ESG and a Sustainable Future
As part of our overall strategy, we are focusing on the significance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles in everything we do. As a leading green energy solutions provider, we take pride in offering a diverse product offering that emphasizes protecting the environment by leaving it better than before. Capstone estimates that, over the last three years, it has helped save companies approximately $700 million on energy costs and over approximately one million tons of carbon. We are committed to offering our innovative and green, sustainable, and affordable energy solutions and to providing long-term, resilient, clean power to end users the world over.
Financial Results for the Fiscal 2021 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year
Total revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 increased 54%, or $6.3 million, to $17.9 million, compared with $11.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Despite the significant impacts of the global pandemic, total revenue for fiscal 2021 decreased only 2%, or $1.3 million, to $67.6 million, compared with total revenue of $68.9 million in fiscal 2020.
Gross margin was negative $2.6 million, or negative 14% as a percentage of revenue, compared to $0.5 million, or 4% as a percentage of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. On a full-year basis, gross margin decreased to $6.9 million in fiscal 2021, compared to $9.0 million for fiscal 2020. The negative gross margin in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, was primarily due to a $4.9 million reliability repair accrual established to replace remaining fielded units affected by a supplier defect.
Non-GAAP gross margin, which is gross margin less depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, and the expense related to the reliability repair accrual, was $2.7 million, or 15% of revenue, compared to $0.7 million, or 6% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The increase as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to improved Factory Protection Plan (FPP) margins year-over-year. On a full-year basis, non-GAAP gross margin increased to $12.8 million, or 19% of revenue, in fiscal 2021, compared to $10.2 million, or 15% of revenue, for fiscal 2020. The increase as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to lower overhead costs from the COVID-19 Business Continuity Plan on similar revenue levels.
Operating expenses in the quarter decreased $0.1 million, to $5.9 million, compared with $6.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 despite a $0.6 million executive bonus expense recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 (with none in the prior year quarter). Operating expenses for fiscal 2021 were $20.8 million compared with $25.9 million for fiscal 2020. The decrease was primarily due to cost savings from the COVID-19 Business Continuity Plan.
Net loss was $4.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to $6.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Net loss was $18.4 million in fiscal 2021, compared to $21.9 million in fiscal 2020.
Adjusted EBITDA, excluding executive bonus, was negative $1.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of negative $5.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted EBITDA, excluding executive bonus, for fiscal 2021 was negative $4.0 million compared to Adjusted EBITDA of negative $13.2 million in fiscal 2020.