plug_Current folio_10K

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

 

(Mark One)

 

 

    

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

    

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT

 

For the transition period from             to            

 

Commission file number: 1-34392

 

Plug Power Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

 

Delaware

    

22-3672377

(State or Other Jurisdiction

 

(I.R.S. Identification

of Incorporation or Organization)

 

Number)

 

968 ALBANY SHAKER ROAD, LATHAM, NEW YORK 12110

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

(518) 782-7700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

 

Title of Each Class

    

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

 

The NASDAQ Capital Market

Series A Junior Participating Cumulative

Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share

 

The NASDAQ Capital Market

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:    None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “non-accelerated filer,“ and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

 

 

 

Large accelerated filer ☐

Accelerated filer ☒

Non-accelerated filer ☐

Smaller reporting company ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity of the registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2016 was $332,655,420.

 

As of March 10, 2017, 191,185,084 shares of the registrant’s common stock were issued and outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None.

 

 

 


 

Table of Contents

INDEX TO FORM 10‑K

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

PART I

 

Item 1. 

Business

Item 1A. 

Risk Factors

Item 1B. 

Unresolved Staff Comments

17 

Item 2. 

Properties

17 

Item 3. 

Legal Proceedings

17 

Item 4. 

Mine Safety Disclosures

17 

 

PART II

 

Item 5. 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

18 

Item 6. 

Selected Financial Data

20 

Item 7. 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

20 

Item 7A. 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

36 

Item 8. 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

36 

Item 9. 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

36 

Item 9A. 

Controls and Procedures

36 

Item 9B. 

Other Information

37 

 

PART III

 

Item 10. 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

38 

Item 11. 

Executive Compensation

38 

Item 12. 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

38 

Item 13. 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

39 

Item 14. 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

39 

 

PART IV

 

Item 15. 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

40 

Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary

40 

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PART I

 

Forward‑Looking Statements

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included within this Annual Report on Form 10‑K. In addition to historical information, this Annual Report on Form 10‑K and the following discussion contain statements that are not historical facts and are considered forward‑looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward‑looking statements contain projections of our future results of operations or of our financial position or state other forward‑looking information. In some cases you can identify these statements by forward‑looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “plan,” “projected” or the negative of such words or other similar words or phrases. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. However, there may be events in the future that we are not able to accurately predict or control and that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward‑looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on forward‑looking statements because they involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those discussed as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to: the risk that we continue to incur losses and might never achieve or maintain profitability; the risk that we will need to raise additional capital to fund our operations and such capital may not be available to us; the risk that our lack of extensive experience in manufacturing and marketing products may impact our ability to manufacture and market products on a profitable and large‑scale commercial basis; the risk that unit orders will not ship, be installed and/or converted to revenue, in whole or in part; the risk that a loss of one or more of our major customers could result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition; the risk that a sale of a significant number of shares of stock could depress the market price of our common stock; the risk of potential losses related to any product liability claims or contract disputes; the risk of loss related to an inability to maintain an effective system of internal controls; our ability to attract and maintain key personnel; the risks related to the use of flammable fuels in our products; the risk that pending orders may not convert to purchase orders, in whole or in part; the cost and timing of developing, marketing and selling our products and our ability to raise the necessary capital to fund such costs; our ability to obtain financing arrangements to support the sale or leasing of our products and services to customers; the ability to achieve the forecasted gross margin on the sale of our products; the cost and availability of fuel and fueling infrastructures for our products; the risk of elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives for alternative energy products; market acceptance of our products and services, including GenDrive units; our ability to establish and maintain relationships with third parties with respect to product development, manufacturing, distribution and servicing and the supply of key product components; the cost and availability of components and parts for our products; our ability to develop commercially viable products; our ability to reduce product and manufacturing costs; our ability to successfully market, distribute and service our products and services internationally; our ability to improve system reliability for our products; competitive factors, such as price competition and competition from other traditional and alternative energy companies; our ability to protect our intellectual property; the cost of complying with current and future federal, state and international governmental regulations; the risks associated with potential future acquisitions; the volatility of our stock price; and other risks and uncertainties discussed under Item IA—Risk Factors. Readers should not place undue reliance on our forward‑looking statements. These forward‑looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made and are not guarantees of future performance. Except as may be required by applicable law, we do not undertake or intend to update any forward‑looking statements after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10‑K.

 

Item 1.  Business

 

Background

 

Plug Power Inc., or the Company, is a leading provider of alternative energy technology focused on the design, development, commercialization and manufacture of hydrogen fuel cell systems used primarily for the material handling and stationary power market. 

 

We are focused on proton exchange membrane, or PEM, fuel cell and fuel processing technologies, fuel cell/battery hybrid technologies, and associated hydrogen storage and dispensing infrastructure from which multiple products are available. A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and heat without combustion. Hydrogen is derived from hydrocarbon fuels such as liquid petroleum gas, or LPG, natural gas, propane, methanol, ethanol, gasoline or biofuels. Plug Power develops complete hydrogen delivery, storage and refueling solutions for customer locations. Hydrogen can also be obtained from the electrolysis of water, or produced on-

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site at consumer locations through a process known as reformation.  Currently, the Company predominantly obtains hydrogen by purchasing it from fuel suppliers for resale to customers.

 

We provide and continue to develop commercially viable hydrogen and fuel cell product solutions to replace lead‑acid batteries in material handling vehicles and industrial trucks for some of the world’s largest distribution and manufacturing businesses. We are focusing our efforts on industrial mobility applications (forklifts and electric industrial vehicles) at multi‑shift high volume manufacturing and high throughput distribution sites where our products and services provide a unique combination of productivity, flexibility and environmental benefits. Additionally, we manufacture and sell fuel cell products to replace batteries and diesel generators in stationary backup power applications. These products prove valuable with telecommunications, transportation and utility customers as a robust, reliable and sustainable power solution. Our current products and services include:

 

GenDrive: GenDrive is our hydrogen fueled PEM fuel cell system providing power to material handling vehicles;

 

GenFuel:  GenFuel is our hydrogen fueling delivery system;

 

GenCare: GenCare is our ongoing maintenance program for GenDrive fuel cells, GenSure products and GenFuel products;

 

GenSure:  GenSure (formerly ReliOn) is our stationary fuel cell solution providing scalable, modular PEM fuel cell power to support the backup and grid-support power requirements of the telecommunications, transportation, and utility sectors;

 

GenKey: GenKey is our turn-key solution combining either GenDrive or GenSure with GenFuel and GenCare, offering complete simplicity to customers transitioning to fuel cell power;

 

ProGen:  ProGen is our fuel cell engine technology, under development for use in mobility and stationary fuel cell systems;

 

GenFund: GenFund is a collaboration with leasing organizations to provide cost efficient and seamless financing solutions to customers.

 

We provide our products worldwide through our direct product sales force, and by leveraging relationships with original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, and their dealer networks.

 

We were organized as a corporation in the State of Delaware on June 27, 1997.

 

Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms “Company,” “Plug Power,” “we,” “our” or “us” as used herein refers to Plug Power Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

Business Strategy

 

We are committed to developing effective, economical and reliable fuel cell related products, systems and services for businesses and government agencies. Building on our substantial fuel cell application and product integration experience, we are focused on generating strong relationships with customers who value increased reliability, productivity and energy security.

 

Our business strategy leverages our unique fuel cell application and integration knowledge to identify early adopter markets for which we can design and develop innovative systems and customer solutions that provide superior value, ease‑of‑use and environmental design.

 

Our primary marketing strategy is to focus our resources on the material handling market. Through established customer relationships, Plug Power has proven itself as a trusted partner with a reliable fuel cell solution.  We have made significant progress in penetrating the material handling market, supported through the deployment of over 14,000 GenDrive units into commercial applications. We believe we have developed reliable products which allow the end customers to eliminate incumbent power sources from their operations, and realize their sustainability objectives through

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clean energy alternatives. In addition, we have deployed our GenKey hydrogen and fuel cell solution to multiple customer sites.

 

Our operating strategy also includes the following objectives: decrease product and service costs, expand system reliability, improve service and post‑sales support experience.

 

Our longer‑term objectives are to deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits in terms of reliable, clean, cost‑effective fuel cell solutions and, ultimately, productivity.

 

We believe continued investment in research and development is critical to the development and enhancement of innovative products, technologies and services. In addition to evolving our direct hydrogen fueled systems, we continue to capitalize on our investment and expertise in power electronics, controls, and software design.

 

We continue to develop and monitor future fuel cell solutions that align with our evolving product roadmap. By leveraging our current GenDrive architecture, Plug Power is evaluating adjacent markets such as ProGen electric vehicles, ground support equipment (GSE) and fuel cell vehicles.

 

Business Organization

 

We manage our business as a single operating segment, emphasizing shared learning across end‑user applications and common supplier/vendor relationships.

 

Products and Services

 

We provide and continue to develop commercially viable hydrogen and fuel cell product solutions to replace lead‑acid batteries in material handling vehicles and industrial trucks for some of the world’s largest distribution and manufacturing businesses. We are focusing our efforts on industrial mobility applications (forklifts and electric industrial vehicles) at multi‑shift high volume manufacturing and high throughput distribution sites, as well as on-road vehicles, such as delivery vans, where our products and services provide a unique combination of productivity, flexibility and environmental benefits. Additionally, we manufacture and sell fuel cell products to replace batteries and diesel generators in stationary backup power applications. These products prove valuable with telecommunications, transportation and utility customers as a robust, reliable and sustainable power solution. Our current products and services include:

 

GenKey:  GenKey is our turn‑key solution offering complete simplicity to customers transitioning their material handling vehicles to fuel cell power. GenKey provides a “one‑stop shopping” option for our customers, combining GenDrive next‑generation fuel cells with our GenFuel and GenCare products, described more fully below. Our GenKey offering allows us to handle power, fueling, and service for our customers, which in turn allows the customers to focus on their business and productivity. Financing options are available to GenKey customers via our GenFund platform.

 

GenDrive:  GenDrive is a hydrogen fueled PEM fuel cell system providing power to material handling vehicles. Income is generated from both the sale of GenDrive systems and the providing of power generating equipment via a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

 

GenFuel:  GenFuel is our hydrogen fueling delivery system, designed to allow customers to easily refuel our GenDrive units. We also sell fuel delivered to customers sourced from industrial gas suppliers.

 

GenCare:  GenCare is our ongoing maintenance program for GenDrive fuel cells, GenSure products and GenFuel products. GenCare includes advanced system monitoring, preventive maintenance, periodic system enhancements, parts inventory logs, and rapid‑response onsite service by trained GenCare technicians.

 

GenSure:  GenSure is our stationary fuel cell solution providing scalable, modular PEM fuel cell power to support the backup and grid‑support power requirements of the telecommunications, transportation, and utility sectors.

 

ProGen:   ProGen is our fuel cell engine technology, under development for use in mobility and stationary fuel cell systems.  ProGen units will be used in mobility applications such as logistics vehicles, delivery vans, ground support equipment, range extenders and electric passenger vehicles.

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GenFund:  GenFund represents a collaboration between Plug Power and recognized asset leasing organizations to provide cost efficient and seamless financing solutions to customers.

 

To promote fuel cell adoption and maintain post‑sale customer satisfaction, we offer a range of service and support options through extended maintenance contracts. Additionally, customers may waive our service option, and choose to service their systems independently. A high percentage of fuel cells sold in recent years were bundled with maintenance contracts. As a result, only 2% of fuel cells deployed are still under standard warranty that is not a part of an extended maintenance contract.

 

Markets/Geography & Order Status

 

The Company’s products and services predominantly serve the North American and European material handling market, and primarily support large to mid-sized fleet, multi‑shift operations in high‑volume manufacturing and high‑throughput distribution centers. Based on recent market experience, it appears there may be some seasonality to sales stemming from varied customer appropriation cycles; however, these market factors will continue to evolve and the Company’s insight to these trends will improve with continued commercial success and time.

 

Orders for the Company’s products and services in 2016 approximated $280.0 million compared to total orders in 2015 of $205.3 million. The Company’s backlog for products and services as of December 31, 2016 was approximately $382.5 million, compared to the Company’s backlog as of December 31, 2015 of approximately $235.6 million. The Company’s backlog at any given time is comprised of products, hydrogen installations, maintenance services, and hydrogen fuel deliveries. The specific elements of the backlog will vary in terms of timing of delivery and can vary between 90 days to 10 years, with products and hydrogen installations being delivered near term and maintenance services and hydrogen fuel deliveries being delivered over a longer period of time. Historically, shipments made against these product orders generally occur between ninety days and twenty‑four months from the date of acceptance of the order.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the only customer exceeding 10% of total consolidated revenues was Walmart, which accounted for 34.1% of our total consolidated revenues. A loss or decline in business with this customer could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We assemble our products at our manufacturing facilities in Latham, New York and Spokane, Washington, and provide our services and installations at customer locations. Currently, the supply and manufacture of varied critical components used in our products and services are performed by sole‑sourced third‑party vendors in the U.S., Canada and China.

 

Distribution, Marketing and Strategic Relationships

 

We have developed strategic relationships with well‑established companies in key areas including distribution, service, marketing, supply, technology development and product development. We sell our products worldwide, with a primary focus on North America, through our direct product sales force, original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, and their dealer networks. Additionally, we operate in Europe under the name HyPulsion, to develop and sell hydrogen fuel cell systems for the European material handling market.

 

Competition

 

We are confronted by aggressive competition in all areas of our business. The markets we address for motive power are characterized by the presence of well‑established battery and combustion generator products. Over the past several years, there has been price competition in these markets. In addition to overall pricing, the principal competitive factors in the markets in which we operate include product features, including size and weight, relative price and performance, product quality and reliability, design innovation, marketing and distribution capability, service and support and corporate reputation.

 

In the material handling market, we believe our GenDrive products have an advantage over lead‑acid batteries for customers who run high‑throughput distribution centers and manufacturing locations with multi‑shift operations by offering increased productivity with lower operational costs. However, we expect competition in this space to intensify as

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competitors attempt to imitate our approach with their own offerings. These competitors may have greater resources than we currently have.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We believe that neither we nor our competitors can achieve a significant proprietary position on the basic technologies currently used in PEM fuel cell systems. However, we believe the design and integration of our system and system components, as well as some of the low‑cost manufacturing processes that we have developed, are intellectual property that can be protected. Our intellectual property portfolio covers among other things: fuel cell components that reduce manufacturing part count; fuel cell system designs that lend themselves to mass manufacturing; improvements to fuel cell system efficiency, reliability and system life; and control strategies, such as added safety protections and operation under extreme conditions. In general, our employees are party to agreements providing that all inventions, whether patented or not, made or conceived while being our employee, which are related to or result from work or research that we perform, will remain our sole and exclusive property.

 

We have a total of 146 issued patents currently active with the USPTO. At the close of 2016, we had five U.S. patent applications pending. Additionally, we have 21 trademarks registered with the USPTO and one trademark application pending.

 

Government Regulation

 

Our products and their installations are subject to oversight and regulation at the state and local level in accordance with state and local statutes and ordinances relating to, among others, building codes, fire codes, public safety, electrical and gas pipeline connections and hydrogen siting. The level of regulation may depend, in part, upon where a system is located.

 

In addition, product safety standards have been established by the American National Standards Institute, or ANSI, covering the overall fuel cell system. The class 1, 2 and 3 GenDrive products are designed with the intent of meeting the requirements of UL 2267 “Fuel Cell Power Systems for Installation in Industrial Electric Trucks” and NFPA 505 “Fire Safety Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks”. The hydrogen tanks used in these systems have been either certified to ANSI/CSA NGV2‑2007 “Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle Fuel Containers” or ISO/TS 15869 “Gaseous hydrogen and hydrogen blends—Land vehicle fuel tanks”. We will continue to design our GenDrive products to meet ANSI and/or other standards in 2017. We certified several models of Class 1, 2 and 3 GenDrive products to the requirements of the CE mark with guidance from a European certified body. The hydrogen tanks used in these systems are certified to the Pressure Equipment Directive by a European certified body.

 

The GenFuel hydrogen storage and dispensing products are designed with the intent of meeting the requirements of NFPA 2 “Hydrogen Technologies Code”.

 

Other than these requirements, at this time we do not know what additional requirements, if any, each jurisdiction will impose on our products or their installation. We also do not know the extent to which any new regulations may impact our ability to distribute, install and service our products. As we continue distributing our systems to our target markets, the federal, state, local or foreign government entities may seek to impose regulations or competitors may seek to influence regulations through lobbying efforts.

 

Raw Materials and Suppliers

 

Most components essential to our business are generally available from multiple sources.  We believe there are component suppliers and manufacturing vendors whose loss to us could have a material adverse effect upon our business and financial condition. We are mitigating these potential risks by introducing alternate system architectures which we expect will allow us to diversify our supply chain with multiple fuel cell stack and air supply component vendors. We are also working closely with these vendors and other key suppliers on coordinated product introduction plans, strategic inventories, and internal and external manufacturing schedules and levels.

 

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Research and Development

 

Because the fuel cell industry is characterized by its early state of adoption, our ability to compete successfully is heavily dependent upon our ability to ensure a continual and timely flow of competitive products, services, and technologies to the marketplace. We continue to develop new products and technologies and to enhance existing products in the areas of cost, size, weight, and in supporting service solutions in order to drive further commercialization.

 

We may expand the range of our product offerings and intellectual property through licensing and/or acquisition of third‑party business and technology. Our research and development expense totaled $21.2 million, $14.9 million, and $6.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We also had cost of research and development contract revenue of $0.9 million, $0.5 million and $3.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These expenses represent the cost of research and development programs that are partially funded under cost reimbursement research and development arrangements with third parties and are reported within other cost of revenue on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2016, we had 486 employees, including 44 temporary employees. We consider our relationship with our employees to be positive.

 

Financial Information About Geographic Areas

 

Please refer to our Geographic Information included in our Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in Part II, Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Form 10‑K.

 

Available Information

 

Our Annual Report on Form 10‑K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q, Current Reports on Form 8‑K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available free of charge, other than an investor’s own internet access charges, on the Company’s website with an internet address of www.plugpower.com as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The information contained on our website is not included as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10‑K. The public may read and copy any materials the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. The public may also obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at  1‑800‑SEC‑0330. The SEC also maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website address is http://www.sec.gov.

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

The following risk factors should be considered carefully in addition to the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10‑K. The occurrence of any of the following material risks could harm our business and future results of operations and could result in the trading price of our common stock declining and a partial or complete loss of your investment. These risks are not the only ones that we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also impair our business operations and trading price of our common stock. Except as mentioned under “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk” and except for the historical information contained herein, the discussion contained in this Annual Report on Form 10‑K contains “forward‑looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, that involve risks and uncertainties. Please refer to the section entitled “Forward‑Looking Statements.”

 

Our products and services face intense competition and we may be unable to compete successfully.

 

The markets for energy products are intensely competitive. Some of our competitors in the motive power sector (predominantly incumbent technologies) are much larger than we are and may have the manufacturing, marketing and sales capabilities to complete research, development and commercialization of profitable, commercially viable products more quickly and effectively than we can. There are many companies engaged in all areas of traditional and alternative energy generation in the United States, Canada and abroad, including, among others, major electric, oil, chemical, natural

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gas, battery, generator and specialized electronics firms, as well as universities, research institutions and foreign government‑sponsored companies. These firms are engaged in forms of power generation such as advanced battery technologies, generator sets, fast charged technologies and other types of fuel cell technologies. Technological advances in alternative energy products, battery systems or other fuel cell technologies may make our products less attractive or render them obsolete.

 

We depend on a concentration of anchor customers for the majority of our revenues and the loss of any one or more of these customers, or a significant loss, reduction or rescheduling of orders from any of these customers, would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

We sell most of our products to a range of customers that include a few anchor customers, and while we are continually seeking to expand our customer base, we expect this will continue for the next several years.  For example, for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, 34.1% and 56.7%, respectively, of total consolidated revenues were associated primarily with Walmart.  For the year ended December 31, 2014, 37.2% of total consolidated revenues were associated primarily with Walmart and Volkswagen, representing 24.1% and 13.1% of total consolidated revenues, respectively. Any decline in business with significant customers could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our future success is dependent upon the continued purchases of our products by a small number of customers. Any fluctuations in demand from such customers or other customers may negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we are unable to broaden our customer base and expand relationships with potential customers, our business will continue to be impacted by unanticipated demand fluctuations due to our dependence on a small number of customers. Unanticipated demand fluctuations can have a negative impact on our revenues, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, our dependence on a small number of major customers exposes us to numerous other risks, including: a slowdown or delay in a customer’s deployment of our products could significantly reduce demand for our products; reductions in a single customer’s forecasts and demand could result in excess inventories; the current or future economic conditions could negatively affect one or more of our major customers and cause them to significantly reduce operations, or file for bankruptcy; consolidation of customers can reduce demand as well as increase pricing pressure on our products due to increased purchasing leverage; each of our customers has significant purchasing leverage over us to require changes in sales terms including pricing, payment terms and product delivery schedules; and concentration of accounts receivable credit risk, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows if one of our major customers declared bankruptcy or delayed payment of their receivables.

 

The reduction or elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives for alternative energy technologies, or the failure to renew such subsidies and incentives could reduce demand for our products, lead to a reduction in our revenues, and adversely impact our operating results.

 

We believe that the near‑term growth of alternative energy technologies is affected by the availability and size of government and economic incentives. Many of these government incentives expire, phase out over time, may exhaust the allocated funding, or require renewal by the applicable authority. In addition, these incentive programs could be reduced or discontinued for other reasons. For example, while renewal discussions are ongoing, the investment tax credit under the U.S. tax code expired on December 31, 2016. The reduction, elimination, or expiration of the investment tax credit or other government subsidies and economic incentives, or the failure to renew such tax credit, governmental subsidies, or economic incentives, may result in the diminished economic competitiveness of our products to our customers and could materially and adversely affect the growth of alternative energy technologies, including our products, as well as our future operating results and liquidity.

 

The loss of one or more of our key supply partners or any material change in their product costs, product performance, or product availability could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

We have certain key suppliers who we rely on for critical components in our products, and there are numerous other components for our products that are sole sourced. A supplier’s failure to develop and supply components in a timely manner or at all, or to develop or supply components that meet our quality, quantity or cost requirements, or our inability to obtain substitute sources of these components on a timely basis or on terms acceptable to us, could harm our ability to manufacture our products. In addition, to the extent that our supply partners use technology or manufacturing processes that are proprietary, we may be unable to obtain comparable components from alternative sources.

 

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In addition, commodity prices and supply levels affect our costs. For example, platinum is a key material in our PEM fuel cells. Platinum is a scarce natural resource and we are dependent upon a sufficient supply of this commodity. Any shortages could adversely affect our ability to produce commercially viable fuel cell systems and significantly raise our cost of producing our fuel cell systems. While we do not anticipate significant near‑ or long‑term shortages in the supply of platinum, a shortage could adversely affect our ability to produce commercially viable PEM fuel cells or raise our cost of producing such products.

 

We have incurred losses, anticipate continuing to incur losses and might never achieve or maintain profitability.

 

We have not achieved operating profitability in any quarter since our formation and we will continue to incur net losses until we can produce sufficient revenue to cover our costs. Our net losses attributable to the Company were approximately $57.5 million in 2016, $55.7 million in 2015, $88.5 million in 2014, $62.7 million in 2013 and $31.9 million in 2012. As of December 31, 2016, we had an accumulated deficit of $1.1 billion. We anticipate that we will continue to incur losses until we can produce and sell our products on a large‑scale and cost‑effective basis. We cannot guarantee when we will operate profitably, if ever. In order to achieve profitability, management must successfully execute our planned path to profitability in the early adoption markets on which we are focused. The hydrogen infrastructure that is needed to support our growth readiness and cost efficiency must be available and cost efficient. We must continue to shorten the cycles in our product roadmap with respect to improvement in product reliability and performance that our customers expect. We must execute on successful introduction of our products into the market. We must accurately evaluate our markets for, and react to, competitive threats in both other technologies (such as advanced batteries) and our technology field. Finally, we must continue to lower our products’ build costs and lifetime service costs. If we are unable to successfully take these steps, we may never operate profitably, and, even if we do achieve profitability, we may be unable to sustain or increase our profitability in the future.

 

We may require additional capital funding and such capital may not be available to us.

 

We have experienced recurring operating losses and as of December 31, 2016, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $1.1 billion. On December 31, 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents of $46.0 million, restricted cash of $54.6 million and net working capital of $44.4 million. This compares to $64.0 million, $47.8 million and $88.5 million, respectively, on December 31, 2015. Restricted cash becomes available to us as we perform in accordance with the related leasing agreements.

 

Our cash requirements relate primarily to working capital needed to operate and grow our business, including funding operating expenses, growth in inventory to support both shipments of new units and servicing the installed base, growth in equipment leased to customers under long-term arrangements, funding the growth in our GenKey “turn-key” solution, which includes the installation of our customers’ hydrogen infrastructure as well as delivery of the hydrogen fuel,  continued expansion of our markets, such as Europe and China, continued development and expansion of our products, such as Pro Gen, payment of lease obligations under sale/leaseback financings, and the repayment or refinancing of our long-term debt. Our ability to achieve profitability and meet future liquidity needs and capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors, including the timing and quantity of product orders and shipments; attaining and expanding positive gross margins across all product lines; the timing and amount of our operating expenses; the timing and costs of working capital needs; the timing and costs of building a sales base; the ability of our customers to obtain financing to support commercial transactions; our ability to obtain financing arrangements to support the sale or leasing of our products and services to customers, including financing arrangements to repay or refinance our long-term debt, and the terms of such agreements that may require us to pledge or restrict substantial amounts of our cash to support these financing arrangements; the timing and costs of developing marketing and distribution channels; the timing and costs of product service requirements; the timing and costs of hiring and training product staff; the extent to which our products gain market acceptance; the timing and costs of product development and introductions; the extent of our ongoing and new research and development programs; and changes in our strategy or our planned activities. If we are unable to fund our operations with positive cash flows and cannot obtain external financing, we may not be able to sustain future operations.  As a result, we may be required to delay, reduce and/or cease our operations and/or seek bankruptcy protection.

 

We cannot assure you that any necessary additional financing will be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. We believe that it could be difficult to raise additional funds and there can be no assurance as to the availability of additional financing or the terms upon which additional financing may be available. Additionally, even if we raise sufficient capital through additional equity or debt financings, strategic alternatives or otherwise, there can be no assurance that the revenue or capital infusion will be sufficient to enable us to develop our business to a level where it will be

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profitable or generate positive cash flow. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders could be significantly diluted, and these newly issued securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing stockholders. If we incur additional debt, a substantial portion of our operating cash flow may be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on such indebtedness, thus limiting funds available for our business activities. The terms of any debt securities issued could also impose significant restrictions on our operations. Broad market and industry factors may seriously harm the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance, and may adversely impact our ability to raise additional funds. If we raise additional funds through collaborations and/or licensing arrangements, we might be required to relinquish significant rights to our technologies, or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.

 

Our ability to obtain financing arrangements to support the sale or leasing of our products and services to customers may affect our sales, profitability and liquidity.

 

Customers representing most of our revenue lease, rather than purchase, our products. These lease arrangements require us to finance the purchase of such products, either ourselves or through third‑party financing sources. For example, approximately $53.6 million of our cash is currently restricted to support such leasing arrangements, which prevents us from using such cash for other purposes. To date, we have been successful in obtaining or providing the necessary financing arrangements. There is no certainty, however, that we will be able to continue to obtain or provide adequate financing for these arrangements on acceptable terms, or at all, in the future. Failure to obtain or provide such financing may result in the loss of material customers and product sales, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, if we are required to continue to pledge or restrict substantial amounts of our cash to support these financing arrangements, such cash will not be available to us for other purposes, which may have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and financial position.

 

Unless we lower our product costs and improve reliability, our product sales could be adversely affected.

 

The actual cost of our product solutions is often higher than many established competing technologies. The primary current value proposition for our customers stems from productivity gains in using our solutions. Longer term, given evolving market dynamics and changes in alternative energy tax credits, if we are unable to successfully develop future products that are competitive with competing technologies in terms of price, reliability and longevity, customers may not buy our products. The profitability of our products depends largely on material and manufacturing costs and the market price of hydrogen. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to lower these costs to the levels to assure market acceptance in conjunction with other critical customer criteria in performance and reliability.

 

Delays in our product development could have a material impact on the profitable commercialization of our products.

 

If we experience delays in meeting our development goals, our products exhibit technical defects, or if we are unable to meet cost or performance goals, including power output, useful life and reliability, the profitable commercialization of our products will be delayed. In this event, potential purchasers of our products may choose alternative technologies and any delays could allow potential competitors to gain market advantages. We cannot assure that we will successfully meet our commercialization schedule in the future.

 

Our product sales and performance depends on the availability of hydrogen and our lack of control over or limited availability of such fuel may adversely impact our sales and product deployment.

 

Our products and services depend largely on the availability of hydrogen gas. We are dependent upon hydrogen suppliers for success with the profitable commercialization of our products and services. Although we will continue to work with hydrogen suppliers to mutually agree on terms for our customers, including, but not limited to, the competitiveness of the price of the hydrogen fuel, liquid hydrogen, hydrogen infrastructure and service costs, to the benefit of our product value proposition, ultimately we have no control over such third parties. If these fuels are not readily available or if their prices are such that energy produced by our products costs more than energy provided by other sources, then our products could be less attractive to potential users and our products’ value proposition could be negatively affected. If hydrogen suppliers elect not to participate in the material handling market, there may be an insufficient supply of hydrogen for this market that could negatively affect our sales and deployment of our products and services.

 

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Our purchase orders may not ship, be commissioned or installed, or convert to revenue, and our pending orders may not convert to purchase orders, which may have a material adverse effect on our revenue and cash flow.

 

Some of the orders we accept from customers require certain conditions or contingencies to be satisfied, or may be cancelled, prior to shipment or prior to commissioning or installation, some of which are outside of our control. Historically, shipments made against these orders have generally occurred between ninety days and twenty‑four months from the date of acceptance of the order. Orders for the Company’s products and services in 2016 approximated $280.0 million compared to total orders in 2015 of $205.3 million. The Company’s backlog for products and services as of December 31, 2016 was approximately $382.5 million, compared to the Company’s backlog as of December 31, 2015 of approximately $235.6 million. The time periods from receipt of an order to shipment date and installation vary widely and are determined by a number of factors, including the terms of the customer contract and the customer’s deployment plan. There may also be product redesign or modification requirements that must be satisfied prior to shipment of units under certain of our agreements. If the redesigns or modifications are not completed, some or all of our orders may not ship or convert to revenue. We also have publicly discussed anticipated, pending orders with prospective customers; however, those prospective customers may require certain conditions or contingencies to be satisfied prior to issuing a purchase order to us, some of which are outside of our control. Such conditions or contingencies that may be required to be satisfied before we receive a purchase order may include, but are not limited to, successful product demonstrations or field trials. Converting orders into revenue is also dependent upon our customers’ ability to obtain financing. Some conditions or contingencies that are out of our control may include, but are not limited to, government tax policy, government funding programs, and government incentive programs. Additionally, some conditions and contingencies may extend for several years. We may have to compensate customers, by either reimbursement, forfeiting portions of associated revenue, or other methods depending on the terms of the customer contract, based on the failure on any of these conditions or contingencies. While not probable, this could have an adverse impact on our revenue and cash flow.

 

We may be unable to establish or maintain relationships with third parties for certain aspects of continued product development, manufacturing, distribution and servicing and the supply of key components for our products.

 

We may need to maintain and may need to enter into additional strategic relationships in order to complete our current product development and commercialization plans. We may also require partners to assist in the sale, servicing and supply of components for our current products and anticipated products, which are in development. If we are unable to identify, enter into, and maintain satisfactory agreements with potential partners, including those relating to the supply, distribution, service and support of our current products and anticipated products, we may not be able to complete our product development and commercialization plans on schedule or at all. We may also need to scale back these plans in the absence of needed partners, which could adversely affect our future prospects for development and commercialization of future products. In addition, any arrangement with a strategic partner may require us to issue a significant amount of equity securities to the partner, provide the partner with representation on our board of directors and/or commit significant financial resources to fund our product development efforts in exchange for their assistance or the contribution to us of intellectual property. Any such issuance of equity securities would reduce the percentage ownership of our then current stockholders. While we have entered into relationships with suppliers of some key components for our products, we do not know when or whether we will secure supply relationships for all required components and subsystems for our products, or whether such relationships will be on terms that will allow us to achieve our objectives. Our business prospects, results of operations and financial condition could be harmed if we fail to secure relationships with entities that can develop or supply the required components for our products and provide the required distribution and servicing support. Additionally, the agreements governing our current relationships allow for termination by our partners under certain circumstances, some of which are beyond our control. If any of our current strategic partners were to terminate any of its agreements with us, there could be a material adverse impact on the continued development and profitable commercialization of our products and the operation of our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

We may never complete the research and development of certain commercially viable products, which may adversely affect our revenue, profitability and result in possible warranty claims. 

 

Periodically, we may enter into contracts with our customers for certain products that have not been developed or produced. There can be no assurance that we will complete the development of these products and meet the specifications required to fulfill customer agreements and deliver products on schedule. Pursuant to such agreements, the customers would have the right to provide notice to us if, in their good faith judgment, we have materially deviated from

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such agreements. Should a customer provide such notice, and we cannot mutually agree to a modification to the agreement, then the customer may have the right to terminate the agreement, which could adversely affect our future business.

 

Other than our current products, which we believe to be commercially viable at this time, we do not know when or whether we will successfully complete research and development of other commercially viable products that could be critical to our future. If we are unable to develop additional commercially viable products, we may not be able to generate sufficient revenue to become profitable. The profitable commercialization of our products depends on our ability to reduce the costs of our components and subsystems, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to sufficiently reduce these costs. In addition, the profitable commercialization of our products requires achievement and verification of their overall reliability, efficiency and safety targets, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to develop, acquire or license the technology necessary to achieve these targets. We must complete additional research and development to fill our product portfolios and deliver enhanced functionality and reliability in order to manufacture additional commercially viable products in commercial quantities. In addition, while we are conducting tests to predict the overall life of our products, we may not have run our products over their projected useful life prior to large‑scale commercialization. As a result, we cannot be sure that our products will last as long as predicted, resulting in possible warranty claims and commercial failures.

 

Certain component quality issues have resulted in adjustments to our warranty reserves and the accrual for loss contracts, which negatively impacted our results, and unanticipated future product reliability and quality issues could impair our ability to service long‑term warranty and maintenance contracts profitably.

 

Quality issues have arisen with respect to certain components in certain products that are currently being used at customer sites. The product and service revenue contracts we entered into generally represent either extended maintenance contracts or include a one‑to‑two‑year product warranty to customers from date of installation. Currently 78% of our fuel cells deployed are under extended maintenance or under PPAs and only 2% of our fuel cells deployed are still under standard warranty. We have had to retrofit units subject to component quality issues with replacement components that will improve the reliability of our products for our customers. We recorded a provision for loss contracts related to service in the fourth quarter of 2015 for $10.1 million. If any unanticipated additional quality issues or warranty claims arise, additional material charges may be incurred in the future. We continue to work with our vendors on these component issues to recover charges taken and improve quality and reliability of components to prevent a reoccurrence of the isolated quality issues we have experienced. Quality issues also could cause profitable maintenance contracts to become unprofitable. When applicable, we are required to recognize such losses once identified. We will continue to evaluate our contracts for potential adjustments to our accruals in the future.

 

In addition, from time to time the Company experiences other unexpected design or product performance issues. The Company makes significant investment in the continued improvement of our products and maintains appropriate warranty reserves for known and unexpected issues; however, unknown malfunctions or design defects could result in unexpected material liabilities and could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows and prospects. In addition, a well‑publicized actual or perceived problem could adversely affect the market’s perception of our products resulting in a decline in demand for our products and could divert the attention of our management, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects.

 

Our future plans could be harmed if we are unable to attract or retain key personnel.

 

We have attracted a highly skilled management team and specialized workforce, including scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturing, marketing and sales professionals. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to attract and retain qualified management and technical personnel. We do not know whether we will be successful in hiring or retaining qualified personnel. Our inability to hire qualified personnel on a timely basis, or the departure of key employees, could materially and adversely affect our development and profitable commercialization plans and, therefore, our business prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our stock price and stock trading volume has been and could remain volatile, which could further adversely affect the market price of our stock, our ability to raise additional capital and/or cause us to be subject to securities class action litigation.

 

The market price of our common stock has historically experienced and may continue to experience significant volatility. In 2016, the sales price of our common stock fluctuated from a high of $2.28 per share to a low of $1.18 per share. Our progress in developing and commercializing our products, our quarterly operating results, announcements of

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new products by us or our competitors, our perceived prospects, changes in securities’ analysts’ recommendations or earnings estimates, changes in general conditions in the economy or the financial markets, adverse events related to our strategic relationships, significant sales of our common stock by existing stockholders, including one or more of our strategic partners, and other developments affecting us or our competitors could cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially. In addition, in recent years, the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has affected the market prices of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to their operating performance and may adversely affect the price of our common stock. Such market price volatility could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital. In addition, we may be subject to additional securities class action litigation as a result of volatility in the price of our common stock, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of management’s attention and resources and could harm our stock price, business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could occur at any time. These sales, or the market perception that the holders of a large number of shares intend to sell shares, could reduce the market price of our common stock.

 

Additionally, market conditions may result in volatility in the level of, and fluctuations in, the market prices of stocks generally and, in turn, our common stock and sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the market, in each case being unrelated or disproportionate to changes in our operating performance.

 

We face risks associated with our plans to market, distribute and service our products and services internationally.

 

We have begun to market, distribute, sell and service our product offerings internationally. We have limited experience operating internationally, including developing and manufacturing our products to comply with the commercial and legal requirements of international markets. Our success in international markets will depend, in part, on our ability and that of our partners to secure relationships with foreign sub‑distributors, and our ability to manufacture products that meet foreign regulatory and commercial requirements. Additionally, our planned international operations are subject to other inherent risks, including potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations and intellectual property rights in foreign countries and fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Also, to the extent our operations and assets are located in foreign countries, they are potentially subject to nationalization actions over which we will have no control.

 

For example, we operate in France under the name HyPulsion to develop and sell hydrogen fuel cell systems for the European material handling market. However, for the reasons discussed above, HyPulsion may not be able to accomplish its goals or become profitable.

 

Doing business in foreign markets requires us to be able to respond to rapid changes in market, legal, and political conditions in these countries. As we expand in international markets, we may face numerous challenges, including unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, potential conflicts or disputes that countries may have to deal with, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, longer accounts receivable requirements and collections, difficulties in managing international operations, potentially adverse tax consequences, restrictions on repatriation of earnings and the burdens of complying with a wide variety of international laws. Any of these factors could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. The success of our international expansion will depend, in part, on our ability to succeed in differing legal, regulatory, economic, social and political environments.

 

We currently are, and may from time to time become, a named party in contract disputes for which an adverse outcome could result in us incurring significant expenses, being liable for damages and subject to indemnification claims.

 

From time to time, we may be subject to contract disputes or litigation. In connection with any disputes or litigation in which we are involved, we may be forced to incur costs and expenses in connection with defending ourselves or in connection with the payment of any settlement or judgment or compliance with any injunctions in connection therewith if there is an unfavorable outcome. The expense of defending litigation may be significant. The amount of time to resolve lawsuits is unpredictable and defending ourselves may divert management’s attention from the day‑to‑day operations of our business, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, an unfavorable outcome in any such litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

 

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If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, which could harm our brand and operating results.

 

Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable and accurate financial reports and effectively prevent fraud. We have devoted significant resources and time to comply with the internal control over financial reporting requirements of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002. In addition, Section 404 under the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002 requires that we assess the design and operating effectiveness of our controls over financial reporting. We are currently required to have our auditors attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our compliance with the annual internal control report requirement will depend on the effectiveness of our financial reporting and data systems and controls. Inferior internal controls increase the possibility of errors and could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our stock and our access to capital.

 

In addition, our internal control systems rely on people trained in the execution of the controls. Loss of these people or our inability to replace them with similarly skilled and trained individuals or new processes in a timely manner could adversely impact our internal control mechanisms.

 

Provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law may discourage or delay an acquisition that stockholders may consider favorable, which could decrease the value of our common stock.

 

Our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws, and Delaware corporate law contain provisions that could make it harder for a third party to acquire us without the consent of our board of directors. These provisions include those that: authorize the issuance of up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series without a stockholder vote; limit stockholders’ ability to call special meetings; establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by stockholders at stockholder meetings; and provide for staggered terms for our directors. We have a shareholders rights plan that may be triggered if a person or group of affiliated or associated persons acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock. In addition, in certain circumstances, Delaware law also imposes restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock.

 

Our business may become subject to future government regulation, which may impact our ability to market our products and costs and price of our products.

 

Our products are subject to certain federal, local, and non‑U.S. laws and regulations, including, for example, state and local ordinances relating to building codes, public safety, electrical and gas pipeline connections, hydrogen transportation and siting and related matters. See “Business—Government Regulations” for additional information. Further, as products are introduced into the market commercially, governments may impose new regulations. We do not know the extent to which any such regulations may impact our ability to manufacture, distribute, install and service our products. Any regulation of our products, whether at the federal, state, local or foreign level, including any regulations relating to the production, operation, installation, and servicing of our products may increase our costs and the price of our products.

 

We are increasingly dependent on technology in our operations and, if our technology fails, our business could be adversely affected.

 

We may experience problems with the operation of our current information technology systems or the technology systems of third parties on which we rely, as well as the development and deployment of new information technology systems, that could adversely affect, or even temporarily disrupt, all or a portion of our operations until resolved. Inabilities and delays in implementing new systems can also affect our ability to realize projected or expected cost savings. Despite the implementation of network security measures, our information technology could be penetrated by outside parties (such as computer hackers or cyber terrorists) intent on extracting information, corrupting information or disrupting business processes. Such unauthorized access could disrupt our business and could result in a loss of assets or reputational damage. Additionally, any systems failures could impede our ability to timely collect and report financial results in accordance with applicable laws.

 

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Our products use flammable fuels that are inherently dangerous substances.

 

Our fuel cell systems use hydrogen gas in catalytic reactions. While our products do not use this fuel in a combustion process, hydrogen gas is a flammable fuel that could leak and combust if ignited by another source. Further, while we are not aware of any significant accidents involving our products, any such accidents involving our products or other products using similar flammable fuels could materially suppress demand for, or heighten regulatory scrutiny of, our products.

 

The risk of product liability claims and associated adverse publicity is inherent in the development, manufacturing, marketing and sale of fuel cell products, including products fueled by hydrogen, a flammable gas. Any liability for damages resulting from malfunctions or design defects could be substantial and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. In addition, a well‑publicized actual or perceived problem could adversely affect the market’s perception of our products resulting in a decline in demand for our products and could divert the attention of our management, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

We may not be able to protect important intellectual property and we could incur substantial costs defending against claims that our products infringe on the proprietary rights of others.

 

PEM fuel cell technology was first developed in the 1950s, and fuel processing technology has been practiced on a large scale in the petrochemical industry for decades. Accordingly, we do not believe that we can establish a significant proprietary position in the fundamental component technologies in these areas. However, our ability to compete effectively will depend, in part, on our ability to protect our proprietary system‑level technologies, systems designs and manufacturing processes. We rely on patents, trademarks, and other policies and procedures related to confidentiality to protect our intellectual property. However, some of our intellectual property is not covered by any patent or patent application. Moreover, we do not know whether any of our pending patent applications will issue or, in the case of patents issued or to be issued, that the claims allowed are or will be sufficiently broad to protect our technology or processes. Even if all of our patent applications are issued and are sufficiently broad, our patents may be challenged or invalidated. We could incur substantial costs in prosecuting or defending patent infringement suits or otherwise protecting our intellectual property rights. While we have attempted to safeguard and maintain our proprietary rights, we do not know whether we have been or will be completely successful in doing so. Moreover, patent applications filed in foreign countries may be subject to laws, rules and procedures that are substantially different from those of the United States, and any resulting foreign patents may be difficult and expensive to obtain and enforce. In addition, we do not know whether the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office will grant federal registrations based on our pending trademark applications. Even if federal registrations are granted to us, our trademark rights may be challenged. It is also possible that our competitors or others will adopt trademarks similar to ours, thus impeding our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to customer confusion. We could incur substantial costs in prosecuting or defending trademark infringement suits.

 

Further, our competitors may independently develop or patent technologies or processes that are substantially equivalent or superior to ours. If we are found to be infringing third party patents, we could be required to pay substantial royalties and/or damages, and we do not know whether we will be able to obtain licenses to use such patents on acceptable terms, if at all. Failure to obtain needed licenses could delay or prevent the development, manufacture or sale of our products, and could necessitate the expenditure of significant resources to develop or acquire non‑infringing intellectual property.

 

We may need to pursue lawsuits or legal action in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets and domain names, and to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. If third parties prepare and file applications for trademarks used or registered by us, we may oppose those applications and be required to participate in proceedings to determine the priority of rights to the trademark. Similarly, competitors may have filed applications for patents, may have received patents and may obtain additional patents and proprietary rights relating to products or technology that block or compete with ours. We may have to participate in interference proceedings to determine the priority of invention and the right to a patent for the technology. Litigation and interference proceedings, even if they are successful, are expensive to pursue and time consuming, and we could use a substantial amount of our management and financial resources in either case.

 

Confidentiality agreements to which we are party may be breached, and we may not have adequate remedies for any breach. Our trade secrets may also be known without breach of such agreements or may be independently developed

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by competitors. Our inability to maintain the proprietary nature of our technology and processes could allow our competitors to limit or eliminate any competitive advantages we may have.

 

Potential future acquisitions could be difficult to integrate, divert the attention of key personnel, disrupt our business and impair our financial results.

 

As part of our business strategy, we intend to consider acquisitions of companies, technologies and products that we believe could improve our ability to compete in our core markets or allow us to enter new markets. Acquisitions, involve numerous risks, any of which could harm our business, including, difficulty in integrating the technologies, products, operations and existing contracts of a target company and realizing the anticipated benefits of the combined businesses; difficulty in supporting and transitioning customers, if any, of the target company; inability to achieve anticipated synergies or increase the revenue and profit of the acquired business; potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management; the price we pay or other resources that we devote may exceed the value we realize; or the value we could have realized if we had allocated the purchase price or other resources to another opportunity and inability to generate sufficient revenue to offset acquisition costs. In addition, if we finance acquisitions by issuing equity securities, our existing stockholders may be diluted. As a result, if we fail to properly evaluate acquisitions or investments, we may not achieve the anticipated benefits of any such acquisitions, and we may incur costs in excess of what we anticipate.

 

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

 

There are no unresolved comments regarding our periodic or current reports from the staff of the SEC that were issued 180 days or more preceding the end of our year ended December 31, 2016.

 

Item 2.  Properties

 

Our principal offices are located in Latham, New York. We lease a 140,000 square foot facility that includes our general office building, our manufacturing facility, and our research and development center. In addition, we lease a 29,200 square foot facility in Spokane, Washington that includes an office building and a manufacturing facility, and in 2016, we began leasing service centers in Dayton, Ohio and Romeoville, Illinois. See Note 17, Commitments and Contingencies of the Consolidated Financial Statements, Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10‑K for further discussion of the leases. We believe that our facilities are sufficient to accommodate our anticipated production volumes for at least the next two years.

 

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

 

An action has been brought in New York State Supreme Court by General Electric Co. (GE) and an affiliate against the Company seeking $1 million that GE claims is due under an indemnification agreement between GE and the Company. GE seeks indemnification for funds it paid to settle a claim with Soroof Trading Development Co., an entity that had paid funds to GE to become a distributor of the Company’s products. The Company is vigorously defending the action.

 

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

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PART II

 

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Market Information.  Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “PLUG.” As of March 6, 2017, there were approximately 613 record holders of our common stock. However, management believes that a significant number of shares are held by brokers under a “nominee name” and that the number of beneficial shareholders of our common stock exceeds 91,188. The following table sets forth the high and low sale price per share of our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Capital Market for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales prices

 

 

 

High

 

Low

 

2016

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

1st Quarter

 

$

2.25

 

$

1.30

 

2nd Quarter

 

$

2.28

 

$

1.60

 

3rd Quarter

 

$

1.95

 

$

1.34

 

4th Quarter

 

$

1.76

 

$

1.18

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st Quarter

 

$

3.38

 

$

2.42

 

2nd Quarter

 

$

2.85

 

$

2.32

 

3rd Quarter

 

$

2.85

 

$

1.56

 

4th Quarter

 

$

2.98

 

$

1.76

 

 

Dividend Policy.  We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the payment of dividends will depend upon capital requirements and limitations imposed by our credit agreements, if any, and such other factors as our board of directors may consider.

 

Five‑Year Performance Graph.  Below is a line graph comparing the percentage change in the cumulative total return of the Company’s common stock, based on the market price of the Company’s common stock, with the total return of companies included within the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index (CELS) and the companies included within the Russell 2000 Index (RUT) for the period commencing December 31, 2011 and ending December 31, 2016. The calculation of the cumulative total return assumes a $100 investment in the Company’s common stock, the NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index (CELS) and the Russell 2000 Index (RUT)  Index on December 31, 2011 and the reinvestment of all dividends, if any.

 

Picture 2

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Index

 

2011

 

2012

 

2013

 

2014

 

2015

 

2016

 

Plug Power Inc.

    

$

100.00

    

$

24.51

    

$

75.98

    

$

147.06

    

$

103.43

    

$

58.82

    

NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index

 

$

100.00

 

$

98.23

 

$

185.37

 

$

178.62

 

$

165.57

 

$

159.58

 

Russell 2000 Index

 

$

100.00

 

$

114.63

 

$

157.05

 

$

162.60

 

$

153.31

 

$

183.17

 

 

See also Part III Item 12 in this Annual Report on Form 10‑K for additional detail related to security ownership and related stockholder matters, and for additional detail on equity compensation plan matters.

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Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

 

The following tables set forth selected financial data and other operating information of the Company. The selected statement of operations and balance sheet data for 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012, as set forth below are derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company. The information is only a summary and you should read it in conjunction with the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes and other financial information included herein and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Statements Of Operations:

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

$

39,985

 

$

78,002

 

$

48,306

 

$

18,446

 

$

20,792

 

Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

 

20,456

 

 

14,012

 

 

9,909

 

 

6,659

 

 

3,615

 

Power Purchase Agreements

 

 

13,687

 

 

5,718

 

 

2,137

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel delivered to customers

 

 

10,916

 

 

5,075

 

 

1,959

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

884

 

 

481

 

 

1,919

 

 

1,496

 

 

1,701

 

Total revenue

 

$

85,928

 

$

103,288

 

$

64,230

 

$

26,601

 

$

26,108

 

Cost of revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

$

29,543

 

$

67,703

 

$

43,378

 

$

20,414

 

$

25,354

 

Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

 

22,649

 

 

22,937

 

 

19,256

 

 

14,929

 

 

12,304

 

Provision for loss contracts related to service

 

 

(1,071)

 

 

10,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power Purchase Agreements

 

 

16,132

 

 

5,253

 

 

1,052

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel delivered to customers

 

 

13,864

 

 

6,695

 

 

2,204

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

865

 

 

540

 

 

3,202

 

 

2,506

 

 

2,805

 

Total cost of revenue

 

$

81,982

 

$

113,178

 

$

69,092

 

$

37,849

 

$

40,463

 

Gross profit (loss)

 

$

3,946

 

$

(9,890)

 

$

(4,862)

 

$

(11,248)

 

$

(14,355)

 

Research and development expense

 

 

21,177

 

 

14,948

 

 

6,469

 

 

3,121

 

 

5,434

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

34,288

 

 

34,164

 

 

26,601

 

 

14,596

 

 

16,883

 

Other (expense) income, net

 

 

(6,360)

 

 

3,312

 

 

(50,881)

 

 

(34,115)

 

 

4,810

 

Loss before income taxes

 

$

(57,879)

 

$

(55,690)

 

$

(88,813)

 

$

(63,080)

 

$

(31,862)

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

392

 

 

 

 

325

 

 

410

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to the Company

 

$

(57,487)

 

$

(55,690)

 

$

(88,488)

 

$

(62,670)

 

$

(31,862)

 

Preferred stock dividends declared

 

 

(104)

 

 

(105)

 

 

(156)

 

 

(121)

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common shareholders

 

$

(57,591)

 

$

(55,795)

 

$

(88,644)

 

$

(62,791)

 

$

(31,862)

 

Loss per share, basic and diluted

 

$

(0.32)

 

$

(0.32)

 

$

(0.56)

 

$

(0.82)

 

$

(0.93)

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

 

 

180,619,860

 

 

176,067,231

 

 

159,228,815

 

 

76,436,408

 

 

34,376,427

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(at end of the period)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents

 

$

46,014

 

$

63,961

 

$

146,205

 

$

5,027

 

$

9,380

 

Total assets

 

 

240,832

 

 

209,456

 

 

204,151

 

 

35,356

 

 

39,460

 

Noncurrent liabilities

 

 

79,637

 

 

40,861

 

 

19,008

 

 

39,983

 

 

7,390

 

Stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

 

85,088

 

 

124,736

 

 

158,283

 

 

(17,872)

 

 

15,030

 

Working capital

 

 

44,448

 

 

88,524

 

 

167,039

 

 

11,110

 

 

6,901

 

 

 

 

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The discussion contained in this Form 10‑K contains “forward‑looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this Form 10‑K. In evaluating these statements, you should review Part I, Item 1A: Risk Factors and our Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in Part II, Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Form 10‑K.

 

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Table of Contents

Overview

 

Plug Power Inc., or the Company, is a leading provider of alternative energy technology focused on the design, development, commercialization and manufacture of hydrogen fuel cell systems used primarily for the material handling and stationary power market. 

 

We are focused on proton exchange membrane, or PEM, fuel cell and fuel processing technologies, fuel cell/battery hybrid technologies, and associated hydrogen storage and dispensing infrastructure from which multiple products are available. A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and heat without combustion. Hydrogen is derived from hydrocarbon fuels such as liquid petroleum gas, or LPG, natural gas, propane, methanol, ethanol, gasoline or biofuels. Plug Power develops complete hydrogen delivery, storage and refueling solutions for customer locations. Hydrogen can also be obtained from the electrolysis of water, or produced on-site at consumer locations through a process known as reformation.  Currently, the Company predominantly obtains hydrogen by purchasing it from fuel suppliers for resale to customers.

 

We provide and continue to develop commercially viable hydrogen and fuel cell product solutions to replace lead‑acid batteries in material handling vehicles and industrial trucks for some of the world’s largest distribution and manufacturing businesses. We are focusing our efforts on industrial mobility applications (forklifts and electric industrial vehicles) at multi‑shift high volume manufacturing and high throughput distribution sites where our products and services provide a unique combination of productivity, flexibility and environmental benefits. Additionally, we manufacture and sell fuel cell products to replace batteries and diesel generators in stationary backup power applications. These products prove valuable with telecommunications, transportation and utility customers as a robust, reliable and sustainable power solution. Our current products and services include:

 

GenDrive: GenDrive is our hydrogen fueled PEM fuel cell system providing power to material handling vehicles;

 

GenFuel:  GenFuel is our hydrogen fueling delivery system;

 

GenCare: GenCare is our ongoing maintenance program for GenDrive fuel cells, GenSure products and GenFuel products;

 

GenSure:  GenSure (formerly ReliOn) is our stationary fuel cell solution providing scalable, modular PEM fuel cell power to support the backup and grid-support power requirements of the telecommunications, transportation, and utility sectors;

 

GenKey: GenKey is our turn-key solution combining either GenDrive or GenSure with GenFuel and GenCare, offering complete simplicity to customers transitioning to fuel cell power;

 

ProGen:  ProGen is our fuel cell engine technology, under development for use in mobility and stationary fuel cell systems;

 

GenFund: GenFund is a collaboration with leasing organizations to provide cost efficient and seamless financing solutions to customers.

 

We provide our products worldwide through our direct product sales force, and by leveraging relationships with original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, and their dealer networks.

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Results of Operations

 

Revenue, cost of revenue, gross profit/(loss) and gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

    

Cost of

    

Gross

    

Gross

 

 

 

Revenue

 

Revenue

 

Profit/(Loss)

 

Margin

 

For the year ended December 31, 2016:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

$

39,985

 

$

29,543

 

$

10,442

 

26.1

%

Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

 

20,456

 

 

22,649

 

 

(2,193)

 

(10.7)

%

Power Purchase Agreements

 

 

13,687

 

 

16,132

 

 

(2,445)

 

(17.9)

%

Fuel delivered to customers

 

 

10,916

 

 

13,864

 

 

(2,948)

 

(27.0)

%

Other

 

 

884

 

 

865

 

 

19

 

2.1

%

Provision for loss contracts related to service

 

 

 —

 

 

(1,071)

 

 

1,071

 

 

 

Total

 

$

85,928

 

$

81,982

 

$

3,946

 

4.6

%

For the year ended December 31, 2015:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

$

78,002

 

$

67,703

 

$

10,299

 

13.2

%

Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

 

14,012

 

 

22,937

 

 

(8,925)

 

(63.7)

%

Power Purchase Agreements

 

 

5,718

 

 

5,253

 

 

465

 

8.1

%

Fuel delivered to customers

 

 

5,075

 

 

6,695

 

 

(1,620)

 

(31.9)

%

Other

 

 

481

 

 

540

 

 

(59)

 

(12.3)

%

Provision for loss contracts related to service

 

 

 —

 

 

10,050

 

 

(10,050)

 

 

 

Total

 

$

103,288

 

$

113,178

 

$

(9,890)

 

(9.6)

%

For the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

$

48,306

 

$

43,378

 

$

4,928

 

10.2

%

Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

 

9,909

 

 

19,256

 

 

(9,347)

 

(94.3)

%

Power Purchase Agreements

 

 

2,137

 

 

1,052

 

 

1,085

 

50.8

%

Fuel delivered to customers

 

 

1,959

 

 

2,204

 

 

(245)

 

(12.5)

%

Other

 

 

1,919

 

 

3,202

 

 

(1,283)

 

(66.9)

%

Total

 

$

64,230

 

$

69,092

 

$

(4,862)

 

(7.6)

%

 

Our primary sources of revenue are from sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure, services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure, PPAs, and fuel delivered to customers.  Revenue from sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure represents sales of our GenDrive units, GenSure stationary backup power units, as well as hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Revenue from services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure represents revenue earned on our service and maintenance contracts and sales of spare parts.  Revenue from PPAs primarily represents payments received from customers who make monthly payments to access the Company’s GenKey solution.  Revenue associated with fuel delivered to customers represents the sale of hydrogen to customers that has been purchased by the Company from a third party. 

 

Revenue – sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure. Revenue from sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure represents revenue from the sale of our fuel cells, such as GenDrive units and GenSure stationary backup power units, as well as hydrogen fueling infrastructure referred to at the site level as hydrogen installations.

 

Revenue from sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure for the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased $38.0 million or 48.7%, to $40.0 million from $78.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The Company recognized revenue on 1,383 GenDrive units during the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 3,634 during the year ended December 31, 2015.  An additional 2,605 units were deployed in 2016 and held as leased property because they were associated with sale/leaseback transactions accounted for as capital leases. Due to the growing PPA installed base, the Company will generate higher levels of revenue under “Power Purchase Agreements” in future periods. GenDrive units shipped in 2016 were predominantly associated with the GenKey solution. Sales were associated with hydrogen

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installations at seven sites in 2016, compared to 18 sites in 2015. An additional 11 sites were deployed in 2016 and held as leased property.

 

Revenue from sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased $29.7 million or 61.5%, to $78.0 million from $48.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The most significant factor driving the increase was the Company’s continued refinement of its full turn‑key solution (GenKey). By investing in its sales team, the Company has been able to better penetrate anchor customers and reach new customers in subsectors where it already has a presence (automobile manufacturers, retail distribution, and grocery distribution). There were 3,634 GenDrive units recognized as revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to 2,406 during the year ended December 31, 2014. GenDrive units shipped in 2015 were predominantly associated with the GenKey solution. Sales were associated with hydrogen installations at 18 sites in 2015, compared to 11 in 2014. Excluded from revenue is approximately $3.6 million of profit associated with sale/leaseback transactions which has been included within deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2015.

 

Revenue – services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure.  Revenue from services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure represents revenue earned on our service and maintenance contracts and sales of spare parts.  At December 31, 2016, there were 8,950 fuel cell units and 30 hydrogen installations under extended maintenance contracts, an increase from 8,655 and 5,163 fuel cell units and 23 and eight hydrogen installations at  December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

Revenue from services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased $6.4 million or 46.0%, to $20.5 million from $14.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase in this revenue category is primarily related to the Company’s increase in sales of fuel cell systems and hydrogen installations in recent years, which has had a corresponding impact on the installed base.  The average number of units under extended maintenance contracts in 2016 was 8,933, compared to 6,986 in 2015. This 27.8% increase in average units serviced throughout the year is corresponding with the increase in revenue, as compared to the prior years.  The extent of the revenue increase, as compared to the unit increase, is due to improved customer pricing mix. 

 

Revenue from services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased $4.1 million or 41.4%, to $14.0 million from $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in this revenue category is primarily related to the Company’s increase in sales of fuel cell systems and hydrogen installations in recent years, which has had a corresponding impact on the installed base. The average number of units under extended maintenance contracts in 2015 was 6,986, compared to 3,779 in 2014. This 84.9% increase in average units serviced throughout the year is corresponding with the increase in revenue, as compared to the prior years. Revenue did not increase as much as installed base due to the large concentration of units at customer locations. This leverage impacts pricing strategy.

 

Revenue – Power Purchase Agreements.  Revenue from PPAs represents payments received from customers for power generated through the provision of equipment and service.  The equipment and service can be associated with sale/leaseback transactions in which the Company sells fuel cell systems and related infrastructure to a third-party, leases them back and operates them at customers’ locations who are parties to PPAs with the Company.  Alternatively, the Company can retain the equipment and provide it to customers under PPAs as leased property.  At December 31, 2016, there were 25 GenKey sites associated with PPAs, as compared to 14 at December 31, 2015 and four at December 31, 2014.

 

Revenue from PPAs for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased $8.0 million or 139.4%, to $13.7 million from $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase is due to the increased numbers of sites the Company has deployed with these types of arrangements.

 

Revenue from PPAs for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased $3.6 million or 167.6%, to $5.7 million from $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase is due to the increased numbers of sites the Company has deployed with these types of arrangements. The PPA sales model was primarily launched in the second half of 2014.

 

Revenue – fuel delivered to customers.  Revenue associated with fuel delivered to customers represents the sale of hydrogen to customers that has been purchased by the Company from a third party.  As part of the GenKey solution, the Company contracts with fuel suppliers to purchase liquid hydrogen, which is then sold to its customers.  At December

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31, 2016, there were 40 sites associated with fuel contracts, as compared to 22 at December 31, 2015 and seven at December 31, 2014.  The sites generally are the same as those that had purchased hydrogen installations within the GenKey solution.

 

Revenue associated with fuel delivered to customers for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased $5.8 million or 115.1%, to $10.9 million from $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase in revenue is due to an increase of 18 additional sites taking fuel deliveries in 2016, compared to 2015.

 

Revenue associated with fuel delivered to customers for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased $3.1 million or 159.1%, to $5.1 million from $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in revenue is due to an increase of 15 additional sites taking fuel deliveries in 2015, compared to 2014. The Company began selling hydrogen to customers during the second half of 2014.

 

Revenue  –  other.  Other revenue primarily represents cost reimbursement research and development contracts associated with the development of PEM fuel cell technology. We generally share in the cost of these programs with our cost‑sharing percentages ranging from 30% to 50% of total project costs. Revenue from time and material contracts is recognized on the basis of hours expended plus other reimbursable contract costs incurred during the period. We expect to continue certain research and development contract work that is related to our current product development efforts. Other miscellaneous revenue is recognized from time to time.

 

Other revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased $0.4 million, or 83.8%, to $0.9 million from $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. During 2016, the Company recorded $0.4 million as compared to $0.1 million in technology access fees from a customer related to stacks being developed internally. The Company has also been working on a U.S. government-related research and development project as it did in prior years, and had research & development activities related to a European Union related contract.

 

Other revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased $1.4 million, or 74.9%, to $0.5 million from $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company had been working on a U.S. government‑related research and development contract primarily in 2014, which had lower costs (and therefore associated revenues) carry over into 2015. During 2015, the Company also recorded $0.1 million in technology access fees from a customer related to stacks being developed internally.

 

Cost of revenue – sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure.  Cost of revenue from sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure includes direct materials, labor costs, and allocated overhead costs related to the manufacture of our fuel cells such as GenDrive units and GenSure stationary backup power units, as well as hydrogen fueling infrastructure referred to at the site level as hydrogen installations.

 

Cost of revenue from sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure for the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased $38.2 million, or (56.4%), to $29.5 million from $67.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Gross margin generated from sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure was 26.1% in 2016 and 13.2% in 2015. Gross margin on GenDrive sales in 2016 was 34.5%, an improvement from 21.3% in 2015. Costs per unit have increased due to product mix, however revenue and gross margin have benefited from the more favorable pricing mix.  Gross margin on hydrogen infrastructure sales in 2016 was 7.5%, an improvement from (4.4%) in 2015 due to project cost downs and more favorable pricing. Gross margin on GenSure revenues improved to 23.8% in 2016, from 5.7% in 2015, due to better leverage of fixed costs incurred at the Spokane facility.

 

Cost of revenue from sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased $24.3 million, or 56.1%, to $67.7 million from $43.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Gross margin generated from sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure was 13.2% in 2015 and 10.2% in 2014. Gross margin on GenDrive sales in 2015 was 21.3%, an improvement from 13.7% in 2014. Total costs have increased due to higher volume, however gross margin has improved from better leverage on the fixed cost base, supply chain and product design cost down programs, as well as manufacturing process improvements. Gross margin on hydrogen infrastructure sales in 2015 was (4.4%), an improvement from (7.3%) in 2014. Approximately $2.5 million of the overall increase in costs is also due to the inclusion of ReliOn for a full year as compared to nine months in 2014, which was the year the Company completed the acquisition. Gross margin on ReliOn revenues were consistent at 5.7% in 2015, compared to 8.3% in 2014.

 

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Cost of revenue – services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure. Cost of revenue from services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure includes the labor, material costs and allocated overhead costs incurred for our product service and hydrogen site maintenance contracts and spare parts.  At December 31, 2016, there were 8,950 fuel cell units and 30 hydrogen installations under extended maintenance contracts, compared to 8,655 and 23 at December 31, 2015 and 5,163 and eight at December 2014, respectively.  

 

Cost of revenue from services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure for the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased $0.3 million, or (1.3%), to $22.6 million from $22.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease in the cost is attributed to increasing reliability of new units and replacement parts in the field offset by a growing installed base of GenDrive units and serviceable infrastructure sites.  Gross margin improved to (10.7%) in 2016 from (63.7%) in 2015 to also due better reliability of new units and replacement parts. Not impacting gross margin is approximately $8.2 million of parts, labor and overhead costs that was absorbed by the accrual for loss contracts related to service.

 

Cost of revenue from services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased $3.7 million, or 19.1%, to $22.9 million from $19.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in the cost is attributed to increasing costs of replacement parts, as well as labor and overhead for service personnel necessary to support these service and hydrogen site maintenance contracts. These increases are a direct result of a growing installed base of GenDrive units, and the number of associated customers that have GenCare and GenFuel service contracts. At December 31, 2015 there were 8,655 GenDrive units under GenCare contracts and 22 customer sites under GenFuel contracts, as compared to 5,163 GenDrive units under GenCare contracts and 7 customer sites under GenFuel contracts at December 31, 2014. Gross margin improved to (63.7%) in 2015 from (94.3%) in 2014 due to better leverage with the growing installed base and improved model design.

Cost of revenue—provision for loss contracts related to service.  During 2015, the Company recognized a $10.1 million provision for loss contracts related to service. This provision represents extended maintenance contracts that have projected costs over the remaining life of the contracts that exceed contractual revenues.  During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company renegotiated one of its service contracts and replaced 96 of the older fuel cell systems in service at that particular customer.  As a result, the projected costs over the remaining life of the amended contract were estimated to be reduced as compared to the previous estimate, resulting in a lower necessary accrual.  The change in estimate was recorded as a gain within cost of revenue where the original charge was recorded.

Cost of revenue – Power Purchase Agreements.  Cost of revenue from PPAs includes payments made to financial institutions for leased equipment and service used to fulfill the PPAs, and depreciation of leased property.  Leased units are primarily associated with sale/leaseback transactions in which the Company sells fuel cell systems and related infrastructure to a third-party, leases them back, and operates them at customers’ locations who are parties to PPAs with the Company.  Alternatively, the Company can hold the equipment for investment and recognize the depreciation and service cost of the assets as cost of revenue from PPAs.  At December 31, 2016, there were 25 GenKey sites associated with PPAs, as compared to 14 at December 31, 2015 and four at December 31, 2014. 

 

Cost of revenue from PPAs for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased $10.9 million, or 207.1%, to $16.1 million from $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase was a result of the increase in the number of customer sites covered by these agreements. Gross margin declined to (17.9)% in 2016 from 8.1% in 2015, due primarily to changes in financing pricing, depreciation of capitalized leased asset costs related to sites constructed in 2016 associated with capital leases, as well as costs to maintain them.

 

Cost of revenue from PPAs for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased $4.2 million, or 399.3%, to $5.3 million from $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.  The increase was a result of the increase in the number of customer sites in which the Company completed sale/leaseback transactions.  Gross margin declined to 8.1% in 2015 from 50.8% in 2014, due to changes in financing pricing, as well as decreases in the timing difference between when systems were deployed at customer sites (beginning of the revenue stream) and when agreements with financial institutions were reached (beginning expense recognition of lease payments).  We began entering into PPAs in the second half of 2014.

 

Cost of revenue – fuel delivered to customers.  Cost of revenue from fuel delivered to customers represents the purchase of hydrogen from suppliers that ultimately is sold to customers.  As part of the GenKey solution, the Company contracts with fuel suppliers to purchase liquid hydrogen and separately sells to its customers upon delivery.  At December 31, 2016, there were 40 sites associated with fuel contracts, as compared to 22 at December 31, 2015 and seven at

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December 31, 2014.  The sites generally are the same as those which had purchased hydrogen installations within the GenKey solution.

 

Cost of revenue from fuel delivered to customers for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased $7.2 million, or 107.1%, to $13.9 million from $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase is due to higher cost of fuel per kilogram in 2016, as compared to 2015, and a greater volume delivered to customer sites, as a result of an increase in the number of hydrogen installations completed under GenKey agreements. Gross margin improved to (27.0%) in 2016 from (31.9%) in 2015, due primarily to a settlement of a claim with a gas supplier, and improved efficiencies in fuel usage.

Cost of revenue from fuel delivered to customers for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased $4.5 million, or 203.8%, to $6.7 million from $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.  The increase is due to higher volume of liquid hydrogen delivered to customer sites, as a result of an increase in the number of hydrogen installations completed under GenKey agreements.  The Company began selling hydrogen fuel to customers during the second half of 2014.  Gross margin declined to (31.9%) in 2015 from (12.5%) in 2014, due to inefficiencies related to new product design causing differences between the volume of fuel delivered (purchased) and dispensed (sold).

Cost of revenue – other.  Other cost of revenue primarily represents costs associated with research and development contracts including: cash and non-cash compensation and benefits for engineering and related support staff, fees paid to outside suppliers for subcontracted components and services, fees paid to consultants for services provided, materials and supplies used and other directly allocable general overhead costs allocated to specific research and development contracts.

 

Cost of other revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased $0.3 million, or 60.2%, to $0.9 million from $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The Company has been working on a U.S. government‑related research and development project, as it did in prior years, and had research & development activities in a European Union related contract.

 

Cost of other revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased $2.7 million, or 83.1%, to $0.5 million from $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company had been working on a U.S. government‑related research and development contract primarily in 2014, which was close to completion and had less activity in 2015.

Research and development expense. Research and development expense includes: materials to build development and prototype units, cash and non-cash compensation and benefits for the engineering and related staff, expenses for contract engineers, fees paid to consultants for services provided, fuel, materials and supplies consumed, facility related costs such as computer and network services, and other general overhead costs associated with our research and development activities.

Research and development expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased $6.2 million, or 41.7%, to $21.2 million from $14.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase was primarily related to an increase in personnel related expenses from higher headcount, focused on refinement of hydrogen infrastructure design, multiple product cost-down programs and prototyping for stack performance enhancement.  Additional increases are due to higher levels of fuel and materials consumed on hydrogen  infrastructure development.

 

Research and development expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased $8.5 million, or 131.1%, to $14.9 million from $6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase was primarily related to an increase in personnel related expenses, materials and fuel consumed on refinement of hydrogen infrastructure design, and $0.4 million of incremental costs due to the impact of research and development associated with ReliOn for an entire year. The increases in personnel and materials were a result of increased efforts on multiple product cost‑down programs and prototyping for stack performance enhancement.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses includes cash and non-cash compensation, benefits, amortization of intangible assets and related costs in support of our general corporate functions, including general management, finance and accounting, human resources, selling and marketing, information technology and legal services.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016, was $34.3 million, consistent with $34.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. There was a $1.4 million increase in stock-based compensation

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expense, impacted by the increases in the fair value of stock options granted in recent years and rising headcount, offset by approximately a $2.4 million decrease in performance-based bonuses.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased $7.6 million, or 28.4%, to $34.2 million from $26.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Approximately $7.8 million of this increase was primarily related to an increase in personnel related expenses (for example salary, benefits, travel and stock‑based compensation) resulting from continued investment in professional staff to support the additional growth in the business. The stock‑based compensation expense component of the increase is also impacted by increases in the fair value of stock options granted in recent years. The overall increase also can be attributed to $1.2 million of HyPulsion acquisition and European startup costs (compared to zero in 2014). Offsetting these increases is a decrease in amortization of intangible assets of $1.4 million in 2015 compared to 2014 due primarily to certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized.

Interest and other expense (income), net. Interest and other expense, net consists of interest and other expenses related to interest on our short-term borrowing, long-term debt, obligations under capital lease and our finance obligations, as well as foreign currency exchange gain (loss), offset by interest and other income consisting primarily of interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents, note receivable, and other income.  The short-term borrowing originated on March 2, 2016, when the Company entered into a loan agreement with Generate Lending LLC., which was converted to project financing in June 2016.  The long-term debt originated on June 27, 2016, when the Company entered into a loan and security agreement with Hercules Capital, Inc.  On December 22, 2016, the Company, prepaid (in full) its obligations under this agreement.  On December 23, 2016, the Company entered into a loan and security agreement with NY Green Bank.

 

Net interest and other expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2016, increased $10.4 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2015.  The increase is primarily attributed to $5.0 million in accelerated interest, early termination fees, and accelerated amortization of debt issuance costs related to the Hercules Capital, Inc. loan and security agreement, $3.6 million of interest on the Hercules Capital, Inc. loan and security agreement, and $2.1 million of interest expense related to the Generate Lending LLC loan agreement, offset by interest and other income which remained relatively insignificant for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to December 31, 2015.

 

Net interest and other expense (income), net for the year ended December 31, 2015, changed $1.7 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014.  The change is attributed to interest on the various financing structures described above, offset by interest and other income which decreased to $157 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2015 from $752 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2014. This decrease is primarily related to the settlement of a license arrangement at ReliOn in 2014, which did not repeat in 2015, as well as a decrease in the overall interest‑bearing cash balances at the Company in 2015, as compared to 2014.

 

Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability. The Company accounts for common stock warrants as common stock warrant liability with changes in the fair value reflected in the consolidated statement of operations as change in the fair value of common stock warrant liability.

 

The change in fair value of common stock warrant liability for the year ended December 31, 2016 resulted in a decrease (gain) in the associated warrant liability of $4.3 million, as compared to a decrease (gain) of $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, and an increase (loss) of $52.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. These variances from year to year are primarily due to changes in the Company’s common stock share price, and changes in volatility of our common stock, which are significant inputs to the Black‑Scholes valuation model. Also, as a result of additional public offerings, the exercise price of previously issued warrants was reduced due to anti-dilution provisions that had been in place, resulting in a $1.6 million increase in the common stock warrant liability.

 

Income taxes.  The deferred tax asset generated from our net operating loss has been offset by a full valuation allowance because it is more likely than not that the tax benefits of the net operating loss carry forward will not be realized. The Company also recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company released its liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $392 thousand, as the related statute of limitations has expired.  No other tax expense or benefit was recognized in the years ended December 31, 2016 or 2015. Income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $325 thousand,

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due to reductions in accrued interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as a result of expirations of the associated statute of limitations.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our cash requirements relate primarily to working capital needed to operate and grow our business, including funding operating expenses, growth in inventory to support both shipments of new units and servicing the installed base, growth in equipment leased to customers under long-term arrangements, funding the growth in our GenKey “turn-key” solution, which includes the installation of our customers’ hydrogen infrastructure as well as delivery of the hydrogen fuel,  continued development and expansion of our products, payment of lease obligations under sale/leaseback financings, and the repayment or refinancing of our long-term debt. Our ability to achieve profitability and meet future liquidity needs and capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors, including the timing and quantity of product orders and shipments; attaining and expanding positive gross margins across all product lines; the timing and amount of our operating expenses; the timing and costs of working capital needs; the timing and costs of building a sales base; the ability of our customers to obtain financing to support commercial transactions; our ability to obtain financing arrangements to support the sale or leasing of our products and services to customers and to repay or refinance our long-term debt, and the terms of such agreements that may require us to pledge or restrict substantial amounts of our cash to support these financing arrangements; the timing and costs of developing marketing and distribution channels; the timing and costs of product service requirements; the timing and costs of hiring and training product staff; the extent to which our products gain market acceptance; the timing and costs of product development and introductions; the extent of our ongoing and new research and development programs; and changes in our strategy or our planned activities. If we are unable to fund our operations with positive cash flows and cannot obtain external financing, we may not be able to sustain future operations.  As a result, we may be required to delay, reduce and/or cease our operations and/or seek bankruptcy protection.

 

We have experienced and continue to experience negative cash flows from operations and net losses.  The Company incurred net losses attributable to common shareholders of $57.6 million, $55.8 million and $88.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively, and has an accumulated deficit of $1.1 billion at December 31, 2016.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, cash used in operating activities was $29.6 million, consisting primarily of a net loss attributable to the Company of $57.5 million, offset by the impact of noncash charges/gains of $10.9 million and net inflows from fluctuations in working capital and other assets and liabilities of $16.9 million. The changes in working capital primarily were related to collections of accounts receivable and managing of accounts payable, offset by consumption against the accrual for loss contracts related to service. As of December 31, 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents of $46.0 million and net working capital of $44.4 million. By comparison, at December 31, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of $64.0 million and net working capital of $88.5 million. 

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016, totaled $58.1 million and included purchases of property, plant and equipment and outflows associated with materials, labor, and overhead necessary to construct new leased property. Cash outflows related to equipment that we sell and equipment we lease directly to customers are included in net cash used in operating activities and net cash used in investing activities, respectively. 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we generated $69.9 million in cash flows from financing activities, primarily comprised of increases in finance obligations, borrowings against short and long-term loan agreements and proceeds from the issuance of common and preferred stock and warrants, offset by an increase in restricted cash and payments on short-term borrowing and long-term debt. 

 

Prior to 2016, the Company signed sale/leaseback agreements with various financial institutions to facilitate the Company’s commercial transactions with key customers. The Company had sold certain fuel cell systems and hydrogen infrastructure to the financial institutions, and leased the equipment back to support certain customer locations and to fulfill its varied PPAs.  In connection with these operating leases, the financial institutions require the Company to maintain cash balances in restricted accounts securing the Company’s lease obligations. Cash received from customers under the PPAs is used to make lease payments.  As the Company performs under these agreements, the required restricted cash balances are released, according to a set schedule. The total remaining lease payments to financial institutions under these agreements was $53.6 million which has been fully secured with restricted cash and pledged service escrows.

 

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The master lease agreement with one of the financial institutions required the Company to maintain a minimum balance of  unrestricted cash. This requirement was removed in October 2016, when the Company elected to pledge additional cash collateral of $12.0 million.  The Company’s remaining contractual lease payments to this financial institution are fully secured through a combination of restricted cash and pledges on funds escrowed for future service by the Company. 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, cash flows from financing activities included short-term borrowings and long-term debt, which are described more fully below.  On March 2, 2016, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Generate Lending, LLC., pursuant to which $25.0 million was borrowed upon closing and issuance costs of $1.3 million were incurred. On June 27, 2016, this borrowing was converted to long-term project financing from the same lender. On June 27, 2016, the Company borrowed $25.0 million under a loan agreement with Hercules Capital Inc., and incurred related issuance costs of $1.4 million. On December 22, 2016 the Company repaid the loan in full.  On December 23, 2016, the Company, entered into a loan and security agreement with NY Green Bank, borrowing $25.0 million under a loan agreement on the date of closing and issuance costs of $1.2 million were incurred.

 

During 2016, we received gross proceeds of $30.0 million from underwritten public offerings of our common stock and preferred stock as well as warrants to purchase additional shares of common stock.  Net proceeds after underwriting discounts and commissions and other fees and expenses were $27.5 million. During 2014, we received gross proceeds of $176.7 million from three underwritten public offerings.  Net proceeds after underwriting discounts and commissions and other fees and expenses were $165.7 million. In addition, during 2014, we received $18.3 million from the exercise of previously issued common stock warrants.

 

We have historically funded our operations primarily through public and private offerings of common and preferred stock, as well as short-term borrowings and long-term debt and project financing, as described below.  The Company believes that its current working capital and cash anticipated to be generated from future operations, as well as borrowings from lending and project financing sources and proceeds from equity offerings, will provide sufficient liquidity to fund operations for at least one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. There is no guarantee that future funding will be available if and when required or at terms acceptable to the Company.  This projection is based on our current expectations regarding new project financing and product sales and service, cost structure, cash burn rate and other operating assumptions.

 

Several key indicators of liquidity are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

2016

    

2015

    

2014

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

46,014

 

$

63,961

 

$

146,205

 

Restricted cash at end of period

 

 

54,622

 

 

47,835

 

 

500

 

Working capital at end of period

 

 

44,448

 

 

88,524

 

 

167,039

 

Net loss attributable to common shareholders

 

 

57,591

 

 

55,795

 

 

88,644

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

29,636

 

 

47,274

 

 

40,780

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment and leased property

 

 

58,075

 

 

3,520

 

 

1,413

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

69,885

 

 

(32,923)

 

 

182,923

 

 

NY Green Bank Loan

 

On December 23, 2016, the Company, and its subsidiaries Emerging Power Inc. and Emergent Power Inc. entered into a loan and security agreement with NY Green Bank, a Division of the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, (NY Green Bank), pursuant to which NY Green Bank made available to the Company a secured term loan facility in the amount of $25.0 million (Term Loan Facility), subject to certain terms and conditions.  The Company borrowed $25.0 million upon closing and incurred costs of $1.2 million.  At December 31, 2016, the outstanding principal balance under the Term Loan Facility was $25.0 million.

 

Advances under the Term Loan Facility bear interest at a rate equal to the sum of (i) the LIBOR rate for the applicable interest period, plus (ii) the credit default swap index coupon for the applicable interest period, plus (iii) 6.00% per annum. The interest rate at December 31, 2016 was approximately 11.3%.  The term of the loan is three years, with a maturity date of December 23, 2019.  Estimated principal payments will approximately be $3.0 million, $8.4 million, $13.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively.  These payments will be funded by restricted cash released.

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Interest and a varying portion of the principal amount is payable on a quarterly basis and the entire then outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan Facility, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, is due and payable on the maturity date.  On the maturity date, the Company may also be required to pay additional fees of up to $1.0 million if the Company is unable to meet certain goals related to the deployment of fuel cell systems in the State of New York and increasing the Company’s number of full-time employees in the State of New York.

 

The Term Loan Facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s and the guarantor subsidiaries’ assets, including, among other assets, all intellectual property, all securities in domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the securities in foreign subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions and exclusions.

 

The Term Loan Facility contains covenants, including, among others, (i) the provision of annual and quarterly financial statements, management rights and insurance policies and (ii) restrictions on incurring debt, granting liens, making acquisitions, making loans, paying dividends, dissolving, and entering into leases and asset sales.  The Term  Loan Facility also provides for events of default, including, among others, payment, bankruptcy, covenant, representation and warranty, change of control, judgment and material adverse effect defaults at the discretion of the lender.

 

The Term Loan Facility provides that if there is an event of default due to the Company’s insolvency or if the Company fails to perform, in any material respect, the servicing requirements for fuel cell systems under certain customer agreements, which failure would entitle the customer to terminate such customer agreement, replace the Company or withhold the payment of any material amount to the Company under such customer agreement, then the NY Green Bank has the right to cause a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company to replace the Company in performing the maintenance services under such customer agreement.

 

Hercules Capital, Inc. Loan

 

On June 27, 2016, Plug Power Inc. and its subsidiaries Emerging Power Inc. and Emergent Power Inc. entered into a loan and security agreement with Hercules Capital, Inc. (Hercules) pursuant to which Hercules agreed to make available to the Company a secured term loan facility in the amount of up to $40.0 million (the Hercules Term Loan Facility), subject to certain terms and conditions.  The Company borrowed $25.0 million on the date of closing and incurred transaction costs of $1.4 million. 

 

On December 22, 2016, the Company prepaid in full its obligations under the Hercules Loan and Security Agreement and the Hercules Term Loan Facility was terminated.  The Company used the net proceeds of preferred and common stock public offerings, together with existing cash, to repay the principal amount outstanding under the Hercules Term Loan Facility of $25.0 million and pay the interest, fees and expenses related to such repayment of $4.0 million. In addition, the Company recorded accelerated amortization of debt issuance costs of $1.1 million.  The interest, fees, expenses and amortization has been included within interest and other (expense) income, net on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Issuance of Redeemable Preferred Stock, Common Stock, and Warrants

 

In December 2016, the Company completed an offering of an aggregate of 10,400,000 shares of common stock, and warrants to purchase 3,120,000 shares of common stock.  The net proceeds to the Company were approximately $11.9 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses payable by the Company. Each full warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price equal to $1.50 per share. The warrants will be exercisable during the period commencing on the six-month anniversary of the date of original issuance and ending on June 21, 2022.

 

In December 2016, the Company completed an offering of an aggregate of 18,500 shares of the Company’s Series D Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share and warrants to purchase 7,381,500 shares of common stock.  The net proceeds to the Company were approximately $15.6 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by the Company.  The terms and conditions of the warrants issued pursuant to the preferred share offering are identical to the warrants issued pursuant to the common share offering.  The Company is required to redeem the Series D Redeemable Preferred Stock in ten monthly installments in the amount of $1.9 million each from January 2017 through October 2017.

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Income Taxes

 

Under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 382, the use of loss carryforwards may be limited if a change in ownership of a company occurs. If it is determined that, due to transactions involving the Company’s shares owned by its 5 percent or greater shareholders, a change of ownership has occurred under the provisions of IRC Section 382, the Company’s federal and state net operating loss carryforwards could be subject to significant IRC Section 382 limitations.

 

Based on studies of the changes in ownership of the Company, it has been determined that IRC Section 382 ownership changes have occurred which significantly reduces that amount of pre‑change net operating losses that can be used in future years to $13.5 million. In addition, net operating losses of $92.8 million incurred after the most recent ownership change are not subject to IRC Section 382 and are available for use in future years. Accordingly, the Company’s deferred tax assets include $106.3 million of net operating loss carryforwards. The net operating loss carryforwards available at December 31, 2016, if unused will expire at various dates from 2017 through 2036.

 

The ownership changes also resulted in net unrealized built in losses per IRS Notice 2003‑65 which should result in recognized built in losses during the five year recognition period. These recognized built in losses will translate into unfavorable book to tax add backs in the Company’s 2017 to 2018 U.S. corporate income tax returns of approximately $7.6 million that resulted in a gross deferred tax liability of $2.9 million at December 31, 2016. This gross deferred tax liability offsets existing gross deferred tax assets effectively reducing the valuation allowance. This has no impact on the Company’s current financial position, results of operations, or cash flows because of the full valuation allowance.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Contractual obligations as of December 31, 2016, under agreements with non‑cancelable terms are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Total

    

<1 year

    

1 - 3 Years

    

3 - 5 Years

    

> 5 Years

 

Operating lease obligations(A)

 

$

51,507

 

$

12,350

 

$

23,061

 

$

15,337

 

$

759

 

Purchase obligations(B)

 

 

10,884

 

 

7,852

 

 

3,016

 

 

16

 

 

 —

 

Finance obligations(C)

 

 

44,554

 

 

14,787

 

 

15,920

 

 

10,620

 

 

3,227

 

Long-term debt(D)

 

 

23,793

 

 

2,964

 

 

20,829

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 

$

130,738

 

$

37,953

 

$

62,826

 

$

25,973

 

$

3,986

 

 


(A)

The Company has several non‑cancelable operating leases that generally expire over the next six years, primarily associated with sale/leaseback transactions and are secured with restricted cash. In addition, under a limited number of arrangements, the Company provides its products and services to customers in the form of a PPA that generally have six year terms. The Company accounts for these non‑cancelable sale/leaseback transactions as operating leases in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Subtopic 840‑40, Leases—Sale/Leaseback Transactions. See Note 17, Commitments and Contingencies, of the Consolidated Financial Statements for more detail.

 

(B)

The Company has purchase obligations related to inventory build to meet its sales plan, stack and stack components for new units and servicing existing ones, and the maintenance of its building and storage of documents.

 

(C)

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company received cash for future services to be performed associated with certain sale/leaseback transactions, which was treated as a finance obligation. In addition, the Company has a finance obligation related to a sale/leaseback transaction involving its building. These obligations are secured with restricted cash.

 

(D)

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company entered into a long-term debt agreement with NY Green Bank.  Principal and interest payments will be made using the proceeds from the release of restricted cash.

 

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Critical Accounting Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and related disclosures requires management to make estimates and assumptions.

 

We believe that the following are our most critical accounting estimates and assumptions the Company must make in the preparation of its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures:

 

Revenue Recognition: The Company recognizes revenue under arrangements for products and services, which may include the sale of products and related services, including revenue from installation, service and maintenance, spare parts, hydrogen fueling services (which may include hydrogen supply as well as hydrogen fueling infrastructure) and leased units. The Company also recognizes revenue under research and development contracts, which are primarily cost reimbursement contracts associated with the development of PEM fuel cell technology.

 

The Company enters into revenue arrangements that may contain a combination of fuel cell systems and infrastructure, installation, service, maintenance, spare parts, and other support services. Revenue arrangements containing fuel cell systems and related infrastructure may be sold, or provided to customers under a PPA. 

 

When sold to customers, the Company accounts for each separate deliverable of these multiple deliverable arrangements as a separate unit of accounting, if the delivered item or items have value to the customer on a standalone basis. The Company considers a deliverable to have standalone value if the item is sold separately by us or another entity or if the item could be resold by the customer. The Company allocates revenue to each separate deliverable based on its relative selling price. For a majority of our deliverables, the Company determines relative selling prices using its best estimate of the selling price since vendor-specific objective evidence and third-party evidence is generally not available for the deliverables involved in its revenue arrangements due to a lack of a competitive environment in selling fuel cell technology. When determining estimated selling prices, the Company considers the cost to produce the deliverable, a reasonable gross margin on that deliverable, the selling price and profit margin for similar products and services, the Company’s ongoing pricing strategy and policies, the value of any enhancements that have been built into the deliverable and the characteristics of the varying markets in which the deliverable is sold, as applicable. The Company determines estimated selling prices for deliverables in its arrangements based on the specific facts and circumstances of each arrangement and analyzes the estimated selling prices used for its allocation of consideration of each arrangement.

 

Once relative selling prices are determined, the Company proportionately allocates the sale consideration to each element of the arrangement. The allocated sales consideration related to fuel cell systems and infrastructure, spare parts, and hydrogen infrastructure is recognized as revenue at shipment if title and risk of loss have passed to the customer, there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the sales price is fixed or determinable, collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured, and customer acceptance criteria, if any, have been successfully demonstrated. The allocated sales consideration related to service and maintenance is generally recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract, as appropriate.

 

For those customers who do not purchase an extended maintenance contract, the Company does not include a right of return on its products other than rights related to standard warranty provisions that permit repair or replacement of defective goods. The Company accrues for anticipated standard warranty costs at the same time that revenue is recognized for the related product.  Only a limited number of fuel cell units are under standard warranty.

 

In a vast majority of its commercial transactions, the Company sells extended maintenance contracts that generally provide for a five to ten year warranty from the date of product installation. These types of contracts are accounted for as a separate deliverable, and accordingly, revenue generated from these transactions is deferred and recognized in income over the warranty period, generally on a straight-line basis. Additionally, the Company may enter into annual service and extended maintenance contracts that are billed monthly. Revenue generated from these transactions is recognized in income on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract. Costs are recognized as incurred over the term of the contract.  When costs are projected to exceed revenues on the life of the contract, an accrual for loss contracts is recorded.  Costs are estimated based upon historical experience, contractual agreements and the estimated impact of the Company’s cost reduction initiatives.  The actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

When fuel cell systems and related infrastructure are provided to customers through a PPA, revenues associated with these agreements are treated as rental income and recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the agreements. 

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In conjunction with entering into a PPA with a customer, the Company may enter into sale/leaseback transactions with third-party financial institutions, whereby the fuel cells, related infrastructure, and service are sold to the third-party financial institution and leased back to the Company through either an operating or capital lease. 

 

The Company purchases hydrogen fuel from suppliers and sells to its customers upon delivery.  Revenue and cost of revenue related to this fuel is recorded as dispensed, and included in the respective “Fuel delivered to customers” lines on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

One of the critical estimates that management makes is the projection of service costs related to GenDrive units under extended maintenance contracts. This estimate is important in management’s determination of whether a loss contract exists, as well as the amount of any loss. When projected costs to be incurred over the remaining life of the extended maintenance contracts is estimated to exceed contractual revenues, a provision for loss contracts related to service is recorded. An analysis of projected expenses and revenues is performed on each extended maintenance contract. Cost of expected maintenance contracts consist of replacement parts, labor and overhead. A variety of assumptions are included in the estimates of future service costs, including the life of parts, failure rates of parts, and future costs of parts.

 

Contract accounting is used for research and development contract revenue. The Company generally shares in the cost of these programs with cost sharing percentages ranging from 30% to 50% of total project costs. Revenue from time and material contracts is recognized on the basis of hours expended plus other reimbursable contract costs incurred during the period and is included within the “other” revenue line on the consolidated statement of operations. All allowable work performed through the end of each calendar quarter is billed, subject to limitations in the respective contracts. We expect to continue research and development contract work that is directly related to our current product development efforts. 

 

Valuation of long‑lived assets:  We assess the potential impairment of long‑lived assets, including identifiable intangible assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors we consider important that could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

·

significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results;

 

·

significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business;

 

·

significant negative industry or economic trends;

 

·

significant decline in our stock price for a sustained period; and

 

·

our market capitalization relative to net book value.

 

When we determine that the carrying value of long‑lived assets, including identifiable intangible assets, may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the above indicators of impairment, we would measure any impairment based upon the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ASC No. 350‑35‑30‑14, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, and FASB ASC No. 360‑10‑35‑15, Impairment or Disposal of Long‑Lived Assets, as appropriate. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Stock‑based Compensation:  We recognize stock‑based compensation expense associated with the vesting of share based instruments in the consolidated statements of operations. Determining the amount of stock‑based compensation to be recorded requires us to develop estimates to be used in calculating the grant‑date fair value of stock options. We calculate the grant‑date fair values using the Black‑Scholes valuation model. The Black‑Scholes model requires us to make estimates of the following assumptions:

 

Expected volatility—The estimated stock price volatility was derived based upon the Company’s actual stock prices over an historical period equal to the expected life of the options, which represents the Company’s best estimate of expected volatility.

 

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Expected option life—The Company’s estimate of an expected option life was calculated in accordance with the simplified method for calculating the expected term assumption. The simplified method is a calculation based on the contractual life and vesting terms of the associated options.

 

Risk‑free interest rate—We use the yield on zero‑coupon U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity date that is commensurate with the expected life assumption as the risk‑free interest rate. The amount of stock‑based compensation recognized during a period is based on the value of the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. Forfeitures are required to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The term “forfeitures” is distinct from “cancellations” or “expirations” and represents only the unvested portion of the surrendered option. We review historical forfeiture data and determine the appropriate forfeiture rate based on that data. We re‑evaluate this analysis periodically and adjust the forfeiture rate as necessary. Ultimately, we will recognize the actual expense over the vesting period only for the shares that vest.

 

Warrant Accounting:    The Company accounts for common stock warrants in accordance with applicable accounting guidance provided in ASC Subtopic 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, as either derivative liabilities or as equity instruments depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement. In compliance with applicable securities law, registered common stock warrants that require the issuance of registered shares upon exercise and do not sufficiently preclude an implied right to cash settlement are accounted for as derivative liabilities. We currently classify these derivative warrant liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as a long-term liability, which is revalued at each balance sheet date subsequent to the initial issuance using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The Black-Scholes pricing model, which is based, in part, upon unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, requires the Company to develop its own assumptions. Changes in the fair value of the warrants are reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as change in fair value of common stock warrant liability.

 

The Company used the following assumptions for its common stock warrants issued on December 22, 2016. The risk‑free interest rate for both December 22, 2016 (issuance date) and December 31, 2016 was 1.96%. The volatility of the market price of the Company’s common stock for December 22, 2016  and December 31, 2016 was 103.4%. The expected average term of the warrants used for both December 22, 2016 and December 31, 2016 was 5.5 years.

 

The Company used the following assumptions for its common stock warrants issued on January 20, 2014. The risk‑free interest rate for January 20, 2014 (issuance date), December 31, 2014, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016 was 1.65%, 1.35%, 1.28%, and 1.20% respectively. The volatility of the market price of the Company’s common stock for January 20, 2014, December 31, 2014, December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2016 was 107.6%, 119.2%, 128.4% and 56.36% respectively. The expected average term of the warrants used for January 20, 2014, December 31, 2014,  December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2016 was 5.0 years, 4.0 years, 3.0 years, and 2.0 years respectively.

 

The Company used the following assumptions for its common stock warrants issued on February 20, 2013. The risk‑free interest rate for December 31, 2014, December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2016 was 1.06%, 0.98% and 0.87%, respectively. The volatility of the market price of the Company’s common stock for December 31, 2014, December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2016 was 126.2%, 111.9% and 49.0%, respectively. The expected average term of the warrants used for December 31, 2014,  December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2016 was 3.1 years, 2.1 years and 1.1 years, respectively.

 

The Company used the following assumptions for its common stock warrants issued on May 31, 2011. The risk‑free interest rate at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015 was 0.21% and .50%, respectively. The volatility of the market price of the Company’s common stock at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015 was 136.6% and 79.8%, respectively. The expected average term of the warrants used at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015 was 1.4 years and 0.4 years, respectively.

 

There was no expected dividend yield for the warrants granted. If factors change and different assumptions are used, the warrant liability and the change in estimated fair value could be materially different. Generally, as the market price of our common stock increases, the fair value of the warrant increases, and conversely, as the market price of our common stock decreases, the fair value of the warrant decreases. Also, a significant increase in the volatility of the market price of the Company’s common stock, in isolation, would result in a significantly higher fair value measurement; and a significant decrease in volatility would result in a significantly lower fair value measurement. Changes in the fair value of the warrants are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as change in fair value of common stock warrant liability.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2017, an accounting update was issued to simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test.  Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. This accounting update is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2016, an accounting update was issued to reduce the existing diversity in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. This accounting update is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is evaluating the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In October 2016, an accounting update was issued to simplify how an entity should recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs.  Consequently, the amendments in this update eliminate the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory.  Two common examples of assets included in the scope of this update are intellectual property and property, plant, and equipment.  This accounting update is effective for the annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years.  The Company is evaluating the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2016, an accounting update was issued to reduce the existing diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows.  This accounting update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period.  The Company is evaluating the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2016, an accounting update was issued to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows.  This accounting update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those periods.  The Company does not expect the adoption of this update to have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2016, an accounting update was issued to simplify various aspects related to how share-based payments are accounted for and presented.  This accounting update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those years.  The Company does not expect the adoption of this update to have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2016, an accounting update was issued which requires balance sheet recognition for operating leases, among other changes to previous lease guidance.  This accounting update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018.  The Company is evaluating the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In July 2015, an accounting update was issued that changes inventory measurement from lower of cost or market to lower of cost and net realizable value.  The new standard applies to inventory measured at first-in, first-out (FIFO).  This accounting update is effective for the reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years.  The Company does not expect the adoption of this update to have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2014, an accounting update was issued relating to how management assesses conditions and events that could raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. This accounting update was adopted as of December 31, 2016 and did not have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2014, an accounting update was issued that replaces the existing revenue recognition framework regarding contracts with customers.  In July 2015, the FASB announced a one year delay in the required adoption date from January

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1, 2017 to January 1, 2018.  The Company has established an internal implementation team to oversee the adoption of the new standard.  To date the Company has identified relevant arrangements and performance obligations and is assessing the impact of the new guidance.  Evaluation is ongoing and it is too early to provide an assessment of the impact.  The Company anticipates providing information about the impacts of adoption in the coming quarters. The Company is also evaluating whether to adopt the guidance using the full or modified retrospective basis, and will likely make that determination during the first half of 2017.

 

 

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

From time to time, we may invest our cash in government, government backed and interest‑bearing investment‑grade securities that we generally hold for the duration of the term of the respective instrument. We do not utilize derivative financial instruments, derivative commodity instruments or other market risk sensitive instruments, positions or transactions in any material fashion. We are not subject to any material risks arising from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity prices or other market changes that affect market risk sensitive instruments.

 

Our exposure to changes in foreign currency rates is primarily related to sourcing inventory from foreign locations and operations of HyPulsion. This practice can give rise to foreign exchange risk resulting from the varying cost of inventory to the receiving location. The Company reviews the level of foreign content as part of its ongoing evaluation of overall sourcing strategies and considers the exposure to be not significant. Our HyPulsion exposure is mitigated by the present low level of operation. Its sourcing is primarily intercompany in nature and denominated in U.S. dollar.

 

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report beginning at page F‑1 are incorporated in this Item 8 by reference.

 

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

None.

 

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures

 

(a)

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As required by rule 13a‑15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10‑K, the Company’s management conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer regarding the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a‑15(e) and 15d‑15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation the Company’s management has concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2016.

 

(b)

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a‑15(f) and 15d‑15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and includes those policies and procedures that:

 

·

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

 

·

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and, that receipts and

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expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorization of management and directors of the Company; and

 

·

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assessed as of December 31, 2016 the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on the results of this evaluation, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 was effective.

 

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued a report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, which is included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10‑K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(c)

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation of such internal control that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B.  Other Information

 

Not applicable.

 

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PART III

 

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

(a)Directors

 

Incorporated herein by reference is the information appearing under the captions “Information about our Directors” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(b)Executive Officers

 

Incorporated herein by reference is the information appearing under the captions “Information about our Executive Officers” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(c)Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is intended to comply with Item 406 of Regulation S‑K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and with applicable rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is posted on our Internet website under the “Investor” page. Our Internet website address is www.plugpower.com. To the extent required or permitted by the rules of the SEC and NASDAQ, we will disclose amendments and waivers relating to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics in the same place as our website.

 

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

 

Incorporated herein by reference is the information appearing under the caption “Executive Compensation” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Incorporated herein by reference is the information appearing under the caption “Principal Stockholders” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

 

The following table gives information as of December 31, 2016, about the shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options and restricted stock under the Company’s 1999 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended (1999 Stock Option Plan), and the Company’s 2011 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (2011 Stock Option Plan).

 

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Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

    

 

 

    

Number of shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

remaining for future

 

 

 

Number of shares to be

 

Weighted average

 

issuance under equity

 

 

 

issued upon exercise of

 

exercise price of

 

compensation plans

 

 

 

outstanding options,

 

outstanding options,

 

(excluding shares

 

 

 

warrants and rights

 

warrants and rights

 

reflected in column (a))

 

Plan Category

 

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

13,213,387

(1)  

$

2.94

 

997,841

(2)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

1,560,000

(3)  

$

2.60

 

 

Total

 

14,773,387

 

 

 

 

997,841

 


(1)

Represents 470,614 outstanding options issued under the 1999 Stock Option Plan, 12,729,440 outstanding options issued under the 2011 Stock option Plan and 13,333 shares of restricted stock issued under the 2011 Stock Option Plan.

 

(2)

Includes shares available for future issuance under the 2011 Stock Option Plan.

 

(3)

Included in Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders are shares granted to new employees for key positions within the Company. No specific shares have been allocated for this purpose, but rather equity awards are approved by the Company’s Board of Directors in specific circumstances.

 

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

Incorporated herein by reference is the information appearing under the caption “Principal Stockholders” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

Incorporated herein by reference is the information appearing under the caption “Independent Auditors Fees” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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PART IV

 

Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

15(a)(1) Financial Statements

 

The financial statements and notes are listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page F‑1 of this Report.

 

15(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules

 

The financial statement schedules are listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page F‑1 of this Report.

 

All other schedules not filed herein have been omitted as they are not applicable or the required information or equivalent information has been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto.

 

15(a)(3) Exhibits

 

Exhibits are as set forth in the “List of Exhibits” which immediately precedes the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page F‑1 of this Report.

 

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

 

Not Applicable.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

PLUG POWER INC.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ ANDREW MARSH

 

By:

 

 

 

Andrew Marsh

 

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

Date: March 10, 2017

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POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Andrew Marsh, Paul B. Middleton and Gerard L. Conway, Jr. such person’s true and lawful attorney‑in‑fact and agent with full power of substitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10‑K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney‑in‑fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as such person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorney‑in‑fact and agent, or any substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Date: March 10, 2017

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

/s/ ANDREW MARSH

    

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

    

March 10, 2017

Andrew Marsh

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ PAUL B. MIDDLETON

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

March 10, 2017

Paul B. Middleton

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ MARTIN D. HULL

 

Controller & Chief Accounting Officer

 

March 10, 2017

Martin D. Hull

 

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ LARRY G. GARBERDING

 

Director

 

March 10, 2017

Larry G. Garberding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ MAUREEN O. HELMER

 

Director

 

March 10, 2017

Maureen O. Helmer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ DOUGLAS T. HICKEY

 

Director

 

March 10, 2017

Douglas T. Hickey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ GREGORY L. KENAUSIS

 

Director

 

March 10, 2017

Gregory L. Kenausis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ GEORGE C. MCNAMEE

 

Director

 

March 10, 2017

George C. McNamee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ XAVIER PONTONE

 

Director

 

March 10, 2017

Xavier Pontone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ JOHANNES MINHO ROTH

 

Director

 

March 10, 2017

Johannes Minho Roth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ GARY K. WILLIS

 

Director

 

March 10, 2017

Gary K. Willis

 

 

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Certain exhibits indicated below are incorporated by reference to documents of Plug Power on file with the Commission. Exhibits nos. 10.1, 10.5 through 10.9 and 10.13 through 10.19 represent the management contracts and compensation plans and arrangements required to be filed as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10‑K.

 

Exhibit No.

and Description

 

 

 

3.1

   

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Plug Power Inc.(1)

 

 

 

3.2

 

Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Plug Power Inc.(1)

 

 

 

3.3

 

Second Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Plug Power Inc.(2)

 

 

 

3.4

 

Third Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Plug Power Inc.(3)

 

 

 

3.5

 

Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of a Series of Preferred Stock of Plug Power Inc. classifying and designating the Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock.(4)

 

 

 

3.6

 

Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of a Series of Preferred Stock of Plug Power Inc. classifying and designating the Series C Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock.(5)

 

 

 

3.7

 

Third Amended and Restated By-laws of Plug Power Inc.(6)

 

 

 

3.8

 

Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of a Series of Preferred Stock of Plug Power Inc. classifying and designating the Series D Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock.(7)

 

 

 

3.9

 

Certificate of Correction to Third Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Plug Power Inc., dated as of December 21, 2016.(27)

 

 

 

4.1

 

Specimen certificate for shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of Plug Power.(8)

 

 

 

4.2

 

Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated as of June 23, 2009, between Plug Power Inc. and Registrar and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent.(4)

 

 

 

4.3

 

Amendment No. 1 To Shareholder Rights Agreement.(9)

 

 

 

4.4

 

Amendment No. 2 To Shareholder Rights Agreement.(10)

 

 

 

4.5

 

Amendment No. 3 To Shareholder Rights Agreement.(11)

 

 

 

4.6

 

Amendment No. 4 To Shareholder Rights Agreement.(12)

 

 

 

4.7

 

Amendment No. 5 To Shareholder Rights Agreement.(13)

 

4.8

 

 

Amendment No. 6 To Shareholder Rights Agreement.(7)

 

4.9

 

Form of Warrant.(14)

 

4.10

 

 

Form of Warrant.(15)

 

4.11

 

4.12

   

 

 

Form of Warrant.(5)

 

Form of Warrant.(11)

 

10.1

 

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan.(8)

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10.2

 

Master Equipment Lease, dated as of June 30, 2014, between the Registrant and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company.(30)

 

 

 

10.3

 

Form of Director Indemnification Agreement.(16)

 

 

 

10.4

    

Form of Director Indemnification Agreement.(17)

 

 

 

10.5

 

Plug Power Executive Incentive Plan.(18)

 

 

 

10.6

 

Employment Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2008, by and between Andrew Marsh and Plug Power Inc.(19)

 

 

 

10.7

 

Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2008, by and between Gerard L. Conway, Jr. and Plug Power Inc.(20)

 

 

 

10.8

 

Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of October 23. 2013, by and between Keith C. Schmid and Plug Power Inc.(17)

 

 

 

10.9

 

Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of November 6, 2014, by and between Paul B. Middleton and Plug Power Inc.(21)

 

 

 

10.10

 

First Amendment to Master Equipment Lease, dated as of December 19, 2014, between the Registrant and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company.(30)

 

 

 

10.11

 

License Agreement dated as of February 29, 2012, by and between HyPulsion, S.A.S. and Plug Power Inc.(23)

 

 

 

10.12

 

2011 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.(22)

 

 

 

10.13

 

Amendment No. 1 to the Plug Power Inc. 2011 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.(24)

 

 

 

10.14

 

Amended and Restated 2011 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.(3)

 

 

 

10.15

 

Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement.(25)

 

 

 

10.16

 

Form of Non‑Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Employees.(25)

 

 

 

10.17

 

Form of Non‑Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Independent Directors.(25)

 

 

 

10.18

 

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement.(26)

 

 

 

10.19

 

Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of January 24, 2013, by Plug Power Inc. and 968 Albany Shaker Road Associates, LLC.(26)

 

 

 

10.20

 

Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of March 13, 2013 by Plug Power Inc. and 968 Albany Shaker Road Associates, LLC.(26)

 

 

 

10.21

 

Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2013, by and between Plug Power Inc. and Air Liquide Investissements d’Avenir et de Demonstration.(13)

 

 

 

10.22

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2013, by and between Plug Power Inc. and Air Liquide Investissements d’Avenir et de Demonstration.(5)

 

 

 

44


 

Table of Contents

10.23

 

Second Amendment to Master Equipment Lease, dated as of December 30, 2015, between the Registrant and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company.(30)

 

10.24

 

 

10.25

 

Loan and Security Agreement dated as of June 27, 2016 by and among Plug Power Inc., Emerging Power Inc., Emergent Power Inc. and Hercules Capital, Inc.(28)

 

Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 23, 2016 by and among Plug Power Inc., Emerging Power Inc., Emergent Power Inc. and NY Green Bank, a Division of the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority.(29)

 

10.26

 

 

10.27

 

23.1

  

  

 

Waiver and Third Amendment to Master Equipment Lease, dated as of June 7, 2016, between the Registrant

and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company.(30)

 

Master Lease Agreement, dated as of June 3, 2016, between the Registrant and Generate Capital, Inc.(30)

 

Consent of KPMG LLP.(27)

 

 

 

31.1 and 31.2

 

Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002.(27)

 

 

 

32.1 and 32.2

 

Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes‑Oxley Act of 2002.(27)

 

 

 

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document.(27)

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.(27)

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.(27)

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.(27)

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.(27)

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.(27)


(1)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10‑K for the period ended December 31, 2008, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2009.

 

(2)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated May 19, 2011.

 

(3)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated July 25, 2014.

 

(4)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8‑A dated June 24, 2009.

 

(5)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated May 20, 2013.

 

(6)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated October 28, 2009.

 

(7)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8-K dated December 21, 2016.

 

(8)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S‑1/A (File Number 333‑86089).

 

(9)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated May 6, 2011.

 

(10)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated March 19, 2012.

45


 

Table of Contents

 

(11)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated March 26, 2012.

 

(12)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated February 13, 2013.

 

(13)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated May 8, 2013.

 

(14)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated May 24, 2011.

 

(15)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated February 14, 2013.

 

(16)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated June 29, 2006.

 

(17)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated October 29, 2013.

 

(18)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated February 15, 2007.

 

(19)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated April 2, 2008.

 

(20)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10‑Q for the period ended June 30, 2008, filed with the SEC on August 7, 2008.

 

(21)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated November 11, 2014.

 

(22)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated May 12, 2011.

 

(23)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated March 21, 2012.

 

(24)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated May 18, 2012.

 

(25)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10‑Q for the period ended June 30, 2011, filed with the SEC on August 11, 2011.

 

(26)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated April 1, 2013.

 

(27)

Filed herewith.

 

(28)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8‑K dated June 30, 2016.

 

(29)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s current Report on Form 8-K dated December 23, 2016.

 

(30)

Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File Number 333-214737).

 

 

46


 

Table of Contents

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

F‑2

Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 

F‑3

Consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 

F‑4

Consolidated statements of comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 

F‑5

Consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity (deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 

F‑6

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 

F‑7

Notes to consolidated financial statements 

F‑8

 

 

F-1


 

Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Plug Power Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Plug Power Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016. We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting (Item 9A). Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting 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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included 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, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Plug Power Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

/s/  KPMG LLP

Albany, New York
March 10, 2017

 

F-2


 

Table of Contents

PLUG POWER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015

 

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

46,014

 

$

63,961

 

Restricted cash

 

 

11,219

 

 

4,012

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

11,923

 

 

22,650

 

Inventory

 

 

29,940

 

 

32,752

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

11,837

 

 

7,855

 

Total current assets

 

 

110,933

 

 

131,230

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash

 

 

43,403

 

 

43,823

 

Property, plant, and equipment, net

 

 

8,246

 

 

7,255

 

Leased property, net

 

 

54,060

 

 

1,667

 

Goodwill

 

 

8,291

 

 

8,478

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

3,933

 

 

4,644

 

Other assets

 

 

11,966

 

 

12,359

 

Total assets

 

$

240,832

 

$

209,456

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities, Redeemable Preferred Stock, and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

32,112

 

$

20,455

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

8,519

 

 

9,852

 

Accrual for loss contracts related to service

 

 

752

 

 

4,100

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

5,736

 

 

4,468

 

Finance obligations

 

 

14,787

 

 

2,671

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

2,964

 

 

 —

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

1,615

 

 

1,160

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

66,485

 

 

42,706

 

Accrual for loss contracts related to service

 

 

 —

 

 

5,950

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

17,413

 

 

13,997

 

Common stock warrant liability

 

 

11,387

 

 

5,735

 

Finance obligations

 

 

29,767

 

 

14,809

 

Long-term debt

 

 

20,829

 

 

 —

 

Other liabilities

 

 

241

 

 

370

 

Total liabilities

 

 

146,122

 

 

83,567

 

Redeemable preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series C redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (aggregate involuntary liquidation preference $16,664); 10,431 shares authorized; Issued and outstanding: 5,231 at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015

 

 

1,153

 

 

1,153

 

Series D redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (aggregate involuntary liquidation preference $18,500); 5,000,000 shares authorized; Issued and outstanding: 18,500 at December 31, 2016 and none at December 31, 2015

 

 

8,469

 

 

 —

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 450,000,000 shares authorized; Issued (including shares in treasury): 191,723,974 at December 31, 2016 and 180,567,444 at December 31, 2015

 

 

1,917

 

 

1,806

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

1,137,482

 

 

1,118,917

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

247

 

 

798

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(1,051,467)

 

 

(993,876)

 

Less common stock in treasury: 582,328 at December 31, 2016 and 479,953 at December 31, 2015

 

 

(3,091)

 

 

(2,909)

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

85,088

 

 

124,736

 

Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock, and stockholders’ equity

 

$

240,832

 

$

209,456

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3


 

Table of Contents

PLUG POWER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

 

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

2016

    

2015

 

2014

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

$

39,985

 

$

78,002

 

$

48,306

Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

 

20,456

 

 

14,012

 

 

9,909

Power Purchase Agreements

 

 

13,687

 

 

5,718

 

 

2,137

Fuel delivered to customers

 

 

10,916

 

 

5,075

 

 

1,959

Other

 

 

884

 

 

481

 

 

1,919

Total revenue

 

 

85,928

 

 

103,288

 

 

64,230

Cost of revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

 

29,543

 

 

67,703

 

 

43,378

Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

 

22,649

 

 

22,937

 

 

19,256

Provision for loss contracts related to service

 

 

(1,071)

 

 

10,050

 

 

 —

Power Purchase Agreements

 

 

16,132

 

 

5,253

 

 

1,052

Fuel delivered to customers

 

 

13,864

 

 

6,695

 

 

2,204

Other

 

 

865

 

 

540

 

 

3,202

Total cost of revenue

 

 

81,982

 

 

113,178

 

 

69,092

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss)

 

 

3,946

 

 

(9,890)

 

 

(4,862)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 

21,177

 

 

14,948

 

 

6,469

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

34,288

 

 

34,164

 

 

26,601

Total operating expenses

 

 

55,465

 

 

49,112

 

 

33,070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

 

 

(51,519)

 

 

(59,002)

 

 

(37,932)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and other (expense) income, net

 

 

(10,704)

 

 

(349)

 

 

1,379

Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability

 

 

4,344

 

 

3,661

 

 

(52,260)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

 

$

(57,879)

 

$

(55,690)

 

$

(88,813)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

392

 

 

 —

 

 

325

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to the Company

 

$

(57,487)

 

$

(55,690)

 

$

(88,488)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock dividends declared

 

 

(104)

 

 

(105)

 

 

(156)

Net loss attributable to common shareholders

 

$

(57,591)

 

$

(55,795)

 

$

(88,644)

Net loss per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted

 

$

(0.32)

 

$

(0.32)

 

$

(0.56)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

 

 

180,619,860

 

 

176,067,231

 

 

159,228,815

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4


 

Table of Contents

PLUG POWER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

    

2015

    

2014

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to the Company

 

$

(57,487)

 

$

(55,690)

 

$

(88,488)

 

Other comprehensive loss - foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

(551)

 

 

(100)

 

 

 —

 

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(58,038)

 

$

(55,790)

 

$

(88,488)

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5


 

Table of Contents

PLUG POWER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

 

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

    

    

    

 

    

    

 

    

Accumulated

    

 

    

    

    

 

    

    

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 Paid-in

 

Comprehensive

 

Treasury Stock

 

Accumulated

 

Stockholders’

 

 

    

Shares

    

Amount

    

Capital

    

Income

    

Shares

    

Amount

    

Deficit

    

Equity (Deficit)

 

December 31, 2013

 

106,356,558

 

$

1,064

 

$

831,156

 

$

898

 

 

165,906

 

$

(1,552)

 

$

(849,437)

 

$

(17,871)

 

Net loss attributable to the Company

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(88,488)

 

 

(88,488)

 

Stock-based compensation

 

146,174

 

 

2

 

 

4,051

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

4,053

 

Stock dividend

 

34,232

 

 

 —

 

 

156

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(156)

 

 

 —

 

Public offerings, common stock, net

 

36,502,440

 

 

365

 

 

153,584

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

153,949

 

Stock option exercises

 

634,519

 

 

6

 

 

401

 

 

 —

 

 

125,819

 

 

(770)

 

 

 —

 

 

(363)

 

Exercise of warrants

 

23,918,429

 

 

239

 

 

101,886

 

 

 —

 

 

86,391

 

 

(340)

 

 

 —

 

 

101,785

 

Shares issued for acquisition

 

530,504

 

 

5

 

 

3,995

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

4,000

 

Conversion of preferred stock

 

5,521,676

 

 

55

 

 

1,163

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

1,218

 

December 31, 2014

 

173,644,532

 

 

1,736

 

 

1,096,392

 

 

898

 

 

378,116

 

 

(2,662)

 

 

(938,081)

 

 

158,283

 

Net loss attributable to the Company

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(55,690)

 

 

(55,690)

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(100)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(100)

 

Stock-based compensation

 

89,490

 

 

1

 

 

7,816

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

7,817

 

Stock dividend

 

47,553

 

 

1

 

 

104

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(105)

 

 

 —

 

Stock option exercises

 

364,448

 

 

4

 

 

163

 

 

 —

 

 

101,837

 

 

(247)

 

 

 

 

 

(80)

 

Exercise of warrants

 

26,882

 

 

 —

 

 

47

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

47

 

Shares issued for acquisition

 

6,394,539

 

 

64

 

 

14,395

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

14,459

 

December 31, 2015

 

180,567,444

 

 

1,806

 

 

1,118,917

 

 

798

 

 

479,953

 

 

(2,909)

 

 

(993,876)

 

 

124,736

 

Net loss attributable to the Company

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(57,487)

 

 

(57,487)

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(551)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(551)

 

Stock-based compensation

 

105,479

 

 

1

 

 

9,289

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

9,290

 

Stock dividend

 

66,061

 

 

1

 

 

103

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(104)

 

 

 —

 

Public offerings, common stock, net

 

10,400,000

 

 

104

 

 

8,824

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

8,928

 

Stock option exercises

 

465,111

 

 

4

 

 

98

 

 

 —

 

 

102,375

 

 

(182)

 

 

 —

 

 

(80)

 

Exercise of warrants

 

119,879

 

 

1

 

 

251

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

252

 

December 31, 2016

 

191,723,974

 

$

1,917

 

$

1,137,482

 

$

247

 

 

582,328

 

$

(3,091)

 

$

(1,051,467)

 

$

85,088

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6


 

Table of Contents

PLUG POWER INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

    

2015

    

2014

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to the Company

 

$

(57,487)

 

$

(55,690)

 

$

(88,488)

 

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment, and leased property

 

 

4,650

 

 

2,006

 

 

1,946

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

590

 

 

981

 

 

2,391

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

9,290

 

 

7,817

 

 

4,157

 

Loss on acquisition activity, net

 

 

 —

 

 

116

 

 

(1,014)

 

Amortization and accelerated recognition of debt issuance costs

 

 

1,760

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Loss on disposal of leased property

 

 

41

 

 

 —

 

 

78

 

Provision for loss contracts related to service

 

 

(1,071)

 

 

10,050

 

 

 —

 

Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability

 

 

(4,344)

 

 

(3,661)

 

 

52,260

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities that provide (use) cash: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

10,727

 

 

(5,638)

 

 

(9,350)

 

Inventory

 

 

2,812

 

 

(7,251)

 

 

(9,168)

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

(3,833)

 

 

(11,592)

 

 

(7,156)

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities

 

 

10,772

 

 

7,214

 

 

10,818

 

Accrual for loss contracts related to service

 

 

(8,227)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

4,684

 

 

8,374

 

 

2,746

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(29,636)

 

 

(47,274)

 

 

(40,780)

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

 

(2,743)

 

 

(3,520)

 

 

(1,413)

 

Purchases for construction of leased property

 

 

(55,332)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Net cash acquired in purchase acquisitions

 

 

 —

 

 

1,496

 

 

414

 

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and leased property

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

34

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(58,075)

 

 

(2,024)

 

 

(965)

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in restricted cash

 

 

(6,787)

 

 

(47,335)

 

 

 —

 

Proceeds from exercise of warrants

 

 

111

 

 

25

 

 

18,340

 

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock and warrants

 

 

17,020

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Preferred stock issuance costs

 

 

(1,426)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

(182)

 

 

(247)

 

 

(603)

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants

 

 

13,000

 

 

 —

 

 

176,700

 

Common stock issuance costs

 

 

(1,060)

 

 

 —

 

 

(10,977)

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

102

 

 

167

 

 

240

 

Proceeds from short-term borrowing, net of transaction costs

 

 

23,673

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Principal payments on short-term borrowing

 

 

(25,000)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Proceeds from borrowing of long-term debt, net of transaction costs

 

 

47,400

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Principal payments on long-term debt

 

 

(25,000)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Increase in finance obligations

 

 

28,034

 

 

14,467

 

 

(777)

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

69,885

 

 

(32,923)

 

 

182,923

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

(121)

 

 

(23)

 

 

 —

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(17,947)

 

 

(82,244)

 

 

141,178

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 

63,961

 

 

146,205

 

 

5,027

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

46,014

 

$

63,961

 

$

146,205

 

Other Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

8,263

 

$

553

 

$

433

 

Noncash investing activity-issuance of common stock for acquisitions

 

$

 —

 

$

14,459

 

$

4,000

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

F-7


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

1.  Nature of Operations

 

Description of Business

 

Plug Power Inc., or the Company, is a leading provider of alternative energy technology focused on the design, development, commercialization and manufacture of hydrogen fuel cell systems used primarily for the material handling and stationary power market.

 

We are focused on proton exchange membrane, or PEM, fuel cell and fuel processing technologies, fuel cell/battery hybrid technologies, and associated hydrogen storage and dispensing infrastructure from which multiple products are available. A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity and heat without combustion. Hydrogen is derived from hydrocarbon fuels such as liquid petroleum gas, or LPG, natural gas, propane, methanol, ethanol, gasoline or biofuels. Plug Power develops complete hydrogen delivery, storage and refueling solutions for customer locations. Hydrogen can also be obtained from the electrolysis of water, or produced on-site at consumer locations through a process known as reformation.  Currently the Company obtains hydrogen by purchasing it from fuel suppliers for resale to customers.

 

We provide and continue to develop commercially viable hydrogen and fuel cell product solutions to replace lead‑acid batteries in material handling vehicles and industrial trucks for some of the world’s largest distribution and manufacturing businesses. We are focusing our efforts on industrial mobility applications (forklifts and electric industrial vehicles) at multi‑shift high volume manufacturing and high throughput distribution sites where our products and services provide a unique combination of productivity, flexibility and environmental benefits. Additionally, we manufacture and sell fuel cell products to replace batteries and diesel generators in stationary backup power applications. These products prove valuable with telecommunications, transportation and utility customers as a robust, reliable and sustainable power solution. Our current products and services include:

GenDrive: GenDrive is our hydrogen fueled PEM fuel cell system providing power to material handling vehicles;

GenFuel:  GenFuel is our hydrogen fueling delivery system;

GenCare: GenCare is our ongoing maintenance program for GenDrive fuel cells, GenSure products and GenFuel products;

GenSure:  GenSure (formerly ReliOn) is our stationary fuel cell solution providing scalable, modular PEM fuel cell power to support the backup and grid-support power requirements of the telecommunications, transportation, and utility sectors;

GenKey: GenKey is our turn-key solution combining either GenDrive or GenSure with GenFuel and GenCare, offering complete simplicity to customers transitioning to fuel cell power;

ProGen:  ProGen is our fuel cell engine technology, under development for use in mobility and stationary fuel cell systems;

GenFund: GenFund is a collaboration with leasing organizations to provide cost efficient and seamless financing solutions to customers.

We provide our products worldwide through our direct product sales force, and by leveraging relationships with original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, and their dealer networks.

 

We were organized as a corporation in the State of Delaware on June 27, 1997.

 

Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms “Company,” “Plug Power,” “we,” “our” or “us” as used herein refers to Plug Power Inc. and its subsidiaries.

F-8


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

Liquidity

 

Our cash requirements relate primarily to working capital needed to operate and grow our business, including funding operating expenses, growth in inventory to support both shipments of new units and servicing the installed base, growth in equipment leased to customers under long-term arrangements, funding the growth in our GenKey “turn-key” solution, which includes the installation of our customers’ hydrogen infrastructure as well as delivery of the hydrogen fuel,  continued development and expansion of our products, payment of lease obligations under sale/leaseback financings, and the repayment or refinancing of our long-term debt. Our ability to achieve profitability and meet future liquidity needs and capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors, including the timing and quantity of product orders and shipments; attaining and expanding positive gross margins across all product lines; the timing and amount of our operating expenses; the timing and costs of working capital needs; the timing and costs of building a sales base; the ability of our customers to obtain financing to support commercial transactions; our ability to obtain financing arrangements to support the sale or leasing of our products and services to customers and to repay or refinance our long-term debt, and the terms of such agreements that may require us to pledge or restrict substantial amounts of our cash to support these financing arrangements; the timing and costs of developing marketing and distribution channels; the timing and costs of product service requirements; the timing and costs of hiring and training product staff; the extent to which our products gain market acceptance; the timing and costs of product development and introductions; the extent of our ongoing and new research and development programs; and changes in our strategy or our planned activities. If we are unable to fund our operations with positive cash flows and cannot obtain external financing, we may not be able to sustain future operations.  As a result, we may be required to delay, reduce and/or cease our operations and/or seek bankruptcy protection.

 

We have experienced and continue to experience negative cash flows from operations and net losses.  The Company incurred net losses attributable to common shareholders of $57.6 million, $55.8 million and $88.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively, and has an accumulated deficit of $1.1 billion at December 31, 2016.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, cash used in operating activities was $29.6 million, consisting primarily of a net loss attributable to the Company of $57.5 million, offset by the impact of noncash charges/gains of $10.9 million and net inflows from fluctuations in working capital and other assets and liabilities of $16.9 million. The changes in working capital primarily were related to collections of accounts receivable and managing of accounts payable, offset by consumption against the accrual for loss contracts related to service. As of December 31, 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents of $46.0 million and net working capital of $44.4 million. By comparison, at December 31, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of $64.0 million and net working capital of $88.5 million. 

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016, totaled $58.1 million and included purchases of property, plant and equipment and outflows associated with materials, labor, and overhead necessary to construct new leased property. Cash outflows related to equipment that we sell and equipment we lease directly to customers are included in net cash used in operating activities and net cash used in investing activities, respectively. 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we generated $69.9 million in cash flows from financing activities, primarily comprised of increases in finance obligations, borrowings against short and long-term loan agreements, as described in Notes 9 and 10, Short-Term Borrowing and Long-Term Debt, and proceeds from the issuance of common and preferred stock and warrants, as described in Notes 12 and 13, Stockholders’ Equity and Redeemable Preferred Stock, offset by an increase in restricted cash and payments on short-term borrowing and long-term debt. 

 

Prior to 2016, the Company signed sale/leaseback agreements with various financial institutions to facilitate the Company’s commercial transactions with key customers. The Company had sold certain fuel cell systems and hydrogen infrastructure to the financial institutions, and leased the equipment back to support certain customer locations and to fulfill its varied PPAs.  In connection with these operating leases, the financial institutions require the Company to maintain cash balances in restricted accounts securing the Company’s lease obligations. Cash received from customers under the PPAs is used to make lease payments.  As the Company performs under these agreements, the required restricted cash balances are released, according to a set schedule. The total remaining lease payments to financial institutions under these agreements was $53.6 million which has been fully secured with restricted cash and pledged service escrows.

 

F-9


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The master lease agreement with one of the financial institutions required the Company to maintain a minimum balance of unrestricted cash. This requirement was removed in October 2016, when the Company elected to pledge additional cash collateral of $12.0 million.  The Company’s remaining contractual lease payments to this financial institution are fully secured through a combination of restricted cash and pledges on funds escrowed for future service by the Company. 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, cash flows from financing activities included short-term borrowings and long-term debt, which are described more fully in Notes 9 and 10, Short-Term Borrowing and Long-Term Debt, respectively. On March 2, 2016, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Generate Lending, LLC., pursuant to which $25.0 million was borrowed upon closing and issuance costs of $1.3 million were incurred. On June 27, 2016, this borrowing was converted to long-term project financing from the same lender. On June 27, 2016, the Company borrowed $25.0 million under a loan agreement with Hercules Capital, Inc., and incurred related issuance costs of $1.4 million. On December 22, 2016 the Company repaid the loan in full.  On December 23, 2016, the Company, entered into a loan and security agreement with NY Green Bank, borrowing $25.0 million under a loan agreement on the date of closing and issuance costs of $1.2 million were incurred.

 

During 2016, we received gross proceeds of $30.0 million from underwritten public offerings of our common stock and preferred stock as well as warrants to purchase additional shares of common stock.  Net proceeds after underwriting discounts and commissions and other fees and expenses were $27.5 million.  During 2014, we received gross proceeds of $176.7 million from three underwritten public offerings.  Net proceeds after underwriting discounts and commissions and other fees and expenses were $165.7 million. In addition, during 2014, we received $18.3 million from the exercise of previously issued common stock warrants.

 

We have historically funded our operations primarily through public and private offerings of common and preferred stock, as well as short-term borrowings and long-term debt and project financing.  The Company believes that its current working capital and cash anticipated to be generated from future operations, as well as borrowings from lending and project financing sources and proceeds from equity offerings, will provide sufficient liquidity to fund operations for at least one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. There is no guarantee that future funding will be available if and when required or at terms acceptable to the Company.  This projection is based on our current expectations regarding new project financing and product sales and service, cost structure, cash burn rate and other operating assumptions.

 

2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation 

 

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue under arrangements for products and services, which may include the sale of products and related services, including revenue from installation, service and maintenance, spare parts, hydrogen fueling services (which may include hydrogen supply as well as hydrogen fueling infrastructure) and leased units. The Company also recognizes revenue under research and development contracts, which are primarily cost reimbursement contracts associated with the development of PEM fuel cell technology.

 

The Company enters into revenue arrangements that may contain a combination of fuel cell systems and infrastructure, installation, service, maintenance, spare parts, and other support services. Revenue arrangements containing fuel cell systems and related infrastructure may be sold, or provided to customers under a PPA. 

 

Sales of and Services Performed on Fuel Cell Systems and Related Infrastructure

 

When sold to customers, the Company accounts for each separate deliverable of these multiple deliverable arrangements as a separate unit of accounting if the delivered item or items have value to the customer on a standalone

F-10


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

basis. The Company considers a deliverable to have standalone value if the item is sold separately by us or another entity or if the item could be resold by the customer. The Company allocates revenue to each separate deliverable based on its relative selling price. For a majority of our deliverables, the Company determines relative selling prices using its best estimate of the selling price since vendor-specific objective evidence and third-party evidence is generally not available for the deliverables involved in its revenue arrangements due to a lack of a competitive environment in selling fuel cell technology. When determining estimated selling prices, the Company considers the cost to produce the deliverable, a reasonable gross margin on that deliverable, the selling price and profit margin for similar products and services, the Company’s ongoing pricing strategy and policies, the value of any enhancements that have been built into the deliverable and the characteristics of the varying markets in which the deliverable is sold, as applicable. The Company determines estimated selling prices for deliverables in its arrangements based on the specific facts and circumstances of each arrangement and analyzes the estimated selling prices used for its allocation of consideration of each arrangement.

 

Once relative selling prices are determined, the Company proportionately allocates the sale consideration to each element of the arrangement. The allocated sales consideration related to fuel cell systems and infrastructure, spare parts, and hydrogen infrastructure is recognized as revenue at shipment if title and risk of loss have passed to the customer, there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the sales price is fixed or determinable, collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured, and customer acceptance criteria, if any, have been successfully demonstrated. The allocated sales consideration related to service and maintenance is generally recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract, as appropriate.

  

For those customers who do not purchase an extended maintenance contract, the Company does not include a right of return on its products other than rights related to standard warranty provisions that permit repair or replacement of defective goods. The Company accrues for anticipated standard warranty costs at the same time that revenue is recognized for the related product.  Only a limited number of fuel cell units are under standard warranty.

 

In a vast majority of its commercial transactions, the Company sells extended maintenance contracts that generally provide for a five to ten year warranty from the date of product installation. These types of contracts are accounted for as a separate deliverable, and accordingly, revenue generated from these transactions is deferred and recognized in income over the warranty period, generally on a straight-line basis. Additionally, the Company may enter into annual service and extended maintenance contracts that are billed monthly. Revenue generated from these transactions is recognized in income on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract. Costs are recognized as incurred over the term of the contract.  When costs are projected to exceed revenues on the life of the contract, an accrual for loss contracts is recorded.  Costs are estimated based upon historical experience, contractual agreements and the estimated impact of the Company’s cost reduction initiatives.  The actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

Power Purchase Agreements

 

When fuel cell systems and related infrastructure are provided to customers through a PPA, revenues associated with these agreements are treated as rental income and recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the agreements.  In conjunction with entering into a PPA with a customer, the Company may enter into sale/leaseback transactions with third-party financial institutions, whereby the fuel cells, related infrastructure, and service are sold to the third-party financial institution and leased back to the Company through either an operating or capital lease. 

 

During 2016, the Company’s sale/leaseback transactions with third-party financial institutions were required to be accounted for as capital leases under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Subtopic 840-40, Leases – Sale/Leaseback Transactions (ASC Subtopic 840-40).  As a result, no upfront revenue was recognized at the closing of these transactions and a finance obligation for each lease was established.  The fuel cell systems and related infrastructure that are provided to customers through these PPAs are considered leased property on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.  Costs to service the leased property are considered cost of PPA revenue on the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. 

 

All PPAs entered into through December 31, 2015 had corresponding sale-leaseback transactions with third-party financial institutions which were required to be accounted for as operating leases in accordance with ASC Subtopic 840-40.  The Company has rental expense associated with sale/leaseback agreements with financial institutions that were

F-11


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

entered into commensurate with the PPAs.  Rental expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the agreements and is characterized as cost of PPA revenue on the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.     

 

Fuel Delivered to Customers

 

The Company purchases hydrogen fuel from suppliers and sells to its customers upon delivery.  Revenue and cost of revenue related to this fuel is recorded as dispensed, and included in the respective “Fuel delivered to customers” lines on the consolidated statements of operations. 

 

Research and Development Contracts

 

Contract accounting is used for research and development contract revenue. The Company generally shares in the cost of these programs with cost sharing percentages ranging from 30% to 50% of total project costs. Revenue from time and material contracts is recognized on the basis of hours expended plus other reimbursable contract costs incurred during the period and is included within the “other” revenue line on the consolidated statement of operations. All allowable work performed through the end of each calendar quarter is billed, subject to limitations in the respective contracts.

 

Cash Equivalents

 

Cash equivalents consist of money market accounts with an initial term of less than three months. At December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, cash equivalents consist of money market accounts.  For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly-liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are deposited with financial institutions located in the U.S. and may at times exceed insured limits.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to customers and are ordinarily due between 30 and 60 days after the issuance of the invoice. Receivables are reserved or written off based on individual credit evaluation and specific circumstances of the customer. The allowance for doubtful accounts and related receivable are reduced when the amount is deemed uncollectible.  As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the allowance for doubtful accounts was zero.

 

Inventory

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in, first-out basis, or market.  All inventory, including spare parts inventory held at service locations, is not relieved until the customer has received the product, at which time the risks and rewards of ownership have transferred.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment are originally recorded at cost or, if acquired as part of business combination, at fair value. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as costs are incurred. Depreciation on plant and equipment, which includes depreciation on the Company’s facility that is accounted for as a financing obligation, is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The Company records depreciation and amortization over the following estimated useful lives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buildings

    

20 years

 

Building improvements

  

5 ‑ 20 years

 

Software, machinery and equipment

  

1 ‑ 15 years

 

 

Gains and losses resulting from the sale of property and equipment are recorded in current operations.

 

F-12


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Leased Property

 

Leased property primarily consists of the cost of assets deployed related to capital leases. Depreciation expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset, generally six years, and is included in cost of revenue for PPAs in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets 

 

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, leased property and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If the carrying amount of an asset or asset group exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third party independent appraisals, as considered necessary. Assets to be disposed of and considered held for sale would be separately presented in the consolidated balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposal group classified as held for sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the consolidated balance sheet.

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually.

 

The Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount prior to performing the two-step goodwill impairment test. If this is the case, the two-step goodwill impairment test is required. If it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required.

 

The Company performs its annual impairment review of goodwill at December 1, and when a triggering event is determined to have occurred between annual impairment tests. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill for its single reporting unit based on market capitalization, and determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit is less than the carrying amount. Accordingly, no impairment loss was recorded in 2016.

 

Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets consist of acquired technology, customer relationships and trademarks, and are amortized using a straight-line method over their useful lives of 5 - 10 years.  Additionally, the intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when certain triggering events occur.

 

Product Warranty Reserve

 

Aside from when included in the sale of an extended maintenance contract, the Company provides a one to two year standard product warranty to customers from date of installation of GenDrive units, and the GenSure sales generally include a two year standard product warranty. We currently estimate the costs of satisfying warranty claims based on an analysis of past experience and provide for future claims in the period the revenue is recognized. Factors that affect our warranty liability include the number of installed units, estimated material costs, estimated travel, and labor costs.  The warranty reserve is included within the other current liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

 

F-13


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Common Stock Warrant Accounting

 

The Company accounts for common stock warrants in accordance with applicable accounting guidance provided in FASB ASC Subtopic 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, as either derivative liabilities or as equity instruments depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement. In compliance with applicable securities law, registered common stock warrants that require the issuance of registered shares upon exercise and do not sufficiently preclude an implied right to cash settlement are accounted for as derivative liabilities. We currently classify these derivative warrant liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as a long-term liability, which is revalued at each balance sheet date subsequent to the initial issuance using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The Black-Scholes pricing model, which is based, in part, upon unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, requires the Company to develop its own assumptions. Changes in the fair value of the warrants are reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as change in fair value of common stock warrant liability.

 

Redeemable Preferred Stock

 

We account for redeemable preferred stock as temporary equity in accordance with applicable accounting guidance in FASB ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity. Dividends on the redeemable preferred stock are accounted for as an increase in the net loss attributable to common shareholders.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. We did not report a benefit for federal and state income taxes in the consolidated financial statements as the deferred tax asset generated from our net operating loss has been offset by a full valuation allowance because it is more likely than not that the tax benefits of the net operating loss carryforward will not be realized.

 

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with FASB ASC No. 740-10-25, Income Taxes-Overall-Recognition. The Company recognizes in its consolidated financial statements the impact of a tax position only if that position is more likely than not to be sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. 

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments arising from conversion of the Company’s foreign subsidiary’s financial statements to U.S. dollars for reporting purposes are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  Transaction gains and losses resulting from the effect of exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the Company’s operations give rise to realized foreign currency transaction gains and losses, and are included in interest and other income and interest and other expense, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

Research and Development

 

Costs related to research and development activities by the Company are expensed as incurred.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company maintains employee stock-based compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 14, Employee Benefit Plans.

 

F-14


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Stock-based compensation represents the cost related to stock-based awards granted to employees and directors. The Company measures stock-based compensation cost at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and recognizes the cost as expense on a straight-line basis over the option’s requisite service period.

 

The Company estimates the fair value of stock-based awards using a Black-Scholes valuation model. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded in cost of revenue associated with sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure, cost of revenue for services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure, research and development expense and selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations based on the employees’ respective function.

 

The Company records deferred tax assets for awards that result in deductions on the Company’s income tax returns, based upon the amount of compensation cost recognized and the Company's statutory tax rate. Differences between the deferred tax assets recognized for financial reporting purposes and the actual tax deduction reported on the Company's income tax return are recorded in additional paid-in capital if the tax deduction exceeds the deferred tax asset or in the consolidated statements of operations if the deferred tax asset exceeds the tax deduction and no additional paid-in capital exists from previous awards.  Excess tax benefits are recognized in the period in which the tax deduction is realized through a reduction of taxes payable. No tax benefit or expense for stock-based compensation has been recorded during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 since the Company remains in a net operating loss (NOL) position.

 

Per Share Amounts

 

Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock (such as stock options, unvested restricted stock, common stock warrants, and preferred stock) were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock (net of any assumed repurchases) that then shared in the earnings of the Company, if any. This is computed by dividing net earnings by the combination of dilutive common share equivalents, which is comprised of shares issuable under outstanding warrants, the conversion of preferred stock, and the Company’s share-based compensation plans, and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Since the Company is in a net loss position, all common stock equivalents would be considered to be anti-dilutive and are, therefore, not included in the determination of diluted earnings per share. Accordingly, basic and diluted loss per share are the same.

 

The following table provides the components of the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except share amounts):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

    

2016

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common shareholders

 

$

(57,591)

 

$

(55,795)

 

$

(88,644)

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

 

 

180,619,860

 

 

176,067,231

 

 

159,228,815

 

 

The dilutive potential common shares are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

    

2016

 

2015

 

2014

 

Stock options outstanding (1)

 

14,760,054

 

11,700,786

 

8,367,271

 

Restricted stock outstanding

 

13,333

 

204,444

 

473,336

 

Common stock warrants (2)

 

14,501,600

 

4,192,567

 

4,219,449

 

Preferred stock (3)

 

17,490,078

 

5,554,594

 

5,554,594

 

Number of dilutive potential common shares

 

46,765,065

 

21,652,391

 

18,614,650

 


 

(1)

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 the Company granted 3,702,500, 3,960,000 and 4,245,000 stock options, respectively.

 

F-15


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

(2)

In May 2011, the Company issued 7,128,563 warrants as part of an underwritten public offering with an exercise price of $0.93 per warrant.  As a result of additional public offerings, and pursuant to the effect of the anti-dilution provisions of these warrants, the number of warrants increased to 22,995,365.  Of these warrants issued in May 2011, zero, 192,467, and 219,349 were unexercised as of December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 respectively.    

 

In February 2013, the Company issued 23,637,500 warrants as part of an underwritten public offering with an exercise price of $0.15 per warrant.  Of these warrants issued in February 2013, 100 were unexercised as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

 

In January 2014, the Company issued 4,000,000 warrants as part of an underwritten public offering with an exercise price of $4.00 per warrant.  In December 2016, as a result of additional public offerings, and pursuant to the effect of the anti-dilution provisions of these warrants, the exercise price of the $4.00 warrants was reduced to $1.025. Of these warrants issued in January 2014, none have been exercised as of  December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. 

 

In December 2016, the Company issued 10,501,500 warrants as part of two concurrent underwritten public offerings with an exercise price of $1.50 per warrant.  Of these warrants issued in December 2016, none have been exercised as of December 31, 2016. All warrants have anti-dilution provisions. 

 

(3)

The preferred stock amount represents the dilutive potential common shares of the Series C and D redeemable preferred stock, based on the conversion price of the preferred stock as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Of the 10,431 Series C redeemable preferred stock issued on May 16, 2013, 5,200 had been converted to common stock during the year ended December 31, 2013 with the remainder still outstanding. Of the 18,500 Series D redeemable preferred stock issued on December 22, 2016, zero have been converted to common stock as of December 31, 2016.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The determination of whether loss contracts exist is a significant estimate.  During 2015, the Company recorded a provision for loss contracts related to service, as discussed in Note 11, Warranty Reserve and Accrual for Loss Contracts Related to Service.

 

Reclassifications

 

Reclassifications are made, whenever necessary, to prior period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.  These reclassifications did not impact the results of operations or net cash flows in the periods presented.

 

Subsequent Events

 

The Company evaluates subsequent events at the date of the balance sheet as well as conditions that arise after the balance sheet date but before the consolidated financial statements are issued. The effects of conditions that existed at the balance sheet date are recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Events and conditions arising after the balance sheet date but before the consolidated financial statements are issued are evaluated to determine if disclosure is required to keep the consolidated financial statements from being misleading. To the extent such events and conditions exist, if any, disclosures are made regarding the nature of events and the estimated financial effects for those events and conditions.

 

F-16


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2017, an accounting update was issued to simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test.  Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. This accounting update is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2016, an accounting update was issued to reduce the existing diversity in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. This accounting update is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is evaluating the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In October 2016, an accounting update was issued to simplify how an entity should recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs.  Consequently, the amendments in this update eliminate the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory.  Two common examples of assets included in the scope of this update are intellectual property and property, plant, and equipment.  This accounting update is effective for the annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. The Company is evaluating the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2016, an accounting update was issued to reduce the existing diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows.  This accounting update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period.  The Company is evaluating the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2016, an accounting update was issued to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows.  This accounting update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those periods.  The Company does not expect the adoption of this update to have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements

 

In March 2016, an accounting update was issued to simplify various aspects related to how share-based payments are accounted for and presented.  This accounting update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those years.  Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period, with any adjustments reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption.  The Company does not expect the adoption of this update to have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2016, an accounting update was issued which requires balance sheet recognition for operating leases, among other changes to previous lease guidance.  This accounting update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018.  The Company is evaluating the impact this update will have on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In July 2015, an accounting update was issued that changes inventory measurement from lower of cost or market to lower of cost and net realizable value.  The new standard applies to inventory measured at first-in, first-out (FIFO).  This accounting update is effective for the reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years.  The Company does not expect the adoption of this update to have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2014, an accounting update was issued relating to how management assesses conditions and events that could raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. This accounting update was adopted as of December 31, 2016 and did not have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-17


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

In June 2014, an accounting update was issued that replaces the existing revenue recognition framework regarding contracts with customers.  In July 2015, the FASB announced a one year delay in the required adoption date from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018.  The Company has established an internal implementation team to oversee the adoption of the new standard.  To date the Company has identified relevant arrangements and performance obligations and is assessing the impact of the new guidance.  Evaluation is ongoing and it is too early to provide an assessment of the impact.  The Company anticipates providing information about the impacts of adoption in the coming quarters.  The Company is also evaluating whether to adopt the guidance using the full or modified retrospective basis, and will likely make that determination during the first half of 2017.

 

 

 

 

3.  Acquisitions

 

 HyPulsion

On July 24, 2015, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Axane, pursuant to which on July 31, 2015, the Company (through a wholly-owned subsidiary) acquired Axane’s 80% equity interest in HyPulsion for $11.5 million, payable in shares of its common stock. In connection with the aforementioned agreement, the Company initially issued 4,781,250 shares of its common stock at closing. On August 26, 2015, the Company subsequently issued an additional 1,613,289 shares of common stock pursuant to a post-closing true-up provision, which was liability classified contingent consideration. 

The Company acquired all of the net assets of HyPulsion, with the excess of the purchase price over net assets attributed to goodwill.  Goodwill associated with the acquisition represents expanded access to the European markets related to the sale of fuel cell technology for material handling equipment.  During the year ended December 31, 2016, changes in goodwill are attributed to foreign currency translation and, to a lesser extent, changes to estimated fair values of acquired assets and liabilities upon completion of purchase accounting.  During the year ended December 31, 2015, changes in goodwill are attributed to foreign currency translation. 

 

ReliOn, Inc.

 

On April 2, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of ReliOn, Inc. (“ReliOn”) for an aggregate purchase price of $4.0 million. The Company acquired substantially all of the assets of ReliOn, including patents, technology and other intangible assets, equipment and other tangible assets. ReliOn is a developer of hydrogen fuel cell stack technology based in Spokane, Washington. As consideration, the Company issued 530,504 shares of common stock, and assumed certain specified liabilities of ReliOn. The total purchase price is based on the issuance of 530,504 shares of Plug Power common stock at the closing price of the Company’s stock on April 1, 2014 of $7.54. Upon closing of the acquisition, the Company reported a gain on bargain purchase of $1.0 million and it has been included within interest and other (expense) income, net on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

4.  Inventory

 

Inventory as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consists of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

December 31, 2016

    

December 31, 2015

 

Raw materials and supplies

 

$

26,298

 

$

23,705

 

Work-in-process

 

 

1,865

 

 

5,567

 

Finished goods

 

 

1,777

 

 

3,480

 

 

 

$

29,940

 

$

32,752

 

 

Raw materials and supplies includes spare parts inventory held at service locations valued at approximately $3.3 million and $2.2 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

F-18


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

5.  Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2016 and 2015 consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

December 31,

    

December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

Land

 

$

90

 

$

90

 

Buildings

 

 

15,332

 

 

15,332

 

Building improvements

 

 

5,221

 

 

5,169

 

Software, machinery and equipment

 

 

17,269

 

 

14,634

 

 

 

 

37,912

 

 

35,225

 

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

 

(29,666)

 

 

(27,970)

 

Property, plant, and equipment, net

 

$

8,246

 

$

7,255

 

 

Depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment was $1.8 million, $1.5 million, and $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

6.  Leased Property

 

Leased property at December 31, 2016 and 2015 consists of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

December 31,

    

December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

Leased property

 

$

58,604

 

$

3,367

 

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

 

(4,544)

 

 

(1,700)

 

Leased property, net

 

$

54,060

 

$

1,667

 

 

 

Depreciation expense related to leased property was $2.9 million, $0.5 million, and $0.5 million the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

 

 

7.  Intangible Assets

 

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the Company’s acquired identifiable intangible assets as of December 31, 2016 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Weighted Average

 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization

 

Gross Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Period

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Total

 

Acquired technology

 

9  years 

 

$

4,645

 

 

(928)

 

 

3,717

 

Customer relationships

 

10  years 

 

 

260

 

 

(71)

 

 

189

 

Trademark

 

5  years 

 

 

60

 

 

(33)

 

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,965

 

$

(1,032)

 

$

3,933

 

 

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the Company’s acquired identifiable intangible assets as of December 31, 2015 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Weighted Average

 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization

 

Gross Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Period

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Total

 

Acquired technology

 

9  years 

 

$

4,793

 

$

(403)

 

$

4,390

 

Customer relationships

 

10  years 

 

 

260

 

 

(45)

 

 

215

 

Trademark

 

5  years 

 

 

60

 

 

(21)

 

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

$

5,113

 

$

(469)

 

$

4,644

 

 

The change in the gross carrying amount of the acquired technology from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2016 is due to changes attributed to foreign currency translation.

F-19


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

Amortization expense for acquired identifiable intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 was $0.6 million, $1.0 million, and $2.4 million, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for subsequent years is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

    

$

568

 

2018

 

 

568

 

2019

 

 

461

 

2020

 

 

425

 

2021

 

 

425

 

Thereafter

 

 

1,486

 

Total

 

$

3,933

 

 

 

 

8.  Accrued Expenses

 

Accrued expenses at December 31, 2016 and 2015 consist of (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

2016

    

2015

 

Accrued payroll and compensation related costs

 

$

1,924

 

$

3,896

 

Accrued accounts payable

 

 

2,044

 

 

2,444

 

Accrued sales and other taxes

 

 

2,508

 

 

1,490

 

Accrued litigation

 

 

1,008

 

 

1,077

 

Accrued other

 

 

1,035

 

 

945

 

Total

 

$

8,519

 

$

9,852

 

 

 

 

 

9. Short-Term Borrowing

 

On March 2, 2016, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Generate Lending, LLC (the Generate Lending Loan Agreement).  The Generate Lending Loan Agreement, among other things, provided for a $30 million secured term loan facility (the Short-Term Loan Facility).  Advances under the Short-Term Loan Facility bore interest at the rate of 12.0% per annum. The term of the Generate Lending Loan Agreement was one year, ending March 2, 2017.  Pursuant to the Generate Lending Loan Agreement, $25.0 million of the Short-Term Loan Facility was drawn upon at closing.  On June 27, 2016, the Short-Term Loan Facility was converted to long-term project financing from the same lender.  That financing was accounted for as a series of capital leases, the obligation of which is now presented as part of finance obligations on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet, as discussed in Note 17, Commitments and Contingencies.  

 

 

 

 

10.  Long-Term Debt

 

NY Green Bank Loan

 

On December 23, 2016, the Company, and its subsidiaries Emerging Power Inc. and Emergent Power Inc. entered into a loan and security agreement with NY Green Bank, a Division of the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, (NY Green Bank), pursuant to which NY Green Bank made available to the Company a secured term loan facility in the amount of $25.0 million (Term Loan Facility), subject to certain terms and conditions.  The Company borrowed $25.0 million upon closing and incurred costs of $1.2 million.  At December 31, 2016, the outstanding principal balance under the Term Loan Facility was $25.0 million.  The fair value of the Term Loan Facility approximates the carrying value as of December, 31, 2016. 

 

Advances under the Term Loan Facility bear interest at a rate equal to the sum of (i) the LIBOR rate for the applicable interest period, plus (ii) the credit default swap index coupon for the applicable interest period, plus (iii) 6.00% per annum. The interest rate at December 31, 2016 was approximately 11.3%.  The term of the loan is three years, with a maturity date of December 23, 2019.  Estimated principal payments will approximately be $3.0 million, $8.4 million, and

F-20


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

$13.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively.  These payments will be funded by restricted cash released, as described in Note 17, Commitments and Contingencies.

 

Interest and a varying portion of the principal amount is payable on a quarterly basis and the entire then outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan Facility, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, is due and payable on the maturity date.  On the maturity date, the Company may also be required to pay additional fees of up to $1.0 million if the Company is unable to meet certain goals related to the deployment of fuel cell systems in the State of New York and increasing the Company’s number of full-time employees in the State of New York.

 

The Term Loan Facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s and the guarantor  subsidiaries’ assets, including, among other assets, all intellectual property, all securities in domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the securities in foreign subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions and exclusions.

 

The Term Loan Facility contains covenants, including, among others, (i) the provision of annual and quarterly financial statements, management rights and insurance policies and (ii) restrictions on incurring debt, granting liens, making acquisitions, making loans, paying dividends, dissolving, and entering into leases and asset sales.  The Term Loan Facility also provides for events of default, including, among others, payment, bankruptcy, covenant, representation and warranty, change of control, judgment and material adverse effect defaults at the discretion of the lender.

 

The Term Loan Facility provides that if there is an event of default due to the Company’s insolvency or if the Company fails to perform, in any material respect, the servicing requirements for fuel cell systems under certain customer agreements, which failure would entitle the customer to terminate such customer agreement, replace the Company or withhold the payment of any material amount to the Company under such customer agreement, then the NY Green Bank has the right to cause a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company to replace the Company in performing the maintenance services under such customer agreement.

 

Hercules Capital, Inc. Loan

 

On June 27, 2016, Plug Power Inc. and its subsidiaries Emerging Power Inc. and Emergent Power Inc. entered into a loan and security agreement with Hercules Capital, Inc. (Hercules) pursuant to which Hercules agreed to make available to the Company a secured term loan facility in the amount of up to $40.0 million (the Hercules Term Loan Facility), subject to certain terms and conditions.  The Company borrowed $25.0 million on the date of closing and incurred transaction costs of $1.4 million. 

 

On December 22, 2016, the Company prepaid in full its obligations under the Hercules Loan and Security Agreement and the Hercules Term Loan Facility was terminated.  The Company used the net proceeds of preferred and common stock public offerings, together with existing cash, to repay the principal amount outstanding under the Hercules Term Loan Facility of $25.0 million and pay the interest, fees and expenses related to such repayment of $4.0 million. In addition, the Company recorded accelerated amortization of debt issuance costs of $1.1 million.  The interest, fees, expenses and amortization have been included within interest and other (expense) income, net on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

9.

 

 

11.  Warranty Reserve and Accrual for Loss Contracts Related to Service

 

The following table summarizes product warranty activity recorded during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

December 31, 2016

    

December 31, 2015

 

Beginning balance - January 1

 

$

406

 

$

1,311

 

Additions for current period deliveries

 

 

42

 

 

230

 

Reductions for payments made

 

 

(263)

 

 

(1,135)

 

Ending balance - December 31

 

$

185

 

$

406

 

 

 

 

Management has projected estimated service costs related to GenCare extended maintenance contracts and determined that certain loss contracts exist. A variety of assumptions are included in the estimates of future service costs,

F-21


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

including the life of parts, failure rates of parts, and future costs of parts and labor. As a result, the Company has an accrual for loss contracts related to service of $0.8 million and $10.1 million, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company renegotiated one of these service contracts.  As a result, the projected costs over the remaining life of the amended contract were estimated to be reduced and the Company recognized a gain within cost of revenue where the original charge was recorded.

 

The following table summarizes activity related to the accrual for loss contracts related to service during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

December 31, 2015

Beginning balance - January 1

 

$

10,050

 

$

 —

    Provision

 

 

(1,071)

 

 

10,050

    Reductions for losses realized

 

 

(8,227)

 

 

 —

Ending balance - December 31

 

$

752

 

$

10,050

 

 

12.  Stockholders’ Equity

 

Preferred Stock

 

The Company has authorized 5.0 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. The Company’s certificate of incorporation provides that shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Company’s Board of Directors is authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series.

 

The Company has authorized Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no shares of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.  See Note 13, Redeemable Preferred Stock, for description of the Company’s issued and outstanding Series C and D redeemable preferred stock.

 

Common Stock and Warrants

 

The Company has one class of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. Each share of the Company’s common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to stockholders. There were 191,141,646 and 180,087,491 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

In December 2016, the Company completed an offering of an aggregate of 10,400,000 shares of common stock, and warrants to purchase 3,120,000 shares of common stock.  The net proceeds to the Company were approximately $11.9 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses payable by the Company. Each full warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price equal to $1.50 per share. The warrants will be exercisable during the period commencing on the six-month anniversary of the date of original issuance and ending on June 21, 2022.  The Company also entered into an underwriting agreement with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., related to the underwritten registered offering of the Company’s Series D Redeemable Preferred Stock, which included the issuance of warrants to purchase 7,381,500 shares of common stock, as discussed in Note 13, Redeemable Preferred Stock.

 

 During 2014, the Company completed a series of underwritten public offerings, aggregating to issuances of 36,502,440 shares of common stock.  The share prices ranged from $5.50 to $5.74 with respect to 26,502,440 of the shares. One of the underwritten public offerings included accompanying warrants to purchase 4,000,000 shares of common stock. The shares and the warrants were sold together in a fixed combination, with each combination consisting of one share of common stock and 0.40 of a warrant to purchase one share of common stock, at a price of $3.00 per fixed combination for 10,000,000 shares. The total net proceeds to the Company from the 2014 public offerings were $165.7 million, of which $11.8 million in value was ascribed to the warrants issued in the January 2014 public offering.   The warrants had an initial exercise price of $4.00 per share, were immediately exercisable and will expire on January 15, 2019.  Due to the anti-dilutive provision, the exercise price of the warrants decreased to $1.025 per share in December 2016. 

 

F-22


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

During 2013, the Company completed a series of underwritten public offerings. One of the underwritten public offerings included accompanying warrants to purchase common stock.  As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, 100 warrants with an exercise price of  $0.15 per share, remain outstanding, are exercisable and will expire in February 2018. 

 

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 119,879, 26,882 and 23,918,429 warrants were exercised, respectively, resulting in the issuance of shares of common stock of 119,879, 26,882 and 23,832,038, respectively, and gross proceeds of $111 thousand, $25 thousand, $18.3 million, respectively, and increase of paid-in capital and reduction of the warrant liability by $141 thousand, $22 thousand and $83.4 million, respectively.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company has 14,501,600 and 4,192,567 warrants outstanding and exercisable.  The warrants are measured at fair value and classified as a liability on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

13.  Redeemable Preferred Stock

 

In December 2016, the Company completed an offering of an aggregate of 18,500 shares of the Company’s Series D Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share and warrants to purchase 7,381,500 shares of common stock.  The net proceeds to the Company were approximately $15.6 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by the Company.  The terms and conditions of the warrants issued pursuant to the preferred share offering are identical to the warrants issued pursuant to the common share offering (see Note 12, Stockholders’ Equity).  The Company is required to redeem the Series D Redeemable Preferred Stock in ten monthly installments in the amount of $1.9 million each from January 2017 through October 2017.

 

Each share of Series D Redeemable Preferred Stock was issued with an initial stated value of $1,000 per share. Over the first ten months of 2017, the Series D Redeemable Preferred Stock will be redeemed in ten equal installments of $1.9 million. The Company is required to elect, on a monthly basis, whether it will redeem or convert the required  installment.  Should the Company elect to redeem, the shares are valued at the stated value.  Should the Company elect to convert, the holder of the shares will receive common stock, with a conversion price discounted at 12% of market value.  Also, the holders of the shares, at any time, may elect to convert all or any whole amount of shares, using a conversion price of $1.55.  Conversion prices become more discounted upon a change in control, remote triggering events, or failure to make a redemption payment.  

 

Except for our Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock, which shall rank senior to the Series D Redeemable Preferred Stock as to dividends, distributions and payments upon the Company’s liquidation, dissolution and winding up, and subject to the issuance of capital stock that is of senior or pari-passu rank to the preferred shares, all shares of our capital stock, including our common stock, shall be junior in rank to all preferred shares with respect to dividends, distributions and payments upon our liquidation, dissolution and winding up or any capital stock that has a maturity date or other date requiring redemption or repayment prior to the maturity date of the preferred stock.

 

Holders of the Series D Redeemable Preferred Shares are not entitled to receive dividends except in connection with certain purchase rights and other corporate events, as described in the certificate of designations, or in connection with certain distributions of assets, as described in the certificate of designations, or as, when and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors acting in its sole and absolute discretion.  Holders of Series D Redeemable Preferred Shares shall have no voting rights, except on matters required by law or under the certificate of designations to be submitted to a class vote of the holders of the Series D Redeemable Preferred Shares.

 

On May 8, 2013, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Air Liquide, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell 10,431 shares of the Company’s Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock.  On August 26, 2014, Air Liquide acquired 5,521,676 shares of Common Stock by converting 5,200 shares of Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock at the conversion price of $0.2343.  Following the conversion, Air Liquide continues to own 5,231 shares of Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock. The holder of these shares is entitled to designate one director to the Company’s Board of Directors. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or other deemed liquidation event, as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement, the holder of the Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock will be entitled to be paid an amount per share equal to the greater of (i) the original issue price, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends or (ii) the amount per share that would have been payable had all shares of the Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock been converted to shares of common stock immediately prior to such liquidation event. The

F-23


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock is redeemable at the election of the holder of the Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock or the Company.

 

The holder of the Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock is entitled to receive dividends at a rate of 8% per annum, based on the original issue price of $2,595,400, payable in equal quarterly installments in cash or in shares of Common Stock, at the Company’s option. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 dividends have been paid in the form of shares of Common Stock. The Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of Common Stock with the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion determined by dividing the original issue price of $2,595,400 by the conversion price in effect at the time the shares are converted. The conversion price of the Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $0.2343. The Series C Redeemable Preferred Stock votes together with the Common Stock on an as-converted basis on all matters.

 

14.  Employee Benefit Plans

 

2011 Stock Option and Incentive Plan

 

On May 12, 2011, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2011 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the 2011 Plan). The 2011 Plan provides for the issuance of up to a maximum number of shares of common stock equal to the sum of (i) 1,000,000, plus (ii) the number of shares of common stock underlying any grants pursuant to the 2011 Plan or the Plug Power Inc. 1999 Stock Option and Incentive Plan that are forfeited, canceled, repurchased or are terminated (other than by exercise). The shares may be issued pursuant to stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards and certain other equity-based awards granted to employees, directors and consultants of the Company. No grants may be made under the 2011 Plan after May 12, 2021.  Through various amendments to the 2011 Plan approved by the Company’s stockholders, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock authorized for issuance under the 2011 Plan has been increased to 17.0 million. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, the Company recorded expense of approximately $9.0 million, $7.5 million, and $3.6 million, respectively, in connection with the 2011 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.

 

At December 31, 2016, there were approximately 14.8 million options granted and outstanding and 1.0 million options available to be issued under the 2011 Plan, including adjustments for other types of share-based awards. Options for employees issued under this plan generally vest in equal annual installments over three years and expire ten years after issuance. Options granted to members of the Board generally vest one year after issuance. To date, options granted under the 2011 Plan have vesting provisions ranging from one to three years in duration and expire ten years after issuance.

 

Compensation cost associated with employee stock options represented approximately $9.0 million, $7.5 million and $3.4 million of the total share-based payment expense recorded for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using a Black-Scholes valuation model, and the resulting fair value is recorded as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the option vesting period. Key inputs and assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the grant price of the award, the expected option term, volatility of the Company’s stock, an appropriate risk-free rate, and the Company’s dividend yield. Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by employees who receive equity awards, and subsequent events are not indicative of the reasonableness of the original estimates of fair value made by the Company. The assumptions made for purposes of estimating fair value under the Black-Scholes model for the 3,702,500, 3,960,000 and 4,246,000 options granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

2016

    

2015

    

2014

 

Expected term of options (years)

 

6

 

6

 

6

 

Risk free interest rate

 

1.27% - 1.69%

 

1.52% - 1.87%

 

1.77% - 1.94%

 

Volatility

 

103.87% - 104.88%

 

104.03% - 105.29%

 

107.17% - 113.92%

 

 

There was no expected dividend yield for the employee stock options granted.

 

The Company’s estimate of an expected option term was calculated in accordance with the simplified method for calculating the expected term assumption. The estimated stock price volatility was derived from the Company’s actual historic stock prices over the past six years, which represents the Company’s best estimate of expected volatility.

 

F-24


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

A summary of stock option activity for the year December 31, 2016 is as follows (in thousands except share amounts):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

    

 

    

Weighted

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Remaining

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

Contractual

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Shares

 

Price

 

Terms

 

Value

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2015

 

11,700,786

 

$

3.29

 

8.3

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

3,702,500

 

 

1.72

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(274,000)

 

 

0.37

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(347,482)

 

 

2.91

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

(21,750)

 

 

49.18

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2016

 

14,760,054

 

$

2.90

 

7.9

 

$

878

 

Options exercisable at December 31, 2016

 

7,368,564

 

 

3.28

 

7.0

 

 

878

 

Options unvested at December 31, 2016

 

7,391,490

 

$

2.52

 

8.9

 

 

 —

 

 

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $1.39, $1.99, and $4.05, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, there was approximately $11.0 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock option awards to be recognized over the next three years, all of this is expected to vest. The total fair value of stock options that vested during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $8.6 million and $6.1 million, respectively.

 

Restricted stock awards generally vest in equal installments over a period of one to three years. Restricted stock awards are valued based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, and compensation cost is recorded on a straight-line basis over the share vesting period. The Company recorded expense associated with its restricted stock awards of approximately $88 thousand, $118 thousand, and $84 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, there was $43 thousand, $132 thousand, and $265 thousand, respectively, of unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards to be recognized over the next three years.

 

A summary of restricted stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2016 is as follows (in thousands except share amounts):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

    

Aggregate

 

 

 

 

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Shares

 

Value

 

Unvested restricted stock at December 31, 2015

 

204,444

 

 

 

 

Vested

 

(191,111)

 

 

 

 

Unvested restricted stock at December 31, 2016

 

13,333

 

$

16

 

 

401(k) Savings & Retirement Plan

 

The Company offers a 401(k) Savings & Retirement Plan to eligible employees meeting certain age and service requirements. This plan permits participants to contribute 100% of their salary, up to the maximum allowable by the Internal Revenue Service regulations. Participants are immediately vested in their voluntary contributions plus actual earnings or less actual losses thereon. Participants are vested in the Company’s matching contribution based on years of service completed. Participants are fully vested upon completion of three years of service. During 2002, the Company began funding its matching contribution in common stock. During 2016 and 2015, the Company funded its matching contribution with cash.  During 2014, the Company issued 74,863 shares of common stock to the Plug Power Inc. 401(k) Savings & Retirement Plan.

 

The Company’s expense for this plan, including the issuance of shares, was approximately $1.4 million, $0.8 million and $0.4 million for years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

F-25


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Non-Employee Director Compensation

 

Each non-employee director is paid an annual retainer for their services, in the form of either cash or stock compensation. The Company granted 105,479, 89,490, and 71,311 shares of stock to non-employee directors as compensation for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. All common stock issued is fully vested at the time of issuance and is valued at fair value on the date of issuance. The Company’s share-based compensation expense for this plan was approximately $267 thousand, $267 thousand and $331 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 respectively.

 

15.  Fair Value Measurements

 

The following table summarizes the financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

    

Quoted Prices

    

Significant

    

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

in Active

 

Other

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

Markets for 

 

Observable

 

Unobservable

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identical Items

 

Inputs

 

Inputs

 

 

 

Total

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

Balance at December 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock warrant liability

 

$

11,387

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

11,387

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock warrant liability

 

$

5,735

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

5,735

 

 

The Company’s common stock warrant liability represents the only financial instrument measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheets.  The fair value measurement is determined by using Level 3 inputs due to the lack of active and observable markets that can be used to price identical assets.  Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs and should be used to determine fair value only when observable inputs are not available.  Unobservable inputs should be developed based on the best information available in the circumstances, which might include internally generated data and assumptions being used to price the asset or liability. 

 

Fair value of the common stock warrant liability is based on the Black-Scholes pricing model which is based, in part, upon unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, requiring the Company to develop its own assumptions. The Company used the following assumptions for its common stock warrants:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

December 31, 2015

Risk-free interest rate

 

0.87% - 1.96%

 

0.5% - 1.28%

Volatility

 

49.0% - 103.41%

 

79.82% - 128.35%

Expected average term

 

1.14 - 5.47

 

0.42 - 3.04

 

There was no expected dividend yield for the warrants granted. If factors change and different assumptions are used, the warrant liability and the change in estimated fair value could be materially different. Generally, as the market price of our common stock increases, the fair value of the warrant increases, and conversely, as the market price of our common stock decreases, the fair value of the warrant decreases. Also, a significant increase in the volatility of the market price of the Company's common stock, in isolation, would result in a significantly higher fair value measurement, and a significant decrease in volatility would result in a significantly lower fair value measurement.

 

F-26


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The following table shows the activity related to financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock warrant liability

 

2016

    

2015

 

Beginning of period

 

$

5,735

 

$

9,418

 

Change in fair value of common stock warrants

 

 

(4,344)

 

 

(3,661)

 

Issuance of common stock warrants

 

 

10,137

 

 

 —

 

Exercise of common stock warrants

 

 

(141)

 

 

(22)

 

End of period

 

$

11,387

 

$

5,735

 

 

 

 

16.  Income Taxes

 

The components of loss before income taxes and the income tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, by jurisdiction, are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

    

U.S.

    

Foreign

    

Total

    

U.S.

    

Foreign

    

Total

    

U.S.

    

Foreign

    

Total

 

Loss before income taxes

 

$

(56,317)

 

$

(1,562)

 

$

(57,879)

 

$

(54,921)

 

$

(769)

 

$

(55,690)

 

$

(87,459)

 

$

(1,354)

 

$

(88,813)

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

 —

 

 

392

 

 

392

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

325

 

 

325

 

Net loss attributable to the Company

 

$

(56,317)

 

$

(1,170)

 

$

(57,487)

 

$

(54,921)

 

$

(769)

 

$

(55,690)

 

$

(87,459)

 

$

(1,029)

 

$

(88,488)

 

 

The significant components of deferred income tax (benefit) expense for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, by jurisdiction, are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

    

U.S.

    

Foreign

    

Total

    

U.S.

    

Foreign

    

Total

    

U.S.

    

Foreign

    

Total

 

Deferred tax (benefit) expense

 

$

(6,420)

 

$

(1,299)

 

$

(7,719)

 

$

(14,237)

 

$

893

 

$

(13,344)

 

$

(4,282)

 

$

194

 

$

(4,088)

 

Net operating loss carryforward (generated) expired

 

 

(16,727)

 

 

(2,827)

 

 

(19,554)

 

 

(8,345)

 

 

895

 

 

(7,450)

 

 

(8,974)

 

 

625

 

 

(8,349)

 

Valuation allowance increase (decrease)

 

 

23,147

 

 

4,126

 

 

27,273

 

 

22,582

 

 

(1,788)

 

 

20,794

 

 

13,256

 

 

(819)

 

 

12,437

 

Provision for income taxes

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

2016

    

2015

    

2014

 

U.S. Federal statutory tax rate

 

(35.0)

%  

(35.0)

%  

(35.0)

%

Deferred state taxes, net of federal benefit

 

(3.1)

%  

(3.1)

%  

(1.2)

%

Common stock warrant liability

 

(2.6)

%  

(2.3)

%  

20.6

%

Foreign provision to return adjustments

 

(2.9)

%

 —

%

 —

%

Change in unrecognized tax benefits

 

(0.7)

%

 —

%

(0.9)

%

Other, net

 

(1.6)

%  

0.3

%  

0.7

%

Change in valuation allowance

 

45.2

%  

40.1

%  

15.4

%

 

 

(0.7)

%  

0.0

%  

(0.4)

%

 

F-27


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of certain assets and liabilities for financial reporting and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S.

 

Foreign

 

 

    

2016

    

2015

    

2016

    

2015

 

Intangible assets

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

1,614

 

$

1,469

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

8,713

 

 

7,017

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Other reserves and accruals

 

 

1,703

 

 

6,411

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Tax credit carryforwards

 

 

1,218

 

 

798

 

 

1,216

 

 

65

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

754

 

 

1,803

 

 

 —

 

 

389

 

Amortization of stock-based compensation

 

 

17,167

 

 

13,145

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Capitalized research & development expenditures

 

 

16,935

 

 

13,431

 

 

4,352

 

 

4,008

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

 

43,929

 

 

27,202

 

 

8,624

 

 

5,797

 

Total deferred tax asset

 

 

90,419

 

 

69,807

 

 

15,806

 

 

11,728

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

(85,731)

 

 

(62,584)

 

 

(15,646)

 

 

(11,520)

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

$

4,688

 

$

7,223

 

$

160

 

$

208

 

Intangible assets

 

 

(177)

 

 

(220)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(160)

 

 

(208)

 

Non-employee stock based compensation

 

 

(1,628)

 

 

(1,556)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Section 382 recognized built in loss

 

 

(2,883)

 

 

(5,447)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

Net deferred tax liability

 

$

(4,688)

 

$

(7,223)

 

$

(160)

 

$

(208)

 

Net

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

 

 

The Company has recorded a valuation allowance, as a result of uncertainties related to the realization of its net deferred tax asset, at December 31, 2016 and 2015 of approximately $101.4 million and $74.1 million, respectively.  A reconciliation of the current year change in valuation allowance is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

U.S.

    

Foreign

    

Total

 

Increase in valuation allowance for current year increase in net operating losses

 

$

16,727

 

$

2,827

 

$

19,554

 

Increase in valuation allowance for current year net increase in deferred tax assets other than net operating losses

 

 

6,420

 

 

282

 

 

6,702

 

Increase in valuation allowance as a result of foreign currency fluctuation

 

 

 —

 

 

235

 

 

235

 

Increase in valuation allowance due to change in tax rates

 

 

 —

 

 

313

 

 

313

 

Increase in valuation allowance due to change in deferred tax assets related to unrecognized tax benefits

 

 

 —

 

 

469

 

 

469

 

Net increase in valuation allowance

 

$

23,147

 

$

4,126

 

$

27,273

 

 

The deferred tax assets have been offset by a full valuation allowance because it is more likely than not that the tax benefits of the net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets may not be realized. Included in the valuation allowance at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are $0.1 million of deferred tax assets resulting from the exercise of employee stock options, which upon subsequent realization of the tax benefits, will be allocated directly to paid-in capital. 

 

Before the imposition of IRC Section 382 limitations described below, at December 31, 2016, the Company has unused federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $830.0 million, of which $117.0 million was generated from the operations of acquired companies prior to the dates of acquisition and $713.0 million was generated by the Company subsequent to the acquisition dates and through December 31, 2016.

 

Under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 382, the use of loss carryforwards may be limited if a change in ownership of a company occurs. If it is determined that, due to transactions involving the Company’s shares owned by its 5 percent or greater shareholders, a change of ownership has occurred under the provisions of IRC Section 382, the Company's federal and state net operating loss carryforwards could be subject to significant IRC Section 382 limitations. 

F-28


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

Based on studies of the changes in ownership of the Company, it has been determined that IRC Section 382 ownership changes have occurred which significantly reduces that amount of pre-change net operating losses that can be used in future years to $13.5 million. In addition, net operating losses of $102.2 million incurred after the most recent ownership change are not subject to IRC Section 382 and are available for use in future years. Accordingly, the Company’s deferred tax assets include $115.6 million of U.S. net operating loss carryforwards. The net operating loss carryforwards available at December 31, 2016, if unused will expire at various dates from 2017 through 2036.

 

The ownership changes also resulted in net unrealized built in losses per IRS Notice 2003-65 which should result in recognized built in losses during the five year recognition period. These recognized built in losses will translate into unfavorable book to tax add backs in the Company’s 2017 to 2018 U.S. corporate income tax returns of approximately $7.6 million that resulted in a gross deferred tax liability of $2.9 million at December 31, 2016. This gross deferred tax liability offsets existing gross deferred tax assets effectively reducing the valuation allowance. This has no impact on the Company’s current financial position, results of operations, or cash flows because of the full valuation allowance.

 

Approximately $1.2 million of research credit carryforwards generated after the most recent IRC Section 382 ownership change are included in the Company’s deferred tax assets. Due to limitations under IRC Section 382, research credit carryforwards existing prior to the most recent IRC Section 382 ownership change will not be used and are not reflected in the Company’s gross deferred tax asset at December 31, 2016.

 

At December 31, 2016, the Company has unused Canadian net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $13.7 million. The net operating loss carryforwards if unused will expire at various dates from 2026 through 2034. At December 31, 2016, the Company has scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) expenditures of $16.7 million available to offset future taxable income in Canada. These SR&ED expenditures have no expiration date. At December 31, 2016, the Company has Canadian ITC credit carryforwards of $1.6 million available to offset future income tax.  These credit carryforwards if unused will expire at various dates from 2021 through 2027. 

 

At December 31, 2016, the Company has unused French net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $15.4 million.  The net operating loss may carryforward indefinitely or until the Company changes its activity.

 

As of December 31, 2016, the Company has no un-repatriated foreign earnings.

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

2016

    

2015

    

2014

 

Unrecognized tax benefits balance at beginning of year

 

$

437

 

$

522

 

$

1,033

 

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

 

 

(469)

 

 

 —

 

 

(465)

 

Currency translation

 

 

32

 

 

(85)

 

 

(46)

 

Unrecognized tax benefits balance at end of year

 

$

 —

 

$

437

 

$

522

 

 

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. The Company had $0.4 million of interest and penalties accrued at December 31, 2015, which was released in 2016 upon the expiration of the statute of limitations.

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions.  In the normal course of business the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities.  Open tax years in the U.S. range from 2013 to 2016, and open tax years in foreign jurisdictions range from 2008 to 2016.  However, upon examination in subsequent years, if net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards are utilized, the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions can reduce net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards utilized in the year being examined if they do not agree with the carryforward amount.  As of December 31, 2016, the Company was not under audit in the U.S. or non-U.S. taxing jurisdictions.

 

F-29


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

17.  Commitments and Contingencies

 

Operating Leases

 

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company has several non-cancelable operating leases (as lessor and as lessee), primarily associated with sale/leaseback transactions that are partially secured by restricted cash (see also Note 1, Nature of Operations) as summarized below that expire over the next six years. Minimum rent payments under operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Leases where the Company is the lessor contain termination clauses with associated penalties, the amount of which cause the likelihood of cancellation to be remote.

 

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases (with initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year) as of December 31, 2016 are (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

As Lessor

    

As Lessee

 

2017

 

$

16,872

 

$

12,350

 

2018

 

 

16,872

 

 

12,125

 

2019

 

 

16,872

 

 

10,936

 

2020

 

 

15,715

 

 

9,802

 

2021

 

 

11,480

 

 

5,535

 

2022 and thereafter

 

 

2,872

 

 

759

 

Total future minimum lease payments

 

$

80,683

 

$

51,507

 

 

Rental expense for all operating leases were $13.2 million, $6.2 million, and $1.5 million for years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 respectively.

 

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, prepaid rent and security deposits associated with sale/leaseback transactions were $11.8 million and $12.1 million, respectively.  At December 31, 2016, $1.9 million of the amount is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and $9.9 million was included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.  At December 31, 2015, $2.0 million of this amount was included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and $10.1 million was included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

 

Finance Obligation

 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company entered into sale/leaseback transactions, which were accounted for as capital leases and reported as part of finance obligations on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.  These transactions represented project financing as referenced in Note 9, Short-term Borrowing.  The outstanding balance of these finance obligations at December 31, 2016 was $29.4 million.  The fair value of the finance obligation approximates the carrying value as of December 31, 2016.

 

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable capital leases (with initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year) as of December 31, 2016 are (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

Imputed

 

Net Present

 

    

Payments

    

Interest

    

Value

2017

 

$

16,313

 

$

4,205

 

$

12,108

2018

 

 

10,665

 

 

2,064

 

 

8,601

2019

 

 

3,436

 

 

1,435

 

 

2,001

2020

 

 

3,436

 

 

1,083

 

 

2,353

2021

 

 

3,436

 

 

674

 

 

2,762

Thereafter

 

 

1,689

 

 

151

 

 

1,538

Total future minimum lease payments

 

$

38,975

 

$

9,612

 

$

29,363

 

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company received cash for future services to be performed associated with certain sale/leaseback transactions and recorded the balance as a finance obligation.  The outstanding balance of this obligation at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is $12.8 million and $15.1 million, respectively. 

F-30


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The amount is amortized using the effective interest method.  The fair value of this finance obligation approximates the carrying value as of December 31, 2016.

 

The Company has a capital lease associated with its property in Latham, New York.  Liabilities relating to this agreement of $2.4 million and $2.5 million have been recorded as a finance obligation, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.  The fair value of this finance obligation approximates the carrying value as of December 31, 2016.

 

Restricted Cash

 

The Company has entered into sale/leaseback agreements associated with its products and services.  In connection with these agreements, cash of $53.6 million is required to be restricted as security and will be released over the lease term. The Company has additional letters of credit backed by security deposits as disclosed in the Operating Leases section above.

 

The Company also has letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $1.0 million associated with an agreement to provide hydrogen infrastructure and hydrogen to a customer at its distribution center and with a finance obligation from the sale/leaseback of its building.  Cash collateralizing these letters of credit is considered restricted cash.

 

Litigation

 

Legal matters are defended and handled in the ordinary course of business.  The Company has established accruals for matters for which management considers a loss to be probable and reasonably estimable. It is the opinion of management that facts known at the present time do not indicate that such litigation, after taking into account insurance coverage and the aforementioned accruals, will have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

 

Concentrations of credit risk

 

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables exist due to the limited number of select customers with whom the Company has initial commercial sales arrangements. To mitigate credit risk, the Company performs appropriate evaluation of a prospective customer’s financial condition.

 

At December 31, 2016, two customers comprise approximately 59.9% of the total accounts receivable balance, with each customer individually representing 40.0% and 19.9% of total accounts receivable, respectively. At December 31, 2015, two customers comprise approximately 50.9% of the total accounts receivable balance, with each customer individually representing 38.5% and 12.4% of total accounts receivable, respectively.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, 34.1% and 56.7%, respectively, of total consolidated revenues were associated primarily with Walmart.  For the year ended December 31, 2014, 37.2% of total consolidated revenues were associated primarily with Walmart and Volkswagen, representing 24.1% and 13.1% of total consolidated revenues, respectively.

F-31


 

Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

18.  Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarters ended

 

 

    

March 31,

    

June 30,

    

September 30,

    

December 31,

 

 

 

2016

 

2016

 

2016

 

2016

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

$

5,218

 

$

9,121

 

$

5,653

 

$

19,993

 

Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

 

5,273

 

 

5,360

 

 

4,763

 

 

5,060

 

Power Purchase Agreements

 

 

2,706

 

 

3,062

 

 

3,858

 

 

4,061

 

Fuel delivered to customers

 

 

2,010

 

 

2,638

 

 

2,909

 

 

3,359

 

Other

 

 

125

 

 

278

 

 

376

 

 

105

 

Gross profit (1)

 

 

170

 

 

384

 

 

381

 

 

3,011

 

Operating expenses

 

 

13,120

 

 

13,760

 

 

13,637

 

 

14,948

 

Operating loss

 

 

(12,950)

 

 

(13,376)

 

 

(13,256)

 

 

(11,937)

 

Net loss attributable to common shareholders

 

 

(11,780)

 

 

(13,154)

 

 

(13,420)

 

 

(19,237)

 

Loss per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and Diluted

 

$

(0.07)

 

$

(0.07)

 

$

(0.07)

 

$

(0.11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarters ended

 

 

    

March 31,

    

June 30,

    

September 30,

    

December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

2015

 

2015

 

2015

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales of fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

$

5,090

 

$

18,663

 

$

24,777

 

$

29,472

 

Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure

 

 

2,645

 

 

2,883

 

 

3,555

 

 

4,929

 

Power Purchase Agreements

 

 

977

 

 

1,077

 

 

1,546

 

 

2,118

 

Fuel delivered to customers

 

 

659

 

 

1,128

 

 

1,544

 

 

1,744

 

Other

 

 

45

 

 

258

 

 

10

 

 

168

 

Gross (loss) profit (1)

 

 

(2,111)

 

 

1,562

 

 

76

 

 

(9,417)

 

Operating expenses

 

 

10,650

 

 

11,427

 

 

12,332

 

 

14,703

 

Operating loss

 

 

(12,761)

 

 

(9,865)

 

 

(12,256)

 

 

(24,120)

 

Net loss attributable to common shareholders

 

 

(11,077)

 

 

(9,253)

 

 

(10,238)

 

 

(25,227)

 

Loss per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and Diluted

 

$

(0.06)

 

$

(0.05)

 

$

(0.06)

 

$

(0.14)

 

 


(1)

Gross profit in the second quarter of 2016 and the fourth quarter of 2015 includes the impact of a ($1.1 million) and $10.1 million provision for loss contracts related to service recorded by the Company, respectively, as discussed in Note 11, Warranty Reserve and Accrual for Loss Contracts Related to Service.

 

 

F-32