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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
þ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2009
OR
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from: to
Commission File Number: 000-53105
CLEAR SKIES SOLAR, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
DELAWARE | 30-0401535 | |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
Organization) | ||
200 Old Country Road, Suite 610 | ||
Mineola, New York | 11501-4241 | |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip code) |
(516) 282-7652
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code) |
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
YES þ NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
YES o NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer o | Smaller reporting company þ | |||
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
YES o NO þ
As of May 11, 2009, 40,498,844 shares of the issuer’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share, were outstanding.
Table of Contents
Page | ||||
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION | 3 | |||
Item 1. Financial Statements | 3 | |||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as at March 31, 2009 (unaudited) and Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as at December 31, 2008 | 3 | |||
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008 | 4 | |||
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008 | 5 | |||
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | 6 | |||
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 15 | |||
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 18 | |||
Item 4T. Controls and Procedures | 19 | |||
PART II OTHER INFORMATION | 20 | |||
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 20 | |||
Item 6. Exhibits | 20 | |||
Signatures | 21 | |||
Section 302 Certification of Principal Executive Officer | ||||
Section 302 Certification of Principal Financial Officer | ||||
Section 906 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
CLEAR SKIES SOLAR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2009 | December 31, 2008 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 8,477 | $ | 155,577 | ||||
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $65,275 at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively | 29,542 | 157,225 | ||||||
Inventory | 0 | 11,113 | ||||||
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Total current assets | 38,019 | 323,915 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 186,560 | 192,653 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and investor relations fees | 167,041 | 195,273 | ||||||
Security deposits | 113,634 | 113,634 | ||||||
Other assets | 73,607 | 44,801 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 578,861 | $ | 870,276 | ||||
LABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) | ||||||||
C | ||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 1,436,342 | $ | 1,274,563 | ||||
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings | 42,553 | 40,332 | ||||||
Obligation to issue options and warrants | 47,500 | 47,500 | ||||||
Notes Payable | 4,587 | — | ||||||
Payroll liabilities | 69,842 | 31,047 | ||||||
Provision for estimated warranty liability | 56,964 | 56,964 | ||||||
Estimated loss on uncompleted contracts | 109,305 | 109,305 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 1,767,093 | 1,559,711 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
Stockholders’ Equity (deficit) | ||||||||
Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding | ||||||||
Common stock, $.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 31,921,066 and 31,696,066 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively | 31,921 | 31,696 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 11,423,774 | 10,767,217 | ||||||
Accumulated (deficit) | (12,643,927 | ) | (11,488,348 | ) | ||||
T | ||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) | (1,188,232) | (689,435 | ) | |||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Deficit) | $ | 578,861 | $ | 870,276 |
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
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Clear Skies Solar, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the three months ended March 31, | ||||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
Revenues | ||||||||
Contract revenue | $ | — | $ | 138,224 | ||||
Subcontract revenue | — | 0 | ||||||
Other | 11,113 | 15,000 | ||||||
Total revenues | 11,113 | 153,224 | ||||||
Cost of revenues | 27,946 | 193,348 | ||||||
Gross margin | (16,833) | (40,124) | ||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||
Selling expenses | 91,255 | 233,959 | ||||||
General and administrative expenses | 1,040,474 | 1,401,957 | ||||||
Research and development | 2,135 | 2,614 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 1,133,864 | 1,638,530 | ||||||
Loss from operations | (1,150,697 | ) | (1,678,654 | ) | ||||
Other income (expense) | ||||||||
Interest income | 470 | 32,347 | ||||||
Interest expense | (5,352) | (5,930) | ||||||
Provision for income taxes | — | — | ||||||
Net loss | $ | (1,155,579 | ) | $ | (1,652,237 | ) | ||
Loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | ||
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 31,556,792 | 30,886,678 |
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
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Clear Skies Solar, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the three months ended March 31, | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (1,155,579 | ) | $ | (1,652,237 | ) | ||||
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||||
Depreciation | 6,094 | 2,120 | ||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 656,782 | 156,843 | ||||||||
Estimated loss on uncompleted contracts | — | 27,969 | ||||||||
Bad debt expense | — | 9,000 | ||||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents attributable to changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||
Accounts receivable | 127,683 | (131,407 | ) | |||||||
Inventory | 11,113 | — | ||||||||
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings | — | (8,244) | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses and investor relations fees | 28,232 | 291,750 | ||||||||
Other assets | (28,807 | ) | 282 | |||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 161,779 | 25,684 | ||||||||
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings | 2,221 | 1,427 | ||||||||
Payroll liabilities | 38,795 | (99,376) | ||||||||
Customer deposits | — | (5,000) | ||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (151,687 | ) | (1,381,189 | ) | ||||||
Net cash flows used in investing activities | ||||||||||
Purchases of equipment | — | (8,941 | ) | |||||||
Net cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||||
Advances from related party | — | (104,410) | ||||||||
Notes payable | 4,587 | 0 | ||||||||
— | 0 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 4,587 | (104,410) | ||||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash and cash equivalents | (147,100 | ) | (1,494,540 | ) | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period | $ | 155,577 | $ | 4,866,842 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 8,477 | $ | 3,372,302 | ||||||
Supplemental Disclosures of cash flow information | ||||||||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | — | $ | 5,390 | ||||||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investment activities | ||||||||||
Value of shares of common stock issued to consultants | $ | 5,000 | 13,500 | |||||||
Reclassification of prepaid investor relations to other receivable | — | $ | 167,988 |
See Accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Basis of presentation, current status and nature of operations
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2009 and for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information, and with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding interim financial reporting. Accordingly, these interim financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the Company, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the information set forth therein. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year. The condensed consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31, 2008 was derived from the audited financial statements and notes thereto, together with management’s discussion and analysis or plan of operations included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. The interim financial statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with that Report.
In preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the Company is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates estimates, including those related to bad debts, inventory reserves, and warranty expense. The Company bases its estimates on historical data and experience, when available, and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the combined results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Current Status
At this time, Clear Skies has no active projects under construction. Our last contract was completed in December 2008, except for several small residential projects that were ordered from us in 2007 or before and have been delayed for a variety of reasons. We had no revenue in the first quarter of 2009, except for the sale of approximately $11,000 of excess solar panel inventory. It is not certain when we will begin generating revenues again. We are negotiating with several parties for the financing and construction of a number of solar energy projects, however there can be no assurance that we will be successful in these negotiations or that such projects would be profitable. Even if we are successful in negotiating finance and construction agreements, since we recognize revenue under the percentage of completion method, it could be several months after signing before we begin performance and are able to report revenue on our financial statements.
As of May 8, 2009, our available cash balance was approximately $20,000. Notwithstanding our recent sale of convertible notes for gross proceeds of $400,000 and borrowings of $248,464 from an unrelated third party, we will need to raise additional funds to pay outstanding vendor invoices. Our future cash flows depend on our ability to enter into, and be paid under, contracts for the construction of solar energy projects and our ability to sell our debt and equity securities on terms satisfactory to us. While management believes these can be accomplished, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in entering into construction contracts or selling our securities, in which case we shall probably not be able to continue as a going concern.
Nature of Operations
Clear Skies Group, Inc. was formed in New York in September 2003 for the purpose of providing turnkey solar electricity installations and renewable energy technology solutions to commercial and residential customers across the United States. CSG commenced operations in August 2005 and received its initial funding in September 2005. The Company also has proprietary and patented remote monitoring technology under the name XTRAX® with applications in the solar electricity production industry and other potential markets.
Unless the context requires otherwise, references to the “Company” for periods prior to the closing of the Reverse Merger (Note 2) on December 20, 2007 refer to Clear Skies Group, Inc., a private New York corporation that is now Clear Skies Solar, Inc.’ s wholly-owned subsidiary, and such references for periods subsequent to the closing of the Reverse Merger on December 20, 2007, refer to Clear Skies Solar, Inc., a publicly traded Delaware corporation formerly known as Clear Skies Holdings, Inc. (“CSH”), together with its subsidiaries, including Clear Skies Group, Inc.
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2. Business combination and subsequent financing
The reverse merger
On December 13, 2007, BIP Oil, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“BIP”), and Clear Skies Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“CSH”) and wholly owned subsidiary of BIP, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger. On December 18, 2007, BIP merged with and into CSH, so that BIP and CSH became a single corporation named Clear Skies Holdings, Inc., which exists under, and is governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Reincorporation”). Immediately following the Reincorporation, there were 59,841,923 shares of Clear Skies Holdings, Inc. issued and outstanding to stockholders of record.
On December 20, 2007, Clear Skies Acquisition Corp., a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of Clear Skies Holdings, Inc., was merged with and into Clear Skies Group, Inc. (the “Reverse Merger”), and Clear Skies Group, Inc., as the surviving corporation, became a wholly owned subsidiary of Clear Skies Holdings, Inc. Prior to the Reverse Merger, certain stockholders of Clear Skies Group, Inc. agreed to surrender an aggregate of 60,000 shares of Clear Skies Group, Inc. (exchangeable for an aggregate of 116,276 shares of common stock of Clear Skies Holdings, Inc. in the Reverse Merger) for cancellation. Pursuant to the Reverse Merger, the outstanding shares of common stock of Clear Skies Group, Inc. were exchanged for an aggregate of 8,492,067 shares of Clear Skies Holdings, Inc. at a conversion rate of 1.937943 shares of Clear Skies Holdings, Inc. for each share of Clear Skies Group, Inc. In addition, pursuant to the Reverse Merger, outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate of 760,000 shares of common stock of Clear Skies Group, Inc. were exchanged for an aggregate of 416,656 shares of common stock of Clear Skies Holdings, Inc.
Immediately following the closing of the Reverse Merger, Clear Skies Holdings, Inc. transferred all of its pre-Reverse Merger operating assets and liabilities to its newly formed wholly owned subsidiary, BIP Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and transferred all of BIP Holdings, Inc.’s outstanding capital stock to Clear Skies Holdings, Inc.’s then-majority stockholders in exchange for cancellation of 53,866,923 shares of Clear Skies Holdings, Inc. common stock held by those stockholders (such transaction, the “Split-Off”). The remaining pre-Reverse Merger stockholders of Clear Skies Holdings, Inc. continued to hold 5,975,000 shares of Clear Skies Holdings, Inc. after the split-off. After the Reverse Merger, Clear Skies Holdings, Inc. succeeded to the business and activities of Clear Skies Group, Inc. as its sole line of business and all of Clear Skies Holdings, Inc.’s then-current officers and directors resigned and were replaced by Clear Skies Group, Inc.’s officers and directors.
On January 25, 2008, Clear Skies Holdings, Inc. changed its name to Clear Skies Solar, Inc.
The Reverse Merger was accounted for as a reverse acquisition and recapitalization of Clear Skies Group, Inc. for financial accounting purposes. Consequently, the assets and liabilities and the historical operations that are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the Reverse Merger are those of Clear Skies Group, Inc. and have been recorded at the historical cost basis of Clear Skies Group, Inc., and the Company’s consolidated financial statements for periods after completion of the reverse merger include both the Company’s and Clear Skies Group, Inc.’s assets and liabilities, the historical operations of Clear Skies Group, Inc. prior to the Reverse Merger and the Company’s operations from the closing date of the Reverse Merger.
The private placement
Following the business combination discussed above, the Company completed a private placement offering of 16,000,000 shares of its common stock for an aggregate gross purchase price of $8,000,000, including $745,000 of exchanged debt. The cash costs of the private placement of common stock and the prior issuance of $745,000 of bridge notes were approximately $1.2 million in the aggregate, and the Company issued warrants expiring in December 2010 in connection with both financings to the placement agent and its designees to purchase an aggregate of up to 732,401 shares of the Company’s common stock at $.50 per share. The common stock of Clear Skies Solar, Inc. trades on the over the counter bulletin board under the symbol CSKH.OB.
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3. Summary of significant accounting policies
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company regularly evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable. The Company carries its accounts receivable at cost less an allowance for doubtful accounts. On a periodic basis, the Company evaluates its accounts receivable and establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts, if necessary, based on a history of past bad debts and collections and current credit conditions. Accounts receivable are written-off as uncollectible on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of management. Accounts receivable consist of trade receivables and when applicable amounts due from state agencies for rebates on state-approved solar systems installed. A total of $29,542 of rebates was included in accounts receivable at March 31, 2009. When the Company sells systems with a rebate component, the savings is passed directly to the customer and the Company takes ownership of the rebate receivable from the applicable state agency.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method or the weighted average method. The inventory balance, which includes materials, labor and manufacturing overhead costs, is recorded net of an allowance for obsolete or unmarketable inventories. Such allowance is based upon both historical experience and management’s understanding of market conditions and forecasts of future product demand. In addition, items in inventories in excess of one year’s usage are compared to the allowance for adequacy. If the actual amount of obsolete or unmarketable inventories significantly exceeds the estimated allowance, the Company’s cost of sales, gross profit and net earnings would be significantly affected.
Revenue Recognition
The Company delivers turnkey solar electricity installations and renewable energy technology solutions to commercial, industrial and residential developer customers. The Company’s primary business is the design and installation of photovoltaic (sometimes called “solar electric” or “PV” for short) solar power systems for the commercial, industrial and residential developer markets. Based on its design the Company orders components from manufacturers, has them shipped to the job site and then completes the job. The Company will also order extra solar panels for inventories and hold them until needed for a particular job.
The Company recognizes revenue from its contracts over the contractual period under the percentage-of-completion (“POC”) method of accounting. Under the POC method of accounting, sales and gross profit are recognized as work is performed based on the relationship between actual costs incurred and total estimated costs at the completion of the contract. Recognized revenue that will not be billed under the terms of the contract until a later date is recorded as an asset captioned “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts.” Contracts where billings to date have exceeded recognized revenue are recorded as a liability captioned “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts.” Changes to the original estimates may be required during the life of the contract. Estimates are reviewed monthly and the effect of any change in the estimated gross margin percentage for a contract is reflected in cost of sales in the period the change becomes known. The use of the POC method of accounting involves considerable use of estimates in determining revenue, costs and profits and in assigning the amounts to accounting periods. As a result, there can be a significant disparity between earnings (both for accounting and taxes) as reported and actual cash received by the Company during any reporting period. The Company continually evaluates all of the issues related to the assumptions, risks and uncertainties inherent with the application of the POC method of accounting; however, it is not assured that its estimates will be accurate. If the Company’s estimates are not accurate or a contract is terminated, it will be forced to adjust revenue in later periods. Furthermore, even if its estimates are accurate, the Company may have a shortfall in its cash flow and it may need to borrow money to fund its work in process or to pay taxes until the reported earnings materialize in actual cash receipts.
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From time to time, the Company performs installation and other services as a subcontractor. These services differ from contract revenue in that the Company is entitled to be compensated for subcontractor work performed prior to completion of the system, because the Company has no obligation or ownership of the system so long as it completes its tasks satisfactorily. Revenues from subcontractor projects are realized as they are completed.
Cost Recognition
Contract costs include all direct material, labor, and equipment costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance such as indirect labor, supply, and tool costs. The Company makes provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions, and estimated profitability, including those arising from contract penalty provisions, and final contract settlements may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revenues are determined.
The Company carries inventories as it needs to buy materials in advance of anticipated orders due to possible long lead times at vendors. In addition, the Company will have purchased material at job sites prior to installation and completion of the job.
Loss Per Share
The Company complies with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share.” SFAS No. 128 requires dual presentation of basic and diluted income/loss per share for all periods presented. Basic income/loss per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income/loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted income/loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then share in the income/loss of the Company. The difference between the number of shares used to compute basic income/loss per share and diluted income/loss per share relates to additional shares to be issued upon the assumed exercise of stock options and warrants, net of shares hypothetically repurchased at the average market price with the proceeds of exercise. As the Company reported a net loss for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the effects of the 10,944,979 shares issuable on exercise of outstanding warrants and options and on the conversion of notes as of March 31, 2009 has not been considered in the diluted net loss per common share since these dilutive securities would reduce the loss per common share and become anti-dilutive.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 provides a new single authoritative definition of fair value and provides enhanced guidance for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities and requires additional disclosures related to the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. SFAS 157 is effective as of November 15, 2007. The adoption of this statement did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, ''The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115”, (''SFAS 159’’). This Statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of fiscal 2008. The adoption of this statement did not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations since the Company did not elect to measure any applicable assets and liabilities at fair value.
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In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations.” SFAS No. 141(R) provides companies with principles and requirements on how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree as well as the recognition and measurement of goodwill acquired in a business combination. SFAS No. 141(R) also requires certain disclosures to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. Acquisition costs associated with the business combination will generally be expensed as incurred. SFAS No. 141(R) is effective for business combinations occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, which will require the Company to adopt these provisions for business combinations occurring in fiscal 2009 and thereafter. Early adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) is not permitted.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — An Amendment of ARB No. 51”. SFAS No. 160 requires reporting entities to present noncontrolling (minority) interests as equity as opposed to as a liability or mezzanine equity and provides guidance on the accounting for transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interests. SFAS No. 160 is effective the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within that fiscal year. SFAS No. 160 applies prospectively as of the beginning of the fiscal year SFAS No. 160 is initially applied, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements which are applied retrospectively for all periods presented subsequent to adoption. The adoption of SFAS No. 160 will not have a material impact on the financial statements; however, it could impact future transactions entered into by the Company.
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and provides entities with a framework for selecting the principles used in preparation of financial statements that are presented in conformity with GAAP. The current GAAP hierarchy has been criticized because it is directed to the auditor rather than the entity, it is complex, and it ranks FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts, which are subject to the same level of due process as FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Standards, below industry practices that are widely recognized as generally accepted but that are not subject to due process. The FASB believes the GAAP hierarchy should be directed to entities because it is the entity (not its auditors) that is responsible for selecting accounting principles for financial statements that are presented in conformity with GAAP. The adoption of FASB 162 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Stock Based Compensation
The FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (Revised).” SFAS No. 123(R) focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. SFAS 123(R) requires an entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award (with limited exceptions). That cost will be recognized during the period in which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. No compensation costs are recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) at commencement of operations.
4. Operations and Going Concern
Since inception, the Company has incurred losses and negative cash flows from operations and at March 31, 2009, the Company had an accumulated deficit of approximately $12.6 million. At March 31, 2009 we had approximately $8,500 in cash and cash equivalents. Based on our current plans and assumptions, which include our expectations relating to the future sale of our equity and debt securities and entering into contracts for the financing and installation of solar energy systems and the resulting cash flows and revenues, we believe that we will have adequate resources to fund our operations in 2009. However, there can be no assurances that we will be successful in entering into such contracts or arranging financing on terms satisfactory to us, in which case there would be significant doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. Notwithstanding our recent sale of convertible notes for gross proceeds of $400,000 and borrowings of $248,464 from an unrelated third party, we will need to raise additional funds to pay outstanding vendor invoices.
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5. Prepaid expenses and investor relations fees
Prepaid expenses and prepaid investor relation fees at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are as follows:
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
Payments to US public and investor relations firms | $ | 166,667 | $ | 191,667 | ||||
Prepaid insurance premiums | 375 | 3,607 | ||||||
Totals | $ | 167,042 | $ | 195,274 |
The Company has entered into agreements with several firms in the US to provide it with both public relations and investor relations advice and services over periods from one to three years. These agreements call for payments in both cash and common stock and payments are being amortized over the period of each agreement. In addition to the amounts above, the Company had committed to pay monthly retainers to the above firms ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 per month over the life of the agreement. The payment to a European firm was originally pursuant to a six month agreement and represented an advance payment of anticipated out of pocket expenses of the consultant in 2008. The agreement was subsequently terminated and the European firm returned $167,988 on April 24, 2008, which was the balance of uncommitted funds. In the first three months of 2009, there was no charge to earnings.
6. Stock-based compensation and common stock issued and agreed to be issued
Upon commencement of operations, the Company entered into multiple agreements in which the Company received consulting and other services in exchange for the Company’s common stock or options to purchase the Company’s common stock. The Company complies with SFAS 123(R) and records compensation expense for the fair value of these services over the periods in which they are provided.
In September 2005, the Company agreed to grant 120,000 shares (exchanged for 232,553 shares in the Reverse Merger) to three individuals for agreeing to serve on the Board of Directors for a three-year term. The fair value of these shares at the date of such agreement was estimated to be approximately $96,000. For the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded Board of Director fees and compensation expense, which are included in general and administrative expenses, of approximately zero, and $13,000, respectively, for these shares. The balance of these costs were charged to earnings during 2008 and therefore there was no amounts on the balance sheets as at March 31, 2009 or December 31, 2008.
As a result of the above transactions, capital advances of $310,000 in September 2005 and $200,000 in April 2006, and services performed in exchange for shares issued prior to 2006, the Company became contractually obligated to issue shares in excess of its 200 authorized shares (“Old Shares of Clear Skies Group, Inc.”). As a result, the Company recorded a liability of approximately $894,000 as of December 31, 2006 for the value of the contractual obligations. Due to the contractual obligation to issue the excess shares, the Board of Directors, with stockholder approval, passed a resolution to increase the number of authorized shares to 10,000,000. On January 30, 2007, the certificate of incorporation (the “Charter”) was officially amended to authorize the Company to issue 10,000,000 shares (“New Shares of Clear Skies Group, Inc.”) of $0.01 par value common stock. Concurrently with the amendment to the Charter, the Company’s sole shareholder was issued 1,570,000 New Shares of Clear Skies Group, Inc. (exchanged for 3,042,570 shares in the Reverse Merger) in exchange for the Old Shares of Clear Skies Group, Inc. previously issued. Upon the amendment to the Charter, the obligation to issue 1,042,500 shares of CSG common stock (exchanged for 2,020,297 in the Reverse Merger) was fulfilled and the liability was reclassified to Stockholders’ Equity as Common Stock to the extent of par value with the excess classified as Additional Paid-In Capital. The Company was obligated under a contract with a public relations consultant to issue $4,500 worth of its common stock to the consultant each month during the term of the contract which expired on September 30, 2008. The Board determined the value of the shares for each month at the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day of the prior month.
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7. Related party transactions
In April 2007, the Company issued 40,000 shares (exchanged for 77,517 shares in the Reverse Merger) to an individual who was a director as compensation for services rendered other than as a director. The fair value of these shares at issuance was estimated to be approximately $33,000 which was recorded as service fees and included in general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. In June 2008, the Company issued an option to an individual who was a director at that time as compensation for services rendered other than as a director. The option allows the individual to purchase up to 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $1.21 per share and expires in December 2009. The fair value of the option at issuance was estimated to be $33,000 which was recorded as a service fee and included in general and administrative expenses when the option was issued.
Several of the Company’s officers and directors, or their affiliates, have from time to time extended loans to the Company or agreed to defer compensation payable to them in order to fund the Company’s operating expenses. In this regard: (i) Quixotic Systems, Inc. (“Quixotic”) loaned $285,000 at 10% interest compounded daily, which had been repaid in full as of December 31, 2007; and (ii) Gelvin Stevenson loaned $20,000 all of which had been repaid in full as of December 31, 2007. Furthermore, Ezra Green, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, agreed to the deferral of $73,259 of his compensation (of which $69,366 was unpaid and included in accrued expenses as of December 31, 2007). As of March 18, 2008, Mr. Green’s deferred compensation had been repaid in full. Mr. Green advanced $30,275 to the Company in 2006 and an additional $70,037 in 2007 (which has been recorded as a balance of $100,312 due to related party at December 31, 2007). This related party balance was also repaid in full by March 18, 2008. Such loans and other arrangements were interest free (except for Quixotic) and have not been memorialized by written promissory notes. At December 31, 2007, there were miscellaneous amounts due to related parties of approximately $4,000 which were paid in March, 2008. As of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 no related party loans were outstanding.
8. Stock Options and Warrants
In accordance with Statement on Auditing Standards ("SAS") No. 123(R), the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to measure the fair value of its Option awards granted in 2007 as part of or after the Reverse Merger described in Note 1. All Option awards granted prior to the Reverse Merger transaction described in Note 2 were exchanged for common stock as part of that transaction. The Black-Scholes model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions including volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. As the Options were granted to non-employee consultants the resulting fair value is recorded as consulting expense on a straight-line basis over the period of service of the consultants, in this case one year. The amount of this expense charged to earnings for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 was zero and $9,000, respectively. There will be no charge against earnings in 2009.
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In December 2007, the Company’s shareholders approved its 2007 Equity Incentive Plan which provides for the granting to both employees and non-employees of up to 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to awards of options and/or restricted stock. The 2007 Plan is administered by the Company’s Board of Directors or a committee appointed by the Board. On July 28, 2008, the Board adopted our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan and on March 17, 2009 it adopted our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan. At March 31, 2009, the Company had outstanding options granted under the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Plans to purchase an aggregate of 5,900,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. On May 1, 2008 the Company adopted the Clear Skies Solar, Inc. 2008 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, which it amended on November 12, 2008 and, pursuant to that Plan as amended, each of the non-employee directors were granted options expiring in ten years to purchase 90,000 shares, 90,000 shares and 220,000 shares at $1.30, $.2725 and $.12 per share, respectively. The Company did not issue any stock options to employees in 2007. A summary of the Company’s stock option activity in the first three months of 2009 for employees and three non-employees is as follows:
Weighted | ||||||||
Weighted | Average | |||||||
Average | Remaining | |||||||
Number | Exercise | Contractual | ||||||
of | Price per | Term | ||||||
Options | Option | (Years) | ||||||
Employees: | ||||||||
Outstanding, January 1, 2009 | 3,030,000 | $ | 0.99 | 7.40 | ||||
Granted — March 17, 2009 | 2,555,000 | $ | 0.12 | 9.02 | ||||
Cancelled/forfeited | -35,000 | $ | 0.49 | |||||
Outstanding, March 31, 2009 | 5,550,000 | |||||||
Non-employees: | ||||||||
Granted — March 17, 2009 | 350,000 | $ | 0.12 | 10.00 | ||||
Outstanding, March 31, 2009 | 5,900,000 |
The following table summarizes additional information about the assumptions used to determine the fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2009:
Risk free rate | 2.00 - 2.64 | % | ||
Stock price volatility | 121 | % | ||
Dividend yield | 0 | |||
Term | 4.5 - 6 years |
The estimated stock price volatility was derived based on the average volatility of 34 companies that the Company considered reasonably similar to it. The risk free rate of return was based on the yield of US Treasury debt of comparable maturities on the date of issuance of the Options.
During the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008, the Company recorded approximately $228,000 and $83,000, respectively, of stock-based compensation for issuances under this Plan. The amount of compensation expense not yet recognized is $1,992,729 which will be recognized over the next three years.
On July 28, 2008 and March 17, 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Clear Skies Solar, Inc. 2008 and 2009 Equity Incentive Plans, respectively, each of which permits the granting of up to 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to awards of incentive and non-qualified stock options and/or restricted stock. The Company plans to seek shareholder approval of the 2008 Plan, and, in order for any awards there under to qualify as incentive stock options, the Company must obtain such approval by July 27, 2009, and to seek approval of the 2009 Plan by March 16, 2010. Options granted under each of the 2008 and 2009 Plans must have a duration of not more than ten years and, if an incentive stock option, then it must have an exercise price of not less than the Fair Market Value (as defined in each Plan) on the date of grant. Options granted under these Plans are included in the table above.
As of March 31, 2009, the Company’s outstanding options granted prior to March 17, 2009 had no intrinsic value due to the stock price on that date. The options granted on March 17, 2009 have an intrinsic value of $300,000.
As of March 31, 2009, options granted to non-employees may be exercised to purchase a total of 350,000 shares and options granted to employees may be exercised to purchase a total of 393,333 shares.
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9. Contracts
The Company generates billings based on the fulfillment of milestones, which are set forth in the signed contract for each project. Milestones may include, but are not limited to, initial permits being obtained, delivery of materials, and when installation is subsequently complete.
As of March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||
Costs incurred on contracts | $ | 2,441,162 | $ | 2,381,574 | ||||
Estimated earnings, less foreseeable losses | 423,899 | 483,488 | ||||||
B | 2,865,061 | 2,865,062 | ||||||
Billings to date | (2,907,614 | ) | (2,905,394 | ) | ||||
Net costs and estimated earnings/losses in excess of billings | $ | (42,553) | $ | (40,332 | ) | |||
These amounts are included in the accompanying March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 balance sheets under the following captions: | ||||||||
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings | (42,553 | ) | (40,332 | ) | ||||
$ | (42,553) | $ | (40,332 | ) |
10. Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
From time to time, the Company is a party to various legal matters in the normal course of business, the outcome of which, in the opinion of management, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
Lease commitments
The Company occupies premises, since June 25, 2008, consisting of 3,356 square feet in a modern office building pursuant to a seven year lease. Annual fixed rent under this lease is $93,968 in the first year escalating to $115,510 in the seventh year. Additional payments are due for electricity and tax escalation in amounts to be determined in each future year. The Company has provided a letter of credit as security under this lease in the initial amount of $113,634 which reduces to $56,817 after two years and to $28,408 after four years.
Employment agreements
The Company has entered into three year employment agreements with several employees providing for severance arrangements. The severance arrangements become Company obligations if the Company terminates such contract without “cause” or if the covered employee terminates his contract with “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the relevant agreement) and vary in amount (based on the salary in effect on such termination date) and duration from three months to the remainder of the contract term.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
This discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the notes thereto, as well as the other sections of this Quarterly Report and our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008 on Form 10-K, including the “Certain Risks and Uncertainties” and “Description of Business” sections thereof. This discussion contains a number of forward-looking statements, all of which are based on our current expectations and could be affected by the uncertainties and risk factors described throughout this Quarterly Report and our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008 on Form 10-K. Our actual results may differ materially.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute "forward-looking statements". The words or phrases "can be," may," "could," "would," "expects,""believes," "seeks," "estimates," "projects" and similar words and phrases are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described in the section "Risk Factors" included in our form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and we caution you that any forward-looking information provided by or on behalf of us is not a guarantee of future performance. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. All such forward-looking statements are current only as of the date on which such statements were made. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which any such statement is made or to reflect the occurence of unanticipated events.
Overview
We deliver turnkey solar electricity installations and renewable energy technology solutions to commercial, industrial and residential developer customers. Our primary business is the design and installation of photovoltaic (sometimes called “solar electric” or “PV” for short) solar power systems for the commercial, industrial and residential developer markets. We have developed certain proprietary photovoltaic panel mounting systems and trade secrets that we believe reduce the required man-hours for system installations. We have also developed XTRAX®, our patented remote monitoring solution for measuring the production of renewable energy systems, among other things. We have served customers in California, New York and New Jersey. We also plan to expand to other locations where the amount of sunshine, the cost of electricity and/or the availability of governmental rebates make prospects of solar energy system sales appear attractive.
Clear Skies Group, Inc. was incorporated in New York in 2003 and began operations in August 2005. As a result of the reverse merger transaction that we consummated on December 20, 2007, our historical financial statements for periods prior to the reverse merger are those of Clear Skies Group, Inc.
Since we began operations we have incurred annual net losses. As of March 31, 2009, we had an accumulated deficit of $12,643,927 and we expect to incur additional losses in the foreseeable future. Our revenues during the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 ware $11,113 and $153,224, respectively. We recognized net losses of $1,155,579 (or a basic and diluted loss of $.04 per common share) for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and a net loss of $1,652,237 (or a basic and diluted loss of $.05 per common share) for the comparable period in 2008.
Since our inception, we have financed our operations primarily through sales of equity and debt securities. From inception through March 31, 2009, we received net offering proceeds from private sales of equity and debt securities (after deducting placement agents’ discounts, commissions and expenses, and our offering expenses) of approximately $6,800,000 in the aggregate.
Based on our current plans and assumptions, which include our expectations relating to the future sale of our equity and debt securities and entering into contracts for the financing and installation of solar energy systems and the resulting cash flows and revenues, we believe that we will have adequate resources to fund our operations in 2009. However, there can be no assurances that we will be successful in entering into such contracts or arranging financing on terms satisfactory to us, in which case there would be significant doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. As of May 8, 2009, our available cash balance was under $20,000. Notwithstanding our recent sale of convertible notes for gross proceeds of $400,000 and borrowings of $248,464 from an unrelated third party, we will need to raise additional funds to pay outstanding vendor invoices.
Depending upon the needs of our customers, we may have to increase our installation staff significantly in 2009 to ensure that installations can be completed while applicable rebates remain in effect. We expect that our selling and general and administrative expenses will increase in future periods, as we expand our administrative, sales and installation workforce.
We outgrew our original offices and in June 2008 leased new office space in Mineola, New York as our headquarters which can accommodate our expected needs for the next three years. See Lease Commitments in Note 10 above. In addition, we anticipate establishing regional field offices for our sales teams. Accordingly, we expect the rental expense component of our general and administrative expenses to increase in future periods.
We expect our immediate capital expenditures, which we do not expect to exceed approximately $400,000, will be related to completing the Beta tests and initial launch of XTRAX®. Subject to industry and governmental approvals, and availability of funds, we expect to be able to have a commercial XTRAX® product during 2009; however, no assurance can be given that our expectations will be met. Cranes and other solar energy system installation equipment are generally available for rental on reasonable terms, and we do not have plans to acquire any.
Generally, we anticipate that our operating costs and expenses will increase in the future to support a higher level of revenues. Increased costs will be attributable to increased personnel, principally sales and installation personnel and support staff for a multi-office infrastructure and increased marketing expenditures to promote our services.
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Results of Operations: Comparison of Three Month Periods Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
Revenues in the first quarter of 2009 were $11,113, a decrease of $142,111 from the $153,224 of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2008. In the 2009 period, revenue decreased as we had completed all work on our jobs in 2008 and sold excess solar panel inventory, while in the 2008 quarter we only billed relatively small contract and sub-contract work. Cost of revenue in the first quarter of 2009 was $27,946, down $165,402 from the cost of revenue of $193,348 in the three months ended March 31, 2008. The gross margin loss in the 2009 quarter was $16,833, a decrease of $23,291 from the gross margin loss of $40,124 in the first quarter of 2008.
Selling expenses decreased by $142,704 from the $233,959 incurred in the first quarter of 2008 to $91,255 in the comparable 2009 quarter. The decrease is largely accounted for by decreases in salaries of $57,000, public relations of $37,000 and travel of $36,000.
General and administrative expenses were $1,040,474 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to $1,401,957 in the three months ended March 31, 2008, for a decrease of $361,483. This decrease is largely accounted for by approximately (a) a decrease in legal fees of $282,000, (b) investor relations expenses decreasing by $265,000, and (c) a $105,000 decrease in cash salaries, offset in part by an increase in non-cash stock compensation expense of $288,000.
Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2008 resulted from the investment of excess cash from the private placement described in Note 2 above compared to $470 of interest income in the 2009 comparable period.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources - Going Concern
At March 31, 2009, we had an accumulated deficit of $12,643,927 and we expect to incur additional losses in the foreseeable future. While we have funded our operations since inception through private placements of equity and bridge loans, there can be no assurance that adequate financing will continue to be available to us and, if available, on terms that are favorable to us.
At March 31, 2009 we had approximately $8,000 in cash and cash equivalents. Based on our current plans and assumptions, which include our expectations relating to the future sale of our equity and debt securities and entering into contracts for the financing and installation of solar energy systems and the resulting cash flows and revenues, we believe that we will have adequate resources to fund our operations in 2009. However, there can be no assurances that we will be successful in entering into such contracts or arranging financing on terms satisfactory to us, in which case there would be significant doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. Notwithstanding our recent sale of convertible notes for gross proceeds of $400,000 and borrowings of $248,464 from an unrelated third party, we will need to raise additional funds to pay outstanding vendor invoices. For a full description of the recent sale of convertible notes see our form 8-K filed on May 13, 2009.
Clear Skies Group, Inc. began operations in August 2005, and raised $310,000 of gross proceeds from a private placement offering of securities to Rudd-Klein Alternative Energy, LLC (“Rudd-Klein”) that closed on September 30, 2005. On April 18, 2006, Rudd-Klein funded the remaining $100,000 of the purchase price in such private placement. On April 25, 2006, Clear Skies Group, Inc. sold its common stock in an additional private placement transaction that raised gross proceeds of $100,000. From April 26, 2007 through July 26, 2007, Clear Skies Group, Inc. sold its common stock and warrants to two separate purchasers in a series of private placement transactions that raised aggregate gross proceeds of $95,000. In the quarter ended September 30, 2007, Clear Skies Group, Inc. issued an aggregate of $745,000 principal amount of bridge notes in a private placement transaction. The purchasers of such bridge notes paid an aggregate gross purchase price of $745,000 for such Bridge Notes and shares of common stock of Clear Skies Group, Inc. In accordance with the terms of the Bridge Notes, the holders of all $745,000 of outstanding principal amount of Bridge Notes invested in our private placement that closed in December 2007 by exchanging the Bridge Notes for an aggregate of 1,490,000 shares of our common stock (i.e. the number of shares of our common stock offered for sale in the Private Placement for an aggregate purchase price of $745,000). The accrued interest on the Bridge Notes was paid out of the proceeds of the December 2007 private placement. In the fourth quarter of 2007, Clear Skies Group, Inc. borrowed an aggregate of $250,000 and issued 8% promissory notes to evidence such borrowing, which notes were repaid upon closing of the private placement in December 2007. In closings on December 20, 2007 and December 24, 2007, we raised an aggregate of approximately $5,931,000 in net proceeds (in addition to eliminating $745,000 of indebtedness) from the private placement of 16,000,000 shares of our common stock.
Several of our officers and directors, or their affiliates, have from time to time extended loans to Clear Skies Group, Inc. or agreed to defer compensation payable to them in order to fund our operating expenses. In this regard: (i) Quixotic Systems, Inc. (“Quixotic”), an affiliate of Richard Klein, who is a member of our board of directors, loaned $285,000 ($175,000 of which constitute amounts Quixotic has paid in connection with a settlement agreement among Quixotic, Alpha Energy and Clear Skies Group, Inc., dated as of August 30, 2007), which loan had been repaid in full, together with 10% interest compounded daily, by December 31, 2007; and (ii) Gelvin Stevenson, our Secretary and Treasurer loaned $20,000, which had been repaid in full as of December 31, 2007. Furthermore, Ezra Green, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, agreed to the deferral of $73,259 of his compensation, of which $69,366 remained unpaid as of December 31, 2007 (and was recorded as a balance due to related party at December 31, 2007). As of March 18, 2008, Mr. Green’s deferred compensation had been paid in full. In addition, Mr. Green had advanced $30,275 to us in 2006 and an additional $70,037 to us in 2007 (which has been recorded as a balance of $100,312 due to related party at December 31, 2007). This related party amount was also repaid in full by March 18, 2008. Such loans and other arrangements were interest free (except for Quixotic) and had not been memorialized by written promissory notes. In consideration for the extension and maintenance of such credit and deferral of salary, on May 7, 2007, Clear Skies Group, Inc. granted Mr. Green, Quixotic and Dr. Stevenson securities that were exchanged for 610,452, 290,691 and 77,517 shares of our common stock, respectively, in our reverse merger.
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We will need to raise additional funds through either the licensing or sale of our technologies, products and services or additional public or private offerings of our securities. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain further financing, do so on reasonable terms, or do so on terms that would not substantially dilute our current stockholders’ equity interests in us. If we are unable to raise additional funds on a timely basis, or at all, we probably will not be able to continue as a going concern.
We expect to put our present and anticipated capital resources to the following uses:
• | payment of operating expenses; |
• | towards our budget for the engagement of investor relations and public relations firms; |
• | possibly for strategic acquisitions, if and to the extent we determine appropriate; |
• | completion of beta testing and commercialization of XTRAX®; and |
• | for general working capital purposes. |
Commitments and Contingencies
We occupy premises consisting of 3,356 square feet in a modern office building pursuant to a seven year lease. Annual fixed rent under this lease is $93,968 in the first year escalating to $115,510 in the seventh year. Additional payments are due for electricity and real estate tax escalation in amounts to be determined in each future year. We have provided a letter of credit as security under this lease in the initial amount of $113,634 which reduces to $56,817 after two years and to $28,408 after four years. Our obligations for each of the next five calendar years are:
2009 | $ | 100,053 | ||
2010 | $ | 103,399 | ||
2011 | $ | 104,643 | ||
2012 | $ | 106,007 | ||
2013 | $ | 109,717 |
Certain Risks and Uncertainties
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 includes a detailed discussion of our risk factors under the heading “Certain Risks and Uncertainties.” The information presented in this 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and information disclosed in such Form 10-K.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We did not engage in any off-balance sheet arrangements during the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Due to our status as a smaller reporting company, this Item is not applicable.
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Item 4T. Controls and Procedures.
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based upon our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective, as of the three months ended March 31. 2009, in ensuring that material information that we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.
In connection with the preparation of our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2007, management identified a material weakness, due to insufficient resources in our accounting and finance department, resulting in (i) an ineffective review, monitoring and analysis of schedules, reconciliations and financial statement disclosures and (ii) the misapplication of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements. Due to the effect of the lack of resources, including a lack of resources that are appropriately qualified in the areas of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting, and the potential impact on the financial statements and disclosures and the importance of the annual and interim financial closing and reporting process, in the aggregate, there is more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the financial statements would not have been prevented or detected for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Remediation Plans Implemented in 2008
Management has remediated the above-mentioned weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and has implemented the following steps:
• | Hired additional accounting personnel (a full time CFO was hired in January 2008 and another full time senior level accountant was hired in February 2008 who was replaced by an experienced controller in June 2008); |
• | Purchased and installed new accounting software; |
• | Established a detailed timeline for review and completion of financial reports to be included in our Forms 10-Q and 10-K; |
• | Engaged the use of a third party accounting service provider as needed to further support and supplement our internal staff in accounting and related areas when necessary; and |
• | Employed the use of appropriate supplemental SEC and U.S. GAAP checklists in connection with our closing process and the preparation of our Forms 10-Q and 10-K. |
The implementation of these remediation plans was initiated and continued during 2008. The material weakness was considered remediated and management has concluded that the procedures are operating effectively.
If we are not able to implement controls to avoid the occurrence of material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in the future, then we might report results that are not consistent with our actual results and we may need to restate results that will have been previously reported.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
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PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we have issued unregistered securities to the persons described below. These transactions did not involve any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions, or any public offering. Each sale of these securities was deemed to be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 by virtue of Section 4(2) thereof, and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder, as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.
On January 6 and 13, 2009, we issued 25,000 shares and 200,000 shares, respectively, of our common stock to an investor relations firm and to a law firm, respectively, as compensation for services provided to us pursuant to agreements dated October 7, 2007, and January 5, 2009. Each issuance was valued at the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day preceding the date of issue. Each certificate carries a restricted stock legend on its face.
Item 6. Exhibits. ..
The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Report:
Exhibit No. | Description | |
31.1* | Section 302 Certification of Principal Executive Officer | |
31.2* | Section 302 Certification of Principal Financial Officer | |
32.1* | Section 906 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
* | Filed herewith |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CLEAR SKIES SOLAR, INC. | |||
Date: May 15, 2009 | By: | /s/ Ezra J. Green | |
Name: | Ezra J. Green | ||
Title: | Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
Date: May 15, 2009 | By: | /s/ Arthur L. Goldberg | |
Name: | Arthur L. Goldberg | ||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. | Description | |
31.1* | Section 302 Certification of Principal Executive Officer | |
31.2* | Section 302 Certification of Principal Financial Officer | |
32.1* | Section 906 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
* | Filed herewith |
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