ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific risk factors discussed below. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations. If any such risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such cases, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business, Industry and Supply Chain
Our business and operations may be adversely affected by the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak or other similar outbreaks.
Any outbreaks of contagious diseases, including the recent outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) that was first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and has since developed into a global pandemic, and other adverse public health developments in countries where we and our suppliers operate, could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. These effects could include disruptions to or restrictions on our employees’ ability to travel, as well as temporary closures of our facilities or the facilities of our customers, suppliers, or other vendors in our supply chain. In addition, COVID-19 has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could affect demand for our products or our ability to obtain financing for our business or projects. COVID-19 may impact the health of our team members, directors or customers, reduce the availability of our workforce or those of companies with which we do business, or otherwise cause human impacts that may negatively impact our business. Any of these events, which may result in disruptions to our supply chain or customer demand, could materially and adversely affect our business and our financial results. The extent to which COVID-19 will impact our business and our financial results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. Such developments may include the geographic spread of COVID-19, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, the actions that may be taken by various governmental authorities in response to the outbreak, such as quarantine or “shelter-in-place” orders and business closures imposed by various states within the United States, and the impact on the U.S. or global economy. For example, on March 18, 2020, in response to the escalating global COVID-19 outbreak, we temporarily
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suspended operations at our Torrington, Connecticut manufacturing facility, and also ordered those employees that could work from home to do so. While we resumed operations in the manufacturing facility on June 22, 2020, we continue to evaluate our ability to operate in light of recent resurgences of COVID-19 and the advisability of continuing operations, based on federal, state and local guidance, evolving data concerning the pandemic and the best interests of our employees, customers and stockholders. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that any of our facilities will remain open (in full or in part), that our employees that continue to work remotely will return to the office or that our other operations will continue at full or limited capacity. If we again have to shut down production either due to a worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic or due to an outbreak in one of our facilities, our project schedules and associated financing could be adversely affected. An extended period of remote working by our employees could strain our technology resources and introduce operational risks, including heightened cybersecurity risk. Further, we have experienced, and may continue to experience, increased costs and expenses, including as a result of (i) conducting daily “fitness-for-duty” assessments for employees, including symptom checks and providing personal protective equipment, (ii) the expansion of benefits to our employees, including the provision of additional time off for employees who have contracted COVID-19 or are required to be quarantined or who are unable to obtain childcare to return to work, (iii) implementing increased health and safety protocols at all of our facilities, including increased cleaning/ sanitization of workspaces, restricting visitor access, mandating social distancing guidelines and increasing the availability of sanitization products, and (iv) the increased cost of personal protective equipment. Although we believe the Company is currently considered an “essential” business in its operating markets, if any of the applicable exceptions or exemptions are curtailed or revoked in the future, or any of these exemptions or exceptions do not extend to any of our key suppliers, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely impacted. While we have attempted to continue business development activities during the pandemic, state and local shutdowns, shelter-in-place orders and travel restrictions have impeded our ability to meet with customers and solicit new business, and certain bids and solicitations in which we typically participate have been postponed. As a result, at this time, it is impossible to predict the overall impact of COVID-19 on our business, liquidity, capital resources, supply chain and financial results or its effect on clean energy demand, capital budgets of our customers, or demand for our products. Additionally, while we have continued to prioritize the health and safety of our team members and customers as we continue to operate during the pandemic, we face an increased risk of litigation related to our operating environments. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, we may continue to experience adverse impacts to our business as a result of any economic recession that has occurred or may occur in the future because of the pandemic, or because the pandemic worsens again. Additional public health crises could also emerge in the future, including other pandemics or epidemics. Any such public health crisis could pose further risks to us and could also have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position.
Our PPP Loan may not be forgiven, may subject us to challenges regarding qualification for the PPP Loan, enforcement actions, fines and penalties, and has resulted in an informal SEC inquiry into our financial disclosures.
On April 20, 2020, we entered into a Paycheck Protection Program Promissory Note, dated April 16, 2020 (the “PPP Note”), evidencing a loan to the Company from Liberty Bank under the CARES Act. Pursuant to the PPP Note, we received total proceeds of approximately $6.5 million on April 24, 2020. In accordance with the requirements of the CARES Act, as amended by the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (the “PPP Flexibility Act”), the PPP Loan may be fully forgiven if (i) proceeds are used to pay eligible payroll costs, rent, mortgage interest and utilities and (ii) full-time employee headcount and salaries are either maintained during the 24-week period following disbursement of the PPP Loan or restored by December 31, 2020. If not so maintained or restored, forgiveness of the PPP Loan will be reduced in accordance with regulations to be issued by the SBA. In order to obtain the consent of the Orion Agent and the lenders under the Orion Credit Agreement (each as defined below) to enter into the PPP Note, the Orion Agent and such lenders required us to apply for forgiveness within 30 days after the last day of the loan forgiveness period as designated under regulations in effect as of June 6, 2020. We used 100% of the proceeds of the PPP Loan to pay eligible payroll costs, and on October 29, 2020, we applied for forgiveness of the PPP Loan. While we believe we have met all of the requirements of the CARES Act, as amended by the PPP Flexibility Act, no assurance can be given that any portion of the PPP Loan will be forgiven. In addition, based on guidance from the United States Department of the Treasury, since the total PPP Loan proceeds exceeded $2.0 million, our forgiveness application will be subject to audit by the SBA, including with respect to our certification that the economic uncertainty at the time of our application made our request for a PPP Loan necessary to support our ongoing operations. Such certification does not contain any objective criteria and is subject to interpretation. If we are found to have been ineligible to receive the PPP Loan under the PPP Note, or in violation of any of the laws or regulations that may apply to us in connection with the PPP Note, including the False Claims Act, we may be subject to enforcement actions, fines and penalties, including significant civil, criminal and
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administrative penalties, and could be required to repay the PPP Note. In addition, our receipt of the PPP Loan and our submission of a forgiveness application may result in adverse publicity and damage to our reputation, governmental investigations, inquiries, reviews and audits, such as the SEC inquiry described below, which could consume significant financial and management resources. Any of these events could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
On or about May 11, 2020, the Division of Enforcement of the SEC sent the Company an inquiry requesting that we voluntarily provide information to the SEC pertaining to our application and resulting PPP Loan and how the need for the PPP Loan compares with our filings, disclosures and financial condition. While this request for information is voluntary and the Company was not obligated to respond, we are cooperating and have provided information to the SEC.
We have incurred losses and anticipate continued losses and negative cash flows.
We have transitioned from a research and development company to a commercial products manufacturer, services provider and developer. We have not been profitable since our year ended October 31, 1997. We expect to continue to incur net losses and generate negative cash flows until we can produce sufficient revenues and gross profit to cover our costs. We may never become profitable. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may be unable to sustain or increase our profitability in the future. For the reasons discussed in more detail below, there are uncertainties associated with our achieving and sustaining profitability. We have, from time to time, sought financing in the public markets in order to fund operations and will continue to do so. Our future ability to obtain such financing could be impaired by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the price of our common stock, our lack of available shares and general market conditions.
Our cost reduction strategy may not succeed or may be significantly delayed, which may result in our inability to deliver improved margins.
Our cost reduction strategy is based on the assumption that increases in production will result in economies of scale. In addition, our cost reduction strategy relies on advancements in our manufacturing process, global competitive sourcing, engineering design, reducing the cost of capital and technology improvements (including stack life and projected power output). Failure to achieve our cost reduction targets could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
We have debt outstanding and may incur additional debt in the future, which may adversely affect our financial condition and future financial results.
As of October 31, 2020, our total consolidated debt outstanding (“indebtedness”) was $174.2 million ($165.1 million, net of finance costs and debt discounts), of which an aggregate of $80.0 million ($72.7 million, net of finance costs and debt discounts) was senior secured indebtedness under the Orion Credit Agreement with the Orion Agent (in each case as defined elsewhere herein) and certain of its affiliates, which was entered into in connection with our $200.0 million senior secured credit facility (which is referred to herein as the Orion Facility), and an aggregate of $94.2 million ($92.4 million, net of finance costs and debt discounts) was other secured indebtedness.
On December 7, 2020, the Company repaid all outstanding debt under the Orion Facility. Concurrently with the Orion Agent’s receipt of full payment pursuant to the Orion Payoff Letter (as defined elsewhere herein), the Orion Agent released all of the collateral from the liens granted under the security documents associated with the Orion Facility (which included the release of $11.2 million of restricted cash to the Company), and the Company and its subsidiaries were unconditionally released from their respective obligations under the Orion Credit Agreement (and related loan documents) and the Orion Facility without further action.
Our ability to make scheduled payments of principal and interest and other required repayments depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. Our business may not generate cash flows from operations in the future sufficient to service our debt and make necessary capital expenditures. If we are unable to generate such cash flows, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring operations, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or dilutive.
We may incur additional indebtedness in the future in the ordinary course of business, which could include onerous restrictions on us. If new debt is added to current debt levels, the risks described above could intensify. Our debt
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agreements contain representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default that entitle the lenders to cause our indebtedness under such debt agreements to become immediately due and payable.
Unanticipated increases or decreases in business growth may result in adverse financial consequences for us.
If our business grows more quickly than we anticipate, our existing and planned manufacturing facilities may become inadequate and we may need to seek out new or additional space, or retrofit or further equip our existing facilities, at considerable cost to us. If our business does not grow as quickly as we expect, our existing and planned manufacturing facilities would, in part, represent excess capacity for which we may not recover the cost. In that circumstance, our revenues may be inadequate to support our committed costs and our planned growth, and our gross margins and business strategy would be adversely affected.
If our goodwill and other intangible assets, long-lived assets, inventory or project assets become impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to operations.
We have in the past recorded charges and may in the future be required to record a significant charge to operations in our financial statements should we determine that our goodwill, other indefinite-lived intangible assets (i.e., in process research and development (“IPR&D”)), other long-lived assets (i.e., property, plant and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets), inventory, or project assets are impaired. Such a charge might have a significant impact on our reported financial condition and results of operations.
As required by accounting rules, we review our goodwill for impairment at least annually as of July 31 or more frequently if facts and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit that has goodwill is less than its carrying value. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances indicating that the carrying value of our goodwill might not be recoverable include a significant decline in projections of future cash flows and lower future growth rates in our industry. We review IPR&D for impairment on an annual basis as of July 31 or more frequently if facts and circumstances indicate the fair value is less than the carrying value. If the technology has been determined to be abandoned or not recoverable, we would be required to record a charge reflecting impairment of the asset. We review inventory, long-lived assets and project assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We consider a project commercially viable and recoverable if such project is anticipated to be sellable for a profit, or generates positive cash flows, in excess of the cost of the project once it is either fully developed or fully constructed. If any of our projects are not considered commercially viable or costs are not deemed to be recoverable, we would be required to record a charge reflecting the impairment of such project assets.
Our Advanced Technologies contracts are subject to the risk of termination by the contracting party and we may not realize the full amounts allocated under some contracts due to the lack of Congressional appropriations or early termination.
A portion of our revenues has been derived from long-term cooperative agreements and other contracts with the DOE and other U.S. government agencies. These agreements are important to the continued development of our technology and our products. We also contract with private sector companies under certain Advanced Technologies contracts to develop strategically important and complementary offerings.
Generally, our privately funded Advanced Technologies contracts, including our EMRE Joint Development Agreement, and our government research and development contracts are subject to the risk of termination at the convenience of the contracting party and may contain certain milestones and deliverables which we may not be able to meet if actual results differ materially from our original estimates. Furthermore, with respect to government-funded contracts, irrespective of the amounts allocated by the contracting agency, such contracts are subject to annual Congressional appropriations and the results of government or agency sponsored reviews and audits of our cost reduction projections and efforts. We can only receive funds under government-funded contracts ultimately made available to us annually by Congress as a result of the appropriations process. Accordingly, we cannot be sure whether we will receive the full amounts awarded under our privately funded, government research and development or other contracts. Termination of the contracts or failure to receive the full amounts under any of our Advanced Technologies contracts could materially and adversely affect our business prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
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Utility companies may resist the adoption of Distributed Generation and could impose customer fees or interconnection requirements on our customers that could make our products less desirable.
Investor-owned utilities may resist adoption of Distributed Generation fuel cell plants as such plants are disruptive to the utility business model that primarily utilizes large central generation power plants and associated transmission and distribution. On-site Distributed Generation that is on the customer-side of the electric meter competes with the utility. Distributed Generation on the utility-side of the meter generally has power output that is significantly less than central generation power plants and may be perceived by the utility as too small to materially impact its business, limiting its interest. Additionally, perceived technology risk may limit utility interest in stationary fuel cell power plants.
Utility companies commonly charge fees to larger, industrial customers for disconnecting from the electric grid or for having the capacity to use power from the electric grid for back up purposes. These fees could increase the cost to our customers of using our SureSource products and could make our products less desirable, thereby harming our business prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
We depend on third party suppliers for the development and supply of key raw materials and components for our products.
We use various raw materials and components to construct a fuel cell module, including nickel and stainless steel that are critical to our manufacturing process. We also rely on third-party suppliers for the BOP components in our products. Suppliers must undergo a qualification process, which takes four to twelve months. We continually evaluate new suppliers, and we are currently qualifying several new suppliers. There are a limited number of suppliers for some of the key components of our products. We do not know whether we will be able to maintain long-term supply relationships with our critical suppliers, or secure new long-term supply relationships on terms that will allow us to achieve our objectives, if at all. A supplier’s failure to develop and supply components in a timely manner or to supply components that meet our quality, quantity or cost requirements or our technical specifications, or our inability to obtain alternative sources of these components on a timely basis or on terms acceptable to us, could each harm our ability to manufacture our SureSource products. In addition, to the extent the processes that our suppliers use to manufacture components are proprietary, we may be unable to obtain comparable components from alternative suppliers, all of which could harm our business prospects, results of operations and financial condition.
Risks Related to Sales of our Products
We derive significant revenue from contracts awarded through competitive bidding processes involving substantial costs and risks. Our contracted projects may not convert to revenue, and our project awards and sales pipeline may not convert to contracts, which may have a material adverse effect on our revenue and cash flows.
We expect a significant portion of the business that we will seek in the foreseeable future will be awarded through competitive bidding against other fuel cell technologies and other forms of power generation. The competitive bidding process involves substantial costs and a number of risks, including the significant cost and managerial time to prepare bids and proposals for contracts that may not be awarded to us and our failure to accurately estimate the resources and costs that will be required to fulfill any contract we win. In addition, following a contract award, we may encounter significant expense, delay or contract modifications or award revocation as a result of our competitors protesting or challenging contracts awarded to us in competitive bidding. Our failure to compete effectively in this procurement environment could adversely affect our revenue and/or profitability.
Some of the project awards we receive and orders we accept from customers require certain conditions or contingencies (such as permitting, interconnection, financing or regulatory approval) to be satisfied, some of which are outside of our control. Certain awards are cancelable or revocable at any time prior to contract execution. The time periods from receipt of an award to execution of a contract, or receipt of a contract to installation may vary widely and are determined by a number of factors, including the terms of the award, governmental policies or regulations that go into effect after the award, the terms of the customer contract and the customer’s site requirements. These same or similar conditions and contingencies may be required by financiers in order to draw on financing to complete a project. If these conditions or contingencies are not satisfied, or changes in laws affecting project awards occur, or awards are revoked or cancelled, project awards may not convert to contracts, and installations may be delayed or canceled. This could have an adverse impact on our revenue and cash flow and our ability to complete construction of a project.
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We have signed product sales contracts, EPCs, PPAs and long-term service agreements with customers subject to contractual, technology, operating and commodity risks as well as market conditions that may affect our operating results.
We apply the transfer of control over time revenue recognition method under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606: Revenue from Contracts with Customers to certain service contracts which are subject to estimates. On a quarterly basis, we perform a review process to help ensure that total estimated contract costs include estimates of costs to complete that are based on the most recent available information. The amount of costs incurred on a cumulative to date basis as a function of estimated costs at completion is applied to contract consideration to determine the cumulative revenue that should be recognized to date.
In certain instances, we have executed PPAs with the utility, end-user of the power or site host of the fuel cell power plant. We may then sell the PPA and power plant to a project investor or retain the project and collect revenue from the sale of power over the term of the PPA, recognizing electricity revenue as power is generated and sold. Our growing portfolio of project assets used to generate and sell power under PPAs and utility tariff programs exposes us to operational risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, lost revenues due to prolonged outages, replacement equipment costs, risks associated with facility start-up operations, failures in the availability or acquisition of fuel, the impact of severe adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, cybersecurity attacks, risks of property damage or injury from energized equipment, availability of adequate water resources and ability to intake and discharge water, use of new or unproven technology, fuel commodity price risk and fluctuating market prices, and lack of alternative available fuel sources.
We have contracted under long-term service agreements with certain customers to provide service on our products over terms up to 20 years. Under the provisions of these contracts, we provide services to maintain, monitor, and repair customer power plants to meet minimum operating levels. Pricing for service contracts is based upon estimates of future costs including future module replacements. While we have conducted tests to determine the overall life of our products, we have not run certain of our products over their projected useful life or in all potential conditions prior to large scale commercialization. As a result, we cannot be sure that these products will last to their expected useful life or perform as anticipated in all conditions, which could result in warranty claims, performance penalties, maintenance and module replacement costs in excess of our estimates, losses on service contracts and/or a negative perception of our products.
Our ability to proceed with projects under development and complete construction of projects on schedule and within budget may be adversely affected by escalating costs for materials, tariffs, labor and regulatory compliance, inability to obtain necessary permits, interconnections or other approvals on acceptable terms or on schedule and by other factors. If any development project or construction is not completed, is delayed or is subject to cost overruns, we could become obligated to make delay or termination payments or become obligated for other damages under contracts, experience diminished returns or write off all or a portion of our capitalized costs in the project. Each of these events could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We extend product warranties for our products, which products are complex and could contain defects and may not operate at expected performance levels, which could impact sales and market adoption of our products, affect our operating results or result in claims against us.
We develop complex and evolving products and we continue to advance the capabilities of our fuel cell stacks and are now producing stacks in the United States with a net rated power output of 350 kilowatts and an expected seven-year life. We provide for a warranty of our products for a specific period of time against manufacturing or performance defects. We accrue for warranty costs based on historical warranty claim experience; however, actual future warranty expenses may be greater than we have assumed in our estimates. We are still gaining field operating experience with respect to our products, and despite experience gained from our growing installed base and testing performed by us, our customers and our suppliers, issues may be found in existing or new products. This could result in a delay in recognition or loss of revenues, loss of market share or failure to achieve broad market acceptance. The occurrence of defects could also cause us to incur significant warranty, support and repair costs in excess of our estimates, could divert the attention of our engineering personnel from our product development efforts, and could harm our relationships with our customers. Although we seek to limit our liability, a product liability claim brought against us, even if unsuccessful, would likely be time consuming, could be costly to defend, and may hurt our reputation in the marketplace. Our customers could also seek and obtain damages from us for their losses.
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We currently face and will continue to face significant competition, including from products using other energy sources that may be lower priced or have preferred environmental characteristics.
We compete on the basis of our products’ reliability, efficiency, environmental considerations and cost. Technological advances in alternative energy products, improvements in the electric grid or other sources of power generation that use lower priced fuel or no fuel, or other fuel cell technologies may negatively affect the development or sale of some or all of our products or make our products less economically attractive, non- competitive or obsolete prior to or after commercialization. Significant decreases in the price of alternative technologies or grid delivered electricity, or significant increases in the price of our fuels could have a material adverse effect on our business because other generation sources could be more economically attractive to consumers than our products. Additionally, in certain markets, consumers and regulators have expressed a preference for zero-carbon generating resources over fueled resources, which could adversely affect sales of our products in such markets.
Other companies, some of which have substantially greater resources than ours, are currently engaged in the development of products and technologies that are similar to, or may be competitive with, our products and technologies. Several companies in the U.S. are engaged in fuel cell development, although we are the only domestic company engaged in manufacturing and deployment of stationary Carbonate Fuel Cells. Other emerging fuel cell technologies (and the companies developing them) include small or portable PEM fuel cells (Ballard Power Systems, Plug Power, and increasing activity by numerous automotive companies including Toyota, Hyundai, Honda and GM), stationary phosphoric acid fuel cells (Doosan), stationary Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (Bloom Energy and Doosan), and small residential Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (Ceres Power Holdings and Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd.). Each of these competitors has the potential to capture market share in our target markets. There are also other potential fuel cell competitors internationally that could capture market share.
Other than fuel cell developers, we must also compete with companies that manufacture combustion-based distributed power equipment, including various engines and turbines, and have well-established manufacturing, distribution, operating and cost features. Electrical efficiency of these products can be competitive with our SureSource power plants in certain applications. Significant competition may also come from gas turbine companies and large scale solar and wind technologies.
Our plans are dependent on market acceptance of our products.
Our plans are dependent upon market acceptance of, as well as enhancements to, our products. Fuel cell systems represent an emerging market, and we cannot be sure that potential customers will accept fuel cells as a replacement for traditional power sources or non-fuel based power sources, hydrogen generation sources or storage. As is typical in a rapidly evolving industry, demand and market acceptance for recently introduced products and services are subject to a high level of uncertainty and risk. Since the Distributed Generation, hydrogen and storage markets are still evolving, it is difficult to predict with certainty the size of these markets and their growth rates. The development of a market for our products may be affected by many factors that are out of our control, including:
• customer reluctance to try a new product;
• local permitting and environmental requirements;
• customer preference for non-fuel based technologies; and
• the emergence of newer, more competitive technologies and products.
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If a sufficient market fails to develop or develops more slowly than we anticipate, we may be unable to recover the losses we will have incurred in the development of our products, and we may never achieve profitability.
Our products use inherently dangerous, flammable fuels, operate at high temperatures and use corrosive carbonate material, each of which could subject our business to product liability claims.
Our business exposes us to potential product liability claims that are inherent in products that use hydrogen. Our products utilize fuels such as natural gas and convert these fuels internally to hydrogen that is used by our products to generate electricity. Although our platforms do not combust fuels for the generation of electricity, the fuels we use are combustible and may be toxic. In addition, our SureSource products operate at high temperatures and use corrosive carbonate material, which could expose us to potential liability claims. Although we have incorporated a robust design and redundant safety features in our power plants, have established comprehensive safety, maintenance, and training programs, follow third-party certification protocols, codes and standards, and do not store natural gas or hydrogen at our power plants, we cannot guarantee that there will not be accidents. Any accidents involving our products or other hydrogen-using products could materially impede widespread market acceptance and demand for our products. In addition, we might be held responsible for damages beyond the scope of our insurance coverage. We also cannot predict whether we will be able to maintain adequate insurance coverage on acceptable terms.
Risks Related to Privacy, Data Protection and Cybersecurity
We are increasingly dependent on information technology, and disruptions, failures or security breaches of our information technology infrastructure could have a material adverse effect on our operations and the operations of our power plant platforms. In addition, increased information technology security threats and more sophisticated computer crime pose a risk to our systems, networks, products and services.
We rely on information technology networks and systems, including the Internet, to process, transmit and store electronic and financial information and to manage a variety of business processes and activities, including communication with power plants owned by us or our customers and production, manufacturing, financial, logistics, sales, marketing and administrative functions. Additionally, we collect and store data that is sensitive to us and to third parties. Operating these information technology networks and systems and processing and maintaining this data, in a secure manner, are critical to our business operations and strategy. We depend on our information technology infrastructure to communicate internally and externally with employees, customers, suppliers and others. We also use information technology networks and systems to comply with regulatory, legal and tax requirements and to operate our fuel cell power plants. These information technology systems, many of which are managed by third parties or used in connection with shared service centers, may be susceptible to damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to failures during the process of upgrading or replacing software, databases or components thereof, power outages, hardware failures, computer viruses, attacks by computer hackers or other cybersecurity risks, telecommunication failures, user errors, natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other catastrophic events. If any of our significant information technology systems suffer severe damage, disruption or shutdown, and our disaster recovery and business continuity plans do not effectively resolve the issues in a timely manner, our product sales, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected, and we could experience delays in reporting our financial results, or our fuel cell power plant operations may be disrupted, exposing us to performance penalties under our contracts with customers.
In addition, information technology security threats — from user error to cybersecurity attacks designed to gain unauthorized access to our systems, networks and data — are increasing in frequency and sophistication. Cybersecurity attacks may range from random attempts to coordinated and targeted attacks, including sophisticated computer crime and advanced persistent threats. These threats pose a risk to the security of our systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of our data.
Cybersecurity attacks could also include attacks targeting customer data or the security, integrity and/or reliability of the hardware and software installed in our products. We have experienced, and may continue to experience in the future, cybersecurity attacks that have resulted in unauthorized parties gaining access to our information technology systems and networks and, in one instance, gaining control of the information technology system at one of our power plants. However, to date, no cybersecurity attack has resulted in any material loss of data, interrupted our day-
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to-day operations or had a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. While we actively manage information technology security risks within our control, there can be no assurance that such actions will be sufficient to mitigate all potential risks to our systems, networks and data. In addition to the direct potential financial risk as we continue to build, own and operate generation assets, other potential consequences of a material cybersecurity attack include reputational damage, litigation with third parties, disruption to systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information, corruption of data, diminution in the value of our investment in research, development and engineering, and increased cybersecurity protection and remediation costs, which in turn could adversely affect our competitiveness, results of operations and financial condition. The amount of insurance coverage we maintain may be inadequate to cover claims or liabilities relating to a cybersecurity attack.
Additionally, the legal and regulatory environment surrounding information security and privacy in the U.S. and international jurisdictions is constantly evolving. Violation or non-compliance with any of these laws or regulations, contractual requirements relating to data security and privacy, or our own privacy and security policies, either intentionally or unintentionally, or through the acts of intermediaries could have a material adverse effect on our brand, reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as subject us to significant fines, litigation losses, third-party damages and other liabilities.
Tax, Accounting, Compliance and Regulatory Risks
We are required to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting. Our management previously identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting that has been remediated. If other control deficiencies are identified in the future, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately, prevent fraud or file our periodic reports in a timely manner, which may adversely affect investor confidence in our Company and, as a result, the value of our common stock.
We are required, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“Section 404”), to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Complying with Section 404 requires a rigorous compliance program as well as adequate time and resources. We may not be able to complete our internal control evaluation, testing and any required remediation in a timely fashion. Additionally, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will not be able to assert that our internal controls are effective. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
We initially disclosed in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2019 that we did not have resources to sufficiently address asset impairments on a timely basis or the accounting considerations and disclosures related to our amended credit facilities. As a result, we concluded that there was a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting, as we did not maintain effective controls over the accounting for and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements related to asset impairments and credit facilities. As disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, this control deficiency was not remediated as of October 31, 2019 and we further identified that we did not have resources to sufficiently address certain other non-routine transactions and disclosures. This material weakness resulted in material misstatements that were corrected in the 2019 consolidated financial statements prior to issuance. This material weakness was remediated as of October 31, 2020.
We cannot be certain that other material weaknesses and control deficiencies will not occur in the future. If other material weaknesses are identified in the future, or if we are not able to comply with the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner, our reported financial results could be materially misstated and we could be subject to investigations or sanctions by regulatory authorities, which would require additional financial and management resources, and the value of our common stock could decline.
To the extent we identify future weaknesses or deficiencies, there could be material misstatements in our consolidated financial statements and we could fail to meet our financial reporting obligations. As a result, our ability to obtain additional financing on favorable terms or at all could be materially and adversely affected which, in turn, could materially and adversely affect our business, our financial condition and the value of our common stock. If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective in the future, investor
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confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports could be further eroded, which would have a material adverse effect on the price of our common stock.
Our results of operations could vary as a result of changes to our accounting policies or the methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies.
The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying our accounting policies have a significant impact on our results of operations. Such methods, estimates and judgments are, by their nature, subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and factors may arise over time that could lead us to reevaluate our methods, estimates and judgments.
In future periods, management will continue to reevaluate its estimates for contract margins, service agreements, loss accruals, warranty, performance guarantees, liquidated damages and inventory valuation allowances. Changes in those estimates and judgments could significantly affect our results of operations and financial condition. We will also adopt changes required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC.
We may be affected by environmental and other governmental regulation.
We are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to, among other things, land use, safe working conditions, handling and disposal of hazardous and potentially hazardous substances and emissions of carbon dioxide and pollutants into the atmosphere. Our business exposes us to the risk of harmful substances escaping into the environment, resulting in personal injury or loss of life, damage to or destruction of property, and natural resource damage. Depending on the nature of the claim, our current insurance policies may not adequately reimburse us for costs incurred in settling environmental damage claims, and in some instances, we may not be reimbursed at all. In addition, it is possible that industry-specific laws and regulations will be adopted covering matters such as transmission scheduling, distribution, emissions, and the characteristics and quality of our products, including installation and servicing. These regulations could limit the growth in the use of Carbonate Fuel Cell products, decrease the acceptance of fuel cells as a commercial product and increase our costs and, therefore, the price of our products. We believe that our businesses are operating in compliance in all material respects with applicable environmental laws; however, these laws and regulations have changed frequently in the past and it is reasonable to expect additional and more stringent changes in the future. Accordingly, compliance with existing or future laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, results of operations and financial condition. If we fail to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations, governmental authorities may seek to impose fines and penalties on us or to revoke or deny the issuance or renewal of operating permits and private parties may seek damages from us. Under those circumstances, we might be required to curtail or cease operations, conduct site remediation or other corrective action, or pay substantial damage claims.
Given that some of our product configurations run on fossil fuels, we may be negatively impacted by CO2-related changes in applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, rules or the requirements of the incentive programs on which we and our customers currently rely. Changes in any of the laws, regulations, ordinances or rules that apply to our installations and new technology could make it illegal or more costly for us or our customers to install and operate our products at particular sites. Additionally, our customers and potential customers’ energy procurement policies may prohibit or limit their willingness to procure our products. Our business prospects may be negatively impacted if we are prevented from completing new installations or our installations become more costly as a result of laws, regulations, ordinances, or rules applicable to our products, or by our customers’ and potential customers’ energy procurement policies.
In addition, certain of our products benefit from federal, state and local governmental incentives, mandates or other programs promoting clean energy generation. Any changes to or termination of these programs could reduce demand for our products, impair sales financing, and adversely impact our business results.
A negative government audit could result in an adverse adjustment of our revenue and costs and could result in civil and criminal penalties.
Government agencies, such as the Defense Contract Audit Agency, routinely audit and investigate government contractors. These agencies review a contractor’s performance under its contracts, cost structure, and compliance
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with applicable laws, regulations, and standards. If the agencies determine through these audits or reviews that we improperly allocated costs to specific contracts, they will not reimburse us for these costs. Therefore, an audit could result in adjustments to our revenue and costs.
Further, although we have internal controls in place to oversee our government contracts, no assurance can be given that these controls are sufficient to prevent isolated violations of applicable laws, regulations and standards. If the agencies determine that we or one of our subcontractors engaged in improper conduct, we may be subject to civil or criminal penalties and administrative sanctions, payments, fines, and suspension or prohibition from doing business with the government, any of which could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Exports of certain of our products are subject to various export control regulations and may require a license or permission from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Energy or other agencies.
As an exporter, we must comply with various laws and regulations relating to the export of products, services and technology from the U.S. and other countries having jurisdiction over our operations. We are subject to export control laws and regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulation, the Export Administration Regulation, and the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, which generally prohibit U.S. companies and their intermediaries from exporting certain products, importing materials or supplies, or otherwise doing business with restricted countries, businesses or individuals, and require companies to maintain certain policies and procedures to ensure compliance. We are also subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits improper payments to foreign governments and their officials by U.S. and other business entities. Under these laws and regulations, U.S. companies may be held liable for their actions and actions taken by their strategic or local partners or representatives. If we, or our intermediaries, fail to comply with the requirements of these laws and regulations, or similar laws of other countries, governmental authorities in the United States or elsewhere, as applicable, could seek to impose civil and/or criminal penalties, which could damage our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Need for Additional Capital
We will need to raise additional capital, and such capital may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. If we do raise additional capital utilizing equity, existing stockholders will suffer dilution. If we do not raise additional capital, our business could fail or be materially and adversely affected.
The implementation of our business plan and strategy requires additional capital to fund operations as well as investment by us in project assets. If we are unable to raise additional capital in the amounts required, on terms acceptable to us, or at all, we will not be able to successfully implement our business plan and strategy. Our capital-intensive business model increases the risks of our being able to successfully implement our plans, if we do not raise additional capital in the amounts required.
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In addition, if we raise additional funds through further issuances of our common stock, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock, into the public market, including shares of our common stock issued upon exercise of options or warrants, holders of our common stock could suffer significant dilution, and any new equity securities we issue could have rights, preferences and privileges superior to those of our then-existing capital stock. Any debt financing secured by us in the future could involve restrictive covenants relating to our capital raising activities and other financial and operational matters, which may make it more difficult for us to obtain additional capital and to pursue business opportunities. If we cannot raise additional funds when we need them, our business and prospects could fail or be materially and adversely affected. In addition, if additional funds are not secured in the future, we will have to modify, reduce, defer or eliminate parts of our present and anticipated future projects, or sell some or all of our assets.
Risks Related to our Intellectual Property and Technology Licenses
We depend on our intellectual property, and our failure to protect that intellectual property could adversely affect our future growth and success.
Failure to protect our existing intellectual property rights may result in the loss of our exclusivity or the right to use our technologies. If we do not adequately ensure our freedom to use certain technology, we may have to pay others for rights to use their intellectual property, pay damages for infringement, misappropriation, or other violation, or be enjoined from using such intellectual property. We rely on patent, trade secret, trademark and copyright law to protect our intellectual property.
We previously licensed certain of our Carbonate Fuel Cell manufacturing intellectual property to POSCO Energy on an exclusive basis in the South Korean and broader Asian markets, but we terminated our license agreements with POSCO Energy on June 28, 2020, which termination POSCO Energy is disputing. In addition, effective as of June 11, 2019, we entered into the EMRE License Agreement, pursuant to which we agreed, subject to the terms of the EMRE License Agreement, to grant EMRE and its affiliates a non-exclusive, worldwide, fully paid, perpetual, irrevocable, non-transferrable license and right to use our patents, data, know-how, improvements, equipment designs, methods, processes and the like to the extent it is useful to research, develop, and commercially exploit Carbonate Fuel Cells in applications in which the fuel cells concentrate carbon dioxide from industrial and power sources and for any other purpose attendant thereto or associated therewith. Such right and license is sublicensable to third parties performing work for or with EMRE or its affiliates, but shall not otherwise be sublicensable. Furthermore, on November 5, 2019, we entered into the EMRE Joint Development Agreement, pursuant to which we agreed to grant EMRE and its affiliates a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty- free, irrevocable, perpetual, sub-licensable, non-transferable (subject to certain exceptions) right and license to practice certain Company background intellectual property (to the extent not already licensed pursuant to the EMRE License Agreement) for new Carbonate Fuel Cell technology in Carbon Capture applications and hydrogen applications. We depend on POSCO Energy and EMRE to also protect our intellectual property rights, but we cannot assure you that POSCO Energy or EMRE will do so. For example, we have filed a demand for arbitration against POSCO Energy in the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce based, in part, on POSCO Energy’s disclosure of our proprietary information to third parties.
As of October 31, 2020, we (excluding our subsidiaries) had 102 U.S. patents and 186 patents in other jurisdictions covering our fuel cell technology (in certain cases covering the same technology in multiple jurisdictions), with patents directed to various aspects of our SureSource technology, SOFC technology, PEM fuel cell technology and applications thereof. As of October 31, 2020, we also had 55 patent applications pending in the U.S. and 107 patent applications pending in other jurisdictions. Our U.S. patents will expire between 2021 and 2039, and the current average remaining life of our U.S. patents is approximately 9.5 years. As of October 31, 2020, our subsidiary, Versa Power Systems, Ltd., had 32 U.S. patents and 93 international patents covering SOFC technology (in certain cases covering the same technology in multiple jurisdictions), with an average remaining U.S. patent life of approximately 4.7 years. As of October 31, 2020, Versa Power Systems, Ltd. also had 3 pending U.S. patent applications and 14 patent applications pending in other jurisdictions. In addition, as of October 31, 2020, our subsidiary, FuelCell Energy Solutions, GmbH, had license rights to 2 U.S. patents and 7 patents outside the U.S. for Carbonate Fuel Cell technology licensed from Fraunhofer IKTS.
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Some of our intellectual property is not covered by any patent or patent application and includes trade secrets and other know-how that is not able to be patented, particularly as it relates to our manufacturing processes and engineering design. In addition, some of our intellectual property includes technologies and processes that may be similar to the patented technologies and processes of third parties. If we are found to be infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating third-party intellectual property, we do not know whether we will be able to obtain licenses to use such intellectual property on acceptable terms, if at all. Our patent position is subject to complex factual and legal issues that may give rise to uncertainty as to the validity, scope, and enforceability of a particular patent.
We cannot assure you that any of the U.S. or international patents owned by us (including our subsidiaries) or other patents that third parties license to us will not be invalidated, circumvented, challenged, rendered unenforceable or licensed to others, or that any of our owned or licensed pending or future patent applications will be issued with the breadth of claim coverage sought by us or our licensors, if issued at all. In addition, effective patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret protection may be unavailable, limited or not applied for in certain foreign countries.
We also seek to protect our proprietary intellectual property, including intellectual property that may not be patented or able to be patented, in part by confidentiality agreements and, if applicable, inventors’ rights agreements with our subcontractors, vendors, suppliers, consultants, strategic business associates and employees. We cannot assure you that these agreements will not be breached, that we will have adequate remedies for any breach or that such persons or institutions will not assert rights to intellectual property arising out of these relationships. Certain of our intellectual property has been licensed to us on a non-exclusive basis from third parties that may also license such intellectual property to others, including our competitors. If our licensors are found to be infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating third-party intellectual property, we do not know whether we will be able to obtain licenses to use the intellectual property licensed to us on acceptable terms, if at all.
If necessary or desirable, we may seek extensions of existing licenses or further licenses under the patents or other intellectual property rights of others. However, we can give no assurances that we will obtain such extensions or further licenses or that the terms of any offered licenses will be acceptable to us. The failure to obtain a license from a third party for intellectual property that we use at present could cause us to incur substantial liabilities, and to suspend the manufacture or shipment of products or our use of processes requiring the use of that intellectual property.
While, other than with respect to claims we have made against POSCO Energy in the arbitration for disclosure of our proprietary information to third parties, we are not currently engaged in any intellectual property litigation, we could become subject to lawsuits in which it is alleged that we have infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated the intellectual property rights of others or commence lawsuits against others who we believe are infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating our rights or violating their agreements to protect our intellectual property. Our involvement in intellectual property litigation could result in significant expense to us, adversely affecting the development of sales of the challenged product or intellectual property and diverting the efforts of our technical and management personnel, whether or not that litigation is resolved in our favor.
The U.S. government has certain rights relating to our intellectual property, including the right to restrict or take title to certain patents.
Multiple U.S. patents that we own have resulted from government-funded research and are subject to the risk of exercise of “march-in” rights by the government. March-in rights refer to the right of the U.S. government or a government agency to exercise its non-exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable worldwide license to any technology developed under contracts funded by the government if the contractor fails to continue to develop the technology. These “march-in” rights permit the U.S. government to take title to these patents and license the patented technology to third parties if the contractor fails to utilize the patents.
The pending legal proceedings with POSCO Energy could expose us to costs of such legal proceedings or an adverse judgment.
From approximately 2007 through 2015, we relied on POSCO Energy to develop and grow the South Korean and Asian markets for our products and services. We entered into the License Agreements with POSCO Energy between February 2007 and October 2012. The License Agreements provided POSCO Energy with the exclusive technology
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rights to manufacture, sell, distribute and service our SureSource 300, SureSource 1500 and SureSource 3000 fuel cell technology in the South Korean and broader Asian markets. Due to certain actions and inactions of POSCO Energy, we have not realized any new material revenues, royalties or new projects developed by POSCO Energy since late 2015.
In November 2019, POSCO Energy spun-off its fuel cell business into a new entity, KFC, without our consent. As part of the spin-off, POSCO Energy transferred manufacturing and service rights under the License Agreements to KFC, but retained distribution rights and severed its own liability under the License Agreements. We formally objected to POSCO Energy’s spin-off, and POSCO Energy posted a bond to secure any liabilities to the Company arising out of the spin-off. In September 2020, the Korean Electricity Regulatory Committee found that POSCO Energy’s spin-off of the fuel cell business to KFC may have been done in violation of South Korean law.
On February 19, 2020, we notified POSCO Energy in writing that it was in material breach of the License Agreements by (i) its actions in connection with the spin-off of the fuel cell business to KFC, (ii) its suspension of performance through its cessation of all sales activities since late 2015 and its abandonment of its fuel cell business in Asia, and (iii) its disclosure of material nonpublic information to third parties and its public pronouncements about the fuel cell business on television and in print media that have caused reputational damage to the fuel cell business, the Company and its products. We also notified POSCO Energy that, under the terms of the License Agreements, it had 60 days to fully cure its breaches to our satisfaction and that failure to so cure would lead to termination of the License Agreements. Further, on March 27, 2020, we notified POSCO Energy of additional instances of its material breach of the License Agreements based on POSCO Energy’s failure to pay royalties required to be paid in connection with certain module replacements.
On April 27, 2020, POSCO Energy initiated a series of three arbitration demands against us at the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce seated in Singapore alleging certain warranty defects in a sub-megawatt conditioning facility at its facility in Pohang, South Korea and seeking combined damages of approximately $3.3 million. Prior to filing the arbitrations, POSCO Energy obtained provisional attachments from the Seoul Central District Court attaching certain revenues owed to us by KOSPO as part of such warranty claims, which has delayed receipt of certain payments owed to us. POSCO Energy subsequently sought additional provisional attachments on KOSPO revenues from the Seoul Central District Court based on unspecified warranty claims not yet filed in an additional amount of approximately $7 million, and additional provisional attachments on KOSPO revenues from the Seoul Central District Court based on its alleged counterclaims in the license termination arbitration described below in an additional amount of approximately $110 million. As of October 31, 2020, outstanding accounts receivable due from KOSPO were $4.8 million.
On June 28, 2020, we terminated the License Agreements with POSCO Energy and filed a demand for arbitration against POSCO Energy and KFC in the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce based on POSCO Energy’s (i) failure to exercise commercially reasonable efforts to sell our technology in the South Korean and Asian markets, (ii) disclosure of our proprietary information to third parties, (iii) attack on our stock price and (iv) spin-off of POSCO Energy’s fuel cell business into KFC without our consent. We have requested that the arbitral tribunal (a) confirm through declaration that POSCO Energy’s exclusive license to market our technology and products in South Korea and Asia is null and void as a result of the breaches of the License Agreements and that we have the right to pursue direct sales in these markets, (b) order POSCO Energy and KFC to compensate us for losses and damages suffered in the amount of more than $200 million, and (c) order POSCO Energy and KFC to pay our arbitration costs, including counsel fees and expenses. We have retained outside counsel on a contingency basis to pursue our claims, and outside counsel has entered into an agreement with a litigation finance provider to fund the legal fees and expenses of the arbitration. In October 2020, POSCO Energy filed a counterclaim in the arbitration (x) seeking approximately $880 million in damages based on allegations that we misrepresented the capabilities of our fuel cell technology to induce POSCO Energy to enter into the License Agreements and failed to turn over know-how sufficient for POSCO Energy to successfully operate its business; (y) seeking a declaration that the License Agreements remain in full force and effect and requesting the arbitral tribunal enjoin us from interfering in POSCO Energy’s exclusive rights under the License Agreements and (z) seeking an order that we pay POSCO Energy’s arbitration costs, including counsel fees and expenses.
On August 28, 2020, POSCO Energy filed a complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Court”) purportedly seeking to enforce its rights as a stockholder of the Company to inspect and make copies and extracts of certain books and records of the Company and/or the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to Section 220 of
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the Delaware General Corporation Law and/or Delaware common law. POSCO Energy alleges that it is seeking to inspect these documents for a proper purpose reasonably related to its interests as a stockholder of the Company, including investigating whether the Company’s Board of Directors and its management breached their fiduciary duties of loyalty, due care, and good faith. POSCO Energy seeks an order of the Court permitting POSCO Energy to inspect and copy the demanded books and records, awarding POSCO Energy reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in connection with the matter, and granting such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
On September 14, 2020, POSCO Energy filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that the Company delayed the removal of restrictive legends on certain share certificates held by POSCO Energy in 2018, thus precluding POSCO Energy from selling the shares and resulting in claimed losses in excess of $1,000,000.
We cannot predict the outcome of the arbitration proceedings against POSCO Energy and KFC, the litigation and arbitration proceedings filed by POSCO Energy against us, or any future discussions with, or other actions or legal proceedings against or involving, POSCO Energy or KFC, if they occur, the future status or scope of our relationship with POSCO Energy or KFC, whether our relationship with POSCO Energy or KFC will continue in the future, whether we will become involved in additional mediations, arbitrations, litigation or other proceedings with POSCO Energy or KFC, what the costs of any such current or future proceedings will be or the effect of such current or future proceedings on the market. We also cannot predict collection timing of any receipts which are currently being delayed as a result of these proceedings. Any such current or future proceedings could result in significant expense to us, distract management’s attention from the operation of our business and adversely affect our business and financial condition and reputation in the market, whether or not such proceedings are resolved in our favor.
Additionally, although we believe that termination of the License Agreements affords us with the ability to market our products and services in South Korea and the broader Asian market, POSCO Energy is disputing the termination of the License Agreements, and we cannot predict whether our efforts to access the South Korean and Asian markets, which are complex markets, will be successful or will be limited, hindered or delayed.
Risks Related to Our Common and Preferred Stock
Our stock price has been and could remain volatile.
The market price for our common stock has been and may continue to be volatile and subject to extreme price and volume fluctuations in response to market and other factors, including the following, some of which are beyond our control:
• failure to meet commercialization milestones;
• the loss of a major customer or a contract;
• additions or departures of key personnel;
• investor perception of our industry or our prospects;
• insider selling or buying;
• demand for our common stock;
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• dilution from issuances of our common stock;
• general market trends or preferences for non-fueled resources;
• the COVID-19 pandemic, including any worsening of the pandemic;
• general technological or economic trends; and
Our stock price has increased during the past thirteen months from an intra-day low price of $0.48 on December 10, 2019 to an intra-day high price of $20.94 on January 13, 2021. The closing price of our common stock on January 15, 2021 was $15.84. There can be no assurance that the current stock price will be maintained, and it is possible that our stock price could drop significantly. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of their stock, companies have been the subject of securities class action litigation. If we become involved in securities class action litigation in the future, it 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.
Future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock could affect the market price of our common stock.
Future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock, into the public market, including shares of our common stock issued upon exercise of options or warrants, or perceptions that those sales could occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock and our ability to raise capital in the future.
We have a limited number of shares of common stock available for issuance, which will limit our ability to raise equity capital in the future.
We have historically relied on the equity markets to raise capital to fund our business and operations. As of December 31, 2020, excluding 56,411 treasury shares which may be issued, we had 15,093,242 shares of common stock available for issuance, of which 5,185,674 shares were reserved for issuance under various warrants and equity awards, upon conversion of preferred stock, and under our employee stock purchase and equity incentive plans. As of December 31, 2020, we had 322,406,758 shares of common stock outstanding. Though we may in the future seek stockholder approval to increase the number of shares of common stock we are authorized to issue under our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, there can be no assurance we will be successful in obtaining such approval. The limited number of shares of our common stock available for issuance will limit our ability to raise capital in the equity markets and satisfy obligations with shares instead of cash, which could adversely affect our business and operations.
Provisions of Delaware and Connecticut law and of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws may make a takeover more difficult.
Provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (“Certificate of Incorporation”), and Amended and Restated By-Laws (“By-laws”) and in Delaware and Connecticut corporate law may make it difficult and expensive for a third-party to pursue a tender offer, change in control or takeover attempt that is opposed by our management and board of directors. These anti-takeover provisions could substantially impede the ability of public stockholders to benefit from a change in control or change in our management and board of directors.
Our By-laws provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a judicial forum deemed favorable by the stockholder for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.
Our By-laws provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty, any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, our Certificate of Incorporation or our By-laws, any action to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of our Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws, or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. The choice of forum
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provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that the stockholder finds favorable for disputes against us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our By-laws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in such an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
The rights of our Series B Preferred Stock could negatively impact our cash flows and dilute the ownership interest of our stockholders.
The terms of our Series B Preferred Stock also provide rights to their holders that could negatively impact us. Holders of the Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative dividends at the rate of $50 per share per year, payable either in cash or in shares of our common stock. To the extent the dividend is paid in shares of our common stock, additional issuances could be dilutive to our existing stockholders and the sale of those shares could have a negative impact on the price of our common stock. A share of our Series B Preferred Stock may be converted at any time, at the option of the holder, into 0.5910 shares of our common stock (which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of $1,692 per share), plus cash in lieu of fractional shares. Furthermore, the conversion rate applicable to the Series B Preferred Stock is subject to additional adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.
The Series B Preferred Stock ranks senior to our common stock with respect to payments upon liquidation, dividends, and distributions.
The rights of the holders of our Series B Preferred Stock rank senior to our obligations to our common stockholders. Upon our liquidation, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive $1,000.00 per share plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends (the “Liquidation Preference”). Until the holders of Series B Preferred Stock receive the Liquidation Preference with respect to their shares of Series B Preferred Stock in full, no payment will be made on any junior shares, including shares of our common stock. The existence of senior securities such as the Series B Preferred Stock could have an adverse effect on the value of our common stock.
General Risk Factors
Litigation could expose us to significant costs and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are, or may become, party to various lawsuits, arbitrations, mediations, regulatory proceedings and claims, which may include lawsuits, arbitrations, mediations, regulatory proceedings or claims relating to commercial liability, product recalls, product liability, product claims, employment matters, environmental matters, breach of contract, intellectual property, indemnification, stockholder suits, derivative actions or other aspects of our business. Litigation (including the other types of proceedings identified above) is inherently unpredictable, and although we may believe we have meaningful defenses in these matters, we may incur judgments or enter into settlements of claims that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The costs of responding to or defending litigation may be significant and may divert the attention of management away from our strategic objectives. There may also be adverse publicity associated with litigation that may decrease customer confidence in our business or our management, regardless of whether the allegations are valid or whether we are ultimately found liable.
Financial markets worldwide have experienced heightened volatility and instability which may have a material adverse impact on our Company, our customers and our suppliers.
Financial market volatility can affect the debt, equity and project finance markets. This may impact the amount of financing available to all companies, including companies with substantially greater resources, better credit ratings and more successful operating histories than ours. It is impossible to predict future financial market volatility and instability and the impact on our Company, and it may have a materially adverse effect on us for a number of reasons, such as:
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Our future success will depend on our ability to attract and retain qualified management, technical, and other personnel.
Our future success is substantially dependent on the services and performance of our executive officers and other key management, engineering, scientific, manufacturing and operating personnel. The loss of the services of any such personnel could materially adversely affect our business. Our ability to achieve our commercialization plans and to increase production at our manufacturing facility in the future will also depend on our ability to attract and retain additional qualified personnel, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so. Recruiting personnel for the fuel cell industry is competitive. Our inability to attract and retain additional qualified personnel, or the departure of key employees, could materially and adversely affect our development, commercialization and manufacturing plans and, therefore, our business prospects, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, our inability to attract and retain sufficient personnel to quickly increase production at our manufacturing facility when and if needed to meet increased demand may adversely impact our ability to respond rapidly to any new product, growth or revenue opportunities. Our inability to attract and retain sufficient qualified personnel to staff our government or third party funded research contracts may result in our inability to complete such contracts or terminations of such contracts, which may adversely impact financial conditions and results of operations.
We are subject to risks inherent in international operations.
Since we market our products both inside and outside the U.S., our success depends in part on our abilitytosecureinternationalcustomersandourabilitytomanufactureproductsthatmeetforeignregulatory and commercial requirements in target markets. We have limited experience developing and manufacturing our products to comply with the commercial and legal requirements of international markets. In addition, we are subject to tariff regulations and requirements for export licenses, particularly with respect to the export of some of our technologies. We face numerous challenges in our international expansion, including unexpectedchangesinregulatoryrequirementsandothergeopoliticalrisks,fluctuationsincurrencyexchange rates, longer accounts receivable requirements and collections, greater bonding and security requirements, 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 financialcondition.
Wesourcerawmaterialsandpartsforourproductsonaglobalbasis,whichsubjectsustoanumberof potentialrisks,includingtheimpactofexportdutiesandquotas,tradeprotectionmeasuresimposedbythe U.S. and other countries including tariffs, potential for labor unrest, changing global and regional economic conditions and current and changing regulatory environments. Changes to these factors may have an adverse effect on our ability to source raw materials and parts in line with our current coststructure.
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Although our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, we conduct our business and incur costs in the local currency of most countries in which we operate. As a result, we are subject to currency translation and transaction risk. Changes in exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar could affect our netsalesandcostofsalesandcouldresultinexchangegainsorlosses.Wecannotaccuratelypredicttheimpact of future exchange rate fluctuations on our results ofoperations.
Wecouldalsoexpandourbusinessintonewandemergingmarkets,manyofwhichhaveanuncertain regulatoryenvironmentrelatingtocurrencypolicy.Conductingbusinessinsuchmarketscouldcauseour exposuretochangesinexchangeratestoincrease,duetotherelativelyhighvolatilityassociatedwithemerging market currencies and potentially longer payment terms for our proceeds. Our ability to hedge foreign currencyexposureisdependentonourcreditprofilewithfinancialinstitutionsthatarewillingandableto do business with us. Deterioration in our credit position or a significant tightening of the credit market conditionscouldlimitourabilitytohedgeourforeigncurrencyexposureand,therefore,resultinexchange gains orlosses.
Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
Item 2. PROPERTIES
The following is a summary of our offices and locations:
Square Lease Expiration
Location Business Use Footage Dates
Taufkirchen, Germany Manufacturing and Administrative 20,000 June 2023
Calgary, Alberta, Canada Research and Development 32,220 January 2023
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
SEC Proceedings
The discussion under the heading “SEC Proceedings” in Note 22. “Commitments and Contingencies” to the consolidated financial statements is incorporated herein by reference.
POSCO Energy Matters
The discussion in Part I, Item 1. “Business–License Agreements and Royalty Income; Relationship with POSCO Energy—License Agreements with POSCO Energy” regarding the pending legal proceedings with POSCO Energy is incorporated herein by reference.
Other Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company is involved in other legal proceedings, including, but not limited to, regulatory proceedings, claims, mediations, arbitrations and litigation, arising out of the ordinary course of its business (“Other Legal Proceedings”). Although the Company cannot assure the outcome of such Other Legal Proceedings, management presently believes that the result of such Other Legal Proceedings, either individually, or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and no
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material amounts have been accrued in the Company’s consolidated financial statements with respect to these matters.
Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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PART II
FuelCell Common Stock
Our common stock has been publicly traded since June 25, 1992. Our common stock trades under the symbol “FCEL” on the Nasdaq Global Market.
On January 15, 2021, the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market was $15.84 per share. As of January 15, 2021, there were 109 holders of record of our common stock. This does not include the number of persons whose stock is in nominee or “street” name accounts through brokers.
We have never paid a cash dividend on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. In addition, the terms of our Series B Preferred Stock prohibit the payment of dividends on our common stock unless all dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock have been paid in full.
On May 8, 2020, the Company obtained stockholder approval at the reconvened 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to increase the number of shares of common stock we are authorized to issue under our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended. Our stockholders approved a 112.5 million increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock. Accordingly, on May 11, 2020, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company with the Delaware Secretary of State increasing the total number of authorized shares of common stock from 225.0 million shares to 337.5 million shares.
FuelCell Preferred Stock
Information concerning the Company’s Series B Preferred Stock and the Class A Preferred Shares issued by FCE FuelCell Energy Ltd. (also referred to herein as the Series 1 Preferred Shares) is incorporated herein by reference to Note 16. “Redeemable Preferred Stock” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. All obligations under the Series 1 Preferred Shares were paid off and satisfied subsequent to October 31, 2020, as disclosed in Note 25. “Subsequent Events” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Performance Graph
The following graph compares the annual change in the Company's cumulative total stockholder return on its common stock for the five fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 with the cumulative stockholder total return on the Russell 2000 Index, a peer group consisting of Standard Industry Classification Group Code 3690 companies listed on the Nasdaq Global Market and New York Stock Exchange and a customized 19 company peer group which includes FuelCell Energy, Inc. It assumes $100.00 invested on October 31, 2015 with dividends reinvested.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
See Part III, Item 12 for information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans.
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Stock Repurchases
The following table sets forth information with respect to purchases made by us or on our behalf of our common stock during the periods indicated:
September 1 – September 30 — — — —
October 1 – October 31 — — — —
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Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data presented below as of the end of each of the years in the five-year period ended October 31, 2020 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements together with the notes thereto. The data set forth below is qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and their notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
(Amounts presented in thousands, except for per share amounts)
Revenues (1):
Cost of revenues:
Operating expenses:
Restructuring expense — — — 1,355 —
Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability (37,086 ) — — — —
Gain on extinguishment of financing obligation 1,801 — — — —
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest — — — — 251
Series A warrant exchange — (3,169 ) — — —
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
Weighted average shares outstanding
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Consolidated Balance Sheets Data:
(Amounts presented in thousands, except for per share amounts)
(2) Includes short-term and long-term restricted cash and cash equivalents.
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The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the information included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “Company”, “FuelCell Energy”, “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to FuelCell Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All tabular dollar amounts are in thousands.
In addition to historical information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Please see the section of this Annual Report entitled “Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements, as well as the other risks set forth in our filings with the SEC including those set forth under the section entitled “Item 1A — Risk Factors” in this Annual Report.
Overview
FuelCell Energy is a global leader in sustainable clean energy technologies that address some of the world’s most critical challenges around energy, safety, and global urbanization. As a leading global manufacturer of proprietary fuel cell technology platforms, we are uniquely positioned to serve customers worldwide with sustainable products and solutions for businesses, utilities, governments, and municipalities. Our solutions are designed to enable a world empowered by clean energy, enhancing the quality of life for people around the globe. We target large-scale power users with our megawatt-class installations globally, and currently offer sub-megawatt solutions for smaller power consumers in Europe. To provide a frame of reference, one megawatt is adequate to continually power approximately 1,000 average sized U.S. homes. Our customer base includes utility companies, municipalities, universities, hospitals, government entities/military bases and a variety of industrial and commercial enterprises. Our leading geographic markets are currently the United States and South Korea, and we are pursuing opportunities in other countries around the world.
FuelCell Energy, based in Connecticut, was founded in 1969 as a New York corporation to provide applied research and development services on a contract basis. We completed our initial public offering in 1992 and reincorporated in Delaware in 1999. We began selling stationary fuel cell power plants commercially in 2003.
Recent Developments
The events described in this “Recent Developments” section relate, in part, to matters discussed in more detail below in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section and/or in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In certain instances, the capitalized terms used in this “Recent Developments” section are defined elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
SharedCleanEnergyFacilitiesProjectAwards
On September 29, 2020, we announced multiple project awards by the local Connecticut electric distribution companies totaling 11.2 MW, as part of the state-sponsored Shared Clean Energy Facility program. After reaffirming the project selection process on multiple occasions, on November 16, 2020, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (“PURA”) inexplicably reversed itself and issued a ruling ordering one of the local electric distribution utilities to re-examine and re-evaluate the bids and submit any revisions to its selected winners on December 4, 2020. On December 4, 2020, we were notified by one of the electric distribution utilities that 3 of our 4 bid awards totaling 8.4 MW, would not be honored. On December 7, 2020, the electric distribution utility notified PURA that it had selected new winners, and our projects were not among those selected. We have filed a motion for reconsideration with PURA, a motion to stay confirmation of the new award selections, and we have filed an administrative appeal with the Connecticut Superior Court. While we believe PURA’s action to be unlawful and contrary to established precedent, there can be no assurance that we will prevail or have our project awards restored. In addition, there can be no assurance that any such project awards, if they are restored, will result in executed power purchase contracts.
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LongIslandPowerAuthority ProjectAwards
In July 2017, we were awarded three projects on Long Island totaling 39.8 MW. In December 2018, we executed a contract for one of the three awards, which is currently reflected in our backlog. The other two awards, which are not part of our backlog, do not yet have signed contracts as we have been progressing through the required interconnect process. Contrary to assertions made by Long Island Power Authority (“LIPA”), we do not believe that the New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act negates the two project awards for which there are not signed contacts. We believe these projects should move forward and we have continued to pursue them in good faith, including with our advancement of the interconnect process. There can be no assurance that any project awards, including these two LIPA awards for which we do not have signed contracts, will result in executed PPAs.
December Common Stock Offering
In December of 2020, the Company and the lenders under the Orion Credit Agreement (the “Selling Stockholders”) (see Note 14. “Debt” for the names of the lenders/Selling Stockholders) completed a public offering of the Company’s common stock. In connection with this public offering, the Company and the Selling Stockholders entered into an underwriting agreement pursuant to which (i) the Company agreed to issue and sell to the underwriters 19,822,219 shares of the Company’s common stock, plus up to 5,177,781 shares of common stock pursuant to an option to purchase additional shares, and (ii) the Selling Stockholders agreed to sell to the underwriters 14,696,320 shares of common stock, in each case at a price to the public of $6.50 per share. The underwriters exercised their option to purchase additional shares, resulting in the issuance and sale by the Company at the closing of the offering of a total of 25,000,000 shares of common stock. The offering closed on December 4, 2020.
Gross proceeds from the sale of common stock by the Company in the offering were $162.5 million. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of common stock in the offering by the Selling Stockholders. Upon closing of the offering, the number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding was 319,706,758.
The Company and the Selling Stockholders paid underwriting discounts and commissions of $0.2275 per share, and net proceeds to the Company were approximately $156.3 million after deducting such underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses.
In addition, in connection with the offering, the Company and its directors and officers entered into a customary 90-day lock-up agreement with the underwriters party to the underwriting agreement. As part of the offering, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC waived lock-up restrictions entered into in connection with the common stock offering consummated on October 2, 2020 with respect to all of the shares sold in this offering by the Company and the Selling Stockholders. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC also waived all remaining lock-up restrictions applicable to the Selling Stockholders, including with respect to the then-outstanding warrants held by the Selling Stockholders to purchase up to 2,700,000 shares of common stock (which warrants were issued pursuant to the Orion Credit Agreement), and the Selling Stockholders did not enter into new lock-up agreements in connection with the offering.
Orion Credit Agreement -- Payoff of All Obligations
On November 30, 2020, the Company, its subsidiary guarantors, and the Orion Agent entered into a payoff letter with respect to the Orion Credit Agreement (the “Orion Payoff Letter”). Pursuant to the Orion Payoff Letter, on December 7, 2020, the Company paid a total of $87.3 million to the Orion Agent, representing the outstanding principal, accrued but unpaid interest, prepayment premium, fees, costs and other expenses due and owing under the Orion Facility and the Orion Credit Agreement and related loan documents, in full repayment of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness under the Orion Facility and the Orion Credit Agreement and related loan documents. In accordance with the Orion Payoff Letter, the aggregate prepayment premium set forth in the Orion Credit Agreement was reduced from approximately $14.9 million to $4 million and the Orion Agent, on behalf of itself and the lenders, agreed that any portion of the prepayment premium that would otherwise be required to be paid pursuant to the Orion Credit Agreement in excess of $4 million was waived by the Orion Agent and the lenders.
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Concurrently with the Orion Agent’s receipt of full payment pursuant to the Orion Payoff Letter, the Orion Agent released all of the collateral from the liens granted under the security documents associated with the Orion Facility (which included the release of $11.2 million of restricted cash to the Company, which became unrestricted cash), and the Company and its subsidiaries were unconditionally released from their respective obligations under the Orion Credit Agreement (and related loan documents) and the Orion Facility without further action. With the termination of the Orion Facility and the Orion Credit Agreement and related loan documents, the lenders no longer have the right to appoint representatives to attend the Company’s Board of Director meetings as observers.
Warrant Exercise
On December 7, 2020, all remaining Orion Warrants (as defined elsewhere herein) were exercised to purchase a total of 2,700,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for an aggregate exercise price of $653,400 (or $0.242 per share). A discussion of the key terms and conditions of the Orion Warrants is included in Note 15. “Stockholders’ Equity and Warrant Liabilities” to the consolidated financial statements under the heading “Orion Warrants”.
Enbridge/Series 1 Preferred Shares – Payoff of All Obligations
In December 2020, the Company, FCE Ltd., and Enbridge (in each case as defined elsewhere herein) entered into a payoff letter (the “Enbridge Payoff Letter”) pursuant to which the Company paid all amounts owed to Enbridge under the terms of the Series 1 Preferred Shares. As of December 31, 2020, the amount owed to Enbridge under the Series 1 Preferred Shares totaled Cdn. $27.4 million, which included Cdn. $4.3 million of principal and Cdn. $23.1 million of accrued dividends.
On December 18, 2020, the Company remitted payment totaling Cdn. $27.4 million, or approximately $21.5 million U.S. dollars, to Enbridge. Concurrent with receipt of the payment from the Company, Enbridge surrendered its shares in FCE Ltd., and the Guarantee and the January 2020 Letter Agreement (in each case as defined elsewhere herein) were terminated. All obligations related to the Series 1 Preferred Shares were extinguished upon payment. A discussion of the key terms and conditions of the Series 1 Preferred Shares is included in Note 16. “Redeemable Preferred Stock” to the consolidated financial statements under the heading “Class A Preferred Shares (the “Series 1 Preferred Shares”) of FCE FuelCell Energy Ltd”.
Results of Operations
Management evaluates our results of operations and cash flows using a variety of key performance indicators, including revenues compared to prior periods and internal forecasts, costs of our products and results of our cost reduction initiatives, and operating cash use. These are discussed throughout the “Results of Operations” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections. Results of Operations are presented in accordance with GAAP.
The following discussion and analysis of our Results of Operations and Liquidity and Capital Resources includes a comparison of fiscal year 2020 to fiscal year 2019. A similar discussion and analysis that compares fiscal year 2019 to fiscal year 2018 may be found in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.
Comparison of the Years Ended October 31, 2020 and 2019
Revenues and Costs of revenues
Revenues and costs of revenues for the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Years Ended October 31, Change
Total revenues for the year ended October 31, 2020 increased $10.1 million, or 17%, to $70.9 million from $60.8 million for the year ended October 31, 2019. Total costs of revenues for the year ended October 31, 2020 decreased by $3.4 million, or 4%, to $78.6 million from $82.0 million for the year ended October 31, 2019. The
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Company's gross margin was (10.9)% in fiscal year 2020, as compared to a gross margin of (35.0)% in fiscal year 2019. The increase in revenuesis attributable to expanded generation and Advanced Technologies activities during fiscal year 2020. A discussion of the changes in product sales, service and license revenues, generation revenues and Advanced Technologies contract revenues follows.
Product sales
Product sales, cost of product sales and gross loss from product sales for the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Years Ended October 31, Change
Product sales gross margin N/A (3757.0 )%
There were no product sales for the year ended October 31, 2020 compared to product sales of $0.5 million for the year ended October 31, 2019 which consisted solely of $0.5 million of power plant revenue.
Cost of product sales decreased $8.6 million for the year ended October 31, 2020 to $9.9 million, compared to $18.6 million for the year ended October 31, 2019. Both periods were impacted by the under-absorption of fixed overhead costs due to low production volumes, but there were lower overall manufacturing costs for the year ended October 31, 2020 due to the Company’s reduction in workforce that was implemented during April of 2019 and the temporary shutdown of our Torrington manufacturing facility from March 18, 2020 to June 22, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company incurred approximately $2.1 million of manufacturing variances during the year ended October 31, 2020 due to the manufacturing facility shutdown, which negatively impacted overall gross margin. Manufacturing variances, primarily related to low production volumes and unabsorbed overhead costs, totaled approximately $8.7 million (including the $2.1 million of manufacturing variances mentioned above) for the year ended October 31, 2020 compared to approximately $14.5 million for the year ended October 31, 2019. Cost of product sales for the year ended October 31, 2019 also includes a charge for a specific construction in process asset related to automation equipment for use in manufacturing with a carrying value of $2.8 million, which was impaired due to uncertainty as to whether the asset would be completed as a result of our liquidity position and continued low level of production rates.
For the year ended October 31, 2020, we operated at an annualized production rate of approximately 17.0 MW, which is the same as the annualized production rate for the year ended October 31, 2019. The fiscal year 2020 production rate was primarily a result of the manufacturing facility shutdown that was implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the fiscal year 2019 production rate was impacted primarily by the layoffs that occurred in April 2019.
As of October 31, 2020 and 2019, there was no product sales backlog.
Service agreements and license revenues
Service agreements and license revenues and associated cost of revenues for the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Years Ended October 31, Change
Service agreements and license revenues gross margin 2.3 % 28.8 %
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Revenues for the year ended October 31, 2020 from service agreements and license fee agreements decreased $1.5 million to $25.1 million from $26.6 million for the year ended October 31, 2019. Service agreements and license revenues decreased primarily due to the fact that $10 million of license revenues were recorded during the year ended October 31, 2019 in connection with the EMRE License Agreement, whereas only $4 million of license revenues were recorded during the year ended October 31, 2020 in connection with the EMRE Joint Development Agreement. In addition, the year ended October 31, 2019 included revenue recorded for the Bridgeport Fuel Cell Project service agreement. As a result of the purchase by the Company of the Bridgeport Fuel Cell Project on May 9, 2019, revenue under this service agreement was no longer recognized after May 9, 2019. In addition to the $4.0 million associated with the EMRE Joint Development Agreement noted above, service agreements and license revenues for the year ended October 31, 2020 also includes revenue recognized from routine maintenance and module replacements.
Cost of service agreements and license revenues increased $5.6 million to $24.5 million for the year ended October 31, 2020 from $18.9 million for the year ended October 31, 2019, due, in part, to a $2.2 million increase in our loss accrual during the year ended October 31, 2020 to reflect changes in the expected timing of future module replacements under one service agreement (with respect to the 2.8 MW project at the Tulare, California wastewater treatment facility, which was originally commissioned in fiscal year 2018 and is owned by Clearway Energy, Inc.) in order to improve operating performance. In addition, site specific issues at the Tulare facility required an earlier than expected module replacement and the Company opted to replace another module earlier than expected at the same site to maximize facility efficiencies. As a result, we incurred a charge, which is included in the loss accrual increase described above, during the year ended October 31, 2020, but which is expected to result in improved margins in the future through enhanced performance. Cost of service agreements and license revenues includes maintenance and operating costs and module replacements. The remaining increase in cost of service agreements and license revenues for the year ended October 31, 2020 compared to the year ended October 31, 2019 relates to planned maintenance at several plants during the year ended October 31, 2020.
Overall gross profit from service agreements and license revenues was $0.6 million for the year ended October 31, 2020, which represents a decrease of $7.1 million from a gross profit of $7.7 million for the year ended October 31, 2019. This decrease is primarily due to the fact that $10 million of license revenues were recorded during the year ended October 31, 2019 in connection with the EMRE License Agreement, whereas only $4 million of license revenues were recorded during the year ended October 31, 2020 in connection with the EMRE Joint Development Agreement. As a result of both decreased service agreements and license revenues and increased cost of service agreements and license revenues, the service agreements and license revenues gross margin decreased to 2.3% for the year ended October 31, 2020 from a gross margin of 28.8% for the year ended October 31, 2019.
As of October 31, 2020, service agreements and license backlog totaled $169.0 million compared to $192.3 million as of October 31, 2019. This backlog is for service agreements of up to 20 years at inception and is expected to generate positive margins and cash flows based on current estimates. Service agreements and license backlog also includes future license revenue.
Generation revenues
Generation revenues and related costs for the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Years Ended October 31, Change
Generation revenues gross margin (39.8 )% (125.5 )%
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Revenues from generation for the year ended October 31, 2020 totaled $19.9 million, which represents an increase of $5.9 million from revenues from generation recognized of $14.0 million for the year ended October 31, 2019. Generation revenues for the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019 reflect revenue from electricity generated under our PPAs. Generation revenues increased for the year ended October 31, 2020 compared to the year ended October 31, 2019 due to additional revenue that was recorded for the PPA associated with the Bridgeport Fuel Cell Project, which was acquired on May 9, 2019, and the Tulare BioMAT project, which commenced operations in December 2019.
Cost of generation revenues totaled $27.9 million in the year ended October 31, 2020, which represents a decrease from the year ended October 31, 2019. Cost of generation revenues included depreciation of approximately $12.9 million and $6.8 million for the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The decrease in Cost of generation revenues was primarily a result of the inclusion of an impairment charge in the year ended October 31, 2019 for each of (i) the Triangle Street Project and (ii) the Bolthouse Farms Project, which are described below. Cost of generation revenues for the year ended October 31, 2020 includes an impairment charge, which was recorded for the Triangle Street Project during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 and is also described below:
In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, the Company reviewed the Triangle Street Project and as a result of output and revenue projections given then-current development plans, recorded an additional impairment charge of $2.4 million. The Triangle Street Project is used by the Company as a development platform for the Company’s advanced applications. As a result, revenue generation is impacted by these activities.
The overall gross loss from generation revenues was $7.9 million for the year ended October 31, 2020, which represents an improvement of $9.7 million from a gross loss of $17.6 million for the year ended October 31, 2019. This improvement is primarily a result of the lower impairment charges in the year ended October 31, 2020, as discussed above.
As of October 31, 2020 and 2019, generation backlog totaled $1.1 billion.
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Advanced Technologies contracts
Advanced Technologies contract revenues and related costs for the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Years Ended October 31, Change
Advanced Technologies contract gross margin 37.0 % 34.3 %
Advanced Technologies contract revenues for the year ended October 31, 2020 were $25.8 million, which reflects an increase of $6.2 million when compared to $19.6 million of Advanced Technologies contract revenues for the year ended October 31, 2019. Advanced Technologies contract revenues were higher for the year ended October 31, 2020 due to revenues recognized in connection with the EMRE Joint Development Agreement (which was entered into on November 5, 2019). The year ended October 31, 2019 also included revenues recognized in connection with the EMRE Joint Development Agreement. Cost of Advanced Technologies contract revenues increased $3.4 million to $16.3 million for the year ended October 31, 2020, compared to $12.9 million for the year ended October 31, 2019, primarily as a result of costs incurred in connection with the EMRE Joint Development Agreement. Advanced Technologies contracts for the year ended October 31, 2020 generated a gross margin of $9.5 million compared to a gross margin of $6.7 million for the year ended October 31, 2019. The increase in Advanced Technologies contract gross margin is related to the timing and mix of contracts, which were more heavily weighted to revenue recognized under the EMRE Joint Development Agreement during the year ended October 31, 2020, compared to the year ended October 31, 2019 which had lower EMRE Joint Development Agreement-related revenue and gross margin.
As of October 31, 2020, Advanced Technologies contract backlog totaled $49.2 million compared to $12.0 million at October 31, 2019.
Administrative and selling expenses
Administrative and selling expenses were $26.6 million and $31.9 million for the year ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease in the year ended October 31, 2020 primarily relates to proceeds from a legal settlement of $2.2 million received during the year ended October 31, 2020, which was recorded as an offset to administrative and selling expenses, and higher legal and consulting costs incurred during the year ended October 31, 2019 in connection with the restructuring and refinancing initiatives undertaken by the Company in fiscal year 2019.
Research and development expenses
Research and development expenses decreased to $4.8 million for the year ended October 31, 2020, compared to $13.8 million for the year ended October 31, 2019. The decrease related to the reduction in spending resulting from the restructuring initiatives implemented in fiscal year 2019 and the reduction in the resources being allocated to internal research and development (as resources were instead allocated to Advanced Technologies projects).
Loss from operations
Loss from operations for the year ended October 31, 2020 was $39.2 million compared to $66.9 million for the year ended October 31, 2019. The decrease in the loss from operations was primarily a result of the lower gross loss for the year, which was primarily a result of impairment charges of $20.4 million recorded for the year ended October 31, 2019. The decrease is also a result of lower operating expenses for the year ended October 31, 2020 due to lower spending (personnel and overhead costs) resulting from the restructuring initiatives implemented in 2019, the legal settlement of $2.2 million received during fiscal year 2020 which was an offset to administrative and selling expenses and the reduction in the resources being allocated to research and development for the year ended October 31, 2020.
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Interest expense
Interest expense for the year ended October 31, 2020 and 2019 was $15.3 million and $10.6 million, respectively. Interest expense for both periods includes interest expense related to sale-leaseback transactions and interest for the amortization of the redeemable preferred stock of subsidiary fair value discount. The increase in interest expense during the year ended October 31, 2020 primarily represents additional interest on the $80.0 million outstanding during such period under the Orion Credit Agreement and interest on the loans made by Fifth Third Bank and Liberty Bank in connection with the acquisition of the Bridgeport Fuel Cell Project. In addition, interest expense during the year ended October 31, 2019 also included interest on outstanding amounts during such period under our loan and security agreement with Hercules Capital, Inc. (“Hercules”) and a modification fee of $0.8 million that was recorded in connection with the amendment of our loan agreement with NRG Energy, Inc.
Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability
The $37.1 million expense for the year ended October 31, 2020 represents an adjustment to the estimated fair value of the warrants issued to the lenders under the Orion Credit Agreement. The expense is primarily a result of increases in the Company’s stock price during the year ended October 31, 2020, which were used as an input to remeasure the warrants to fair value on a quarterly basis using a Black-Scholes model at the dates of exercise and period-end for the remaining unexercised warrants, compared to the stock price used in the Black-Scholes model upon the issuance of the warrants.
Gain on extinguishment of financing obligation
The $1.8 million gain for the year ended October 31, 2020 represents the difference between the amount of the payoff of the lease with respect to, and the repurchase of the UCI Fuel Cell, LLC project asset and the carrying amount of the related financing obligation.
Other income, net
Other income, net of $0.7 million and $0.1 million was recorded for the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Other income, net for the year ended October 31, 2020 primarily relates to a net non-cash gain on the extinguishment accounting related to the modification of the Series 1 Preferred Stock and the extinguishment related to the embedded derivatives (refer to Note 16. “Redeemable Preferred Stock” for additional information). Other income, net for the year ended October 31, 2020 also included a foreign exchange gain of $0.2 million related to the remeasurement of the Canadian Dollar denominated preferred stock obligation of our U.S. Dollar functional currency Canadian subsidiary, offset by a loss of approximately $0.3 million related to the remeasurement of the interest rate swap on the Bridgeport Fuel Cell Project loans. Other income, net for the year ended October 31, 2019 includes income of $0.6 million for refundable research and development tax credits and a foreign exchange gain related to the remeasurement of the Canadian Dollar denominated preferred stock obligation for our U.S. Dollar functional currency Canadian subsidiary, offset by expense of $0.6 million for the remeasurement of the interest rate swap on the Bridgeport Fuel Cell Project loans.
Provision for income taxes
We have not paid federal or state income taxes in several years due to our history of net operating losses, although we have paid foreign income and withholding taxes in South Korea. Income tax recorded for the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019 was $0.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
Series A warrant exchange
On February 21, 2019, we entered into an Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with the holder of the Series A Warrant to Purchase Common Stock issued by us on July 12, 2016 (the “Series A Warrant”). Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, we agreed to issue to the warrant holder 500,000 shares of our common stock in exchange for the Series A Warrant. During the year ended October 31, 2019, we recorded a charge to common stockholders for the difference between the fair value of the Series A Warrant prior to the modification of $0.3 million and the fair value of the common shares issuable at the date of the Exchange Agreement of $3.5 million.
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Series B preferred stock dividends
Dividends recorded on our Series B Preferred Stock were $3.3 million and $3.2 million for the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Series C preferred stock deemed contributions and redemption value adjustment, net
During the year ended October 31, 2019, conversions of our Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series C Preferred Stock”) resulted in a variable number of shares of our common stock being issued to settle the conversion amounts and were treated as a partial redemption of our Series C Preferred Stock. Conversions during the year ended October 31, 2019 that were settled in a variable number of shares and treated as partial redemptions resulted in deemed contributions of $1.6 million. The deemed contributions represent the difference between the fair value of the common shares issued to settle the conversion amounts and the carrying value of the Series C Preferred Stock.
The Company also accounted for an extinguishment of the Series C Preferred Stock by recording a deemed contribution of $0.5 million during the year ended October 31, 2019. A charge to common stockholders of $8.6 million was recorded during the year ended October 31, 2019 because of equity conditions failures under the Certificate of Designations for the Series C Preferred Stock.
The last outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock were converted into common stock on May 23, 2019, so there were no shares of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding during the year ended October 31, 2020.
Series D preferred stock deemed dividends and redemption accretion
During the year ended October 31, 2019, conversions of our Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series D Preferred Stock”) in which the conversion price was below the initial conversion price (as adjusted for the reverse stock split that occurred in May 2019) of $16.56 per shareresulted in a variable number of shares of our common stock being issued to settle the conversion amounts and were treated as a partial redemption of the shares of our Series D Preferred Stock. Conversions during the year ended October 31, 2019 that were settled in a variable number of shares and treated as redemptions resulted in deemed dividends of $6.0 million. The deemed dividends represent the difference between the fair value of the common shares issued to settle the conversion amounts and the carrying value of the Series D Preferred Stock.
Redemption accretion of $3.8 million was recorded during the year ended October 31, 2019 and reflects the accretion of the difference between the carrying value of the Series D Preferred Stock and the amount that would have been redeemed if stockholder approval had not been obtained for the issuance of common stock equal to 20% or more of our outstanding voting stock prior to the issuance of the Series D Preferred Stock. If we had been unable to obtain such stockholder approval and were therefore prohibited from issuing shares of common stock as a result of this limitation (the “Exchange Cap Shares”) to a holder of Series D Preferred Stock at any time after April 30, 2019, we would have been required to pay cash to such holder in exchange for the redemption of such number of Series D Preferred Shares held by such holder that would not have been convertible into such Exchange Cap Shares. Stockholder approval was obtained at the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders on April 4, 2019 and no further accretion was required.
The last outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock were converted into common stock on October 1, 2019, so there were no shares of Series D Preferred Stock outstanding during the year ended October 31, 2020.
Net loss attributable to common stockholders and loss per common share
Net loss attributable to common stockholders for the year ended October 31, 2020 represents the net loss for the period less the preferred stock dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock. Net loss attributable to common stockholders for the year ended October 31, 2019 represents the net loss for the period less the charge associated with the Series A Warrant exchange, the preferred stock dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock, the preferred stock deemed contributions and redemption value adjustment, net on the Series C Preferred Stock and the Series D Preferred Stock deemed dividends and redemption accretion. For the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, net loss attributable to common stockholders was $92.2 million and $100.2 million, respectively, and loss per common share was $0.42 and $1.82, respectively. The decrease in the net loss attributable to common stockholders for the year ended October 31, 2020 is primarily due to the lower gross loss due to lower impairment charges in fiscal year 2020 and lower operating expenses, partially offset by the change in fair value of the common stock warrant liability
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discussed above and the fact that there were no amounts recorded for the Series A Warrants and the Series C and D Preferred Stock as none were outstanding during the year. The lower loss per common share for the year ended October 31, 2020 primarily is due to the higher weighted average shares outstanding due to share issuances since October 31, 2019.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Overview, Cash Position, Sources and Uses
Our principal sources of cash have been sales of our common stock through public equity offerings, proceeds from third party debt such as borrowings under our credit facilities, project financing and tax monetization transactions, proceeds from the sale of our projects as well as research and development and service and license agreements with third parties. We have utilized this cash to develop and construct power plants, develop Advanced Technologies, pay down existing outstanding indebtedness, and meet our other cash and liquidity needs.
As of October 31, 2020, unrestricted cash and cash equivalents totaled $149.9 million compared to $9.4 million as of October 31, 2019.
Subsequent to the end of fiscal year 2020, in December 2020, the Company closed an underwritten offering of 25.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock. Net proceeds to the Company were approximately $156.3 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses. Proceeds from this offering have been utilized as follows:
We believe that our unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, expected receipts from our contracted backlog, and release of short-term restricted cash less expected disbursements over the next twelve months will be sufficient to allow the Company to meet its obligations for at least one year from the date of issuance of these financial statements.
To date, we have not achieved profitable operations or sustained positive cash flow from operations. The Company’s future liquidity will depend on its ability to (i) timely complete current projects in process within budget, (ii) increase cash flows from its generation portfolio, including by meeting conditions required to timely commence operation of new projects, operating its generation portfolio in compliance with minimum performance guarantees and operating its generation portfolio in accordance with revenue expectations, (iii) obtain financing for project construction, (iv) obtain permanent financing for its projects once constructed, (v) increase order and contract volumes, which would lead to additional product sales, services agreements and generation revenues, (vi) obtain funding for and receive payment for research and development under current and future Advanced Technologies contracts, (vii) implement the cost reductions necessary to achieve profitable operations, (viii) manage working capital and the Company's unrestricted cash balance and (ix) access the capital markets to raise funds through the sale of equity securities, convertible notes, and other equity-linked instruments, all of which will require an increase in authorized shares, and/or other debt instruments.
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Our business model requires substantial outside financing arrangements and satisfaction of the conditions of such financing arrangements to construct and deploy our projects and facilitate the growth of our business. We have obtained financing through the debt and equity markets during and subsequent to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020. In future periods, the Company expects to seek lower-cost long-term debt and tax equity (e.g., sale-leaseback and partnership transactions) for its project asset portfolio as these projects commence commercial operations. The proceeds of any such financing, if obtained, may allow the Company to fund other projects. We may also seek to obtain additional financing in both the debt and equity markets in the future. If financing is not available to us on acceptable terms if and when needed, or on terms acceptable to us or our lenders, if we do not satisfy the conditions of our financing arrangements, if we spend more than the financing approved for projects, if project costs exceed an amount that the Company can finance, or if we do not generate sufficient revenues or obtain capital sufficient for our corporate needs, we may be required to reduce or slow planned spending, reduce staffing, sell assets, seek alternative financing and take other measures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operations.
As of December 31, 2020, we had 15,093,242 shares of common stock available for issuance, excluding treasury stock, of which 5,185,674 shares were reserved for issuance under various warrants and equity awards, upon conversion of preferred stock, and under our employee stock purchase and equity incentive plans. The limited number of shares of our common stock available for issuance will limit our ability to raise capital in the equity markets and satisfy obligations with shares instead of cash, which could adversely affect our business and operations. We plan to seek stockholder approval to increase the number of shares of common stock we are authorized to issue, but such approval may not be obtained.
Generation/Operating Portfolio, Projects and Backlog
To grow our generation portfolio, the Company will invest in developing and building turn-key fuel cell projects which will be owned by the Company and classified as project assets on the balance sheet. This strategy requires liquidity and the Company expects to continue to have increasing liquidity requirements as project sizes increase and more projects are added to backlog. We may commence building project assets upon the award of a project or execution of a multi-year PPA with an end-user that has a strong credit profile. Project development and construction cycles, which span the time between securing a PPA and commercial operation of the plant, vary substantially and can take years. As a result of these project cycles and strategic decisions to finance the construction of certain projects, we may need to make significant up-front investments of resources in advance of the receipt of any cash from the sale or long-term financing of such projects. To make these up-front investments, we may use our working capital, seek to raise funds through the sale of equity or debt securities, or seek other financing arrangements. Delays in construction progress and completing current projects in process within budget, or in completing financing or the sale of our projects may impact our liquidity in a material way.
Our operating portfolio (32.6 MW as of October 31, 2020) contributes higher long-term cash flows to the Company than if these projects had been sold. These projects generated $19.9 million in annual revenue for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, but this amount may fluctuate from year to year depending on plant output, operational performance and management and site conditions. The Company plans to continue to grow this portfolio while also selling projects to investors. As of October 31, 2020, the Company had projects representing an additional 40.7 MW in various stages of development and construction, which projects are expected to generate operating cash flows in future periods, if completed. Retaining long-term cash flow positive projects, combined with our service fleet, is expected to result in reduced reliance on new project sales to achieve cash flow positive operations, however, operations and performance issues could impact results. We have worked with and are continuing to work with lenders and financial institutions to secure construction financing, long-term debt, tax equity and sale-leasebacks for our project asset portfolio, but there can be no assurance that such financing can be attained, or that, if attained, it will be retained and sufficient.
As of October 31, 2020, net debt outstanding related to project assets was $119.0 million. Future required payments totaled $99.9 million as of October 31, 2020. The outstanding financing obligation under our sale-leaseback transactions, which totaled $49.3 million as of October 31, 2020, includes an embedded gain of $29.0 million, which will be recognized at the end of the applicable lease terms. As noted above, subsequent to the end of fiscal year 2020, the Company repaid all amounts outstanding under the Orion Credit Agreement and terminated the Orion Facility.
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Our operating portfolio provides us with the full benefit of future cash flows, net of any debt service requirements.
The following table summarizes our operating portfolio as of October 31, 2020:
UCI Medical Center (“UCI”) Orange, CA UCI (CA University Hospital) 1.4 Q1 '16 19
Pfizer, Inc. Groton, CT Pfizer, Inc. 5.6 Q4 '16 20
Santa Rita Jail Dublin, CA Alameda County, California 1.4 Q1 '17 20
Tulare BioMAT Tulare, CA Southern California Edison (CA Utility) 2.8 Q1'20 20
Triangle St Danbury, CT Tariff - Eversource (CT Utility) 3.7 Q2'20 Tariff
Total MW Operating: 32.6
The following table summarizes projects in process, all of which are in backlog, as of October 31, 2020:
Project Name Location Power Off-Taker Rated Capacity (MW) PPA Term (Years)
Groton Sub Base Groton, CT CMEEC (CT Electric Co-op) 7.4 20
Toyota Los Angeles, CA Southern California Edison; Toyota 2.3 20
LIPA 1 Long Island, NY PSEG / LIPA, LI NY (Utility) 7.4 20
CT RFP-1 Hartford, CT Eversource/United Illuminating (CT Utilities) 7.4 20
CT RFP-2 Derby, CT Eversource/United Illuminating (CT Utilities) 14.8 20
Total MW in Process: 40.7
The projects listed in the above table are in various stages of development or on-site construction and installation. Current project updates are as follows:
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Backlog by revenue category is as follows:
• There was no product sales backlog as of October 31, 2020 or October 31, 2019.
Backlog represents definitive agreements executed by the Company and our customers. Projects for which we have a PPA are included in generation backlog, which represents future revenue under long-term PPAs. Projects sold to customers (and not retained by the Company) are included in product sales and service agreements and license backlog and the related generation backlog is removed upon sale.
Factors that may impact our liquidity
Factors that may impact our liquidity in fiscal year 2021 and beyond include:
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Depreciation and Amortization
As the Company builds project assets and makes capital expenditures, depreciation and amortization expenses are expected to increase. For the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, depreciation and amortization totaled $19.4 million and $12.4 million, respectively (of these totals, approximately $13.9 million and $7.4 million for the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, relate to depreciation and amortization of project assets in our generation portfolio and generation intangible assets).
Cash Flows
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents totaled $192.1 million as of October 31, 2020, compared to $39.8 million as of October 31, 2019. As of October 31, 2020, restricted cash and cash equivalents was $42.2 million, of which $9.2 million was classified as current and $33.0 million was classified as non-current, compared to $30.3 million total restricted cash and cash equivalents as of October 31, 2019, of which $3.5 million was classified as current and $26.9 million was classified as non-current.
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The following table summarizes our consolidated cash flows:
Consolidated Cash Flow Data:
Effects on cash from changes in foreign currency rates (92 ) (244 ) 12
The key components of our cash inflows and outflows were as follows:
Operating Activities – Net cash used in operating activities was $36.8 million during fiscal year 2020 compared to net cash used in operating activities of $30.6 million in fiscal year 2019 and net cash provided by operating activities of $16.3 million in fiscal year 2018.
Net cash used in operating activities during fiscal year 2020 was primarily the result of the net loss of $89.1 million, increases in accounts receivables of $6.3 million, unbilled receivables of $5.6 million and inventory of $2.1 million and a decrease in accounts payable of $7.1 million. These amounts were partially offset by increases in accrued liabilities of $5.5 million and deferred revenue of $1.7 million and net non-cash adjustments of $68.5 million.
Net cash used in operating activities during fiscal year 2019 was primarily the result of the net loss of $77.6 million and increases in inventory of $6.4 million and unbilled receivables of $4.5 million. These amounts were offset by increases in deferred revenue of $6.0 million and accrued liabilities of $2.4 million, decreases in accounts receivable of $4.8 million and other assets of $2.1 million and net non-cash adjustments of $42.7 million.
Net cash provided by operating activities during fiscal year 2018 was primarily the result of decreases in accounts receivable of $48.7 million, inventories of $31.7 million, deferred revenue of $1.3 million and net non-cash activity of $15.4 million. Accounts receivable and inventory decreased primarily as a result of cash received and inventory delivered under the contract to deliver a 20 MW project to KOSPO in South Korea. These amounts were offset by the net loss of $47.3 million for fiscal year 2018, decreases in accounts payable of $19.8 million and accrued liabilities of $11.3 million, and an increase in other assets of $2.3 million.
Investing Activities – Net cash used in investing activities was $32.5 million during fiscal year 2020 compared to $69.3 million in fiscal year 2019 and $31.4 million in fiscal year 2018.
Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal year 2020 included $31.5 million of project asset expenditures and a $0.6 million payment for a working capital adjustment for the May 2019 acquisition of the Bridgeport Fuel Cell Project.
Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal year 2019 included the purchase by the Company of all of the outstanding membership interests in Bridgeport Fuel Cell, LLC (“BFC”), the owner of the 14.9 MW Bridgeport Fuel Cell Project, for $35.5 million, $31.7 million invested in project assets to expand our operating portfolio and $2.2 million for capital expenditures.
Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal year 2018 included a $41.2 million investment in project assets to expand our operating portfolio and $10.0 million for capital expenditures.
Financing Activities–Net cash provided by financing activities was $221.7 million during fiscal year 2020 compared to $59.7 million in fiscal year 2019 and $27.7 million in fiscal year 2018.
Net cash provided by financing activities during fiscal year 2020 resulted from the receipt of $63.9 million of debt proceeds under the Orion Facility, which was net of a loan discount of $1.6 million, $14.4 million of proceeds from the sale-leaseback transaction with Crestmark Equipment Finance, $6.5 million of debt proceeds from Liberty Bank under the PPP Note, $3.0 million of debt proceeds from Connecticut Green Bank, $98.3 million of net proceeds from an underwritten equity offering that closed in October 2020, $73.6 million of net proceeds from at-the-market sales of common stock (after deducting commissions), and $1.3 million of net proceeds from warrant conversions, offset by debt repayments of $30.1 million, the payment of preferred dividends and return of capital of $6.5 million, and the payment of deferred financing costs of $2.7 million.
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Net cash provided by financing activities during fiscal year 2019 resulted from the receipt of $69.6 million of debt proceeds, which included $26.7 million to acquire all of the membership interest in BFC, $14.5 million under the Orion Facility and the remainder related to project level financings, offset by debt repayments of $48.4 million, the payment of deferred financing costs of $3.3 million and the payment of preferred dividends and return of capital of $1.8 million. The sale of common stock during fiscal year 2019 resulted in proceeds, net of expenses, of $43.6 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities during fiscal year 2018 resulted from net proceeds of $25.3 million received in connection with the offering and issuance of the Series D Preferred Stock, the receipt of $13.1 million under the amended loan and security agreement with Hercules and net proceeds received of $10.5 million from warrant exercises and at the market sales of our common stock, offset by cash payments of $16.6 million primarily relating to repayments under the loan and security agreement with Hercules and the payment of preferred dividends and return of capital of $4.2 million.
Commitments and Significant Contractual Obligations
A summary of our significant future commitments and contractual obligations as of October 31, 2020 and the related payments by fiscal year is summarized as follows:
Payments Due by Period
(dollars in thousands) Less than 1 - 3 3 - 5 More Than
Contractual Obligations Total 1 year years years 5 years
Series B Preferred dividends payable (7) — — — — —
(3) Future minimum lease payments on finance and operating leases.
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Term and Construction Loans
A discussion of the key terms and conditions of the loans outstanding as of October 31, 2020 is included in Note 14. “Debt” to the consolidated financial statements. The information included under the headings “Orion Energy Partners Investment Agent, LLC Credit Agreement,” “Connecticut Green Bank Loans,” “Bridgeport Fuel Cell Project Loans,” “State of Connecticut Loan” and “Liberty Bank Promissory Note” in Note 14. “Debt” to the consolidated financial statements is incorporated herein by reference.
Subsequent to October 31, 2020, the Company paid off all outstanding principal, accrued but unpaid interest, prepayment premium, fees, costs and other expenses due and owing to the Orion Agent and the lenders under the Orion Facility and the Orion Credit Agreement and the related loan documents. Refer to Note 25. “Subsequent Events” of the financial statements. As a result of such repayment, the following amounts would be removed from the above table:
Less than 1 - 3 3 - 5 More Than
(dollars in thousands) Total 1 year years years 5 years
Restricted Cash
We have pledged approximately $42.2 million of our cash and cash equivalents as performance security and for letters of credit for certain banking requirements and contracts. As of October 31, 2020, outstanding letters of credit totaled $6.5 million. These letters of credit expire on various dates through August 2028. Under the terms of certain contracts, we will provide performance security for future contractual obligations. The restricted cash balance as of October 31, 2020 also included $15.1 million primarily to support obligations under the power purchase and service agreements related to our sale-leaseback transactions with PNC Energy Capital, LLC (“PNC”), $0.4 million related to our sale-leaseback transaction with Crestmark Equipment Finance (“Crestmark”), $7.5 million relating to future obligations associated with the Bridgeport Fuel Cell Project, and $11.2 million relating to the reserves established under the Orion Facility. Refer to Note 21. “Restricted Cash” for a detailed discussion of the Company’s restricted cash balance and refer to Note 25. “Subsequent Events” for the impact to restricted cash from the repayment of all amounts owed under the Orion Credit Agreement.
Power purchase agreements
Under the terms of our PPAs, customers agree to purchase power from our fuel cell power platforms at negotiated rates. Electricity rates are generally a function of the customers’ current and estimated future electricity pricing available from the grid. We are responsible for all operating costs necessary to maintain, monitor and repair our fuel cell power platforms. Under certain agreements, we are also responsible for procuring fuel, generally natural gas or Biogas, to run our fuel cell power platforms. In addition, under certain agreements, we are required to produce
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minimum amounts of power under our PPAs and we have the right to terminate PPAs by giving written notice to the customer, subject to certain exit costs. As of October 31, 2020, our operating portfolio was 32.6 MW.
Service and warranty agreements
We warrant our products for a specific period of time against manufacturing or performance defects. Our standard U.S. warranty period is generally 15 months after shipment or 12 months after acceptance of the product. In addition to the standard product warranty, we have contracted with certain customers to provide services to ensure the power plants meet minimum operating levels for terms of up to 20 years. Pricing for service contracts is based upon estimates of future costs, which could be materially different from actual expenses. Refer to “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” for additional details.
Advanced Technologies contracts
We have contracted with various government agencies and certain companies from private industry to conduct research and development as either a prime contractor or sub-contractor under multi-year, cost-reimbursement and/or cost-share type contracts or cooperative agreements. Cost-share terms require that participating contractors share the total cost of the project based on an agreed upon ratio. In many cases, we are reimbursed only a portion of the costs incurred or to be incurred on the contract. While government research and development contracts may extend for many years, funding is often provided incrementally on a year-by-year basis if contract terms are met and Congress authorizes the funds. As of October 31, 2020, Advanced Technologies contract backlog totaled $49.2 million, of which $37.7 million is non-U.S. Government-funded, $11.3 million is U.S. Government-funded and $0.2 million is U.S. Government-unfunded. The amount that is non-U.S. Government-funded includes $10.0 million of milestone payments under the EMRE Joint Development Agreement that are contingent upon achieving technical milestones. If funding is terminated or delayed or if business initiatives change, we may choose to devote resources to other activities, including internally funded research and development.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet debt or similar obligations which are not classified as debt. We do not guarantee any third-party debt. See Note 22. “Commitments and Contingencies” to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2020 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, revenue recognition, lease right of use assets and liabilities, contract loss accruals, excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventories, product warranty accruals, loss accruals on service agreements, share-based compensation expense, allowance for doubtful accounts, depreciation and amortization, impairment of goodwill and in-process research and development intangible assets, impairment of long-lived assets (including project assets), and contingencies. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary.
Our critical accounting policies are those that are both most important to our financial condition and results of operations and may require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments on the part of management in their application, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our accounting policies are set forth below.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangibles