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SHLS US Equity

Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.Information Technology · Semiconductors & Related Devices · CIK 1831651 · FY ends Dec 31
$7.10
-0.28 (-3.80%)
USD · as of 2026-08-21 · marketstack

SHLS · 10-K · period ended 2020-12-31

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filed 2021-03-16 · EDGAR original ↗

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

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical financial information, the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results and timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed under the sections of this Form 10-K captioned “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors.”

Overview

We are a leading provider of electrical balance of system or “EBOS” solutions for solar energy projects in the United States. EBOS encompasses all of the components that are necessary to carry the electric current produced by solar panels to an inverter and ultimately to the power grid. EBOS components are mission-critical products that have a high consequence of failure, including lost revenue, equipment damage, fire damage, and even serious injury or death. As a result, we believe customers prioritize reliability and safety over price when selecting EBOS solutions.

EBOS components that we produce include cable assemblies, inline fuses, combiners, disconnects, recombiners, wireless monitoring systems, junction boxes, transition enclosures and splice boxes. We derive the majority of our revenue from selling “system solutions” which are complete EBOS systems that include several of our products, many of which are customized for the customer’s project. We believe our system solutions are unique in our industry because they integrate design and engineering support, proprietary components and innovative installation methods into a single offering that would otherwise be challenging for a customer to obtain from a single provider or at all.

We sell our products principally to EPCs that build solar energy projects. However, the decision to use our products typically involves input from both the EPC and the owner of the solar energy project, given the

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mission-critical nature of EBOS. The custom nature of our system solutions and the long development cycle for solar energy projects typically gives us 12 months or more of lead time to quote, engineer, produce and ship each order we receive, and we do not stock large amounts of finished goods.

We derived approximately 66% of our revenue from the sale of system solutions for the year ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we derived 99% and 1% of our revenue from customers in the U.S. and the rest of the world, respectively.

Key Components of Our Results of Operations

The following discussion describes certain line items in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Revenue

We generate revenue from the sale of EBOS systems and components for homerun and combine-as-you-go architectures. Our customers include EPCs, utilities, solar developers, independent power producers and solar module manufacturers. We derive the majority of our revenue from selling system solutions. When we sell a system solution, we enter into a contract with our customers covering the price, specifications, delivery dates and warranty for the products being purchased, among other things. Our contractual delivery period for system solutions can vary from one to three months whereas manufacturing typically requires a shorter time frame. Contracts for system solutions can range in value from several hundred thousand to several million dollars.

Our revenue is affected by changes in the price, volume and mix of products purchased by our customers. The price and volume of our products is driven by the demand for our products, changes in product mix between homerun and combine-as-you-go EBOS, geographic mix of our customers, strength of competitors’ product offerings, and availability of government incentives to the end-users of our products.

Our revenue growth is dependent on continued growth in the amount of solar energy projects constructed each year and our ability to increase our share of demand in the geographies where we currently compete and plan to compete in the future as well as our ability to continue to develop and commercialize new and innovative products that address the changing technology and performance requirements of our customers.

Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit

Cost of revenue consists primarily of product costs, including purchased materials and components, as well as costs related to shipping, customer support, product warranty, personnel and depreciation of manufacturing and testing equipment. Personnel costs in cost of revenue include both direct labor costs as well as costs attributable to any individuals whose activities relate to the transformation of raw materials or component parts into finished goods or the transportation of materials to the customer. Our product costs are affected by the underlying cost of raw materials, including copper and aluminum; component costs, including fuses, resin, enclosures, and cable; technological innovation; economies of scale resulting in lower component costs; and improvements in production processes and automation. We do not currently hedge against changes in the price of raw materials. Some of these costs, primarily personnel and depreciation of manufacturing and testing equipment, are not directly affected by sales volume. Gross profit may vary from year to year and is primarily affected by our sales volume, product prices, product costs, product mix, customer mix, geographical mix, shipping method, warranty costs and seasonality.

Operating Expenses

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Operating expenses consist of general and administrative costs as well as depreciation and amortization expense. Personnel-related costs are the most significant component of our operating expenses and include salaries, equity-based compensation, benefits, payroll taxes and commissions. The number of full-time employees in our general and administrative departments increased from 42 to 52 from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020, and we expect to hire new employees in the future to support our growth. The timing of these additional hires could materially affect our operating expenses in any particular period, both in absolute dollars and as a percentage of revenue. We expect to invest in additional resources to support our growth which will increase our operating expenses.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, equity-based compensation expense, employee benefits and payroll taxes related to our executives, and our sales, finance, human resources, information technology, engineering and legal organizations, travel expenses, facilities costs, marketing expenses, bad debt expense and fees for professional services. Professional services consist of audit, legal, tax, insurance, information technology and other costs. We expect to increase our sales and marketing personnel as we expand into new geographic markets. The majority of our sales in 2020 were in the U.S. We currently have a sales presence in the U.S. and Australia. We intend to expand our sales presence and marketing efforts to additional countries in the future. We also expect that as a result of our recent initial public offering, we will incur additional audit, tax, accounting, legal and other costs related to compliance with applicable securities and other regulations, as well as additional insurance, investor relations and other costs associated with being a public company.

Depreciation

Depreciation in our operating expenses consists of costs associated with property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) not used in manufacturing our products. We expect that as we increase both our revenue and the number of our general and administrative personnel, we will invest in additional PP&E to support our growth resulting in additional depreciation expense.

Amortization

Amortization of intangibles consists of customer relationships, developed technology, trade name and non-compete agreements over their expected period of use.

Non-operating Expenses

Interest Expense

Interest expense consists of interest and other charges paid in connection with our current Senior Secured Credit Agreement (as defined below) and our former Senior Debt which included a revolving line of credit and term loan, which was fully repaid on October 8, 2020.

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Results of Operations

The following table summarizes our results of operations (dollars in thousands):

Year Ended December 31, Increase / (Decrease)

Operating Expenses

Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019

Revenue

Revenue increased by $31.0 million, or 21%, for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, driven by higher sales volumes as a result of increased demand for solar EBOS generally and our combine-as-you-go system solutions specifically. Our total number of customers increased by 43 in 2020 as compared to 2019. We believe customer recognition of the benefits of our combine-as-you-go system is resulting in increased demand for our products.

Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit

Cost of revenue increased by $8.7 million, or 9%, for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily driven by an increase in production volumes. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased from 31% in 2019 to 38% in 2020 in part due to purchasing efficiencies from increased volumes, improved material planning which reduced logistics costs, enhancements to product design that lowered manufacturing costs and other manufacturing efficiencies resulting from higher production volumes. Changes in product mix also contributed to the increase in margins as sales of system solutions for combine-as-you-go EBOS, which have higher margins than our other products, increased as a percentage of our total revenue. Our gross profit was negatively impacted in the year ended December 31, 2020 as a result of certain COVID-19 related costs totaling $2.6 million.

Operating Expenses

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses increased $11.9 million, or 132%, for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily the result of $8.3 million in equity-based compensation related to Class C units issued, an increase in professional fees of $1.5 million related to preparation for our IPO, wages and related taxes of $1.8 million related to increased head counts and year-end bonuses, insurance expense of $0.2 million, franchise and other related taxes of $0.2 million and certain COVID-19 related costs of $0.3 million, offset by a decrease in travel and trade shows of $0.7 million as a result of COVID-19.

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Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation expense increased by $45 thousand, or 1%, for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, due to the addition of machines and equipment to increase production.

Interest Expense

Interest expense, net increased by $1.7 million or 96%, for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, due to increased borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facility that we entered into on November 25, 2020. We expect interest expense to increase in 2021 as a result of our higher average borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facility (see description under “Debt Obligations”). We estimate the $150 million prepayment we made on the Term Loan Facility in January 2021 will result in us recording a $16.0 million loss on debt repayment in the first quarter of 2021 as a result of the write-off of financing costs and the prepayment premium.

Year Ended December 31, 2018

Discussion and analysis covering the year ended December 31, 2018 is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, that was filed on January 25, 2021.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income plus (i) interest expense, (ii) income taxes, (iii) depreciation expense, (iv) amortization of intangibles, (v) equity-based compensation, (vi) COVID-19 expenses and (vii) non-recurring and other expenses. We define Adjusted Net Income as net income plus (i) amortization of intangibles, (ii) amortization of deferred finance costs, (iii) equity-based compensation, (iv) COVID-19 expenses and (v) non-recurring and other expenses, all net of applicable income taxes.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income are intended as supplemental measures of performance that are neither required by, nor presented in accordance with, GAAP. We present Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income because we believe they assist investors and analysts in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. In addition, we use Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income: (i) as factors in evaluating management’s performance when determining incentive compensation; (ii) to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies; and (iii) because our credit agreement uses measures similar to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income to measure our compliance with certain covenants.

Among other limitations, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income do not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; do not reflect the impact of certain cash charges resulting from matters we consider not to be indicative of our ongoing operations; in the case of Adjusted EBITDA, does not reflect income tax expense or benefit; and may be calculated by other companies in our industry differently than we do or not at all, which may limit their usefulness as comparative measures.

Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net

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Income on a supplemental basis. You should review the reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income below and not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

The following table reconciles net income to Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,

Equity-based compensation 8,251 — —

(a) Represents costs incurred as a direct impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, disinfecting and reconfiguration of facilities, medical professionals to conduct daily screenings of employees, premium pay during the pandemic to hourly workers and direct legal costs associated with the pandemic.

(b) Represents certain costs associated with non-recurring professional services, Oaktree’s expenses and other costs.

The following table reconciles net income to Adjusted Net Income (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,

Amortization of deferred finance costs 351 38 38

Equity-based compensation 8,251 — —

(a) Represents costs incurred as a direct impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, disinfecting and reconfiguration of facilities, medical professionals to conduct daily screenings of employees, premium pay during the pandemic to hourly workers and direct legal costs associated with the pandemic.

(b) Represents certain costs associated with non-recurring professional services, Oaktree’s expenses and other costs.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Year Ended December 31,

Net cash provided by operating activities $ 54,082 $ 36,182

Net cash used in investing activities (3,236) (1,719)

Net cash used in financing activities (47,855) (27,489)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents $ 2,991 $ 6,974

We finance our operations primarily with operating cash flows and short and long-term borrowings. Our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations is dependent on the strength of our gross margins as well as our ability to quickly turn our working capital. Based on our past performance and current expectations, we believe that operating cash flows will be sufficient to meet our near-term future cash needs.

The Company generated cash from operating activities of $54.1 million and $36.2 million in the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, our cash and cash equivalents were $10.1 million and we had outstanding borrowings of $370.0 million. We also had $80 million available for additional borrowings under our $100.0 million revolving line of credit.

Operating Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2020, cash provided by operating activities was $54.1 million, primarily due to operating results that included $33.8 million of net income. An increase of $6.5 million in inventories, $1.0 million in receivables was offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $9.0 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, cash provided by operating activities was $36.2 million, primarily due to operating results that included $25.1 million of net income. An increase of $0.7 million in inventories and $1.8 million in receivables was partially offset by $3.9 million of accounts payable and accrued expenses.

Investing Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash used in investing activities was $3.2 million, attributable to the purchase of property and equipment.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, net cash used in investing activities was $1.7 million, attributable to the purchase of property and equipment.

Financing Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash used in financing activities was $47.9 million, including $26.3 million of payments on senior debt, a $355.8 million special distribution to members and $20.2 million in tax distributions to members, partially offset by borrowings of $370.0 million under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, net of $11.8 million in debt discount and financing costs.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, net cash used in financing activities was $27.5 million, of which $16.0 million was payments on senior debt and $14.0 million was tax distributions to members, which was partially offset by $2.5 million of borrowings of the revolving line of credit.

Historical Cash Flows

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Discussion and analysis covering historical cash flows the year ended December 31, 2018 is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended, that was filed on January 25, 2021.

Debt Obligations

Senior Secured Credit Agreement

On November 25, 2020 (the “Senior Secured Credit Agreement Closing Date”), Holdings, as borrower, and Intermediate, as holdings, entered into that certain Credit Agreement with the lenders party thereto from time to time and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Senior Secured Credit Agreement”), which sets forth the terms and conditions for a Senior Secured Credit Agreement consisting of (i) a $350.0 million senior secured six-year term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”), (ii) a $30.0 million senior secured delayed draw term loan facility, which matures concurrently with the six-year Term Loan Facility (the “Delayed Draw Term Loan Facility”) and (iii) an uncommitted super senior first out revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). The proceeds of the Term Loan Facility and a $10.0 million draw under the Delayed Draw Term Loan Facility funded on the Senior Secured Credit Agreement Closing Date were used to (i) make certain distributions from Shoals Holdings to Shoals Intermediate Holdings and from there to certain of our direct or indirect equity holders in an aggregate amount not in excess of $350.0 million plus amounts funded from cash on the balance sheet, (ii) pay any transaction expenses related thereto, (iii) repay and terminate all outstanding commitments under the Senior Debt and (iv) finance working capital and general corporate purposes. An additional $10.0 million draw under the Delayed Draw Term Loan Facility funded on December 14, 2020.

On December 22, 2020, Shoals Holdings entered into an amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Agreement in order to obtain a $100.0 million increase (the “Revolver Upsize”) to the Revolving Credit Facility. At December 31, 2020, the Company had $80.0 million of availability under the Revolving Credit Facility. The proceeds of the Revolver Upsize will be used to finance working capital and general corporate purposes, and any description of the Revolving Credit Facility set forth below shall be deemed to include the Revolver Upsize.

On December 23, 2020, we repaid and terminated all outstanding commitments under the Delayed Draw Term Loan Facility.

On December 30, 2020, Shoals Holdings entered into a second amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Agreement.

Interest Rate

The interest rates applicable to the loans under the Term Loan Facility (4.25% at December 31, 2020) are based on a rate of interest determined by reference to either: (i) a base rate plus an applicable margin equal to (a) on and after December 30, 2020 until the later of either (1) February 28, 2021 or (2) December 31, 2022 so long as Holdings has prepaid the loans under the Term Loan Facility on or prior to February 28, 2021 in an amount that results in the aggregate outstanding principal amount of loans under the Term Loan Facility being equal to or less than the sum of (A) $200.0 million minus (B) any mandatory prepayments of the principal amount of loans under the Term Loan Facility or amortization payments made prior to February 28, 2021, 2.25% and(b) thereafter, either (1) if Holdings has consummated an IPO the net cash proceeds of which have been used to repay the principal amount of the loans under the Term Loan Facility in an amount no less than $70.0 million, 4.75% or (2) otherwise, 5.00%; or (ii) a eurocurrency rate plus an applicable margin equal to (a) on and after December 30, 2020 until the later of either (1) February 28, 2021 or (2) December 31, 2022 so long as Holdings has prepaid the loans under the Term Loan Facility on or prior to February 28, 2021 in an amount that results in the aggregate outstanding principal amount of loans under the Term Loan Facility being equal to or less than the sum of (A) $200.0 million minus (B) any mandatory prepayments of the principal

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amount of loans under the Term Loan Facility or amortization payments made prior to February 28, 2021, 3.25% and (b) thereafter, either (1) if Holdings has consummated an IPO the net cash proceeds of which have been used to repay the principal amount of the loans under the Term Loan Facility in an amount no less than $70.0 million, 5.75% or (2) otherwise, 6.00%.

The interest rates applicable to the loans under the Revolving Credit Facility (3.75% at December 31, 2020) are based on a rate of interest determined by reference to either (i) a base rate plus an applicable margin equal to 2.25% or (ii) a eurocurrency rate plus an applicable margin equal to 3.25%.

Guarantees and Security

The obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Shoals Intermediate Holdings and its wholly owned domestic subsidiaries other than certain immaterial subsidiaries and other excluded subsidiaries. The obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of Holdings’ and the other guarantors’ existing and future property and assets, including accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, general intangibles, intellectual property, investment property, other personal property, material owned real property, cash and proceeds of the foregoing.

Prepayments and Amortization

Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility may be voluntarily prepaid, at Shoals Holdings’ option, in whole, or in part, in each case without premium or penalty.

Loans under the Term Loan Facility may be voluntarily prepaid, at Holdings’ option, in whole, or in part, in each case without premium or penalty other than (i) a prepayment premium in an amount equal to (a) if such prepayment occurs prior to the first anniversary of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement Closing Date, a make-whole premium, (b) if such prepayment occurs on or after the first anniversary but prior to the second anniversary of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement Closing Date, 2.00% and (c) if such prepayment occurs on or after the second anniversary but prior to the third anniversary of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement Closing Date, 1.00% and (ii) with respect to prepayments in connection with an IPO, a change of control or a transformative disposition subject to certain exceptions and conditions, a prepayment premium equal to (a) if such prepayment occurs prior to the first anniversary of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement Closing Date, 2.00% and (b) if such prepayment occurs after the first anniversary of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement Closing Date but prior to the second anniversary of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement Closing Date, 1.00%.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding paragraph, in the event that, on or after December 30, 2020 but prior to February 28, 2021, Shoals Holdings makes any prepayment (including with respect to any acceleration) of any loans under the Term Loan Facility, Holdings shall pay a premium on such prepayments made up to $150.0 million of the principal amount of such loans prepaid in an amount equal to 7.50% multiplied by the principal amount of such loans prepaid, which, if applicable, shall be in lieu of any applicable prepayment premium set forth in the preceding paragraph or in the paragraph below; provided that no amortization payments or mandatory prepayments required under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement shall be subject to the prepayment premium set forth in this paragraph.

Additionally, after February 28, 2021 but prior to the second anniversary of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement Closing Date, up to $175.0 million of the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan Facility may be voluntarily prepaid upon the consummation of an IPO with proceeds from such IPO, subject to a prepayment premium in an amount equal to 1.00% in lieu of any applicable call protection premiums set forth in the second preceding paragraph.

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The Senior Secured Credit Agreement requires mandatory prepayments, but not permanent reductions of commitments thereunder, for excess cash flow, asset sales, subject to a right of reinvestment, and refinancing facilities.

The Term Loan Facility amortizes in equal quarterly installments in aggregate annual amounts equal to 1.00% per annum of the original principal amount of the loans funded thereunder. There is no scheduled amortization under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Restrictive Covenants and Other Matters

The Senior Secured Credit Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants that are customary for financings of this type, including covenants that restrict our incurrence of indebtedness, incurrence of liens, dispositions, investments, acquisitions, restricted payments, and transactions with affiliates.

The Senior Secured Credit Agreement also includes customary events of default, including the occurrence of a change of control.

The Revolving Credit Facility also includes a springing financial maintenance covenant that is tested on the last day of each fiscal quarter if the outstanding loans under the Revolving Credit Facility exceed 35% of the aggregate amount of commitments thereunder, subject to customary exclusions and conditions. If the financial maintenance covenant is triggered, Shoals Intermediate Holdings’ first lien net leverage ratio will be tested for compliance not to exceed 8.25 to 1.00.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all the required covenants.

Senior Debt

Intermediate and subsidiaries were party to a credit agreement (the “Senior Debt”) under which Holdings and its subsidiaries were borrowers and Intermediate was a guarantor. The debt was collateralized by all of the assets of the guarantor and borrowers. The amended agreement provided a term loan of $35 million and a revolving line of credit of $25 million.

On October 8, 2020, the Company paid the outstanding amount due on the term loan and settled all obligations with respect to the Senior Debt.

The Senior Debt provided for an interest rate to equal the Base Rate plus margin. The Base Rate charged is the highest rate of three defined methods as follows: 1) Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, 2) Fifth Third Bank N.A. Rate or 3) LIBOR Rate plus 1%. The Base Rate ranges from 1% to 2.5% depending on the EBITDA Rate calculation as defined in the Senior Debt (the “EBITDA Rate calculation”) for the Federal Funds Rate. The Base Rate for the LIBOR Rate ranges from 2% to 3.5% depending on the EBITDA Rate calculation.

Surety Bonds

The Company provides surety bonds to various parties as required for certain transactions initiated during the ordinary course of business to guarantee the Company’s performance in accordance with contractual or legal obligations. As of December 31, 2020, the maximum potential payment obligation with regard to surety bonds was $11.8 million.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Management Estimates

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”). The preparation of consolidated financial statements also requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, costs and expenses and related disclosures. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ significantly from the estimates made by our management. To the extent that there are differences between our estimates and actual results, our future financial statement presentation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows will be affected. We believe that the accounting policies discussed below are critical to understanding our historical and future performance, as these policies relate to the more significant areas involving management’s judgments and estimates. Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that we consider the most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations because they require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Revenue Recognition - 2020 and 2019

We recognized revenue from the sale of EBOS systems and components. We determine our revenue recognition through the following steps: (i) identification of the contract or contracts with a customer, (ii) identification of the performance obligations within the contract, (iii) determination of the transaction price, (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations within the contract, and (v) recognition of revenue as the performance obligation has been satisfied.

Our contracts with customers are predominately accounted for as one performance obligation, as the majority of the obligations under the contracts relate to single projects. For each contract entered into, we determine the transaction price based on the consideration expected to be received. The transaction price identified is allocated to each distinct performance obligation to deliver a good or service based on the relative standalone selling prices. We believe that the prices negotiated with each individual customer are representative of the stand-alone selling price of the product.

We recognize revenue over time as a result of the continuous transfer of control of our product to the customer using the output method based on units manufactured. This continuous transfer of control to the customer is supported by clauses in the contracts that provide rights to payment of the transaction price associated with work performed to date on products that do not have an alternative use to us. The accounting for each contract involves a process of estimating total sales, costs, and profit for each performance obligation. Cost of revenue is recognized based on the unit of production. The amount reported as revenue is determined by adding a proportionate amount of the estimated profit to the amount reported as cost of revenue. We believe that recognizing revenue using the output method based on units manufactured best depicts the extent of transfer of control to the customer. Certain contracts contain retainage provisions. Retainage represents a contract asset for the portion of the contract price earned by us for work performed but held for payment by the customer as a form of security until we reach specified milestones. We typically bill retainage amounts as work is performed. Retainage provisions are not considered a significant financing component because they are intended to protect the customer in the event that some or all of the obligations under the contract are not completed. We had outstanding retainage billings of $2.8 million and $1.5 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

We have elected to adopt certain practical expedients and exemptions as allowed under the new revenue recognition guidance such as (i) recording sales commissions as incurred because the amortization period is less than one year, (ii) excluding any collected sales tax amounts from the calculation of revenue, and (iii) accounting for shipping and handling activities that are incurred after the customer has obtained control of

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the product as fulfillment costs rather than a separate service provided to the customer for which consideration would need to be allocated.

Revenue Recognition - 2018

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized revenue net of returns and allowances when persuasive evidence of an arrangement existed; price was fixed and determinable; title and risk passed to its customers, which typically occurs upon shipment of its products; and collectability was reasonably assured.

Equity-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for equity grants to employees (Class C units) as equity-based compensation. The Class C units contain vesting provisions as defined in the agreement. Vested units do not forfeit upon termination and represent a residual interest in the Company. Equity-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date fair value and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, including those units with graded vesting with a corresponding credit to members’ equity. However, the amount of equity-based compensation at any date is at least equal to the portion of the grant date value of the award that is vested.

In May 2020, the Company issued 11,150,000 Class C units to certain employees of the Company of which approximately 77% were vested on the grant date. The fair value of such units was determined by management with the assistance of a third party valuation by considering a number of factors, including comparable companies, operating and financial performance, the lack of liquidity of the units, and general and industry specific economic outlook, amongst other factors. The grant date fair value of the Class C granted during 2020 was $0.74 per unit.

In November 2020, the Company modified the vesting period of the Class C units to immediately accelerate vesting of any unvested Class C units.

For the year ended December 31, 2020 the Company recognized $8.3 million in equity-based compensation. At December 31, 2020, the Company had no unrecognized compensation costs related to Class C units as a result of the November 2020 modification. There were no forfeitures during 2020.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories consist of raw materials. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is calculated using the weighted average cost method. Provisions are made to reduce excess or obsolete inventories to their estimated net realizable values.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk in the ordinary course of our business. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily a result of fluctuations in steel and aluminum prices and customer concentrations. We do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.

Concentrations of Major Customers

Our customers include EPCs, utilities, solar developers, and solar module manufacturers, but we derive the majority of our revenue from the sale of products to EPCs. Our EPC customers typically construct multiple

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projects for several different owners. For the year ended December 31, 2020, our largest customer and five largest customers constituted approximately 22% and 65% of total revenue, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2020, our two largest customers represented approximately 40% of revenue and were the only customers that constituted greater than 10% of total revenue. The loss of any one of our top five customers could have a material adverse effect on our financial conditions and results of operations. Further, our trade accounts receivable are from companies within the solar industry and, as such, we are exposed to normal industry credit risks. As of December 31, 2020, our largest customer and five largest customers constituted 14% and 55% of trade accounts receivable, respectively. We do not require collateral on our customers’ trade receivables. We continually evaluate our reserves for potential credit losses and establish reserves for such losses.

Commodity Price Risk

We are subject to risk from fluctuating market prices of certain commodity raw materials, including copper, that are used in our products. Prices of these raw materials may be affected by supply restrictions or other market factors from time to time, and we do not enter into hedging arrangements to mitigate commodity risk. Significant price changes for these raw materials could reduce our operating margins if we are unable to recover such increases from our customers and could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Interest Rate Risk

As of December 31, 2020, our long-term debt totaled $358.8 million. We have interest rate exposure with respect to the $358.8 million balance as it is all variable interest rate debt. A 100 basis point increase in interest rates would impact our expected annual interest expense for the next 12 months by approximately $3.6 million.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The financial statements required by this item are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K beginning on page F-1.

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

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include a report of management's assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting due to a transition period established by the SEC for newly public companies.

In addition, because we are an "emerging growth company" under the JOBS Act, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for so long as we are an emerging growth company.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

Not applicable.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Our Executive Officers and Board of Directors

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the individuals who serve as our executive officers and directors.

Name Age Position(s) Held

Jason Whitaker 41 Chief Executive Officer and Director

Dr. Philip Garton 60 Chief Financial Officer

John White 55 Chief Operating Officer

Alan Neal 60 Chief Technology Officer

Mehgan Peetz 38 General Counsel

Frank Cannova 30 Director

Brad Forth 55 Director*, Chairman

Peter Jonna 35 Director

Jason Lee 45 Director

Dean Solon 56 Director

Peter Wilver 61 Director*

———

*Our board of directors has determined that this director is independent under the standards of Nasdaq.

Jason Whitaker has been our Chief Technology Officer from October 2009 to September 2017, President and Chief Technology Officer from September 2017 to December 2019, and President and Chief Executive Officer from January 2020 to date. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Whitaker served as Co-Owner at Thunder Heart Performance Corp. with varying roles in Operations and Engineering between 1994 and 2009. Mr. Whitaker holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee

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Technological University. Mr. Whitaker was nominated to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive senior leadership experience and comprehensive knowledge of our business and perspective of our day-to-day operations.

Dr. Philip Garton joined the Company as Chief Financial Officer in December 2017 with more than 25 years of experience in senior financial roles at numerous global organizations. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Garton served as the Chief Financial Officer for several manufacturing and distribution companies, including JM Swank, LLC between 2016 and 2017 and Springs Window Fashions between 2009 and 2015. Dr. Garton is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. Dr. Garton holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Southern Methodist University, a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Southern Methodist University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Cornell University’s Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, and a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business.

John White joined the Company as our Chief Operating Officer in 2018. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. White served as Director of Manufacturing/Business Development at Synapse Wireless from 2008 until 2018, as Vice President of Engineering and Manufacturing Operations at Modular Process Technology from 2000 until 2008, as Senior Manager of Network & Storage and Director of Manufacturing and Director of US Field Service Engineering at Intergraph from 1994 until 2000, as Principal Application Engineer at Conner Peripherals from 1993 until 1994, as Director of Engineering/Operations at Disc & Tape Services from 1991 until 1993, as Senior Quality Engineer at Wang Laboratories from 1988 until 1991, and as Electrical Engineer at Disc Technology from 1986 until 1988. Mr. White holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Computer Science from the University of Lowell, and is also an inventor in 3 patents.

Alan Neal joined the Company as our Chief Technology Officer in November 2020. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Neal served as Engineer at Motorola GEG from 1983 until 1988, as Lead Software Product Engineer at Allen-Bradley from 1988 until 1990, as Engineering Manager at Cincinnati Milacron from 1990 until 1998, as Director of Engineering at Square D Schneider Electric from 1998 until 2004, as Division VP Engineering at Ametek from 2004 until 2009, as VP Engineering & Technology at Thomas & Betts from 2009 until 2017, as VP Engineering at Leviton Manufacturing Company from 2017 until 2019, and most recently, as Managing Director at Pinpoint Manufacturing Company from 2019 until November 2020. Mr. Neal holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from The Ohio State University, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from Arizona State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Duke University.

Mehgan Peetz joined the Company as our General Counsel in December 2020. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Peetz served as the Deputy General Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary at SmileDirectClub from August 2019 until December 2020 and as Commercial Counsel at Current, powered by GE, and GE Lighting from September 2015 to June 2019 (known as GE Lighting and Current, powered by GE, between September 2015 and March 2016). Prior to her service as in-house counsel, Ms. Peetz was an associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP from June 2008 to July 2014 and Ropes & Gray LLP from July 2014 to July 2015. Ms. Peetz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pre-Medical Studies and Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and a Doctor of Law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

Frank Cannova is a Vice President at Oaktree, where he is responsible for sourcing, executing and overseeing investments in leading companies in the energy, utility and industrials sectors for the Power Opportunities investment strategy at Oaktree. Mr. Cannova currently serves on the boards of Array

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Technologies and Renewable Energy Infrastructure Group. Mr. Cannova previously served on the board of directors of Contract Land Staff. Prior to joining Oaktree in 2015, Mr. Cannova was an associate in the private equity group of Sun Capital Partners, responsible for evaluating investments across the consumer, business services and industrial sectors. Mr. Cannova began his career as an investment banking analyst with Imperial Capital providing M&A and leveraged finance advisory services. Mr. Cannova received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from University of California, Los Angeles. Mr. Cannova was nominated to serve on our board of directors because of his expertise in the areas of finance and energy.

Brad Forth has been a Senior Advisor to Oaktree’s GFI Energy Group since 2016. Mr. Forth helps the team anticipate growth opportunities in the power, utility and energy sectors, and invest its capital in leading companies, helping management teams to accelerate the growth of their businesses. Mr. Forth has spent his entire career in the energy industry. Mr. Forth began his career as a design engineer at Power Measurement, Inc. in 1988, where he was responsible for pioneering research in the field of digital power metering and energy management systems. Mr. Forth remained at Power Measurement in various capacities for 18 years, the last nine as its Chief Executive Officer from 1999 to 2005. In 2006, Mr. Forth joined GFI Energy Group as a Partner until 2009. Mr. Forth was a Managing Director at Oaktree from 2009 to 2016. Mr. Forth was a former board member of Xantrex Technology, The Kirlin Group and OpTerra Energy Group, and a former board chair of GT Solar Incorporated, Turbine Generator Maintenance, Cannon Technologies, GoodCents and TenK Solar. Mr. Forth is currently a board member of Array Technologies, a publicly held solar tracking and solutions company. Mr. Forth received a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Victoria in Canada. Mr. Forth was winner of the 2002 Ernst and Young award for “Pacific Entrepreneur of the Year – Technology and Communications” and has been a member of Young Presidents’ Organization since 1998. Mr. Forth was nominated to serve as the chairman of our board of directors because of his expertise in the energy industry.

Peter Jonna has worked in Oaktree’s GFI Energy Group since 2013, where he is responsible for sourcing, executing and overseeing investments in leading companies in the energy, utility and industrials sectors. Mr. Jonna has been a Managing Director at Oaktree since January 2020. Mr. Jonna’s prior positions include serving as a Senior Vice President from July 2017 to January 2020 and as a Vice President from July 2015 to July 2017. Mr. Jonna presently serves on the boards of directors of: Building Infrastructure Solutions Group, a privately held building services company; Renewable Energy Infrastructure Group, a privately held renewable energy services company; Montrose Environmental Group, Inc., a publicly held environmental services company; Infrastructure & Energy Alternatives, Inc., a publicly held infrastructure construction company; and Array Technologies, a publicly held solar tracking and solutions company. Mr. Jonna previously served on the board of directors of Sterling Lumber Company. Prior to joining Oaktree, Mr. Jonna was an investment analyst in the Americas investment team of the UBS Infrastructure Asset Management strategy, investing directly in energy, power and transportation infrastructure assets. Mr. Jonna began his career as a project development engineer in Skanska’s Large Projects Group which focused on developing and constructing public private partnerships and infrastructure development projects. Mr. Jonna earned an M.S. in civil engineering from Stanford University and a B.S. in civil engineering from University of California, Los Angeles. Mr. Jonna was nominated to serve on our board of directors because of his expertise in the energy, utility and industrials sectors.

Jason Lee is a Managing Director and Co-portfolio Manager at Oaktree where he is responsible for managing the Power Opportunities investment strategy, focused on private equity investments in leading companies serving the energy and utility sectors. Mr. Lee is responsible for the overall management of the group and its investing activities, including setting investment strategy, sourcing and executing investment opportunities and board oversight of the group’s portfolio companies. Mr. Lee has worked at Oaktree since 2009. Mr. Lee currently serves on the boards of NAPEC and Array Technologies, a publicly held solar tracking and solutions company. Prior to Oaktree, Mr. Lee worked for a number of years as an executive in the

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perational management of several companies, some of which he co-founded, and has advised a number of companies and government organizations in the areas of entrepreneurial strategy, investments and finance. Mr. Lee began his career at J.P. Morgan’s technology, media and telecom investment banking practice. Mr. Lee received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.B.A. from the UCLA Anderson School of Management where he serves as a member of the finance faculty and teaches courses on corporate finance, entrepreneurship and private equity. Mr. Lee was nominated to serve on our board of directors because of his expertise in the areas of finance and energy.

Dean Solon founded Shoals Technologies Group in 1996. Mr. Solon was our Chief Executive Officer and president between November 1996 and December 2019. Mr. Solon has continued to be an employee and director of the Company in a founder capacity since stepping down as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Solon was nominated to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive solar energy and balance of systems experience, extensive senior leadership experience and comprehensive knowledge of our business and perspective of our day-to-day operations.

Peter Wilver joined the Company as a director in January 2021. Mr. Wilver was Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (“Thermo Fisher”), a leading provider of laboratory products and services, from August 2015 until his retirement in March 2017 and had previously spent 11 years as the Chief Financial Officer of Thermo Fisher (formerly Thermo Electron) from October 2004 until July 2015. Before joining Thermo Electron in 2000, Mr. Wilver held financial leadership roles at General Electric and Grimes Aerospace Company, and at Honeywell International, where he most recently served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the electronic materials business. Mr. Wilver currently serves on the Board of Directors of CIRCOR International, where he is a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees, and Evoqua Water Technologies, where he is Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee, and previously Tenet Healthcare, where he was a member of the Audit and Human Resources Committees. Mr. Wilver is a certified public accountant. Mr. Wilver’s qualifications to sit on the Board include his experience in strategic planning and business development as well as in leading the financial, accounting and investor relations functions of large, multi-national manufacturing companies. Mr. Wilver holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree (summa cum laude) in Accounting from The Ohio State University.

Corporate Governance

Board of Directors

Our board of directors consists of seven individuals, including one chairman, and one vacancy. Our board of directors has determined Brad Forth and Peter Wilver to be independent directors under the standards of Nasdaq.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors will be divided into three classes of directors, with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible, and with the directors serving three-year terms. Our board of directors is divided among the three classes as follows:

•Our class I director is Peter Wilver, while the other Class I seat is vacant. The Class I term will expire at the first annual meeting of stockholders.

•Our class II directors are Frank Cannova, Jason Lee and Jason Whitaker, and their terms will expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders.

•Our class III directors are Brad Forth, Dean Solon and Peter Jonna, and their terms will expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders.

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Our certificate of incorporation provides that any newly created directorship on our board of directors that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring in our board of directors may only be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by the stockholders). We also entered into a stockholders agreement with the Continuing Equity Owners and Oaktree which governs matters related to our corporate governance, rights to nominate and designate directors and additional matters.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Our board of directors has established audit, compensation, and nominating and corporate governance committees. The composition, duties and responsibilities of these committees are set forth below. Our board of directors may from time to time establish certain other committees to facilitate the management of the Company.

Audit Committee

The audit committee is responsible for, among other matters, (1) appointing, compensating, retaining, evaluating, terminating and overseeing our independent registered public accounting firm; (2) discussing with our independent registered public accounting firm its independence from us; (3) reviewing with our independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be reviewed by applicable auditing requirements; (4) approving all audit and permissible non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm; (5) overseeing the financial reporting process and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm the interim and annual financial statements that we file with the SEC; (6) reviewing and monitoring our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and (7) establishing procedures for the confidential anonymous submission of concerns regarding questionable accounting, internal controls, auditing and federal securities law matters.

Our audit committee consists of Peter Wilver, Brad Forth and Jason Lee, with Peter Wilver serving as chairman. Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and Nasdaq rules require us to have one independent audit committee member upon the listing of our Class A common stock on Nasdaq, a majority of independent directors within 90 days of the date of listing and all independent audit committee members within one year of the date of listing. We intend to comply with the independence requirements within the time periods specified. Presently, Peter Wilver and Brad Forth are independent audit committee members and our board of directors has determined that Peter Wilver is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by applicable SEC rules and has the requisite financial sophistication as defined under the applicable Nasdaq rules and regulations. The audit committee’s written charter is available on our website.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The compensation committee is responsible for, among other matters, (1) reviewing officer and executive compensation goals, policies, plans and programs; (2) reviewing and approving or recommending to our board of directors or the independent directors, as applicable, the compensation of our directors, Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers; (3) reviewing and approving employment agreements and other similar arrangements between us and our officers and other key executives; and (4) appointing and overseeing any compensation consultants.

Our compensation committee consists of Brad Forth, Peter Wilver and Peter Jonna, with Brad Forth serving as chairman. The composition of our compensation committee meets the requirements for independence under current rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq. Each member of the compensation

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committee is also a nonemployee director, as defined pursuant to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. The compensation committee’s written charter is available on our website.

Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee

The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for, among other matters, (1) identifying individuals qualified to become members of our board of directors, consistent with criteria approved by our board of directors; (2) overseeing the organization of our board of directors to discharge the board’s duties and responsibilities properly and efficiently; (3) developing and recommending to our board of directors a set of corporate governance guidelines and principles; and (4) reviewing and approving related person transactions.

Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Brad Forth, Peter Wilver and Peter Jonna, with Brad Forth serving as chairman. The composition of our nominating and corporate governance committee meets the requirements for independence under current rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq. The nominating and corporate governance committee’s written charter is available on our website.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We maintain a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions. A copy of the code is available on our website.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Our board of directors has adopted corporate governance guidelines in accordance with the corporate governance rules of the Nasdaq.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

We are currently considered an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act for purposes of the SEC’s executive compensation disclosure rules. Accordingly, we are required to provide a Summary Compensation Table and an Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table, as well as limited narrative disclosures regarding executive compensation for our last two completed fiscal years. Further, our reporting obligations extend only to the following “Named Executive Officers,” which are the individuals who served as principal executive officer and the next two most highly compensated executive officers at the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (the “2020 Fiscal Year”) and at the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (the “2019 Fiscal Year”).

Named Executive Officers for the 2020 Fiscal Year

Name Principal Position in 2020

Jason Whitaker Chief Executive Officer

Philip Garton Chief Financial Officer

Mehgan Peetz General Counsel

Named Executive Officers for the 2019 Fiscal Year

Name Principal Position in 2019

Dean Solon Chief Executive Officer

Jason Whitaker President

Philip Garton Chief Financial Officer

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Summary Compensation Table

The following table summarizes the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our Named Executive Officers for the 2019 Fiscal Year and 2020 Fiscal Year.

—–—–

(1) Mr. Solon ceased to be Chief Executive Officer as of December 31, 2019 and Mr. Whitaker was appointed Chief Executive Officer as of January 1, 2020.

(2) Amounts in this column reflect (i) the base salary earned by each Named Executive Officer in the 2019 Fiscal Year and 2020 Fiscal Year and (ii) for Messrs. Whitaker and Garton in the 2019 Fiscal Year, payments in the amount of $5,769 and $3,077, respectively, that were made in lieu of unused accrued paid vacation time.

(3) Amounts in this column reflect (i) with respect to the 2020 Fiscal Year, (a) discretionary bonuses paid to Messrs. Whitaker and Garton and (b) a signing bonus paid to Ms. Peetz and (ii) with respect to the 2019 Fiscal Year, discretionary bonuses paid to the Named Executive Officers. These discretionary bonuses were not based on any specific pre-established performance measures.

(4) Amounts reported in the “Option Awards” column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, of Class C Common Units of Shoals Parent granted to Messrs. Whitaker and Garton during the 2020 Fiscal Year that are held through Shoals Management Holdings LLC. The Class C Common Units represent membership interests in Shoals Parent that are intended to constitute profits interests for federal income tax purposes. Despite the fact that the Class C Common Units do not require the payment of an exercise price, they are most similar economically to stock options. Accordingly, they are classified as “options” under the definition provided in Item 402(a)(6)(i) of Regulation S-K as an instrument with an “option-like feature.” Please see Note 11 “Equity-Based Compensation” in the Shoals Parent consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding these awards.

(5) Amounts in this column reflect (i) in the case of Mr. Whitaker, the annual amount of his car lease payment paid by Shoals Technologies Group, LLC in the 2020 Fiscal Year and 2019 Fiscal Year and (ii) in the case of Mr. Garton, commuting expenses between his residence and our headquarters in Portland, Tennessee in the 2020 Fiscal Year and 2019 Fiscal Year.

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Narrative Disclosure to the Summary Compensation Table

Employment Agreements

In December 2020, the Company’s subsidiary, Shoals Technologies Group, LLC (the “Employer”), entered into employment agreements with each of the Named Executive Officers that memorialize each Named Executive Officer’s base salary, target bonus opportunity, paid vacation, reimbursement of reasonable business expenses and eligibility to participate in the Employer’s benefit plans generally.

Messrs. Whitaker’s and Garton’s and Ms. Peetz’s annualized base salaries as of January 1, 2021 are $435,000, $300,000 and $350,000, respectively, and, beginning in 2021, their target annual bonuses are 50%, 50% and 35%, respectively, of their annualized base salaries. The annual bonuses will be earned based on the achievement of performance targets established by the board of directors of Shoals Parent for each applicable calendar year. A portion of the annual bonus may be, at the discretion of the board of directors of Shoals Parent or a committee thereof, paid in the form of vested equity in the Company under the LTIP. Each Named Executive Officer will be eligible to receive awards under the LTIP on such terms and conditions as the board of directors of the Company or a committee thereof determines. In addition, Ms. Peetz was paid a one-time signing bonus of $200,000 and she received a one-time award of restricted stock units under the LTIP (the “Peetz RSUs”) with a grant date value of $1,500,000. A portion of the Peetz RSUs with a grant date value of $400,000 vested immediately upon grant. On each anniversary of the grant date, 25% of the remaining Peetz RSUs will vest subject to Ms. Peetz’s continued employment through each applicable vesting date.

Each employment agreement includes a “best-net” cutback provision that provides that, in the event any payments or benefits provided under the agreement or any other arrangement with the Employer or its affiliates constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, then such payments and/or benefits will either be (i) provided to the Named Executive Officer in full or (ii) reduced to the extent necessary to avoid the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, whichever results in the Named Executive Officer receiving a greater amount on an after-tax basis.

Each employment agreement provides for certain severance benefits upon a resignation by the Named Executive Officer for “good reason” or upon a termination by the Employer without “cause.” Please see the section entitled “Additional Narrative Disclosure—Potential Payments Upon Termination” below for more details regarding the severance benefits each Named Executive Officer is eligible to receive.

Long Term Incentive Compensation

Messrs. Whitaker and Garton have been granted long-term incentives in the form of Class C Common Units in Shoals Parent that are held through Shoals Management Holdings LLC. The Class C Common Units are intended to be profits interests for federal income tax purposes and represent the right to receive distributions from Shoals Parent after the members of Shoals Parent have received a return of their contributed capital. Whitaker and Garton hold LLC Interests through Shoals Management Holdings LLC.

Outstanding Equity Awards

The following table reflects information regarding outstanding equity-based awards held by Messrs. Whitaker and Garton as of December 31, 2020. Mr. Solon and Ms. Peetz did not hold any equity awards as of December 31, 2020.

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Option Awards (1)

—–—–

(1) The equity awards disclosed in this table are Class C Common Units in Shoals Parent LLC that are held by Messrs. Whitaker and Garton through Shoals Management Holdings LLC, which are intended to be profits interests for federal income tax purposes. Despite the fact that the Class C Common Units do not require the payment of an exercise price or have an option expiration date, we believe they are economically similar to stock options and, as such, they are reported in this table as “Option” awards. All of the outstanding Class C Common Units were fully vested upon November 2020 modification and are reflected as “Exercisable.”

(2) These equity awards are not traditional options, and therefore, there is no exercise price or option expiration date associated with them.

Additional Narrative Disclosure

Retirement Benefits

We have not maintained, and do not currently maintain, a defined benefit pension plan or nonqualified deferred compensation plan. We currently make available a retirement plan intended to provide benefits under Section 401(k) of the Code, pursuant to which employees, including the Named Executive Officers, can make voluntary pre-tax contributions, if eligible. We have historically not made any matching or other employer contributions to employees’ accounts under the plan. All contributions under the plan are subject to certain annual dollar limitations, which are periodically adjusted for changes in the cost of living. In 2021 we amended our retirement plan to a Traditional Safe Harbor Plan in which we make matching contributions intended to qualify under the Safe Harbor Rules of the Internal Revenue Service.

Potential Payments Upon Termination

The employment agreements for the Named Executive Officers provide that upon a termination of a Named Executive Officer’s employment by the Employer without “cause” or by the Named Executive Officer with “good reason,” each as defined therein, subject to the Named Executive Officer’s execution of a fully effective release of claims in favor of the Employer and continued compliance with applicable restrictive covenants, the Named Executive Officer is eligible to receive base salary continuation payments and payment or reimbursement of a portion of continuation coverage premiums under the Company’s group health plans pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 for 12 months (24 months for Mr. Whitaker). In addition, Ms. Peetz is entitled to immediate vesting of the number of Peetz RSUs equal to (A) the number of full calendar quarters that have elapsed since the last vesting date preceding the date of termination, divided by 16, multiplied by (B) the number of Peetz RSUs originally granted. The employment agreements include a perpetual confidentiality and intellectual property assignment covenants. In addition, the agreements prohibit the Named Executive Officers from, during the term of employment and for a period of 24

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months thereafter, (i) soliciting customers and employees of the Employer and its affiliates and (ii) competing against the Employer and its affiliates within certain geographical areas.

The employment agreements generally provide that “cause” means (i) the Named Executive Officer’s material breach of the employment agreement or any other agreement with the Employer or its affiliates, (ii) the Named Executive Officer’s breach of any policy or code of conduct established by the Employer or its affiliates, (iii) the Named Executive Officer’s violation of any law applicable to the workplace or the Employer or its affiliates (including any law regarding anti-discrimination, anti-harassment or anti-retaliation), (iv) the Named Executive Officer’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, theft or embezzlement that has or could reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the Employer or its affiliates, (v) the commission by the Named Executive Officer of, or conviction or indictment of the Named Executive Officer for, or plea of nolo contendere by the Named Executive Officer to, any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, or (vi) the Named Executive Officer’s willful failure or refusal to perform the Named Executive Officer’s duties or to follow any lawful directive from the Employer or the board of directors of Shoals Parent, subject to a 30-day cure right, if curable. The employment agreements generally provide that “good reason” means, subject to certain notice and cure conditions, (i) a material diminution in the Named Executive Officer’s base salary or authority, duties and responsibilities or (ii) the relocation of the Named Executive Officer’s principal place of employment by more than 50 miles.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

In order to incentivize our employees, our board of directors adopted a new long-term incentive plan (the “LTIP”) for employees, consultants and directors. Our Named Executive Officers are eligible to participate in the LTIP which provides for the grant of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock awards, dividend equivalents, other stock-based awards, cash awards, Shoals Parent awards and substitute awards intended to align the interests of service providers, including our Named Executive Officers, with those of our stockholders.

Subject to adjustment in the event of certain transactions or changes of capitalization in accordance with the LTIP, a number of shares of Class A common stock (including such number of Shoals Parent units that can be exchanged or converted into shares of Class A common stock) equal to 5% of the number shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding at the closing of our IPO (on a fully diluted basis) were reserved for issuance pursuant to awards under the LTIP. The total number of shares reserved for issuance under the LTIP will be increased on January 1 of each of the first 10 calendar years during the term of the LTIP, by the lesser of (i) a number of shares of Class A common stock equal to 5% of the total number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding on each December 31 immediately prior to the date of increase or (ii) such number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock determined by our board of directors or compensation committee.

Director Compensation

We did not have any nonemployee directors who received compensation for their service on our board of directors and committees of our board of directors during 2020.

After the completion of our IPO, our nonemployee directors became eligible to receive compensation for their service on our board of directors consisting of an annual cash retainer and grant of fully-vested stock pursuant to the LTIP. The nonemployee directors who are employees of Oaktree have agreed or are otherwise obligated to transfer all or a portion of the compensation they receive for their service as directors to Oaktree. Each nonemployee director receives an annual cash retainer of $50,000, paid in four equal quarterly installments and prorated for any partial year of service on our board of directors. In addition, we expect that our nonemployee directors will receive an annual grant of fully vested stock with an aggregate grant date value

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of $150,000, plus the amounts set forth in the table below for their service on various committees, except that Brad Forth, the chairman of our board of directors, will receive an annual grant of fully vested stock with an aggregate grant date value of $450,000 without any additional amounts for his service on any committees. In recognition of his efforts to help consummate the IPO and in establishing the board of directors and it committees, Mr. Forth also received a grant of 375,000 restricted stock units that vest in equal installments over a period of four years, subject to the terms of the LTIP and the award agreement pursuant to which the restricted stock units were granted. Peter Wilver received a one-time award of restricted stock units that vest after one year with an aggregate grant date value of $100,000 upon the consummation of the IPO for his efforts in establishing the board of directors and its committees.

Committee/Role Grant Date Value ($)

Audit Committee:

Compensation Committee:

Committee Member $ 7,000

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee:

Committee Member $ 7,000

Our directors are reimbursed for travel, food, lodging and other expenses directly related to their activities as directors. Our directors are also entitled to the protection provided by the indemnification provisions in our bylaws. Our board of directors may revise the compensation arrangements for our directors from time to time.

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

Beneficial Ownership Information

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock as of March 1, 2021 with respect to:

•each person known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our Class A common stock or our Class B common stock;

•each member of our board of directors and each named executive officer; and

•the members of our board of directors and our named executive officers as a group.

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe, based on the information furnished to us, that each person or entity named in the table below has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock that he, she or it beneficially owns, subject to applicable community property laws.

Except as otherwise noted below, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the table below is c/o Shoals Technologies Group, Inc., 1400 Shoals Way, Portland, Tennessee 37148.

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Name of Beneficial Owner Shares % Shares % %

5% Stockholders:

Oaktree Power Opportunities Fund IV 4,977,751 5.3 % — — 3.0 %

Named Executive Officers and Directors:

Mehgan Peetz(5) 16,000 — % — — — %

Frank Cannova — — — — —

Peter Jonna — — — — —

Jason Lee — — — — —

Peter Wilver — — — — —

—–—–

(1) Represents the percentage of voting power of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock voting as a single class. Each share of Class A common stock entitles the registered holder to one vote per share, and each share of Class B common stock entitles the registered holder thereof to one vote per share on all matters presented to stockholders for a vote generally, including the election of directors. The Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote as a single class on all matters except as required by law or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

(2) Oaktree Power Opportunities Fund IV (Delaware) Holdings, L.P. (the “Selling Stockholder”) is beneficially owned by Oaktree Power Opportunities Fund IV, L.P. (the “Main Fund”) and Oaktree Power Opportunities Fund IV (Parallel), L.P. (the “Parallel Fund” and, together with the Main Fund, the “Oaktree Funds”), and is controlled by its general partner, Oaktree Fund GP, LLC. Oaktree Fund GP, LLC is in turn an affiliate of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“OCM”), which is the investment manager of each of the Oaktree Funds. As a result, each of the Oaktree Funds and OCM may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the Selling Stockholder. OCM’s asset management business is indirectly controlled by Oaktree Capital Group, LLC, or “OCG,” and Atlas OCM Holdings LLC, or “Atlas OCM.” As of November 9, 2020, approximately 61.8% of OCM’s business is indirectly owned by Brookfield Asset Management, Inc. (“Brookfield”) and the remaining approximately 38.2% is ultimately owned by current and former OCM executives and employees. Brookfield’s ownership interest in OCM’s business is held through OCG, Atlas OCM and other holding entities. Partners Limited is the sole owner of Class B limited voting shares of Brookfield. The current and former OCM executives and employees hold their interests through a separate entity, Oaktree Capital Group Holdings, L.P. The board of directors of OCG and of Atlas OCM is currently comprised of: (i) five Oaktree senior executives, Howard S. Marks, Bruce A. Karsh, Jay S. Wintrob, John B. Frank, and Sheldon M. Stone; (ii) three independent directors, Stephen J. Gilbert, D. Richard Masson, and Marna C. Whittington; and (iii) two Brookfield senior executives, Justin B. Beber and J. Bruce Flatt. The

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Oaktree Funds, OCM, OCG, Atlas OCM and Brookfield and all such individuals expressly disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares held by the Selling Stockholder, except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interests therein. The address for OCM and Messrs. Marks, Karsh, Wintrob, Frank and Stone is c/o Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., 333 South Grand Avenue, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071. For more information, see “Organizational Structure” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—History of Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. and Partnership with Oaktree and Dean Solon.”

(3) Consists of 2,150,950 shares of Class B common stock held by Shoals Management Holdings LLC. Shoals Management Holdings LLC is controlled by its sole manager, Shoals Parent. Mr. Whitaker is the Chief Executive Officer of Shoals Parent and serves on the board of directors of Shoals Parent. As such, Mr. Whitaker may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by Shoals Management Holdings LLC.

(4) Consists of 1,290,570 shares of Class B common stock held by Shoals Management Holdings LLC. Shoals Management Holdings LLC is controlled by its sole manager, Shoals Parent. Dr. Garton is the Chief Financial Officer of Shoals Parent. As such, Dr. Garton may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by Shoals Management Holdings LLC.

(5) Consists of 16,000 restricted stock units.

(6) Consists of 183,063 shares of Class B common stock held by Shoals Management Holdings LLC. Shoals Management Holdings LLC is controlled by its sole manager, Shoals Parent. Mr. Forth serves on the board of directors of Shoals Parent. As such, Mr. Forth may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by Shoals Management Holdings LLC.

(7) Consists of (i) 630,806 shares of Class B common stock held by Dean Solon, (ii) 20,816,592 shares of Class B common stock held by Solon Holdco I, GP and (iii) 41,633,184 shares of Class B common stock held by Solon Holdco II, GP. Each of Solon Holdco I, GP and Solon Holdco II, GP is controlled by its managing partner, Mr. Solon. As a result, Mr. Solon may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by Solon Holdco I, GP and Solon Holdco II, GP.

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

The following is a summary of transactions to which we are a party in which the amount involved exceeded or exceeds $120,000 and in which any of our directors, executive officers, holders of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than compensation arrangements with directors and executive officers, which are described under “Executive Compensation” and “Management—New Director Compensation Program.”

History of Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. and Partnership with Oaktree and Dean Solon

Dean Solon founded the business of the Company in 1996. On May 25, 2017, Oaktree purchased a majority of the ownership of Parent from Dean Solon. Dean Solon continues to hold a significant majority of the minority shareholding of the Company. Although Dean Solon is no longer involved in the day-to-day operations of the Company, he is a member of the board of directors of Parent, a member of the Company’s board of directors and participates with Oaktree in the overall leadership of the Company’s business.

Shoals Parent LLC Agreement

In connection with the IPO, Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. and the Continuing Equity Owners entered into the third amended and restated limited liability company agreement of Shoals Parent, the form of which is

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filed as an exhibit to this 10-K. Certain of our directors, executive officers, and beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of our capital stock are Continuing Equity Owners and thus are parties to the Shoals Parent LLC Agreement.

As a result of the Organizational Transactions, including the entry into the Shoals Parent Agreement, we hold LLC Interests in Shoals Parent and are the sole manager of Shoals Parent. Accordingly, we operate and control all of the business and affairs of Shoals Parent and, through Shoals Parent and its operating subsidiaries, conduct our business.

As the sole manager of Shoals Parent, Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. has the right to determine when distributions will be made to the unit holders of Shoals Parent and the amount of any such distributions (subject to the requirements with respect to the tax distributions described below). If Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. authorizes a distribution, such distribution will be made to the holders of LLC Interests, including Shoals Technologies Group, Inc., pro rata in accordance with their respective ownership of Shoals Parent, provided that Shoals Technologies, Inc. as sole manager will be entitled to non-pro rata distributions for certain fees and expenses.

Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. is a holding company and its principal asset are a controlling equity interest in Shoals Parent. As such, Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. has no independent means of generating revenue. Shoals Parent is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, as such, will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Instead, taxable income will be allocated to holders of LLC Interests, including Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. Accordingly, Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. will incur income taxes on its allocable share of any net taxable income of Shoals Parent and also incur expenses related to its operations. Pursuant to the Shoals Parent Agreement, Shoals Parent will make cash distributions to the owners of LLC Interests in an amount sufficient to fund their tax obligations in respect of the cumulative taxable income in excess of the cumulative taxable losses of Shoals Parent that is allocated to them, each as determined by applying certain assumptions, to the extent cash is available to fund such distributions and previous tax distributions from Shoals Parent have been insufficient. In addition to tax expenses, Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. will also incur expenses related to its operations, plus payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement, which may be significant. Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. intends to cause Shoals Parent to make distributions or, in the case of certain expenses, payments in an amount sufficient to allow Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. to pay its taxes and operating expenses, including distributions to fund any ordinary course payments due under the Tax Receivable Agreement.

The Shoals Parent Agreement generally does not permit transfers of LLC Interests by Continuing Equity Owners, except for transfers to permitted transferees, transfers pursuant to the redemption right described below, transfers approved in writing by us, as sole manager, and other limited exceptions. In the event of a permitted transfer, such Continuing Equity Owner will be required to simultaneously transfer shares of Class B common stock to such transferee equal to the number of LLC Interests that were transferred. The Shoals Parent Agreement also provides that, as a general matter, an Continuing Equity Owner will not have the right to transfer LLC Interests if Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. determines that such transfer would be prohibited by law or regulation, would violate other agreements with Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. to which the Continuing Equity Owner may be subject, or would cause or increase the possibility for Shoals Parent to be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

As described in further detail below, the Continuing Equity Owners may from time to time (subject to the terms of the Shoals Parent Agreement) exercise a right to require redemption of LLC Interests in exchange for cash or, at our election, shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. We may alternatively acquire such LLC Interests for shares of our Class A common stock or cash in connection with any exercise of

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such right. We intend to treat such acquisitions of LLC Interests as direct purchases of LLC Interests from the Continuing Equity Owners for U.S. federal income and other applicable tax purposes. Shoals Parent (and each of its subsidiaries classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) intends to have in place an election under Section 754 of the Code effective for each taxable year in which an exchange of LLC Interests for Class A common stock or cash occurs. As a result, an exchange of LLC Interests is expected to result in (1) an increase in our proportionate share of the existing tax basis of the assets of Shoals Parent and its flow-through subsidiaries and (2) an adjustment in the tax basis of the assets of Shoals Parent and its flow-through subsidiaries reflected in that proportionate share (“Basis Adjustments”).

Any increases in our share of tax basis as a result of the purchase of LLC Interests or LLC Interest exchanges will generally have the effect of reducing the amounts that we would otherwise be obligated to pay thereafter to various tax authorities. Such basis increases may also decrease gains (or increase losses) on future dispositions of certain assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those assets.

The Shoals Parent Agreement provides a redemption right to the Continuing Equity Owners which entitles them to have their LLC Interests redeemed for, at our election (determined solely by a majority of our directors who are disinterested), newly-issued shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis or a cash payment equal to a volume weighted average market price of one share of Class A common stock for each LLC interest so redeemed, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Shoals Parent Agreement; provided that, at our election (determined solely by a majority of our directors who are disinterested), we may effect a direct exchange by Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. of such Class A common stock or such cash, as applicable, for such LLC Interests. The Continuing Equity Owners may exercise such redemption right, subject to certain exceptions, for as long as their LLC Interests remain outstanding. In connection with the exercise of the redemption or exchange of LLC Interests (1) the Continuing Equity Owners will be required to surrender a number of shares of our Class B common stock registered in the name of such redeeming or exchanging Continuing Equity Owner, and therefore, will be transferred to the Company and will be canceled for no consideration on a one-for-one basis with the number of LLC Interests so redeemed or exchanged and (2) all redeeming members will surrender LLC Interests to Shoals Parent for cancellation.

Each Continuing Equity Owner’s exchange and redemption rights are subject to certain customary limitations, including the expiration of any contractual lockup period relating to the shares of our Class A common stock that may be applicable to such Continuing Equity Owner and the absence of any liens or encumbrances on such LLC Interests redeemed. Additionally, in the case we elect a cash settlement, such Continuing Equity Owner may rescind its redemption request within a specified period of time. Moreover, in the case of a settlement in Class A common stock, such redemption may be conditioned on the closing of an underwritten distribution of the shares of Class A common stock that may be issued in connection with such proposed redemption. In the case of a settlement in Class A common stock, such Continuing Equity Owner may also revoke or delay its redemption request if the following conditions exist: (1) any registration statement pursuant to which the resale of the Class A common stock to be registered for such Continuing Equity Owner at or immediately following the consummation of the redemption shall have ceased to be effective pursuant to any action or inaction by the SEC or no such resale registration statement has yet become effective; (2) we failed to cause any related prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement necessary to effect such redemption; (3) we exercised our right to defer, delay or suspend the filing or effectiveness of a registration statement and such deferral, delay or suspension shall affect the ability of such Continuing Equity Owner to have its Class A common stock registered at or immediately following the consummation of the redemption; (4) such Continuing Equity Owner is in possession of any material non-public information concerning us, the receipt of which results in such Continuing Equity Owner being prohibited or restricted from selling Class A common stock at or immediately following the redemption without disclosure of such information (and we do not permit disclosure); (5) any stop order relating to the registration statement pursuant to which

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the Class A common stock was to be registered by such Continuing Equity Owner at or immediately following the redemption shall have been issued by the SEC; (6) there shall have occurred a material disruption in the securities markets generally or in the market or markets in which the Class A common stock is then traded; (7) there shall be in effect an injunction, a restraining order or a decree of any nature of any governmental entity that restrains or prohibits the redemption; (8) we shall have failed to comply in all material respects with our obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, and such failure shall have affected the ability of such Continuing Equity Owner to consummate the resale of the Class A common stock to be received upon such redemption pursuant to an effective registration statement; or (9) the redemption date would occur three business days or less prior to, or during, a black-out period.

The Shoals Parent Agreement requires that in the case of a redemption by a Continuing Equity Owner we contribute cash or shares of our Class A common stock, as applicable, to Shoals Parent in exchange for an amount of newly-issued LLC Interests that will be issued to us equal to the number of LLC Interests redeemed from the Continuing Equity Owner. Shoals Parent will then distribute the cash or shares of our Class A common stock, as applicable, to such Continuing Equity Owner to complete the redemption. In the event of a redemption request by a Continuing Equity Owner, we may, at our option, effect a direct exchange by Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. of cash or our Class A common stock, as applicable, for such LLC Interests in lieu of such a redemption. Whether by redemption or exchange, we are obligated to ensure that at all times the number of LLC Interests that we own equals the number of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock (subject to certain exceptions for treasury shares and shares underlying certain convertible or exchangeable securities).

We may impose additional restrictions on exchanges or redemptions that we determine to be necessary or advisable so that Shoals Parent is not treated as a “publicly traded partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a holder exchanges LLC Interests and Class B common stock for shares of Class A common stock or a redemption transaction is effected, the number of LLC Interests held by Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. is correspondingly increased as it acquires the exchanged LLC Interests or funds the redemption transaction, and a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock are cancelled.

The Shoals Parent Agreement also requires that Shoals Parent take actions with respect to its LLC Interests, including issuances, reclassifications, distributions, divisions, or recapitalizations, such that (i) we at all times maintain a ratio of one LLC Interest owned by us, directly or indirectly, for each share of Class A common stock issued by us, and (ii) Shoals Parent at all times maintains (a) a one-to-one ratio between the number of shares of Class A common stock issued by us and the number of LLC Interests owned by us and (b) a one-to-one ratio between the number of shares of Class B common stock owned by the Continuing Equity Owners and the number of LLC Interests owned by the Continuing Equity Owners. As such, in certain circumstances we, as sole manager, have the authority to take all actions such that, after giving effect to all issuances, transfers, deliveries, or repurchases, the number of outstanding LLC Interests we own equals, on a one-to-one basis, the number of outstanding shares of Class A common stock.

This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the form of Shoals Parent Agreement, a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to this 10-K.

Tax Receivable Agreement

We are parties to a tax receivable agreement with our Founder and Oaktree (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”). The Tax Receivable Agreement provides for the payment by us to our Founder and Oaktree, collectively, of 85% of the amount of tax benefits, if any, that we actually realize, or in some circumstances are deemed to realize, as a result of (i) Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.’s allocable share of existing tax basis acquired in connection with the Transactions (including Blocker’s share of existing tax basis) and increases to

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such allocable share of existing tax basis, (ii) certain increases in the tax basis of assets of Shoals Parent and its subsidiaries resulting from purchases or exchanges of LLC Interests and (iii) certain other tax benefits related to our entering into the Tax Receivable Agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments that we make under the Tax Receivable Agreement (collectively, the “Tax Attributes”). The payment obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement are not conditioned upon any LLC Interest holder maintaining a continued ownership interest in us or Shoals Parent and the rights of our Founder and Oaktree under the Tax Receivable Agreement are assignable. We expect to benefit from the remaining 15% of the tax benefits, if any, that we may actually realize.

For purposes of the Tax Receivable Agreement, the tax benefit deemed realized by us will generally be computed by comparing our actual cash income tax liability to the amount of such taxes that we would have been required to pay had there been no Tax Attributes; provided that, for purposes of determining the tax benefit with respect to state and local income taxes, we will use simplifying assumptions. The Tax Receivable Agreement will generally apply to each of our taxable years, beginning with the taxable year that the Tax Receivable Agreement is entered into. There is no maximum term for the Tax Receivable Agreement and the Tax Receivable Agreement will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired unless we exercise our right to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement for an agreed-upon amount equal to the estimated present value of the remaining payments to be made under the agreement (calculated with certain assumptions, including as to utilization of the Tax Attributes).

The actual Tax Attributes, as well as any amounts paid to our Founder and Oaktree under the Tax Receivable Agreement, will vary depending on a number of factors, including:

•the timing of any future exchanges—for instance, the increase in any tax deductions will vary depending on the fair value, which may fluctuate over time, of the depreciable or amortizable assets of Shoals Parent and its flow-through subsidiaries at the time of each exchange;

•the price of shares of our Class A common stock at the time of any future exchanges—the Basis Adjustments are directly related to the price of shares of our Class A common stock at the time of future exchanges;

•the extent to which such exchanges are taxable—if an exchange is not taxable for any reason, increased tax deductions as a result of the Section 754 election mentioned above will not be available to generate payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement;

•the amount and timing of our income—the Tax Receivable Agreement generally will require us to pay 85% of the tax benefits as and when those benefits are treated as realized by us under the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement. If we do not have taxable income in a particular taxable year, we generally will not be required (absent a change of control or other circumstances requiring an early termination payment) to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement for that taxable year because no tax benefits will have been actually realized. Nevertheless, any tax benefits that do not result in realized tax benefits in a given taxable year will likely generate tax attributes that may be utilized to generate tax benefits in future (and possibly previous) taxable years. The utilization of any such tax attributes will result in payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement; and

•applicable tax rates—the tax rates in effect at the time a tax benefit is recognized.

The payment obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement are obligations of Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. and not of Shoals Parent. Although the actual timing and amount of any payments that may be made under the Tax Receivable Agreement will vary, we expect that the aggregate payments that we will be required to make to our Founder and Oaktree will be substantial. Any payments made by us under the Tax Receivable Agreement will generally reduce the amount of overall cash flow that might have otherwise been

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available to us or to Shoals Parent, and to the extent that we are unable to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement for any reason, the unpaid amounts will be deferred and will accrue interest until paid by us. We anticipate funding ordinary course payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement from cash flow from operations of Shoals Parent and its subsidiaries, borrowings under the New Senior Secured Credit Agreement and/or available cash.

We expect that the aggregate payments that we may make under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be substantial. Assuming no material changes in the relevant tax law, and that we earn sufficient taxable income to realize all tax benefits that are subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement, we expect that future payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement to range over the next 15 years from approximately $2.2 million to $3.5 million per year based upon the redemptions in the IPO and Merger. Future payments in respect of subsequent exchanges or financing would be in addition to these amounts and are expected to be substantial. The foregoing numbers are merely estimates—the actual payments could differ materially. It is possible that future transactions or events could increase or decrease the actual tax benefits realized and the corresponding Tax Receivable Agreement payments. There may be a material negative effect on our liquidity if, as a result of timing discrepancies or otherwise, the payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement exceed the actual benefits we realize in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement and/or distributions to Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. by Shoals Parent are not sufficient to permit Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement after it has paid taxes.

The Tax Receivable Agreement generally provides that if (1) certain mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combination, or other changes of control were to occur; (2) we materially breach any of our material obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement; or (3) we elect an early termination of the Tax Receivable Agreement, then the Tax Receivable Agreement will terminate, and our obligations, or our successor’s obligations, under the Tax Receivable Agreement will accelerate and become due and payable, based on certain assumptions, including an assumption that we would have sufficient taxable income to fully utilize all potential future tax benefits that are subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement and, to the extent applicable, that any LLC Interests that have not been exchanged are deemed exchanged for the fair market value of our Class A common stock at the time of termination.

As a result of a change of control, material breach, or our election to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement early, (1) we could be required to make cash payments to our Founder and Oaktree that are greater than the specified percentage of the actual benefits we ultimately realize in respect of the tax benefits that are subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement and (2) we generally will be required to make an immediate cash payment equal to the present value of the anticipated future tax benefits that are the subject of the Tax Receivable Agreement, which payment may be made significantly in advance of the actual realization, if any, of such future tax benefits. In these situations, our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing certain mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combination, or other changes of control. There can be no assurance that we will be able to finance our obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will be based on the tax reporting positions that we determine. Although we are not aware of any issue that would cause the IRS to challenge a tax basis increase, we will not be reimbursed for any cash payments previously made to our Founder and Oaktree pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement if any tax benefits initially claimed by us are subsequently disallowed, in whole or in part, by the IRS or other applicable taxing authority. For example, if the IRS later asserts that we did not obtain a tax basis increase, among other potential challenges, then we would not be reimbursed for any cash payments previously made to our Founder and Oaktree pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement with respect to such tax benefits that we had initially claimed. Instead, any excess cash payments made by us

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pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement will be netted against any future cash payments that we might otherwise be required to make under the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement. Nevertheless, any tax benefits initially claimed by us may not be disallowed for a number of years following the initial time of such payment or, even if challenged early, such excess cash payment may be greater than the amount of future cash payments that we might otherwise be required to make under the terms of the Tax Receivable Agreement. Accordingly, there may not be sufficient future cash payments against which to net. The applicable U.S. federal income tax rules are complex, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will not disagree with our tax reporting positions. As a result, it is possible that we could make cash payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement that are substantially greater than our actual cash tax savings.

Under the Tax Receivable Agreement, we are required to provide Oaktree (or its successor) with a schedule setting forth the calculation of payments that are due under the Tax Receivable Agreement with respect to each taxable year in which a payment obligation arises within ninety (90) days after filing our U.S. federal income tax return for such taxable year. This calculation will be based upon the advice of our tax advisors. Payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement will generally be made within five (5) days after this schedule becomes final pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement, although interest on such payments will begin to accrue at a rate of LIBOR plus 100 basis points per annum from the due date (without extensions) of such tax return. Any late payments that may be made under the Tax Receivable Agreement will continue to accrue interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 500 basis points per annum until such payments are made, generally including any late payments that we may subsequently make because we did not have enough available cash to satisfy our payment obligations at the time at which they originally arose.

This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the form of Tax Receivable Agreement, a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to this 10-K.

Other Related Party Transactions

George Solon and Valerie Solon, brother and sister of our Founder, respectively, are each employed by Shoals Technologies Group, LLC, a Tennessee limited liability company and one of our subsidiaries. George Solon serves as the facilities manager of Shoals Technologies Group, LLC and Shoals Technologies, LLC, one of our subsidiaries (“Shoals Technologies”), and received an annual base salary of $100,000 for the 2019 calendar year and $100,000 for the 2020 calendar year for services rendered and a grant of 7,863 restricted stock units that vest in equal installments over a period of four years, subject to the terms of the LTIP and the award agreement pursuant to which the restricted stock units are granted. During the 2020 Fiscal Year, George Solon was granted Class C Common Units of Shoals Parent that are held through Shoals Management Holdings LLC with an aggregate grant date fair value of $1,100,000, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Please see Note 11 “Equity-Based Compensation” in the Shoals Parent consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding this award. Valerie Solon serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of Shoals Technologies Group, LLC and Shoals Technologies, LLC and received an annual base salary of $100,000 for the 2019 calendar year and $100,000 for the 2020 calendar year. In addition, Valerie Solon received a bonus of $700,000 during the 2020 calendar year for services rendered and a grant of 467,154 restricted stock units that vest in equal installments over a period of four years, subject to the terms of the LTIP and the award agreement pursuant to which the restricted stock units are granted.

Stockholders Agreement

We are party to a stockholders agreement with the Continuing Equity Owners and Oaktree (the “Stockholders Agreement”). The Stockholders’ Agreement governs matters related to our corporate governance, rights to nominate and designate directors and additional matters.

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The Stockholders Agreement provides that for so long as Oaktree owns at least 20% of the outstanding equity securities of the Company that are not shares of our Class A common stock awarded under the LTIP or other incentive equity plan (the “Plan Shares”), Oaktree is entitled to nominate three directors for election to our board of directors; for so long as Oaktree owns at least 15% but less than 20% of the outstanding equity securities of the Company that are not Plan Shares, Oaktree is entitled to nominate two directors for election to our board of directors; and for so long as Oaktree owns at least 10% but less than 15% of the outstanding equity securities of the Company that are not Plan Shares, Oaktree is entitled to nominate one director for election to our board of directors. The Stockholders Agreement also provides that for so long as the Founder owns at least 10% of the outstanding equity securities of the Company that are not Plan Shares, the Founder is entitled to nominate one director for election to our board of directors.

Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, the Company will use its best efforts to cause the election of the slate of nominees recommended by our board of directors which, subject to the fiduciary duties of the directors, will include the persons nominated by Oaktree and the Founder in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement. Subject to the terms of the Stockholders Agreement, the Continuing Equity Owners and Oaktree agree to vote their shares in favor of the election of the director nominees designated by Oaktree and the Founder.

At the current ownership levels, as of March 12, 2021, Oaktree is not entitled to nominate any director and the Founder is entitled to nominate one director for election to our board of directors. The Founder currently serves on our board of directors as the initial designee of the Founder. The size of our board of directors is currently eight, consisting of seven individuals, including one as chairman, and one vacancy. One board seat will remain vacant. In the event that an Oaktree designee or the Founder designee ceases to serve as a director, Oaktree or the Founder, as applicable, will be entitled to designate another nominee to fill the resulting vacancy.

The Stockholders’ Agreement will terminate as it relates to each stockholder at such time as such stockholder ceases to own any equity securities of the Company, except for the rights that will survive cessation of ownership of equity securities, including the rights of Oaktree and the Founder under the Registration Rights Agreement. For a description of the Registration Rights Agreement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement.”

This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of our form of Stockholders Agreement, a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to this 10-K.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws indemnify our directors and officers to the full extent permitted by the DGCL and our certificate of incorporation also allows our board of directors to indemnify other employees. This indemnification extends to the payment of judgments in actions against officers and directors and to reimbursement of amounts paid in settlement of such claims or actions and may apply to judgments in favor of the corporation or amounts paid in settlement to the corporation. This indemnification also extends to the payment of attorneys’ fees and expenses of officers and directors in suits against them where the officer or director acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. This right of indemnification is not exclusive of any right to which the officer or director may be entitled as a matter of law and shall extend and apply to the estates of deceased officers and directors.

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We maintain a directors’ and officers’ insurance policy. The policy insures directors and officers against unindemnified losses arising from certain wrongful acts in their capacities as directors and officers and reimburses us for those losses for which we have lawfully indemnified the directors and officers. The policy contains various exclusions that are normal and customary for policies of this type.

We believe that the limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and insurance policies are necessary to attract and retain qualified directors and officers. However, these provisions may discourage derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and other stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers as required or allowed by these limitation of liability and indemnification provisions.

We are party to customary indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors that provide them, in general, with customary indemnification in connection with their service to us or on our behalf.

Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

The audit committee of our board of directors has primary responsibility for reviewing and approving transactions with related parties. Our audit committee charter provides that the audit committee shall review and approve in advance any related party transactions.

We have a formal written policy providing that our executive officers, directors, nominees for election as directors, beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of our voting stock, any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons, and any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed, is a general partner or principal or in a similar position, or in which such person has a 5% or greater beneficial ownership interest, is not permitted to enter into a related party transaction with us without the consent of our audit committee, subject to the exceptions described below. In approving or rejecting any such proposal, our audit committee is to consider the relevant facts and circumstances available and deemed relevant to our audit committee, including whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction. Our audit committee is expected to determine that certain transactions will not require audit committee approval, including certain employment arrangements of executive officers, director compensation, transactions with another company at which a related party’s only relationship is as a non-executive employee or beneficial owner of less than 5% of that company’s shares, transactions where a related party’s interest arises solely from the ownership of our common stock and all holders of our common stock received the same benefit on a pro rata basis, and transactions available to all employees generally.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Audit and Other Fee Information

Set forth below is a summary of certain fees paid to BDO USA, LLP for services related to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

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(in thousands of dollars)

Audit related fees —

All other fees —

Audit Fees

Audit fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for (a) the audit of our annual financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, (b) the filing of our registration statements for equity securities offerings, (c) services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those years, and (d) accounting consultations.

Audit Related Fees

None

Tax Fees

Tax fees consisted of services provided for income tax consulting and compliance.

All Other Fees

None

Audit committee policies & procedures

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors approves in advance all services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. All engagements of our independent registered public accounting firm in years ended 2020 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibit and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)(1) Financial Statements.

The financial statements and supplementary data required by this item are included after the Signature page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K beginning on page F-1.

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules.

All schedules have been omitted because they are not required or because the required information is given in the Financial Statements or Notes thereto.

(a)(3) Exhibits.

The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index below are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report.

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Incorporated by Reference

Number Description of Document Form Filing Date Exhibit No.

4.1* Description of Registered Securities

10.5 Form of RSU Grant Notice and Award Agreement (Employees) S-8 1/29/2021 10.2

10.6 Form of RSU Grant Notice and Award Agreement (Directors) S-8 1/29/2021 10.3

10.7 Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement S-1/A 1/25/2021 10.5

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Incorporated by Reference

Number Description of Document Form Filing Date Exhibit No.

21.1* List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant

23.1* Consent of BDO USA, LLP, as to Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.

23.2* Consent of BDO USA, LLP, as to Shoals Parent LLC

________

* Filed herewith

† Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan.

Item 16. Form 10–K Summary

None

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on March 16, 2021.

Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.

By: /s/ Jason Whitaker

Name: Jason Whitaker

Title: Chief Executive Officer

* * * *

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

Signature Title Date

/s/ Jason Whitaker Chief Executive Officer March 16, 2021

Jason Whitaker (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Philip Garton Chief Financial Officer March 16, 2021

Philip Garton (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

/s/ Frank Cannova Director March 16, 2021

Frank Cannova

/s/ Brad Forth Chairman of the Board of Directors March 16, 2021

Brad Forth

/s/ Peter Jonna Director March 16, 2021

Peter Jonna

/s/ Jason Lee Director March 16, 2021

Jason Lee

/s/ Dean Solon Director March 16, 2021

Dean Solon

/s/ Peter Wilver Director March 16, 2021

Peter Wilver

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets F-2

Notes to Balance Sheets F-4

Shoals Parent LLC

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-8

Consolidated Balance Sheets F-10

Consolidated Statements of Operations F-11

Consolidated Statements of Changes In Members’ Equity (Deficit) F-12

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows F-13

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-14

F-1

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors

Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.

Portland, Tennessee

Opinion on the Financial Statement

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (the “Corporation”) as of December 31, 2020 and November 4, 2020 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statement”). In our opinion, the financial statement presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Corporation at December 31, 2020 and November 4, 2020 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

This financial statement is the responsibility of the Corporation’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Corporation’s financial statement based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Corporation in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Corporation is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statement, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statement. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

We have served as the Corporation’s auditor since 2020.

Austin, Texas

March 16, 2021

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Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.

Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

Assets

Current Assets

Total Assets $ 10 $ 10

Commitments and Contingencies

Stockholder’s Equity:

Total Stockholder’s Equity $ 10 $ 10

See accompanying notes to balance sheets.

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Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.

Notes to Balance Sheets

1. Nature of Business

Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (the “Corporation”) was formed as a Delaware corporation on November 4, 2020 for the purpose of facilitating an initial public offering ("IPO") and other related transactions in order to carry on the business of Shoals Parent.

On January 29, 2021, the Corporation closed an IPO of 11,550,000 shares of Class A common stock at a public offering price of $25.00 per share, including shares issued pursuant to the underwriters' over-allotment option. The Corporation received $278.8 million in proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and commissions, which was used to purchase 6,315,790 newly-issued membership interests (the “LLC Interest”) from Shoals Parent, LLC (the “Shoals Parent”) and 5,234,210 LLC Interests from the founder and Class B unit holder in Shoals Parent at a price per interest equal to the initial public offering price of $25.00 per share. Subsequent to the IPO and related organizational transactions that occurred in connection with the IPO, the Corporation is the sole managing member and has a 56.14% economic interest of Shoals Parent. As a result, the Corporation will consolidate the financial results of Shoals Parent and report a non-controlling interest in the Corporation's consolidated financial statements. See Note 4, Subsequent Events.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The balance sheets are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Separate statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholder’s equity, and cash flows have not been presented because the Corporation has not engaged in any activities except in connection with its formation.

Cash

All cash, as of the balance sheet date, was cash on hand, held in deposit, and is carried at fair value, which approximates carrying value.

Income Taxes

The Corporation is treated as a subchapter C corporation and, therefore, is subject to both federal and state income taxes. Shoals Parent continues to be recognized as a limited liability company, a pass-through entity for income tax purposes.

3. Stockholder’s Equity

As of December 31, 2020, the Corporation was authorized to issue 1,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value. As of December 31, 2020, the Corporation had issued 1,000 shares of common stock for $10, all of which were acquired by an affiliate.

4. Subsequent Events

Initial Public Offering

As noted above, on January 29, 2021, the Corporation closed an IPO of 11,550,000 shares of our Class A common stock at a public offering price of $25.00 per share. The Corporation received $278.8 million in

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Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.

Notes to Balance Sheets

proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and commissions, which was used to purchase 6,315,790 LLC Interest from Shoals Parent and 5,234,210 LLC Interest from the founder and Class B unit holder in Shoals Parent at a price per interest equal to the initial public offering price of our Class A common stock of $25.00.

Organizational Transactions

In connection with the IPO, the Corporation and Shoals Parent completed a series of transactions (the "Organizational Transactions") including the following:

•the limited liability company agreement of Shoals Parent was amended and restated to, among other things, (i) provide for a new single class of common membership interests or the LLC Interest in Shoals Parent, (ii) exchange all of the then existing membership interests of the holders of Shoals Parent membership interests for LLC Interest and (iii) appoint the Corporation as the sole managing member of Shoals Parent;

•the Corporation's certificate of incorporation was amended and restated to, among other things, (i) provide for Class A common stock with voting and economic rights (ii) provide for Class B common stock with voting rights but no economic rights and (iii) issue 78,300,817 shares of Class B common stock to the former Class B and Class C members of Shoals Parent (the “Continuing Equity Owners”) on a one-to-one basis with the number of LLC Interest they own;

•the acquisition, by merger, of Shoals Investment CTB or the Class A member of Shoals Parent (the "Class A Shoals Equity Owners"), for which the Corporation issued 81,977,751 shares Class A common stock as merger consideration (the "Merger").

Following the completion of the Organizational Transactions, the Corporation owns 56.14% of Shoals Parent. The Continuing Equity Owners own the remaining 43.86% of Shoals Parent.

Shoals Parent Recapitalization

As noted above, in connection with the IPO, the limited liability company agreement of Shoals Parent was amended and restated to, among other things, (i) provide for a new single class of common membership interests in Shoals Parent, or the LLC Interest; (ii) exchange all of the then existing membership interests of the Continuing Equity Owners for LLC Interest (iii) exchange all the then existing membership interest of the Class A Shoals Equity Owners for LLC Interest and (iv) appoint the Corporation as the sole managing member of Shoals Parent. The Corporation has a majority economic interest in Shoals Parent, is the sole managing member, has the sole voting power in, and controls the management. As a result, the Corporation will consolidate the financial results of Shoals Parent and report a non-controlling interest.

The amendment also requires that Shoals Parent, at all times, maintain (i) a one-to-one ratio between the number of shares of Class A common stock issued by the Corporation and the number of LLC Interest owned by the Corporation and (ii) a one-to-one ratio between the number of shares of Class B common stock owned by the Continuing Equity Owners and the number of LLC Interest owned by the Continuing Equity Owners.

Amendment and Restatement of Certificate of Incorporation

As noted above, on January 26, 2021, the Corporation's certificate of incorporation was amended and restated to, among other things, provide for the (i) authorization of 1,000,000,000 shares of Class A common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share; (ii) authorization of 195,000,000 shares of Class B common stock with a par value of $0.00001 per share; (iii) authorization of 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock that may be issued from time to time by the Corporation's Board of Directors in one or more series; and (iv) establishment of a classified board of directors, divided into three classes, each of whose members will serve for staggered terms.

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Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.

Notes to Balance Sheets

Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are entitled to one vote per share and, except as otherwise required, will vote together as a single class on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote. Holders of Class B common stock are not entitled to receive dividends and will not be entitled to receive any distributions upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation. Shares of Class B common stock may only be issued to the extent necessary to maintain the one-to-one ratio between the number of LLC Interest held by the Continuing Equity Owners and the number of shares of Class B common stock held by the Continuing Equity Owners. Shares of Class B common stock are transferable only together with an equal number of LLC Interest. Shares of Class B common stock will be canceled on a one-for-one basis if the Corporation, at the election of a Continuing Equity Owner, redeem or exchange LLC Interest.

The Corporation must, at all times, maintain a one-to-one ratio between the number of shares of Class A common stock issued by the Corporation and the number of LLC Interest owned by the Corporation (subject to certain exceptions for treasury shares and shares underlying certain convertible or exchangeable securities).

Acquisition of Former Shoals Equity Owners

As noted above, on January 26, 2021, the Corporation acquired, by merger, an entity that was a member of Shoals Parent, or the Class A Shoals Equity Owners, for which the Corporation issued 81,977,751 shares of Class A common stock as merger consideration. The only assets held by the Class A Shoals Equity Owners were 81,977,751 LLC Interest. Upon consummation of the Merger, the Corporation recognized the LLC Interest at carrying value, as the Merger is considered to be a transaction between entities under common control.

Tax Receivable Agreement

The Corporation expects to obtain an increase in our share of the tax basis of the assets of Shoals Parent when LLC Interest are redeemed or exchanged by the Continuing Equity Owners and other qualifying transactions. This increase in tax basis may have the effect of reducing the amounts that the Corporation would otherwise pay in the future to various tax authorities. The increase in tax basis may also decrease gains (or increase losses) on future dispositions of certain capital assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those capital assets.

On January 26, 2021, the Corporation entered into a tax receivable agreement with the founder and majority Class B common stockholder and Class A Shoals Equity Owners (the "Tax Receivable Agreement") that provides for the payment by the Corporation to the founder and Class A Shoals Equity Owners of 85% of the amount of tax benefits, if any, that the Corporation actually realizes as a result of (i) increases in the tax basis of assets of Shoals Parent resulting from any redemptions or exchanges of LLC Interest or any prior sales of interests in Shoals Parent and (ii) certain other tax benefits related to our making payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement.

On January 26, 2021, the Corporation redeemed 5,234,210 LLC Interest from the founder. This redemption triggered a tax basis increase subject to the provisions of the Tax Receivable Agreement. In the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the Corporation will recognize a deferred tax asset in the amount of approximately $33.5 million, a corresponding liability of $28.5 million, representing 85% of the tax benefits and approximately $5.0 million of additional-paid-in capital.

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Shoals Technologies Group, Inc.

Notes to Balance Sheets

On January 26, 2021, following the merger with Shoals Investment CTB, the Corporation distributed 85% of the value in the tax basis from the original acquisition of Shoals Parent by Shoals investment CTB in 2017 to the holders of the Tax Receivable Agreement. In the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the Corporation will recognize a liability related to this distribution of approximately $14.3 million and a corresponding distribution to additional paid-in capital.

Equity-Based Compensation

On January 26, 2021, the Corporation granted 912,206 restricted stock units to our directors and certain employees under the Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. 2021 Incentive Award Plan. The restricted stock units were granted with an exercise price of $25.00 per unit and generally vest annually over four years.

F-7

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Member and Board of Directors

Shoals Parent, LLC

Portland, Tennessee

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Shoals Parent, LLC and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in members’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Change in Accounting Method Related to Revenue

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, the new revenue recognition standard.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

F-8

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.

Austin, Texas

March 16, 2021

Source: SEC EDGAR (public domain) · 10-K for the period ended 2020-12-31, filed 2021-03-16 · accession 0001831651-21-000003

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