| Commitments and Contingencies | 16. Commitments and Contingencies Commercial Commitments During the normal course of business, we enter into commercial commitments in the form of letters of credit, bank guarantees, and surety bonds to provide financial and performance assurance to third parties. Our Revolving Credit Facility provides us with an aggregate available amount of $700.0 million , with a sub-limit of $500.0 million to issue letters of credit subject to certain limits depending on the currencies of the letters of credit, at a fee based on the applicable margin for Eurocurrency revolving loans and a fronting fee. As of December 31, 2015 , we had $191.6 million in letters of credit issued under our Revolving Credit Facility, leaving $308.4 million of availability which can be used for the issuance of letters of credit. The majority of these letters of credit were supporting our systems business projects. As of December 31, 2015 , we also had $16.8 million in bank guarantees and letters of credit under separate agreements that were posted by certain of our foreign subsidiaries, $103.2 million of letters of credit issued under two bilateral facilities, of which $71.5 million was secured with cash, and $154.0 million in surety bonds outstanding primarily for our systems business projects. The available bonding capacity under our surety lines was $639.0 million as of December 31, 2015 . Lease Commitments We lease our corporate headquarters in Tempe, Arizona and administrative, research and development, business development, customer support, and government affairs offices throughout the United States and the rest of the world under noncancelable operating leases. These leases may require us to pay property taxes, common area maintenance, and certain other costs in addition to base rent. We also lease certain machinery and equipment under operating and capital leases. Future minimum payments under all of our noncancelable leases are as follows as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands): 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Total Minimum Lease Payments Less Amounts Representing Interest Present Value of Minimum Lease Payments Less Current Portion of Capital Leases Noncurrent Portion of Capital Leases Gross operating lease obligations $ 18,273 $ 16,025 $ 13,733 $ 10,505 $ 5,378 $ 104,860 $ 168,774 Sublease income (1,449 ) (1,449 ) (906 ) — — — (3,804 ) Net operating lease obligations 16,824 14,576 12,827 10,505 5,378 104,860 164,970 Capital leases 540 420 97 65 — — 1,122 (57 ) 1,065 (374 ) 691 Total $ 17,364 $ 14,996 $ 12,924 $ 10,570 $ 5,378 $ 104,860 $ 166,092 Our rent expense was $22.5 million , $18.0 million , and $14.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively. Purchase Commitments We purchase raw materials for inventory, construction materials, various services, and manufacturing equipment from a variety of vendors. During the normal course of business, in order to manage manufacturing and construction lead times and help assure an adequate supply of certain items, we enter into agreements with suppliers that either allow us to procure goods and services when we choose or that establish purchase requirements over the term of the agreement. In certain instances, the agreements with purchase requirements allow us the option to cancel, reschedule, or adjust our requirements based on our business needs prior to firm orders being placed. Consequently, only a portion of our purchase commitments are firm, noncancelable, enforceable, and legally binding. At December 31, 2015 , our obligations under such agreements were $789.7 million , of which $35.2 million was for commitments related to capital expenditures. $736.0 million of our purchase obligations are due in 2016 . Product Warranties When we recognize revenue for module or systems sales, we accrue liabilities for the estimated future costs of meeting our limited warranty obligations for both modules and the balance of the systems. We make and revise these estimates based primarily on the number of our solar modules under warranty installed at customer locations, our historical experience with warranty claims, our monitoring of field installation sites, our internal testing of and the expected future performance of our solar modules and BoS components, and our estimated replacement costs. From time to time, we have taken remediation actions with respect to affected modules beyond our limited warranties, and we may elect to do so in the future, in which case we would incur additional expenses. Such potential voluntary future remediation actions beyond our limited warranty obligations could be material to our consolidated statements of operations if we commit to any such remediation actions. Product warranty activities during the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 were as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Product warranty liability, beginning of period $ 223,057 $ 198,041 $ 191,596 Accruals for new warranties issued 50,040 40,599 35,985 Settlements (13,392 ) (16,721 ) (33,499 ) Changes in estimate of product warranty liability (27,954 ) 1,138 3,959 Product warranty liability, end of period $ 231,751 $ 223,057 $ 198,041 Current portion of warranty liability $ 38,468 $ 69,656 $ 67,097 Noncurrent portion of warranty liability $ 193,283 $ 153,401 $ 130,944 We have historically estimated our limited product warranty liability for power output and defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service conditions to have a warranty return rate of approximately 3% of modules covered under warranty. A 1% change in the estimated warranty return rate would change our module warranty liability by $71.5 million , and a 1% change in the estimated warranty return rate for BoS components would not have a material impact on the associated warranty liability. Accrued Expenses in Excess of Product Warranty We may also accrue expenses for the cost of any voluntary remediation programs beyond our normal product warranty. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , accrued expenses in excess of our product warranty were $24.6 million and $30.9 million , respectively, of which $5.0 million and $7.8 million , respectively, were classified as current and included in “ Accrued expenses ” on our consolidated balance sheets and $19.6 million and $23.1 million , respectively, were classified as noncurrent and included in “ Other liabilities ” on our consolidated balance sheets. Our estimates for such remediation programs are based on an evaluation of available information including the estimated number of potentially affected solar modules, historical experience related to our remediation efforts, customer-provided data related to potentially affected systems, estimated costs for performing removal, replacement, and logistical services, and any post-sale expenses covered under our voluntary remediation program. If any of our estimates prove incorrect, we could be required to accrue additional expenses. Performance Guarantees As part of our systems business, we conduct performance testing of a system prior to substantial completion to confirm the system meets its operational and capacity expectations noted in the EPC agreement. In addition, we may provide an energy performance test during the first year of a system’s operation to demonstrate that the actual energy generation for the first year meets or exceeds the modeled energy expectation, after certain adjustments. If there is an underperformance event with regards to these tests, we may incur liquidated damages as a percentage of the EPC contract price. In certain instances, a bonus payment may be received at the end of the first year if the system performs above a specified level. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , we accrued $0.3 million and $4.3 million , respectively, of estimated obligations under such arrangements, which were classified as “ Other current liabilities ” in the consolidated balance sheets. As part of our O&M service offerings, we typically offer an effective availability guarantee, which stipulates that a system will be available to generate a certain percentage of total possible energy during a specific period after adjusting for factors outside of our control as the service provider, such as weather, curtailment, outages, force majeure, and other conditions that may affect system availability. Effective availability guarantees are only offered as part of our O&M services and terminate at the end of an O&M arrangement. If we fail to meet the contractual threshold for these guarantees, we may incur liquidated damages for certain lost energy under the PPA. Our O&M agreements typically contain provisions limiting our total potential losses under an agreement, including amounts paid for liquidated damages, to a percentage of O&M fees. Many of our O&M agreements also contain provisions whereby we may receive a bonus payment if system availability exceeds a separate threshold. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , we did not accrue any estimated obligations under our effective availability guarantees. Repurchase of Systems Projects From time to time under sales agreements for a limited number of our solar power projects, we may be required to repurchase the projects if certain events occur, such as not achieving commercial operation of the project within a certain timeframe. For any sales agreements that have such conditional repurchase clauses, we will not recognize revenue on such sales agreements until the conditional repurchase clauses are of no further force or effect and all other necessary revenue recognition criteria have been met. Contingent Consideration In connection with our TetraSun and Solar Chile acquisitions, we agreed to pay additional amounts to sellers contingent upon achievement by the acquired businesses of certain negotiated goals, such as targeted project and module shipment volume milestones. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , we recorded $2.5 million and $4.9 million of current liabilities, respectively, and $4.9 million and $14.7 million of long-term liabilities, respectively, for these contingent obligations based on their estimated fair value. We continually seek to make additions to our advanced-stage project pipeline and are also actively developing our early to mid-stage project pipeline in order to secure PPAs and are also pursuing opportunities to acquire advanced-stage projects, which already have PPAs in place. In connection with such project acquisitions, we may agree to pay additional amounts to project sellers upon achievement of certain project-related milestones, such as obtaining a PPA, obtaining financing, and selling to a new owner. We recognize an estimated project acquisition contingent liability when we determine that such liability is both probable and reasonably estimable, and the carrying amount of the related project asset is correspondingly increased. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , we recorded $6.7 million and $31.9 million of current liabilities, respectively, and $3.9 million and $2.4 million of long-term liabilities, respectively, for such contingent obligations. Any future differences between the acquisition-date contingent obligation estimate and the ultimate settlement of the obligations will be recognized primarily as an adjustment to project assets, as contingent payments are considered direct and incremental to the underlying value of the related projects. Legal Proceedings We are party to legal matters and claims that are normal in the course of our operations. While we believe that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, the outcome of these matters is not determinable with certainty, and negative outcomes may adversely affect us. Class Action On March 15, 2012, a purported class action lawsuit titled Smilovits v. First Solar, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:12-cv-00555-DGC, was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona (hereafter “Arizona District Court”) against the Company and certain of our current and former directors and officers. The complaint was filed on behalf of persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company’s publicly traded securities between April 30, 2008 and February 28, 2012 (the “Class Action”). The complaint generally alleges that the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by making false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s financial performance and prospects. The action includes claims for damages, including interest, and an award of reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees to the putative class. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses and will vigorously defend this action. On July 23, 2012, the Arizona District Court issued an order appointing as lead plaintiffs in the Class Action the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme and British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (collectively “Pension Schemes”). The Pension Schemes filed an amended complaint on August 17, 2012, which contains similar allegations and seeks similar relief as the original complaint. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss on September 14, 2012. On December 17, 2012, the court denied Defendants’ motion to dismiss. On October 8, 2013, the Arizona District Court granted the Pension Schemes’ motion for class certification, and certified a class comprised of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired publicly traded securities of the Company between April 30, 2008 and February 28, 2012 and were damaged thereby, excluding defendants and certain related parties. Merits discovery closed on February 27, 2015. Defendants filed a motion for summary judgment on March 27, 2015. On August 11, 2015, the Arizona District Court granted defendants’ motion in part and denied it in part, and certified an issue for immediate appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. First Solar filed a petition for interlocutory appeal with the Ninth Circuit, and that petition was granted on November 18, 2015. First Solar’s opening brief is due on March 25, 2016. The Arizona District Court entered a stay of the proceedings in district court until the appeal is decided. Given the pending appeal, the need for further expert discovery, and the uncertainties of trial, we are not in a position to assess whether any loss or adverse effect on our financial condition is probable or remote or to estimate the range of potential loss, if any. Opt-Out Action On June 23, 2015, a suit titled Maverick Fund, L.D.C. v. First Solar, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:15-cv-01156-ROS, was filed in Arizona District Court by putative stockholders that opted out of the Class Action. The complaint names the Company and certain of our current and former directors and officers as defendants, and alleges that the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and violated state law, by making false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s financial performance and prospects. The action includes claims for recessionary and actual damages, interest, punitive damages, and an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees, expert fees, and costs. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses and will vigorously defend this action. The Arizona District Court has extended the deadline for responding to the complaint until after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals resolves the petition for appeal and/or the appeal in the Smilovits matter described above. Accordingly, we are not in a position to assess whether any loss or adverse effect on our financial condition is probable or remote or to estimate the range of potential loss, if any. Derivative Actions On April 3, 2012, a derivative action titled Tsevegmid v. Ahearn, et al., Case No. 1:12-cv-00417-CJB, was filed by a putative stockholder on behalf of the Company in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (hereafter “Delaware District Court”) against certain current and former directors and officers of the Company, alleging breach of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment. The complaint generally alleges that from June 1, 2008, to March 7, 2012, the defendants caused or allowed false and misleading statements to be made concerning the Company’s financial performance and prospects. The action includes claims for, among other things, damages in favor of the Company, certain corporate actions to purportedly improve the Company’s corporate governance, and an award of costs and expenses to the putative plaintiff stockholder, including attorneys’ fees. On April 10, 2012, a second derivative complaint was filed in the Delaware District Court. The complaint, titled Brownlee v. Ahearn, et al., Case No. 1:12-cv-00456-CJB, contains similar allegations and seeks similar relief to the Tsevegmid action. By court order on April 30, 2012, pursuant to the parties’ stipulation, the Tsevegmid action and the Brownlee action were consolidated into a single action in the Delaware District Court. On May 15, 2012, defendants filed a motion to challenge Delaware as the appropriate venue for the consolidated action. On March 4, 2013, the magistrate judge issued a Report and Recommendation recommending to the court that defendants’ motion be granted and that the case be transferred to the District of Arizona. On July 12, 2013, the court adopted the magistrate judge’s Report and Recommendation and ordered the case transferred to the District of Arizona. The transfer was completed on July 15, 2013. On April 12, 2012, a derivative complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona (hereafter “Arizona District Court”), titled Tindall v. Ahearn, et al., Case No. 2:12-cv-00769-ROS. In addition to alleging claims and seeking relief similar to the claims and relief asserted in the Tsevegmid and Brownlee actions, the Tindall complaint alleges violations of Sections 14(a) and 20(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On April 19, 2012, a second derivative complaint was filed in the Arizona District Court, titled Nederhood v. Ahearn, et al., Case No. 2:12-cv-00819-JWS. The Nederhood complaint contains similar allegations and seeks similar relief to the Tsevegmid and Brownlee actions. On May 17, 2012 and May 30, 2012, respectively, two additional derivative complaints, containing similar allegations and seeking similar relief as the Nederhood complaint, were filed in Arizona District Court: Morris v. Ahearn, et al., Case No. 2:12-cv-01031-JAT and Tan v. Ahearn, et al., 2:12-cv-01144-NVW. On July 17, 2012, the Arizona District Court issued an order granting First Solar’s motion to transfer the derivative actions to Judge David Campbell, the judge to whom the Smilovits class action is assigned. On August 8, 2012, the court consolidated the four derivative actions pending in Arizona District Court, and on August 31, 2012, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. Defendants filed a motion to stay the action on September 14, 2012. On December 17, 2012, the Arizona District Court granted Defendants’ motion to stay pending resolution of the Smilovits class action. On August 13, 2013, Judge Campbell consolidated the two derivative actions transferred from the Delaware District Court with the stayed Arizona derivative actions. On February 19, 2016, the Arizona District Court issued an order lifting the stay in part. Pursuant to the February 19, 2016 order, the plaintiffs shall file an amended complaint by March 11, 2016. Defendants shall file a motion to dismiss the amended complaint by April 1, 2016. All other litigation activity, including discovery, remains stayed. On July 16, 2013, a derivative complaint was filed in the Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County, titled Bargar, et al. v. Ahearn, et al., Case No. CV2013-009938, by a putative stockholder against certain current and former directors and officers of the Company. The complaint contains similar allegations to the Delaware and Arizona derivative cases, and includes claims for, among other things, breach of fiduciary duties, insider trading, unjust enrichment, and waste of corporate assets. By court order on October 3, 2013, the Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County granted the parties’ stipulation to defer defendants’ response to the complaint pending resolution of the Smilovits class action or expiration of the stay issued in the consolidated derivative actions in the Arizona District Court. On November 5, 2013, the matter was placed on the court’s inactive calendar. The parties have jointly sought and obtained multiple requests to continue the action on the inactive calendar. Most recently, on November 24, 2015, the court entered an order continuing the action on the inactive calendar until March 31, 2016. The Company believes that plaintiffs in the derivative actions lack standing to pursue litigation on behalf of First Solar. The derivative actions are still in the initial stages and there has been no discovery. Accordingly, we are not in a position to assess whether any loss or adverse effect on our financial condition is probable or remote or to estimate the range of potential loss, if any. Department of Labor Proceeding In March 2015, the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) notified our wholly-owned subsidiary First Solar Electric, LLC (“FSE”) of the DOL’s findings following a labor standards compliance review under the Davis Bacon and Related Acts at the Agua Caliente project in southwestern Arizona. FSE served as the general contractor for the project. The DOL alleges that certain workers at the project were misclassified and, as a result of that misclassification, were not paid the required prevailing wage. We disagree with certain of the DOL’s investigative findings and are currently reviewing those issues of disagreement with the DOL. Possible adverse outcomes include the payment of back wages and debarment of FSE and its affiliates from doing certain business with the U.S. federal government. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the DOL proceeding. |
