Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies | 6 Months Ended |
Jun. 30, 2014 |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ' |
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | ' |
2. Significant Accounting Policies |
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Liquidity and Financial Position |
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We currently face challenges meeting the working capital needs of our business. Our primary requirements for working capital are to fund purchases for solar panels and microinverters, and to cover our payroll and lease expenses. We have incurred net losses and negative cash flows from operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. During recent years, we have undertaken several equity and debt financing transactions to provide the capital needed to sustain our business. We have dramatically reduced our headcount and other variable expenses. As of June 30, 2014, we had approximately $93,000 in cash on hand. We intend to address ongoing working capital needs through sales of remaining inventory, along with raising additional debt and equity financing. In January 2013, our board of directors approved actions to dramatically reduce our variable operating costs, including a 12 person employee headcount reduction effective January 15, 2013, for the period through the anticipated merger closing with CBD, which merger was terminated in July 2013. No restructuring charges or severance payments were incurred. Our revenue levels remain difficult to predict, and we anticipate that we will continue to sustain losses in the near term, and we cannot assure investors that we will be successful in reaching break-even. |
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During 2012, because of our cash position and liquidity constraints, we were late in making payments to both of our former panel suppliers, Suntech and Lightway. We currently have no unshipped orders from these suppliers. In May 2013, we entered into a new supply agreement for assembly of our proprietary modules with Environmental Engineering Group Pty Ltd (“EEG”), an assembler of polycrystalline modules located in Australia. In August 2013, we began receiving product from EEG and began shipping product to customers during the third calendar quarter of 2013. In September 2013, we entered into a second supply agreement for assembly of our proprietary modules with Tianwei New Energy Co, Ltd., a panel supplier located in China. We began receiving product from Tianwei in February 2014 and stopped as of June 2014. In July 2014, we entered into a supply agreement for assembly of our proprietary modules with Auxin Solar, Inc., a panel supplier located in the United States. We expect to begin receiving product from Auxin in September 2014. Although we believe we can find alternative suppliers for solar panels manufactured to our specifications, our operations would be disrupted unless we are able to rapidly secure alternative sources of supply, our inventory and revenue could diminish significantly, causing disruption to our operations. |
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The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern. Our significant operating losses, negative cash flow from operations, and challenges in rapidly securing alternative sources of supply for solar panels, raise substantial uncertainty about our ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty, and contemplate the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise additional funds on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. There is uncertainty to our anticipated revenue levels and to the timing of cash receipts, which are needed to support our operations. It also worsens the market conditions for seeking equity and debt financing. We currently anticipate that we will retain all of our earnings, if any, for development of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on common stock in the foreseeable future. |
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Securities Purchase Agreement |
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On February 25, 2014, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with a certain institutional accredited investor relating to the sale and issuance of a (i) convertible note in the principal amount of $200,000 that matures February 25, 2016 and (ii) five- year warrant (with a cashless exercise feature under certain circumstances) to purchase 5,000,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.02 per share, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. On March 18, 2014, we issued under the Securities Purchase Agreement we entered into with the institutional investor on February 25, 2014 a (i) convertible note in the principal amount of $300,000 that matures March 18, 2016 and (ii) five –year warrant (with a cashless exercise feature under certain circumstances) to purchase 7,500,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.02 per share, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. The convertible notes bears interest at the rate of 8% per annum compounded annually, are payable at maturity and the principal and interest outstanding under the convertible notes are convertible into shares of our common stock, at any time after issuance, at the option of the purchaser, at a conversion price equal to $0.02 per share, subject to adjustment upon the happening of certain events, including stock dividends, stock splits and the issuance of common stock equivalents at a price below the conversion price. Subject to us fulfilling certain conditions, including beneficial ownership limits, the convertible notes are subject to mandatory conversion if the closing price of our common stock for any 20 consecutive days commencing six months after the issue date of the convertible notes equals or exceeds $0.04 per share. Unless waived in writing by the purchaser, no conversion of the convertible notes can be effected to the extent that as a result of such conversion the purchaser would beneficially own more than 9.99% in the aggregate of our issued and outstanding common stock immediately after giving effect to the issuance of common stock upon conversion. |
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Equity Purchase Agreement |
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On January 23, 2014, we entered into a new Equity Purchase Agreement with Southridge Partners II, LP (Southridge), that superseded our prior Equity Purchase Agreement with Southridge that was entered into on November 25, 2013 (the “Prior Equity Purchase Agreement”). The terms of the new Equity Purchase Agreement are identical to those of the Prior Equity Purchase Agreement other than that the New Equity Purchase Agreement provides that the Agreement may not be amended by either party. Pursuant to the New Equity Purchase Agreement and as provided in the Prior Equity Purchase Agreement, Southridge has committed to purchase up to $5,000,000 worth of our common stock, over a period of time terminating on the earlier of: (i) 18 months from the effective date of the registration statement to be filed by us for the New Equity Purchase Agreement; or (ii) the date on which Southridge has purchased an aggregate maximum purchase price of $5,000,000 pursuant to the New Equity Purchase Agreement; Southridge’s commitment to purchase our common stock is subject to various conditions, including, but not limited to, limitations based on the trading volume of our common stock. On March 11, 2014, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1/A to register 35 million shares of common stock related to our Equity Purchase Agreement with Southridge and on March 21, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared the Registration Statement effective. On March 26, 2014, we submitted an initial take-down request of $300,000 to Southridge pursuant to the terms of the Equity Purchase Agreement of which partial proceeds of $100,000 was received on March 31, 2014 and $200,000 on April 16, 2014. On April 17, 2014, we issued 8,079,800 shares of our common stock in a Section 3(a) (10) proceeding that generated proceeds in the amount of $250,000 in full settlement of a claim (see Note 17. Commitments and Contingencies). On June 4, 2014, June 18, 2014 and July 8, 2014, we submitted additional take-down requests for $100,000, $100,000 and $125,000, respectively, pursuant to the terms of the Equity Purchase Agreement. We issued a total of 31,760,578 shares of our common stock at an average price of $0.02 per share pursuant to the terms of the Equity Purchase Agreement. We have approximately 3.2 million shares remaining under our effective Form S-1 and available pursuant to the terms of our Equity Purchase Agreement following our take-downs through August 11, 2014. |
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Settlement of Potential Claims Agreement |
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On January 22, 2014, we entered into a Settlement of Potential Claims Agreement with ASC Recap LLC (ASCR). Pursuant to the Agreement, ASCR has offered to purchase (and in one (1) case has already purchased) approximately $3.7 million of our prior debt owed to four creditors (Creditors) for past due services at a substantial discount to face value to which we have agreed to issue to ASCR certain shares of our common stock in a §3(a)(10) 1933 Act proceeding. The shares of our common stock that we have agreed to issue to ASCR in full payment for, and as a release of any debt it purchases from the Creditors, is anticipated to have, upon issuance, a market value equal to approximately 25% of the principal amount of our outstanding debt. In the case of the debt ASCR already purchased from one (1) Creditor, we entered into a Settlement Agreement and Stipulation on February 26, 2014 that was filed with the Circuit Court of the Second Judicial Circuit, Leon County, Florida pursuant to which we agreed, subject to court approval, to issue shares of our common stock that generate proceeds in the amount of $250,000 in full settlement of the claim in the amount of $1,027,705 that ASCR acquired from one Creditor (the value of the stock that we have agreed to issue was two hundred and fifty percent (250%) of the discounted purchase price ASCR paid to purchase the debt from the Creditor, and approximately 25% of the original amount we owed to the Creditor), resulting in a gain on settlement of $769,148, net of expenses. On March 24, 2014, the Circuit Court of the Second Judicial Circuit, Leon County, Florida, approved the §3(a)(10) 1933 Act proceeding and Settlement Agreement and Stipulation and in April 2014, we issued 8,079,800 shares of common stock at an average price of $0.031 for the full settlement of the agreement with ASCR. The stock to be issued by us and the purchase of the debt by ASCR of the remaining three Creditors is subject to the acceptance of offers by the Creditors. |
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Use of Estimates |
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The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
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Revenue Recognition |
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Revenue from sales of products is recognized when: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the sale price is fixed or determinable, and (4) collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. We recognize revenue when the solar power systems are shipped to the customer. |
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Cash and Cash Equivalents |
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We consider all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. We maintain cash and cash equivalents which consist principally of demand deposits with high credit quality financial institutions. At certain times, such amounts exceed FDIC insurance limits. We have not experienced any losses on these investments and, as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were no cash equivalents. |
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Accounts Receivable |
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Accounts receivable consist of trade receivables. We regularly evaluate the collectibility of our accounts receivable. An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for estimated credit losses, and such losses have historically been minimal and within our expectations. We consider a number of factors when estimating credit losses, including the aging of a customer’s account, creditworthiness of specific customers, historical trends and other information. |
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Discontinued Operations |
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Discontinued operations are presented and accounted for in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) ASC 360, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” (“ASC 360”). When a qualifying component of the Company is disposed of or has been classified as held for sale, the operating results of that component are removed from continuing operations for all periods presented and displayed as discontinued operations if: (a) elimination of the component’s operations and cash flows from the Company’s ongoing operations has occurred (or will occur) and (b) significant continuing involvement by the Company in the component’s operations does not exist after the disposal transaction. |
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On September 10, 2010, we announced that we were exiting the solar panel installation business. The exit from the installation business was essentially completed by the end of 2010, other than potential warranty payments related to past installations. (See “Manufacturer and Installation Warranties”). The exit from the installation business was therefore classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented under the requirements of ASC 360. |
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Manufacturer and Installation Warranties |
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The manufacturer directly warrants the solar panels and inverters for a range from 15 to 25 years. We warrant the balance of system components of our products against defects in material and workmanship for five years. We assist our customers in the event of a claim under the manufacturer warranty to replace a defective solar panel or inverter. The warranty liability for the material and the workmanship of the balance of system components of approximately $353,000 as of June 30, 2014 and $345,000 at December 31, 2013, is included within “Accrued warranty” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. |
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The liability for our manufacturing warranty consists of the following: |
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| | 30-Jun-14 | | | 31-Dec-13 | |
Beginning accrued warranty balance | | $ | 344,990 | | | $ | 329,680 | |
Reduction for labor payments and claims made under the warranty | | | — | | | | (4,400 | ) |
Accruals related to warranties issued during the period | | | 7,926 | | | | 19,710 | |
Ending accrued warranty balance | | $ | 352,916 | | | $ | 344,990 | |
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We previously recorded a provision for warranty liability related to our discontinued installation operations. We provided for a 5-year or a 10-year warranty on the installation of a system and all equipment and incidental supplies other than solar panels and inverters that are covered under the manufacturer warranty. The liability for the installation warranty of approximately $932,000 as of June 30, 2014 and $968,000 as of December 31, 2013 is included within “Liabilities of Discontinued Operations” in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Defective solar panels or inverters are covered under the manufacturer warranty. In the event that a panel or inverter needs to be replaced, we will replace the defective item within the manufacturer’s warranty period (between 5-25 years). |
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Patent Costs |
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We capitalize external legal costs and filing fees associated with obtaining or defending our patents. Upon issuance of new patents or successful defense of existing patents, we amortize these costs using the straight line method over the shorter of the legal life of the patent or its economic life. We believe the remaining useful life we assign to these patents, approximately 10.5 years as of June 30, 2014, are reasonable. We periodically review our patents to determine whether any such cost have been impaired and are no longer being used. To the extent we are no longer using certain patents, the associated costs will be written off at that time. |
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Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates |
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There have been no material developments or changes to the significant accounting policies discussed in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K or accounting pronouncements issued or adopted, except as described below. |
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
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In May 2014, as part of its ongoing efforts to assist in the convergence of U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The new guidance sets forth a new five-step revenue recognition model which replaces the prior revenue recognition guidance in its entirety and is intended to eliminate numerous industry-specific pieces of revenue recognition guidance that have historically existed in U.S. GAAP. The underlying principle of the new standard is that a business or other organization will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects in exchange for the goods or services. The standard also requires more detailed disclosures and provides additional guidance for transactions that were not addressed completely in the prior accounting guidance. The ASU provides alternative methods of initial adoption and is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements. |