| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2017 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation | Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and reflect the accounts and operations of the Company, its subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling financial interest and the investment funds formed to fund the purchase of solar energy systems under long-term customer contracts, which are consolidated as variable interest entities (“VIEs”). The Company uses a qualitative approach in assessing the consolidation requirement for VIEs. This approach focuses on determining whether the Company has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance and whether the Company has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. All of these determinations involve significant management judgments. The Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary in the operational VIEs in which it has an equity interest. The Company evaluates its relationships with the VIEs on an ongoing basis to ensure that it continues to be the primary beneficiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. For additional information regarding these VIEs, see Note 12—Investment Funds. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. These reclassifications did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements. |
| Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The Company regularly makes significant estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, ITCs; revenue recognition; solar energy systems, net; the impairment analysis of long-lived assets; stock-based compensation; the provision for income taxes; the valuation of derivative financial instruments; the recognition and measurement of loss contingencies; and non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interests. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist principally of time deposits and money market accounts with high quality financial institutions. |
| Restricted Cash | Restricted Cash The Company’s guaranty agreements with certain of its fund investors require the maintenance of minimum cash balances of $10.0 million. For additional information, see Note 12—Investment Funds. As of December 31, 2017, the Company also had $36.5 million in required reserves outstanding in separate collateral accounts in accordance with the terms of its various debt obligations. For additional information, see Note 10—Debt Obligations. These minimum cash balances are classified as restricted cash. |
| Liquidity | Liquidity In order to grow, the Company requires cash to finance the deployment of solar energy systems. As of the date of this filing, the Company will require additional sources of cash beyond current cash balances, and currently available financing facilities to fund long-term planned growth. If the Company is unable to secure additional financing when needed, or upon desirable terms, the Company may be unable to finance installation of customers’ systems in a manner consistent with past performance, cost of capital could increase, or the Company may be required to significantly reduce the scope of operations, any of which would have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. While the Company believes additional financing is available and will continue to be available to support current levels of operations, the Company believes it has the ability and intent to reduce operations to the level of available financial resources for at least the next 12 months from the date of this report, if necessary. |
| Accounts Receivable, Net | Accounts Receivable, Net Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount, net of allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable also include unbilled accounts receivable, which is comprised of the monthly PPA power generation not yet invoiced and the monthly bill rate of Solar Leases as of the end of the reporting period. The Company estimates its allowance for doubtful accounts based upon the collectability of the receivables in light of historical trends and adverse situations that may affect customers’ ability to pay. Revisions to the allowance are recorded as an adjustment to bad debt expense or as a reduction to revenue when collectability is not reasonably assured. After appropriate collection efforts are exhausted, specific accounts receivable deemed to be uncollectible would be charged against the allowance in the period they are deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written-off are recorded as credits to bad debt expense. The Company had an allowance for doubtful accounts of $3.6 million and $1.8 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. |
| Inventories | Inventories Effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-11, which simplifies the measurement of inventory by changing the measurement principle for inventories valued under the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or weighted-average methods from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The Company adopted this ASU prospectively and no prior periods were adjusted. The adoption of this ASU had no material effect on the consolidated financial statements. Inventories include solar energy systems under construction that have yet to be interconnected to the power grid and that will be sold to customers. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost, on a FIFO basis, or net realizable value. Upon interconnection to the power grid, solar energy system inventory is removed using the specific identification method. Inventories also include components related to photovoltaic installation products and are stated at the lower of cost, on an average cost basis, or net realizable value. The Company evaluates its inventory reserves on a quarterly basis and writes down the value of inventories for estimated excess and obsolete inventories based on assumptions about future demand and market conditions. See Note 4—Inventories. |
| Concentrations of Risk | Concentrations of Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The associated concentration risk for cash and cash equivalents is mitigated by banking with creditworthy institutions. At certain times, amounts on deposit exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. Approximately 64% of accounts receivable, net as of December 31, 2017 was due from a third-party loan provider that offers financing to System Sales customers. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support accounts receivable. The Company is not dependent on any single customer outside of the third-party loan providers. The Company purchases solar panels, inverters and other system components from a limited number of suppliers. Three suppliers accounted for approximately 99% of the solar photovoltaic module purchases for the year ended December 31, 2017. Two suppliers accounted for approximately 98 As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s customers are located in 21 states. Solar energy system installations in California accounted for approximately 39 |
| Fair Value of Financial Instruments | Fair Value of Financial Instruments Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair values. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or an exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The authoritative guidance on fair value measurements establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements as follows:
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Level I—Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date;
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Level II—Inputs are observable, unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the related assets or liabilities; and
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Level III—Unobservable inputs that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities that are supported by little or no market data. The Company’s financial instruments measured on a recurring basis consist of Level II assets. See Note 3—Fair Value Measurements. |
| Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) | Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) The Company applies for and receives ITCs under Section 48(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The amount for the ITC is equal to 30% of the value of eligible solar property. The Company receives all ITCs for solar energy systems that are not sold to customers or placed in its investment funds. The Company accounts for its ITCs as a reduction of income tax expense in the year in which the credits arise. The Company receives minimal allocations of ITCs for solar energy systems placed in its investment funds as the majority of such credits are allocated to the fund investor. Some of the Company’s investment funds obligate it to make certain fund investors whole for losses that the investors may suffer in certain limited circumstances resulting from the disallowance or recapture of ITCs as a result of the Internal Revenue Service’s (the “IRS”) assessment of the fair value of such systems. The Company has concluded that the likelihood of a recapture event related to these assessments is remote and consequently has not recorded any liability in the consolidated financial statements for any potential recapture exposure. |
| Solar Energy Systems, Net | Solar Energy Systems, Net The Company sells energy to customers through PPAs or leases solar energy systems to customers through Solar Leases. The Company has determined that these contracts should be accounted for as operating leases and, accordingly, the related solar energy systems are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The Company also sells solar energy systems to customers through System Sales. Systems that are sold to customers are not part of solar energy systems, net. Solar energy systems, net is comprised of system equipment costs and initial direct costs related to solar energy systems subject to PPAs or Solar Leases. System equipment costs include components such as solar panels, inverters, racking systems and other electrical equipment, as well as costs for design and installation activities once a long-term customer contract has been executed. Initial direct costs related to solar energy systems consist of sales commissions and other direct customer acquisition expenses. System equipment costs and initial direct costs are capitalized and recorded within solar energy systems, net. This accounting treatment results in decreased depreciation of such solar energy systems over their useful lives. Depreciation and amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets as follows:
Useful Lives
System equipment costs
30 years
Initial direct costs related to solar energy systems
Lease term (20 years) System equipment costs are depreciated and initial direct costs are amortized once the respective systems have been installed, interconnected to the power grid and received permission to operate. The determination of the useful lives of assets included within solar energy systems involves significant management judgment. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had recorded costs of $1,803.2 million and $1,532.1 million in solar energy systems, of which $1,717.3 million and $1,417.4 million related to systems that had been interconnected to the power grid, with accumulated depreciation and amortization of $129.6 million and $73.8 million. |
| Property and Equipment, Net | Property and Equipment, Net The Company’s property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Vehicles leased under capital leases are depreciated over the life of the lease term, which is typically three to five years. The estimated useful lives of computer equipment, furniture, fixtures and purchased software are three years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives of leasehold improvements currently range from one to 12 years. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Major renewals and improvements that extend the useful lives of existing assets would be capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. |
| Intangible Assets | Intangible Assets The Company capitalizes costs incurred in the development of internal-use software during the application development stage. Costs related to preliminary project activities and post-implementation activities are expensed as incurred. Internal-use software is amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life. The Company tests these assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that could impact the recoverability of these assets. The Company recorded amortization for internal-use software of $0.4 million, $0.8 million, and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015. Other finite-lived intangible assets, which consist of developed technology acquired in business combinations, trademarks/trade names and customer relationships are initially recorded at fair value and presented net of accumulated amortization. These intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The Company amortizes customer relationships over five years, trademarks/trade names over 10 years and developed technology over |
| Impairment of Long-Lived Assets | Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The carrying amounts of the Company’s long-lived assets, including solar energy systems, property and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets are periodically reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable or that the useful life is shorter than originally estimated. Factors that the Company considers in deciding when to perform an impairment review include significant negative industry or economic trends, and significant changes or planned changes in the Company’s use of the assets. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of each asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate over its remaining life. If the asset is considered to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset. If the useful life is shorter than originally estimated, the Company amortizes the remaining carrying value over the new shorter useful life. In February 2015, the Company ceased the external sales of two Solmetric Corporation (“Solmetric”) products: the SunEye and PV Designer. This change was considered an indicator of impairment, and a review regarding the recoverability of the carrying value of the related intangible assets was performed. As a result of this review, the Company recorded a total impairment charge of $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. See Note 7—Intangible Assets and Goodwill. |
| Goodwill Impairment Analysis | Goodwill Impairment Analysis Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. During the first quarter of 2016, the Company’s market capitalization decreased significantly from $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2015 to $283 million as of March 31, 2016. The Company considered this significant decrease in market capitalization to be an indicator of impairment and the Company performed a goodwill impairment test as of March 31, 2016. The impairment test determined that there was no implied value of goodwill, which resulted in an impairment charge of $36.6 million, which was recorded in impairment of goodwill and intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2016. Prior to goodwill being impaired in 2016, the Company performed its annual impairment test of goodwill as of October 1st of each fiscal year or whenever events or circumstances changed that would indicate that goodwill might be impaired. In conducting the impairment test, the Company first assessed qualitative factors to determine whether it was more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit was less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it was necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If the qualitative step was not passed, the Company performed a two-step impairment test whereby in the first step, the Company would compare the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeded its fair value, the Company performed the second step of the goodwill impairment test to determine the amount of impairment. The second step, measuring the impairment loss, compared the implied fair value of the goodwill with the carrying value of the goodwill. Any excess of the goodwill carrying value over the implied fair value would be recognized as an impairment loss. |
| Prepaid Tax Asset, Net | Prepaid Tax Asset, Net The Company recognizes sales of solar energy systems to the investment funds for income tax purposes. As the investment funds are consolidated by the Company, the gain on the sale of the solar energy systems has been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. However, this gain is recognized for tax reporting purposes. Since these transactions are intercompany sales for GAAP purposes, any tax expense incurred related to these intercompany sales is deferred and recorded as a prepaid tax asset and amortized as deferred tax expense over the estimated useful life of the underlying solar energy systems, which has been estimated to be 30 years. |
| Other Non-Current Assets | Other Non-Current Assets Other non-current assets primarily consist of interest rate swaps, the long-term portion of lease incentive assets, advances receivable due from sales representatives, debt issuance costs, prepaid insurance, a straight-line lease asset and long-term refundable rent deposits. For additional information regarding the interest rate swaps, see “—Derivative Financial Instruments” and Note 11—Derivative Financial Instruments. Lease incentives represent cash payments made by the Company to customers in order to finalize long-term customer contracts. The Company provides advance payments of compensation to direct-sales personnel under certain circumstances. The advance is repaid as a reduction of the direct-sales personnel’s future compensation. The Company has established an allowance related to advances to direct-sales personnel who have terminated their employment agreement with the Company. These are non-interest-bearing advances. Debt issuance costs represent costs incurred in connection with obtaining revolving debt financings and are deferred and amortized utilizing the straight-line method, which approximates the effective-interest method, over the term of the related financing. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company acquired two insurance policies to mitigate the risk of ITC recapture. The insurance premiums are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the policy period. For Solar Lease agreements, the Company recognizes revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term and records an asset that represents future customer payments. |
| Distributions Payable to Non-Controlling Interests and Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests | Distributions Payable to Non-Controlling Interests and Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests As discussed in Note 12—Investment Funds, the Company and fund investors have formed various investment funds that the Company consolidates as the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary in the operational VIEs in which it has an equity interest. These VIEs are required to pay cumulative cash distributions to their respective fund investors. The Company accrues amounts payable to fund investors in distributions payable to non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interests. |
| Deferred Revenue | Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue primarily includes deferred ITC revenue, rebate incentives and cash received related to System Sales. Deferred ITC revenue is related to a lease pass-through arrangement in which a portion of the rent prepayment is allocated to ITC revenue. Rebate incentives are received from utility companies and various government agencies and are recognized as revenue over the related lease term of 20 years. A portion of the cash received for System Sales is attributable to administrative services and is deferred over the period that the administrative services are provided. The majority of the cash received for System Sales is deferred until the solar energy systems are interconnected to the local power grids and receive permission to operate. See “ — |
| Home Installation Accruals and Warranties | Home Installation Accruals and Warranties The Company typically warrants solar energy systems sold to customers for periods of one to ten years against defects in design and workmanship, and for periods of one to ten years that installations will remain watertight. The manufacturers’ warranties on the solar energy system components, which are typically passed through to the customers, have typical product warranty periods of 10 to 20 years and a limited performance warranty period of 25 years. The Company warrants its photovoltaic installation devices for six months to one year against defects in materials or installation workmanship. The Company generally assesses a loss contingency accrual for damages related to home installations and roof penetrations, and provides for their estimated cost at the time the related revenue is recognized. The Company assesses the accrued home installation and roof penetration reserves regularly and adjusts the amounts as necessary based on actual experience and changes in future estimates. The current portion of this accrual is recorded as a component of accrued and other current liabilities and was $1.4 million and $0.8 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. The non-current portion of this accrual is recorded as a component of other non-current liabilities and was $2.1 million and $0.8 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. |
| Derivative Financial Instruments | Derivative Financial Instruments The Company maintains interest rate swaps as required by the terms of its debt agreements. See Note 10—Debt Obligations. The interest rate swaps related to the 2016 Term Loan Facility are designated as cash flow hedges. Changes in fair value for the effective portions of these cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive (loss) income (“OCI”) and will subsequently be reclassified to interest expense over the life of the related debt facility as interest payments are made. Changes in fair value for the ineffective portions of the cash flow hedges are recognized in other expense (income), net. As interest payments for the associated debt agreement and derivatives are recognized, the Company includes the effect of these payments in cash flows from operating activities within the consolidated statements of cash flows. The interest rate swaps related to the Aggregation Facility are not designated as hedge instruments and any changes in fair value are accounted for in other expense (income), net. Derivative instruments may be offset under their master netting arrangements. See Note 11—Derivative Financial Instruments. |
| Comprehensive Income | Comprehensive Income Due to the Company entering into interest rate swaps, OCI includes unrealized gains on the cash flow hedges for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Prior to 2016, the Company had no comprehensive income or loss. |
| Revenue Recognition | Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery or performance has occurred, (3) the sales price is fixed or determinable and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. The Company’s revenue is comprised of operating leases and incentives, and solar energy system and product sales as captioned in the consolidated statements of operations. Operating leases and incentives revenue includes PPA and Solar Lease revenue, solar renewable energy certificates (“SRECs”) sales, ITC revenue and rebate incentives. Solar energy system and product sales revenue includes System Sales, which may include structural upgrades in sales contracts and SREC sales related to sold systems, and the sale of photovoltaic installation products. Revenue is recorded net of any sales tax collected. Operating Leases and Incentives Revenue The Company’s most common revenue-generating activity consists of entering into PPAs with residential customers, under which the customer agrees to purchase all of the power generated by the solar energy system for the term of the contract, which is 20 years. The agreement includes a fixed price per kilowatt hour with a fixed annual price escalation percentage. Customers have not historically been charged for installation or activation of the solar energy system. For all PPAs, the Company assesses the probability of collectability on a customer-by-customer basis through a credit review process that evaluates their financial condition and ability to pay. The Company has determined that PPAs should be accounted for as operating leases after evaluating and concluding that none of the following capitalized lease classification criteria are met: no transfer of ownership or bargain purchase option exists at the end of the lease, the lease term is not greater than 75% of the useful life or the present value of minimum lease payments does not exceed 90% of the fair value at lease inception. As PPA customer payments are dependent on power generation, they are considered contingent rentals and are excluded from future minimum annual lease payments. PPA revenue is recognized based on the actual amount of power generated at rates specified under the contracts, assuming the other revenue recognition criteria discussed above are met. The Company also offers solar energy systems to customers pursuant to Solar Leases in certain markets. The customer agreements are structured as Solar Leases due to local regulations that can be read to prohibit the sale of electricity pursuant to the Company’s standard PPA. Pursuant to Solar Leases, the customers’ monthly payments are a pre-determined amount calculated based on the expected solar energy generation by the system and includes an annual fixed percentage price escalation over the period of the contracts, which is 20 years. The Company provides its Solar Lease customers a performance guarantee, under which the Company agrees to make a payment at the end of each year to the customer if the solar energy system does not meet a guaranteed production level in the prior 12-month period. At times the Company makes nominal cash payments to customers in order to facilitate the finalization of long-term customer contracts and the installation of related solar energy systems. These cash payments are considered lease incentives that are deferred and recognized over the term of the contract as a reduction of revenue. The guaranteed production levels have varying terms. Dependent on the level of the production guarantee, the Company either (1) recognizes the monthly lease payments as revenue and records a solar energy performance guarantee liability due to the contingent nature of the lease payments, or (2) straight-lines the contracted payments over the initial term of the lease. Solar energy performance guarantee liabilities were $0.1 million and de minimis as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. Future minimum annual lease receipts due from customers under Solar Leases as of December 31, 2017 are as follows (in thousands):
Years Ending December 31,
2018
$
6,266
2019
6,448
2020
6,635
2021
6,827
2022
7,025
The Company applies for and receives SRECs in certain jurisdictions for power generated by solar energy systems it has installed. When SRECs are granted, the Company typically sells them to other companies directly, or to brokers, to assist them in meeting their own mandatory emission reduction or conservation requirements. The Company recognizes revenue related to the sale of these certificates upon delivery, assuming the other revenue recognition criteria discussed above are met. Total SREC revenue was $33.8 million, $19.3 million and $13.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Lease Pass-Through Arrangement In 2015, a lease pass-through fund arrangement became operational under which the Company contributed solar energy systems and the investor contributed cash. Contemporaneously, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a master lease arrangement to lease the solar energy systems and the associated PPAs or Solar Leases to the fund investor. The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary made a tax election to pass the ITCs related to the solar energy systems through to the fund investor, who as the legal lessee of the property is allowed to claim the ITCs under Section 50(d)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code and the related regulations. Under this arrangement, the fund investor made a large upfront lease payment to one of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries and is obligated to make subsequent periodic payments. The Company allocated a portion of the aggregate payments received from the fund investor to the estimated fair value of the assigned ITCs. The fair value of the ITCs was estimated by multiplying the ITC rate of 30% by the fair value of the systems that were sold to the lease pass-through fund. The fair value of the systems was determined by independent appraisals. The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary has an obligation to ensure the solar energy system is in service and operational for a term of five years to avoid any recapture of the ITCs. Accordingly, the Company recognizes ITC revenue as the recapture provisions lapse assuming all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. The amounts allocated to the ITCs were initially recorded as deferred revenue in the consolidated balance sheet, and subsequently, one-fifth of the amounts allocated to the ITCs is recognized as operating leases and incentives revenue in the consolidated statements of operations based on the anniversary of each solar energy system’s placed in service date. Solar Energy System Sales System Sale revenue is recognized when the solar energy system is interconnected to the local power grid and granted permission to operate, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. With respect to System Sales where customers obtain third-party financing, the Company incurs a lender fee, which is recognized as a direct reduction of the recognized revenue related to the sale. Additionally, customers who finance System Sales may require structural upgrades to facilitate the installation of the system, which the Company provides for an additional fee. This revenue is recognized at the point the structural upgrade work is completed, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. In connection with a System Sale, the Company is obligated to assist with processing and submitting customer claims on the manufacturer warranties, provide routine system monitoring services on sold systems and notify the customer of any problems. While the value and nature of these services is not significant, the Company considers these services to have standalone value to the customer. Therefore, the Company allocates a portion of the contract consideration to these administrative and maintenance services based on the relative selling price method and the Company recognizes the deferred revenue over the contractual service term. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s obligations to customers subsequent to the sale of solar energy systems were approximately $2.1 0.4 Photovoltaic Installation Products The Company also recognizes revenue from the sale of photovoltaic installation products. These sales are standalone and are recognized at the time of product shipment to the customer, assuming the remaining revenue recognition criteria have been met. |
| Cost of Revenue | Cost of Revenue Cost of Revenue—Operating Leases and Incentives Cost of revenue—operating leases and incentives includes the depreciation of the cost of solar energy systems under long-term customer contracts and the amortization of the related capitalized initial direct costs. It also includes allocated indirect material and labor costs related to the processing; account creation; design; installation; interconnection and servicing of solar energy systems that are not capitalized, such as personnel costs not directly associated to a solar energy system installation; warehouse rent and utilities; and fleet vehicle executory costs. The cost of operating leases and incentives also includes allocated facilities and information technology costs. The cost of revenue for the sales of SRECs is limited to broker fees which are paid in connection with certain SREC transactions. Cost of Revenue—Solar Energy System and Product Sales Cost of revenue—solar energy system and product sales consists of direct and allocated indirect material and labor costs for System Sales, photovoltaic installation products and structural upgrades. Indirect material and labor costs are ratably allocated to System Sales and include costs related to the processing; account creation; design; installation; interconnection and servicing of solar energy systems, such as personnel costs not directly associated to a solar energy system installation; warehouse rent and utilities; and fleet vehicle executory costs. The cost of solar energy system and product sales also includes allocated facilities and information technology costs. Costs of solar energy system sales are recognized in conjunction with the related revenue upon the solar energy system passing an inspection by the responsible governmental department after completion of system installation and interconnection to the local power grid, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria are met. |
| Research and Development | Research and Development Research and development expense is primarily comprised of salaries and benefits associated with research and development personnel and other costs related to photovoltaic installation products and the development of other solar technologies. Research and development costs are charged to expense when incurred. The Company’s research and development expense was $3.3 million, $3.0 million and $3.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. |
| Advertising Costs | Advertising Costs Advertising costs are expensed when incurred and are included in sales and marketing expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s advertising expense was $2.3 million, $2.3 million and $4.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. |
| Vivint Related Party Expenses | Vivint Related Party Expenses The consolidated financial statements reflect all costs of doing business, including the allocation of expenses incurred by Vivint, Inc. (“Vivint”) on behalf of the Company. The Company has historically relied on the technical support of Vivint to run its business. The Company used certain of Vivint’s information technology and infrastructure until transitioning off in July 2017. These expenses were allocated to the Company on a basis that was considered to reasonably reflect the utilization of the services provided to, or the benefit obtained by, the Company. For additional information, see Note 16—Related Party Transactions. |
| Other Expense (Income), Net | Other Expense (Income), Net For the year ended December 31, 2017, other expense (income), net primarily includes changes in fair value for the ineffective portions of the cash flow hedges and the interest rate swaps not designated as hedges. |
| Provision for Income Taxes | Provision for Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes under an asset and liability approach. Deferred income taxes are classified as long-term and reflect the impact of temporary differences between assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amounts recognized for income tax reporting purposes, net operating loss carryforwards, and other tax credits measured by applying currently enacted tax laws. A valuation allowance is provided when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. As required by ASC 740, the Company recognizes the effect of tax rate and law changes on deferred taxes in the reporting period in which the legislation is enacted. The Company recognizes sales of solar energy systems to substantially all of the investment funds for income tax purposes. As the investment funds are consolidated by the Company, the gain on the sale of the solar energy systems is not recognized in the consolidated financial statements. However, this gain is recognized for tax reporting purposes. Since these transactions are intercompany sales for GAAP purposes, any tax expense incurred related to these intercompany sales is deferred and recorded as a prepaid tax asset and amortized over the estimated useful life of the underlying solar energy systems, which has been estimated to be 30 years. The Company determines whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company uses a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon tax authority examination, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company’s policy is to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, within income tax (benefit) expense. |
| Stock-Based Compensation Expense | Stock-Based Compensation Expense Stock-based compensation expense for equity instruments issued to employees is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the awards. The fair value of each restricted stock unit award and performance share unit award is determined as the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. The fair value of each time-based employee stock option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton stock option pricing valuation model. The Company recognizes compensation costs using the accelerated attribution method for all employee stock-based compensation awards over the requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the awards’ vesting period. Stock-based compensation expense for equity instruments issued to non-employees is recognized based on the estimated fair value of the equity instrument. The fair value of the non-employee awards is subject to remeasurement at each reporting period until services required under the arrangement are completed, which is the vesting date. Effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions. The resulting changes were as follows:
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all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies resulting from stock-based compensation are now recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the consolidated income statements, and excess tax benefits are now recognized regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period;
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excess tax benefits are now classified along with other tax cash flows as an operating activity on the consolidated statements of cash flows;
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the Company elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur beginning on January 1, 2017;
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the Company may withhold up to the maximum statutory tax rate for each employee without triggering liability accounting; and
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cash paid by the Company when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes is classified as a financing activity on the consolidated statements of cash flows. Amendments related to the timing of when excess tax benefits are recognized, minimum statutory withholding requirements and forfeitures were adopted using a modified retrospective transition method by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment, resulting in a net $1.2 million reduction to retained earnings as of January 1, 2017. Amendments related to the presentation of employee taxes paid on the statements of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for tax withholding purposes was adopted using the retrospective method, but had no impact on prior periods. Amendments related to the recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the consolidated income statements and the presentation of excess tax benefits on the consolidated statements of cash flows were adopted prospectively. No prior periods were adjusted. In the second quarter of 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2017-09, which clarifies when changes to equity awards require the use of modification accounting guidance. This update clarifies that if the fair value, vesting conditions and classification of an award remain the same after modification, then modification accounting is not required. This guidance was adopted prospectively and no prior periods were adjusted. The adoption of this ASU had no material effect on the consolidated financial statements. |
| Post-Employment Benefits | Post-Employment Benefits In 2016, the Company began to sponsor its own 401(k) Plan that covered all of the Company’s eligible employees. In 2015, the Company participated in a 401(k) Plan sponsored by Vivint that covered all of the Company’s eligible employees. The Company did not provide a discretionary company match to employee contributions during any of the periods presented. |
| Non-Controlling Interests and Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests | Non-Controlling Interests and Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests Non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interests represent fund investors’ interests in the net assets of certain consolidated investment funds, which have been entered into by the Company in order to finance the costs of solar energy systems under long-term customer contracts. The Company has determined that the provisions in the contractual arrangements represent substantive profit-sharing arrangements, which gives rise to the non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interests. The Company has further determined that the appropriate methodology for attributing income and loss to the non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interests each period is a balance sheet approach referred to as the hypothetical liquidation at book value (“HLBV”) method. Under the HLBV method, the amounts of income and loss attributed to the non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interests in the consolidated statements of operations reflect changes in the amounts the fund investors would hypothetically receive at each balance sheet date under the liquidation provisions of the contractual agreements of these structures, assuming the net assets of these funding structures were liquidated at recorded amounts. The fund investors’ non-controlling interest in the results of operations of these funding structures is determined as the difference in the non-controlling interests’ and redeemable non-controlling interests’ claims under the HLBV method at the start and end of each reporting period, after considering any capital transactions, such as contributions or distributions, between the fund and the fund investors. Attributing income and loss to the non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interests under the HLBV method requires the use of significant assumptions and estimates to calculate the amounts that fund investors would receive upon a hypothetical liquidation. Changes in these assumptions and estimates can have a significant impact on the amount that fund investors would receive upon a hypothetical liquidation. The use of the HLBV methodology to allocate income to the non-controlling and redeemable non-controlling interest holders may create volatility in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations as the application of HLBV can drive changes in net income available and loss attributable to non-controlling interests and redeemable non-controlling interests from quarter to quarter. The Company classifies certain non-controlling interests with redemption features that are not solely within the control of the Company outside of permanent equity on its consolidated balance sheets. Estimated redemption value is calculated as the discounted cash flows subsequent to the expected flip date of the respective investment funds. Redeemable non-controlling interests are reported using the greater of their carrying value at each reporting date as determined by the HLBV method or their estimated redemption value in each reporting period. Estimating the redemption value of the redeemable non-controlling interests requires the use of significant assumptions and estimates. Changes in these assumptions and estimates can have a significant impact on the calculation of the redemption value. |
| Loss Contingencies | Loss Contingencies The Company is subject to the possibility of various loss contingencies arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company considers the likelihood of loss or impairment of an asset, or the incurrence of a liability, as well as the Company’s ability to reasonably estimate the amount of loss, in determining loss contingencies. An estimated loss contingency is accrued when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company regularly evaluates current information available to determine whether an accrual is required, an accrual should be adjusted or a range of possible loss should be disclosed. |
| Segment Information | Segment Information The Company’s chief operating decision maker is its chief executive officer. The chief executive officer reviews financial information for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. From the second quarter of 2015 through the second quarter of 2016, the Company had aligned its operations as two reporting segments, (1) Residential and (2) Commercial and Industrial (“C&I”), as the result of entering into a C&I investment fund with plans to service customers in the C&I market. During that time, no projects were initiated within the fund and no revenue was recorded in the C&I segment. In June 2016, the Company ended its C&I investment fund and settled with a $1.0 million termination fee. As a result of this termination, the Company realigned and consolidated its reporting segments as the Residential segment, which is again the Company’s only reporting segment. No restatement of prior periods is necessary, as the restated prior periods are the previously disclosed consolidated statements of operations. Operating expenses in the C&I segment included sales and marketing and general and administrative. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, sales and marketing expense was $0.3 million and $0.7 million. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, general and administrative expense was $1.5 million and $2.2 million. The Company did not have any assets or liabilities associated with the C&I fund. For additional information regarding the termination of the C&I investment fund, see Note 12—Investment Funds. |
| Recent Accounting Pronouncements | Recent Accounting Pronouncements New Revenue Guidance From March 2016 through December 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2016-20, ASU 2016-12, ASU 2016-11, ASU 2016-10 and ASU 2016-08. These updates all clarify aspects of the guidance in ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers . Under the current accounting guidance, the Company accounts for PPAs and Solar Leases as operating leases. The Company has determined that these agreements do not meet the definition of a lease under ASC 842, Leases, Leases. The Company has evaluated the accounting for incremental costs of obtaining a contract, which under current accounting policies are capitalized as initial direct costs and amortized over the lease term. The Company has concluded that it will continue to capitalize the costs of obtaining a PPA, Solar Lease or System Sale contract, which are primarily comprised of sales commissions. For PPA and Solar Lease contracts, the amortization period will remain the life of the related contract, which is 20 years. For System Sales, the capitalized costs of obtaining a contract will continue to be recognized when the related solar energy system is interconnected to the local power grid and granted permission to operate. This will result in minimal changes to the Company’s method of revenue recognition in the consolidated financial statements. The Company has analyzed the impact of Topic 606 on System Sales and photovoltaic installation products, and has concluded that it will not have a material impact on the method of revenue recognition in the consolidated financial statements. The Company has assessed the impact of Topic 606 as it relates to the sales of ITCs through its lease pass-through fund arrangement. The Company has concluded that revenue related to the sale of ITCs through its lease pass-through arrangement will be recognized when the related solar energy systems are placed in service. Currently, the Company recognizes this revenue evenly over the five-year ITC recapture period. This earlier recognition of the ITC lease pass-through revenue is anticipated to be material. For example, if Topic 606 was applied retrospectively, the revenue recognized in fiscal 2016 would increase by approximately $12 million and the revenue recognized in fiscal 2017 would be reduced by approximately $8 million. New Lease Guidance In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The objective of this update is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This update primarily changes the recognition by lessees of lease assets and liabilities for leases currently classified as operating leases. Lessor accounting remains largely unchanged. This update is effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 for public business entities and early adoption is permitted. The amendments are required to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. The Company has determined to adopt this ASU effective January 1, 2019. The Company has operating leases that will be affected by this update and the Company is still evaluating the full impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The impact is not expected to be significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. This update makes targeted improvements to accounting for hedge activities by easing certain documentation and assessment requirements and eliminating the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 for public business entities and early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this update should be applied using a modified retrospective transition method by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment related to eliminating the separate measurement of ineffectiveness to AOCI with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. This ASU will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company will early adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2018. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. |
