Canadian Solar Reports Third Quarter 2018 Results

GUELPH, Ontario: Canadian Solar Inc. (“Canadian Solar” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CSIQ), one of the world’s largest solar power companies, today announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2018 ended September 30, 2018.

Third Quarter 2018 Highlights

• Net revenue was $768.0 million, compared to $650.6 million in the second quarter of 2018, and third quarter 2018 guidance in the range of $790 million to $840 million.
• Gross margin was 26.1%, compared to 24.5% in the second quarter of 2018, and third quarter guidance of 20.0% to 23.0%.
• Net income attributable to Canadian Solar was $66.5 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, compared to $15.6 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2018.
• During the quarter, the Company completed the sale of solar power plants totaling 103 MWp, including 64 MWp in Japan.
• Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $148 million, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $174 million in the second quarter of 2018.
• The Company’s portfolio of utility-scale solar power plants in operation was approximately 1.1 GWp with an estimated total resale value of approximately $1.23 billion, as of October 31, 2018. Only the value of class B shares, which the Company holds in its tax equity solar power plants in the U.S., is included in this resale value.

Third Quarter 2018 Results

Net revenue in the third quarter of 2018 was $768.0 million, up 18.0% from $650.6 million in the second quarter of 2018 and down 15.8% from $912.2 million in the third quarter of 2017. Net revenue in the third quarter of 2018 benefited from higher than expected module average selling prices, offset by the deferral of certain planned project sales. Third quarter of 2018 net revenue from the Company’s modules and systems solutions (“MSS”) business was $512.3 million, and was $255.7 million from the Company’s Energy business.

Total solar module shipments in the third quarter of 2018 were 1,590 MW, compared to 1,700 MW in the second quarter of 2018, and third quarter of 2018 guidance in the range of 1,500 MW to 1,600 MW. Total solar module shipments in the third quarter of 2018 included 180 MW shipped to the Company’s projects. Solar module shipments recognized in revenue in the third quarter of 2018 totaled 1,521 MW, compared to 1,454 MW in the second quarter of 2018 and 1,782 MW in the third quarter of 2017.

Gross profit in the third quarter of 2018 was $200.4 million, compared to $159.4 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $159.8 million in the third quarter of 2017. Gross margin in the third quarter of 2018 was 26.1%, compared to 24.5% in the second quarter of 2018 and 17.5% in the third quarter of 2017. Gross profit in the third quarter of 2018 includes the benefit of a CVD reversal of $8.3 million based on the final rate of Solar 1 CVD AR4. Excluding the CVD reversal benefit, gross margin was 25.0% in the third quarter of 2018. Gross margin of the Company’s MSS business in the third quarter 2018 was 25.1%, or 23.4% excluding the CVD reversal benefit. This compares to 19.0% in the second quarter of 2018, or 14.3% excluding the benefit of that quarter’s AD/CVD reversal benefit, and 14.1% in the third quarter of 2017. Gross margin of the Company’s Energy business for the third quarter of 2018 was 28.2%, compared to 54.7% in the second quarter of 2018 and 31.6% in the third quarter of 2017, with both of the prior quarters reflecting the positive impact of the realization of the deferred revenue associated with notice to proceed (NTP) sales in those quarters.

The Company has been operating in two principal businesses since 2016: the MSS business and the Energy business. The MSS business comprises primarily the designing, development, manufacturing and sale of solar modules, other solar power products, solar system kits and the provision of EPC and Operating and Maintenance (O&M) services. The Energy business comprises primarily the development and sale of solar projects, operating solar power projects and the sale of electricity. The module sales from the Company’s MSS business to its Energy business are on terms and conditions similar to sales to third parties.

The Company develops solar power projects, then applies for feed-in tariff (FIT), negotiates energy off-take agreements or bids these projects in energy auctions. As we usually bid in energy auctions 2 to 4 years before solar power projects reach commercial operation, the actual gross margin varies, due to the country, project specific risk, the expected length of capital investment, price movements of solar modules and other components, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), the capital return requirements of solar asset buyers and fluctuations of local currencies, among other factors. In recent years, the Company sold some solar projects before commercial operation date (COD). We typically refer to these as NTP sales. Revenue will be lower, while gross margin percentage will be higher in NTP sales compared to COD sales, even if the absolute margin is the same. Results from the Company’s Energy business may be lumpy quarter to quarter, depending on the NTP or COD dates, sales transaction dates, and the profit level of each project.

The following table summarizes the Company’s revenues and gross profit generated from each business:

The following table summarizes the Company’s revenues generated from each product or service:

Total operating expenses in the third quarter of 2018 were $104.5 million, down 1.0% from $105.5 million in the second quarter of 2018, and up 2.4% from $102.0 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Other operating income in the third quarter of 2018 was $2.9 million, compared to $0.3 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Income from operations in the third quarter of 2018 was $95.9 million, compared to $53.9 million in the second quarter of 2018, and $57.8 million in the third quarter of 2017. Operating margin was 12.5% in the third quarter of 2018, compared to 8.3% in the second quarter of 2018 and 6.3% in the third quarter of 2017.

Non-cash depreciation and amortization charges in the third quarter of 2018 were approximately $32.5 million, compared to $30.2 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $23.8 million in the third quarter of 2017. Non-cash equity compensation expense in the third quarter of 2018 was $2.5 million, compared to $3.3 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Interest expense in the third quarter of 2018 was $26.8 million, compared to $26.6 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $33.7 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Interest income in the third quarter of 2018 was $2.6 million, compared to $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $3.4 million in the third quarter of 2017.

The Company recorded a loss on the change in fair value of derivatives in the third quarter of 2018 of $8.9 million, compared to a loss of $7.6 million in the second quarter of 2018 and a gain of $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2017. Foreign exchange gain in the third quarter of 2018 was $10.1 million, compared to a loss of $2.5 million in the second quarter of 2018, and a loss of $16.5 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Income tax expense in the third quarter of 2018 was $13.4 million, compared to $7.8 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $6.2 million in the third quarter of 2017, primarily reflecting the higher income in the third quarter of 2018, as compared to the prior and year ago quarters.

Net income attributable to Canadian Solar in the third quarter of 2018 was $66.5 million or $1.09 per diluted share, compared to $15.6 million or $0.26 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2018 and $13.3 million or $0.22 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2017.

Financial Condition

The Company had a cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balance of $995.0 million as of September 30, 2018, compared to $991.1 million as of June 30, 2018.

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, at the end of the third quarter of 2018 were $322.9 million, compared to $370.1 million at the end of the second quarter of 2018. Accounts receivable turnover in the third quarter of 2018 was 47 days, compared to 58 days in the second quarter of 2018.

Inventories at the end of the third quarter of 2018 were $322.0 million, compared to $336.5 million at the end of the second quarter of 2018. Inventory turnover in the third quarter of 2018 was 55 days, compared to 72 days in the second quarter of 2018.

Accounts and notes payable at the end of the third quarter of 2018 were $856.7 million, compared to $815.4 million at the end of the second quarter of 2018.

Short-term borrowings at the end of the third quarter of 2018 were $1.9 billion, compared to $2.0 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2018. Long-term borrowings at the end of the third quarter of 2018 were $120.2 million, compared to $221.3 million at the end of the second quarter of 2018.

Senior convertible notes totaled $127.2 million at the end of the third quarter of 2018, compared to $126.9 million at the end of the second quarter of 2018.

Total borrowings directly related to the Company’s utility-scale solar power projects were $1.07 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2018, compared to $1.22 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2018. Total debt at the end of the third quarter of 2018 was approximately $2.27 billion.

Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar, commented, “The third quarter was one of our most profitable quarters with net income of $1.09 per diluted share and a 26.1% gross margin. Our results underscore the strength of Canadian Solar’s module and system solutions business and global energy business, and our team’s continued execution. Revenue was slightly lower than expected in the third quarter, while gross margin was higher than expected, as certain project sales with lower gross margins were deferred to later quarters. As of October 31, 2018, our late-stage, utility-scale solar project pipeline reached approximately 2.9 GWp, and our portfolio of solar power projects in operation was about 1.1 GWp, with a resale value of $1.23 billion. For our module and system solutions business, the average selling price of solar modules declined in Q3, compared with Q2, primarily due to China’s May 31st solar incentive policy change. We have successfully maintained a healthy gross margin level, despite the headwinds, through product differentiation, operating efficiencies and raw materials cost reductions.”

Dr. Huifeng Chang, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Canadian Solar, commented, “Our gross margin, excluding the CVD reversal benefit, was above our third quarter guidance, as we benefited from a slightly higher than expected module ASP, a higher margin project sale mix and ongoing cost controls across our operations. We made further progress in monetizing our solar power project portfolio by completing sales totaling 103 MWp in Q3 and we expanded our late-stage, utility-scale project pipeline in key markets, including the U.S., China and Australia. The monetization process continues with the October sale of two solar power plants totaling 260 MWp in the U.S., and the expectation of further sales in China, India, the U.K. and Africa in the coming quarters. While it is likely our gross margin will continue to fluctuate in future quarters, our solid execution in both our module and system solutions business and our energy business reinforces our competitiveness and positions Canadian Solar for continued business success.”

Utility-Scale Solar Project Pipeline

The Company divides its utility-scale solar project pipeline into two categories: an early-to-mid-stage pipeline and a late-stage pipeline. The late-stage pipeline primarily includes projects that have energy off-take agreements and are expected to be built within the next two to four years. The Company cautions that some late-stage projects may not reach completion due to risks such as failure to secure permits and grid connection, among others.

Late-Stage, Utility-Scale Solar Project Pipeline

As of October 31, 2018, the Company’s late-stage, utility-scale solar project pipeline, including those in construction totaled approximately 2.9 GWp, with 1,022 MWp in the U.S., 476.2 MWp in Brazil, 435.7 MWp in Mexico, 310 MWp in Japan, 255 MWp in China, 121 MWp in Australia, 97.6 MWp in Argentina, 41.7 MWp in Taiwan, 27.5 MWp in the Philippines, 24 MWp in India, 18.4 MWp in Chile, 15 MWp in Malaysia and 8 MWp in South Korea.

In the United States, the Company energized the 102 MWp NC102 solar power project in the third quarter of 2018. In August, the Company signed a long-term power purchase agreement for a 280 MWp project in Texas. The Company separately signed a 15-year power purchase agreement in October with Austin Energy for the 185 MWp Pflugerville project in Texas. In October, the Company also signed two 15-year power purchase agreements for 200 MWp (150 MWac) of the 400 MWp Slate solar power project in California. The deal was signed with Silicon Valley Clean Energy and Monterey Bay Community Power, who will receive 55% and 45% of the energy generated by the project, respectively. The power deal includes a 45 MW lithium-ion battery storage component, with 180 MWh of energy capacity.

The Company’s late-stage, utility-scale solar project pipeline in the U.S. as of October 31, 2018 is detailed in the table below.

In Japan, as of October 31, 2018, the Company’s late-stage, utility-scale solar project pipeline for which interconnection agreements and FIT have been secured totaled approximately 310 MWp, 73.8 MWp of which are under construction and 236.2 MWp of which are under development. The Company has an additional 11.4 MWp of projects in the bidding process, which will be added to the late-stage, utility-scale solar project pipeline once interconnection agreements and FIT have been secured.

In October 2018, the Japan Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI) proposed a change to the FIT program to address projects with high FITs that are not operational. The proposed rules are not expected to impact on the size of the Company’s portfolio, but may reduce the FIT of some projects. The Company is monitoring the situation and will take appropriate action, if needed, after the final version of the rule changes is released.

The table below sets forth the expected COD of the Company’s late-stage, utility-scale solar power projects in Japan, as of October 31, 2018: