that we issued to HSBC and JAFCO in November
2005.
Loss on Financial Instruments Related to Convertible
Notes. We recorded a non-cash charge of $263,089 in 2005
compared to none in 2004.
Income Tax Expense. Our income tax expense
increased by 66.8% from $362,882 in 2004 to $605,402 in 2005,
primarily because of increased profitability, offset by the tax
benefit from an increase in accrued warranty costs, which were
recorded as deferred tax assets under U.S. GAAP.
Net Income. As a result of the cumulative effect
of the above factors, net income increased significantly from
$1.5 million in 2004 to $3.8 million in 2005. Our net
margin increased from 15.0% in 2004 to 20.8% in 2005.
Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2003
Net Revenues. Our total net revenues increased
significantly from $4.1 million in 2003 to
$9.7 million in 2004. The increase was due primarily to a
significant increase in net revenues generated from the sale of
solar module products from $4.0 million in 2003 to
$8.9 million in 2004. Other net revenues generated from our
implementation of solar power development projects also
increased significantly from $104,743 in 2003 to $743,601 in
2004 due to our achieving milestones in our Solar
Electrification for Western China project. The volume of
our solar module products sold increased from 0.7 MW in
2003 to 2.2 MW in 2004. We generated net revenues from the
sale of standard solar modules of $6.5 million with a
volume of 1.8 MW in 2004, although we did not begin to sell
standard solar modules until the second half of 2004. The
increase in the volume of our solar module products sold was
offset in part by a decrease in sales of specialty solar modules
and products. Net revenues from the sale of specialty solar
modules and products decreased from $4.0 million in 2003 to
$2.3 million in 2004 with a decrease in volume from
0.7 MW to 0.4 MW due primarily to the completion of
our contract with a major customer.
We began to sell standard solar modules in the second half of
2004 to meet rising industry demand for that product and in
connection with the growth of the on-grid market, particularly
in Germany. The average selling price per watt of our standard
solar modules was $3.62 in 2004. The average selling price of
our specialty solar modules and products decreased from
$5.70 per watt in 2003 to $5.23 per watt in 2004, due
primarily to a change in our product mix from 2003 to 2004 as
the orders on one of our specialty solar modules and products
that we sold in 2003 and the first half of 2004 ended in the
second half of 2004. In 2004, a larger percentage of our
specialty solar modules and products consisted of smaller-sized
modules to Chinese domestic customers that were less complex and
commanded a lower average selling price per watt. The prices
that we charge for specialty solar modules and products are not
directly comparable from period to period nor between different
products. See Product Mix and Pricing.
61
Cost of Revenues. Our cost of revenues increased
significantly from $2.4 million in 2003 to
$6.5 million in 2004. The increase in our cost of revenues
was due primarily to a significant increase in our expenditures
on solar cells and other materials necessary for the production
of standard solar modules. As we began selling standard solar
modules in the second half of 2004, we began to purchase a
greater number of solar cells to meet demand for that product.
As a percentage of our total net revenues, our cost of revenues
increased from 57.6% in 2003 to 66.8% in 2004. Sales of standard
solar modules, which were approximately 67.0% of our net
revenues in 2004 as compared to none in 2003, tend to have lower
gross margins than our specialty solar modules and product.
See Gross Profit/ Gross Margin.
Gross Profit. As a result of the foregoing, our
gross profit increased significantly from $1.7 million in
2003 to $3.2 million in 2004. Our gross margin decreased
from 42.3% in 2003 to 33.2% in 2004.
Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses
increased by 25.6% from $1.1 million in 2003 to
$1.4 million in 2004. Operating expenses as a percentage of
our total net revenues decreased from 26.7% in 2003 to 14.2% in
2004. The increase in our operating expenses was due primarily
to a significant increase in selling expenses and to a lesser
extent an increase in general and administrative expenses and
research and development expenses.
Selling Expenses. Our selling expenses increased
significantly from $38,792 in 2003 to $268,994 in 2004. Selling
expenses as a percentage of our total net revenues, increased
from 0.9% in 2003 to 2.8% in 2004. The increase in our selling
expenses was due primarily to an increase in sales commissions
paid to sales staff and salaries and benefits as we hired
additional sales personnel to handle our increased sales volume
and target markets in Europe for the sale of our standard solar
modules.
General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and
administrative expenses increased by 2.9% from $1.0 million
in 2003 to $1.1 million in 2004. The increase in our
general and administrative expenses was due primarily to
increases in salaries and benefits for our administrative and
finance personnel as we hired additional personnel in connection
with the growth of our business. The increase was also due to an
increase in government and administration fees. The increase was
offset in part by foreign exchange gains as a result of the
fluctuations of the Euro and to a decrease in provisions for bad
debt as we typically require prepayments for the sale of our
standard solar module products. However, general and
administrative expenses as a percentage of our total net
revenues, decreased from 25.3% in 2003 to 11.0% in 2004,
primarily as a result of the greater economies of scale we
achieved in 2004 through the mass production of our standard
solar modules.
Research and Development Expenses. Our research and
development expenses increased from $19,780 in 2003 to $40,623
in 2004.
Extraordinary Gain. We recorded $350,601
extraordinary gain in 2003 compared to none in 2004.
Income Tax Expense. Our income tax expense
increased from $33,560 in 2003 to $362,882 in 2004, primarily
because of: (i) higher taxable income; and (ii)
the expiration of a two year exemption from EIT at the end of
2003 and the initiation of a 12% preferential EIT rate for CSI
Solartronics beginning in 2004. See Overview of Financial
Results Income Tax Expense.
Minority Interest. We recorded $209,802 in 2003
for minority interests in connection with the interests in CSI
Changshu that we did not hold prior to our acquisitions of such
interests in December 2003, compared to none in 2004.
Net Income. As a result of the cumulative effect
of the above factors, net income increased by 91.4% from
$0.8 million in 2003 to $1.5 million in 2004. Our net
margin decreased from 18.5% in 2003 to 15.0% in 2004.
62
Selected Quarterly Results of Operations
The following table presents our unaudited consolidated selected
quarterly results of operations for the eight quarters ended
June 30, 2006. You should read the following table in
conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements
and related notes contained elsewhere in this prospectus. We
have prepared the unaudited consolidated financial information
on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial
statements. The unaudited consolidated financial information
includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair presentation
of our financial position and operating results for the quarters
presented.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
March 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
March 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands of US$) | |
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net revenues
|
|
$ |
3,085 |
|
|
$ |
5,303 |
|
|
$ |
3,131 |
|
|
$ |
3,851 |
|
|
$ |
4,530 |
|
|
$ |
6,812 |
|
|
$ |
8,791 |
|
|
$ |
17,250 |
|
Cost of revenues
|
|
|
(2,057 |
) |
|
|
(3,646 |
) |
|
|
(1,778 |
) |
|
|
(2,142 |
) |
|
|
(2,784 |
) |
|
|
(4,506 |
) |
|
|
(6,319 |
) |
|
|
(12,304 |
) (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
1,028 |
|
|
|
1,657 |
|
|
|
1,353 |
|
|
|
1,709 |
|
|
|
1,746 |
|
|
|
2,306 |
|
|
|
2,472 |
|
|
|
4,946 |
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
|
(87 |
) |
|
|
(77 |
) |
|
|
(35 |
) |
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
|
(33 |
) |
|
|
(58 |
) |
|
|
(125 |
) |
|
|
(404 |
)(2) |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
(264 |
) |
|
|
(470 |
) |
|
|
(362 |
) |
|
|
(400 |
) |
|
|
(465 |
) |
|
|
(481 |
) |
|
|
(396 |
) |
|
|
(1,354 |
) (3) |
|
Research and development expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
(17 |
)(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
(351 |
) |
|
|
(547 |
) |
|
|
(405 |
) |
|
|
(432 |
) |
|
|
(500 |
) |
|
|
(546 |
) |
|
|
(548 |
) |
|
|
(1,775 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
677 |
|
|
|
1,110 |
|
|
|
948 |
|
|
|
1,277 |
|
|
|
1,246 |
|
|
|
1,760 |
|
|
|
1,924 |
|
|
|
3,171 |
|
Interest expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(239 |
) |
|
|
(754 |
) |
|
|
(881 |
) |
Interest income
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
Loss on change in fair value of derivatives related to
convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(316 |
) |
|
|
(6,997 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Loss on financial instruments related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(263 |
) |
|
|
(1,190 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Other net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before taxes
|
|
|
680 |
|
|
|
1,117 |
|
|
|
940 |
|
|
|
1,275 |
|
|
|
1,243 |
|
|
|
951 |
|
|
|
(6,992 |
) |
|
|
2,317 |
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
(160 |
) |
|
|
(198 |
) |
|
|
(183 |
) |
|
|
(153 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(263 |
) |
|
|
(72 |
) |
|
|
183 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(loss)
|
|
$ |
520 |
|
|
$ |
919 |
|
|
$ |
757 |
|
|
$ |
1,122 |
|
|
$ |
1,237 |
|
|
$ |
688 |
|
|
$ |
(7,064 |
) |
|
$ |
2,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Cost of revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2006
includes $24,166 share-based compensation expenses for
options and restricted shares granted to our manufacturing
personnel. |
|
(2) |
Selling expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2006
includes $229,007 share-based compensation expenses for
options and restricted shares granted to our sales and marketing
personnel. |
|
(3) |
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended
June 30, 2006 includes $323,844 share-based
compensation expenses for options and restricted shares granted
to our general and administrative personnel. |
|
(4) |
Research and development expenses for the six months ended
June 30, 2006 includes $12,681 share-based
compensation expenses for options and restricted shares granted
to our research and development personnel. |
As we have a limited operating history, most of our growth has
occurred during the most recent quarters and our quarterly
results have fluctuated, our operating results for any quarter
are not necessarily
63
indicative of results of any future quarters or for a full year.
See Risk Factors Risks Related to Our Company
and Our Industry Evaluating our business and
prospects may be difficult because of our limited operating
history and Our quarterly results may
fluctuate from period to period in the future.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash
Flows and Working Capital
To date, we have financed our operations primarily through cash
flows from operations, short-term borrowings, convertible note
issuances, as well as equity contributions by our shareholders.
As of December 31, 2005 and June 30, 2006, we had
$6.3 million and $10.7 million in cash and cash
equivalents, respectively, and $1.3 million and
$14.3 million in outstanding short-term borrowings,
respectively. Our cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of
cash on hand, demand deposits and liquid investments with
original maturities of three months or less that are placed with
banks and other financial institutions. Our short-term
borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2005 bore an
average interest rate of 7.0% and as of June 30, 2006 bore
interest rates ranging from from 5.94% to 7.0%. These borrowings
do not have fixed repayment schedules. We did not have any
outstanding long-term borrowings as of December 31, 2004.
As of December 31, 2005, we had $8.1 million of
convertible notes outstanding. These convertible notes were
issued in November 2005 to HSBC and JAFCO. These notes bear cash
interest at the rate of 2.0% per annum, payable quarterly
in arrears. In March 2006, we issued additional convertible
notes in the aggregate amount of $3.65 million to HSBC and
JAFCO with substantially the same terms. Therefore, as of
June 30, 2006, we had $11.75 million convertible notes
outstanding. All of these convertible notes were converted into
our common shares in July 2006. See Related Party
Transactions Issuance, Sale and Conversion of
Convertible Notes.
We have significant working capital commitments because our
suppliers of solar cells and silicon raw materials require us to
make prepayments in advance of their shipment. Our suppliers
typically require us to make prepayments in cash of 20% to 30%
of the purchase price and require us to pay the balance of the
purchase price by letters of credit or additional cash payments
prior to delivery. Due to the industry-wide shortage of
high-purity silicon, working capital and access to financings to
allow for the purchase of silicon feedstock are critical to
growing our business. Advances to suppliers increased
significantly from $370,257 as of December 31, 2004 to
$4.7 million as of December 31, 2005 and further to
$9.1 million as of June 30, 2006. While we also
require our customers to make prepayments, there is typically a
lag between the time of our prepayment for solar cells and
silicon raw materials and the time that our customers make
prepayments to us. Accordingly, our cash flow from operations
was negative for 2005 compared to positive in 2004 and negative
for the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2006.
We expect that accounts receivable and inventories, two of the
principal components of our current assets, will continue to
increase as our net revenues increase. We require prepayments in
cash of 20% to 30% of the purchase price from our customers, and
require many of them to pay the balance of the purchase price by
letters of credit prior to delivery. These prepayments are
recorded as our current liabilities under advances from
suppliers and customers, and amounted to $273,231 as of
December 31, 2004, $2.8 million as of
December 31, 2005 and $7.3 million as of June 30,
2006. Until the letters of credit are drawn in accordance with
their terms, the balance purchase price is recorded as accounts
receivable. Inventories have also increased significantly due to
our toll manufacturing arrangements. We do not record the
silicon feedstock and other silicon raw materials that we source
and provide to toll manufacturers in our net revenues. We
account for the silicon feedstock as consigned inventory and for
payments received from our toll manufacturers as advances from
suppliers and customers. Because of the prepayment and the
letters of credit payment requirements that we impose on our
customers, our allowance for doubtful accounts has not been
significant. Allowance for doubtful accounts was $117,685 in
2004 and 2005, relating to the same customer, and nil for the
six months ended June 30, 2006.
64
The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for
the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands of US$) | |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
|
$ |
1,752 |
|
|
$ |
440 |
|
|
$ |
(4,670 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,178 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,146 |
) |
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(441 |
) |
|
|
(252 |
) |
|
|
(646 |
) |
|
|
(58 |
) |
|
|
(1,159 |
) |
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,330 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,478 |
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
1,283 |
|
|
|
180 |
|
|
|
4,221 |
|
|
|
(1,254 |
) |
|
|
4,402 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
|
|
|
596 |
|
|
|
1,879 |
|
|
|
2,059 |
|
|
|
2,059 |
|
|
|
6,280 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
|
|
$ |
1,879 |
|
|
$ |
2,059 |
|
|
$ |
6,280 |
|
|
$ |
805 |
|
|
$ |
10,682 |
|
Operating
Activities
Net cash used in operating activities increased from
$1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 to
$10.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006,
primarily due to significant increases in our inventories, our
advances to suppliers as well as accounts receivable at the end
of the six months ended June 30, 2006. The increase was
also due to our net income of $1.9 million in the first
half of 2005 compared to net loss of $4.6 million in the
first half of 2006. Our cash outflow was partially offset by the
increases in our accounts payable as well as advances from
suppliers and customers. Net cash used in operating activities
in 2005 was $4.7 million, compared to net cash provided by
operating activities in 2004 of $439,550. The change from cash
inflow to cash outflow in 2005 was mainly a result of a
significant increase in the level of our inventories
(particularly silicon feedstock) due to the increase in our toll
manufacturing arrangements in 2005, advances to suppliers and
accounts receivable at the end of 2005 compared to the end of
2004. This was partially offset by a higher net income in 2005
and a significant increase in accounts payable as at the end of
2005 compared to the end of 2004. Net cash provided by operating
activities decreased from $1.8 million in 2003 to $439,550
in 2004. The decrease was due primarily to a significant
increase in inventories, accounts receivable and advances to
suppliers at the end of 2004 compared to the end of 2003. The
decrease was also due to the minority interest that we recorded
in 2003, as compared to none in 2004. The decrease was offset in
part by a higher net income in 2004 and a significant increase
in accounts payable, income tax payable, other tax payable and
advances from suppliers at the end of 2004 compared to the end
of 2003.
Investing
Activities
Net cash used in investing activities increased from $58,369 for
the six months ended June 30, 2005 to $1.1 million for
the six months ended June 30, 2006, primarily due to a
$647,431 incurrence of restricted cash attributable to issuances
of bank acceptance notes payable and a significant increase in
our purchase of property, plant and equipment for the expansion
of our assembly lines for the increased production of our solar
module products. Net cash used in investing activities increased
from $252,249 in 2004 to $645,997 in 2005, primarily as a result
of an increase in our purchase of property, plant and equipment
for our silicon reclamation program and the expansion of our
assembly lines for the production of solar module products. Net
cash used in investing activities decreased from $441,499 in
2003 to $252,249 in 2004, primarily as a result of the $331,006
cash amount that we paid for the acquisition of equity interests
in CSI Solartronics from our prior Chinese joint venture
partners. The decrease was offset in part by a significant
increase in our purchase of property, plant and equipment for
the expansion of our assembly lines for the production of solar
module products and as we began selling standard solar modules.
65
Financing
Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $15.5 million
for the six months ended June 30, 2006, as compared to nil
for the six months ended June 30, 2005, primarily due to the net
proceeds received from $13.0 million in short-term
borrowings and a $3.65 million issuance of convertible
notes to HSBC and JAFCO in March 2006, partially offset by
the incurrence of issuance costs in connection with the
convertible notes and this offering. Net cash provided by
financing activities amounted to $9.3 million in 2005,
representing the net proceeds received from a $1.3 million
short-term borrowing and a $8.1 million convertible note
issuance. We did not raise any funds through financing
activities in 2004 or 2003.
We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents,
anticipated cash flow from operations and proceeds from this
offering will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs,
including our cash needs for working capital and capital
expenditures for at least the next 12 months. We may,
however, require additional cash due to changing business
conditions or other future developments, including any
investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If our
existing cash is insufficient to meet our requirements, we may
seek to sell additional equity securities, debt securities or
borrow from lending institutions. We cannot assure you that
financing will be available in the amounts we need or on terms
acceptable to us, if at all. The sale of additional equity
securities, including convertible debt securities, would dilute
our shareholders. The incurrence of debt would divert cash for
working capital and capital expenditures to service debt
obligations and could result in operating and financial
covenants that restrict our operations and our ability to pay
dividends to our shareholders. If we are unable to obtain
additional equity or debt financing as required, our business
operations and prospects may suffer.
Capital Expenditures
We made capital expenditures of $414,918, $253,570, $560,793 and
$511,853 in 2003, 2004, 2005 and for the six months ended
June 30, 2006 respectively. In the past, our capital
expenditures were used primarily to purchase equipment for our
silicon reclamation program and for the expansion of our
assembly lines for the production of solar modules. Our capital
expenditures in 2006 have been and will be used primarily to
purchase manufacturing equipment for the expansion of our solar
module assembly lines and for the establishment of a solar cell
plant.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations and
commercial commitments as of December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payment Due by Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than |
|
|
|
More than |
|
|
Total |
|
1 Year |
|
1-3 Years |
|
3-5 Years |
|
5 Years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands of US$) |
Long-term debt obligations
|
|
$ |
8,100 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
8,100 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest related to long-term
debt(2)
|
|
$ |
2,916 |
|
|
$ |
162 |
|
|
$ |
2,754 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term debt obligations
|
|
$ |
1,300 |
|
|
$ |
1,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest related to short-term
debt(3)
|
|
$ |
91 |
|
|
$ |
91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital (finance) lease obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating lease obligations
|
|
$ |
354 |
|
|
$ |
162 |
|
|
$ |
192 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
obligations(4)
|
|
$ |
10,178 |
|
|
$ |
2,744 |
|
|
$ |
3,717 |
|
|
$ |
3,717 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other long-term liabilities reflected on the companys
balance sheet
|
|
$ |
341 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
341 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
23,280 |
|
|
$ |
4,459 |
|
|
$ |
14,763 |
|
|
$ |
3,717 |
|
|
$ |
341 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Convertible notes issued to HSBC and JAFCO in November 2005. |
|
(2) |
Interest includes cash interest of 2% per annum payable every
three months and a premium of 10% per annum payable if the
convertible notes are not converted to common shares at maturity. |
66
|
|
(3) |
Interest is derived using 7% interest per annum. |
|
(4) |
Include commitments to purchase production equipment in the
amount of $114,599 and commitments to purchase solar cells and
silicon raw materials in the amount of $10.1 million. |
Other than the contractual obligations and commercial
commitments set forth above, we did not have any other long-term
debt obligations, operating lease obligations, purchase
obligations or other long-term liabilities as of
December 31, 2005. In March 2006, we issued an aggregate of
$3.65 million convertible notes to HSBC and JAFCO in a
second tranche subscription under the subscription agreement.
The first tranche and second tranche notes of both HSBC and
JAFCO were converted into our common shares in July 2006.
We have entered into a total of nine loan agreements with
commercial banks in China for working capital purposes in 2006.
Each of these loans has been fully drawn, and does not contain
any specific renewal terms. The following table summarizes the
material terms of the loans.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date of Agreements |
|
Amount |
|
Term |
|
Interest Rate |
|
Guarantee |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 2006
|
|
RMB25 million ($3.125 million) |
|
One year |
|
6.435% per annum |
|
By third parties
(1) |
April 2006
|
|
$500,000 |
|
One year |
|
6.025% per annum |
|
None |
June 2006
|
|
RMB5 million ($0.625 million) |
|
One year |
|
6.435% per annum |
|
By third parties
(1) |
June 2006
|
|
$2.49 million |
|
Six months |
|
1.0% over six- month LIBOR |
|
By third
party(2) |
June 2006
|
|
$3.75 million |
|
One year |
|
6.461% per annum |
|
By third
party(2) |
August 2006
|
|
$3.3 million |
|
Three months |
|
6.40188% per annum |
|
By CSI
Solartronics(3) |
September 2006
|
|
RMB20 million ($2.5 million) |
|
Six months |
|
6.138% per annum |
|
By third
party(4) |
September 2006
|
|
$2.99 million |
|
Three months |
|
5.89% |
|
By third
party(2) |
|
October 2006
|
|
RMB20 million ($2.5 million) |
|
Six months |
|
6.138% per annum |
|
By third parties
(1) |
|
|
(1) |
Guaranteed by Changshu Municipal Industry State Owned Assets
Operation and Investment Company and Changshu City Xinzhuang
County Assets Operation and Investment Company. These
guarantors, which have no other relationship with us, are state-
or collectively-owned companies that seek to promote the
development of and investment in the local community. |
|
(2) |
Guaranteed by Suzhou New District Economic Development Group
Corporation, which has no other relationship with us. We pay a
fee of 1.0% of the loan facility amount per annum for the
guarantee and have pledged security interests over all of the
current assets of CSI Solar Manufacturing and CSI Solartronics
and 51% equity interests in these two companies held by us to
secure the guarantee. Dr. Shawn Qu, our chairman and chief
executive officer, has also provided a counter-guarantee for the
guarantee. |
|
(3) |
CSI Solartronics entered into a maximum guarantee agreement with
this commercial bank, under which CSI Solartronics agreed to
provide a guarantee of up to RMB 26.4 million
($3.3 million) for short-term borrowings of CSI Solar
Manufacturing incurred during a six-month period commencing from
August 7, 2006. |
|
(4) |
Changshu Municipal Industry State Owned Assets Operation and
Investment Company, as the guarantor, entered into a maximum
guarantee agreement with this commercial bank, under which the
guarantor agreed to provide a guarantee of up to
RMB20.0 million ($2.5 million) for short-term
borrowings of CSI Solartronics incurred during the one-year
period commencing from September 7, 2006. |
67
The loan agreements contain customary restrictive covenants,
including restrictions on change of business operations,
mergers, creating security interests over assets and disposal of
material assets, and impose customary notice obligations upon a
material negative change. If we are late in repaying principal
or interest or we do not use the proceeds for working capital
purposes, we will be subject to default interest rates. The loan
repayments will be accelerated upon the suspension of our
business operations, material negative changes to security and
the occurrence of other events of default. As of the date of
this prospectus, we are in compliance with the covenants in
these loan agreements.
In addition, in August 2004, we entered into a revolving
facility loan agreement in the amount of C$500,000 with the
Royal Bank of Canada for working capital purposes. This loan
facility was guaranteed by our chairman and chief executive
officer, Dr. Shawn Qu. As of December 31, 2005 and
June 30, 2006, we did not have any outstanding obligation
under this facility.
In implementing our plans to expand our solar module assembly
capacity, we registered Changshu CSI Advanced Solar Inc., or CSI
Advanced, as a wholly owned subsidiary in Changshu, China in
August 2006. We plan to invest $16.8 million in CSI
Advanced as registered capital with cash from our operations and
proceeds from this offering. If we do not invest that amount
within two years of the date the business license for CSI
Advanced was issued, we may apply to reduce the amount of the
planned registered capital, or CSI Advanceds business
license will be revoked and we may have to reapply for the
establishment of a company in Changshu. In addition, PRC rules
require that we invest the first installment of registered
capital within three months of the date of the business license,
failing which the investment approval of the authorities will be
automatically terminated. We did not make the first installment
investment but have obtained from the relevant local authority
after the deadline, an extension to the end of November 2006.
Off-balance Sheet Commitments and Arrangements
We have not entered into any financial guarantees or other
commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of third
parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that
are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholders
equity, or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial
statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or
contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated
entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support
to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any
unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market
risk or credit support to us or that engages in leasing, hedging
or research and development services with us.
Restricted Net Assets
Our PRC subsidiaries are required under PRC laws and regulations
to make appropriations from net income as determined under
accounting principles generally accepted in the PRC, or PRC
GAAP, to non-distributable reserves which include a general
reserve and a staff welfare and bonus reserve. The general
reserve is required to be made at not less than 10% of the
profit after tax as determined under PRC GAAP. The staff
welfare and bonus reserve is determined by our board of
directors. The general reserve is used to offset future
extraordinary losses. Our PRC subsidiaries may, upon a
resolution of the board of directors, convert the general
reserve into capital. The staff welfare and bonus reserve is
used for the collective welfare of the employees of the PRC
subsidiaries. These reserves represent appropriations of the
retained earnings determined under PRC law. In addition to the
general reserve, our PRC subsidiaries are required to obtain
approval from the local government authorities prior to
distributing any registered share capital. Accordingly, both the
appropriations to general reserve and the registered share
capital of the our PRC subsidiaries are considered as restricted
net assets. These restricted net assets amounted to $770,116,
$851,516, $4.6 million and $7.8 million at
December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005 and June 30, 2006,
respectively.
Inflation
Since our inception, inflation in China has not materially
impacted our results of operations. According to the National
Bureau of Statistics of China, the change of consumer price
index in China was 1.2%, 3.9% and 1.8% in 2003, 2004 and 2005,
respectively.
68
Market Risks
Foreign
Exchange Risk
Our financial statements are expressed in the U.S. dollar,
which is our functional currency. Until June 2005, a major
portion of our sales were denominated in Euros, with the
remainder in U.S. dollars and Renminbi. The major portion
of our costs and expenses is denominated in U.S. dollars.
Since June 2005, substantially all of our sales have been
denominated in U.S. dollars. We also incur a portion of our
costs and expenses in Renminbi, primarily related to domestic
sourcing of solar cells and silicon raw materials, toll
manufacturing fees, labor costs and local overhead expenses. We
also have loan arrangements with Chinese commercial banks that
are denominated in Renminbi. Therefore, fluctuations in currency
exchange rates could have an impact on our financial stability.
Fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly among the
U.S. dollar and Renminbi, affect our gross and net profit
margins and could result in foreign exchange and operating
losses. Our exposure to foreign exchange risk primarily relates
to currency gains or losses resulting from timing differences
between signing of sales contracts and settling of these
contracts. We recorded net foreign currency loss of $8,721 in
2003, gain of $230,960 in 2004, loss of $106,059 in 2005 and
loss of $76,162 for the six months ended June 30, 2006.
Interest
Rate Risk
Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to interest
expenses incurred by our short-term and long-term borrowings, as
well as interest income generated by excess cash invested in
demand deposits and liquid investments with original maturities
of three months or less. Such interest-earning instruments carry
a degree of interest rate risk. We have not used any derivative
financial instruments to manage our interest rate risk exposure.
We have not been exposed nor do we anticipate being exposed to
material risks due to changes in interest rates. However, our
future interest expense may increase due to changes in market
interest rates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or
FASB, issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory
Costs an amendment of ARB No. 43,
Chapter 4. SFAS No. 151 clarifies the
accounting that requires abnormal amounts of idle facility
expenses, freight, handling costs, and spoilage costs to be
recognized as current-period charges. It also requires that
allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of
conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production
facilities. SFAS No. 151 will be effective for
inventory costs incurred in fiscal period beginning on or after
June 15, 2005. We do not anticipate that the adoption of
this statement will have a material effect on our financial
position, cash flow or results of operations.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153,
Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets an amendment
of APB Opinion No. 29, or SFAS 153, which amends
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 29,
Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions to eliminate
the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive
assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of
nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance.
SFAS 153 is effective for nonmonetary assets exchanges
occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005.
We do not anticipate that the adoption of this statement will
have a material effect on our financial position, cash flow or
results of operations.
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154,
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, or
SFAS 154, which replaces Accounting Principles Board
Opinions No. 20 Accounting Changes and
SFAS No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in
Interim Financial Statements An Amendment of APB
Opinion No. 28. SFAS 154 provides guidance on
the accounting for and reporting of accounting changes and error
corrections. It establishes retrospective application, or the
latest practicable date, as the required method for reporting a
change in accounting principle and the reporting of a correction
of an error. SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes
and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2005. We do not anticipate that the adoption
of this statement will have a material effect on our financial
position, cash flow or results of operations.
69
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123
(revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, or SFAS 123R.
SFAS 123R eliminates the alternative of applying the
intrinsic value measurement provisions of APB 25 to stock
compensation awards issued to employees. Rather, SFAS 123R
requires enterprises to measure the cost of employee services
received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on
the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost will be
recognized over the period during which an employee is required
to provide services in exchange for the award, known as the
requisite service period (usually the vesting period).
In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No., or
FIN 47, Accounting for Conditional Assets Retirement
Obligations, an interpretation of SFAS No. 143.
FIN 47 clarifies that an entity is required to recognize a
liability for legal obligation to perform an asset retirement
activity if the fair value can be reasonably estimated even
though the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on
a future event. FIN 47 is required to be adopted for annual
reporting periods ending after December 15, 2005. We do not
anticipate that the adoption of this statement will have a
material effect on our financial position, cash flow or results
of operations.
In September 2005 the FASB approved EITF Issue 05-07, Accounting
for Modifications to Conversion Options Embedded in Debt
Securities and Related Issues, or EITF 05-07. EITF 05-07
requires the change in the fair value of an embedded conversion
option upon modification be included in the analysis under EITF
Issue 96-16, Debtors Accounting for a Modification or
Exchange of Debt Instruments, to determine whether a
modification or extinguishment has occurred and that the changes
to the fair value of a conversion option affects the interest
expense on the associated debt instrument following a
modification. Therefore, the change in fair value of the
conversion option should be recognized upon the modification as
a discount or premium associated with the debt, and an increase
or decrease in additional paid-in capital. EITF Issue 05-07 is
effective for all debt modifications in annual or interim
periods beginning after December 31, 2005. The adoption of
EITF 05-07 did not have an impact on our financial position and
results of operations.
In June 2006 the FASB released Interpretation No. 48,
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an
Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, or FIN 48,
which proscribes a recognition threshold and a measurement
attribute for tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in a
tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition,
classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim
periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 is effective
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, with
early adoption encouraged if the enterprise has not yet issued
financial statements for fiscal years or interim periods in the
period this Interpretation is adopted. We do not anticipate that
the adoption of this statement will have a material effect on
our financial position, cash flow or results of operations.
70
OUR BUSINESS
Overview
We design, manufacture and sell solar module products that
convert sunlight into electricity for a variety of uses. We are
incorporated in Canada and conduct all of our manufacturing
operations in China. Our products include a range of standard
solar modules built to general specifications for use in a wide
range of residential, commercial and industrial solar power
generation systems. We also design and produce specialty solar
modules and products based on our customers requirements.
Specialty solar modules and products consist of customized
modules that our customers incorporate into their own products,
such as solar-powered bus stop lighting, and complete specialty
products, such as solar-powered car battery chargers. Our
products are sold primarily under our own brand name and also
produced on an OEM basis for our customers. We also implement
solar power development projects, primarily in conjunction with
government organizations to provide solar power generation in
rural areas of China.
We currently sell our products to customers located in various
markets worldwide, including Germany, Spain, Canada, China and
Japan. We currently sell our standard solar modules to
distributors and system integrators. We sell our specialty solar
modules and products directly to various manufacturers who
either integrate these solar modules into their own products or
sell and market them as part of their product portfolio.
Supply chain management is critical to the success of our
business, particularly during the current industry-wide shortage
of high-purity silicon. We proactively manage our supply chain,
which consists of silicon feedstock, ingots, wafers and solar
cells, to secure a cost-effective supply of solar cells, the key
component of our solar module products. We do this primarily by
directly sourcing silicon feedstock, which consists of
high-purity silicon and reclaimable silicon. Under toll
manufacturing arrangements, we provide the silicon feedstock to
manufacturers of ingots, wafers and cells, which in turn convert
these silicon raw materials ultimately into the solar cells that
we use for our production of solar modules. We believe we were
one of the first solar module companies to process reclaimable
silicon, which consists primarily of broken wafers and scrap
silicon, for reuse in the solar power supply chain. Today, we
believe we operate a large-scale and cost-efficient silicon
reclamation program. We believe that the substantial industry
and international experience of our management team has helped
us foster strategic relationships with suppliers throughout the
solar power industry value chain. We also take advantage of our
flexible and low-cost manufacturing capability in China to lower
our operating costs.
We have grown rapidly since March 2002, when we sold our first
solar module products. Our net revenues increased from
$4.1 million in 2003 to $18.3 million in 2005,
representing a CAGR of 111.1%. Correspondingly, our net income
increased from $761,245 to $3.8 million over the same
period, representing a CAGR of 123.5%. Our net revenues
increased from $7.0 million for the first six months ended
June 30, 2005 to $26.0 million over the same period in
2006. We sold 0.7 MW, 2.2 MW and 4.1 MW of our
solar module products in 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. We
sold 1.4 MW and 6.2 MW of our solar module products
for the first six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2006,
respectively.
Our Industry
Solar power has recently emerged as one of the most rapidly
growing renewable energy sources. Solar cells are fabricated
from silicon wafers and convert sunlight into electricity
through a process known as the photovoltaic effect. Solar
modules, which are an array of interconnected solar cells
encased in a weatherproof frame, are mounted in areas with
direct exposure to the sun to generate electricity from sunlight.
Solar power systems, which are made up of solar modules, related
power electronics and other components, are used in residential,
commercial and industrial applications in both on-grid and
off-grid applications. The market for on-grid applications,
where solar power is used to supplement a customers
electricity purchased from a utility network, represents the
largest and fastest growing segment of the market. Off-grid
applications, where access to utility networks is not economical
or physically feasible, offer additional opportunities for the
use of solar power. Off-grid applications include road signs and
call boxes,
71
communications support along remote pipelines and
telecommunications lines and rural residential electricity
generation applications. They also include car battery chargers,
light emitting diode, or LED, lighting and power generation for
a wide range of consumer applications such as radios, watches
and toys. According to Solarbuzz, in 2005 on-grid applications
accounted for 1,262 MW of total solar power system
installations, compared to 198 MW for off-grid applications.
Although solar power technology has been used for several
decades, the solar power market has grown significantly in the
past several years. According to Solarbuzz, the global solar
power market, as measured by annual solar power system
installations, increased from 345 MW in 2001 to
1,460 MW in 2005, representing a CAGR of 43.4%. During the
same period, solar power industry revenues grew from
approximately $2.4 billion in 2001 to approximately
$9.8 billion in 2005, representing a CAGR of 42.2%.
Solarbuzz projects that solar power industry revenues and solar
power system installations will reach $18.6 billion and
3,250 MW, respectively, by 2010. Worldwide installations of
solar power systems are expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.4% from
2005 to 2010, driven largely by on-grid shipments, according to
Solarbuzz. Growth in the near term will be constrained by the
limited availability of high-purity silicon, but, according to
Solarbuzz, is expected to accelerate after 2007.
Industry growth has been particularly strong in jurisdictions
where governments offer incentives for solar power installation.
Germany, Spain, the United States, China and Japan, among
others, offer, or previously offered, substantial incentives
through either direct subsidies for solar installation or
feed-in tariff subsidies for the electricity delivered to the
utility grid from solar power installations. Demand for solar
power has also been driven by increasing prices for petroleum
and increasing environmental concerns over the use of fossil
fuels.
The
Solar Power Industry Value Chain
There are various technologies used in the solar power industry,
including crystalline silicon technology and thin film
technologies, such as amorphous silicon and cadmium telluride.
Our products use crystalline silicon technology, which is the
technology on which approximately 94% of solar power products
are based according to Solarbuzz. Crystalline silicon technology
is considered to be efficient, stable and low in toxicity. At
present, the efficiency of crystalline solar cells ranges from
12% to 19%, half to two-thirds the
72
theoretical maximum, according to Solarbuzz. Products based on
alternative solar technologies such as thin film photovoltaic
materials may have costs similar to, or lower than, the
projected costs of products based on crystalline silicon
technology. For example, solar modules produced using thin film
materials, such as amorphous silicon and cadmium telluride, are
generally less efficient, with conversion efficiencies ranging
from 5% to 10% according to Solarbuzz, but require significantly
less silicon to produce than crystalline silicon solar modules,
such as our products, and are less susceptible to increases in
silicon costs.
For crystalline silicon technology, the solar power industry
value chain starts with the processing of quartz sand to produce
metallurgical-grade silicon. This material is further purified
into high-purity silicon, which along with reclaimable silicon
comprises silicon feedstock. This silicon feedstock is then
melted and either grown into mono-crystalline ingots or cast
into multi-crystalline ingots. These silicon ingots are then
cut, shaped and sliced into wafers, which are manufactured into
solar cells. The solar cells are interconnected to form solar
modules, which, together with system components, are distributed
by wholesalers and resellers ultimately for on-grid and off-grid
systems. Solar modules can also be integrated into other
products to power a variety of industrial and consumer
applications.
Key
Growth Drivers
We believe the following factors have driven and will continue
to drive growth in the solar power industry:
Government
Incentives for Solar Power and Other Renewable Energy Sources
Increasing environmental concerns and climate change risks
associated with fossil fuel-based power generation are creating
political momentum and pressure to implement greenhouse gas
reduction strategies. Many countries have agreed to reduce
emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases through
international treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol. In addition,
national and regional air pollution regulations also restrict
the release of carbon dioxide and other gases. Solar power and
other renewable sources, such as fuel cells, wind power and
hydro-electric power, help address these environmental concerns.
Governments around the world have used different policy
initiatives to accelerate the development and adoption of solar
power and other renewable energy sources. Renewable energy
policies are in place in the European Union, certain countries
in Asia, and many of the states in Australia and the United
States. Examples of customer-focused financial incentives
include capital cost rebates, feed-in tariffs, tax credits and
net metering. Capital cost rebates provide money to customers
based on the size of a customers solar power system.
Feed-in tariffs require utilities to pay customers for solar
power system generation based on kilowatt-hours produced, at a
rate generally guaranteed for a period of time. Under net
metering, power generated by the solar power system in excess of
a consumers power consumption will spin the existing home
or business electricity meter backwards by such excess amount,
effectively reducing the customers electricity bill.
73
Fossil
Fuel Supply Constraints and Desire for Energy Security
Worldwide demand for electricity is expected to increase from
14.8 trillion kilowatt hours in 2003 to 30.1 trillion
kilowatt hours by 2030, according to the United States
Department of Energys International Energy Outlook. The
International Energy Agency, or IEA, estimates that
approximately 80% of the worlds electricity is generated
from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. Limited
fossil fuel supply and escalating electricity consumption are
driving up wholesale electricity prices, resulting in higher
electricity costs for consumers and highlighting the need to
develop alternative technologies for reliable and sustainable
electricity generation.
Furthermore, governments are trying to reduce their dependence
on foreign sources of energy because of the potential political
and economic instability in the major oil and gas producing
regions of the world. In 2003, over 60.0% of the energy used in
Germany and over 80.0% of the energy used in Italy, Spain, Japan
and Korea, was imported, according to the IEA. That figure was
29.0% for the United States. Expanding the domestic portion, and
particularly the renewable resources portion of the overall
electricity generation portfolio, is a key element of many
governments strategies to increase energy security.
Growing
Awareness of the Advantages of Solar Power
Solar power has several advantages over both conventional and
other forms of renewable energy:
|
|
|
|
|
Peak Energy Generation Advantage. Solar power is
well-suited to match peak energy needs as maximum sunlight hours
generally correspond to peak demand periods when electricity
prices are at their highest, as compared to other renewable
resources that generally do not align power generation with peak
demand periods. |
|
|
|
Fuel Risk Advantage. Unlike fossil and nuclear fuels,
solar power has no fuel price volatility or delivery risk.
Although the amount and timing of sunlight vary over a day,
season and year, a properly sized, configured and designed
system can be highly reliable while providing a long-term,
fixed-price supply of electricity. |
|
|
|
Modularity. Solar power products can be deployed in many
different sizes and configurations to meet the specific needs of
the customer. |
|
|
|
Reliability. With no moving parts or regular required
maintenance, solar power systems are among the most reliable
forms of electricity generation. Accelerated aging tests have
shown that solar modules can operate for 30 years or more
without the need for major maintenance other than the occasional
cleaning of the solar module surface. |
|
|
|
Environmental Advantage. Solar power is one of the
cleanest electric generation resources, capable of generating
electricity without air or water emissions, noise, vibration,
habitat impact or waste generation. |
Advances
in Technologies Making Solar Power More Cost-Efficient
Recent advancements in technology are making it more
cost-effective to use solar power in off-grid products. For
example, the brightness of LEDs has increased significantly in
recent years while the voltage required to power, and the cost
to produce, LEDs has significantly decreased. This has allowed
for the cost-effective combination of low voltage LEDs with
re-chargeable solar-powered battery systems. The synergies
between LED lighting and solar power are resulting in new
product applications such as LED lighting for roadway, railway,
marine, transit, aviation and other outdoor applications.
Off-grid products have also evolved to include solar-powered bus
stop signs and solar-powered oil and gas well monitoring
equipments.
Similarly, technological advances in consumer electronics
products, such as the increased use and decreasing costs of
flash memory and other low-power storage devices, have reduced
the amount of power required to operate handheld and other small
devices. Consumer solar power applications have expanded beyond
traditional simple solar-powered calculators, radios, watches
and toys to more sophisticated products such as mobile phones
and laptops.
74
Large
Market Among Underserved Populations in Rural Areas of
Developing Countries with Little or No Access to Electricity
We believe solar power is also gaining importance as a source of
off-grid electricity for homes and small businesses in rural
areas of developing countries with little or no grid
infrastructure. According to the United Nations Commission on
Sustainable Development, there are approximately
1.6 billion people in the world today without any source of
electrical power. Such populations generally have modest
electrical needs that do not justify the construction of power
plants or the installation of electric grid extensions, and
solar power systems have been or are being placed in off-grid
communities in various countries in Asia, including China and
India, Latin America and Africa.
While the application of solar power for rural electrification
has been possible for years, we believe interest by private
companies and government agencies in the use of solar power
systems to provide off-grid electricity to underprovided areas
is creating additional markets and distribution channels for
solar power products in developing countries. Historically, this
effort was primarily financed by international development
agencies and environment protection funds, for example the World
Bank, the United Nations, the Global Environment Fund and the
Canadian International Development Agency. While these agencies
and funds remain important sources of support for the solar
power development projects in developing countries, we believe
self-sustainable markets are emerging in countries, such as
China, where economic development has increased consumer
purchasing power and the market for off-grid solar power systems
and products.
Challenges
Facing the Solar Power Industry
The solar power industry faces the following key challenges:
|
|
|
|
|
Shortages and Costs of High-purity Silicon. There is
currently an industry-wide shortage of high-purity silicon, an
essential raw material in the solar power supply chain. Given
the demand and supply imbalance, supply chain management is a
critical element for the continued growth of the solar power
industry and for controlling silicon raw material and solar cell
supply and costs. |
|
|
|
High Cost to Customers. The current cost to implement and
operate a solar power system may be economically unattractive to
consumers compared to the cost of retail electricity from a
utility network. While government programs and consumer
preference have accelerated the use of solar power for on-grid
applications, product costs remain one of the impediments to
growth. To provide an economically attractive alternative to
conventional electricity network power, the solar power industry
must continually reduce manufacturing and installation costs and
find ways to make the use of solar power cost-efficient over
time without government subsidies. |
|
|
|
Broadening Solar Power Usage in Off-Grid Applications.
The recent growth of the solar power market has been limited
primarily to the on-grid market. Advances in solar power
technologies and other consumer electronics technologies that
result in the expansion of off-grid applications will be
important to promoting market awareness and acceptance of the
everyday usefulness of solar power in consumer products. Without
increased market awareness and acceptance, sales to end-users
may continue to consist substantially of standard solar modules,
which are becoming increasingly commoditized, and the market for
specialty solar modules and products, which typically command
higher margins, may not expand. |
75
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe that the following competitive strengths enable us to
compete effectively and to capitalize on the rapid growth of the
global solar power market:
Our
ability to manage our supply chain allows us to secure a
cost-effective supply of solar cells
We proactively manage our supply chain to secure a
cost-effective supply of solar cells. This has allowed us to
mitigate the effects of industry-wide shortages of high-purity
silicon, while reducing margin pressure. Our proactive
management of the supply chain has two major components:
|
|
|
|
|
Sourcing of silicon raw materials and toll manufacturing
arrangements. We maintain strong relationships with both
international and domestic suppliers of silicon raw materials.
We believe our close relationships with local silicon raw
materials suppliers provide us with various advantages including
the ability to lock-in supplies of raw materials, quicker
time-to-market of our products due to faster access to silicon
raw materials and lower shipping costs because of the closer
proximity to our facilities. We have entered into a five-year
supply agreement with Luoyang Zhong Gui, a high-purity silicon
supplier in China, which provides us a specified minimum level
of high-purity silicon. We have also entered into a
10-year supply
agreement with Kunical International in the U.S., which provides
us specified minimum levels of reclaimable silicon and other
silicon raw materials and grants us priority over any of
Kunicals excess monthly silicon feedstock supply. We also
have entered into a four-year supply agreement with LDK, a
silicon wafer supplier in China, which provides us with a
specified level of silicon wafers. We have also entered into a
27-month agreement with Swiss Wafers for specified quantities of
solar cells and solar wafers. We believe these silicon raw
materials agreements will enable us to secure solar cells
sufficient for a major portion of our estimated 2006 production
output and a portion of our estimated 2007 production output. |
|
|
|
We use these silicon raw materials to enter into toll
manufacturing arrangements with key suppliers. Our toll
manufacturers of solar wafers include LDK in China, Green Energy
Technology Inc. in Taiwan, Swiss Wafers AG in Switzerland and
Deutsche Solar, a subsidiary of SolarWorld AG in Germany.
For solar cells, our toll manufacturers are Motech
Industries Inc. and DelSolar Co., Ltd. in Taiwan,
and SolarWorld AG. |
|
|
|
|
|
Silicon reclamation program. We believe that we were one
of the first solar module companies to employ silicon reclaiming
techniques to process reclaimable silicon for the sourcing of
solar cells. Our management team also has strong experience in
the silicon industry, including direct experience in silicon
reclamation, and we intend to continue expanding our management
capabilities in silicon reclamation. We believe that this
early-mover advantage and management experience has allowed us
to build a large-scale and cost-efficient silicon reclamation
program. Our reclamation program, coupled with our toll
manufacturing arrangements, gives us a cost-effective supply of
solar cells, which allows us to lower our cost of revenues and
increase gross margins for our solar module sales. We began our
silicon reclamation program in 2005, which primarily drove the
increase in our gross margins from 33.2% in 2004 to 38.8% in
2005 and in our net margins from 15.0% in 2004 to 20.8% in 2005. |
Significant
experience in the development and manufacture of high-margin
specialty solar modules and products
We entered the solar module business in March 2002 by developing
and manufacturing specialty solar modules and products. These
products generally generate higher margins compared with those
generated by our standard solar modules, primarily because of
the higher average selling price that we are able to charge for
the greater complexity of design. We believe this will continue
in the near future. Our portfolio of specialty solar modules and
products includes customized solar modules for Carmanah
Technologies Corp., or Carmanah Technologies, used to power
their lighting products for London bus stops, and complete
specialty
76
products such as car battery chargers for Volkswagen and Audi.
We believe our extensive experience in this business, coupled
with our strength in product development, provides us with
various competitive advantages. This includes quicker
time-to-market, which
we believe is a critical factor for succeeding in this rapidly
evolving market. Expansion of our specialty solar modules and
products business is expected to continue to be a longer-term
driver of our margins in the future.
Flexible
and low-cost manufacturing capability
We manufacture all of our products at our facilities in China.
We believe our access to low-cost, skilled labor and our
semi-automated manufacturing model provide us with competitive
advantages by minimizing our operating costs, increasing our
flexibility to meet demand and reducing our capital expenditure.
Furthermore, costs associated with land, production equipment,
facilities and utilities tend to be lower in China than in
developed countries. One of our manufacturing facilities is
situated in the export processing zone of Suzhou, China, where
the raw materials used for the manufacture of our products that
we export are not subject to import VAT and customs duties.
We have designed our manufacturing processes to include a mix of
manual and automated production methods that reduce our capital
investment and allow us to modify our production output in a
timely and cost-effective manner. We believe that our
semi-automated manufacturing model provides greater flexibility
and is less costly than the fully automated processes often
utilized in developed countries. We have also been able to
reduce our capital expenditure by procuring in most instances
locally designed and manufactured equipment as an alternative to
more costly imported machinery.
Experienced
senior management team with significant industry expertise and
international background
We have an experienced senior management team that has
successfully led our operations and increased our revenues and
profits through rapid organic growth. Our team has significant
international and domestic experience both in the solar power
and semiconductor industries, which we believe gives us a deep
understanding of the needs and preferences of international and
domestic customers and suppliers. Dr. Shawn Qu, our
founder, chairman and chief executive officer, has been
instrumental in helping us achieve our rapid growth. He has over
ten years of experience in the solar power industry across North
America, Europe and Asia. Prior to founding our company,
Dr. Qu held various managerial positions with leading
energy companies such as Photowatt International S.A., or
Photowatt, and ATS and also worked at Ontario Power Generation
Corp. While at Photowatt, and its parent company ATS, he
developed extensive experience managing silicon feedstock supply
sourcing. Bencheng Li, the general manager of CSI Luoyang, has
nearly 35 years of direct silicon manufacturing experience
in China. His experience includes three years as chairman of
Luoyang Silicon Crystal Corp, which is the parent company of
Luoyang Zhong Gui, and eight years as the general manager of
E-Mei Semiconductor Factory. Luoyang Zhong Gui and E-Mei
Semiconductor Factory are two of our suppliers of high-purity
silicon. Our vice president of international sales and
marketing, Gregory Spanoudakis, has over 17 years of
international experience in the semiconductor and solar power
industries. Robert Patterson, our vice president of corporate
and product development and general manager of Canadian
operations, has over 25 years of experience working at
technology companies with senior roles ranging from procurement
to business development, including eight years of solar power
industry experience.
We believe that the depth and breadth of our international
experience, coupled with our extensive China experience, provide
us with significant competitive advantages over other companies
in the solar power industry.
77
Our Strategies
Our objective is to be a global leader in the development and
manufacture of solar module products. We intend to implement the
following strategies, which we have developed based on our
experience, to anticipate changes in the industry:
Pursue
a balanced and diversified solar cell supply channel mix
To improve the stability of our supply of solar cells, which we
believe is critical to the continued success of our business, we
intend to pursue a diversified supply channel strategy. As we
grow our business, we believe having multiple sources of solar
cells will allow us to successfully adapt to future changes in
supply of and demand for solar cells. Our diversified supply
strategy will consist of:
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term cell supply contracts. We are presently in
discussions with cell suppliers to secure long-term supply
contracts with prepayments. We intend to source a portion of our
solar cell requirements through long-term contracts in order to
limit our risk from any future price increases and supply
shortages. |
|
|
|
Toll manufacturing arrangements. Our toll manufacturing
arrangements have allowed us to take advantage of excess wafer
and cell manufacturing capacity in the industry to secure solar
wafers and cells at reasonable cost by sourcing our own silicon
raw materials. As the supply of high-purity silicon becomes more
readily available in the future, toll manufacturing arrangements
may not be available to us at higher or similar volumes.
However, we believe that toll manufacturing arrangements will
continue to be an important component of the solar power supply
chain, in particular through the processing and use of
reclaimable silicon which will maintain at a discount price
compared to the cost of high-purity silicon. As such, we intend
to continue to utilize toll manufacturing arrangements so long
as it remains a cost-effective means of managing our solar cell
supply. |
|
|
|
In-house cell manufacturing. We plan to complete our
first solar cell production line in the first quarter of 2007
with commercial production targeted for the second quarter of
2007. We have completed a feasibility evaluation, have begun
planning for a new solar cell plant in Suzhou and have purchased
all of the key manufacturing equipment for our first solar cell
line. We apply stringent criteria in selecting our vendors,
including the requirement that they demonstrate at least two
successful implementations of the same equipment for well-known
solar cell manufacturers in Asia. After we successfully
implement our first solar cell line, we plan to expand our
capacity and currently intend to operate four solar cell
manufacturing lines at our new solar cell plant by December
2007. Manufacturing solar cells will help us to reduce our
reliance on third-party cell suppliers and improve the stability
of our solar cell supply. In-house manufacturing will also give
us the opportunity to reduce our costs and production
lead-times. Additionally, in-house cell manufacturing will
enable us to provide our OEM customers with one-stop
shop manufacturing capability. |
Continue
to proactively manage silicon raw material supply.
To ensure that we have adequate and reliable supply of silicon
raw materials to support toll manufacturing arrangements and
in-house cell manufacturing, we believe that it is critical for
us to continue to proactively source silicon feedstock,
particularly during this period of industry-wide shortage. We
intend to do this by focusing on the following areas:
|
|
|
|
|
Securing long term silicon raw materials contracts. We
intend to continue to engage in long-term silicon raw materials
supply contracts with leading international and domestic
suppliers. Presently, we have ten-year and five-year supply
agreements with Kunical International and Luoyang Zhong Gui,
respectively, for specified quantities of silicon feedstock. We
also have a four-year agreement with LDK Solar Hi-Tech Co., Ltd.
for specified quantities of solar wafers. We also have a
27-month agreement with Swiss Wafers |
78
|
|
|
|
|
for specified quantities of solar cells and solar wafers. We
plan to further expand our existing relationships with these
suppliers while simultaneously exploring opportunities to engage
in additional long-term supply relationships with other silicon
raw materials suppliers. |
|
|
|
Diversify silicon supply sources. As our business
expands, we intend to develop a diversified supply of silicon
raw materials from a network of suppliers. We will seek to limit
our dependence on any single supplier or single raw material
component by sourcing high-purity silicon, reclaimed silicon,
ingots, wafers and cells from various companies. We will also
seek to vary the length and terms of our agreements with our
suppliers to minimize negative exposure to changes in material
prices. |
|
|
|
Further develop and leverage our silicon reclamation program.
Our silicon reclamation program has been a major provider of
our silicon feedstock requirements and we plan to continue to
expand and leverage this program so long as it remains cost
effective to do so. In particular, we will use new technologies
to convert multiple forms of reclaimable silicon material for
processing through our toll manufacturing arrangements and to
improve the yield of our reclaiming processes. |
Further
diversify our geographic presence, customer base and product
mix
In order to continue to grow our sales of standard solar modules
and to reduce our exposure to any particular market segment, we
intend to broaden our geographic presence, customer base and
product mix. While Germany is expected to continue to be our
largest market, we plan to expand our business in established
solar markets such as Japan and emerging solar markets such as
Spain, the United States and China. We plan to expand into the
U.S. market in anticipation of the expansion of the solar
power market in the near term due to recent government
incentives in key states such as California. See
Markets and Customers. We plan to expand
our sales network by establishing sales offices in Europe and
the U.S. dedicated to regional sales. We will also attempt
to increase our sales in China where we expect the solar power
market to grow rapidly in response to recent legislation and
policies encouraging the use of alternative and renewable energy
sources. We believe that our significant management expertise,
in-depth knowledge of the local market and ability to use our
domestic strategic alliances will enable us to benefit from the
anticipated growth in China.
We will also continue to diversify our customer base and further
increase sales of specialty solar modules and products. For our
customized modules, we will continue to focus on the automotive
industry and identify key market segments with significant
potential growth, such as the LED lighting and
telecommunications industries. We also plan to substantially
increase sales of complete specialty products. We intend to
achieve this by entering into cooperative agreements with major
international companies. For example, we recently signed a
non-binding letter of agreement with Carmanah Technologies, a
leading producer of solar LED products, to cooperate in the
development of a wide range of solar powered LED specialty
products. This will allow us to broaden our product range
rapidly while leveraging the sales capabilities of our customers.
Enhance
innovation and efficiency through R&D
Our senior management, led by Dr. Qu, our founder, chairman
and chief executive officer, Mr. Genmao Chen, our director
of research and development, Dr. Lingjun Zhang, our
technical director, and Mr. Chengbai Zhou, our chief
engineer for solar modules, all have extensive experience in the
solar power industry. We plan to devote more resources to
research and development to enhance our product development
capability for both standard modules and specialty solar modules
and products. In particular, by improving our product
development capabilities for specialty solar modules and
products, we believe that we will be well-positioned for the
expected growth in this area of the solar power market. We will
also focus our research and development efforts on improving our
manufacturing processes and supply chain management. While our
current semi-automated manufacturing model requires low capital
expenditure and allows for flexibility in our production
processes, we will continually upgrade our manufacturing
processes to enhance
79
our operating and cost efficiency. We will continue to devote
efforts to ensure that our products comply with the European
Unions Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive,
which took effect in July 2006, by reducing the amount of lead
and other restricted substances used in our solar module
products. We also plan to dedicate more resources towards using
new technologies in our silicon reclamation program. As we
expand into solar cell manufacturing, we plan to continually
invest in the development of process technologies to maximize
the conversion efficiencies of our solar cells.
Build
a leading global brand
We believe establishing strong brand-name recognition is
important to reach our potential customers, both at the
distributor and end-user level, and to expand our sales. In
addition to our plans to expand our sales force, we intend to
undertake a long term marketing program with both near-term and
longer-term focuses to increase the recognition and value of the
CSI brand. In the near term, we intend to focus our efforts on
expanding our presence throughout the solar power supply and
product chain to strengthen our customer and supplier
relationships and to enhance our competitive position in the
solar power industry. Over the longer term, we intend to extend
our marketing efforts to end-users to generate greater consumer
recognition of and demand for our products. We intend to
position ourselves as an innovative provider of high performance
and superior quality solar modules, with a cost-efficient
manufacturing base, strong technical resources and an emphasis
on strict quality control.
Our Products
We currently design, develop, manufacture and sell solar module
products, which consist of standard solar modules and specialty
solar modules and products.
Standard
Solar Modules
Our standard solar modules are an array of interconnected solar
cells encased in a weatherproof frame. We produce a wide variety
of standard solar modules, currently ranging from 0.2 W to
300 W in power and using multi-crystalline and
mono-crystalline solar cells. These products are built to
general specifications for a wide range of residential,
commercial and industrial solar power generation systems. Our
standard solar modules are designed to be durable under harsh
weather conditions and easy to transport and install. We
primarily sell our standard solar modules under our own
CSI brand and also on an OEM basis branded with our
customers names.
Specialty
Solar Modules and Products
We collaborate with our customers to design and manufacture
specialty solar modules and products based on our
customers specifications and requirements. Our specialty
solar modules and products consist of:
|
|
|
|
|
customized solar modules; and |
|
|
|
complete specialty products. |
Our customized solar modules are solar modules that we design
and manufacture for customers who incorporate our customized
solar modules as a component of their own products. For example,
we manufacture a customized array of six solar modules assembled
onto a curved canopy for a customer who incorporates it into its
bus stop shelter products. We design and manufacture our
complete specialty products, which combine our solar modules
with various electronic components that we purchase from third
party suppliers. Presently, this has consisted primarily of car
battery chargers for automotive customers.
Our specialty solar modules and products have been used
primarily in the automotive sector. We focus on this and other
industries, such as the LED lighting and telecommunications
sectors, that have off-grid applications that can be powered by
solar power. In the future, we intend to increasingly focus on
the LED lighting industry. As LED technology advancements
continue to create higher quality lighting with less power at
increasingly economical prices, we believe that solar power will
become a major power source in the LED lighting industry. In
addition to specialty solar modules and products used in bus
stop signs and our car
80
battery chargers, we have also produced security sensors,
signaling systems and mobile phone chargers in the past. We will
continue to work closely with our customers to design and
develop specialty solar modules and products that meet their
specific requirements. We expect sales of these products, which
typically have higher margins than our standard solar modules,
to increase significantly as we go forward.
Solar Power Development Projects
We also implement solar power development projects, primarily in
conjunction with government organizations, to provide solar
power generation in rural areas of China. In conjunction with
the Canadian International Development Agency, or CIDA, we
implemented a C$1.8 million Solar Electrification for
Western China project between 2002 and June 2005. As part
of this project, we installed many demonstration projects and
conducted three solar power forums in Beijing, Xining and
Suzhou. We also have two CIDA projects in progress: (i) a
C$301,000 project to further promote solar power manufacturing
in China, which we were awarded in August 2005, and (ii) a
C$125,000 project to explore the feasibility of solar power
plants of 1 MW or greater in China, which we were awarded
in January 2006. In connection with the latter project, we are
in discussions with several potential partners to develop a
large-scale solar power plant in Suzhou, Jiangsu province.
To date, our solar power development projects have consisted of
government-related assistance packages. Going forward, we will
continue to secure and implement large-scale solar power
development projects in conjunction with CIDA, the World Bank,
the Asian Development Bank, and other organizations, and we will
explore more commercial transactions, which are becoming more
prevalent.
Supply Chain Management
Our business depends on our ability to obtain solar cells. There
is presently a shortage of solar cells as a result of a shortage
of high-purity silicon due to the rapid growth of and demand for
solar power. Beginning in early 2005, we began managing our
supply chain to secure a reliable and cost-effective supply of
solar cells. This has allowed us to mitigate the effects of the
industry-wide shortage of high-purity silicon, while reducing
margin pressure. We secure our supply of solar cells primarily
through our sourcing of silicon raw materials and toll
manufacturing arrangements with suppliers of ingots, wafers and
cells and through the direct purchase of cells. We minimize
costs and reduce margin pressure primarily through our silicon
reclamation program.
81
The following chart illustrates our management of the solar
power supply chain:
Silicon
Raw Materials
Silicon feedstock, which consists of high-purity silicon and
reclaimable silicon, is the building block of the entire solar
power supply chain. The major portion of the silicon feedstock
that we source is reclaimable silicon.
We have entered into a five-year supply agreement with Luoyang
Zhong Gui in China from 2006 to 2010. This agreement provides us
specified minimum levels of high-purity silicon. We have entered
into a 10-year supply agreement with Kunical International from
2006 to 2015. This agreement provides us specified minimum
levels of reclaimable silicon and other silicon raw materials
and grants us priority over any of Kunical Internationals
excess monthly silicon feedstock supply. We also have a
four-year agreement with LDK from 2007 to 2010 for specified
quantities of solar wafers. We also have a 27-month agreement
with Swiss Wafers for specified quantities of solar cells and
solar wafers.
We believe these silicon raw materials agreements will, through
toll manufacturing arrangements, enable us to secure solar cells
sufficient for a major portion of our estimated 2006 production
output and a portion of our estimated 2007 production output. In
anticipation of increased demand for solar power products, we
are currently in discussions with other China-based suppliers to
secure additional silicon feedstock supply. We recently
incorporated CSI Luoyang to give us better access to major
silicon feedstock suppliers located in Luoyang.
Silicon
Reclamation Program
We believe that we were one of the first solar module companies
to process reclaimable silicon to ultimately produce solar
cells. We believe that this early-mover advantage has allowed us
to build one of the largest and most cost-efficient silicon
reclamation programs in the world today. We recycle the
reclaimable silicon that we source and process it through our
reclaiming facilities for reuse in the solar supply chain. Our
processes recycle silicon from pot scraps, broken or unused
silicon wafers, and the top and tail discarded portions of
silicon ingots. Our factories in Suzhou and Changshu include
reclamation workshops where our employees sort the reclaimable
silicon into reprocessing categories. We believe that our access
to relatively inexpensive labor in China for this process that
involves a substantial amount of labor gives us a significant
competitive advantage compared to international solar module
manufacturers.
82
Our silicon reclamation program, coupled with our toll
manufacturing arrangements, gives us a cost-effective supply of
solar cells, which allows us to lower the cost of revenue and
increase the gross margins for our solar module sales. We began
our silicon reclamation program in 2005, which primarily drove
the increase in our gross margins from 33.2% in 2004 to 38.8% in
2005 and in our net margins from 15.0% in 2004 to 20.8% in 2005.
We are continually researching ways to improve our yields in
converting reclaimable silicon and to process other types of
scrap silicon.
Toll
Manufacturing Arrangements
We primarily engage in toll manufacturing arrangements to source
solar cells. Manufacturers of ingots, wafers and cells are
facing over-capacity due to shortages of high-purity silicon and
are looking for ways to obtain silicon feedstock. Through our
toll manufacturing arrangements, we provide the silicon
feedstock in return for ingots, wafers and cells.
Solar Wafers. Our key suppliers of solar wafers through
these toll manufacturing arrangements include LDK in China,
Green Energy Technology Inc., Swiss Wafers AG and Deutsche
Solar, a subsidiary of SolarWorld AG.
Solar Cells. Our key suppliers of solar cells include
Motech Industries Inc., Del Solar Co., Ltd., and
SolarWorld AG.
Direct
Solar Cell Purchasing and Expansion into Solar Cell
Manufacturing
In addition to toll manufacturing arrangements that we have with
our solar cell suppliers, we directly purchase or have purchased
solar cells from some of the above-listed solar cell suppliers
and Q-Cells AG and
Sharp Solar.
We intend to continue our toll manufacturing arrangements for
our supply of solar cells. As we grow our business, we will seek
to diversify our cell supply channel mix to ensure flexibility
in adapting to future changes in the supply of, and demand for,
solar cells. Additionally, we have completed a feasibility
evaluation for a new solar cell plant in Suzhou. We plan to
complete our first solar cell production line in the first
quarter of 2007 with commercial production targeted for the
second quarter of 2007. We apply stringent criteria in selecting
our vendors, including the requirement that they demonstrate at
least two successful implementations of the same equipment for
well-known solar cell manufacturers in Asia.
Manufacturing
We assemble our solar modules by interconnecting multiple solar
cells through taping and stringing into a desired electrical
configuration. The interconnected cells are laid out, laminated
in a vacuum, cured by heating and then packaged in a protective
light-weight anodized aluminum frame. Our solar modules are
sealed and weatherproofed and are able to withstand high levels
of ultraviolet radiation, moisture and extreme temperatures.
The diagram below illustrates our solar module manufacturing
process:
|
|
(1) |
Laser cutting is only necessary for smaller-sized modules. |
83
We work closely with our customers during the design and
manufacture of our specialty solar modules and products. For our
customized modules, we collaborate with the customer to make
certain that our product is compatible for incorporation into
that customers product. For our complete specialty
products, we work with the customer and typically provide sample
products to the customer for testing before the product is
manufactured on a larger scale.
We selectively use automation to enhance the quality and
consistency of our finished products and to improve efficiency
in our manufacturing processes. Key equipment in our
manufacturing process includes automatic laminators, simulators
and solar cell testers. The current design of our assembly lines
gives us flexibility to adjust the ratio of manufacturing
equipment to skilled labor for quality and efficiency control.
We use manufacturing equipment purchased primarily from Chinese
solar power equipment suppliers. The location of our
manufacturing operations in China gives us the advantage of
proximity to these Chinese manufacturers, who typically sell
solar power manufacturing equipment at more competitive prices
compared to similar machinery offered by international solar
power equipment manufacturers. We source critical testing
equipment from international manufacturers. The manufacturing of
solar module products remains a labor intensive process, and we
leverage Chinas competitive labor costs by using labor in
our manufacturing process when it proves to be more efficient
and cost-effective than using equipment.
Since we began selling our solar module products in March 2002,
we have increased our annual production capacity from 2 MW
to 35.5 MW as of April 2006. By the end of 2007, we aim to
have a production capacity of 100 MW. The nature of our
flexible manufacturing process allows us to increase capacity at
low cost within a short period of time to ramp up production for
increased demand for standard solar modules or for new solar
module products as necessary. We may not, however, use our
production facilities to full capacity. Overall production
output depends in part on the product mix and sizes of the solar
modules produced by each laminator and is affected by the timing
of customer orders and requested completion dates. Our
production output is also constrained by the availability of
solar cells and silicon raw materials and demand for our solar
module products. Although there is a gap between our production
capacity and production output, it is important for
manufacturers of solar module products to maintain additional
production capacity to handle surges in customer demand and
quick changes in the product mix and timing of completion
demanded by customers. Due to the relatively inexpensive cost of
solar module manufacturing equipment, it is generally
cost-efficient to maintain additional production capacity.
Our manufacturing facilities can be easily reset, allowing us to
quickly ramp up production for increased orders or new solar
module products as necessary. We currently operate our
manufacturing lines in two factories in China and typically
operate these lines 16 hours a day by rotating shifts of
employees to operate the lines. We currently produce a higher
volume of standard solar modules in our factory located in
Suzhou and manufacture most of our specialty solar modules and
products, which tend to be lower volume, at our Changshu
facilities. Our employees are trained to work on different types
of solar module products. This gives us the flexibility to
quickly increase our manufacturing capacity and lines with
additional employees in order to meet increases in demand.
Quality Control and Certifications
Our quality control was set up according to the quality system
requirements of ISO 9001:2000 and ISO:TS 16949 standards.
The latter originated from QS 9000 and VDA quality systems and
is now the world-wide quality system standard for the automotive
industry. Our quality systems are reviewed and certified by TUV
Rheinland Group, a leading international service company that
documents the safety and quality of products, systems and
services. Our quality control focuses on incoming inspection
through which we ensure the quality of the components and raw
materials that we source from third parties and includes the use
of simulators and solar cell testers. We focus on in-process
quality control by examining our manufacturing processes and on
output quality control by inspecting finished products and
conducting reliability and other tests.
We have obtained IEC 61215 and TUV Class II safety European
standards for sales in Europe. We are in the process of
obtaining ETL/UL certification in the United States and
certifications in Canada for sales of
84
standard solar modules to enhance our sales capability in North
America. We recently received confirmation that our solar
modules comply with the requirements of
CAN ORD-UL 1703
and UL 1703, and we expect to receive full certification
for standard solar module sales in North America in 2006.
Markets and Customers
We currently sell our standard solar modules primarily to
distributors and system integrators. Our distributor customers
include companies that are exclusive solar power distributors,
engineering and design firms that include our standard solar
modules in their system installations. Our system integrator
customers typically design and sell complete, integrated systems
that include our standard solar modules along with other system
components. We sell our specialty solar modules and products to
various manufacturers who either integrate these products into
their own products or sell and market them as part of their
product portfolio. In 2005, approximately 80% of our solar
module product net revenues consisted of standard solar module
sales. The remaining approximately 20% were from sales of
specialty solar modules and products. Our standard solar module
customers include leading solar power distributors and system
integrators such as Bihler, Iliotec and Maass. Our specialty
solar modules and products customers include automotive
customers such as Audi for whom we make car battery chargers,
and various manufacturers, such as Carmanah Technologies, who
incorporate our customized modules in their bus stop, road
lighting and marine lighting products.
A small number of customers have historically accounted for a
majority of our net revenues. For the year ended
December 31, 2005, our top five customers collectively
accounted for approximately 68.2% of our net revenues. Bihler
and Sonn-en contributed 36.8% and 14.2%, respectively, of our
net revenues for the same time period. For the six months ended
June 30, 2006, our top five customers collectively
accounted for approximately 91.2% of our net revenues, and
Iliotec, Schuco, Pevafersa, and Bihler contributed 36.0%, 18.2%,
17.3% and 11.2%, respectively, of our net revenues for the same
time period.
The following table sets forth certain information relating to
our total net revenues derived from our customers categorized by
their geographic location for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Total Net | |
|
|
|
Total Net | |
|
|
|
Total Net | |
|
|
|
Total Net | |
|
|
|
Total Net | |
|
|
Region |
|
Revenues | |
|
% | |
|
Revenues | |
|
% | |
|
Revenues | |
|
% | |
|
Revenues | |
|
% | |
|
Revenues | |
|
% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousands of US$, except percentages) | |
Europe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Germany
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
% |
|
$ |
6,499 |
|
|
|
67.1 |
% |
|
$ |
13,801 |
|
|
|
75.3 |
% |
|
$ |
4,121 |
|
|
|
59.0 |
% |
|
$ |
19,859 |
|
|
|
76.3 |
% |
|
Spain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
445 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
455 |
|
|
|
6.4 |
|
|
|
4,496 |
|
|
|
17.3 |
|
|
Others
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
1,018 |
|
|
|
5.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe Total
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
6,625 |
|
|
|
68.4 |
|
|
|
15,264 |
|
|
|
83.3 |
|
|
|
4,566 |
|
|
|
65.4 |
|
|
|
24,354 |
|
|
|
93.6 |
|
China
|
|
|
271 |
|
|
|
6.6 |
|
|
|
109 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
504 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
|
|
259 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
|
|
|
169 |
|
|
|
0.6 |
|
North America
|
|
|
3,798 |
|
|
|
92.3 |
|
|
|
2,853 |
|
|
|
29.5 |
|
|
|
2,556 |
|
|
|
13.9 |
|
|
|
2,157 |
|
|
|
30.9 |
|
|
|
1,456 |
|
|
|
5.6 |
|
Others
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
|
97 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net revenues
|
|
$ |
4,113 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
9,685 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
18,324 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
6,982 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
26,041 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Less than a thousand. |
As we expand our manufacturing capacity and enhance our brand
name, we anticipate developing additional customer relationships
in other markets and geographic regions to decrease our market
concentration and dependence. In 2006 and in the near future, we
have aimed, and will continue to aim, to increase our sales to
customers located in several markets such as Germany, Spain,
China, the United States, Canada and Japan. These solar power
markets have been significantly influenced by past and current
government subsidies and incentives, or, in the case of Canada,
by intended future government subsidies and incentives. While we
expect to expand our markets, we expect that Germany will
continue to remain our major market in the near future.
85
|
|
|
|
|
Germany. The renewable energy laws in Germany require
electricity transmission grid operators to connect various
renewable energy sources to their electricity transmission grids
and to purchase all electricity generated by such sources at
guaranteed feed-in tariffs. Additional regulatory support
measures include investment cost subsidies, low-interest loans
and tax relief to end users of renewable energy. Germanys
renewable energy policy has had a strong solar power focus,
which contributed to Germany surpassing Japan as the leading
solar power market in terms of annual megawatt additions in
2004. According to Solarbuzz, Germany grew 53% to 837 MW or
57% of the worlds total solar power production in 2005.
Germanys feed-in tariff remains one of the highest in the
world. We primarily sell rooftop end-market applications of
sizes less than 100 KwH. According to Solarbuzz, the feed-in
tariffs for rooftop applications less than 30 KwH and between 30
KwH and 100 KwH was
0.5453 and
0.5187 per KwH,
respectively, in 2005. Our major customers located in Germany
are Bihler, Iliotec and Maass. |
|
|
|
Spain. In Spain, the incentive regime includes a national
net metering program and favorable interest loans, and the
actual feed-in tariff for solar power energy is fully guaranteed
for 25 years and guaranteed at 80% subsequently.
According to Solarbuzz, the feed-in tariff for applications less
than 100 KwH was
0.42 per
KwH in 2005. We currently have an OEM agreement with Isofoton
and have recently signed a distribution agreement with
Instakciones Pevafersa SL to sell our products in Spain. |
|
|
|
China. China passed the Renewable Energy Law in
February 28, 2005, which went into effect on
January 1, 2006. The Renewable Energy Law authorizes
relevant authorities to set favorable prices for the purchase of
on-grid solar power-generated electricity, and provides other
financial incentives for the development of renewable energy
projects. In January 2006, Chinas National Development and
Reform Commission further promulgated two implementation rules
of the Renewable Energy Law, and other implementation rules are
expected in the future. |
|
|
|
China finances its off-grid solar installations through the now
completed township program and the current village program. The
current five-year plan from 2006 to 2010 is targeted to provide
electricity to 29,000 villages, mainly in Western China. The
Ministry of Construction has recently promulgated directives
encouraging the development and use of solar power energy in
both urban and rural areas. Various local authorities have also
introduced initiatives to encourage the adoption of renewable
energy including solar power energy. Furthermore, in October
2005, the Shanghai municipal government endorsed the
100,000
M2
Project, the goal of which is to install solar energy
heating systems onto 100,000
M2
rooftops in Shanghai in the coming years. |
|
|
We believe that we will be well-positioned to take advantage of
growth opportunities in the Chinese solar power energy market,
which is one of the fastest growing markets for solar power. In
April 2006, we began to purchase a limited amount of solar cells
from Sharp Solar for our solar module sales in China. |
|
|
|
|
|
United States. There are now six states that offer
significant incentives, with California offering the most
preferential incentives. In January 2006, the California Public
Utilities Commission enacted the California Solar Initiative, a
$2.9 billion program that will subsidize solar power
systems by $2.80 per watt. Due to excessive demand, this
subsidy has been reduced to the current $2.50 per watt.
Combined with federal tax credits for solar power usage, the
subsidy may account for as much as 50% of the cost of a solar
power system. The program will last from 2007 to 2017 and is
expected to dramatically increase the use of solar power for
on-grid applications in California. |
|
|
|
Canada. In March 2006, the province of Ontario,
Canadas largest province, announced a solar power subsidy,
by which a fixed price of C$0.42 per KwH is offered for
solar power transferred to the electrical grid starting in the
fall of 2006. The program will last 20 years |
86
|
|
|
|
|
and is expected to substantially increase the market for solar
power in Ontario. We are working with Carmanah Technologies Inc.
in the manufacturing and marketing of solar modules. To support
their growth and strategies, much of this will target the
Canadian market in general. |
|
|
|
Japan. According to Solarbuzz, incentive programs in
Japan have led to the installation of more than 200,000
residential solar power systems since the introduction of the
programs. Japan is planning to install five GW of generation
capacity by 2010. The Japanese government has implemented a
series of incentive programs, including the Solar Power
2030 Roadmap designed to generate up to 100 GW of solar
power electricity by 2030, as well as provide government
subsidies for research and development. Solar power energy is
becoming increasingly competitive and self-sustained in Japan,
and the Japanese government is in the process of completely
phasing out direct subsidies to end users of solar power by
2006. Historically, the Japanese solar power market has been
relatively closed to non-Japanese solar power players. There
have been signs, however, that this market is beginning to open
up to international players. In early 2006, we began to sell
solar modules on an OEM basis to a leading solar module company
in Japan. |
Sales and Marketing
Standard
Solar Modules
We market and sell our standard solar module products worldwide
through a direct sales force. We have direct sales personnel or
representatives that cover our markets in Europe, North America
and Asia. Our marketing programs include conferences and
technology seminars, sales training, trade show exhibitions,
public relations and advertising. We sell our products primarily
under two types of arrangements, supply contracts and OEM
manufacturing arrangements.
|
|
|
|
|
Sales contracts. We enter into short-term sales contracts
with most of our customers and deliver standard solar modules
according to a pre-agreed monthly schedule. Currently, our sales
contracts are typically for three months and require our
customers to pay 20.0% to 30.0% of the total contract price in
advance of delivery as a down payment. We also typically require
the payment of the balance contract price by letters of credit
or telex money transfers prior to shipping. Our customers
typically provide one month purchase order forecasts. As demand
and prices stabilize, we plan to enter into longer-term sales
contracts to help reduce our exposure to risks from decreases in
standard solar module prices generally. |
|
|
|
OEM manufacturing arrangements. We obtain solar cell
supplies from our OEM customers, and sell to them all of the
products we manufacture with those solar cells. Our customers
then sell the solar module products under their own brands. |
Specialty
Solar Modules and Products
In addition to the above efforts, we target our sales and
marketing efforts of our specialty solar modules and products at
companies in selected industry sectors, including the
automotive, telecommunications and LED lighting sectors. As
standard solar modules increasingly become commoditized and
technology advancements allow for greater usage of solar power
in off-grid applications, we will continue to expand our sales
and marketing focus on our specialty solar modules and products
and capabilities. Our sales and marketing team works with our
specialty solar modules and products development team to make
certain that we take the changing customer preferences and
demands into account in our product development and that our
sales and marketing team is able to effectively communicate to
customers our product development changes and innovations. To
further enhance this communication we will enter into
cooperative agreements with our customers to share solar power
technical and management expertise in our respective areas of
expertise. For example, we entered into a cooperative agreement
with Carmanah Technologies in April 2006 to supply solar modules
and special value add for some of Carmanahs lighting
products. We intend to establish additional relationships in
other market sectors as the specialty solar modules and products
market
87
expands. By jointly developing these products with leading
companies in our targeted industry sectors, we will be able to
leverage the sales and marketing capabilities of our partners to
rapidly build our product portfolio.
Solar
Power Development Projects
To date, our solar power development projects have consisted of
government grants. Going forward, we will continue to secure and
implement large-scale solar power development projects in
conjunction with CIDA, the World Bank, the Asian Development
Bank, and other government and non-governmental organizations.
We will also explore more commercial solar power development
projects, which are becoming more prevalent. We seek to
participate in a mix of solar power development projects that
provide us a continuous, steady source of revenues. These
projects will also allow our personnel to further develop
project management skills. In addition, we also provide solar
power forums, demonstration projects and presentations as part
of these solar power development projects, because we believe
they generate significant goodwill and publicity for us.
Customer Support and Service
We provide customers with after-sales support, including product
return and warranty services. Our standard solar modules are
typically sold with a two-year guarantee for defects in
materials and workmanship and a
10-year and
25-year warranty
against declines of more than 10.0% and 20.0%, respectively, of
the initial minimum power generation capacity at the time of
delivery. Our specialty solar modules and products are typically
sold with a one-year guarantee against defects in materials and
workmanship and may, depending on the characteristics of the
product, contain a limited warranty of up to ten years, against
declines of the minimum power generation capacity specified at
the time of delivery.
Research and Development
As of June 30, 2006, we had nine research and product
development employees. We currently have approximately twenty
technical and engineering employees. Historically, our research
and development efforts have focused on reducing manufacturing
costs and designing and developing new and efficient specialty
solar modules and products to meet customer requirements. Most
of our efforts have focused on the manufacturing process and
improving efficiencies. We have also focused on designing and
improving our silicon reclamation program and improving the
yields on recycling reclaimable silicon for reuse in the solar
power supply chain. Our research and development team works
closely with our manufacturing team, our suppliers and our
customers.
Our senior management, led by Dr. Qu, our founder, chairman
and chief executive officer, Mr. Genmao Chen, our director
of research and development, Dr. Lingjun Zhang, our
technical director, and Mr. Chengbai Zhou, our chief
engineer for solar modules, all have extensive experience in the
solar power industry. We have also established collaborative
research and development relationships with a number of
universities and research institutes, including the University
of Toronto in Canada, Tsinghua University in China and Suzhou
University of China.
Going forward, we will focus on the following research and
development initiatives, which, among other projects, we believe
will contribute to our competitiveness:
Silicon reclamation technologies: We will seek to improve
our technologies and know-how to increase the efficiency of our
silicon reclamation program, including increasing the yields on
our recovery of scrap silicon. We are developing new
technologies and designing equipment for refining certain scrap
silicon materials and expanding on the type of materials that
can be utilized to manufacture solar cells.
Solar module manufacturing technologies. We intend to
focus on developing state-of-the-art testing and diagnostic
techniques that improve solar module production yield and
efficiency. We are also studying light transmission and
reflection technologies inside the solar module to find ways to
increase the light absorption of solar cells for the purpose of
improving power output.
88
Product development of specialty solar modules and products.
We will seek to improve our product development capabilities
for specialty solar modules and products to position ourselves
for the expected growth in this area of the solar power market.
Solar cell manufacturing. As we expand into solar cell
manufacturing, we plan to invest in the development of process
technologies to increase the conversion efficiencies of our
solar cells.
New module technologies. We will focus on a series of
mid-to-long-term research projects to develop concentrator
technologies, high-efficiency cells and next generation solar
cells. We will conduct these research projects using both our
internal resources and through our collaborative relationships
with universities and research institutes.
Competition
The market for solar module products is competitive and
continually evolving. We expect to face increased competition,
which may result in price reductions, reduced margins or loss of
market share. We compete with international companies such as BP
Solar, Sharp Solar and SolarWorld and companies located in China
such as Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. Many of our competitors
have a stronger market position than ours and have larger
resources and name recognition than we have. While crystalline
technology currently accounts for 94% of the solar power market,
many of our competitors are developing or currently producing
products based on alternative solar technologies such as thin
film photovoltaic materials that may ultimately have costs
similar to, or lower than, our projected costs. For example,
solar modules produced using thin film materials, such as
amorphous silicon and cadmium telluride, are generally less
efficient, with conversion efficiencies ranging from 5% to 10%
according to Solarbuzz, but require significantly less silicon
to produce than crystalline silicon solar modules, such as our
products, and are less susceptible to increases in silicon
costs. Some of our competitors have also become vertically
integrated, from upstream silicon wafer manufacturing to solar
system integration. We may also face competition from
semiconductor manufacturers, several of which have already
announced their intention to start production of solar modules.
In addition, the solar power market in general competes with
other sources of renewable and alternative energy and
conventional power generation. If we fail to compete
successfully, we may be unable to expand our customer base and
our business will suffer. We believe that the key competitive
factors in the market for solar module products include:
|
|
|
|
|
supply chain management; |
|
|
|
strength of supplier relationships; |
|
|
|
manufacturing efficiency; |
|
|
|
power efficiency and performance; |
|
|
|
price; |
|
|
|
customer relationships and distribution channels; |
|
|
|
brand name and reputation; and |
|
|
|
aesthetic appearance of solar module products. |
In the immediate future, because of the growing demand for solar
module products and the shortage of high-purity silicon, we
believe that the ability to compete in our industry will
continue to depend on the ability to effectively manage the
supply chain and form strategic relationships. Consolidation of
the segments of the solar power supply chain is already
occurring and is expected to continue in the near future.
We believe that as the supply of high-purity silicon stabilizes,
the key to competing successfully will shift to more traditional
sales and marketing activities. We believe that the strong
relationships that we are building now with both suppliers and
customers will support us in that new competitive environment
when the time arrives.
89
Intellectual Property
We have applied to register our trade name, CSI, in
China, and we are seeking registration of this mark and others
in a number of foreign jurisdictions where we conduct business.
We currently have one patent and two patent applications pending
in China for solar-powered car battery chargers and marine
lights. We currently use a combination of contractual
arrangements with employees and trade secret protections to
establish and protect our proprietary rights. As we expand our
specialty solar modules and products portfolio and enter into
solar cell manufacturing in the future, we will increase our
efforts to develop and protect our intellectual property.
Environmental Regulation
We believe we have obtained all environmental permits necessary
to conduct the business currently carried on by us at our
existing manufacturing facilities. We have conducted
environmental studies in conjunction with our solar power
development projects to assess and reduce the environmental
impact of our facilities. We believe that our manufacturing
processes do not generate any material levels of noise, waste
water, gaseous wastes and other industrial wastes and believe
that our manufacturing processes are environmentally friendly.
We will also continue to devote efforts to ensure that our
products comply with the European Unions Restriction of
Hazardous Substances Directive, which takes effect in July 2006,
by reducing the amount of lead and other restricted substances
used in our solar module products. Our operations are subject to
regulation and periodic monitoring by local environmental
protection authorities. If we fail to comply with present or
future environmental laws and regulations, we could be subject
to fines, suspension of production or a cessation of operations.
Employees
As of December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, we had 89, 183 and
196 full-time employees. As of June 30, 2006, we had
264 full-time employees. The following table sets forth the
number of our employees categorized by our areas of operations
and as a percentage of our workforce as of June 30, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
Percentage | |
|
|
Employees | |
|
of Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Manufacturing
|
|
|
178 |
|
|
|
67.4 |
% |
General and administrative
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
20.1 |
|
Research and development
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
3.4 |
|
Sales and marketing
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
9.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
264 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2006, 259 of our employees were located
in our two factories in Suzhou and in Changshu, three of our
employees were located in our new manufacturing plant in Luoyang
and two of our employees were based in Canada. Our employees are
not covered by any collective bargaining agreement. We also have
contract employees to meet increased demand for our products as
required. As of December 31, 2005 and June 30, 2006,
we had 52 and 264 contract employees, respectively. We
consider our relations with our employees to be good. From time
to time, we also employ part-time employees and independent
contractors to support our manufacturing, research and
development and sales and marketing activities. We plan to hire
additional employees as we expand.
Insurance
We maintain property insurance policies with reputable insurance
companies for covering our equipment, facilities, buildings and
their improvements, office furniture and inventory. These
insurance policies cover losses due to fire, floods and other
natural disasters. Insurance coverage for our fixed assets in
China amounted to approximately $1.2 million as of
June 30, 2006. We also maintain product liability insurance
with an aggregate coverage amount of approximately
$4.3 million, which covers general commercial and product
liability. We are in the process of purchasing key-man life
insurance for our chairman and chief executive officer,
Dr. Shawn Qu. We do not maintain business interruption
insurance or
90
insurance relating to marine, air and inland transit risks for
the export of our products. We consider our insurance coverage
to be adequate. However, significant damage to any of our
manufacturing facilities, whether as a result of fire or other
causes, could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operation. We paid an aggregate of approximately $50,000 in
insurance premiums for 2006 coverage.
Facilities
We have manufacturing facilities and offices in Suzhou that
occupy approximately 6,050 square meters under a lease that
will expire in March 2008. We have the right to renew the lease
on three-months prior written notice if the terms we offer
are not less favorable than terms offered by other prospective
tenants. We also rent offices with an aggregate of approximately
40 square meters in Suzhou for our research and development
and certain administrative personnel under a lease expiring in
September 2008. In Changshu, we rent our facilities of
approximately 4,500 square meters under a three-year lease
expiring in September 2007. CSI Luoyang has applied for the land
use rights certificate for a piece of land of approximately
5,000 square meters. We plan to begin operations in our Luoyang
facility in the first quarter of 2007. CSI Solarchip has applied
for the land use rights certificate for a piece of land of
approximately 66,667 square meters. We intend to build a solar
cell facility in Suzhou and plan to complete our first solar
cell line in the first quarter of 2007. We believe our current
facilities and our planned facilities will meet our future needs
and are consistent with our business plans.
Legal and Administrative Proceedings
In March 2002, ICP Global, a manufacturer of solar power
products, filed an action in the Superior Court of the Province
of Quebec, Canada (Action No. 500-05 071241-028) against
our vice president of international sales and marketing, Gregory
Spanoudakis, and ATS. ICP Global contends that
Mr. Spanoudakis, who was previously employed by ICP Global,
misappropriated its proprietary and commercial business
opportunity to sell solar-powered car battery chargers to a
prospective customer, Volkswagen Mexico, by directing that
opportunity to its competitor ATS. In August 2003, ICP Global
amended its complaint to include us, our subsidiary CSI
Solartronics and our chairman and chief executive officer,
Dr. Shawn Qu, as defendants. The amended complaint contends
that all of the defendants jointly engaged in unlawful conduct
and unfair competition in directing that business opportunity
away from ICP Global to us, as purportedly evidenced by our
selling of car battery chargers to Volkswagen Mexico. ICP Global
claims damages consisting of an accounting of all profits
obtained by the defendants as a result of any misappropriated
business opportunity. In its amended complaint, ICP Global
claims that the business opportunity could have represented
sales of up to $3.0 million.
Although the parties have conducted some basic and minimal
discovery, there has been no meaningful discovery, court filings
or communications from the plaintiff on this matter since early
2004. We will continue to defend our rights vigorously if ICP
Global decides to move forward with this action. Furthermore, we
believe that the outcome of the action, even if adversely
determined, will not have a material adverse effect on our
business or results of operations.
91
MANAGEMENT
Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth information regarding our
directors and executive officers as of the date of this
prospectus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age | |
|
Position/ Title |
|
|
| |
|
|
Shawn (Xiaohua) Qu
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Bing Zhu
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
Director, Chief Financial Officer |
Arthur Chien
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
Independent Director |
Robert McDermott
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
Independent Director |
Lars-Eric Johansson
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
Independent Director |
Gregory Spanoudakis
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
Vice President International Sales and Marketing |
Robert Patterson
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
Vice President Corporate and Product Development,
General Manager Canadian Operations |
Brian Lu
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
General Manager China Operations |
Bencheng Li
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
General Manager of CSI Luoyang |
Chengbai Zhou
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
Chief Engineer of CSI Solartronics |
Xiaohu Wang
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
Deputy General Manager, Commerce and Purchasing of CSI
Solartronics |
Shanglin Shi
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
Deputy General Manager, China Operation |
Lingjun Zhang
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
Technical Director of CSI Solar Technologies |
Guoxin Zhang
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
Deputy General Manager, Manufacturing of CSI Solar Manufacturing |
Genmao Chen
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
Director of Research and Development |
Directors
Dr. Shawn (Xiaohua) Qu has served as our chairman,
president and chief executive officer since founding our company
in October 2001. Prior to joining us, Dr. Qu worked at ATS
from 1998 to 2001, where he performed various responsibilities
at ATS and at its subsidiaries in the solar power business,
Matrix and Photowatt International S.A. including acting as
product engineer, director for silicon procurement, director for
solar product strategic planning and business development and
technical vice president (Asia Pacific) of Photowatt
International S.A.. From 1996 to 1998, Dr. Qu was a
research scientist at Ontario Power Generation Corp. (formerly
Ontario Hydro), where he worked as a process leader in the
development of Spheral
Solartm
technology, a next-generation solar technology. Prior to joining
Ontario Hydro, Dr. Qu was a post-doctorate research fellow
at the University of Toronto focusing on semiconductor optical
devices and solar cells. He has published research articles in
academic journals such as IEEE Quantum Electronics, Applied
Physics Letter and Physical Review. Dr. Qu received a Ph.D.
degree in material science from the University of Toronto in
1995, an M.Sc. degree in physics from University of Manitoba in
1990 and a B.Sc. in applied physics from Tsinghua University
(Beijing, China) in 1986.
Mr. Bing Zhu was appointed our chief financial
officer in May 2006. Before that, he was our financial
controller and acting chief financial officer since March 2005.
Prior to joining us, Mr. Zhu was a commercial banking
relationship account manager at Royal Bank of Canada. From May
1996 to June 2000, Mr. Zhu worked as the Shanghai chief
representative of Raytheon Corporation and was in charge of
market development for its commercial electronics,
engineering & construction and commercial aircraft
divisions in China. From 1993 to 1996, he was a corporate
banking account manager for Banque Indosuez. His customers
included the China operations of European- and North American-
based multi-national companies as well as B- and H- share
Chinese public companies. From 1986 to 1992, Mr. Zhu was an
accountant and then a
92
finance manager in a Chinese state-owned enterprise in Hangzhou,
China. Mr. Zhu received his bachelors degree in
business management in 1986 from Zhejiang University of
Technology in China, and his MBA degree in 1993 from China
Europe International Business School (previously known as
China-Europe Management Institute).
Mr. Arthur Chien became a director of our company in
December 2005. Mr. Chien currently is the managing director
of Beijing Yinke Investment Consulting Co. Ltd., which provides
financial consulting services and has own investment projects as
well. Previously, Mr. Chien was the chief financial officer
of China Grand Enterprises Inc. for almost 5 years. That
company is a diversified investment holding company based in
Beijing, China. Mr. Chien has also worked in the finance,
investment and management positions in several companies in
China, Canada and Belgium including his appointment in 1995 as
the assistant financial controller of the steel cord division of
Bekaert Group in Belgium. In 1996, Mr. Chien took the
position of chief financial officer of Bekaert China which
operated five joint ventures in China. Mr. Chien graduated
from the University of Science and Technology of China with a
bachelor of science degree in 1982. He also obtained a
masters degree in economics from the University of Western
Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada in 1989.
Mr. Robert McDermott became an independent director
of our company in August 2006. Mr. McDermott is a partner
with McMillan Binch Mendelsohn LLP, a business and commercial
law firm based in Canada. He joined the firm in 1971 and
practices business law with an emphasis on mergers and
acquisitions, corporate governance, mining, securities and
corporate finance, involving both Canadian and cross-border
transactions. Mr. McDermott advises boards and special
committees of public companies in Canada on corporate governance
matters as well. From 1997 to 2001, he was a director and senior
officer and a member of the audit committee of Boliden Limited,
a mining company listed on the Toronto and Stockholm stock
exchanges. Recent engagements involve serving as an advisor to
the special committees of public companies in Canada involving
an acquisition, reorganization forming a REIT and corporate
governance matters. Mr. McDermott is a member of the
Canadian Bar Association, Canada Tax Foundation, International
Bar Association and Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute. He has
been admitted to the Ontario Bar in Canada since 1968.
Mr. McDermott received his juris doctor degree from the
University of Toronto and a bachelors of arts degree from
the University of Western Ontario.
Mr. Lars-Eric Johansson became an independent
director of our company in August 2006. Mr. Johansson has
worked in finance and controls positions for more than thirty
years in Sweden and Canada. Since May 2004, he has been an
executive vice president and the chief financial officer of
Kinross Gold Corporation, a Toronto Stock Exchange-listed gold
mining company. During the period between June 2002 and November
2003, Mr. Johansson was an executive vice president and chief
financial officer of Noranda Inc. Mr. Johansson was last
serving as a special advisor at Noranda Inc. until May 2004.
From 1989 to May 2002, he was the chief financial officer of
Falconbridge Limited, a mining and metals company in Canada
dually listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto
Stock Exchange, and the surviving company in its merger with
Noranda Inc. in 2005. Mr. Johansson is a lead director and
the chairperson of the audit committee and corporate governance
committee of Aber Diamond Corporation, a precious stones mining
company dually listed on the Nasdaq and the Toronto Stock
Exchange. He has also chaired the audit committee of Golden Star
Resources Ltd., a gold and silver mining company dually listed
on the Toronto Stock Exchange and American Stock Exchange, since
July 2006. He is also a director of Tiberon Minerals Ltd. and
Novicor Inc., both listed companies on the Toronto Stock
Exchange. Mr. Johansson holds an MBA, with a major in
finance and accounting, from Gothenburg School of Economics in
Sweden.
Executive
Officers
Mr. Gregory Spanoudakis has been our vice
president international sales and marketing since
January 2002. Mr. Spanoudakis has been involved in the
semiconductor and solar power industries for the past
18 years, the last 6 years of which have been in the
solar power industry. He was a senior executive with Future
Electronics, one of the worlds largest distributors of
semiconductor components, where he headed the international
division and the export development program from November 1988
to May 1999. Mr. Spanoudakis attended The University of
Essex, in Colchester, England and the Sir George William
93
University (now Concordia University) in Montreal, Canada
graduating with a bachelors degree in business in 1981. In
1987, he received his MBA degree with a focus on international
business development from Concordia University in Montreal,
Canada.
Mr. Robert Patterson has served as our vice
president of corporate and product development since January
2006. Previously, Mr. Patterson served as our general
manager Canada since 2002. Mr. Patterson
managed the Solar Bi-Lateral project: Solar Electrification for
Western China with the Canadian International Development Agency
from May 2002 to June 2005. Before joining us, from 1999,
Mr. Patterson was the vice president of business
development and the manager of the Alberta branch of Soltek
Solar, now Carmanah Technologies, Canadas largest solar
energy company. From 1992 to 1999, Mr. Patterson was a
senior vice president at several
start-up communication
companies including Westronic Inc., Network Innovations and
TD Communications plus also managed his own consulting
company, S & B Consulting Services, specializing in
marketing and business development for high tech companies. From
1980 to 1988, Mr. Patterson held managerial positions at
Nortel Networks for materials management, product development
and marketing and business development. Mr. Patterson is a
certified professional engineer in Alberta, Canada. In Canada,
he received his MBA degree from The University of Western
Ontario (Ivey) in London, Ontario in 1973, and his
bachelors degree in chemical engineering from Queens
University in Kingston, Ontario in 1970.
Mr. Brian Lu has been our general
manager China operations since December 2004. Prior
to joining us, Mr. Lu worked at McKinsey & Company
as a senior specialist in its operation strategy and
effectiveness department from January 2003 to December 2004.
Prior to that, Mr. Lu worked as the regional production
control and logistics manager and lean manufacturing manager for
Delphi Packard Electric Systems in Asia from 1997 to 2002. Prior
to that, Mr. Lu worked at Lucent Technologies as a quality
manager in its China Business Unit. Mr. Lu is also a Six
Sigma Black Belt. Mr. Lu received his MBA degree from the
Business School of Tsinghua University, China in 2001. He also
received his M.S. degree in 1989 and B.S. degree in
mechanical engineering in 1986 from Tsinghua University, China.
Mr. Bencheng Li is the general manager of CSI
Luoyang. He joined us in June 2003. Mr. Li was the chairman
of Luoyang Single Crystalline Silicon Ltd. from 1996 to 2000,
and the chairman of Sino-American MCL Electronic Materials Ltd
from 1995 to 2000. From July 1998 to April 2003, Mr. Li was
the general manager of China Shijia Semiconductor Materials
Corporation, a semiconductor and solar silicon materials
manufacturing company in China. In July 1967, Mr. Li
received his bachelors degree in radiochemistry from Tsing
Hua University in Beijing, China.
Mr. Chengbai Zhou is the chief engineer of CSI
Solartronics. He joined us in 2001. Mr. Zhou is a committee
member of Chinas Photovoltaic Institute. From 1969 to
2001, he was the head of the Wuhan Changjiang Power Plants
solar research group and later became the deputy director of its
research institute. Mr. Zhou has been involved with various
projects related to solar power for many years. From 1969 to
1972, Mr. Zhou was involved in the design and manufacture
of solar modules for Chinas satellite project. From 1985
to 1996, he participated in the design and manufacture of over
40 solar power systems commissioned by the Ministry of
Telecommunication. Mr. Zhou graduated from Wuhan Industry
Institute, China in 1969.
Mr. Xiaohu Wang joined us in 2002, initially as the
manager in charge of imports and exports, procurement, quality
and operations. Since 2004, Mr. Wang has been deputy
general manager of commerce of CSI Solartronics, responsible for
planning and procurement of all silicon material. From May 1989
to January 2001, Mr. Wang was the branch manager of the
International Development Group Ltd of Hunan Province where he
was responsible for the import and export of mineral, hardware,
textile and chemical products. Mr. Wang was also involved
in that companys restructuring from state ownership to
shareholder ownership. From 1996, Xiaohu was involved in the
import and export of silicon material and silicon cells. In
1982, Mr. Wang graduated from Nanjing University of
Aeronautics and Astronautics with a bachelor of science degree.
Mr. Shanglin Shi has served as deputy general
manager, China operations, since August 2006. Previously, he
served as deputy general manager, corporate development of CSI
Solar Manufacturing since February 2006. Prior to joining us,
Mr. Shi co-founded Xian Jiayang Photovoltaic Co., Ltd.,
where he worked
94
from 2002 to 2005 before leading its merger with BP Solar. From
1990 to 2002, he helped to set up Sijia Semi-conductor Material
Company in China. He served in various management positions at
Sijias wholly owned subsidiaries: Emei Semiconductor
Material Company, Luoyang Mono-silicon Material Company and
Huashan Semiconductor Material Company before becoming its
deputy general manager. Mr. Shi studied Industrial
Economics at Chongqing University, China and graduated in 1977.
Dr. Lingjun Zhang has served as the technical
director of CSI Solar Technologies since January 2005 before
which he served as the operations and vice general manager of
CSI Solartronics from June 2003. From 1999 to 2003
Dr. Zhang was the operations manager of Shanghai Siliconix
Electronics Co., a subsidiary of Vishay, one of the biggest
passive components suppliers in the world. Dr. Zhang served
as the production manager of Shanghai Temic Telefungen
Semiconductor Company from January 1997 to May 1999. In 1986
Dr. Zhang received his bachelor of science degree in
applied physics from Tsinghua University, China. In 1992
Dr. Zhang received his Ph.D. degree in semiconductor
physics from the Shanghai Technical Physics Institute of the
Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Mr. Guoxin Zhang joined us in July 2004 as deputy
general manager of manufacturing of CSI Solar Manufacturing in
Changshu and CSI Solar Manufacturing in Suzhou. In 2001,
Mr. Zhang was a consultant in the development and
establishment of CSI Solartronics. From November 2001 to July
2006, he was a director and a board member of CSI Solartronics.
Mr. Zhang was the general manager of Minhang Huayuan
Enterprises Inc. from 1989 to 2004 after participating in
restructuring it from a state enterprise to a privately owned
company in 1989. Previously, Mr. Zhang worked at the
Shanghai Power Generation Plant from 1967 to 1989. He was its
deputy manager of administration from 1978 to 1989.
Mr. Genmao Chen joined us in July 2006 as director
of research and development. Mr. Chen has over ten years of
experience in semiconductor material growth and process. Prior
to joining us, Mr. Chen was a scientist and senior engineer
at two companies in Silicon Valley, namely Filtronic Solid
State Inc., and American Xtal Technology Inc. At
Filtronic (formerly Litton Solid State Subsystems Inc.), a
compound semiconductor IC manufacturing company, Mr. Chen
served as an Epi growth and characterization scientist,
primarily responsible for developing RF and optoelectronic
devices, from July 2000 to September 2002. At American Xtal., a
manufacturer of semiconductor substrates and optoelectronics
devices, he served as a senior engineer of process and technical
support, primarily responsible for process design and
integration, as well as customer technical support, from October
2002 to August 2004. In addition, he was the chief technology
officer at Jingtuo Optroelectronics Co., Ltd., a LED and IC
company from September 2004 to April 2006. Mr. Chen was a
research assistant at Energenius Center for Advanced
Nanotechnology in the University of Toronto during the period
between January 1996 and July 2000. Mr. Chen received his
B.Sc. degree in physics from Jilin University in China and an
M.A.Sc. degree in materials science from the University of
Toronto in Canada, where he was also a candidate to the
Ph.D. degree in materials science.
Duties of Directors
Under our governing statute, our directors have a duty of
loyalty to act honestly and in good faith with a view to our
best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the
care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would
exercise in comparable circumstances. A shareholder has the
right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is
breached. The functions and powers of our board of directors
include, among others:
|
|
|
|
|
convening shareholders annual general meetings and
reporting its work to shareholders at such meetings; |
|
|
|
declaring dividends and distributions; |
|
|
|
appointing officers and determining the term of office of
officers; |
|
|
|
exercising the borrowing powers of our company and mortgaging
the property of our company; and |
|
|
|
approving the issuance of shares. |
95
Terms of Directors and Executive Officers
Our officers are appointed by and serve at the discretion of the
board of directors. Our directors are not subject to a term of
office and hold office until such time as their successors are
elected or they are removed from office by ordinary
shareholders resolution.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Our board of directors have established an audit committee, a
compensation committee and a corporate governance and nominating
committee.
Audit
Committee
Our audit committee initially consists of Messrs. Lars-Eric
Johannson, Robert McDermott and Arthur Chien, and is chaired by
Mr. Johannson, an independent director with accounting and
financial management expertise as required by Nasdaq Global
Market corporate governance rules. Each of
Messrs. Johannson, McDermott and Chien satisfies the
independence requirements of the Nasdaq Global
Market corporate governance rules and is financially literate as
required by the Nasdaq Global Market rules. The audit committee
oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and
the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit
committee is responsible for, among other things:
|
|
|
|
|
selecting our independent auditors and pre-approving all
auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by
our independent auditors; |
|
|
|
reviewing with our independent auditors any audit problems or
difficulties and managements response; |
|
|
|
reviewing and approving all proposed related-party transactions,
as defined in Item 404 of
Regulation S-K
under the Securities Act; |
|
|
|
discussing the annual audited financial statements with
management and our independent auditors; |
|
|
|
reviewing major issues as to the adequacy of our internal
controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of
material control deficiencies; |
|
|
|
annually reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of our audit
committee charter; |
|
|
|
such other matters that are specifically delegated to our audit
committee by our board of directors from time to time; |
|
|
|
meeting separately and periodically with management and our
internal and independent auditors; and |
|
|
|
reporting regularly to the full board of directors. |
Compensation
Committee
Our compensation committee initially consists of
Messrs. Lars-Eric Johannson, Robert McDermott and Arthur
Chien, each of whom satisfies the independence
requirements of the Nasdaq Global Market corporate governance
rules and is chaired by Mr. Chien. Our compensation
committee assists the board in reviewing and approving the
compensation structure of our directors and executive officers,
including all forms of compensation to be provided to our
directors and executive officers. Members of the compensation
committee are not prohibited from direct involvement in
determining their own compensation. Our chief
96
executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting
during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation
committee is responsible for, among other things:
|
|
|
|
|
approving and overseeing the compensation package for our
executive officers; |
|
|
|
reviewing and making recommendations to the board with respect
to the compensation of our directors; |
|
|
|
reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant
to the compensation of our chief executive officer, evaluating
the performance of our chief executive officer in light of those
goals and objectives, and setting the compensation level of our
chief executive officer based on this evaluation; and |
|
|
|
reviewing periodically and making recommendations to the board
regarding any long-term incentive compensation or equity plans,
programs or similar arrangements, annual bonuses, employee
pension and welfare benefit plans. |
Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee
Our corporate governance and nominating committee initially
consists of Lars-Eric Johannson, Robert McDermott and Arthur
Chien, each of whom satisfies the independence
requirements of the Nasdaq Global Market corporate governance
rules, and is chaired by Mr. McDermott. The corporate
governance and nominating committee assists the board of
directors in identifying individuals qualified to become our
directors and in determining the composition of the board and
its committees. The corporate governance and nominating
committee is responsible for, among other things:
|
|
|
|
|
identifying and recommending to the board nominees for election
or re-election to the board, or for appointment to fill any
vacancy; |
|
|
|
reviewing annually with the board the current composition of the
board in light of the characteristics of independence, age,
skills, experience and availability of service to us; |
|
|
|
identifying and recommending to the board the directors to serve
as members of the boards committees; |
|
|
|
advising the board periodically with respect to significant
developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as
well as our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and
making recommendations to the board on all matters of corporate
governance and on any corrective action to be taken; and |
|
|
|
monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and
ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of
our procedures to ensure proper compliance. |
Interested Transactions
A director of the corporation who is a party to a material
contract or transaction or proposed material contract or
transaction with the corporation or is a director or officer of,
or has a material interest in, any person who is party to such a
contract or transaction is required to disclose in writing or
request to have entered into the minutes of meetings of
directors the nature and extent of his or her interest. A
director may vote in respect of such contract or transaction
only if the contract or transaction is: (i) one relating
primarily to the remuneration as our director, officer, employee
or agent; (ii) one for indemnity or insurance in favor of
directors and officers; or (iii) one with an affiliate.
Remuneration and Borrowing
The directors may determine remuneration to be paid to the
directors. The compensation committee will assist the directors
in reviewing and approving the compensation structure for the
directors. The directors may exercise all the powers of the
company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its
undertaking,
97
property and uncalled capital, and to issue debentures or other
securities whether outright or as security for any debt
obligations of our company or of any third party.
Qualification
There is no shareholding qualification for directors.
Employment Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with each of our
executive officers. Under our employment agreement with
Dr. Qu, our chief executive officer and controlling
shareholder, Dr. Qu is employed until December 31,
2008, after which time he may terminate his employment with us
on three months prior written notice. Under our employment
agreement with Mr. Gregory Spanoudakis, he may terminate
his employment with us at any time on three months prior
notice. We may terminate either or both of these two employment
agreements without cause upon the payment of a severance payment
equal to one month of the officers base salary for every
year of employment with us (up to a maximum of 12 months)
together with any unpaid compensation accrued up to the date of
the termination.
Apart from these two employment agreements, all of our other
employment agreements with our executive officers have a term of
three years, ending in 2008 to 2009, except for our employment
agreement with Shanglin Shi, which has a term of one year. Under
these other employment agreements, either we or the employee may
terminate the employment on one months prior notice to the
other with cause, except that (i) we have the right to
terminate the employment of Messrs. Robert Patterson, Bing
Zhu, Brian Lu and Genmao Chen for cause at any time without
notice; and (ii) the right of each of Messrs. Robert
Patterson, Bing Zhu, Brian Lu and Genmao Chen to terminate with
cause is limited to material reductions in his authority, duties
and responsibilities or a material reduction in his annual
salary before the next annual salary review. Furthermore, we may
terminate the employment at any time without cause upon one
month to three-months advance written notice to the
executive officer. If we terminate the employment without cause,
the executive officer will be entitled to a severance payment
equal to three to four months of his then-current base salary.
We may terminate each of the agreements for cause, at any time,
without notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the
employee, including but not limited to a conviction or plea of
guilty to a felony, negligence or dishonesty to our detriment
and failure to perform agreed duties after a reasonable
opportunity to cure the failure.
Each executive officer has agreed to hold, both during and after
the employment agreement expires or is earlier terminated, in
strict confidence and not to use, except as required in the
performance of his duties in connection with the employment, any
confidential information, technical data, trade secrets and
know-how of our company or the confidential information of any
third party, including our affiliated entities and our
subsidiaries, received by us. The executive officers have also
agreed to disclose in confidence to us all inventions, designs
and trade secrets which they conceive, develop or reduce to
practice and to assign all right, title and interest in them to
us. In addition, each executive officer has agreed to be bound
by non-competition restrictions set forth in his or her
employment agreement. Specifically, each executive officer has
agreed not to, while employed by us and for a period of one to
three years following the termination or expiration of the
employment agreement, (i) approach our clients, customers
or contacts or other persons or entities introduced to the
executive officer for the purpose of doing business with such
person or entities, and will not interfere with the business
relationship between us and such persons and/or entities;
(ii) assume employment with or provide services as a
director for any of our competitors, or engage, whether as
principal, partner, licensor or otherwise, in any business which
is in direct or indirect competition with our business;
(iii) seek, directly or indirectly, to solicit the services
of any of our employees who is employed by us at the date of the
executive officers termination, or in the year preceding
such termination; or (iv) use a name including any word
used by our company or our affiliates, or the Chinese or English
equivalent or any similar word, in relation to any trade,
business or company. Under our employment agreements with our
executive officers, for purposes of the non-compete clause
described above, a competitor of our company is
defined as an entity in China or such other territories where we
carry on our business. In the case of our agreements with
Mr. Robert Patterson, Mr. Bing Zhu and Mr. Brian
Lu, the definition of competitor is
98
further limited in that it does not include an entity that
generates 10% or less of its revenues from solar power products
and services similar to those provided by us, except that if an
executive officer is employed by, or provides services as a
director or otherwise to, a subsidiary or divisional business of
such an entity, such subsidiary or divisional business shall be
deemed a competitor if it generates more than 10% of
its revenues from solar power products and services similar to
those provided by us.
Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers
In 2005, the aggregate cash compensation paid to our executive
officers, including all the directors, was approximately
$493,477.
2006 Share Incentive Plan
We have adopted a share incentive plan, or 2006 Plan, effective
in March 2006, to attract and retain the best available
personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, provide
additional incentives to employees, directors and consultants
and promote the success of our business. The maximum aggregate
number of common shares which may be issued pursuant to all
awards (including options) is 2,330,000 shares, plus for
awards other than incentive option shares, an annual increase to
be added on the first business day of each calendar year
beginning in 2007 equal to the lesser of (x) one percent
(1%) of the number of common shares outstanding as of such date,
or (y) a lesser number of common shares determined by the
board or a designated committee.
The following table summarizes, as of the date of this
prospectus, the outstanding options granted under our 2006 plan
to several of our directors and executive officers and to other
individuals as a group. The options granted in May 2006
vest over a four-year
period beginning in March 2006. Unless otherwise noted, all
other options granted vest over a four-year period beginning
from the date of grant.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Options |
|
Exercise Price |
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Granted |
|
(US$/Share) |
|
Date of Grant |
|
Date of Expiration |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory Spanoudakis
|
|
|
116,500 |
|
|
$ |
2.12 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Bing Zhu
|
|
|
116,500 |
|
|
|
2.12 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Xiaohu Wang
|
|
|
89,705 |
|
|
|
2.12 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Brian Lu
|
|
|
83,880 |
|
|
|
2.12 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Lingjun Zhang
|
|
|
75,725 |
|
|
|
2.12 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Guoxin Zhang
|
|
|
69,900 |
|
|
|
2.12 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Robert Patterson
|
|
|
64,075 |
|
|
|
2.12 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Bencheng Li
|
|
|
64,075 |
|
|
|
2.12 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Chengbai Zhou
|
|
|
64,075 |
|
|
|
2.12 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Shanglin Shi
|
|
|
46,600 |
|
|
|
2.12 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Genmao Chen
|
|
|
64,075 |
|
|
|
4.29 |
|
|
|
July 17, 2006 |
|
|
|
July 16, 2016 |
|
Arthur Chien
|
|
|
46,600 |
(1) |
|
|
4.29 |
|
|
|
August 8, 2006 |
|
|
|
August 7, 2016 |
|
Robert McDermott
|
|
|
46,600 |
(2) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
August 8, 2006 |
|
|
|
August 7, 2016 |
|
Lars-Eric Johansson
|
|
|
46,600 |
(2) |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
August 8, 2006 |
|
|
|
August 7, 2016 |
|
Twenty-nine individuals as a group
|
|
|
128,500 |
(4) |
|
|
4.29 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Two individuals as a group
|
|
|
51,260 |
(4) |
|
|
4.29 |
|
|
|
June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
June 29, 2016 |
|
One individual
|
|
|
46,600 |
(4) |
|
|
4.29 |
|
|
|
July 17, 2006 |
|
|
|
July 16, 2016 |
|
Hanbing Zhang
|
|
|
46,600 |
(4)(5) |
|
|
4.29 |
|
|
|
July 28, 2006 |
|
|
|
July 27, 2016 |
|
One individual
|
|
|
58,250 |
(4) |
|
|
|
(6) |
|
|
August 8, 2006 |
|
|
|
August 7, 2016 |
|
Three individuals as a group
|
|
|
11,650 |
(4) |
|
|
|
(6) |
|
|
August 31, 2006 |
|
|
|
August 30, 2016 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Vest in two equal installments, the first upon the date of grant
and the second upon the first year anniversary of the grant date
so long as the director remains in service. |
|
(2) |
All vest upon the date of grant. |
99
|
|
(3) |
Exercise price will be the initial public offering price of the
common shares as stated on the front cover of this prospectus. |
|
(4) |
Each holding less than 1% of our total outstanding voting
securities. |
|
(5) |
The wife of Dr. Qu, our chairman, president and chief
executive officer. |
|
(6) |
Exercise price will be 80% of the initial public offering price
of the common shares as stated on the front cover of this
prospectus. |
We have also agreed to grant each of our independent directors,
Arthur Chien, Robert McDermott and Lars-Eric Johannson, options
to purchase 10,000 of our common shares immediately after each
annual shareholder meeting at an exercise price equal to the
average of the trading price of our common shares for the 20
trading days ending on such date. These options vest immediately.
The following table summarizes, as of the date of this
prospectus, the restricted shares granted under our 2006 plan to
several of our directors and executive officers and to other
individuals as a group. The restricted shares granted in May
2006 vest over a
two-year period
beginning in March 2006. The vesting period for all other
restricted shares are indicated in the notes below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted Shares |
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Granted |
|
Date of Grant |
|
Date of Expiration |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory Spanoudakis
|
|
|
233,000 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Chengbai Zhou
|
|
|
23,300 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Bencheng Li
|
|
|
23,300 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Xiaohu Wang
|
|
|
18,640 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Robert Patterson
|
|
|
11,650 |
|
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
Eight individuals as a group
|
|
|
23,300 |
(1) |
|
|
May 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
May 29, 2016 |
|
One individual
|
|
|
116,500 |
(1)(2) |
|
|
June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
June 29, 2016 |
|
Hanbing Zhang
|
|
|
116,500 |
(3)(4) |
|
|
July 28, 2006 |
|
|
|
July 27, 2016 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Each holding less than 1% of our total outstanding voting
securities. |
|
(2) |
Vest over a two-year period from the date of grant. |
|
(3) |
The wife of Dr. Qu, our chairman, president and chief executive
officer. |
|
(4) |
Vest over a four-year period from the date of grant |
The following paragraphs describe the principal terms of our
2006 plan.
Types of Awards. We may grant the following types of
awards under our 2006 plan:
|
|
|
|
|
options to purchase our common shares; and |
|
|
|
restricted shares, which are non-transferable common shares
without voting or dividend rights, subject to forfeiture upon
termination of a grantees employment or service. |
Plan Administration. Our board of directors, or a
committee designated by our board of directors, will administer
the plan. However, with respect to awards made to our
non-employee directors, the entire board of directors will
administer the plan. The committee or the full board of
directors, as appropriate, will determine the provisions and
terms and conditions of each award grant.
Award Agreement. Awards granted are evidenced by an award
agreement that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations
for each award. In addition, the award agreement also specifies
whether the option constitutes an incentive share option or a
non-qualifying stock option.
Eligibility. We may grant awards to employees, directors
and consultants of our company or any of our related entities,
which include our subsidiaries or any entities in which we hold
a substantial ownership interest. However, we may grant options
that are intended to qualify as incentive share options only to
our employees.
100
Acceleration of Awards upon Corporate Transactions. The
outstanding awards will accelerate upon occurrence of a
change-of-control
corporate transaction where the successor entity does not assume
our outstanding awards. In such event, each outstanding award
will become fully vested and immediately exercisable, and the
transfer restrictions on the awards will be released and the
repurchase or forfeiture rights will terminate immediately
before the date of the
change-of-control
transaction.
Exercise Price and Term of Awards. In general, the plan
administrator determines the exercise price of an option and
sets forth the price in the award agreement. The exercise price
may be a fixed or variable price related to the fair market
value of our common shares. If we grant an incentive share
option to an employee who, at the time of that grant, owns
shares representing more than 10% of the voting power of all
classes of our share capital, the exercise price cannot be less
than 110% of the fair market value of our common shares on the
date of that grant and the share option is exercisable for no
more than five years from the date of that grant.
The term of each award shall be stated in the award agreement.
The term of an award shall not exceed 10 years from the
date of the grant.
Vesting Schedule. In general, the plan administrator
determines, or the award agreement specifies, the vesting
schedule.
101
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of our common shares as of the date of this
prospectus, by:
|
|
|
|
|
each of our directors and executive officers; |
|
|
|
each person known to us to own beneficially more than 5.0% of
our common shares; and |
|
|
|
each selling shareholder. |
The calculations in the table below assume there are
20,970,000 common shares outstanding as of the date of this
prospectus and 27,270,000 common shares outstanding
immediately after the closing of this offering, assuming the
underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules
and regulations of the SEC. In computing the number of shares
beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of
that person, we have included shares that the person has the
right to acquire within 60 days, including through the
exercise of any option, warrant or other right or the conversion
of any other security. These shares, however, are not included
in the computation of the percentage ownership of any other
person.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficially Owned | |
|
Common shares | |
|
Shares Beneficially | |
|
|
Prior | |
|
Being Sold in This | |
|
Owned After This | |
|
|
to This Offering | |
|
Offering | |
|
Offering(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Number | |
|
% | |
|
Number | |
|
% | |
|
Number | |
|
% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Directors and Executive Officers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shawn (Xiaohua)
Qu(2)
|
|
|
13,672,263 |
|
|
|
65.20% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,672,263 |
|
|
|
50.14% |
|
Arthur
Chien(3)
|
|
|
23,300 |
|
|
|
0.11% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,300 |
|
|
|
0.09% |
|
Robert
McDermott(4)
|
|
|
46,600 |
|
|
|
0.22% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,600 |
|
|
|
0.17% |
|
Lars-Eric
Johannson(5)
|
|
|
46,600 |
|
|
|
0.22% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,600 |
|
|
|
0.17% |
|
Gregory Spanoudakis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bing Zhu
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Xiaohu Wang
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bencheng Li
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chengbai Zhou
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brian Lu
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Patterson
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lingjun Zhang
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guoxin Zhang
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shanglin Shi
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Genmao Chen
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All directors and executive officers as a group
|
|
|
13,788,763 |
|
|
|
65.39% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,788,763 |
|
|
|
50.35% |
|
Principal and Selling Shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HSBC HAV2
(III) Limited(6)
|
|
|
3,583,692 |
|
|
|
17.09% |
|
|
|
923,404 |
|
|
|
4.40% |
|
|
|
2,660,288 |
|
|
|
9.76% |
|
ATS Automation Tooling Systems
Inc.(7)
|
|
|
1,864,398 |
|
|
|
8.89% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,864,398 |
|
|
|
6.84% |
|
JAFCO Asia Technology Fund II (Barbados)
Limited(8)
|
|
|
1,849,647 |
|
|
|
8.82% |
|
|
|
476,596 |
|
|
|
2.27% |
|
|
|
1,373,051 |
|
|
|
5.04% |
|
|
|
(1) |
Assumes no exercise of the underwriters over-allotment
option and no other change to the number of common shares
offered by the selling shareholders and us as set forth on the
cover page of this prospectus. |
|
(2) |
Dr. Qus business address is Xin Zhuang Industry Park,
Changshu, Jiangsu 215562, Peoples Republic of China. |
|
(3) |
Represents 23,300 common shares issuable upon exercise of
options within 60 days of the date of this prospectus held
by Mr. Chien. Mr Chiens business address is c/o
Canadian Solar Inc., Xin Zhuang Industry Park, Changshu, Jiangsu
215562, Peoples Republic of China. |
102
|
|
(4) |
Represents 46,600 common shares issuable upon exercise of
options within 60 days of the date of this prospectus held
by Mr. McDermott. Mr McDermotts business address is
c/o Canadian Solar Inc., Xin Zhuang Industry Park, Changshu,
Jiangsu 215562, Peoples Republic of China. |
|
(5) |
Represents 46,600 common shares issuable upon exercise of
options within 60 days of the date of this prospectus held
by Mr. Johannson. Mr Johannsons business address is
c/o Canadian Solar Inc., Xin Zhuang Industry Park, Changshu,
Jiangsu 215562, Peoples Republic of China. |
|
(6) |
HSBC HAV2 (III) Limited, a Barbados company, is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of The HSBC Asian Ventures
Fund 2 Limited (HAV2). The investment manager of HAV2
is a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, the holding company
of The HSBC Group which is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong
Kong Limited, London Stock Exchange plc, New York Stock
Exchange and Societe des Bourses Francaises. The registered
address for HAV2 (III) is RBTT Trust Corporation,
CGI Tower Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados. |
|
(7) |
ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. is a company incorporated in
Ontario, Canada. The registered address of ATS is 250 Royal Oak
Road, Cambridge, Ontario N3H 4R6, Canada. ATS is a public
company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. |
|
(8) |
JAFCO Asia Technology Fund II (Barbados) Limited is a
company incorporated in Barbados and is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of JAFCO. The shares held by JAFCO Asia Technology
Fund II (Barbados) Limited were transferred from JAFCO,
which acquired them through the conversion of the convertible
notes. JAFCO is an exempted company organized and existing under
the laws of the Cayman Islands and is wholly owned by JAFCO Asia
Technology Fund II L.P., a limited partnership established
in the Cayman Islands. JAFCO Asia Technology Holdings II
Limited, a Cayman Islands company and a wholly-owned subsidiary
of JAFCO Investment (Asia Pacific) Ltd., is the sole general
partner of JAFCO Asia Technology Fund II L.P. and controls
the voting and investment power over the shares owned by JAFCO.
JAFCO Investment (Asia Pacific) Ltd. is wholly-owned by JAFCO
Co., Ltd., a public company listed on the Tokyo Stock
Exchange. The address for JAFCO Asia Technology
Fund II (Barbados) Limited is c/o JAFCO Investment (Asia
Pacific) Limited, 6 Battery Road, #42-01, Singapore 0499909. |
As of the date of this prospectus, none of our outstanding
common shares are held by record holders in the United States.
None of our shareholders has different voting rights from other
shareholders after the closing of this offering. We are not
aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result
in a change of control of our company.
103
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Unless otherwise indicated, the share numbers in this section
do not take into account any post-transaction share splits.
Issuance, Sale and Conversion of Convertible Notes
In November 2005, we issued convertible notes in the aggregate
principal amount of $8.1 million to HSBC HAV2
(III) Limited, or HSBC, and JAFCO Asia Technology
Fund II, or JAFCO, pursuant to a subscription agreement. In
March 2006, we issued HSBC and JACFO convertible notes in the
aggregate principal amount of $3.65 million in March 2006
as part of a second tranche subscription and HSBCs and
JAFCOs option to purchase additional convertible notes
under the subscription agreement. The notes were repayable
(i) on the third anniversary of their issuance date or
(ii) upon the occurrence of an event of default. The notes
were convertible into our common shares at the option of the
note holders at any time. The notes were automatically
convertible into our common shares at the then effective
conversion price upon written approval by note holders holding
more than 75% of the aggregate principal amount of convertible
notes subscribed for by HSBC and JAFCO or upon the completion of
this offering. The subscription agreement provided that our
board of directors would consist of up to seven directors
including one director nominated by each of the two investors.
Two directors appointed one each by HSBC and JAFCO served on our
board of directors from December 2005 to August 2006. They
resigned in August 2006 after HSBC and JAFCO converted their
convertible notes into our common shares in July 2006.
Additionally, HSBC and JAFCO agreed in the subscription
agreement and convertible notes that Dr. Qu was entitled to
all of our retained earnings as of February 28, 2006. In
the event that our board of directors declared a dividend or
distribution on our common shares prior to an initial public
offering or the redemption of all of the convertible notes, we
were required to make payments to HSBC and JAFCO at the same
time based on their pro rata share of such payments in respect
of earnings accumulated after February 28, 2006 (on an
as-converted basis).
Conversion
of Convertible Notes and Put Option Agreement
On July 1, 2006, HSBC and JAFCO provided notices to convert
all of the outstanding convertible notes into our common shares.
On that same day, all of the outstanding convertible notes were
converted at a conversion price of approximately $5.77 per
share. Immediately after the conversion, the Companys
outstanding common shares were immediately split on a 1 for
1.16830772 basis. Common shares issuable pursuant to the Share
Incentive Plan or issuable upon the exercise of outstanding
awards under the Share Incentive Plan were not affected by this
share split. In connection with HSBCs and JAFCOs
optional conversion of the convertible notes, Dr. Qu, our
chief executive officer and controlling shareholder, entered
into a put option agreement with HSBC and JAFCO whereby he
granted to each of HSBC and JAFCO an option to require him to
purchase all of the common shares held by HSBC and JAFCO
immediately after the conversion and share split at the same
conversion price of the convertible notes. Each of HSBC and
JAFCO may exercise its put option: (i) at any time
between March 31, 2007 to April 10, 2007 if the
Company has not completed a qualified IPO, such as this
offering, on or before March 31, 2007; or (ii) upon
the occurrence and continuance of an event of default. In
connection with the put option agreement, Dr. Qu entered
into share pledging agreements with HSBC and JAFCO under which
he pledged 1,912,766 and 987,234 of our common shares to HSBC
and JAFCO, respectively, as continuing collateral security for
his obligations under the put option agreement.
Retained
Earnings
Upon the conversion of the convertible notes into our common
shares, HSBC and JAFCO acknowledged and agreed that
Dr. Qus right to our retained earnings as of
February 28, 2006 under the convertible notes would remain
in effect. In July 2006, HSBC, JAFCO and Dr. Qu agreed that
all of the rights and obligations of the parties with respect to
our retained earnings as of February 28, 2006 were fully
satisfied and discharged upon the completion of the following
actions in July 2006: (i) the transfer to Dr. Qu
104
of 30,761 and 15,877 common shares from HSBC and JAFCO,
respectively; and (ii) the issuance under our Share
Incentive Plan of (a) 50,000 restricted shares and
(b) options to purchase 20,000 common shares at an
exercise price of US$10.00 per Common Share, both with
vesting periods of four years from the date of grant, to
Ms. Hanbing Zhang the wife of Dr. Qu.
Investment Agreement
In connection with our issuance and sale of convertible notes,
we entered into an investment agreement, dated November 30,
2005, with HSBC, JAFCO and our founder, Dr. Qu. Under the
investment agreement, HSBC and JAFCO have been granted certain
rights, including with respect to any proposed share transfers
by Dr. Qu, including the right of first refusal to purchase
such shares and the right of co-sale to sell their shares
alongside the proposed share transfer. In addition, they have
preemptive rights with respect to any issuance of new securities
by us with certain exceptions. These rights do not apply to this
offering, and the Investment Agreement will terminate
automatically upon the completion of this offering.
In October 2006, ATS entered into a joinder agreement to the
investment agreement with us, Dr. Qu, HSBC and JAFCO. Under
the joinder agreement, ATS was granted certain rights, including
with respect to any proposed share transfers by Dr. Qu,
including the right of first refusal to purchase such shares and
the right of co-sale to sell its shares alongside the proposed
share transfer. In addition, ATS has preemptive rights with
respect to any issuance of new securities by us with certain
exceptions. These rights do not apply to this offering, and the
joinder agreement will terminate along with the investment
agreement automatically upon the completion of this offering.
ATS was also granted observer status on the board of directors,
which will terminate upon the completion of this offering, and
would have had the right to appoint a director to serve on our
board of directors if (x) this offering were not completed
by March 31, 2007, and (y) HSBC were no longer our
shareholder.
Registration Rights Agreements
We have granted HSBC and JAFCO customary registration rights,
including demand and piggyback registration rights and
Form F-3 registration rights. For a detailed description of
the registration rights, see Description of Share
Capital Registration Rights. The registration
rights of HSBC and JAFCO will remain in effect after the
completion of this offering.
We have also granted ATS customary registration rights,
including demand and piggyback registration rights and
Form F-3 registration rights. For a detailed description of
the registration rights, see Description of Share
Capital Registration Rights. The registration
rights of ATS will remain in effect after the completion of this
offering.
Consultancy Agreements
Prior to December 2005, we paid Dr. Qu, our chairman and
chief executive officer, compensation for his services in the
form of consultancy fees, on a quarterly basis, to a consulting
company owned by him. The consultancy agreement was non-written
and provided for consultancy fees to be paid to Dr. Qu in
return for the project consulting, general management and
technology services that he provided to us. We terminated the
consulting agreement with Dr. Qu in November 2005. In 2003,
2004 and 2005, we paid consulting fees to Dr. Qus
consulting company in the amount of $79,172, $152,430 and
$172,298, respectively. As of December 31, 2005 and
June 30, 2006, the consulting fees due to Dr. Qu were
$184,643 and $192,689, respectively.
In addition, we paid consultancy fees pursuant to a non-written
agreement, on a monthly basis, to a consulting company owned by
Robert Patterson, our vice president of corporate and products
development and general manager of Canadian operations, prior to
his joining us as an officer in January 2006. Under the
agreement, Mr. Patterson provided project consulting
services to us, in particular in connection with our large-scale
CIDA projects, for 40 hours per month with a minimum retainer of
C$2,000 per month. For additional work beyond the initial period
and minimum retainer, Mr. Patterson was paid on an hourly
basis. We terminated the consulting agreement with
Mr. Patterson in December 2005. In 2003, 2004 and 2005, we
105
paid consulting fees to Mr. Pattersons consulting
company in the amount of $48,054, $29,624 and $60,495. As of
December 31, 2005, the consulting fees due to
Mr. Patterson were $33,460. We paid all outstanding amounts
in the first quarter of 2006.
Shareholder Loans
Dr. Shawn Qu, our chief executive officer and controlling
shareholder, made loans to us from time to time. These loans are
unsecured, interest free and have no fixed repayment term. As of
December 31, 2004, 2005 and June 30, 2006, such loans
amounted to $141,359, $213,062 and $107,882, respectively. No
such loans were outstanding as of December 31, 2003.
Guarantees and Share Pledges
As required under the subscription agreement, Dr. Qu
guaranteed the performance of our obligations in connection with
the convertible notes issued to HSBC and JAFCO. Dr. Qu also
entered into share pledge agreements whereby he agreed to
mortgage, charge and assign by way of a first legal mortgage
755,789 common shares to HSBC and 377,895 common
shares to JAFCO as a continuing security for the due and
punctual performance and observance by us of our obligations
under the subscription agreement. The share pledges were
irrevocably and unconditionally released by HSBC and JAFCO in
March 2006 in connection with the second tranche subscription
and per the terms of the subscription agreement.
In September 2005, Dr. Qu guaranteed the performance of our
obligations in connection with a $1.3 million promissory
note that we issued to ATS in September 2005. He also entered
into a share pledge agreement with ATS whereby he pledged
200,000 common shares to ATS as security for our
performance of our obligations under this promissory note. The
ATS promissory note is secured and
interest-bearing
pursuant to the underlying security agreement between us and
ATS. The sum of the principal, together with interest calculated
semi-annually at the interest rate published from time to time
by a major Canadian chartered bank, is repayable on demand. The
outstanding balances of the loan as of December 31, 2005
and June 30, 2006 were, $1.3 million and
$1.3 million, respectively. Interest of $21,726 and $49,919
was paid or payable for 2005 and the first six months of
2006, respectively.
In August 2004, Dr. Shawn Qu provided a guarantee for a
C$500,000 revolving loan facility given by the Royal Bank of
Canada to us for working capital purposes. As of
December 31, 2005 and June 30, 2006, we did not have
any outstanding obligation under this facility.
Employment Agreements
See Management Employment Agreements.
Equity Incentive Plan
See Management 2006 Equity Incentive
Plan.
106
CHINESE GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
This section sets forth a summary of the most significant
regulations or requirements that affect our business activities
in China or our shareholders right to receive dividends
and other distributions from us.
Renewable Energy Law and Other Government Directives
In February 2005, China enacted its Renewable Energy Law, which
became effective on January 1, 2006. The Renewable Energy
Law sets forth policies to encourage the development and use of
solar energy and other non-fossil energy. The renewable energy
law sets forth the national policy to encourage and support the
use of solar and other renewable energy and the use of on-grid
generation. It also authorizes the relevant pricing authorities
to set favorable prices for the purchase of electricity
generated by solar and other renewable power generation systems.
The law also sets forth the national policy to encourage the
installation and use of solar energy water-heating system, solar
energy heating and cooling system, solar photovoltaic system and
other solar energy utilization systems. It also provides
financial incentives, such as national funding, preferential
loans and tax preferences for the development of renewable
energy projects. In January 2006, Chinas National
Development and Reform Commission promulgated two implementation
directives of the Renewable Energy Law. These directives set
forth specific measures in setting prices for electricity
generated by solar and other renewal power generation systems
and in sharing additional expenses occurred. The directives
further allocate the administrative and supervisory authorities
among different government agencies at the national and
provincial levels and stipulate responsibilities of electricity
grid companies and power generation companies with respect to
the implementation of the renewable energy law.
Chinas Ministry of Construction also issued a directive in
June 2005, which seeks to expand the use of solar energy in
residential and commercial buildings and encourages the
increased application of solar energy in different townships. In
addition, Chinas State Council promulgated a directive in
July 2005, which sets forth specific measures to conserve energy
resources.
Environmental Regulations
We believe that our manufacturing processes do not generate any
material levels of noise, waste water, gaseous wastes and other
industrial wastes and believe that our manufacturing processes
are environmentally benign. We are subject to a variety of
governmental regulations related to the storage, use and
disposal of hazardous materials. The major environmental
regulations applicable to us include the Environmental
Protection Law of the PRC, the Law of PRC on the Prevention and
Control of Water Pollution, Implementation Rules of the Law of
PRC on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution, the Law of
PRC on the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution, the Law of
PRC on the Prevention and Control of Solid Waste Pollution, and
the Law of PRC on the Prevention and Control of Noise Pollution.
Restriction on Foreign Businesses
The principal regulation governing foreign ownership of solar
power businesses in the PRC is the Foreign Investment Industrial
Guidance Catalogue (effective as of January 1, 2005). Under
the regulation, the solar power business belongs to permitted
foreign investment industry.
Tax
PRC enterprise income tax is calculated based on taxable income
determined under PRC accounting principles. In accordance with
Income Tax of China for Enterprises with Foreign
Investment and Foreign Enterprises, or the Income Tax Law,
and the related implementing rules, foreign invested enterprises
incorporated in the PRC are generally subject to an enterprise
income tax at the rate of 30% on taxable income and local income
tax at the rate of 3% of taxable income. The Income Tax Law and
the related implementing rules provide certain favorable tax
treatments to foreign invested enterprises such as a two-year
exemption from enterprise income tax for their first two
profitable years of operation and thereafter a 50% tax
107
deduction for the subsequent three years for manufacturing
companies with operation terms of more than ten years.
Pursuant to the Provisional Regulation of China on Value Added
Tax and their implementing rules, all entities and individuals
that are engaged in the sale of goods, the provision of repairs
and replacement services and the importation of goods in China
are generally required to pay VAT at a rate of 17.0% of the
gross sales proceeds received, less any deductible VAT already
paid or borne by the taxpayer. Further, when exporting goods,
the exporter is entitled to a portion of or all the refund of
VAT that it has already paid or borne. Our imported raw
materials that are used for manufacturing export products and
are deposited in bonded warehouses are exempt from import VAT.
Foreign Currency Exchange
Foreign currency exchange regulation in China is primarily
governed by the following rules:
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign Currency Administration Rules (1996), as amended, or the
Exchange Rules; and |
|
|
|
Administration Rules of the Settlement, Sale and Payment of
Foreign Exchange (1996), or the Administration Rules; |
Currently, the Renminbi is convertible for current account
items, including the distribution of dividends, interest
payments, trade and service-related foreign exchange
transactions. Conversion of Renminbi for most capital account
items, such as direct investment, security investment and
repatriation of investment, however, is still subject to the
approval of the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or
SAFE.
Under the Administration Rules, foreign-invested enterprises may
buy, sell and/or remit foreign currencies only at those banks
authorized to conduct foreign exchange business after providing
valid commercial documents and, in the case of most capital
account item transactions, obtaining approval from the SAFE.
Capital investments by foreign-invested enterprises outside of
China are also subject to limitations, which include approvals
by the Ministry of Commerce, the SAFE and the State Reform and
Development Commission.
Dividend Distribution
The principal regulations governing distribution of dividends
paid by wholly foreign owned enterprises include:
|
|
|
|
|
Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise Law (1986), as amended; and |
|
|
|
Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise Law Implementation Rules (1990),
as amended. |
Under these regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in China
may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any,
determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and
regulations. In addition, a wholly foreign owned enterprise in
China is required to set aside at least 10.0% of their after-tax
profit based on PRC accounting standards each year to its
general reserves until the accumulative amount of such reserves
reach 50.0% of its registered capital. These reserves are not
distributable as cash dividends. The board of directors of a
foreign-invested enterprise has the discretion to allocate a
portion of its after-tax profits to staff welfare and bonus
funds, which may not be distributed to equity owners except in
the event of liquidation.
108
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL
We are a Canadian corporation, and our affairs are governed by
our articles of incorporation, as amended from time to time,
bylaws as effective from time to time, and the Canada
Business Corporations Act, which is referred to as the CBCA
below.
As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized share capital
consists of an unlimited number of common shares. As of the date
of this prospectus, 20,970,000 common shares were issued
and outstanding.
The following summary description of our share capital does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to our articles of continuance as amended and the
amended bylaws that we intend to adopt effective upon the
completion of this offering. If you would like more information
on our common shares, you should review our articles and bylaws,
which we have filed as an exhibit to the registration statement
that includes this prospectus, and the CBCA.
Common Shares
General
All of our common shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Our
common shares are issued in registered form and may or may not
be certificated although every shareholder is entitled at their
option to a share certificate that complies with the CBCA. There
are no limitations on the rights of shareholders who are not
residents of Canada to hold and vote common shares.
Dividends
Holders of our common shares are entitled to receive, from funds
legally available therefor, dividends when and as declared by
the board of directors. The CBCA restricts the directors
ability to declare, and our ability to pay, dividends by
requiring that certain solvency tests be satisfied at the time
of such declaration and payment. See
Shareholders Rights Sources
of Dividends.
Voting
Rights
Each common share is entitled to one vote on all matters upon
which the common shares are entitled to vote.
Liquidation
With respect to a distribution of assets in the event of our
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, whether voluntary or
involuntary, or any other distribution of our assets for the
purposes of winding up our affairs, assets available for
distribution among the holders of common shares shall be
distributed among the holders of the common shares on a pro rata
basis.
Variations
of Rights of Shares
All or any of the rights attached to our common shares, or any
other class of shares duly authorized may, subject to the
provisions of the CBCA, be varied either with the unanimous
written consent of the holders of the issued shares of that
class or by a special resolution passed at a meeting of the
holders of the shares of that class.
Preferred
Shares
After the closing of this offering, our board of directors will
have the authority, without shareholder approval, to issue an
unlimited number of preferred shares in one or more series. Our
board of directors may establish the number of shares to be
included in each such series and may set the designations,
preferences, powers and other rights of the shares of a series
of preferred shares. While the issuance of preferred shares
provides us with flexibility in connection with possible
acquisitions or other corporate purposes, it could, among other
things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
change of control transaction and
109
could adversely affect the market price of our common shares. We
have no current plan to issue any preferred shares.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The Bank of New York is the transfer agent and registrar
for our common shares. The Bank of New Yorks address
is One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286.
Shareholders Rights
The CBCA and our articles of continuance and bylaws govern us
and our relations with our shareholders. The following is a
summary of certain rights of holders of our common shares under
the CBCA. This summary is not intended to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to our articles of
continuance and bylaws.
Stated
Objects or Purposes
Our articles of continuance do not contain any stated objects or
purposes and do not place any limitations on the business that
we may carry on.
Shareholder
Meetings
We must hold an annual meeting of our shareholders at least once
every year at a time and place determined by our board of
directors, provided that the meeting must not be held later than
15 months after the preceding annual meeting or later than
six months after the end of our preceding financial year. A
meeting of our shareholders may be held at a place within Canada
determined by our directors or, if determined by our directors,
in New York, New York, United States of America, Los Angeles,
California, United States of America, London, England, the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region of The Peoples Republic
of China or Shanghai, The Peoples Republic of China.
Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless
a poll or ballot is demanded. A poll or ballot may be demanded
by the chairman of our board of directors or by any shareholder
present in person or by proxy.
A special resolution is a resolution passed by not less than
two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders entitled to
vote on the resolution at a meeting at which a quorum is
present. An ordinary resolution is a resolution passed by not
less than a simple majority of the votes cast by the
shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution at a meeting at
which a quorum is present.
Notice
of Meeting of Shareholders
Our bylaws provide that written notice stating the place, day
and time of a shareholder meeting and the purpose for which the
meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than 21 days
nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting.
Quorum
Under the CBCA, unless a corporations bylaws provide
otherwise, a quorum is present at a meeting of the shareholders,
irrespective of the number of shareholders actually present at
the meeting, if the holders of a majority of the shares entitled
to vote at the meeting are present in person or represented by
proxy. Our bylaws provide that a quorum shall be at least two
shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting represented in
person or by proxy and holding at least one-third of our total
issued and outstanding common shares.
Record
Date for Notice of Meeting of Shareholders
The directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for
the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of
a meeting of shareholders, but such record date shall not
precede by more than
110
60 days or by less than 21 days the date on which the
meeting is to be held. If no record date is fixed, the record
date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive
notice of a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of
business on the day immediately preceding the day on which the
notice is given or, if no notice is given, the day on which the
meeting is held. If a record date is fixed, notice thereof shall
be given, not less than seven days before the date so fixed by
newspaper advertisement in the manner provided by the CBCA and
by written notice to each stock exchange in Canada on which our
shares are listed for trading.
Ability
to Requisition Special Meetings of the Shareholders
The CBCA provides that the holders of not less than five percent
of the issued shares of a corporation that carry the right to
vote at a meeting sought to be held may give notice to the
directors requiring them to call a meeting.
Shareholder
Proposals
A shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders who
has held common shares with a fair market value of at least
C$2,000 for at least six months may submit to the corporation
notice of a proposal and discuss at the meeting any matter in
respect of which the shareholder would have been entitled to
submit a proposal. A proposal may include nominations for the
election of directors if the proposal is signed by one or more
holders of shares representing in the aggregate not less than
five percent of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting to
which the proposal is to be presented. This requirement does not
preclude nominations being made at a meeting of shareholders.
The proposal must be submitted to the corporation at least
90 days before the anniversary date of the notice of
meeting that was sent to shareholders in connection with the
last annual meeting.
Vote
Required for Extraordinary Transactions
Under the CBCA, certain extraordinary corporate actions are
required to be approved by special resolution. Such
extraordinary corporate actions include:
|
|
|
|
|
amendments to articles; |
|
|
|
arrangements; |
|
|
|
amalgamations other than amalgamations involving a holding body
corporate, one or more wholly owned subsidiaries and/or one or
more sister corporations; |
|
|
|
continuances under the laws of another jurisdiction; |
|
|
|
voluntary dissolutions; and |
|
|
|
sales, leases or exchanges of all or substantially all the
property of a corporation other than in the ordinary course of
business. |
Related
Party Transactions
The CBCA does not prohibit related party transactions.
Dissent
Rights
The CBCA provides that shareholders of a corporation are
entitled to exercise dissent rights and demand payment of the
fair value of their shares in certain circumstances. For this
purpose, there is no distinction between listed and unlisted
shares. Dissent rights exist when a corporation resolves to:
|
|
|
|
|
amalgamate with a corporation other than a holding body
corporate, one or more wholly owned subsidiaries and/or one or
more sister corporations; |
|
|
|
amend the corporations articles of incorporation to add,
change or remove any provisions restricting the issue, transfer
or ownership of shares; |
111
|
|
|
|
|
amend the corporations articles to add, change or remove
any restriction upon the business or businesses that the
corporation may carry on; |
|
|
|
continue under the laws of another jurisdiction; |
|
|
|
sell, lease or exchange of all or substantially all the property
of the corporation other than in the ordinary course of
business; or |
|
|
|
carry out a going-private or squeeze-out transaction. |
In addition, a court order in connection with an arrangement
proposed by the corporation may permit shareholders to dissent
if the arrangement is adopted.
However, a shareholder is not entitled to dissent if an
amendment to the articles of incorporation is effected by a
court order approving a reorganization or by a court order made
in connection with an action for an oppression remedy.
Action
by Written Consent
Under the CBCA, shareholders can take action by written
resolution and without a meeting only if all shareholders sign
the written resolution.
Directors
Number
of Directors and Election
Under the CBCA the number of directors of a corporation must be
specified in the corporations articles. The articles may
provide for a minimum and maximum number of directors.
Our articles of incorporation provide that the number of
directors will not be less than three or more than ten. Our
board of directors currently consists of five directors.
Shareholders of a corporation governed by the CBCA elect
directors by ordinary resolution at each annual meeting of
shareholders at which such an election is required.
Director
Qualifications
Under the CBCA, at least 25% of the directors must be Canadian
residents. A director must not be:
|
|
|
|
|
under eighteen years of age; |
|
|
|
adjudicated as mentally unsound; |
|
|
|
a person that is not an individual; or |
|
|
|
a person who has the status of a bankrupt. |
Removal
of Directors; Staggered Term
Under the CBCA, a corporations shareholders may remove any
director before the expiration of his or her term of office and
may elect any qualified person in such directors stead for
the remainder of such term by ordinary resolution.
Under the CBCA, directors may be elected for a term expiring not
later than the third annual meeting of shareholders following
the election. If no term is specified, a directors term
expires at the next annual meeting of shareholders. A director
may be nominated for re-election to the board of directors at
the end of the directors term.
Vacancies
on the Board of Directors
Under the CBCA, vacancies that exist on the board of directors,
except a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number or the
minimum or maximum number of directors or a failure to elect the
number or
112
minimum number of directors provided for in the articles, may be
filled by the board if the remaining directors constitute a
quorum. In the absence of a quorum, the remaining directors
shall call a meeting of shareholders to fill the vacancy.
Limitation
of Personal Liability of Directors and Officers
Under the CBCA, in exercising their powers and discharging their
duties, directors and officers must act honestly and in good
faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation and
exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent
person would exercise in comparable circumstances. No provision
in the corporations articles, bylaws, resolutions or
contracts can relieve a director or officer from the duty to act
in accordance with the CBCA or relieve a director from liability
for a breach thereof. However, a director will not be liable for
breaching his or her duty to act in accordance with the CBCA if
the director relied in good faith on:
|
|
|
|
|
financial statements represented to him by an officer or in a
written report of the auditor to present fairly the financial
position of the corporation in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles; or |
|
|
|
a report of a person whose profession lends credibility to a
statement made by such person. |
Indemnification
of Directors and Officers
Under the CBCA and pursuant to our bylaws, we may indemnify any
present or former director or officer or an individual who acts
or acted at our request as a director or officer, or an
individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity,
against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount
paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably
incurred by such individual in respect of any civil, criminal,
administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the
individual is involved because of that association with the
corporation or other entity. In order to qualify for
indemnification such director or officers must:
|
|
|
|
|
have acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best
interests of the corporation; and |
|
|
|
in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding
enforced by a monetary penalty, have had reasonable grounds for
believing that his or her conduct was lawful. |
Indemnification will be provided to an eligible director or
officer who meets both these tests and was substantially
successful on the merits in his or her defense of the action.
A director or officer is entitled to indemnification from us as
a matter of right if he or she is not judged by the court or
other competent authority to have committed any fault or omitted
to do anything that the individual ought to have done and
fulfilled the conditions set forth above.
Sources
of Dividends
Dividends may be declared at the discretion of the board of
directors. Under the CBCA, the directors may not declare, and we
may not pay, pay dividends if there are reasonable grounds for
believing that (i) we are, or would after such payment be
unable to pay our liabilities as they become due or
(ii) the realizable value of our assets would be less than
the aggregate of our liabilities and of our stated capital of
all classes of shares.
Amendments
to the Bylaws
The directors may by resolution make, amend or repeal any bylaw
unless the articles or bylaws provide otherwise. Our articles
and bylaws do not restrict the power of our directors to make,
amend or repeal bylaws. When the directors make, amend or repeal
a bylaw, they are required under the CBCA to submit the change
to the shareholders at the next meeting of shareholders.
Shareholders may confirm, reject or amend the bylaw, amendment
or repeal by ordinary resolution.
113
Interested
Directors Transactions
Under the CBCA, if a director or officer has a material interest
in a material contract or transaction, the director generally
may not vote on any resolution to approve the contract or
transaction, but the contract is not void or voidable by reason
only of the relationship if such interest is disclosed in
accordance with the requirements set out in the CBCA, the
contract is approved by the other directors or by the
shareholders and the contract was fair and reasonable to the
corporation at the time it was approved.
Where a director or officer has an interest in a material
contract or transaction or a proposed material contract or
transaction that, in the ordinary course of the
corporations business, would not require approval by the
directors or shareholders, the interested director or officer
shall disclose in writing to the corporation or request to have
entered in the minutes of meetings of directors, the nature and
the extent of the interest forthwith after the director or
officer becomes aware of the contract or transaction or proposed
contract or transaction.
Committees
Under the CBCA, directors of a corporation may appoint from
their number a committee of directors and delegate to such
committee certain powers of the directors.
Derivative
Actions
Under the CBCA, a complainant (as defined below) may apply to
the court for leave to bring an action in the name of and on
behalf of a corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or to
intervene in an existing action to which such body corporate is
a party for the purpose of prosecuting, defending or
discontinuing the action. A complainant includes a present or
former shareholder, a present or former officer or director of
the corporation or any of its affiliates, or any other person
who in the discretion of the court is a proper person to make
such an application. Under the CBCA, no action may be brought
and no intervention in an action may be made unless the
complainant has given 14 days notice to the directors
of the corporation or its subsidiary of the complainants
intention to apply to the court. The court must be satisfied
that:
|
|
|
|
|
the complainant is acting in good faith; and |
|
|
|
it appears to be in the interests of the corporation or its
subsidiary that the action be brought, prosecuted, defended or
discontinued. |
Under the CBCA, the court in a derivative action may make any
order it thinks fit, including orders pertaining to the conduct
of the action, the making of payments to former and present
shareholders and payment of reasonable legal fees incurred by
the complainant.
Oppression
Remedy
The CBCA provides an oppression remedy that enables a court to
make any order it thinks fit to rectify the matters complained
of, if the court is satisfied upon application of a complainant
(as defined below) that:
|
|
|
|
|
any act or omission of the corporation or any of its affiliates
effects a result; |
|
|
|
the business or affairs of the corporation or any of its
affiliates are or have been conducted in a manner; or |
|
|
|
the powers of the directors of the corporation or any of its
affiliates are or have been exercised in a manner, |
that is oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to or that unfairly
disregards the interests of any security holder, creditor,
director or officer of the corporation.
114
A complainant for this purpose includes a present or former
shareholder, a present or former officer or director of the
corporation or any of its affiliates, the Director appointed
under the CBCA and any other person who in the discretion of the
court is a proper person to make such an application.
The exercise of the courts jurisdiction does not depend on
a finding of a breach of such legal and equitable rights.
Furthermore, the court may order a corporation to pay the
interim costs of a complainant seeking an oppression remedy, but
the complainant may be held accountable for such interim costs
on final disposition of the complaint.
Inspection
of Books and Records
Under the CBCA, shareholders and the creditors of the
corporation and, their personal representatives may examine,
free of charge during normal business hours:
|
|
|
|
|
the articles, bylaws and all amendments thereto, of the
corporation; |
|
|
|
the minutes and resolutions of shareholders: |
|
|
|
copies of all notices of directors filed under the CBCA; and |
|
|
|
the securities register of the corporation. |
All shareholders of the corporation may request a copy of the
articles, bylaws and all amendments thereto free of charge.
Exchange Controls
Canada has no system of exchange controls. There are no Canadian
restrictions on the repatriation of capital or earnings of a
Canadian public company to non-resident investors. There are no
laws of Canada or exchange restrictions affecting the remittance
of dividends or similar payments to non-resident holders of our
common shares, except as described under
Taxation Material Canadian Income Tax
Considerations.
History of Securities Issuances
The following is a summary of our securities issuances during
the past three years.
Common
Shares
In October 2001, we issued 1,000,000 common shares to our
founder, chairman, president and chief executive officer,
Dr. Shawn Qu. In November 2005, we subdivided our shares
such that the 1,000,000 common shares then outstanding
became 5,668,421 common shares. In July 2006, in connection with
the conversion of convertible notes held by HSBC and JAFCO
described under Convertible Notes below,
we further subdivided our shares on a one to 1.168130772 basis.
Immediately after the share split, Dr. Qu held 6,621,457
common shares. In October 2006, we further subdivided our shares
on a one to 2.33 basis.
Convertible
Notes
In November 2005, we issued convertible notes in the aggregate
principal amount of $8.1 million to HSBC and JAFCO pursuant
to a subscription agreement. We issued HSBC and JAFCO
convertible notes in the aggregate principal amount of
$3.65 million in March 2006 as part of a second tranche
subscription and HSBCs and JAFCOs option to purchase
additional convertible notes under the subscription agreement.
The notes were repayable (i) on the third anniversary of
their issuance date or (ii) upon the occurrence of an event
of default, whichever occurs earlier. The notes were convertible
into our common shares at the option of the note holders at any
time. The notes were automatically convertible into our common
shares at the then effective conversion price upon written
approval by note holders holding more than 75% of the aggregate
principal amount of convertible notes subscribed for by HSBC and
JAFCO or upon the completion of this offering. The first tranche
and second tranche notes of both HSBC and JAFCO were converted
into our
115
common shares in July 2006. After the conversion and an
immediate one to 1.168130772 share split in connection
therewith, HSBC and JAFCO held 1,568,826 and 809,717 common
shares respectively.
Registration Rights
We have granted registration rights to HSBC and JAFCO in
connection with their subscription for the notes in November
2005. Set forth below is a description of the registration
rights granted to HSBC and JAFCO.
Demand Registration Rights. At any time commencing
six months after this offering, holders of at least 25% of the
registrable securities have the right to demand that we file a
registration statement covering the offer and sale of their
securities. However, we are not obligated to effect any such
demand registration if we have within the twelve month period
preceding the demand already effected two or more demand
registrations or
Form F-3
or S-3
registrations. We have the right to defer the filing of a
registration statement for up to 120 days if our board of
directors determines in good faith that there is a valid
business reason to delay the filing. We are not obligated to
effect such demand registrations on more than three occasions.
Form F-3
Registration Rights. Upon our becoming eligible to use
Form F-3
or S-3, holders of
at least 75% of the registrable securities have the right to
request that we file a registration statement under
Form F-3
or S-3 if the
aggregate amount of securities to be sold under the registration
statement is not less than $1.0 million. Such requests for
registrations are not counted as demand registrations.
Piggyback Registration Rights. If we propose to
file a registration statement with respect to an offering for
our own account or for the account of any person that is not a
holder of registrable securities, we must offer holders of
registrable securities the opportunity to include their
securities in the registration statement, other than pursuant to
a registration statement on
Form F-4,
S-4 or
S-8, or a registration
statement in connection with any demand or
Form F-3
registration initiated by the holder(s) of registrable
securities. Such requests for registrations are not counted as
demand registrations.
Expenses of Registration. We will pay all expenses
relating to any demand, piggyback or
Form F-3
registration, except that holders of registrable securities
shall bear the expense of any underwriting discounts or
commission relating to registration and sale of their shares.
In October 2006, we also granted registration rights to ATS. The
registration rights granted to ATS are substantially similar as
that granted to HSBC and JAFCO as described above, except that
we are not obligated to effect a demand registration of ATS on
more than two occasions.
116
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
The common shares being offered in this offering represent
approximately 28.24% of our common shares in issue. All of the
common shares sold in this offering will be freely transferable
by persons other than our affiliates without
restriction or further registration under the Securities Act.
Sales or perceived sales of substantial amounts of our common
shares in the public market could adversely affect prevailing
market prices of our common shares. Prior to this offering,
there has been no public market for our common shares, and
although our application to have the common shares to be listed
on the Nasdaq Global Market has been approved, we cannot assure
you that a regular trading market for our common shares will
develop.
Lock-up Agreements
Each of the selling shareholders, our directors, executive
officers and our other existing shareholders has agreed, subject
to some exceptions, not to transfer or dispose of, directly or
indirectly, any of our common shares, or any securities
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our common
shares, for a period of 180 days after the date this
prospectus becomes effective. After the expiration of the
180-day period, the
common shares held by the selling shareholders, our directors,
executive officers or certain of our other existing shareholders
may be sold subject to the restrictions under Rule 144
under the Securities Act or by means of registered public
offerings.
The 180-day restricted
period is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. If
(1) during the last 17 days of the
180-day restricted
period, we issue an earnings release or material news or a
material event relating to us occurs; or (2) prior to the
expiration of the
180-day restricted
period, we announce that we will release earnings results during
the 16-day period
beginning on the last day of the
180-day period, the
restrictions will continue to apply until the expiration of the
18-day period beginning
on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the
material news or material event, unless, with respect to the
restricted period applicable to us, the selling shareholders,
directors and executive officers and the other shareholders of
our company, such extension is waived by the representatives on
behalf of the underwriters. See Underwriting.
Rule 144
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect,
beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a
person who has beneficially owned restricted
securities for at least one year would be entitled to sell
in the United States, within any three-month period, a number of
shares that is not more than the greater of:
|
|
|
|
|
1.0% of the number of our common shares then outstanding which
will equal approximately 272,700 common shares immediately
after this offering; or |
|
|
|
the average weekly reported trading volume of our common shares
on the Nasdaq Global Market during the four calendar weeks
proceeding the date on which a notice of the sale on
Form 144 is filed with the SEC by such person. |
Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to
manner-of-sale
provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current
public information about us. However, these shares would remain
subject to lock-up
arrangements and would only become eligible for sale when the
lock-up period expires.
Persons who are not our affiliates may be exempt from these
restrictions under Rule 144(k) discussed below.
Rule 144(k)
Under Rule 144(k), a person who is not deemed to have been
our affiliate at any time during the three months preceding a
sale, and who has beneficially owned the common shares proposed
to be sold for at least two years from the later of the date
these shares were acquired from us or from our affiliate,
including the holding period of any prior owner other than an
affiliate, is entitled to sell those shares in the United States
immediately following this offering without complying with the
manner-of-sale, public
information, volume limitation or notice provisions of
Rule 144. However, these shares would remain subject to
lock-up arrangements
and would only become eligible for sale when the
lock-up period expires.
117
Rule 701
Beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus,
persons other than affiliates who purchased common shares under
a written compensatory plan or contract may be entitled to sell
such shares in the United States in reliance on Rule 701.
Rule 701 permits affiliates to sell their
Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying
with the holding period requirements of Rule 144.
Rule 701 further provides that non-affiliates may sell
these shares in reliance on Rule 144 subject only to its
manner-of-sale
requirements. However, the Rule 701 shares would
remain subject to
lock-up arrangements
and would only become eligible for sale when the
lock-up period expires.
Registration Rights
Upon completion of this offering, certain holders of our common
shares or their transferees will be entitled to request that we
register their shares under the Securities Act, following the
expiration of the
lock-up agreements
described above. See Description of Share
Capital Registration Rights.
118
TAXATION
The following summary of the material Canadian and United
States federal tax consequences of an investment in our common
shares is based upon laws and relevant interpretations thereof
in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are
subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible
tax consequences relating to an investment in our common shares,
such as the tax consequences under U.S., state, local and other
tax laws. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters
of Canadian tax law, it represents the opinion of WeirFoulds
LLP, our Canadian counsel.
Material Canadian Federal Tax Considerations
General
The following summary is of the material Canadian federal tax
implications applicable to a holder (a US Holder)
who acquires common shares of CSI (the Common
Shares) pursuant to this offering and who, at all relevant
times, for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the
Canadian Tax Act) (i) has not been, is not and
will not be resident (or deemed resident) in Canada at any time
while such US Holder has held or holds the Common Shares;
(ii) holds the Common Shares as capital property;
(iii) deals at arms length with and is not affiliated
with CSI; (iv) does not use or hold, and is not deemed to
use or hold, the Common Shares in the course of carrying on a
business in Canada; (v) did not acquire the Common Shares in
respect of, in the course of or by virtue of employment with our
company; (vi) is not a financial institution, specified
financial institution, partnership or trust as defined in the
Canadian Tax Act; (vii) is a resident of the United States
for purposes of the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention
(1980), as amended (the Convention); and (viii) has
not, does not and will not have a fixed base or permanent
establishment in Canada within the meaning of the Convention at
any time while such US Holder has held or holds the Common
Shares. Special rules, which are not addressed in this summary,
may apply to a US Holder that is a registered non-resident
insurer or authorized foreign bank, as defined
in the Canadian Tax Act, carrying on business in Canada and
elsewhere.
The current published policy of the Canada Revenue Agency (the
CRA) is that certain entities (including most
limited liability companies) that are treated as being fiscally
transparent for United States federal income tax purposes will
not qualify as residents of the United States for purposes of
the Convention.
This summary is based on the current provisions of the Canadian
Tax Act, and the regulations thereunder, the Convention, and
counsels understanding of the published administrative
practices and policies of the CRA, all in effect as of the date
of this Prospectus. This summary takes into account all specific
proposals to amend the Canadian Tax Act or the regulations
thereunder publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of
Finance (Canada) prior to the date of this prospectus. No
assurances can be given that such proposed amendments will be
enacted in the form proposed, or at all. This summary is not
exhaustive of all potential Canadian federal tax consequences to
a US Holder and does not take into account or anticipate any
other changes in law or administrative practices, whether by
judicial, governmental or legislative action or decision, nor
does it take into account provincial, territorial or foreign tax
legislation or considerations, which may differ from the
Canadian federal tax considerations described herein.
TAX MATTERS ARE VERY COMPLICATED AND THE CANADIAN FEDERAL TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF COMMON
SHARES WILL DEPEND ON THE SHAREHOLDERS PARTICULAR
SITUATION. THIS SUMMARY IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A COMPLETE
ANALYSIS OF OR DESCRIPTION OF ALL POTENTIAL CANADIAN FEDERAL TAX
CONSEQUENCES, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO BE, LEGAL, BUSINESS
OR TAX ADVICE DIRECTED AT ANY PARTICULAR PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER
OF COMMON SHARES. ACCORDINGLY, PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF COMMON
SHARES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS FOR ADVICE WITH
RESPECT TO THE CANADIAN FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF AN
INVESTMENT IN COMMON SHARES BASED ON THEIR PARTICULAR
CIRCUMSTANCES.
119
Dividends
Amounts paid or credited, or deemed under the Canadian Tax Act
to be paid or credited as, on account or in lieu of payment of,
or in satisfaction of, dividends to a US Holder that is a
beneficial owner of Common Shares will be subject to Canadian
non-resident withholding tax at the reduced rate of 15% under
the Convention. This rate is further reduced to 5% in the case
of a US Holder that is a beneficial owner of Common Shares
and is a company for purposes of the Convention that owns at
least 10% of the voting shares of CSI at the time the dividend
is paid or deemed to be paid. Under the Convention, dividends
paid or credited to certain religious, scientific, literary,
educational or charitable organizations and certain pension
organizations that are resident in the United States and that
have complied with certain administrative procedures may be
exempt from Canadian withholding tax.
Disposition
of Our Common Shares
A US Holder will not be subject to tax under the Canadian Tax
Act in respect of any capital gain realized on the disposition
or deemed disposition of the Common Shares unless, at the time
of disposition, the Common Shares constitute taxable
Canadian property of the US Holder for the purposes of the
Canadian Tax Act. The Common Shares will not constitute
taxable Canadian property to a US Holder provided
that (i) the Common Shares are, at the time of disposition,
listed on a prescribed stock exchange for purposes of the
Canadian Tax Act (which currently includes Nasdaq); and
(ii) at no time during the
60-month period
immediately preceding the disposition of the Common Shares did
the US Holder, persons with whom the US Holder did not deal
at arms length, or the US Holder together with such
persons, own 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or
series of the capital stock of CSI. Provided the Common Shares
are listed on Nasdaq or another prescribed stock exchange at the
time of a disposition thereof, the preclearance provisions of
the Canadian Tax Act will not apply to the disposition.
Pursuant to the Convention, even if the Common Shares constitute
taxable Canadian property of a particular US Holder,
any capital gain realized on the disposition of the Common
Shares by the US Holder generally will be exempt from tax under
the Canadian Tax Act, unless, at the time of disposition, the
Common Shares derive their value principally from real property
situated in Canada within the meaning of the Convention.
United States Federal Taxation
The following discussion describes the material
U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences to
U.S. Holders (defined below) under present law of an
investment in our common shares. This summary applies only to
investors that hold our common shares as capital assets and that
have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. This
discussion is based on the tax laws of the United States as in
effect on the date of this prospectus and on U.S. Treasury
regulations in effect or, in some cases, proposed, as of the
date of this prospectus, as well as judicial and administrative
interpretations thereof available on or before such date. All of
the foregoing authorities are subject to change, which change
could apply retroactively and could affect the tax consequences
described below.
The following discussion does not deal with the tax consequences
to any particular investor or to persons in special tax
situations such as:
|
|
|
|
|
banks; |
|
|
|
certain financial institutions; |
|
|
|
insurance companies; |
|
|
|
broker dealers; |
|
|
|
U.S. expatriates |
|
|
|
traders that elect to mark to market; |
|
|
|
tax-exempt entities; |
120
|
|
|
|
|
persons liable for alternative minimum tax; |
|
|
|
persons holding a common share as part of a straddle, hedging,
conversion or integrated transaction; |
|
|
|
persons that actually or constructively own 10.0% or more of our
voting stock; |
|
|
|
persons who acquired common shares pursuant to the exercise of
any employee share option or otherwise as consideration; or |
|
|
|
persons holding common shares through partnerships or other
pass-through entities. |
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX
ADVISORS ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX
RULES TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS THE
STATE AND LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE
PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF COMMON SHARES.
The discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax
consequences to U.S. Holders will apply if you
are a beneficial owner of common shares and you are, for
U.S. federal income tax purposes,
|
|
|
|
|
an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
|
|
|
a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws
of the United States, any State or the District of Columbia; |
|
|
|
an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income
taxation regardless of its source; or |
|
|
|
a trust that (1) is subject to the supervision of a court
within the United States and the control of one or more
U.S. persons or (2) has a valid election in effect
under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as
a U.S. person. |
If you are a partner in partnership or other entity taxable as a
partnership that holds common shares, your tax treatment will
depend on your status and the activities of the partnership.
Taxation
of Dividends and Other Distributions on the Common shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules
discussed below, the gross amount of all our distributions to
you with respect to the common shares (including any Canadian
Taxes withheld therefrom) will be included in your gross income
as foreign source ordinary dividend income on the date of
receipt by you, but only to the extent that the distribution is
paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as
determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). To
the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds our
current and accumulated earnings and profits, it will be treated
first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your common
shares, and to the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds
your tax basis, the excess will be taxed as capital gain. We do
not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under
U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, a
U.S. Holder should expect that a distribution will be
treated as a dividend. The dividends will not be eligible for
the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations in
respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.
With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders including
individual U.S. Holders, for taxable years beginning before
January 1, 2011, dividends may constitute qualified
dividend income that is taxed at the lower applicable
capital gains rate provided that (1) the common shares are
readily tradable on an established securities market in the
United States, (2) we are not a passive foreign investment
company (as discussed below) for either our taxable year in
which the dividend was paid or the preceding taxable year,
(3) certain holding period requirements are met and
(4) you are not under an obligation to make related
payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or
related property. Under Internal Revenue Service authority,
common shares are considered for the purpose of clause (1)
above to be readily tradable on an established securities market
in the United States if they are listed on the Nasdaq Global
Market, as our common shares
121
are expected to be. You should consult your tax advisors
regarding the availability of the lower rate for dividends paid
with respect to our common shares.
Subject to certain limitations, Canadian taxes withheld from a
distribution will be eligible for credit against your
U.S. federal income tax liability. If a refund of the tax
withheld is available to you under the laws of Canada or under
the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (1980), the
amount of tax withheld that is refundable will not be eligible
for such credit against your U.S. federal income tax
liability (and will not be eligible for the deduction against
your U.S. federal taxable income). If the dividends are
qualified dividend income (as discussed above), the amount of
the dividend taken into account for purposes of calculating the
foreign tax credit limitation will in general be limited to the
gross amount of the dividend, multiplied by the reduced rate
divided by the highest rate of tax normally applicable to
dividends. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit
is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of
income. For this purpose, dividends distributed by us with
respect to common shares should constitute passive
income. For taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2006, dividends distributed by us with respect
to common shares generally will constitute passive
category income but could, in the case of certain
U.S. Holders, constitute general category
income. The rules relating to the determination of the
U.S. foreign tax credit are complex and U.S. Holders
should consult their tax advisors to determine whether and to
what extent a credit would be available. If you do not elect to
claim a foreign tax credit with respect to any foreign taxes for
a given taxable year, you may instead claim an itemized
deduction for all foreign taxes paid in that taxable year.
Taxation
of Disposition of Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules
discussed below, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any
sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of a common share
equal to the difference between the amount realized for the
common share and your tax basis in the common share. The gain or
loss will be capital gain or loss. If you are a non-corporate
U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, who
has held the common share for more than one year, you will be
eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital
losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that you
recognize will be treated as U.S. source income or loss for
foreign tax credit limitation purposes, subject to certain
exceptions and limitations.
Passive
Foreign Investment Company
We do not expect to be a passive foreign investment company
(PFIC), for U.S. federal income tax purposes
for our current taxable year ending December 31, 2006, and
we expect to operate in such a manner so as not to become a PFIC
in future taxable years. Our expectation for our current taxable
year is based in part on our estimates of the value of our
assets as determined based on the price of our common shares in
this offering and the expected price of our common shares
following the offering. However, our actual PFIC status for any
taxable year will not be determinable until the close of such
year, and, accordingly, there is no guarantee that we will not
be a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable
year. A
non-U.S. corporation
is considered to be a PFIC for any taxable year if either:
|
|
|
|
|
at least 75% of its gross income is passive income (the
income test), or |
|
|
|
at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of
the quarterly values of the assets during a taxable year) is
attributable to assets that produce or are held for the
production of passive income (the asset test). |
We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the
assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any
other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, more
than 25% (by value) of the stock.
We must make a separate determination each year as to whether we
are a PFIC. As a result, our PFIC status may change. In
particular, because the total value of our assets for purposes
of the asset test will be calculated using the market price of
our common shares (assuming that we are a publicly traded
corporation
122
for purposes of the applicable PFIC rules), our PFIC status will
depend in large part on the market price of our common shares
which is likely to fluctuate after the offering (and may
fluctuate considerably given that market prices of technology
companies have been especially volatile). Accordingly,
fluctuations in the market price of our common shares may result
in our being a PFIC for any year. In addition, the composition
of our income and assets will be affected by how, and how
quickly, we spend the cash we raise in this offering. If we are
a PFIC for any year during which you hold common shares, we will
continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during
which you hold common shares unless we cease to be a PFIC and
you take certain action to purge the PFIC taint with respect to
your common shares. In particular, if we cease to be a PFIC, you
may avoid some of the adverse effects of the PFIC regime by
making a deemed sale election with respect to the common shares.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold
common shares, you will be subject to special tax rules with
respect to any excess distribution that you receive
and any gain you realize from a sale or other disposition
(including a pledge) of the common shares, unless you make a
mark-to-market
election as discussed below. Distributions you receive in a
taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual
distributions you received during the shorter of the three
preceding taxable years or your holding period for the common
shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these
special tax rules:
|
|
|
|
|
the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over
your holding period for the common shares, |
|
|
|
the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any
taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we became
a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income, and |
|
|
|
the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to the
highest tax rate in effect for that year and the interest charge
generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on
the resulting tax attributable to each such year. |
The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the
year of disposition or excess distribution cannot be
offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains
(but not losses) realized on the sale of the common shares
cannot be treated as capital, even if you hold the common shares
as capital assets.
We do not intend to prepare or provide the information that
would enable you to make a qualified electing fund election.
Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of marketable
stock (as defined below) in a PFIC may make a
mark-to-market election
with respect to shares of a PFIC to elect out of the tax
treatment discussed above. If you make a valid
mark-to-market election
for the common shares, you will include in income each year an
amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of
the common shares as of the close of your taxable year over your
adjusted basis in such common shares. You are allowed a
deduction for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the
common shares over their fair market value as of the close of
the taxable year. However, deductions are allowable only to the
extent of any net
mark-to-market gains on
the common shares included in your income for prior taxable
years. Amounts included in your income under a
mark-to-market
election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other
disposition of the common shares, are treated as ordinary
income. Ordinary loss treatment also applies to the deductible
portion of any
mark-to-market loss on
the common shares, as well as to any loss realized on the actual
sale or disposition of the common shares, to the extent that the
amount of such loss does not exceed the net
mark-to-market gains
previously included for such common shares. Your basis in the
common shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or
loss amounts. If you make such an election, the tax rules that
ordinarily apply to distributions by corporations that are not
PFICs would apply to distributions by us, except that the lower
applicable gains rate would not apply.
The mark-to-market
election is available only for marketable stock,
which is stock that is traded in other than de minimis
quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter
on a qualified exchange, including the Nasdaq Global Market, or
other market, as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury
regulations. We expect that our common shares will be listed on
the Nasdaq Global Market and, consequently, if you are a holder
of common shares the
mark-to-market election
would be available to you were we to be a PFIC.
123
If you hold common shares in any year in which we are a PFIC,
you will be required to file Internal Revenue Service
Form 8621 regarding distributions received on the common
shares and any gain realized on the disposition of the common
shares.
You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the
application of the PFIC rules to your investment in common
shares.
Estate
Tax
An individual shareholder or resident of the United States for
U.S. federal estate tax purposes will have the value of the
common shares held by such holder included in his or her gross
estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes. An individual
holder who actually pays estate tax with respect to the common
shares will, however, be entitled to credit the amount of such
tax against his or her U.S. federal tax liability, subject
to a number of conditions and limitations.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to common shares and proceeds
from the sale, exchange or redemption of common shares may be
subject to information reporting to the Internal Revenue Service
and possible U.S. backup withholding at a current rate of
28%. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a
U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification
number and makes any other required certification or who is
otherwise exempt from backup withholding. U.S. Holders who
are required to establish their exempt status may provide such
certification on Internal Revenue Service
Form W-9.
U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding
the application of the U.S. information reporting and
backup withholding rules.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as
backup withholding may be credited against your
U.S. federal income tax liability, and you may obtain a
refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules by timely filing the appropriate claim for
refund with the Internal Revenue Service and furnishing any
required information.
124
UNDERWRITING
General
Under the underwriting agreement, which is filed as an exhibit
to the registration statement relating to this prospectus, each
of the underwriters named below, for whom Deutsche Bank
Securities Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc. are acting as
representatives, has severally agreed to purchase from us and
the selling shareholders the number of common shares shown
opposite its name below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
Underwriter |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
|
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
|
|
|
3,080,000 |
|
Lehman Brothers Inc.
|
|
|
3,080,000 |
|
CIBC World Markets Corp.
|
|
|
889,350 |
|
Piper Jaffray & Co.
|
|
|
650,650 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
7,700,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters
obligations to purchase common shares depend on the satisfaction
of the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement,
including:
|
|
|
|
|
the obligation to purchase all of the common shares hereby
(other than those common shares covered by the option to
purchase additional shares as described below), if any of the
common shares are purchased; |
|
|
|
the representations and warranties made by us and the selling
shareholders to the underwriters are true; |
|
|
|
there is no material change in the financial markets; and |
|
|
|
we deliver customary closing documents to the underwriters. |
Option to Purchase Additional Shares
We and the selling shareholders have granted to the underwriters
an option to purchase up to 1,155,000 additional common
shares, exercisable in the event the underwriters sell more than
7,700,000 common shares in connection with this offering, at the
public offering price less the underwriting discount shown on
the cover page of this prospectus. The underwriters may exercise
this option at any time, and from time to time, until
30 days after the date of the underwriting agreement. To
the extent the underwriters exercise this option, each
underwriter will be committed, so long as the conditions of the
underwriting agreement are satisfied, to purchase a number of
additional common shares proportionate to that
underwriters initial commitment as indicated in the
preceding table, and we and the selling shareholders will be
obligated to sell the additional common shares to the
underwriters.
Commissions and Expenses
The following table summarizes the underwriting discounts and
commissions that we and the selling shareholders will pay to the
underwriters. The amounts are shown assuming both no exercise
and full exercise of the underwriters option to purchase
additional shares. The underwriting fee is the difference
between the public offering price and the amount the
underwriters pay to purchase the common shares from us and the
selling shareholders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per Common Share |
|
No Exercise |
|
Full Exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid by us
|
|
US$ |
1.05 |
|
|
US$ |
6,615,000 |
|
|
US$ |
7,350,000 |
|
Paid by selling shareholders
|
|
US$ |
1.05 |
|
|
US$ |
1,470,000 |
|
|
US$ |
1,947,750 |
|
125
The representatives have advised us that the underwriters
propose to offer the common shares directly to the public at the
public offering price presented on the cover page of this
prospectus and to selected dealers, who may include the
underwriters, at the public offering price less a selling
concession not in excess of $0.63 per common share. After
the offering, the representatives may change the offering price
and other selling terms.
Lock-up Agreements
We, the selling shareholders, all of our directors and executive
offers, and the other shareholders of our company have agreed
that, without the prior written consent of Deutsche Bank
Securities Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc., other than the
common shares sold in this offering, we and they will not,
directly or indirectly, (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge or
otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device
that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the
disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any of
our common shares (including without limitation, common shares
that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by such persons in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission and common shares that may be issued upon
exercise of any options or warrants) or securities convertible
into or exercisable or exchangeable for any of our common
shares, (2) enter into any swap or other derivative
transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any
of the economic consequences of ownership of our common shares,
(3) make any demand for or exercise any right or file or
cause to be filed a registration statement, including any
amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any of
our common shares or securities convertible, exercisable or
exchangeable into our common shares or any of our other
securities or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any
of the foregoing for a period of 180 days from the date of
this prospectus. The foregoing restrictions will not apply to
any of the common shares to be sold in this offering. In
addition, in respect of ATS, the foregoing restrictions will not
apply to (i) transfers to ATSs affiliates or to
Photowatt Technologies Inc. or its affiliates, (ii) any of
our common shares acquired in the open market or
(iii) participation in any tender offer involving our
common shares. In addition, in the case of Shawn (Xiaohua) Qu,
the foregoing restrictions will not apply to pre-existing
pledges of common shares as of the date of this prospectus as
disclosed in the prospectus relating to this offering, and any
enforcement of such pledges.
The 180-day restricted
period described in the preceding paragraph will be extended if
(i) during the last 17 days of the
180-day restricted
period, we issue an earnings release or material news or a
material event relating to us occurs or (ii) prior to the
expiration of the
180-day restricted
period, we announce that we will release earnings results during
the 16-day period
beginning on the last day of the
180-day period, in
which case the restrictions described in the preceding paragraph
will continue to apply until the expiration of the
18-day period beginning
on the issuance of the earnings release, the announcement of the
material news or the occurrence of a material event, unless such
extension is waived by Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and
Lehman Brothers Inc.
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc., in
their sole discretion, may release the common shares and other
securities subject to the
lock-up agreements
described above in whole or in part at any time with our without
notice. When determining whether or not to release the common
shares or other securities from the
lock-up agreements,
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc. will
consider, among other factors, the holders reasons for
requesting the release, the number of common shares or other
securities for which the release is being requested and market
conditions at the time.
Offering Price Determination
Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our
common shares. The initial public offering price will be
negotiated between the representatives and us and the selling
shareholders. In determining the initial public offering price
of our common shares, the representatives will consider:
|
|
|
|
|
the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete; |
|
|
|
our financial information; |
126
|
|
|
|
|
the ability of our management and our business potential and
earning prospects; |
|
|
|
the prevailing securities markets at the time of this
offering; and |
|
|
|
the recent market prices of, and the demand for, publicly traded
shares of generally comparable companies. |
Indemnification
We and the selling shareholders have agreed to indemnify the
underwriters against liabilities relating to the offering,
including liabilities under the Securities Act and liabilities
incurred in connection with the directed share program referred
to below, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters
may be required to make for these liabilities.
Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids
The representatives may engage in stabilizing transactions,
short sales and purchases to cover positions created by short
sales, and penalty bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging,
fixing or maintaining the price of our common shares, in
accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act of 1934:
|
|
|
|
|
Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase common shares
so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified
maximum. |
|
|
|
A short position involves a sale by the underwriters of common
in excess of the number of common shares the underwriters are
obligated to purchase in the offering, which creates the
syndicate short position. This short position may be either a
covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered
short position, the number of common shares involved in the
sales made by the underwriters in excess of the numbers of
common shares they are obligated to purchase is not greater than
the number of common shares that they may purchase by exercising
their option to purchase additional shares. In a naked short
position, the number of common shares involved is greater than
the number of common shares in their option to purchase
additional shares. The underwriters may close out any short
position by either exercising their option to purchase
additional shares and/or purchasing common shares in the open
market. In determining the source of common shares to close out
the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other
things, the price of common shares available for purchase in the
open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase
common shares through their option to purchase additional
shares. A naked short position is more likely to be created if
the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward
pressure on the price of the common shares in the open market
after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase
in the offering. |
|
|
|
Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of our common
shares in the open market after the distribution has been
completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. |
|
|
|
Penalty bids permit the representatives to reclaim a selling
concession from a syndicate member when the common shares
originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a
stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate
short positions. |
These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions
and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining
the market price of our common shares or preventing or retarding
a decline in the market price of our common shares. As a result,
the price of common shares may be higher than the price that
might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may
be effected on the Nasdaq Global Market or otherwise and, if
commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation
or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect
that the transactions described above may have on the price of
our common shares. In addition, neither we nor any of the
underwriters make any representation that the representatives
will
127
engage in these stabilizing transactions or that any
transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without
notice.
Stamp Taxes
If you purchase the common shares offered in this prospectus,
you may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges under
the laws and practices of the country of purchase, in addition
to the offering price listed on the cover page of this
prospectus.
Directed Share Program
At our request, the underwriters have reserved for sale at the
initial public offering price up to 385,000 common shares
offered hereby for officers, directors, employees and certain
other persons associated with us. The number of common shares
available for sale to the general public will be reduced to the
extent such persons purchase such reserved common shares. Any
reserved common shares not so purchased will be offered by the
underwriters to the general public on the same basis as the
other common shares offered hereby.
Electronic Distribution
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the
Internet sites or through other online services maintained by
one or more of the underwriters and/or selling group members
participating in this offering, or by their affiliates. In those
cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and,
depending upon the particular underwriter or selling group
member, prospective investors may be allowed to place orders
online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a
specific number of common shares for sale to online brokerage
account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions
will be made by the representatives on the same basis as other
allocations.
Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information
or any underwriters website and any information contained
in any other web site maintained by an underwriter or selling
group member is not part of this prospectus or the registration
statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been
approved and/or endorsed by us or any underwriter or selling
group member in its capacity as underwriter or selling group
member and should not be relied on by investors in deciding
whether to purchase any common shares.
Nasdaq Global Market
Our common shares have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq
Global Market under the symbol CSIQ.
Discretionary Sales
The underwriters have informed us that they do not intend to
confirm sales to accounts over which they exercise discretionary
authority in excess of 5% of the total number of common shares
offered by them.
Relationships
The underwriters have performed and may in the future perform
investment banking and advisory services for us from time to
time for which they have received or may in the future receive
customary fees and expenses. The underwriters may, from time to
time, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in
the ordinary course of their business.
Foreign Securities Laws Restrictions
The common shares have not been and will not be qualified for
sale to the public under applicable Canadian securities laws.
The common shares may not be offered or sold, and the
underwriters have agreed not to offer or sell the common shares,
directly or indirectly, in Canada or to or for the benefit of
any person in Canada, except in compliance with applicable
Canadian securities laws. Any resale of the common shares
128
in Canada, or to or by residents of Canada, must be made in
accordance with, or pursuant to an exemption from, the
registration and prospectus requirements of applicable Canadian
securities laws and will be subject to restrictions on resale
under these laws.
Prior to the expiry of a period of six months from the closing
date of this offering, no common shares may be offered or sold,
as the case may be, to persons in the United Kingdom, except to
persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring,
holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or
agent) for the purposes of their businesses or otherwise in
circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an
offer to the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of
the Public Offers of Securities Regulations 1995, as amended, or
the Regulations. Any invitation or inducement to engage in
investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of
the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, or FSMA) received
in connection with the issue or sale of any common shares may
only be communicated or caused to be communicated in
circumstances in which section 21(1) of the FSMA, does not
apply to us. All applicable provisions of the Regulations and of
the FSMA with respect to anything done in relation to the common
shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom must
be complied with.
The common shares have not been and will not be registered under
the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan and may not be offered
or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the
account or benefit of, any resident of Japan or to, or for the
account or benefit of, any person for reoffering or resale,
directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the account or
benefit of, any resident of Japan, except (1) pursuant to
an exemption from the registration requirements of, or otherwise
in compliance with, the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan and
(2) in compliance with any other relevant laws and
regulations of Japan.
The common shares may not be offered or sold, and will not be
offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other
than to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell shares
or debentures, whether as principal or agent, or in
circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public
within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of
Hong Kong. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to
the common shares, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, may be
issued, which is directed at, or the contents of which are
likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong
(except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong
Kong) other than with respect to the common shares which are or
are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong
or only to professional investors within the meaning
of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong
and any rules made thereunder.
This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the
Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus
and any other document or material in connection with the offer
or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the
common shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the
common shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an
invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or
indirectly to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an
institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities
and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, (ii) to a
relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person
pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the
conditions, specified in Section 275 of the Securities and
Futures Act or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in
accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable
provision of the Securities and Futures Act.
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area
which has implemented the Prospectus Directive, with effect from
and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is
implemented in that Member State the underwriters have not made
and may not make an offer of common shares to the public in that
Member State, except that the underwriters may, with effect from
and including such date, make an offer of common shares to the
public in that Member State:
|
|
|
|
|
at any time to legal entities which are authorized or regulated
to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or
regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in
securities; |
|
|
|
at any time to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an
average of at least 250 employees during the last financial
year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than
43,000,000 |
129
|
|
|
|
|
and (3) an annual net turnover of more than
50,000,000, as
shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts; or |
|
|
|
at any time in any other circumstances which do not require the
publication by us of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of
the Prospectus Directive. |
For the purposes of the above, the expression an offer of
common shares to the public in relation to any common
shares in any Member State means the communication in any form
and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the
offer and the common shares to be offered so as to enable an
investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the common shares,
as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure
implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and
the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/ EC
and includes any relevant implementing measure in that Member
State.
Any common shares that are offered, as part of their initial
distribution or by way of re-offering, in The Netherlands shall,
in order to comply with the Netherlands Securities Market
Supervision Act 1995, only be offered, and such an offer shall
only be announced in writing (whether electronically or
otherwise), to individuals or legal entities in The Netherlands
who or which trade or invest in securities in the conduct of a
business or profession (which includes banks, securities
intermediaries (including dealers and brokers), insurance
companies, pension funds, collective investment institutions,
central governments, large international and supranational
organizations, other institutional investors and other parties,
including treasury departments of commercial enterprises, which
as an ancillary activity regularly invest in securities)
(together, Professional Investors), provided that in
the offer and in any documents or advertisements in which a
forthcoming offering of common shares is publicly announced
(whether electronically or otherwise) it is stated that such
offer is and will be exclusively made to such Professional
Investors.
The offering of the common shares has not been registered with
the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa or
CONSOB, in accordance with Italian securities
legislation. Accordingly, the common shares may not be offered,
sold or delivered, and copies of this prospectus or any other
document relating to the common shares may not be distributed in
Italy except to Professional Investors, as defined in Art. 31.2
of CONSOB Regulation no. 11522 of July 1, 1998, as amended,
pursuant to Art. 30.2 and Art. 100 of Legislative Decree no. 58
of February 24, 1998 (or the Finance Law) or in any other
circumstance where an express exemption to comply with the
solicitation restrictions provided by the Finance Law or CONSOB
Regulation no. 11971 of May 14, 1999, as amended (or the
Issuers Regulation) applies, including those provided for under
Art. 100 of the Finance Law and Art. 33 of the Issuers
Regulation, and, provided, however, that any such offer, sale,
or delivery of the common shares or distribution of copies of
this prospectus or any other document relating to the common
shares in Italy must (i) be made in accordance with all
applicable Italian laws and regulations, (ii) be made in
compliance with Article 129 of Legislative Decree no. 385
of September 1, 1993, as amended (or the Banking Law
Consolidated Act) and the implementing guidelines of the Bank of
Italy (Istruzioni di Vigilanza per le banche) pursuant to which
the issue, trading or placement of securities in the Republic of
Italy is subject to prior notification to the Bank of Italy,
unless an exemption applies depending, inter alia, on the amount
of the issue and the characteristics of the securities,
(iii) be conducted in accordance with any relevant
limitations or procedural requirements the Bank of Italy or
CONSOB may impose upon the offer or sale of the securities, and
(iv) be made only by (a) banks, investment firms or
financial companies enrolled in the special register provided
for in Article 107 of the Banking Law Consolidated Act, to
the extent duly authorized to engage in the placement and/or
underwriting of financial instruments in Italy in accordance
with the Banking Law Consolidated Act and the relevant
implementing regulations; or by (b) foreign banks or
financial institutions (the controlling shareholding of which is
owned by one or more banks located in the same EU Member State)
authorized to place and distribute securities in the Republic of
Italy pursuant to Articles 15, 16 and 18 of the Banking Law
Consolidated Act, in each case acting in compliance with every
applicable law and regulation.
This prospectus does not constitute a public offer of the common
shares, whether by way of sale or subscription, in the
Peoples Republic of China. The common shares may not be
offered or sold, directly or
130
indirectly, in the Peoples Republic of China. For the
purposes of this paragraph, the Peoples Republic of China
excludes Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
No action may be taken in any jurisdiction other than the United
States that would permit a public offering of the common shares
or the possession, circulation or distribution of this
prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is
required. The common shares may not be offered or sold, directly
or indirectly, and neither this prospectus nor any other
offering material or advertisements in connection with the
common shares may be distributed or published in or from any
country or jurisdiction except under circumstances that will
result in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations
of any such country or jurisdiction.
131
EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS OFFERING
Set forth below is an itemization of the total expenses,
excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, which are
expected to be incurred in connection with the offer and sale of
common shares by us and the selling shareholders. With the
exception of the SEC registration fee and the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. filing fee, all amounts
are estimates.
|
|
|
|
|
SEC registration fee
|
|
$ |
14,213 |
|
Nasdaq Global Market listing fee
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. filing fee
|
|
|
13,783 |
|
Printing and engraving expenses
|
|
|
210,000 |
|
Legal fees and expenses
|
|
|
1,600,000 |
|
Accounting fees and expenses
|
|
|
1,660,000 |
|
Tax advisory fees
|
|
|
310,000 |
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
|
750,000 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
4,657,996 |
|
132
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters as to the United States federal and New
York law in connection with this offering will be passed upon
for us by Latham & Watkins LLP. Certain legal matters
as to the United States federal and New York law in connection
with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. The validity of the
common shares offered in this offering and certain other legal
matters as to Canadian law will be passed upon for us by
WeirFoulds LLP. Certain legal matters as to Canadian law will be
passed upon for the underwriters by Davies Ward
Phillips & Vineberg LLP. Legal matters as to PRC law
will be passed upon for us by Chen & Co. Law Firm and
for the underwriters by Haiwen & Partners.
Latham & Watkins LLP may rely upon WeirFoulds LLP with
respect to matters governed by Canadian law and Chen &
Co. Law Firm with respect to matters governed by PRC law.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP may rely upon Davies
Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP with respect to matters
governed by Canadian law and Haiwen & Partners with
respect to matters governed by PRC law.
EXPERTS
The financial statements as of December 31, 2005, 2004 and
2003 and June 30, 2006, and for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 2005 and for the six month
period ended June 30, 2006, included in this prospectus and
the related financial statement schedules included elsewhere in
the registration statement have been audited by Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu CPA Ltd., an independent registered public accounting
firm, as stated in their reports appearing herein, and have been
so included in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon
their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The offices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd. are located at
30/ F Bund Center, 222 Yan An Road East, Shanghai 200002,
Peoples Republic of China.
133
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on
Form F-1,
including relevant exhibits and schedules under the Securities
Act with respect to the common shares , to be sold in this
offering. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the
registration statement, does not contain all of the information
contained in the registration statement. You should read the
registration statement and its exhibits and schedules for
further information with respect to us and our common shares.
Immediately upon completion of this offering, we will become
subject to periodic reporting and other informational
requirements of the Exchange Act as applicable to foreign
private issuers. Accordingly, we will be required to file
reports, including annual reports on
Form 20-F, and
other information with the SEC. All information filed with the
SEC can be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. You can request copies of these
documents upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the
SEC. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the operation of the public reference
rooms. Additional information may also be obtained over the
Internet at the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange
Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the
furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive
officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from
the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions
contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition,
we will not be required under the Exchange Act to file periodic
reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or
as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are
registered under the Exchange Act. However, we intend to publish
our annual reports, which will include a review of operations
and annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in
conformity with U.S. GAAP.
134
CANADIAN SOLAR INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
|
|
F-2 |
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003, 2004
and 2005 and June 30, 2006
|
|
|
F-3 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and the Six-month Period
Ended June 30, 2005 (Unaudited) and 2006
|
|
|
F-4 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity and
Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2003,
2004 and 2005 and the Six-month Period Ended June 30, 2006
|
|
|
F-5 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and the Six-month Period
Ended June 30, 2005 (Unaudited) and 2006
|
|
|
F-6 |
|
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
|
F-7 |
|
Schedule 1
|
|
|
F-27 |
|
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholder of
Canadian Solar Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of
Canadian Solar Inc. and its subsidiaries (the
Company) as of December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005
and June 30, 2006, and the related consolidated statements
of operations, stockholders equity and comprehensive
income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2005, and the six-month period ended
June 30, 2006, and related financial schedule included in
Schedule 1. These financial statements and related
financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the
Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and related financial
statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to
have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal
control over financial reporting. Our audits included
consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a
basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An
audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of the Company as of
December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and June 30, 2006 and
the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005 and
the six-month period ended June 30, 2006 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement
schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated
financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all
respects, the information set forth therein.
|
|
/s/ Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu CPA Ltd.
|
|
Shanghai, China
F-2
CANADIAN SOLAR INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In U.S. dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December | |
|
December | |
|
December | |
|
June 30, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
31, 2003 | |
|
31, 2004 | |
|
31, 2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Pro Forma) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(unaudited) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(note 2) | |
ASSETS |
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
1,879,083 |
|
|
|
2,058,679 |
|
|
|
6,279,795 |
|
|
|
10,681,975 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
26,581 |
|
|
|
26,581 |
|
|
|
111,785 |
|
|
|
759,216 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
$93,178, $117,685, $117,685 and $Nil on December 31, 2003,
December 31, 2004, December 31, 2005 and June 30,
2006
|
|
|
257,114 |
|
|
|
635,679 |
|
|
|
2,067,162 |
|
|
|
6,134,414 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
312,960 |
|
|
|
2,397,477 |
|
|
|
12,162,588 |
|
|
|
26,398,480 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value added tax recoverable
|
|
|
142,312 |
|
|
|
21,602 |
|
|
|
814,808 |
|
|
|
1,272,415 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advances to suppliers
|
|
|
80,827 |
|
|
|
370,257 |
|
|
|
4,739,592 |
|
|
|
9,114,504 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
76,118 |
|
|
|
95,279 |
|
|
|
163,178 |
|
|
|
428,848 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
|
19,573 |
|
|
|
55,200 |
|
|
|
93,932 |
|
|
|
404,352 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
2,794,568 |
|
|
|
5,660,754 |
|
|
|
26,432,840 |
|
|
|
55,194,204 |
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
243,560 |
|
|
|
453,044 |
|
|
|
931,958 |
|
|
|
1,238,785 |
|
|
|
|
|
Intangible assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,892 |
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred Listing expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
830,061 |
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets (non-current)
|
|
|
15,349 |
|
|
|
31,194 |
|
|
|
65,219 |
|
|
|
211,255 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS
|
|
|
3,053,477 |
|
|
|
6,144,992 |
|
|
|
27,430,017 |
|
|
|
57,505,197 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term borrowing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,300,000 |
|
|
|
14,298,023 |
|
|
|
14,298,023 |
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
426,461 |
|
|
|
823,645 |
|
|
|
4,305,911 |
|
|
|
7,577,848 |
|
|
|
7,577,848 |
|
|
Other payable
|
|
|
398,268 |
|
|
|
302,421 |
|
|
|
891,859 |
|
|
|
779,874 |
|
|
|
779,874 |
|
|
Advances from suppliers and customers
|
|
|
17,602 |
|
|
|
273,231 |
|
|
|
2,822,917 |
|
|
|
7,320,585 |
|
|
|
7,320,585 |
|
|
Accrued payroll and welfare
|
|
|
24,769 |
|
|
|
147,726 |
|
|
|
199,128 |
|
|
|
250,215 |
|
|
|
250,215 |
|
|
Income tax payable
|
|
|
118,926 |
|
|
|
407,358 |
|
|
|
913,962 |
|
|
|
659,160 |
|
|
|
659,160 |
|
|
Other tax payable
|
|
|
122,100 |
|
|
|
493,853 |
|
|
|
551,690 |
|
|
|
822,666 |
|
|
|
822,666 |
|
|
Amounts due to related parties
|
|
|
93,043 |
|
|
|
189,423 |
|
|
|
431,164 |
|
|
|
300,571 |
|
|
|
300,571 |
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,716 |
|
|
|
59,383 |
|
|
|
5,339 |
|
|
|
5,339 |
|
|
Embedded derivatives related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,679,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,665 |
|
|
|
212,149 |
|
|
|
869,547 |
|
|
|
869,547 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
1,201,169 |
|
|
|
2,756,038 |
|
|
|
15,367,163 |
|
|
|
32,884,828 |
|
|
|
32,883,828 |
|
Accrued warranty costs
|
|
|
78,896 |
|
|
|
166,581 |
|
|
|
341,032 |
|
|
|
590,277 |
|
|
|
590,277 |
|
Convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,386,671 |
|
|
|
8,827,567 |
|
|
|
|
|
Financial instruments related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,107,084 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other non-current liabilities (Note 13)
|
|
|
260,987 |
|
|
|
260,987 |
|
|
|
260,987 |
|
|
|
260,987 |
|
|
|
260,987 |
|
Deferred tax liabilities (non-current)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,359,708 |
|
|
|
26,060 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
1,541,052 |
|
|
|
3,183,606 |
|
|
|
20,462,937 |
|
|
|
43,923,367 |
|
|
|
33,761,152 |
|
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares no par value: unlimited authorized
shares, 15,427,995 shares issued and outstanding, as of
December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and June 30, 2006;
20,970,000 shares issued and outstanding on a
pro forma basis, as of December 31, 2005 and
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
10,373,058 |
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,005,094 |
|
|
|
11,005,094 |
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
1,386,548 |
|
|
|
2,843,214 |
|
|
|
6,647,167 |
|
|
|
2,083,236 |
|
|
|
2,083,236 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
(84,966 |
) |
|
|
(92,671 |
) |
|
|
109,070 |
|
|
|
282,657 |
|
|
|
282,657 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
1,512,425 |
|
|
|
2,961,386 |
|
|
|
6,967,080 |
|
|
|
13,581,830 |
|
|
|
23,744,045 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
3,053,477 |
|
|
|
6,144,992 |
|
|
|
27,430,017 |
|
|
|
57,505,197 |
|
|
|
57,505,197 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
F-3
CANADIAN SOLAR INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In U.S. dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
Six months ended | |
|
Six months ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
$ | |
Net revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Products
|
|
|
4,008,432 |
|
|
|
8,941,219 |
|
|
|
17,895,383 |
|
|
|
6,553,658 |
|
|
|
25,973,221 |
|
|
Others
|
|
|
104,743 |
|
|
|
743,601 |
|
|
|
428,417 |
|
|
|
428,417 |
|
|
|
67,834 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net revenues
|
|
|
4,113,175 |
|
|
|
9,684,820 |
|
|
|
18,323,800 |
|
|
|
6,982,075 |
|
|
|
26,041,055 |
|
Cost of revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Products
|
|
|
2,252,571 |
|
|
|
5,893,669 |
|
|
|
10,885,165 |
|
|
|
3,594,770 |
|
|
|
18,555,530 |
|
|
Others
|
|
|
119,743 |
|
|
|
571,522 |
|
|
|
325,713 |
|
|
|
325,713 |
|
|
|
67,834 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost of revenues
|
|
|
2,372,314 |
|
|
|
6,465,191 |
|
|
|
11,210,878 |
|
|
|
3,920,483 |
|
|
|
18,623,364 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
1,740,861 |
|
|
|
3,219,629 |
|
|
|
7,112,922 |
|
|
|
3,061,592 |
|
|
|
7,417,691 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
|
38,792 |
|
|
|
268,994 |
|
|
|
157,763 |
|
|
|
67,135 |
|
|
|
528,544 |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
1,039,022 |
|
|
|
1,069,470 |
|
|
|
1,707,674 |
|
|
|
761,465 |
|
|
|
1,750,199 |
|
Research and development expenses
|
|
|
19,780 |
|
|
|
40,623 |
|
|
|
16,381 |
|
|
|
8,090 |
|
|
|
44,440 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
1,097,594 |
|
|
|
1,379,087 |
|
|
|
1,881,818 |
|
|
|
836,690 |
|
|
|
2,323,183 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
643,267 |
|
|
|
1,840,542 |
|
|
|
5,231,104 |
|
|
|
2,224,902 |
|
|
|
5,094,508 |
|
Interest expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(239,225 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,634,598 |
) |
Interest income
|
|
|
1,087 |
|
|
|
11,201 |
|
|
|
21,721 |
|
|
|
4,559 |
|
|
|
53,151 |
|
Loss on change in fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(316,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,997,000 |
) |
Loss on financial instruments related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(263,089 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,189,500 |
) |
Other net
|
|
|
9,652 |
|
|
|
(32,195 |
) |
|
|
(25,156 |
) |
|
|
(14,116 |
) |
|
|
(1,060 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before taxes
|
|
|
654,006 |
|
|
|
1,819,548 |
|
|
|
4,409,355 |
|
|
|
2,215,345 |
|
|
|
(4,674,499 |
) |
Income tax expense
|
|
|
(33,560 |
) |
|
|
(362,882 |
) |
|
|
(605,402 |
) |
|
|
(336,315 |
) |
|
|
110,568 |
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
(209,802 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income/(Loss) before extraordinary gain
|
|
|
410,644 |
|
|
|
1,456,666 |
|
|
|
3,803,953 |
|
|
|
1,879,030 |
|
|
|
(4,563,931 |
) |
Extraordinary gain
|
|
|
350,601 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(Loss)
|
|
|
761,245 |
|
|
|
1,456,666 |
|
|
|
3,803,953 |
|
|
|
1,879,030 |
|
|
|
(4,563,931 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings/(Loss) per share Basic and diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extraordinary gain
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(Loss)
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.12 |
|
|
$ |
(0.30 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares used in computation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma earnings/(Loss) per share on an as converted basis
(unaudited): (note 2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.23 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares used in computation on an as converted basis (unaudited):
(note 2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,746,366 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,109,221 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
F-4
CANADIAN SOLAR INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In U.S. dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional | |
|
|
|
Other | |
|
Total | |
|
Total | |
|
|
|
|
paid in | |
|
Retained | |
|
Comprehensive | |
|
Stockholders | |
|
Comprehensive | |
|
|
Common Shares | |
|
capital | |
|
Earnings | |
|
Income (Loss) | |
|
Equity | |
|
Income | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Number | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
Balance at December 31, 2002
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
625,303 |
|
|
|
(57,275 |
) |
|
|
778,871 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
761,245 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
761,245 |
|
|
|
761,245 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(27,691 |
) |
|
|
(27,691 |
) |
|
|
(27,691 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2003
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,386,548 |
|
|
|
(84,966 |
) |
|
|
1,512,425 |
|
|
|
733,554 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,456,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,456,666 |
|
|
|
1,456,666 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,705 |
) |
|
|
(7,705 |
) |
|
|
(7,705 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2004
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,843,214 |
|
|
|
(92,671 |
) |
|
|
2,961,386 |
|
|
|
1,448,961 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,803,953 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,803,953 |
|
|
|
3,803,953 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
201,741 |
|
|
|
201,741 |
|
|
|
201,741 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2005
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,647,167 |
|
|
|
109,070 |
|
|
|
6,967,080 |
|
|
|
4,005,694 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,563,931 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,563,931 |
) |
|
|
(4,563,931 |
) |
De-recognition of conversion option derivative liability
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,415,396 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,415,396 |
|
|
|
10,415,396 |
|
Share-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
589,698 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
589,698 |
|
|
|
589,698 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
173,587 |
|
|
|
173,587 |
|
|
|
173,587 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at June 30, 2006
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
11,005,094 |
|
|
|
2,083,236 |
|
|
|
282,657 |
|
|
|
13,581,830 |
|
|
|
6,614,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
F-5
CANADIAN SOLAR INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In U.S. dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June | |
|
|
Years Ended December 31, | |
|
30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
$ | |
Operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
761,245 |
|
|
|
1,456,666 |
|
|
|
3,803,953 |
|
|
|
1,879,030 |
|
|
|
(4,563,931 |
) |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
(used in) operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
209,802 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
37,754 |
|
|
|
42,137 |
|
|
|
81,879 |
|
|
|
34,452 |
|
|
|
174,134 |
|
|
|
Gain on acquisition of equity interest
|
|
|
(350,601 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred taxes
|
|
|
(24,367 |
) |
|
|
4,244 |
|
|
|
(67,877 |
) |
|
|
(2,562 |
) |
|
|
(629,422 |
) |
|
|
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
628 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for doubtful debts
|
|
|
93,178 |
|
|
|
24,507 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,698 |
|
|
|
Allowance for inventories obsolescence
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
258,855 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss on fair value change of derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
316,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,997,000 |
|
|
|
Loss on financial instruments related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
263,089 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,189,500 |
|
|
|
Amortization of discount on debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
134,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
706,320 |
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
589,698 |
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(821 |
) |
|
|
(2,343,372 |
) |
|
|
(9,771,728 |
) |
|
|
(3,414,019 |
) |
|
|
(14,235,892 |
) |
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
696,317 |
|
|
|
(403,072 |
) |
|
|
(1,431,483 |
) |
|
|
(194,183 |
) |
|
|
(3,899,200 |
) |
|
|
Value added tax recoverable
|
|
|
25,286 |
|
|
|
120,710 |
|
|
|
(793,206 |
) |
|
|
(397,467 |
) |
|
|
(457,607 |
) |
|
|
Advances to suppliers
|
|
|
(77,755 |
) |
|
|
(289,430 |
) |
|
|
(4,369,335 |
) |
|
|
(1,206,910 |
) |
|
|
(4,494,295 |
) |
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
(27,226 |
) |
|
|
(19,161 |
) |
|
|
(67,899 |
) |
|
|
(106,846 |
) |
|
|
(265,670 |
) |
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
(61,774 |
) |
|
|
397,184 |
|
|
|
3,482,266 |
|
|
|
782,779 |
|
|
|
3,172,672 |
|
|
|
Other payable
|
|
|
333,178 |
|
|
|
(95,847 |
) |
|
|
18,122 |
|
|
|
(85,125 |
) |
|
|
227,603 |
|
|
|
Advances from suppliers and customers
|
|
|
(94,969 |
) |
|
|
255,629 |
|
|
|
2,549,686 |
|
|
|
1,103,130 |
|
|
|
4,497,668 |
|
|
|
Accrued payroll and welfare
|
|
|
(3,516 |
) |
|
|
122,957 |
|
|
|
51,402 |
|
|
|
(30,490 |
) |
|
|
51,087 |
|
|
|
Amounts due to related parties
|
|
|
81,201 |
|
|
|
96,380 |
|
|
|
241,741 |
|
|
|
122,753 |
|
|
|
(130,593 |
) |
|
|
Accrued warranty costs
|
|
|
39,932 |
|
|
|
87,685 |
|
|
|
174,451 |
|
|
|
70,561 |
|
|
|
249,245 |
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
(1,727 |
) |
|
|
62,665 |
|
|
|
149,484 |
|
|
|
56,213 |
|
|
|
657,398 |
|
|
|
Income tax payable
|
|
|
27,194 |
|
|
|
288,432 |
|
|
|
506,604 |
|
|
|
275,383 |
|
|
|
(254,802 |
) |
|
|
Other tax payable
|
|
|
90,100 |
|
|
|
371,753 |
|
|
|
57,837 |
|
|
|
(64,806 |
) |
|
|
270,976 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided (used in) by operating activities
|
|
|
1,752,431 |
|
|
|
439,550 |
|
|
|
(4,670,348 |
) |
|
|
(1,178,107 |
) |
|
|
(10,146,413 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in restricted cash
|
|
|
(26,581 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(85,204 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(647,431 |
) |
|
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
(83,912 |
) |
|
|
(253,570 |
) |
|
|
(560,793 |
) |
|
|
(58,369 |
) |
|
|
(511,853 |
) |
|
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,321 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for acquisition of equity interest
|
|
|
(331,006 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(441,499 |
) |
|
|
(252,249 |
) |
|
|
(645,997 |
) |
|
|
(58,369 |
) |
|
|
(1,159,284 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds from short-term borrowings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,998,023 |
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,650,000 |
|
|
Issuance cost paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(69,685 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,169,649 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,330,315 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,478,374 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes
|
|
|
(27,696 |
) |
|
|
(7,705 |
) |
|
|
207,146 |
|
|
|
(17,273 |
) |
|
|
229,503 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
1,283,236 |
|
|
|
179,596 |
|
|
|
4,221,116 |
|
|
|
(1,253,749 |
) |
|
|
4,402,180 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
|
|
|
595,847 |
|
|
|
1,879,083 |
|
|
|
2,058,679 |
|
|
|
2,058,679 |
|
|
|
6,279,795 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
|
|
|
1,879,083 |
|
|
|
2,058,679 |
|
|
|
6,279,795 |
|
|
|
804,930 |
|
|
|
10,681,975 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,349 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(124,711 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes paid
|
|
|
(30,732 |
) |
|
|
(70,205 |
) |
|
|
(166,674 |
) |
|
|
(24,430 |
) |
|
|
(773,656 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance cost included in other payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
571,315 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
201,727 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
F-6
CANADIAN SOLAR INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003, 2004 AND 2005 AND
THE
SIX-MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED) AND
2006
(In U.S. dollars)
|
|
1. |
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES |
Canadian Solar Inc. (CSI) was incorporated in Canada
under the laws of the province of Ontario, Canada on
October 22, 2001 and was continued under the federal laws
of Canada in June 2006.
CSI and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company)
are principally engaged in the design, development,
manufacturing and marketing of solar power products for global
markets. During the periods covered by the consolidated
financial statements, substantially all of the Companys
business was conducted through both CSI and operating
subsidiaries established in the PRC, CSI Solartronics (Changshu)
Co., Ltd. (CSI Changshu), CSI Solar Technologies
Inc., CSI Solar Manufacture Inc. (CSI Manufacture),
CSI Solarchip International Co., Ltd. (CSI
Solarchip) and CSI Solar Power Central Ltd., (CSI
Luoyang), in each of which CSI holds 100% interest.
|
|
2. |
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
(a) Basis
of presentation
The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in
accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America (US GAAP).
(b) Basis
of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial
statements of CSI and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All
significant intercompany transactions and balances are
eliminated on consolidation.
(c) Use
of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of
assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Companys
financial statements include allowance for doubtful debts,
allowance for inventory obsolescence, accrual for warranty,
valuation of deferred tax assets, and useful lives of property,
plant and equipment.
(d) Cash
and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and demand
deposits, which are unrestricted as to withdrawal and use, and
which have maturities of three months or less when purchased.
Restricted cash represented bank deposits for import and export
transactions through China Customs and for bank acceptances
notes.
(e) Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is
determined by the weighted average method. Cost comprises direct
materials and where applicable, direct labor costs, tolling
costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing
the inventories to their present location and condition.
Adjustments are recorded to write down the cost of obsolete and
excess inventory to the estimated market value based on
historical and forecast demand.
F-7
The Company outsources portions of its manufacturing process,
including converting silicon into ingots, cutting ingots into
wafers, and converting wafers into solar cells, to various
third-party manufacturers. These outsourcing arrangements may or
may not include transfer of title of the raw material inventory
(silicon, ingots or wafers) to the third-party manufacturers.
Such raw materials are recorded as raw materials inventory when
purchased from suppliers. For those outsourcing arrangements in
which title is not transferred, the Company maintains such
inventory on the Companys balance sheet as raw materials
inventory while it is in physical possession of the third-party
manufacturer. Upon receipt of the processed inventory, it is
reclassified to
work-in-process
inventory and a processing fee is paid to the third-party
manufacturer. For those outsourcing arrangements, which are
characterized as sales, in which title (including risk of loss)
does transfer to the third-party manufacturer, the Company is
constructively obligated, through raw materials sales agreements
and processed inventory purchase agreements which have been
entered into simultaneously with the third-party manufacturer,
to repurchase the inventory once processed. In this case, the
raw material inventory remains classified as raw material
inventory while in the physical possession of the third-party
manufacturer and cash is received which is classified as
advances from suppliers and customers on the balance
sheet and not as revenue or deferred revenue. Cash payments for
outsourcing arrangements which require prepayment for repurchase
of the processed inventory is classified as advances to
suppliers on the balance sheet. There is no right of
offset for these arrangements and accordingly, advances
from suppliers and customers and advances to
suppliers remain on the balance sheet until the processed
inventory is repurchased.
(f) Property,
plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less
accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and
amortization are provided on a straight-line basis over the
following estimated useful lives:
|
|
|
Leasehold improvements |
|
Over the shorter of the lease term or their estimated useful
lives |
Plant and machinery
|
|
10 years |
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
|
|
5 years |
Motor vehicles
|
|
5 years |
Cost incurred in constructing new facilities, including progress
payment and other costs relating to the construction, are
capitalized and transferred to property, plant and equipment on
completion and depreciation commences from that time.
(g) Impairment
of long-lived assets
The Company evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. When these
events occur, the Company measures impairment by comparing the
carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted net cash
flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their
eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted
cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the
Company would recognize an impairment loss based on the fair
value of the assets.
(h) Income
taxes
Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences
between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their
reported amounts in the financial statements, net operating loss
carry forwards and credits by applying enacted statutory tax
rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are
reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of
management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all
of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income
taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the
relevant taxing authorities. The components of the deferred tax
assets and liabilities are individually classified as current
and non-current based on the characteristics of the underlying
assets and liabilities.
F-8
(i) Revenue
recognition
Sales of modules are recorded when products are delivered and
title has passed to the customers. The Company only recognizes
revenues when prices to the seller are fixed or determinable,
and collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenues also include
reimbursements of shipping and handling costs of products sold
to customers. Sales agreements typically contain the customary
product warranties but do not contain any post-shipment
obligations nor any return or credit provisions.
A majority of the Companys contracts provide that products
are shipped under the term of free on board (FOB),
Ex-works, or cost, insurance and freight (CIF).
Under FOB, the Company fulfils its obligation to deliver when
the goods have passed over the ships rail at the named
port of shipment. The customer has to bear all costs and risks
of loss or damage to the goods from that point. Under Ex-works,
the Company fulfils its obligation to deliver when it has made
the goods available at its premises to the customer. The
customer bears all costs and risks involved in taking the goods
from the Companys premises to the desired destination.
Under CIF, the Company must pay the costs, marine insurance and
freight necessary to bring the goods to the named port of
destination but the risk of loss of or damage to the goods, as
well as any additional costs due to events occurring after the
time the goods have been delivered on board the vessel, is
transferred to the customer when the goods pass the ships
rail in the port of shipment. Most of the Companys sales
require that customers prepay before delivery has occurred. Such
prepayments are recorded as advances from customers until
delivery is made. The sales agreements usually contain the
Companys customary product warranties but do not contain
any post-shipment obligations nor any return or credit
provisions.
The Company also generates revenues from its implementation of
solar development projects, consisting primarily of
government-related assistance packages for its demonstration,
promotion and feasibility projects and studies. The revenue is
recognized when the projects are provided and accepted by the
customers.
(j) Cost
of revenue
Cost of revenue from modules includes production and indirect
costs such as shipping and handling costs for products sold.
Cost of revenue from solar development projects mainly includes
labor costs and material costs associated with the projects.
(k) Research
and development
Research and development costs are expensed when incurred.
(l) Advertising
expenses
Advertising expenses are charged to the income statements in the
period incurred. The Company incurred advertising expenses
amounting to $nil, $nil, $6,034 and $25,337 for the years ended
December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005 and six-month period ended
June 30, 2006, respectively.
(m) Warranty
cost
The Companys solar modules and products are typically sold
with up to a two-year guarantee for defects in materials and
workmanship and 10-year
and 25-year warranties
against specified declines in the initial minimum power
generation capacity at the time of delivery. The Company has the
right to repair or replace solar modules, at its option and
based on the specific nature of the defect claims under a
warranty claim, under the terms of the warranty policy. We
maintain warranty reserves to cover potential liabilities that
could arise under these guarantees and warranties. Due to
limited warranty claims to date, we accrue the estimated costs
of warranties based on an assessment of our competitors
accrual history, industry-standard accelerated testing,
estimates of failure rates from our quality review, and other
assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the
circumstances. The Company currently accrues the equivalent of
1% of solar module sales revenues as warranty reserves to cover
the guarantees and warranties. Actual warranty costs are
F-9
accumulated and charged against the accrued warranty liability.
To the extent that accrual warranty costs differ from the
estimates, the Company will prospectively revise its accrual
rate.
(n) Foreign
currency translation
The United States dollar (U.S. dollar), the
currency in which substantial amount of the Companys
transactions are denominated, is used as the functional and
reporting currency of CSI. Monetary assets and liabilities
denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are
translated into U.S. dollar at the rates of exchange ruling
at the balance sheet date. Transactions in currencies other than
the U.S. dollar during the year are converted into the
U.S. dollar at the applicable rates of exchange prevailing
on the day transactions occurred. Transaction gains and losses
are recognized in the statements of income. The aggregated
amount of exchange gain (loss) is $(8,721), $230,960 and
$(106,059) and $(76,162) for the years ended December 31,
2003, 2004, 2005 and six-month period ended June 30, 2006,
respectively.
The financial records of certain of the Companys
subsidiaries are maintained in local currencies other than the
U.S. dollar, such as Renminbi (RMB), which are
their functional currencies. Assets and liabilities are
translated at the exchange rates at the balance sheet date,
equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates and
revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated using the
average rate for the year. Translation adjustments are reported
as foreign currency translation adjustment and are shown as a
separate component of other comprehensive income (loss) in the
statement of stockholders equity.
(o) Foreign
currency risk
The RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The PRC State
Administration for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the
Peoples Bank of China, controls the conversion of RMB into
foreign currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to changes
in central government policies and to international economic and
political developments affecting supply and demand in the China
foreign exchange trading system market. The Companys cash
and cash equivalents and restricted cash dominated in RMB
amounted to $156,776, $173,205, $644,753 and $1,459,454 at
December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005 and June 30, 2006,
respectively.
(p) Concentration
of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to
concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash
equivalents, accounts receivable and advance to suppliers. The
Company places its cash and cash equivalents with reputable
financial institutions.
The Company conducts credit evaluations of customers and
generally does not require collateral or other security from its
customers. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful
accounts primarily based upon the age of the receivables and
factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers. With
respect to advances to suppliers, such suppliers are primarily
suppliers of raw materials. The Company performs ongoing credit
evaluations of its suppliers financial conditions. The
Company generally does not require collateral or the security
against advance to suppliers, however, it maintains reserve for
potential credit losses and such losses have historically been
within managements expectation.
(q) Fair
value of derivatives and financial instruments
The carrying amounts of trade receivables, trade payables,
short-term borrowings and accrued payroll and welfare
approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturity of
these instruments.
Because the Companys convertible notes and common stock
are not publicly traded the Company has relied solely on
valuation models in determining these values. The valuation
models include assumptions regarding discount rates, market
multiples, lack of marketability discounts, and other
assumptions that are highly subjective and judgmental. Changes
to any of the assumptions used in the valuation model could
materially impact the valuation results.
F-10
(r) Beneficial
conversion feature
When the Company issues debt or equity which is convertible into
common stock at a discount from the common stock market or fair
value price at the date the debt or equity is issued, a
beneficial conversion feature for the difference between the
fair value price and the conversion price multiplied by the
number of shares issuable upon conversion is recognized. The
beneficial conversion feature is presented as a discount to the
related debt or equity, with an offsetting amount increasing
additional paid-in capital. The discount resulting from
recording a beneficial conversion option is accreted for the
date of issuance to the stated redemption date of the
convertible instrument.
(s) Extraordinary
gain
From March 2002 to December 2003, the Company held 68.1%
interests of CSI Changshu and two Chinese companies held 31.9%
interests. The Company bought out this minority interests of
31.9% in CSI Changshu at the end of 2003. The acquisitions were
recorded using the purchase method of accounting and,
accordingly, the acquired assets and liabilities were recorded
at their fair value at the date of acquisition. Since the fair
value of the consideration of $331,006 in form of cash and
products is less than the fair value of the acquired net assets,
an excess fair value of acquired net assets over cost is
derived. That excess is allocated as a pro rata reduction of the
amounts that otherwise would have been assigned to all of the
acquired assets except financial assets other than investments
accounted for by the equity method, assets to be disposed of by
sale, deferred tax assets, prepaid assets relating to pension or
other postretirement benefit plans, and any other current
assets. Any remaining excess is recognized as an extraordinary
gain.
(t) Earnings
per Share
Basic income per share is computed by dividing income
attributable to holders of common shares by the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted
income per common share reflects the potential dilution that
could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common
shares were exercised or converted into common shares.
(u) Recently
issued accounting pronouncements
In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) issued SFAS No. 151,
Inventory Costs an amendment of ARB
No. 43, Chapter 4. SFAS No. 151
clarifies the accounting that requires abnormal amounts of idle
facility expenses, freight, handling costs, and spoilage costs
to be recognized as current-period charges. It also requires
that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of
conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production
facilities. SFAS No. 151 will be effective for
inventory costs incurred in fiscal period beginning on or after
June 15, 2005. The Company does not anticipate that the
adoption of this statement will have a material effect on the
Companys financial position, cash flow or results of
operations.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153,
Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets an amendment
of APB Opinion No. 29 (SFAS 153),
which amends Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 29,
Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions to eliminate
the exception for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive
assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of
nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance.
SFAS 153 is effective for nonmonetary assets exchanges
occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005.
The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this
statement will have a material effect on the Companys
financial position, cash flow or results of operations.
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154,
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections
(SFAS 154) which replaces Accounting Principles
Board Opinions No. 20 Accounting Changes and
SFAS No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in
Interim Financial Statements An Amendment of APB
Opinion No. 28. SFAS 154 provides guidance on
the accounting for and reporting of accounting changes and error
corrections. It establishes retrospective application, or the
latest practicable date, as the required method for reporting a
change in accounting principle and the reporting of a correction
of an error. SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes
and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after
F-11
December 15, 2005. The Company does not anticipate that the
adoption of this statement will have a material effect on the
Companys financial position, cash flow or results of
operations.
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123
(revised 2004), Share-Based Payment
(SFAS 123R). SFAS 123R eliminates the
alternative of applying the intrinsic value measurement
provisions of APB 25 to stock compensation awards issued to
employees. Rather, SFAS 123R requires enterprises to
measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for
an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair
value of the award. That cost will be recognized over the period
during which an employee is required to provide services in
exchange for the award, known as the requisite service period
(usually the vesting period). As of December 31, 2005 no
stock options had been issued.
In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation
No.(FIN) 47, Accounting for Conditional Assets
Retirement Obligations, an interpretation of
SFAS No. 143. FIN 47 clarifies that an
entity is required to recognize a liability for legal obligation
to perform an asset retirement activity if the fair value can be
reasonably estimated even though the timing and/or method of
settlement are conditional on a future event. FIN 47 is
required to be adopted for annual reporting periods ending after
December 15, 2005. The Company does not anticipate that the
adoption of this statement will have a material effect on the
Companys financial position, cash flow or results of
operations.
In September 2005 the FASB approved EITF Issue 05-07,
Accounting for Modifications to Conversion Options
Embedded in Debt Securities and Related Issues (EITF
05-07). EITF 05-07 requires the change in the fair value
of an embedded conversion option upon modification be included
in the analysis under EITF Issue 96-16, Debtors
Accounting for a Modification or Exchange of Debt
Instruments, to determine whether a modification or
extinguishment has occurred and that the changes to the fair
value of a conversion option affects the interest expense on the
associated debt instrument following a modification. Therefore,
the change in fair value of the conversion option should be
recognized upon the modification as a discount or premium
associated with the debt, and an increase or decrease in
additional paid-in capital. EITF Issue 05-07 is effective for
all debt modifications in annual or interim periods beginning
after December 31, 2005. The adoption of EITF 05-07 did not
have an impact on the Companys financial position and
results of operations.
In June 2006 the FASB released Interpretation No.48, Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an Interpretation of FASB
Statement No.109, (FIN 48) which proscribes a
recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for tax
positions taken, or expected to be taken, in a tax return. FIN
48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification,
interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods,
disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2006, with early adoption
encouraged if the enterprise has not yet issued financial
statements for fiscal years or interim periods in the period
this Interpretation is adopted. The Company does not anticipate
that the adoption of this statement will have a material effect
on the Companys financial position, cash flow or results
of operations.
(v) Pro
Forma Information
The pro forma unaudited balance sheet information as of
June 30, 2006 assumes the conversion upon completion of the
initial public offering of all convertible notes outstanding as
of June 30, 2006 into common shares.
(v) Pro
Forma Earnings Per Share
The pro forma unaudited basic and diluted earnings per common
share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding for the period plus the
number of common shares resulting from the assumed conversion
upon completion of the initial public offering of all
convertible notes outstanding.
F-12
(w) Stock-based
compensation
The Company grants stock options to its employees and certain
non-employees. The Company records stock-based compensation for
services rendered using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
Inventories consist of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
At June 30 | |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
Raw materials
|
|
|
234,564 |
|
|
|
1,639,907 |
|
|
|
9,938,165 |
|
|
|
20,254,176 |
|
Work-in-process
|
|
|
65,147 |
|
|
|
197,560 |
|
|
|
778,742 |
|
|
|
1,665,392 |
|
Finished goods
|
|
|
13,249 |
|
|
|
560,010 |
|
|
|
1,445,681 |
|
|
|
4,478,912 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
312,960 |
|
|
|
2,397,477 |
|
|
|
12,162,588 |
|
|
|
26,398,480 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company made allowance for obsolete inventories in the
aggregate amount of $nil, $258,855, $nil and $nil during the
years ended December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005 and the six-month
period ended June 30, 2006, respectively.
|
|
4. |
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND OTHER RECEIVABLE |
The Company made allowance for doubtful debts in the aggregate
amount of $93,178, $24,507, nil and nil during the years ended
December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005 and the six-month period
ended June 30, 2006, respectively.
|
|
5. |
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET |
Property, plant and equipment, net consist of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
At June 30, | |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
Leasehold improvements
|
|
|
396 |
|
|
|
396 |
|
|
|
122,724 |
|
|
|
166,319 |
|
Plant and machinery
|
|
|
229,110 |
|
|
|
299,799 |
|
|
|
728,796 |
|
|
|
986,843 |
|
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
|
|
|
42,542 |
|
|
|
80,795 |
|
|
|
116,554 |
|
|
|
176,142 |
|
Motor vehicles
|
|
|
22,746 |
|
|
|
59,110 |
|
|
|
60,831 |
|
|
|
149,106 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
294,794 |
|
|
|
440,100 |
|
|
|
1,028,905 |
|
|
|
1,478,410 |
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
58,240 |
|
|
|
99,769 |
|
|
|
181,648 |
|
|
|
355,782 |
|
Construction in process
|
|
|
7,006 |
|
|
|
112,713 |
|
|
|
84,701 |
|
|
|
116,157 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
243,560 |
|
|
|
453,044 |
|
|
|
931,958 |
|
|
|
1,238,785 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation expense was $37,754, $42,137, $81,879 and $174,134
for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005 and the
six-month period ended June 30, 2006, respectively.
The short-term borrowings outstanding as of June 30, 2006
bore an average interest rate from 5.94% to 7% per annum,
respectively. These loans are borrowed from various financial
institutions and represent the maximum amount of each facility.
These loans do not contain any financial covenants. The
borrowings have up to one year terms and expire at various times
throughout the year. These facilities contain no specific
renewal terms. The short-term borrowings of $1,300,000 from ATS
Automation Tooling Systems Inc. as of June 30, 2006 were
guaranteed by Dr. Xiaohua Qu, who has pledged 20% of his equity
ownership interest in the Company. The remaining amounts were
guaranteed by third party guarantors, in return for which the
F-13
Company accrued service charges of $62,534 for the six-month
period ended June 30, 2006, for the provision of the
guarantee.
|
|
7. |
ACCRUED WARRANTY COSTS |
The Companys warranty activity is summarized below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
At June 30, | |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
Beginning balance
|
|
|
38,964 |
|
|
|
78,896 |
|
|
|
166,581 |
|
|
|
341,032 |
|
Warranty provision
|
|
|
39,932 |
|
|
|
87,685 |
|
|
|
174,451 |
|
|
|
249,245 |
|
Warranty costs incurred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending balance
|
|
|
78,896 |
|
|
|
166,581 |
|
|
|
341,032 |
|
|
|
590,277 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On November 30, 2005, the Company signed a subscription
agreement with a group of third-party investors to issue two
tranches of convertible notes. The first tranche of notes with a
principal value of $8,100,000 was issued on November 30,
2005. The second tranche of notes with a principal value of
$3,650,000 was issued on March 30, 2006.
The terms of the convertible notes are described as follows:
Maturity date. The convertible notes mature on
November 30, 2008.
Interest. The note holders are entitled to receive
interest at 2% per annum on the principal outstanding, in
four equal quarterly installments in arrears.
If the Company fails to pay any principal or interest amounts,
or other payments in respect of the notes, when due, or if the
convertible notes are not converted in full into common shares
on the date requested by the note holders, the convertible notes
shall bear an extraordinary interest, compounded at a rate of
twelve percent (12%) per annum for any amounts of overdue
principal, interest or other payment under the convertible notes.
If the Company has not completed a qualified initial public
offering (defined as (i) an offering size of not less than
$30,000,000, (ii) total market capitalization of not less
than $120,000,000, and (iii) public float of not less than
twenty-five percent (25%) of the enlarged share capital) prior
to maturity of the convertible notes, the Company must pay an
interest premium of ten percent (10%) per annum in respect of
principal, paid and unpaid interest, unpaid dividends, and
extraordinary interest.
The Company is recognizing interest expense using the effective
interest method for the 2% per annum quarterly payments and
10% per annum due at the maturity date in the event that a
qualified initial public offering has not occurred.
Witholding Taxes All payments in respect of the note will
be made without withholding or deduction of or on account of any
present or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental
charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of
the government of Hong Kong, Canada or any authority therein or
thereof having power to tax unless the withholding or deduction
of such taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges is
required by law.
Dividends. The stockholder as of the issue date is
entitled to all audited retained earnings as of 28 February
2006. The Company shall not declare or pay any dividend before
the completion of a qualified initial public offering or
redemption of all convertible notes, except with the prior
written consent of all holders of the outstanding convertible
notes.
Conversion. The notes are convertible into 5,542,005
common shares at a conversion rate of $2.12 per share. The
fair value of the Companys common stock on
November 30, 2005 was $2.43 per share.
F-14
The notes are convertible (i) at any time after the date of
issuance of such notes upon obtaining written consents from the
note holders requesting conversion to common shares, and
(ii) automatically upon the consummation of a qualified
initial public offering. The conversion rate is subject to
standard anti-dilutive adjustments and is also subject to
adjustment in the event that (i) the Companys audited
profit after tax for the twelve month period ended
February 28, 2006 is less than certain predefined amounts,
(ii) the Companys number of shares issued or issuable
on a fully diluted basis is different from a predefined quantity
at conversion, or (iii) the Company issues equity
securities at a price below the conversion price then in effect.
At November 30, 2005 the Company was required to bifurcate
the conversion feature pursuant to FASB Statement No. 133,
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
(SFAS 133).
Redemption. If the Company experiences an event of
default under the subscription agreement (including but not
limited to a change of control of the Company) prior to maturity
and upon written demand from the note holders (referred to as
early redemption right), the Company must pay the
greater of (i) an interest premium of twelve percent (12%)
per annum in respect of principal, paid and unpaid interest,
unpaid dividends, and extraordinary interest, or (ii) the
fair value of the Companys common shares that would be
held by the note holders on an if-converted basis. The Company
was required to bifurcate the early redemption right pursuant to
FASB 133.
Liquidation preference. The convertible notes are senior
to any common shareholder claims in the event of liquidation.
Registration Rights Agreement. Anytime 6 months
after a successful IPO, upon the demand by at least 25% of the
holders of the Companys common shares related to the
convertible notes, the Company must initiate a registration
statement to register the shares held by the previous note
holders. The Company must initiate such a registration statement
within 120 days of the demand by the shareholders. The
registration rights agreement contains no penalties in the event
the Company is unable to initiate such a registration statement
in the period prescribed.
The $8,100,000 purchase price of convertible notes issued on
November 30, 2005 was reduced by issuance costs of
$641,000. The Company allocated $3,363,000 of the net proceeds
of $7,459,000 to the compound embedded derivative liability
which was comprised of the bifurcated conversion feature and the
early redemption right, $843,996 to the freestanding financial
instruments liability associated with the obligation to issue
the second tranche of convertible debt to the investors and the
investors option to subscribe for a third tranche of
convertible debt, and $3,252,004 to the convertible debt. The
resulting discount on the convertible debt is being amortized
over the three year term using the straight-line method which
approximates the effective interest rate method.
As of December 31, 2005, the fair values of the convertible
debt, compound embedded derivative liability, the freestanding
financial instrument liability were $11,595,000, $3,679,000, and
$1,606,500, respectively. Changes in the fair value of the
compound embedded derivative and the freestanding option, which
is classified within the freestanding financial liability, are
recognized at each reporting date and are classified as loss on
change in value of derivatives in the statements of operations.
Subsequent to the November 30, 2005 issuance the Company
and the note holders amended the terms of the note agreement as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
On March 30, 2006, the Company and the note holders
executed a supplemental agreement amending certain provisions
related to events of default prior to conversion or maturity (as
defined in the subscription agreement). The original terms
required that, in the event of default, the Company pay the note
holders the greater of a 12% interest premium or the fair value
of the common stock underlying the convertible notes on an
if-converted basis. The terms of the supplemental agreement
state that in an event of default the Company must pay an
interest premium of 18%. The terms of the original agreement
created a provision which allowed for potential net settlement
of the Companys common shares, and accordingly, prior to
the supplemental agreement, the Company was required to
bifurcate the conversion option from the host debt instrument as
it met the test of a derivative instrument. Since the |
F-15
|
|
|
|
|
supplemental agreement removed the net settlement provision the
Company was no longer required to bifurcate the conversion
option. Accordingly, on March 30, 2006, the Company
derecognized the embedded derivative liability related to the
conversion option. Because the early redemption put option
continues to meet the definition of a derivative instrument
after the March 30, 2006 modification, the early redemption
option continues to be recorded by the Company as a derivative
liability and reported at its fair value with changes in its
fair value recognized in the statements of operations. The early
redemption option was valued by an independent valuation using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model. |
|
|
|
In addition to revising the provisions related to events of
default, the March 30, 2006 supplemental agreement revised
the original subscription agreement to revise the profit after
tax computation to exclude all costs and charges related to the
issuance of the convertible notes, including all costs and
charges related to the recording of the derivative and
freestanding financial instruments associated with the
convertible notes, including changes to their fair values. The
supplemental agreement effectively requires that the Company
achieve a profit after tax of $6 million for the 12-month
period ended February 28, 2006, reduced by the amount of
all costs and charges related to the issuance of the convertible
notes and related derivative and freestanding financial
instruments. |
|
|
|
|
|
Additionally, the supplemental agreement revised the requirement
under the original subscription agreement that the Company
deliver to the note holders audited financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2004 of profit after tax of
$1 million, and the eight-month period ended
August 31, 2005 of profit after tax of $4.5 million,
under IFRS and delivered to the note holders by January 31,
2006. The supplement agreement changed the date of delivery of
the audited financial statements to April 30, 2006. |
|
|
|
|
|
On June 9, 2006, the Company and the note holders executed
a supplemental agreement removing the provision that would have
given the note holders an adjustment on the conversion price in
the event the Companys profit after tax for the 12-month
period ended February 28, 2006 was less than the amount
discussed above. |
Details of the carrying value of the convertible notes as of
December 31, 2005 and June 30, 2006 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
Period ended | |
|
|
December 31, 2005 | |
|
June 30, 2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes
|
|
|
8,100,000 |
|
|
|
11,750,000 |
|
Discount on debt
|
|
|
(4,713,329 |
) |
|
|
(2,922,433 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible notes
|
|
|
3,386,671 |
|
|
|
8,827,567 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial instruments related to convertible notes
|
|
|
1,107,084 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of conversion option
|
|
|
3,654,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of early redemption option
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of derivatives related to convertible notes
|
|
|
3,679,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discounts against the debt portion of convertible notes were
amortized over the maturity period using the straight-line
method which approximates the effective interest rate method.
The change in fair value of the derivative liabilities of
$316,000 and loss on financial instrument of $263,089 was
charged to profit and loss for the year ended December 31,
2005. The change in fair value of the derivative liabilities of
$6,997,000 and loss on financial instrument of $1,189,500 was
charged to profit and loss for the six-month period ended
June 30, 2006.
The fair value of the convertible notes was $71,472,000 at
June 30, 2006, which included the fair value of the
embedded conversion option.
F-16
On October 22, 2001, the Company originally issued
1,000,000 common shares to sole stockholder, Dr. Xiaohua Qu.
10. RESTRICTED NET ASSETS
As stipulated by the relevant laws and regulations applicable to
Chinas foreign investment enterprise, the Companys
PRC subsidiaries are required to make appropriations from net
income as determined under accounting principles generally
accepted in the PRC (PRC GAAP) to non distributable
reserves which include a general reserve, an enterprise
expansion reserve and a staff welfare and bonus reserve.
Wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries are not required to make
appropriations to the enterprise expansion reserve but
appropriations to the general reserve are required to be made at
not less than 10% of the profit after tax as determined under
PRC GAAP. The staff welfare and bonus reserve is determined by
the board of directors.
The general reserve is used to offset future extraordinary
losses. The subsidiaries may, upon a resolution passed by the
stockholder, convert the general reserve into capital. The staff
welfare and bonus reserve is used for the collective welfare of
the employee of the subsidiaries. The enterprise expansion
reserve is for the expansion of the subsidiaries
operations and can be converted to capital subject to approval
by the relevant authorities. These reserves represent
appropriations of the retained earnings determined in accordance
with Chinese law.
In addition to the general reserve, the Companys PRC
subsidiaries are required to obtain approval from the local PRC
government prior to distributing any registered share capital.
Accordingly, both the appropriations to general reserve and the
registered share capital of the Companys PRC subsidiaries
are considered as restricted net assets of $770,116, $851,516,
$4,598,861 and $7,824,160 at December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005
and June 30, 2006, respectively.
The provision for income taxes is comprised of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
Period ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
Current Tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canada
|
|
|
57,927 |
|
|
|
147,999 |
|
|
|
142,666 |
|
|
|
106,926 |
|
|
|
191,166 |
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
210,639 |
|
|
|
530,613 |
|
|
|
192,887 |
|
|
|
327,683 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
57,927 |
|
|
|
358,638 |
|
|
|
673,279 |
|
|
|
299,813 |
|
|
|
518,853 |
|
Deferred Tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canada
|
|
|
(24,047 |
) |
|
|
(20,631 |
) |
|
|
(10,507 |
) |
|
|
(11,991 |
) |
|
|
(320,402 |
) |
|
Other
|
|
|
(320 |
) |
|
|
24,875 |
|
|
|
(57,370 |
) |
|
|
48,493 |
|
|
|
(309,019 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(24,367 |
) |
|
|
4,244 |
|
|
|
(67,877 |
) |
|
|
36,502 |
|
|
|
(629,421 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
33,560 |
|
|
|
362,882 |
|
|
|
605,402 |
|
|
|
336,315 |
|
|
|
(110,568 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company was incorporated in Ontario, Canada and is subject
to both federal and Ontario provincial corporate income tax.
The major operating subsidiaries, CSI Changshu and CSI
Manufacture, are governed by the Income Tax Law of PRC
Concerning Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises and
various local income tax regulations (the Income Tax
Laws). Pursuant to the PRC income tax law,
foreign-invested manufacturing enterprises are subject to income
tax at statutory rate of 33% (30% of state income tax plus 3%
local income tax) on PRC taxable income.
F-17
CSI Changshu is entitled to a preferential tax rate of 27% (24%
of state income tax plus 3% local income tax) as it is located
in Changshu Coastal Economic Open-up Area. CSI Manufacture is
entitled to a preferential tax rate of 15% as it is located in
Suzhou New & Hi-tech District Export Processing Zone.
Foreign-invested manufacturing enterprises are entitled to tax
exemption from the state income tax for its first two profitable
years of operation, after taking into account any tax losses
brought forward from prior years, and a 50% tax deduction for
the succeeding three years thereafter. Local income tax is fully
exempted during the whole tax holiday. As a result, CSI Changshu
was exempted from income tax for the two years ended
December 31, 2003 and its applicable income tax rate is 12%
for the three years ending December 31, 2006 and CSI
Manufacture was exempted from income tax for the two years ended
December 31, 2006 and its applicable income tax rate is
7.5% for the three years ending December 31, 2009.
The principal components of the deferred income tax assets/
liabilities are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, | |
|
At June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
|
Deferred tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued warranty costs
|
|
|
14,426 |
|
|
|
30,661 |
|
|
|
62,640 |
|
|
|
207,829 |
|
|
Accrued salary expenses
|
|
|
1,799 |
|
|
|
1,799 |
|
|
|
1,799 |
|
|
|
4,249 |
|
|
Bad debt provision
|
|
|
17,350 |
|
|
|
21,913 |
|
|
|
21,913 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventory obsolescence
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,063 |
|
|
|
31,856 |
|
|
|
22,035 |
|
|
Start-up costs
|
|
|
1,347 |
|
|
|
922 |
|
|
|
1,732 |
|
|
|
1,528 |
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
1,284 |
|
|
|
2,351 |
|
|
Withholding tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,069 |
|
|
Unrealized profit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,927 |
|
|
|
307,546 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax assets
|
|
|
34,922 |
|
|
|
86,394 |
|
|
|
159,151 |
|
|
|
615,607 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Analysis as:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
19,573 |
|
|
|
55,200 |
|
|
|
93,932 |
|
|
|
404,352 |
|
|
Non-current
|
|
|
15,349 |
|
|
|
31,194 |
|
|
|
65,219 |
|
|
|
211,255 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,922 |
|
|
|
86,394 |
|
|
|
159,151 |
|
|
|
615,607 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,716 |
|
|
|
38,828 |
|
|
|
5,339 |
|
|
Convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,333,648 |
|
|
Issuance cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,555 |
|
|
|
26,060 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,716 |
|
|
|
59,383 |
|
|
|
1,365,047 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Analysis as:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,716 |
|
|
|
59,383 |
|
|
|
5,339 |
|
|
Non-current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,359,708 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,716 |
|
|
|
59,383 |
|
|
|
1,365,047 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-18
Reconciliation between the provision for income tax computed by
applying Canadian federal and provincial statutory tax rates to
income before income taxes and the actual provision for income
taxes is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
Ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
Combined federal and provincial income tax rate
|
|
|
37% |
|
|
|
36% |
|
|
|
36% |
|
|
|
36% |
|
|
|
(36% |
) |
Expenses/(income) not deductible/(taxable) for tax purpose
|
|
|
(8% |
) |
|
|
7% |
|
|
|
8% |
|
|
|
3% |
|
|
|
87% |
|
Tax exemption and tax relief granted to the Company (Note)
|
|
|
(19% |
) |
|
|
(14% |
) |
|
|
(22% |
) |
|
|
(11% |
) |
|
|
(33% |
) |
Income not subject to tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2% |
|
Effect of different tax rate of subsidiary operation in other
jurisdiction
|
|
|
(6% |
) |
|
|
(7% |
) |
|
|
(11% |
) |
|
|
(11% |
) |
|
|
(18% |
) |
Others
|
|
|
(1% |
) |
|
|
(2% |
) |
|
|
3% |
|
|
|
(2% |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3% |
|
|
|
20% |
|
|
|
14% |
|
|
|
15% |
|
|
|
(2% |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: The aggregate amount and per share effect of the tax
holiday are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
$ | |
The aggregate dollar effect
|
|
|
185,407 |
|
|
|
255,249 |
|
|
|
953,804 |
|
|
|
235,097 |
|
|
|
1,536,440 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per share effect basic and diluted
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-19
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and
diluted income per share for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, | |
|
Period ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
Income (loss) available to common stockholder
|
|
$ |
761,245 |
|
|
$ |
1,456,666 |
|
|
$ |
3,803,953 |
|
|
$ |
1,879,030 |
|
|
($ |
4,563,931 |
) |
Weighted average number of common shares for the Calculation of
basic and diluted income per share
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
Basic and diluted income per share
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.12 |
|
|
$ |
(0.30 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares used in computing pro forma per share amounts on an as
converted basis (unaudited):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,746,366 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,109,221 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma earnings per share on an as converted basis
(unaudited): basic and diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.23 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company has not included approximately
319,210 potentially dilutive shares related to the
convertible notes as the inclusion would be anti-dilutive for
the year ended December 31, 2005.
The Company has not included approximately
4,681,226 potentially dilutive shares related to the
convertible notes as the inclusion would be anti-dilutive for
the six month period ended June 30, 2006.
|
|
13. |
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS |
Related
party balances:
The amount due to related party includes loan payable to
Dr. Xiaohua Qu, a director and stockholder, who has
beneficial interest in the Company, and consulting fee payable
to consulting companies owned by key management personnel.
The amount is unsecured, interest free and has no fixed
repayment term.
Related
party transactions:
During the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005 and
six-month period ended June 30, 2006, the Company paid
consulting fee to consulting companies owned by key management
personnel in amount of $79,172, $182,054, $232,793 and nil,
respectively.
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
a) Operating
lease commitments
The Company has operating lease agreements principally for its
office properties in the PRC. Such leases have remaining terms
ranging from 12 to 24 months and are renewable upon
negotiation. Rental expense was $10,439, $32,315, $129,269 and
$99,054 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005,
and six-month period
ended June 30, 2006 respectively.
F-20
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating
lease agreements at June 30, 2006 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
December 31 |
|
$ | |
|
|
| |
2006
|
|
|
184,790 |
|
2007
|
|
|
48,234 |
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
233,024 |
|
|
|
|
|
b) Commitments
As of December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and June 30,
2006, commitments outstanding for the purchase of property,
plant and equipment approximated $6,162, $18,259, $114,599 and
$164,408, respectively. The Company has entered into several
purchase agreements with certain suppliers whereby the Company
is committed to purchase a minimum amount of raw materials all
to be used in the manufacture of its products. As of
December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005 and June 30, 2006,
future minimum purchases remaining under the agreements
approximated nil, $121,114, $10,064,362 and $10,005,503
respectively.
15. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company primarily operates in a single reportable business
segment that includes the design, development, and manufacture
of solar power products. Other represents the
Companys activities in developing solar development
projects which do not meet the criteria necessary to be
presented as a reportable segment nor for aggregation with the
Companys solar power products segment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Solar power | |
|
|
|
|
products | |
|
Other | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
Revenues from external customers
|
|
|
4,008,432 |
|
|
|
104,743 |
|
|
|
4,113,175 |
|
Cost of revenue
|
|
|
2,252,571 |
|
|
|
119,743 |
|
|
|
2,372,314 |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
1,087 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,087 |
|
Interest expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit (loss)
|
|
|
781,694 |
|
|
|
(20,449 |
) |
|
|
761,245 |
|
Segment assets
|
|
|
3,053,477 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,053,477 |
|
Expenditure for segment assets
|
|
|
83,912 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,912 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Solar power | |
|
|
|
|
products | |
|
Other | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
Revenues from external customers
|
|
|
8,941,219 |
|
|
|
743,601 |
|
|
|
9,684,820 |
|
Cost of revenue
|
|
|
5,893,669 |
|
|
|
571,522 |
|
|
|
6,465,191 |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
11,201 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,201 |
|
Interest expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit
|
|
|
1,346,535 |
|
|
|
110,131 |
|
|
|
1,456,666 |
|
Segment assets
|
|
|
6,144,992 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,144,992 |
|
Expenditure for segment assets
|
|
|
253,570 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
253,570 |
|
F-21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Solar power | |
|
|
|
|
products | |
|
Other | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
Revenues from external customers
|
|
|
17,895,383 |
|
|
|
428,417 |
|
|
|
18,323,800 |
|
Cost of revenue
|
|
|
10,885,165 |
|
|
|
325,713 |
|
|
|
11,210,878 |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
21,721 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,721 |
|
Interest expenses
|
|
|
239,225 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
239,225 |
|
Segment profit
|
|
|
3,738,222 |
|
|
|
65,731 |
|
|
|
3,803,953 |
|
Segment assets
|
|
|
27,099,319 |
|
|
|
330,698 |
|
|
|
27,430,017 |
|
Expenditure for segment assets
|
|
|
560,793 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
560,793 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six-month Period ended June 30, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
Solar power | |
|
|
|
|
products | |
|
Other | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
Revenues from external customers
|
|
|
6,553,658 |
|
|
|
428,417 |
|
|
|
6,982,075 |
|
Cost of revenue
|
|
|
3,594,770 |
|
|
|
325,713 |
|
|
|
3,920,483 |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
4,559 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,559 |
|
Interest expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment profit
|
|
|
1,813,299 |
|
|
|
65,731 |
|
|
|
1,879,030 |
|
Segment assets
|
|
|
9,944,132 |
|
|
|
330,698 |
|
|
|
10,274,830 |
|
Expenditure for segment assets
|
|
|
58,369 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,369 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six-month Period ended June 30, 2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Solar power | |
|
|
|
|
products | |
|
Other | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
Revenues from external customers
|
|
|
25,973,221 |
|
|
|
67,834 |
|
|
|
26,041,055 |
|
Cost of revenue
|
|
|
18,555,530 |
|
|
|
67,834 |
|
|
|
18,623,364 |
|
Interest income
|
|
|
53,151 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,151 |
|
Interest expenses
|
|
|
1,634,598 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,634,598 |
|
Segment profit
|
|
|
4,563,931 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,563,931 |
|
Segment assets
|
|
|
57,505,197 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
57,505,197 |
|
Expenditure for segment assets
|
|
|
511,853 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
511,853 |
|
The following table summarizes the Companys net revenues
generated from different geographic locations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six-month Period ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
$ | |
Europe:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Germany
|
|
|
19,570 |
|
|
|
6,498,524 |
|
|
|
13,800,581 |
|
|
|
4,121,228 |
|
|
|
19,858,876 |
|
Others
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
126,701 |
|
|
|
1,462,718 |
|
|
|
445,014 |
|
|
|
4,495,515 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe Total
|
|
|
19,570 |
|
|
|
6,625,225 |
|
|
|
15,263,299 |
|
|
|
4,566,242 |
|
|
|
24,354,391 |
|
China
|
|
|
271,358 |
|
|
|
109,074 |
|
|
|
504,410 |
|
|
|
258,842 |
|
|
|
168,936 |
|
North America
|
|
|
3,797,723 |
|
|
|
2,853,078 |
|
|
|
2,555,805 |
|
|
|
2,156,991 |
|
|
|
1,455,655 |
|
Others
|
|
|
24,524 |
|
|
|
97,443 |
|
|
|
286 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,073 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net revenues
|
|
|
4,113,175 |
|
|
|
9,684,820 |
|
|
|
18,323,800 |
|
|
|
6,982,075 |
|
|
|
26,041,055 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Substantially all of the Companys long-lived assets are
located in the PRC.
F-22
16. MAJOR CUSTOMERS
Details of the customers accounting for 10% or more of total net
sales are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six-month Period ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
$ | |
Company A
|
|
|
3,692,980 |
|
|
|
1,580,832 |
|
|
|
1,473,048 |
|
|
|
1,473,048 |
|
|
|
|
|
Company B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,297,996 |
|
|
|
2,556,653 |
|
|
|
1,770,977 |
|
|
|
|
|
Company C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,080,225 |
|
|
|
115,602 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,726,243 |
|
Company D
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,244,693 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company E
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
992,853 |
|
|
|
618,315 |
|
|
|
481,025 |
|
|
|
|
|
Company F
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,739,649 |
|
|
|
770,168 |
|
|
|
2,909,417 |
|
Company G
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,368,548 |
|
Company H
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,495,515 |
|
The accounts receivable from the 3 customers with the
largest receivable balances represents 90%, 9%, 1% of the
balance of the account at December 31, 2003, 36%, 34%, 24%
of the balance of the account at December 31, 2004, 35%,
30%, 10% of the balance of the account at December 31, 2005
and 34%, 25% 14% of the balance of the account at June 30,
2006, respectively.
17. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Employees of the Company located in the PRC are covered by the
retirement schemes defined by local practice and regulations,
which are essentially defined contribution schemes. The
calculation of contributions for these eligible employees is
based on 19% of the applicable payroll cost. The expense paid by
the Company to these defined contributions schemes was $27,747,
$29,681 and $52,284 and $16,855 for the years ended
December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005 and six-month period ended
June 30, 2006, respectively.
In addition, the Company is required by law to contribute
approximately 9%, 8%, 2% and 2% of applicable salaries for
medical insurance benefits, housing funds, unemployment and
other statutory benefits. The PRC government is directly
responsible for the payments of the benefits to these employees.
The amounts contributed for medical insurance benefits were
$11,826, $14,546, $25,480 and $7,984 for the years ended
December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005 and six-month period ended
June 30, 2006, respectively. The amounts contributed for
housing funds were $9,662, $13,077, $22,402 and $9,666 for the
years ended December 31, 2003, 2004, 2005 and six-month
period ended June 30, 2006, respectively. The amounts
contributed for unemployment benefit were $2,577, $3,233, $5,662
and $1,774 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004,
2005 and six-month period ended June 30, 2006,
respectively. The amounts contributed for other benefits were
$1,924, $6,735, $4,578 and $1,774 for the years ended December
31, 2003, 2004, 2005 and six-month period ended June 30,
2006, respectively.
18. SHARE OPTIONS
On May 30, 2006, the Board of Directors approved the
adoption of a share incentive plan to provide additional
incentives to employees, directors and external consultants. The
maximum aggregate number of shares which may be issued pursuant
to all awards (including options) is 2,330,000 shares, plus
for awards other than incentive option shares, an annual
increase to be added on the first business day of each calendar
year beginning in 2007 equal to the lesser of one percent (1%)
of the number of common shares outstanding as of such date, or a
lesser number of common shares determined by the board of
directors or a committee designated by the board. The share
incentive plan will expire on, and no awards may be granted
after March 15, 2016. Under the terms of the Option Plan,
options are generally granted at the fair market value of the
Companys ordinary shares and expire 10 years from the date
of grant. No options were exercised during the six-month period
ended June 30, 2006.
F-23
Options to Employees
The Company granted 966,135 and 51,260, share options to our
directors, executive officers and to other individuals in May
2006 and June 2006, respectively. The options were granted at
exercise prices of $2.12 and $4.29 per share and vest over four
year periods. The ordinary shares that underlie the options that
were granted on May 30, 2006 are restricted as to the later of
(i) two years from the date of grant, or
(ii) 180 days after the Company successfully completes
an initial public offering. The fair value of the options at the
date of grant resulted in total compensation expense of
approximately $12.9 million. The compensation expense will
be amortized over the four year vesting period. During the
six-month period ended June 30, 2006, approximately
$322,229 was amortized as compensation expenses.
A summary of the option activity is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
average | |
|
|
options | |
|
exercise price | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Options outstanding at January 1, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
1,017,395 |
|
|
$ |
2.50 |
|
Exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(46,600 |
) |
|
|
2.12 |
|
Options outstanding at June 30, 2006
|
|
|
970,795 |
|
|
$ |
2.52 |
|
The weighted average fair value of options granted during the
year ended June 30, 2006 was $14.
The following table summarizes information with respect to share
options outstanding at June 30, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options outstanding | |
|
|
|
Options exercisable |
|
|
|
|
Weighted | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
average | |
|
Weighted | |
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Number | |
|
remaining | |
|
average | |
|
Number | |
|
average |
|
|
Outstanding | |
|
contractual life | |
|
exercise price | |
|
exercisable | |
|
exercise price |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Grant Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 30, 2006
|
|
|
919,535 |
|
|
|
10 years |
|
|
$ |
2.42 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
51,260 |
|
|
|
10 years |
|
|
$ |
4.29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
The following table summarizes information regarding options
issued within twelve months prior to June 30, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
Fair value of | |
|
Exercise | |
|
Intrinsic | |
|
Type of | |
|
|
Options Issued | |
|
ordinary shares | |
|
Price | |
|
value | |
|
valuation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Grant Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 30, 2006
|
|
|
791,035 |
|
|
$ |
16.40 |
|
|
$ |
2.12 |
|
|
$ |
14.28 |
|
|
|
* |
|
May 30, 2006
|
|
|
128,500 |
|
|
$ |
16.40 |
|
|
$ |
4.29 |
|
|
$ |
12.11 |
|
|
|
* |
|
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
51,260 |
|
|
$ |
16.77 |
|
|
$ |
4.29 |
|
|
$ |
12.48 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
* |
The fair value was determined on a contemporaneous valuation by
a third part valuation specialist. |
The following assumptions were used in the Black-Scholes option
pricing model:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
Average risk-free rate of return
|
|
|
5.54% |
|
Weighted average expected option life
|
|
|
6.25 years |
|
Volatility rate
|
|
|
69% |
|
Dividend yield
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted shares to Employees and Non-employees
The Company granted 333,190 and 116,500, restricted shares to
directors, executive officers and others in May 2006 and June
2006 respectively. The restricted shares were granted at nominal
value and vest over two years. The fair value of the
Companys ordinary share at the date of grant resulted in
total compensation
F-24
expense of approximately $7.0 million. The compensation
expense will be amortized over the vesting periods. During the
six-month period ended June 30, 2006, approximately
$267,469 was amortized as compensation expenses.
19. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent to June 30, 2006, the following events occurred:
|
|
|
|
a) |
The Company registered Changshu CSI Advanced Solar Inc., a 100%
owned subsidiary, in Changshu, China (CSI Advanced).
The Company plans to invest US$16.8 million as registered
capital within two years. The planned total amount of investment
in CSI Advanced, including loans, is US$29.98 million. CSI
Advanced will be principally engaged in manufacturing and sales
of solar power products. CSI Advanced has yet to commence
operation. |
|
|
b) |
Convertible notes |
|
|
|
On July 1, 2006, the Company and the note holders executed
a supplemental agreement amending the following provisions: |
|
|
Interest The note shall bear interest from the issuance
date at the rate of 12% per annum on the principal amount of the
note outstanding. Such interest shall be payable as follows:
(i) 2% per annum shall be payable in cash by four equal
quarterly installments in arrears, and (ii) 10% per annum
shall be payable in a balloon payment as at the date of
conversion or redemption as the case may be. |
|
|
Witholding Taxes No withholding taxes shall be payable by
the Company in respect of any amounts deemed under the Canadian
income tax laws to constitute interest paid upon conversion of
the note. |
|
|
Conversion The conversion price per common share shall be
adjusted to be US$2.476637 upon the full conversion of all notes
of an aggregate principal amount of $11,750,000. |
|
|
Share split Immediately following the full conversion of
all notes, the outstanding common shares owned by
Dr. Xiaohua Qu and the note holders will be split on a
1.168130772 for 1 basis such that the aggregate
shareholding of the note holders in the Company following the
share split shall be 26.43%. |
|
|
Conversion |
|
|
On July 1, 2006, the notes of an aggregate principal amount
of $11,750,000 were converted into 2,036,196 common shares. |
|
|
Put option agreement related to convertible notes |
|
|
On July 1, 2006, Dr. Xiaohua Qu, the sole shareholder
prior to conversion of the notes entered into a put option
agreement with the note holders to grant the note holders an
option to sell back all the common shares from conversion of the
notes to Dr. Xiaohua Qu at the principal amount of the
notes of $11,750,000. The put option is exercisable from time to
time in whole or in part (i) at any time from 31 March 2007
(inclusive) to 10 April 2007 (inclusive) in the event that the
Company has not completed a Qualified IPO on or before 31 March
2007 or (ii) at any time after the occurrence and during
the continuance of an event of default. On July 1st, 2006, Dr.
Xiaohua Qu, stockholder of the Company, pledged
6,757,000 shares in favor of the note holders. |
|
|
Share split subsequent to conversion |
|
|
On July 11, 2006, the Board of Directors approved the share
split on a 1.168130772 for 1 basis for the shares owned by
Dr. Xiaohua Qu and the note holders. On October 19,
2006, the Board of Directors approved the share split on a 2.33
for 1 basis for 9,000,000 shares owned by Dr. Xiaohua Qu and the
note holders. After the share split, 15,427,995 shares are
owned by |
F-25
|
|
|
Dr. Xiaohua Qu, 5,542,005 are owned by the note holders.
All share information relating to common shares of the Company
in the accompanying financial statements have been adjusted
retroactively. |
|
|
Share transfer agreement subsequent to conversion |
|
|
When the note holders converted all of their convertible notes
into the Companys common shares on July 1, 2006, they
acknowledged and agreed that Dr. Xiaohua Qus right to
the Companys retained earnings as of February 28,
2006 under the dividend provision of the convertible notes would
remain in effect. The note holders and Dr. Xiaohua Qu
agreed to give effect to Dr. Xiaohua Qus right by: |
|
|
|
|
(i) |
the transfer to Dr. Xiaohua Qu of 108,667 common shares
from the note holders; and |
|
|
(ii) |
the issue under the Companys stock-based compensation plan
of (a) 116,500 restricted shares, and (b) options
to purchase 46,600 common shares at an exercise price of
$4.29 per common share, both with vesting periods of four
years, to Hanbing Zhang, who is the wife of Dr. Xiaohua Qu. |
|
|
|
|
c) |
Share-based compensation plan to employees and non-employees |
|
|
|
The Company granted 157,275 and 209,700 share options to
our directors, executive officers and to other individuals in
July 2006 and August 2006, respectively. |
|
|
Among these share options, 203,875 were granted at exercise
prices of $4.29 per share, 93,200 were granted at exercise
prices of the initial public offering price, and 69,900 were
granted at exercise prices of 80% of initial public offering
price. |
|
|
Among these share options, 46,600 vest in two equal
installments, the first upon the date of grant and the second
upon the first year anniversary of the grant date so long as the
director remain in service, 93,200 vest upon date of grant,
227,175 vest over four year periods. |
|
|
The Company granted 116,500, restricted shares to directors,
executive officers and others in July 2006. The restricted
shares were granted at nominal value and generally vest over
periods of four years based on the specific terms of the grants. |
|
|
|
|
d) |
Chinese Bank Credit Financing |
|
|
|
On August 14, 2006 CSI Manufacture executed an agreement
with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China for a working
capital loan of up to USD3.3 million. The facility has a
term of three months and bears interest at 6.4% per annum. The
facility contains no specific repayment or renewal terms and was
guaranteed by CSI Changshu. |
|
|
On September 6, 2006 CSI Changshu executed an agreement
with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China for a working
capital loan of RMB20 million (US$2.5 million) with a
term of six months and annual interest rate of 6.138% per annum.
The loan was guaranteed by a third party guarantor. |
|
|
On September 20, 2006, CSI Manufacture drew down
US$2.99 million through a credit facility with China
Everbright Bank. The drawdown is due on December 19, 2006,
with an annual interest rate of 5.89%. |
|
|
|
On October 3, 2006, Dr. Qu transferred 800,171 common
shares to ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. |
F-26
Additional Information Financial Statements
Schedule 1
Canadian Solar Inc.
These financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Financial information of parent company
Balance Sheets
(In U.S. dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
ASSETS |
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
1,373,133 |
|
|
|
1,864,632 |
|
|
|
4,527,193 |
|
|
|
2,513,617 |
|
|
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
$93,178, $117,685 and $117,685 and $Nil on December 31,
2003, December 31, 2004, December 31, 2005 and
June 30, 2006
|
|
|
257,114 |
|
|
|
635,679 |
|
|
|
1,934,758 |
|
|
|
5,528,550 |
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
5,173 |
|
|
|
186,116 |
|
|
|
1,864,056 |
|
|
|
5,576,748 |
|
|
Advances to suppliers
|
|
|
15,037 |
|
|
|
246,006 |
|
|
|
2,830,270 |
|
|
|
2,525,416 |
|
|
Amount due from related parties
|
|
|
486,550 |
|
|
|
6,017,940 |
|
|
|
9,959,259 |
|
|
|
21,176,776 |
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
27,459 |
|
|
|
23,378 |
|
|
|
68,470 |
|
|
|
75,645 |
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
|
19,149 |
|
|
|
23,712 |
|
|
|
23,712 |
|
|
|
74,319 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
2,183,615 |
|
|
|
8,997,463 |
|
|
|
21,207,718 |
|
|
|
37,471,071 |
|
Investment in subsidiaries
|
|
|
1,560,144 |
|
|
|
3,147,985 |
|
|
|
11,354,112 |
|
|
|
19,691,331 |
|
Deferred listing expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
830,061 |
|
Deferred tax assets (non-current)
|
|
|
13,950 |
|
|
|
30,018 |
|
|
|
61,080 |
|
|
|
205,406 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS
|
|
|
3,757,709 |
|
|
|
12,175,466 |
|
|
|
32,622,910 |
|
|
|
58,197,869 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term borrowing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,300,000 |
|
|
|
1,300,000 |
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
333,733 |
|
|
|
577,269 |
|
|
|
3,388,425 |
|
|
|
1,099,230 |
|
|
Other payable
|
|
|
47,304 |
|
|
|
301,729 |
|
|
|
876,583 |
|
|
|
675,113 |
|
|
Advances from suppliers and customers
|
|
|
16,750 |
|
|
|
201,141 |
|
|
|
2,445,903 |
|
|
|
4,084,835 |
|
|
Accrued payroll and welfare
|
|
|
24,769 |
|
|
|
30,395 |
|
|
|
40,957 |
|
|
|
24,244 |
|
|
Income tax payable
|
|
|
118,926 |
|
|
|
203,083 |
|
|
|
317,164 |
|
|
|
409,668 |
|
|
Other tax payable
|
|
|
122,100 |
|
|
|
208,600 |
|
|
|
287,095 |
|
|
|
459,148 |
|
|
Amounts due to related parties
|
|
|
1,245,795 |
|
|
|
7,206,996 |
|
|
|
8,005,223 |
|
|
|
24,784,360 |
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,555 |
|
|
|
5,339 |
|
|
Embedded Derivatives related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,679,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,665 |
|
|
|
212,149 |
|
|
|
754,758 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
1,909,377 |
|
|
|
8,791,878 |
|
|
|
20,573,054 |
|
|
|
33,597,695 |
|
Accrued warranty costs
|
|
|
74,920 |
|
|
|
161,215 |
|
|
|
328,034 |
|
|
|
570,082 |
|
Convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,386,671 |
|
|
|
8,827,567 |
|
Financial instruments related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,107,084 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other non-current liabilities (Note 13)
|
|
|
260,987 |
|
|
|
260,987 |
|
|
|
260,987 |
|
|
|
260,987 |
|
Deferred tax liabilities (non-current)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,359,708 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
Total liabilities
|
|
|
2,245,284 |
|
|
|
9,214,080 |
|
|
|
25,655,830 |
|
|
|
44,616,039 |
|
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares - no par value: unlimited authorized shares,
15,427,995 shares issued and outstanding, as of
December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and June 30, 2006
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,005,094 |
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
1,386,548 |
|
|
|
2,843,214 |
|
|
|
6,647,167 |
|
|
|
2,083,236 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
(84,966 |
) |
|
|
(92,671 |
) |
|
|
109,070 |
|
|
|
282,657 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
1,512,425 |
|
|
|
2,961,386 |
|
|
|
6,967,080 |
|
|
|
13,581,830 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
3,757,709 |
|
|
|
12,175,466 |
|
|
|
32,622,910 |
|
|
|
58,197,869 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-28
Financial information of parent company
Statements of Operations
(In U.S. dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, | |
|
Six months ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
$ | |
Net revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Products
|
|
|
5,282,048 |
|
|
|
15,585,017 |
|
|
|
28,695,764 |
|
|
|
10,621,977 |
|
|
|
51,789,456 |
|
|
Others
|
|
|
104,743 |
|
|
|
743,601 |
|
|
|
428,417 |
|
|
|
23,971 |
|
|
|
16,767 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net revenues
|
|
|
5,386,791 |
|
|
|
16,328,618 |
|
|
|
29,124,181 |
|
|
|
10,645,948 |
|
|
|
51,806,223 |
|
Cost of revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Products
|
|
|
4,507,205 |
|
|
|
14,466,642 |
|
|
|
27,804,922 |
|
|
|
9,414,920 |
|
|
|
50,105,024 |
|
|
Others
|
|
|
119,134 |
|
|
|
743,601 |
|
|
|
428,417 |
|
|
|
23,971 |
|
|
|
16,767 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost of revenues
|
|
|
4,626,339 |
|
|
|
15,210,243 |
|
|
|
28,233,339 |
|
|
|
9,438,891 |
|
|
|
50,121,791 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
760,452 |
|
|
|
1,118,375 |
|
|
|
890,842 |
|
|
|
1,207,057 |
|
|
|
1,684,432 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
|
24,873 |
|
|
|
235,845 |
|
|
|
3,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
387,010 |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
710,731 |
|
|
|
669,553 |
|
|
|
888,283 |
|
|
|
464,068 |
|
|
|
821,528 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
735,604 |
|
|
|
905,398 |
|
|
|
891,883 |
|
|
|
464,068 |
|
|
|
1,208,538 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
24,848 |
|
|
|
212,977 |
|
|
|
(1,041 |
) |
|
|
742,989 |
|
|
|
475,894 |
|
Interest expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(239,225 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,553,721 |
) |
Interest income
|
|
|
537 |
|
|
|
10,544 |
|
|
|
17,634 |
|
|
|
3,914 |
|
|
|
45,369 |
|
Loss on change in fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(316,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,997,000 |
) |
Loss on financial instruments related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(263,089 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,189,500 |
) |
Other-net
|
|
|
1,177 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(38,795 |
) |
|
|
209 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before taxes
|
|
|
26,562 |
|
|
|
223,521 |
|
|
|
(801,721 |
) |
|
|
708,108 |
|
|
|
(9,218,749 |
) |
Income tax expenses
|
|
|
(33,879 |
) |
|
|
(127,367 |
) |
|
|
(132,159 |
) |
|
|
(158,678 |
) |
|
|
166,927 |
|
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
|
|
|
417,961 |
|
|
|
1,360,512 |
|
|
|
4,737,833 |
|
|
|
1,329,600 |
|
|
|
4,487,891 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before extraordinary gain
|
|
|
410,644 |
|
|
|
1,456,666 |
|
|
|
3,803,953 |
|
|
|
1,879,030 |
|
|
|
(4,563,931 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extraordinary gain
|
|
|
350,601 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
761,245 |
|
|
|
1,456,666 |
|
|
|
3,803,953 |
|
|
|
1,879,030 |
|
|
|
(4,563,931 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share Basic and diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extraordinary gain
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.12 |
|
|
($ |
0.30 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares used in computation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-29
Financial information of parent company
Statements of Stockholders Equity and Comprehensive
Income
(In U.S. dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common | |
|
Addition | |
|
|
|
Other | |
|
Total | |
|
Total | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
paid in | |
|
Retained | |
|
Comprehensive | |
|
Stockholders | |
|
Comprehensive | |
|
|
| |
|
capital | |
|
Earnings | |
|
Income (Loss) | |
|
Equity | |
|
Income | |
|
|
Number | |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
Balance at December 31, 2002
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
625,303 |
|
|
|
(57,275 |
) |
|
|
778,871 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
761,245 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
761,245 |
|
|
|
761,245 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(27,691 |
) |
|
|
(27,691 |
) |
|
|
(27,691 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2003
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,386,548 |
|
|
|
(84,966 |
) |
|
|
1,512,425 |
|
|
|
733,554 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,456,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,456,666 |
|
|
|
1,456,666 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,705 |
) |
|
|
(7,705 |
) |
|
|
(7,705 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2004
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,843,214 |
|
|
|
(92,671 |
) |
|
|
2,961,386 |
|
|
|
1,448,961 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,803,953 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,803,953 |
|
|
|
3,803,953 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
201,741 |
|
|
|
201,741 |
|
|
|
201,741 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2005
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,647,167 |
|
|
|
109,070 |
|
|
|
6,967,080 |
|
|
|
4,005,694 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,563,931 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,563,931 |
) |
|
|
(4,563,931 |
) |
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,005,094 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,005,094 |
|
|
|
11,005,094 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
173,587 |
|
|
|
173,587 |
|
|
|
173,587 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at June 30, 2006
|
|
|
15,427,995 |
|
|
|
210,843 |
|
|
|
11,005,094 |
|
|
|
2,083,236 |
|
|
|
282,657 |
|
|
|
13,581,830 |
|
|
|
6,614,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-30
Financial information of parent company
Statements of Cash Flows
(In U.S. dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, | |
|
Six months ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
$ | |
Operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
|
761,245 |
|
|
|
1,456,666 |
|
|
|
3,803,953 |
|
|
|
1,879,030 |
|
|
|
(4,563,931 |
) |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
(used in) operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred taxes
|
|
|
(24,053 |
) |
|
|
(20,631 |
) |
|
|
(10,507 |
) |
|
|
101,597 |
|
|
|
(358,093 |
) |
|
|
Allowance for doubtful debts
|
|
|
93,178 |
|
|
|
24,507 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,698 |
|
|
|
Loss on fair value change of derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
316,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,997,000 |
|
|
|
Loss on financial instruments related to convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
263,089 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,189,500 |
|
|
|
Amortization of discount on debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
134,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
706,320 |
|
|
|
Gain on acquisition of equity interest
|
|
|
(350,601 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
|
|
|
(417,961 |
) |
|
|
(1,360,511 |
) |
|
|
(4,737,835 |
) |
|
|
(1,329,600 |
) |
|
|
(4,487,891 |
) |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
589,698 |
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(5,173 |
) |
|
|
(180,943 |
) |
|
|
(1,677,940 |
) |
|
|
(1,071,161 |
) |
|
|
(3,712,692 |
) |
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
696,319 |
|
|
|
(403,072 |
) |
|
|
(1,299,079 |
) |
|
|
(167,556 |
) |
|
|
(3,428,792 |
) |
|
|
Amounts due from related parties
|
|
|
28,896 |
|
|
|
(5,531,390 |
) |
|
|
(3,941,319 |
) |
|
|
(1,898,048 |
) |
|
|
(11,217,517 |
) |
|
|
Advances to suppliers
|
|
|
(15,037 |
) |
|
|
(230,969 |
) |
|
|
(2,584,264 |
) |
|
|
(757,549 |
) |
|
|
185,471 |
|
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
(15,359 |
) |
|
|
4,081 |
|
|
|
(45,092 |
) |
|
|
(12,257 |
) |
|
|
(7,175 |
) |
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
(41,336 |
) |
|
|
243,536 |
|
|
|
2,811,156 |
|
|
|
198,217 |
|
|
|
(2,263,855 |
) |
|
|
Other payable
|
|
|
(7,724 |
) |
|
|
254,425 |
|
|
|
3,538 |
|
|
|
(130,903 |
) |
|
|
138,119 |
|
|
|
Advances from suppliers and customers
|
|
|
16,750 |
|
|
|
184,391 |
|
|
|
2,244,762 |
|
|
|
725,941 |
|
|
|
1,638,932 |
|
|
|
Accrued payroll and welfare
|
|
|
3,882 |
|
|
|
5,626 |
|
|
|
10,562 |
|
|
|
(7,112 |
) |
|
|
(16,713 |
) |
|
|
Amounts due to related parties
|
|
|
202,515 |
|
|
|
5,961,201 |
|
|
|
798,227 |
|
|
|
2,545,641 |
|
|
|
16,779,137 |
|
|
|
Accrued warranty costs
|
|
|
37,269 |
|
|
|
86,295 |
|
|
|
166,819 |
|
|
|
64,400 |
|
|
|
242,048 |
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,665 |
|
|
|
149,484 |
|
|
|
56,215 |
|
|
|
542,608 |
|
|
|
Income tax payable
|
|
|
27,194 |
|
|
|
84,157 |
|
|
|
114,081 |
|
|
|
139,249 |
|
|
|
92,504 |
|
|
|
Other tax payable
|
|
|
118,900 |
|
|
|
86,500 |
|
|
|
78,495 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
172,053 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
|
|
1,108,904 |
|
|
|
726,534 |
|
|
|
(3,401,204 |
) |
|
|
336,104 |
|
|
|
(781,571 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in subsidiaries
|
|
|
(102,412 |
) |
|
|
(227,329 |
) |
|
|
(3,468,291 |
) |
|
|
(1,547,449 |
) |
|
|
(3,849,328 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(102,412 |
) |
|
|
(227,329 |
) |
|
|
(3,468,291 |
) |
|
|
(1,547,449 |
) |
|
|
(3,849,328 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds from short-term borrowings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,650,000 |
|
|
Issuance cost paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(69,685 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,169,649 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,330,315 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,480,351 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes
|
|
|
(27,989 |
) |
|
|
(7,706 |
) |
|
|
201,741 |
|
|
|
(17,273 |
) |
|
|
136,972 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, | |
|
Six months ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
|
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
$ | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
978,503 |
|
|
|
491,499 |
|
|
|
2,662,561 |
|
|
|
(1,228,618 |
) |
|
|
(2,013,576 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
|
|
|
394,630 |
|
|
|
1,373,133 |
|
|
|
1,864,632 |
|
|
|
1,864,632 |
|
|
|
4,527,193 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
|
|
|
1,373,133 |
|
|
|
1,864,632 |
|
|
|
4,527,193 |
|
|
|
636,014 |
|
|
|
2,513,617 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,349 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(56,479 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes paid
|
|
|
(30,732 |
) |
|
|
(63,841 |
) |
|
|
(28,584 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(98,662 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance cost included in other payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
571,315 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
201,727 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-32
7,700,000 Common Shares
PROSPECTUS
|
|
Deutsche Bank Securities |
Lehman Brothers |
|
|
CIBC World Markets |
Piper Jaffray |
November 8, 2006