Form 20-F
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
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þ |
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
OR
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
OR
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SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 |
Date of event requiring this shell company report
Commission file number: 001-33195
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
N/A
(Translation of Registrants Name Into English)
Cayman Islands
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
No. 2 Tian He Road
Electronics Park, New District
Changzhou, Jiangsu 213031
Peoples Republic of China
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Terry Wang, Chief Financial Officer
Thomas Young, Director of Investor Relations
No. 2 Tian He Road
Electronics Park, New District
Changzhou, Jiangsu 213031
Peoples Republic of China
Tel: (+86) 519 8548 2008
Fax: (+86) 519 8517 6025
E-mail: ir@trinasolar.com
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of Each Class |
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Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
American Depositary Shares, each representing
100 ordinary shares, par value $0.00001 per
share
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New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuers classes of capital or common
stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
2,958,183,059 ordinary shares, par value $0.00001 per share, as of December 31, 2008.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule
405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is
not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Yes o No þ
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 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, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated
filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer þ
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated filer o |
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the
financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP þ
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting
Standards Board o Other o
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* |
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If Other has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark
which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. |
Item 17 o
Item 18 o
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company
(as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to
be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the
distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes o No o
INTRODUCTION
Unless the context otherwise requires, in this annual report on Form 20-F:
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We, us, our, and our company refer to Trina Solar Limited, its predecessor
entities and its subsidiaries; |
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Trina refers to Trina Solar Limited; |
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Trina China refers to Changzhou Trina Solar Energy Co., Ltd.; |
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ADSs refers to our American depositary shares, each of which represents 100
ordinary shares; |
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China or PRC refers to the Peoples Republic of China, excluding, for the
purpose of this annual report, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; |
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RMB or Renminbi refers to the legal currency of China, $ or U.S. dollars
refers to the legal currency of the United States, and Euro refers to the legal
currency of the European Union; and |
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shares or ordinary shares refers to our ordinary shares, par value $0.00001 per
share. |
Names of certain companies provided in this annual report are translated or transliterated
from their original Chinese legal names.
Discrepancies in any table between the amounts identified as total amounts and the sum of the
amounts listed therein are due to rounding.
This annual report on Form 20-F includes our audited consolidated financial statements for the
years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
This annual report contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at the
rate of RMB6.8225 to $1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on December 31, 2008 in New York City
for cable transfers of Renminbi as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of
New York. We make no representation that the Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this
annual report could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may
be, at any particular rate or at all. See Item 3. Key InformationD. Risk FactorsRisks Related
to Doing Business in ChinaFluctuation in the value of the Renminbi may have a material adverse
effect on your investment. On April 24, 2009, the noon buying rate was RMB6.8250 to $1.00.
We completed the initial public offering of 5,300,000 ADSs on December 22, 2006. On December
19, 2006, we listed our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TSL.
3
PART I
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
Not Applicable.
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not Applicable.
Item 3. Key Information
A. Selected Financial Data
The following selected consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December
31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2006,
2007 and 2008 have been derived from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this
annual report. The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with those
financial statements and the accompanying notes and Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects below. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance
with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. Our historical results
do not necessarily indicate our results expected for any future periods.
Our selected consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2004
and 2005 and our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2004 and 2005 have been derived
from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are not included in this annual report.
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Year Ended December 31, |
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2004 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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(in thousands, except for share, per share, operating data and percentages) |
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Consolidated Statement of Operations
Data |
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Net revenues |
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$ |
414 |
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$ |
27,275 |
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$ |
114,500 |
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$ |
301,819 |
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$ |
831,901 |
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Cost of revenues |
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373 |
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20,986 |
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84,450 |
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234,191 |
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667,459 |
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Gross profit |
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41 |
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6,289 |
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30,050 |
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67,628 |
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164,442 |
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Operating expenses: |
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Selling expenses |
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66 |
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521 |
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2,571 |
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11,019 |
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20,302 |
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General and administrative
Expenses |
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40 |
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1,375 |
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8,656 |
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17,817 |
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41,114 |
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Research and development
Expenses |
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262 |
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122 |
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1,903 |
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2,805 |
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3,039 |
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Total operating expenses |
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368 |
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2,018 |
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13,130 |
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31,641 |
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64,455 |
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Income (loss) from continuing
operations |
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(327 |
) |
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4,271 |
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16,920 |
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35,987 |
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99,987 |
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Foreign exchange loss |
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(1,999 |
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(11,802 |
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Interest expense |
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(73 |
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(470 |
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(2,137 |
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(7,551 |
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(23,937 |
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Interest income |
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4 |
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16 |
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261 |
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4,810 |
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2,944 |
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Gain (loss) on change in fair
value of derivative |
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854 |
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(1,067 |
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4
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Year Ended December 31, |
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2004 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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(in thousands, except for share, per share, operating data and percentages) |
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Other (expense) income |
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(35 |
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(27 |
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(82 |
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1,554 |
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(156 |
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Income (loss) before income taxes |
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(431 |
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3,790 |
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14,962 |
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33,655 |
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65,969 |
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Income tax (expense) benefit |
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52 |
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(570 |
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(1,788 |
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1,707 |
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(4,609 |
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Minority interest |
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13 |
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Net income (loss) from continuing
operations |
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(366 |
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3,220 |
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13,174 |
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35,362 |
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61,360 |
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Net Income (loss) from
discontinued operations |
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354 |
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91 |
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(753 |
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368 |
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Net income (loss) |
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$ |
(12 |
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$ |
3,311 |
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$ |
12,421 |
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$ |
35,730 |
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$ |
61,360 |
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Earnings per ordinary share from
continuing operations: |
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Basic |
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0.00 |
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0.01 |
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0.02 |
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0.02 |
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Diluted |
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0.00 |
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0.01 |
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0.02 |
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0.02 |
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Earnings per ADS from continuing
operations: |
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Basic |
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(0.04 |
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0.32 |
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0.98 |
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1.51 |
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2.45 |
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Diluted |
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(0.04 |
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0.32 |
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0.96 |
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1.49 |
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2.41 |
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Earnings per ordinary share: |
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Basic |
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0.00 |
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0.01 |
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0.02 |
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0.02 |
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Diluted |
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0.00 |
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0.01 |
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0.02 |
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0.02 |
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Earnings per ADS: |
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Basic |
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(0.00 |
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0.33 |
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0.92 |
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1.53 |
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2.45 |
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Diluted |
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(0.00 |
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0.33 |
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0.90 |
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1.51 |
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2.41 |
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Weighted average ordinary shares
outstanding: |
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Basic |
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1,000,000,000 |
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1,000,000,000 |
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1,038,316,484 |
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2,339,799,657 |
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2,501,202,680 |
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Diluted |
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1,000,000,000 |
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1,000,000,000 |
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1,058,483,593 |
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2,370,685,156 |
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2,690,723,390 |
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Weighted average ADS outstanding: |
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Basic |
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10,000,000 |
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10,000,000 |
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10,383,165 |
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23,397,997 |
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25,012,027 |
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Diluted |
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10,000,000 |
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10,000,000 |
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10,584,836 |
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23,706,852 |
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26,907,234 |
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Consolidated Financial Data |
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Gross margin |
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9.8% |
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23.1% |
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26.2% |
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22.4% |
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19.8% |
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Net margin of continuing operations |
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(88.6)% |
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11.8% |
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11.5% |
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11.7% |
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7.4% |
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Consolidated Operating Data |
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PV modules shipped (in MW) |
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0.12 |
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6.79 |
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27.39 |
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75.91 |
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201.01 |
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Average selling price ($/W) |
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$ |
3.45 |
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$ |
4.02 |
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$ |
3.98 |
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$ |
3.80 |
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$ |
3.92 |
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5
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As of December 31, |
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2004 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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(in thousands) |
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Consolidated Balance Sheet Data |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
3,395 |
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$ |
1,224 |
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$ |
93,380 |
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$ |
59,696 |
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$ |
132,224 |
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Restricted cash |
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242 |
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527 |
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5,004 |
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103,375 |
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44,991 |
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Inventories |
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541 |
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6,696 |
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32,230 |
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58,548 |
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85,687 |
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Accounts receivable, net |
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81 |
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4,924 |
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29,353 |
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72,323 |
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105,193 |
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Other receivables |
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238 |
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817 |
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1,228 |
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3,063 |
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4,380 |
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Property, plant and equipment, net |
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758 |
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9,630 |
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51,419 |
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197,124 |
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357,594 |
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Total assets |
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11,192 |
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32,298 |
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251,745 |
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600,674 |
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940,116 |
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Short-term borrowings |
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3,656 |
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6,628 |
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71,409 |
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163,563 |
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248,558 |
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Accounts payable |
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1,390 |
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3,845 |
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9,147 |
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42,691 |
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62,504 |
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Total current liabilities |
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6,178 |
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12,715 |
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88,068 |
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220,485 |
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335,714 |
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Accrued warranty costs |
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4 |
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272 |
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1,400 |
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4,486 |
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12,473 |
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Long-term borrowings |
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4,957 |
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5,122 |
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8,214 |
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14,631 |
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Total shareholders equity |
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5,010 |
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14,355 |
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157,154 |
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367,489 |
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433,057 |
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Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
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$ |
11,192 |
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$ |
32,298 |
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$ |
251,745 |
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$ |
600,674 |
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$ |
940,116 |
|
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not Applicable.
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not Applicable.
D. Risk Factors
Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry
As polysilicon supply increases, the corresponding increase in the global supply of Photovoltaic
(PV) modules may cause substantial downward pressure on the price of such products and reduce our
revenues and earnings.
Polysilicon is an essential raw material used in the production of solar cells and modules.
In the past few years, there was an industry-wide shortage of polysilicon, primarily as a result of
the growing demand for solar power products. According to Solarbuzz, the average long-term supply
contract price of polysilicon increased from approximately $45-$50 per kilogram delivered in 2006
to $60-$65 per kilogram in 2007 and further increased to $60-$75 per kilogram in 2008. In
addition, according to Solarbuzz, spot prices for solar grade polysilicon were in the range of
$230-$375 per kilogram for most of the first half of 2008 but rose to a peak of $400-$450 per
kilogram by mid-2008. In late 2008 and 2009, however, newly available polysilicon supply and
slowed global solar power market growth have resulted in an excess supply of polysilicon, which
created a downward pressure on the price of polysilicon. According to Solarbuzz, spot prices for
solar grade polysilicon decreased rapidly to $150-$300 per kilogram in the fourth quarter of 2008.
We cannot assure you that the price of polysilicon will continue to decline, especially once the
global solar power market regains its growth momentum. Increases in the price of polysilicon have
in the past
increased our production costs, and any significant price increase in the future may adversely
impact our business and results of operations. Because of the scarcity of polysilicon in the past
few years, supply chain management and financial strength were the key barriers to entry. As the
shortage of polysilicon has eased recently, these barriers are less significant and PV module
production may increase globally. A decrease in polysilicon prices and an increase in PV module
production may result in substantial downward pressure on the price of PV modules. Such price
reductions could have a negative impact on our revenues and earnings, and materially adversely
affect our business and results of operations.
6
We may be adversely affected by volatile market and industry trends, in particular, the demand for
our solar products may decline, which may reduce our revenues and earnings.
We are affected by solar energy market and industry trends. In the fourth quarter of 2008,
the global solar power industry experienced a precipitous decline in demand. During the same
period, the global supply of solar products exceeded the global demand due to excess production
capacity and the global economic downturn, which contributed to a decline in the average selling
price of PV modules. The average selling price per watt of our PV modules decreased from $3.98 in
2006 to $3.80 in 2007 and increased to $3.92 in 2008. The increase in the average selling price of
our PV modules in 2008 was due to an increase in demand of our PV modules in the first three
quarters of 2008, driven largely by surging market demand, particularly in the Spanish market,
which was offset by a decrease in the average selling price of our PV modules in the fourth quarter
of 2008, due to the falling demand caused by the global economic downturn. If demand for solar
products continues to decline, and the supply of solar products continues to grow, the average
selling price of our products will be materially and adversely affected.
The demand for solar products is also influenced by macroeconomic factors such as the
worldwide credit crisis, the devaluation of the Euro, the supply and prices of other energy
products, such as oil, coal and natural gas, as well as government regulations and policies
concerning the electric utility industry. A decrease in oil prices, for example, may reduce demand
for investment in alternative energy. The global economic downturn, which affects financing, also
contributed to the slowdown of the large solar project market segments. If these negative market
and industry trends continue and the price of PV modules continues to decrease as a result, our
business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
We continue to rely on a limited number of third-party suppliers for certain raw materials for our
products, which could prevent us from delivering our products to our customers within required time
frames, which could result in sales and installation delays, cancellations, liquidated damages and
loss of market share.
We purchase polysilicon from a limited number of international and domestic suppliers. If we
fail to develop or maintain our relationships with our limited suppliers, we may be unable to
manufacture our products or our products may only be available at a higher cost or after a long
delay, which could prevent us from delivering our products to our customers within the required
time frames. We may experience order cancellations and loss of market share. Furthermore, the
current credit crisis is having a significant negative impact on businesses around the world, and
the impact of this crisis on our suppliers cannot be predicted. Our suppliers typically require a
significant amount of cash to fund their production and operation. The suppliers also require a
significant amount of cash to meet future capital requirements, including the expansion of
manufacturing facilities, as well as
research and development activities. The inability of our suppliers to access liquidity, or
the insolvency of our suppliers, could lead to their failure to deliver raw materials to us. Our
inability to obtain raw materials in a timely manner from suppliers could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial conditions and results of operations.
7
Our costs and expenses may increase as a result of entering into fixed price, prepaid arrangements
with our suppliers.
Due to the industry-wide shortage of polysilicon experienced during the past few years, we
have purchased polysilicon using short-term, medium-term and long-term contracts from a limited
number of international and domestic suppliers. From the fourth quarter of 2008, the price of
polysilicon decreased rapidly due to the excess supply of polysilicon resulting from slowed global
solar power market growth. Due to such excess supply, we are renegotiating some of our existing,
higher priced medium-term and long-term contracts. We cannot assure you that we will be successful
in renegotiating existing contracts. If the prices under our medium-term or long-term supply
agreements result in our paying more for such supplies than the current market prices available to
our competitors, we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage, and our earnings could decline.
In addition, if demand for our PV modules decreases and such agreements require us to purchase more
polysilicon than required to meet our actual customer demand over time, we may incur costs
associated with carrying excess inventory. To the extent we are not able to pass these increased
costs and expenses on to our customers, our business, cash flows, financial condition and results
of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
Some of the suppliers of polysilicon with whom we have entered into long-term contracts have
limited operating experience in polysilicon production and may not be able to produce polysilicon
of sufficient quantity and quality or on schedule to meet our manufacturing requirements.
Some of the suppliers of polysilicon with whom we have entered into long-term contracts have
limited operating experience in polysilicon production. As a result, they might have difficulty in
manufacturing and supplying to us a sufficient amount of polysilicon to meet their obligations
under these long-term supply contracts. Manufacturing polysilicon is a highly complex process
and these suppliers may not be able to produce polysilicon of sufficient quantity and quality or on
schedule to meet our wafer manufacturing requirements. Minor deviations in the manufacturing
process can also cause substantial decreases in yield and, in some cases, cause production to be
suspended or result in minimal output. If shipments of polysilicon from these suppliers experience
major delays or our suppliers are unable to supply us with polysilicon as planned, we may suffer a
setback to our raw material procurement, which could materially and adversely affect our growth
strategy and our results of operations. Moreover, we may be involved in disputes to retrieve
prepayments we made for the polysilicon delivery, which would expose us to risks of losing the
prepayment or entering into settlements which may result in losses to us. In addition, the
polysilicon supplied by suppliers may contain quality defects. For example, PV modules produced
using polysilicon of substandard quality would result in lower cell efficiency and conversion
rates than that which the supplier has claimed or provided a warranty. From time to time, we may
engage in negotiations and disputes with certain suppliers that supplied us with polysilicon with
quality defects. Any litigation arising out of the disputes could subject us to potentially
expensive legal expenses, distract management from the day-to-day operation of our business and
expose us to risks for which appropriate damages may not be awarded to us, all of which could
materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
8
Prepayments we provide to our polysilicon suppliers and equipment suppliers expose us to the credit
risks of such suppliers and may increase our costs and expenses, which could in turn have a
material adverse effect on our liquidity.
Under existing supply contracts with many of our multi-year polysilicon and our equipment
suppliers, consistent with industry practice, we make prepayments to our suppliers prior to the
scheduled delivery dates for polysilicon and equipment. In many such cases, we make the
prepayments without receiving collateral for such payments. As a result, our claims for such
payments would rank as unsecured claims, which would expose us to the credit risks of our suppliers
in the event of their insolvency or bankruptcy. Our claims against the defaulting suppliers would
rank below those of secured creditors, which would undermine our chances of obtaining the return of
our prepayments or interest free loans. In addition, if the market price of polysilicon decreases
after we prepay our suppliers, we will not be able to adjust any historical payment insofar as it
relates to a future delivery at a fixed price. Furthermore, if demand for our products decreases,
we may incur costs associated with carrying excess materials. Accordingly, any of the above
scenarios may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Failure to procure sufficient reclaimable silicon raw materials at reasonable prices may decrease
our gross margin and profitability.
To reduce our reliance on polysilicon, we also produce silicon ingots and wafers by using a
portion of reclaimable silicon raw materials, which include tops and tails of discarded portions of
silicon ingots, pot scraps and broken silicon wafers acquired primarily from the semiconductor
industry. In 2008, we used a higher proportion of virgin polysilicon than in the past several
years as polysilicon became widely available in the market and we are now able to have access to a
high quality and stable supply of polysilicon. In the fourth quarter of 2008, reclaimable silicon
materials accounted for no more than 25% of our total silicon requirements, compared to
approximately 80% in the fourth quarter of 2007. Although the prices of reclaimable silicon raw
materials have also been decreasing in line with the recent decrease in the price of polysilicon,
we cannot assure you that we will not revert to using a higher proportion of reclaimable silicon
raw materials when the price of polysilicon increases in the future. If we fail to procure
sufficient reclaimable silicon raw materials at commercially reasonable prices in the future, we
may be unable to timely manufacture our products or our products may be available only at a higher
cost, and we would be prevented from delivering our products to our customers in the required
quantities and at prices that are profitable. This would have a materially negative impact on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
A significant reduction or elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives or change in
government policies may have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects.
Demand for our products depends substantially on government incentives aimed to promote
greater use of solar power. In many countries in which we are currently, or intend to become,
active, the solar power markets, particularly the market of on-grid PV systems, would not be
commercially viable without government incentives. This is because the cost of generating
electricity from solar power currently exceeds, and we believe will continue to exceed for the
foreseeable future, the costs of generating electricity from conventional or non-solar renewable
energy sources.
9
The scope of the government incentives for solar power depends, to a large extent, on
political and policy developments relating to environmental concerns in a given country, which
could lead to a significant reduction in or a discontinuation of the support for renewable energies
in such country. Federal, state and local governmental bodies in many of our key markets, most
notably Germany, Italy, Spain, the United States, France and South Korea have provided subsidies
and economic incentives in the form of rebates, tax credits and other incentives to end users,
distributors, system integrators and manufacturers of solar power products to promote the use of
solar energy in on-grid applications and to reduce dependency on other forms of energy. These
government economic incentives could be reduced or eliminated altogether. For example, the rapid
rise of the Spanish market was largely due to a government policy that set feed-in tariff terms at
attractive rates. However, in September 2008, the Spanish government introduced a cap of 500 MW
for the feed-in tariff in 2009, which has resulted in limiting the demand in the grid-connected
market in Spain. The policy shift also contributed in part to the decline in global PV market
demand in the fourth quarter of 2008. In 2007, Germany and Spain accounted for 31.4% and 40.0% of
our net revenues, respectively, and in 2008, Germany and Spain accounted for 23.9% and 32.5% of our
net revenues, respectively. We believe that in the time of uncertainty of political and policy
developments, competition among solar company manufacturers could become fierce. Electric utility
companies that have significant political lobbying powers may also seek changes in the relevant
legislation in their markets that may adversely affect the development and commercial acceptance of
solar energy. A significant reduction in the scope or discontinuation of government incentive
programs, especially those in our target markets, could cause demand for our products and our
revenues to decline, and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
results of operations and prospects.
Demand for our products may be adversely affected by the effect of the current economic and credit
environment on our customers.
The United States and international economies recently have experienced (and continue to
experience) a period of slow economic growth. A near-term economic recovery is uncertain. In
particular, the current credit and housing crises, the increase in U.S. sub-prime mortgage
defaults, terrorist acts and similar events, continued turmoil in the Middle East or war in general
could contribute to a slowdown of the market demand for products that require significant initial
capital expenditures, including demand for solar products. For example, recent global economic,
capital markets and credit disruptions have resulted in slower investments in new installation
projects that make use of solar products. Existing projects have also been delayed as a result of
the credit and other disruptions. If the economic recovery slows down as a result of the recent
economic turmoil, or if there are further terrorist attacks in the United States or elsewhere, we
may experience decreases in the demand for our solar products, which may harm our operating
results.
Recent global economics, capital markets and credit disruptions pose risks for our customers.
We have benefited from historically low interest rates that have made it more attractive for our
customers to use credit to purchase our products. Interest rates have fluctuated recently, which
could increase the cost of financing these purchases and may reduce our customers profits and
investors expected returns on investment. Given the current credit environment, particularly the
tightening of the credit markets, there can be no assurance that our customers will be able to
borrow money on a timely basis or on reasonable terms, which could have a negative impact on their
demand for our products. If economic
recovery is slow in the United States or elsewhere, we may experience decreases in the demand
for our solar power products, which may harm our operating results. These factors may adversely
impact our existing or future sales agreements, including increasing the likelihood of contract
breaches. Our sales are affected by interest rate fluctuations and the availability of liquidity,
and would be adversely affected by increases in interest rates or liquidity constraints. Rising
interest rates may also make certain alternative investments more attractive to investors, and
therefore lead to a decline in demand for our solar products, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations, financial conditions and cash flows.
10
Because the markets in which we compete are highly competitive and many of our competitors have
greater resources than us, we may not be able to compete successfully and we may lose or be unable
to gain market share.
The market for solar power products is competitive and fast evolving. We expect to face
increased competition, which may result in price reductions, reduced margins or loss of market
share. We compete with other PV module manufacturing companies such as Sharp Electronic
Corporation, Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., Yingli Green Energy Holding Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi
Electric Corporation. Some of our competitors have also become vertically integrated, from
polysilicon production, silicon ingot and wafer manufacturing to solar power system integration,
such as Renewable Energy Corporation ASA and SolarWorld AG. Many of our competitors have a
stronger market position than ours, more sophisticated technologies and products, and larger
resources and better name recognition than we have. Further, many of our competitors are
developing and are currently producing products based on new solar power technologies, such as
thin-film technology, which may ultimately have costs similar to, or lower than, our projected
costs.
The barriers to entry are relatively low in the PV module manufacturing business, given that
manufacturing PV modules is labor intensive and requires limited technology. Because of the
scarcity of polysilicon in the past few years, supply chain management and financial strength were
the key barriers to entry. As the shortage of polysilicon has eased recently, these barriers are
less significant and many new competitors may enter the industry and cause the industry to rapidly
become over-saturated. Many mid-stream solar products manufacturers have been seeking to move
downstream to strengthen their position in regional markets. They are expected to leverage on
their existing sales capacity as the industry faces challenges posed by the economic downturn. In
addition, we may also face new competition from semiconductor manufacturers, several of which have
already announced their intention to start production of solar cells. Decreases in polysilicon
prices and increases in PV module production could result in substantial downward pressure on the
price of PV modules and intensify the competition we face.
Some of our current and potential competitors have longer operating histories, access to a
larger customer base, stronger relationships with customers, access to greater resources, and
significantly greater economies of scale, financial, sales and marketing, manufacturing,
distribution, research and development, technical and other resources than us. As a result, they
may be able to respond more quickly to changing customer demands or market conditions or to devote
greater resources to the development, promotion and sales of their products than we can. Our
business relies on sales of our PV modules, and our competitors with more diversified product
offerings may be better positioned to withstand a decline in the demand for PV modules. New
competitors or alliances among existing competitors could emerge and rapidly acquire a significant
market share, which would harm our business. If we
fail to compete successfully, our business would suffer and we may lose or be unable to gain
market share.
11
Our dependence on a limited number of customers may cause significant fluctuations or declines in
our revenues.
We currently sell a significant portion of our PV modules to a limited number of customers.
In 2006, 2007 and 2008, sales to our top five customers accounted for approximately 48.9%, 33.5%
and 41.9%, respectively, of our total net revenues. The top customer contributed approximately
9.8% of our net revenues in 2008. Sales to our customers are typically made through non-exclusive,
short-term arrangements. We anticipate that our dependence on a limited number of customers will
continue for the foreseeable future. Consequently, any one of the following events may cause
material fluctuations or declines in our revenues:
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reduction, delay or cancellation of orders from one or more of our significant
customers; |
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selection by one or more of our significant customers of products competitive with ours; |
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loss of one or more of our significant customers due to disputes, dissatisfaction with
our products or otherwise and our failure to attract additional or replacement customers;
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failure of any of our significant customers to make timely payment for our products. |
We are exposed to the credit risk of these customers, some of which are new customers with
whom we have not historically had extensive business dealings. The failure of any of these
significant customers to meet their payment obligations would materially and adversely affect our
financial position, liquidity and results of operations.
The practice of requiring customers to make advance payments when they place orders with us has
declined, and we have experienced and will continue to experience increased needs to finance our
working capital requirements and are exposed to increased credit risk.
We generally required our customers to make an advance payment of a certain percentage of
their orders, a business practice that helped us to manage our accounts receivable, prepay our
suppliers and reduce the amount of funds that we needed to finance our working capital
requirements. In line with market trends, this practice of requiring our customers to make advance
payments is on the decline, which in turn has increased our need to obtain additional short-term
borrowings to fund our working capital requirements. In 2009, we believe a larger portion of our
revenues will be derived from credit sales to our customers in comparison to 2008, generally with
payment schedules due according to negotiated contracts. In addition, some of our customers pay us
through letters of credit, which typically take 30 to 90 days to process in order for us to be
paid. Despite the more lenient payment terms, any of our customers may fail to meet their payment
obligations, especially due to the current credit crisis, which would materially and adversely
affect our financial position, liquidity and results of operations.
12
We have significant outstanding bank borrowings and capital expenditure needs, and we may not be
able to arrange adequate financing when our outstanding borrowings mature or when capital
expenditures are required.
We typically require a significant amount of cash to fund our operations, especially
prepayments or loans to suppliers to secure our polysilicon supply requirements. We also require a
significant amount of cash to meet future capital requirements, including the expansion of our
module and cell manufacturing facilities, as well as research and development activities in order
to remain competitive. Future acquisitions, expansions, market changes or other developments may
cause us to require additional funds. As of December 31, 2008, we had $132.2 million in cash and
cash equivalents and $263.2 million in outstanding borrowings, of which approximately $248.6
million was due within one year. We might not be able to obtain extensions of these borrowings in
the future as they mature. In the event that we are unable to obtain extensions of these
borrowings, or if we are unable to obtain sufficient alternative funding at reasonable terms to
make repayments, we will have to repay these borrowings with cash generated by our operating
activities. In addition, we estimate that our capital expenditures will be approximately $189.0
million in 2009 for capacity expansion. Our business might not generate sufficient cash flow from
operations to repay these borrowings, some of which are secured by significant amounts of our
assets, and at the same time fund our capital expenditures. In addition, repaying these borrowings
and capital expenditures with cash generated by our operating activities will divert our financial
resources from the requirements of our ongoing operations and future growth, and may have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and future prospects. If we are
unable to obtain funding in a timely manner or on commercially acceptable terms, or at all, our
growth prospects and future profitability may decrease materially. Moreover, recent turmoil in the
credit markets and the potential impact on the liquidity of financial institutions may have an
adverse effect on our ability to fund our business through borrowings, under either existing or
newly created instruments in the public or private markets on terms that we believe to be
reasonable, if at all. Failure to secure any necessary financing in a timely manner and on
favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our growth strategy, financial performance
and market price of ADSs and could require us to delay or abandon critical development plans.
We may not be successful in manufacturing solar cells cost-effectively.
We began manufacturing our own solar cells in May 2007, and prior to that we did not have any
significant operating experience in solar cell manufacturing. Manufacturing solar cells is a
complex process. Minor deviations in the manufacturing process can cause substantial decreases in
yield and cell conversion efficiency and, in some cases, cause production to be suspended or yield
no output. We have invested significantly in research and development in solar cell technology in
order to achieve the high conversion efficiency rates required for our solar cells and modules to
remain competitive. If we face technological difficulties in our production of solar cells, we may
be unable to expand our business as planned.
Currently, we have 14 production lines with an annual manufacturing capacity of approximately
350 MW and plan to increase our annual manufacturing capacity by up to 200 MW to a total of up to
550 MW by the end of 2009. The specific increase will be based on market visibility in both
customer demand and the commercial lending environment to finance PV system installations in our
respective sales markets. We are implementing a strategy to focus on preserving cash, which
includes reducing costs and reviewing and taking
a prudent approach towards our capital expansion plan. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that
we will not revise our capacity expansion plan after we finalize our review. If we fail to
implement our plan as expected, experience a delay in the ramp up or fail to achieve our targeted
yields, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
13
We may experience difficulty in achieving acceptable yields and product performance as a result of
manufacturing problems.
The technology for the manufacturing of silicon ingots and wafers is complex, requires costly
equipment and is continuously being modified in an effort to improve yields and product
performance. Microscopic impurities such as dust and other contaminants, difficulties in the
manufacturing process, disruptions in the supply of utilities or defects in the key materials and
tools used to manufacture wafers can cause a percentage of the wafers to be rejected, which in each
case negatively affects our yields. We have, from time to time, experienced production
difficulties that have caused manufacturing delays and lower than expected yields.
Because our manufacturing capabilities are concentrated in our manufacturing facilities in
Changzhou, China, any problem in our facilities may limit our ability to manufacture products. We
may encounter problems in our manufacturing facilities, as a result of, among other things,
production failures, construction delays, human errors, equipment malfunction or process
contamination, which could seriously harm our operations. We may also experience floods, droughts,
power losses and similar events beyond our control that would affect our facilities. For example,
shortages or suspensions of power supplied to us have occasionally occurred due to severe
thunderstorms in the area, and have disrupted our operations and caused severe damages to wafers in
the process. A disruption to any step of the manufacturing process will require us to repeat each
step and recycle the silicon debris, thus adversely affecting our yields.
Problems with product quality or product performance could damage our reputation, or result in a
decrease in customers and revenues, unexpected expenses or loss of market share, and may cause us
to incur significant warranty expenses
Our products may contain defects that are not detected until after they are shipped or are
installed because we cannot test for all possible scenarios. Unlike PV modules, which are subject
to certain uniform international standards, solar cells generally are not subject to uniform
international standards, and it is often difficult to determine whether solar power product defects
are a result of defective solar cells, other defective components of PV modules or other reasons.
Furthermore, the solar wafers and other components that we purchase from third-party suppliers are
typically sold to us with no or only limited warranties. We have received in the past, and may
receive from time to time in the future, complaints from certain customers that portions of our PV
modules have quality deficiencies. For example, in certain instances in the past, customers raised
concerns about the stated versus actual performance output of some of our PV modules. We
determined that these concerns resulted from differences in calibration standards we used.
However, the corrective actions and procedures that we took may turn out to be inadequate to
prevent further similar incidents or to protect against future errors or defects. If we deliver PV
module products that do not satisfy our customers or end users quality requirements, or if there
is a perception that our products are of poor quality, our credibility and the market acceptance
and sales of our PV
module products could be harmed. We may also incur substantial expense to replace low quality
products.
14
In the past, our PV modules were typically sold with a two-year warranty for materials and
workmanship and a minimum power output warranty of up to 25 years following the date of purchase or
installation. In 2008, we extended the warranty for materials and workmanship from two years to
five years. We believe our warranty periods are consistent with industry practice. We have only
begun to sell PV modules since November 2004. Although we conduct accelerated reliability testing
of our PV modules, our PV modules have not been and cannot be tested in an environment simulating
the 25-year warranty period. As a result, we may be subject to unexpected warranty expense and
associated harm to our financial results for as long as 25 years after the sale of our products.
Any increase in the defect rate of our products would cause us to increase the amount of our
warranty reserves and have a correspondingly negative impact on our operating results.
Furthermore, widespread product failures may damage our market reputation, reduce our market share
and cause our sales to decline.
We may not be successful in the commercial production of new products, which could adversely affect
our business and prospects.
We may develop and produce new products from time to time, such as our new PV module product
manufactured using Upgraded Metallurgical Grade silicon materials. We may be unable to generate
sufficient customer demand for our new products if we are unable to develop and produce new
products in a cost-effective manner with the expected performance. If we failed to generate demand
for our new products, our business and prospects may be adversely affected and we may be unable to
recoup our investment in the development and production of such products.
Existing regulations and policies and changes to these regulations and policies may present
technical, regulatory and economic barriers to the purchase and use of solar power products, which
may significantly reduce demand for our products.
The market for electricity generation products is heavily influenced by government regulations
and policies concerning the electric utility industry, as well as policies adopted by electric
utilities. These regulations and policies often relate to electricity pricing and technical
interconnection of customer-owned electricity generation. In a number of countries, these
regulations and policies are being modified and may continue to be modified. Customer purchases
of, or further investment in the research and development of alternative energy sources, including
solar power technology, could be deterred by these regulations and policies, which could result in
a significant reduction in the demand for our products. For example, without a regulatory mandated
exception for solar power systems, utility customers are often charged interconnection or standby
fees for putting distributed power generation on the electric utility grid. These fees could
increase the cost to our customers of using our solar power products and make them less desirable,
thereby harming our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
We anticipate that our products and their installation will be subject to oversight and
regulation in accordance with national and local regulations relating to building codes, safety,
environmental protection, utility interconnection and metering and related matters. It is
difficult to track the requirements of individual jurisdictions and design products to comply with
the varying standards. Any new government regulations or utility policies pertaining to
our solar power products may result in significant additional expenses to us and, as a result,
could cause a significant reduction in demand for our solar power products.
15
If solar power technology is not suitable for widespread adoption, or sufficient demand for solar
power products does not develop or takes longer to develop than we anticipate, our revenues may not
continue to increase or may even decline, and we may be unable to sustain our profitability.
The solar power market is at a relatively early stage of development, and the extent of
acceptance of solar power products is uncertain. Market data on the solar power industry are not
as readily available as those for other more established industries where trends can be assessed
more reliably from data gathered over a longer period of time. In addition, demand for solar power
products in our targeted markets, including Germany, Italy, Spain, the United States, France and
South Korea, may not develop or may develop to a lesser extent than we anticipate. Many factors
may affect the viability of widespread adoption of solar power technology and demand for solar
power products, including:
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cost-effectiveness, performance and reliability of solar power products compared to
conventional and other renewable energy sources and products; |
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availability of government subsidies and incentives to support the development of the
solar power industry; |
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success of other alternative energy generation technologies, such as wind power,
hydroelectric power and biomass; |
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fluctuations in economic and market conditions that affect the viability of conventional
and other renewable energy sources, such as increases or decreases in the prices of oil and
other fossil fuels; |
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capital expenditures by end users of solar power products, which tend to decrease when
the economy slows down; and |
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deregulation of the electric power industry and broader energy industry. |
If solar power technology is not suitable for widespread adoption or sufficient demand for
solar power products does not develop or takes longer to develop than we anticipate, our revenues
may suffer and we may be unable to sustain our profitability.
Further development in thin-film technologies or other changes in the solar power industry could
render our products uncompetitive or obsolete, which could reduce our market share and cause our
sales and profit to decline.
The solar power market is characterized by evolving technologies and standards that result in
improved features, such as more efficient and higher power output, improved aesthetics and smaller
size. This requires us to develop new solar power products and enhance existing products to keep
pace with evolving technologies and changing customer requirements.
16
A variety of competing solar technologies that other companies may develop could prove to be
more cost-effective and have better performance than our technologies. For
example, thin-film technologies are competing technologies in the solar power industry.
According to Solarbuzz, in 2008, thin-film technologies represented 13.0% of the solar market,
compared to 87.0% for crystalline technology. Thin-film technologies allow for lower production
costs for solar cells by using lower amounts of semiconductor materials. Thin-film solar cells
generally have a lower conversion efficiency rate than crystalline solar cells.
Further development in competing solar power technologies may result in lower manufacturing
costs or higher product performance than those expected from our PV modules. We will need to
invest significant financial resources in research and development to maintain our market position,
keep pace with technological advances in the solar power industry and effectively compete in the
future. Our failure to further refine our technology, enhance our existing solar power products,
or develop and introduce new products, could cause our products to become uncompetitive or
obsolete, which could reduce our market share and cause our revenues to decline.
Noncompliance with present or future construction and environmental regulations may result in
potentially significant monetary damages and fines.
In the past, we had begun constructing and operating facilities without having obtained all of
the necessary construction and environmental permits. Although we have subsequently obtained all
of the construction and environmental permits for these facilities, we could be subject to fines or
penalties for our past non-compliance.
Because our manufacturing processes generate noise, waste water, gaseous wastes and other
industrial wastes, we are required to comply with national and local environmental regulations. If
we fail to comply with present or future environmental regulations, we may be required to pay
substantial fines, suspend production or cease operations. Any failure by us to control the use or
to adequately restrict the discharge of hazardous substances could subject us to potentially
significant monetary damages and fines or suspensions in our business operations, which would have
a materially adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
In particular, the manufacturing processes for producing polysilicon employ processes that
generate toxic waste products, including the highly volatile and highly toxic substance
silicon-tetrachloride. We purchase our polysilicon from our suppliers in the United States, Europe
and China. If any of our suppliers fails to comply with environmental regulations for the
production of polysilicon and the discharge of the highly toxic waste products, we may face
negative publicity which may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of
operations. Furthermore, if any of our suppliers are forced to suspend or shut down production due
to violations of environmental regulations, we may not be able to secure enough polysilicon for our
production needs on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
17
Our future success substantially depends on our ability to significantly expand both our
manufacturing capacity and output, which exposes us to a number of risks and uncertainties.
Our future success depends on our ability to significantly increase both our manufacturing
capacity and output. If we are unable to do so, we may be unable to expand our business, decrease
our costs per watt, maintain our competitive position and improve our
profitability. Our ability to establish additional manufacturing capacity and increase output
is subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including:
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the need to raise significant additional funds to purchase raw materials or to build
additional manufacturing facilities, which we may be unable to obtain on commercially
viable terms or at all; |
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delays and cost overruns as a result of a number of factors, many of which are beyond
our control, such as increases in the price of polysilicon and problems with equipment
vendors, particularly with respect to major equipment such as ingot pulling or growing
machines; |
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delays or denial of required approvals by relevant government authorities; |
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diversion of significant management attention and other resources; and |
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failure to execute our expansion plan effectively. |
If we are unable to establish or successfully operate additional manufacturing capacity, or if
we encounter any of the risks described above, we may be unable to expand our business as planned.
Moreover, even if we do expand our manufacturing capacity we might not be able to generate
sufficient customer demand for our solar power products to support our increased production levels.
In particular, we believe that the expansion of our manufacturing capacity is an integral part
of our long-term strategy to achieve a grid parity cost structure. Our ability to meet our
estimate for the scale of production needed to achieve grid parity is affected by a number of
factors, including our ability to improve and maintain the degree of vertical integration and to
increase our efficiencies and margins, the likelihood that we may approach or reach a point of
diminishing returns as we continue to expand our scale, the average purchase price we will pay for
silicon in the future to meet our expansion requirements, and the cost of conventional grid
electricity which will determine at which point grid parity can be reached. We might not be able
to meet our desired scale of production in order to fully implement our strategy.
Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our executive officers, and our
business may be severely disrupted if we lose their services.
Our future success depends substantially on the continued services of our executive officers,
especially Mr. Jifan Gao, our chairman and chief executive officer. If one or more of our
executive officers or key employees were unable or unwilling to continue in their present
positions, we might not be able to replace them easily or at all. Our business may be severely
disrupted, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely
affected, and we may incur additional expenses to recruit, train and retain personnel. Since our
industry is characterized by high demand and intense competition for talent, we also may not be
able to attract or retain additional highly skilled employees or other key personnel that we will
need to achieve our strategic objectives. As we are still a relatively young company and our
business has grown rapidly, our ability to train and integrate new employees into our operations
may not meet the growing demands of our business.
18
If any of our executive officers or key employees joins a competitor or forms a competing
company, we may lose customers, suppliers, know-how and key professionals and staff members. Each
of our executive officers has entered into an employment agreement with us, which contains
non-competition provisions. If any dispute arises between our executive officers and us, these
agreements may not be enforceable in China in light of the uncertainties with Chinas legal system,
or in another country where they obtain employment. See Risks Related to Doing Business in
ChinaUncertainties with respect to the Chinese legal system could have a material adverse effect
on us.
If we are unable to attract, train and retain qualified technical personnel, our business may be
materially and adversely affected.
Our future success depends, to a significant extent, on our ability to attract, train and
retain qualified technical personnel, particularly those with expertise in the solar power
industry. There is substantial competition for qualified technical personnel, and we might not be
able to attract or retain our qualified technical personnel. If we are unable to do so, our
business may be materially and adversely affected.
If we fail to manage our growth effectively, our business may be adversely affected.
We have experienced a period of rapid growth and expansion that has placed, and continues to
place, significant strain on our management personnel, systems and resources. To accommodate our
growth, we anticipate that we will need to implement a variety of new and upgraded operational and
financial systems, procedures and controls, including the improvement of our accounting and other
internal management systems, all of which require substantial management efforts. We also will
need to continue to expand, train, manage and motivate our workforce, manage our customer
relationships and manage our relationship with foundries and assembly and testing houses. All of
these endeavors will require substantial management effort and skill and incurrence of additional
expenditures. We might not be able to manage our growth effectively, and any failure to do so may
have a material adverse effect on our business.
We face risks associated with the marketing, distribution and sale of our solar power products
internationally, and if we are unable to effectively manage these risks, they could impair our
ability to expand our business abroad.
In 2006, 2007 and 2008, we sold approximately 90.7%, 97.9% and 96.3%, respectively, of our
products to customers outside of China. The marketing, distribution and sale of our solar power
products in the international markets expose us to a number of risks, including:
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fluctuations in currency exchange rates; |
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difficulty in engaging and retaining distributors who are knowledgeable about, and can
function effectively in, overseas markets; |
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increased costs associated with maintaining marketing efforts in various countries; |
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difficulty and costs relating to compliance with the different commercial and legal
requirements of the overseas markets in which we offer our products; |
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trade barriers such as export requirements, tariffs, taxes and other restrictions and
expenses, which could increase the prices of our products and make us less competitive in
some countries; and
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demand for solar products in overseas markets as influenced by the worldwide credit crisis and its
effects.
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19
We may be exposed to infringement or misappropriation claims by third parties, which, if determined
adversely to us, could cause us to pay significant damage awards.
Our success depends largely on our ability to use and develop our technology and know-how
without infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties. The validity and scope of
claims relating to solar power technology patents involve complex scientific, legal and factual
questions and analysis and, therefore, may be highly uncertain. We may be subject to litigation
involving claims of patent infringement or violation of intellectual property rights of third
parties. The defense and prosecution of intellectual property suits, patent opposition proceedings
and related legal and administrative proceedings can be both costly and time consuming and may
significantly divert the efforts and resources of our technical and management personnel. An
adverse determination in any such litigation or proceedings to which we may become a party could
subject us to significant liability to third parties, require us to seek licenses from third
parties, to pay ongoing royalties, or to redesign our products or subject us to injunctions
prohibiting the manufacturing and sale of our products or the use of our technologies. Protracted
litigation could also result in our customers or potential customers deferring or limiting their
purchase or use of our products until resolution of such litigation.
Our failure to protect our intellectual property rights may undermine our competitive position, and
litigation to protect our intellectual property rights or defend against third-party allegations of
infringement may be costly.
We rely primarily on patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright law and other contractual
restrictions to protect our intellectual property. Nevertheless, these afford only limited
protection and the actions we take to protect our intellectual property rights may not be adequate.
Third parties may infringe or misappropriate our proprietary technologies or other intellectual
property rights, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or
operating results. Policing unauthorized use of proprietary technology can be difficult and
expensive. Also, litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect
our trade secrets or determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. We
cannot assure you that the outcome of such potential litigation will be in our favor. An adverse
determination in any such litigation will impair our intellectual property rights and may harm our
business, prospects and reputation. Implementation of PRC intellectual property-related laws has
historically been lacking, primarily because of ambiguities in the PRC laws and difficulties in
enforcement. Accordingly, intellectual property rights and confidentiality protections in China
may not be as effective as in the United States or other countries.
20
We have limited insurance coverage and may incur losses resulting from product liability claims.
As with other solar power product manufacturers, we are exposed to risks associated with
product liability claims if the use of our solar power products results in injury. Since our
products generate electricity, it is possible that users could be injured or killed by our
products as a result of product malfunctions, defects, improper installation or other causes. We
only began commercial shipment of our PV modules in November 2004 and, because of our limited
operating history, we cannot predict whether product liability claims will be brought against us in
the future or the effect of any resulting negative publicity on our business. Moreover, we do not
have any product liability insurance and may not have adequate resources to satisfy a judgment in
the event of a successful claim against us. The successful assertion of product liability claims
against us could result in potentially significant monetary damages and require us to make
significant payments.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may
lose investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements.
We are subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The SEC, as required
by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, adopted rules
requiring every public company to include a management report on such companys internal control
over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains managements assessment of the
effectiveness of the companys internal control over financial reporting. In addition, an
independent registered public accounting firm must render an opinion on the effectiveness of the
companys internal control over financial reporting.
Our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting is effective
as of December 31, 2008. See Item 15. Control and Procedures. If we fail to maintain effective
internal control over financial reporting in the future, it could result in the loss of investor
confidence in the reliability of our financial statements and negatively impact the trading price
of our ADSs. Furthermore, we have incurred and anticipate that we will continue to incur
considerable costs, management time and other resources in an effort to comply with Section 404 and
other requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Trina or Trina China may be required by the PRC tax authorities to withhold capital gains tax
arising out of our restructuring in May 2006.
In connection with our restructuring in May 2006, certain former shareholders of Trina China
transferred their equity interests in Trina China to Trina for a nominal consideration. As a
result of the nominal consideration paid in these related party transactions, such consideration
may be subject to pricing reassessment by the PRC tax authorities, leading to a recognition of
capital gains by the transferring shareholders which would be subject to PRC tax. PRC tax law
provides a safe harbor exemption from such capital gains tax in the case of an intra-group
restructuring. While our restructuring does not fall squarely within the requirements for the safe
harbor, we believe that the PRC tax authorities may deem the restructuring to meet substantially
all of the requirements for the safe harbor for tax-free treatment. The PRC tax authorities could,
however, deem these transferring shareholders to have realized capital gains as a result of the
restructuring.
Under PRC tax law, if a transferor is a foreign person without a presence in China, the
transferee is obligated to withhold tax on any of the transferors gains arising from the
transaction. As all of these transferring shareholders are deemed to be foreign persons without a
presence in China, Trina China may be required to withhold tax on capital gains deemed to have been
received by these former shareholders. These former shareholders have agreed to indemnify us
against any withholding obligations or liabilities due to or imposed by
the PRC tax authorities that may arise out of the restructuring. The PRC tax authorities
could impose such withholding obligation on Trina or Trina China or impose fines or penalties on
Trina or Trina China for its failure to make such withholding. If such withholding obligation is
imposed and we are not indemnified by these transferring shareholders, our potential tax exposure
would be approximately $2.8 million, excluding any fines or penalties. The amount of such fines or
penalties is difficult to estimate as the determination of whether any such fines or penalties
would be imposed and the amount of such fines or penalties are at the discretion of the PRC tax
authorities.
21
Our principal shareholders have substantial influence over our company and their interests may not
be aligned with the interests of our other shareholders.
Our principal shareholders have substantial influence over our business, including decisions
regarding mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election
of directors and other significant corporate actions. This concentration of ownership may
discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company, which could deprive our
shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our
company and might reduce the price of our ADSs. These actions may be taken even if they are
opposed by our other shareholders. Furthermore, our articles of association contain a quorum
requirement of at least one-third of our total outstanding shares present in person or by proxy.
Two or more shareholders with an aggregate shareholding of more than one-third could constitute a
quorum and approve actions which may not be in the best interests of our other shareholders.
Fluctuations in exchange rates could adversely affect our business.
The value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar, Euro and other currencies is affected by,
among other things, changes in Chinas political and economic conditions and Chinas foreign
exchange policies. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging
the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar. Under the new policy, the Renminbi was permitted to
fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. This
change in policy caused the Renminbi to appreciate approximately 21.5% against the U.S. dollar over
the following three years. Since reaching a high against the U.S. dollar in July 2008, however,
the Renminbi has traded within a narrow band against the U.S. dollar, remaining within 1% of its
July 2008 high but never exceeding it. As a consequence, the Renminbi has fluctuated sharply since
July 2008 against other freely traded currencies, in tandem with the U.S. dollar. For example, the
Renminbi appreciated approximately 27% against the Euro between July 2008 and November 2008. It is
difficult to predict how long the current situation may last and when and how it may change again.
Most of our sales are denominated in U.S. dollars and Euros, with the remainder in Renminbi,
while a substantial portion of our costs and expenses is denominated in U.S. dollars, with the
remainder in Renminbi. Fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly among the U.S. dollar,
Renminbi and Euro, may affect our net profit margins and could result in fluctuations in foreign
currency exchange and operating gains and losses. We incurred a foreign exchange loss of
approximately $11.8 million in 2008. We cannot predict the impact of future exchange rate
fluctuations on our results of operations and may incur net foreign currency losses in the future.
In addition, as we rely entirely on dividends paid to us by our operating subsidiaries in China,
any significant revaluation of the Renminbi may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and
financial condition, and the value of, and any
dividends payable on, our common shares. For example, to the extent that we need to convert
U.S. dollars into Renminbi for our operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar
would have an adverse effect on the Renminbi amount we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if
we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for
dividends on our common shares or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar
against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us. As a
large proportion of our revenues are paid to us in Euros, fluctuation between the Euro and the RMB
may also have a material effect on our results of operations.
22
In October and December 2008, we entered into a series of foreign currency forward contracts
with two commercial banks to hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. As of December
31, 2008, we had foreign currency forward contracts with a total contract value of approximately
24.0 million ($33.9 million). We do not use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge all of
our foreign currency denominated commitments. As with all hedging instruments, there are risks
associated with the use of foreign currency forward contracts. While the use of such foreign
currency forward contracts provides us with protection from certain fluctuations in foreign
currency exchange, we potentially forgo the benefits that might result from favorable fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange. Any default by the counterparties to these transactions could
adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, these financial
hedging transactions may not provide adequate protection against future foreign currency exchange
rate fluctuations and, consequently, such fluctuations could adversely affect our financial
condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
Adverse changes in political and economic policies of the PRC government could have a material
adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could reduce the demand for our
products and materially and adversely affect our competitive position.
All of our business operations are conducted in China and some of our sales are made in China.
Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects are affected
significantly by economic, political and legal developments in China. The Chinese economy differs
from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including:
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the amount of government involvement; |
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the level of development; |
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the growth rate; |
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the control of foreign exchange; and |
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the allocation of resources. |
While the Chinese economy has grown significantly in the past 30 years, the growth has been
uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The PRC government has
implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources.
Some of these measures benefit the overall Chinese economy, but
may also have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of
operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in
tax regulations that are applicable to us.
23
The Chinese economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented
economy. Although in recent years the PRC government has implemented measures emphasizing the
utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive
assets and the establishment of sound corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial
portion of the productive assets in China is still owned by the PRC government. The continued
control of these assets and other aspects of the national economy by the PRC government could
materially and adversely affect our business. The PRC government also exercises significant
control over Chinese economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of
foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential
treatment to particular industries or companies. Efforts by the PRC government to control the pace
of growth of the Chinese economy could result in decreased capital expenditure by solar energy
users, which in turn could reduce demand for our products.
Uncertainties with respect to the Chinese legal system could have a material adverse effect on us.
We conduct substantially all of our manufacturing operations through our wholly-owned
subsidiary, Trina China, a limited liability company established in China. Trina China is
generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investment in China and, in
particular, laws applicable to wholly foreign-owned enterprises. The PRC legal system is based on
written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential
value. Since 1979, PRC legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections
afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, since these laws and
regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the
interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these
laws, regulations and rules involves uncertainties. We cannot predict the effect of future
developments in the PRC legal system, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing
laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, the preemption of local regulations by national
laws, or the overturn of local government decisions by the superior government. These
uncertainties may limit legal protections available to us. In addition, any litigation in China
may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management
attention.
Our ability to make distributions and other payments to our shareholders depends to a significant
extent upon the distribution of earnings and other payments made by Trina China.
We conduct substantially all of our operations through Trina China. Our ability to make
distributions or other payments to our shareholders depends on payments from Trina China, whose
ability to make such payments is subject to PRC regulations. Regulations in the PRC currently
permit payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits as determined in accordance with
accounting standards and regulations in China. According to the relevant PRC laws and regulations
applicable to Trina China and its articles of association, Trina China is required to set aside at
least 10% of its after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards each year to its general
reserves until the accumulative amount of these reserves reaches 50% of its registered capital.
These reserves are not distributable as
cash dividends. As of December 31, 2008, these general reserves amounted to
$14.2 million, accounting for 7.5% of the registered capital of Trina China. In addition, under
the new EIT Law that became effective in January 2008, dividends from Trina China to us are subject
to a 10% withholding tax. See Our business benefits from certain PRC government tax incentives,
and the expiration of, or changes to, these incentives could have a material adverse effect on our
results of operations and Item 4. Information on the CompanyRegulationTax. Furthermore, if
Trina China incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may
restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.
24
Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use our revenues
effectively.
Certain portions of our revenues and expenses are denominated in Renminbi. If our revenues
denominated in Renminbi increase or expenses denominated in Renminbi decrease in the future, we may
need to convert a portion of our revenues into other currencies to meet our foreign currency
obligations, including, among others, payment of dividends declared, if any, in respect of our
ordinary shares or ADSs. Under Chinas existing foreign exchange regulations, Trina China is able
to pay dividends in foreign currencies without prior approval from the State Administration of
Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, the PRC
government could take further measures in the future to restrict access to foreign currencies for
current account transactions.
Foreign exchange transactions by Trina China under capital accounts continue to be subject to
significant foreign exchange controls and require the approval of, or registration with, PRC
governmental authorities. In particular, if Trina China borrows foreign currency loans from us or
other foreign lenders, these loans must be registered with the SAFE, and if we finance Trina China
by means of additional capital contributions, these capital contributions must be approved by
certain government authorities including the Ministry of Commerce or its local counterparts. These
limitations could affect the ability of Trina China to obtain foreign exchange through debt or
equity financing.
Our business benefits from certain PRC government tax incentives, and expiration of, or changes to,
these incentives.
The PRC government has provided various incentives to foreign invested enterprises, although
these incentives are subject to the new Enterprise Income Tax Law as discussed below. Because
Trina China is a foreign invested enterprise engaged in manufacturing businesses and located in
Changzhou, which is within a coastal economic zone, it was entitled to a preferential enterprise
income tax rate of 24%. In addition, Trina China was qualified as an advanced technological
enterprise and, as a result, enjoyed a preferential enterprise income tax rate of 12% for the
years 2004 to 2006. As the tax benefit for an advanced technological enterprise expired in 2006,
the tax rate of Trina China increased to 27% (24% enterprise income tax plus 3% local income tax)
in 2007. Trina China made several additional capital investments during 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Income from incremental investment to the registered capital of a foreign invested enterprise was
entitled to a two-year exemption and a 50% reduction of the applicable income tax rate for the
succeeding three years. Trina Chinas registered capital was increased from $7.28 million in 2005
to $40.0 million in 2006 and to $120 million in 2007. Accordingly, for the year 2007, an income
tax rate of 12% was applied to 18.2% of Trina Chinas taxable profit and 81.8% of its taxable
profit was exempted from income taxes. However, the additional capital investments made in
2008 were not entitled to additional tax holidays. Due to varying applicable tax rates in each
quarter of 2008 caused by the various additional capital investments, the tax authority agreed that
we could use a blended EIT rate for 2008.
25
The Enterprise Income Tax Law and its Implementation Regulations, or the new EIT Law, which
became effective January 1, 2008, imposes a uniform tax rate of 25% on all PRC enterprises,
including foreign-invested enterprises, and eliminates or modifies most of the tax exemptions,
reductions and preferential treatments available under the previous tax laws and regulations.
Under the new EIT law, enterprises that were established before March 16, 2007 and already enjoy
preferential tax treatments will (i) in the case of preferential tax rates, continue to enjoy the
tax rates which will be gradually increased to the new tax rates within five years from January 1,
2008 or (ii) in the case of preferential tax exemption or reduction for a specified term, continue
to enjoy the preferential tax holiday until the expiration of such term. In addition, certain
enterprises may still benefit from a preferential tax rate of 15% under the new EIT Law if they
qualify as high and new technology enterprises strongly supported by the State, subject to
certain general factors described therein. In September 2008, Trina China obtained the High and
New Technology Enterprise Certificate with a valid term of three years starting from 2008.
Therefore, Trina China is entitled to a preferential income tax rate of 15% in 2008, 2009 and 2010,
as long as it maintains its qualification as a high and new technology enterprise under the new
EIT Law. If Trina China fails to maintain the high and new technology enterprise qualification,
its applicable EIT rate may increase to up to 25%, which could have a material adverse effect on
our results of operations. In addition, in April 2009, we received a notice from the State Tax
Bureau of Changzhou Hi-tech Development Zone notifying us that the exemption and 50% tax reduction
for Trina Chinas taxable profit representing the proportion of increase in registered capital
expired on December 31, 2007. As a result, we expect to make an additional income tax payment of
$6.5 million in 2009. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our current effective
tax rate in the future. Any discontinuation of preferential tax treatment or any increase of the
enterprise income tax rate applicable to Trina China could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition and results of operations.
The dividends we receive from our PRC subsidiaries and our global income may be subject to PRC tax
under the new EIT law, which would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations; our
foreign ADS holders may be subject to a PRC withholding tax upon the dividends payable by us and
upon gains realized on the sale of our ADSs, if we are classified as a PRC resident enterprise.
Under the new EIT law, dividends, interests, rents and royalties payable by a foreign-invested
enterprise in the PRC to its foreign investor who is a non-resident enterprise, as well as gains on
transfers of shares of a foreign-invested enterprise in the PRC by such a foreign investor, will be
subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless such non-resident enterprises jurisdiction of
incorporation has a tax treaty with the PRC that provides for a reduced rate of withholding tax.
The Cayman Islands, where Trina is incorporated, does not have such a tax treaty with the PRC.
Therefore, if Trina is considered a non-resident enterprise for purposes of the new EIT law, this
new 10% withholding tax imposed on dividends paid to Trina by its PRC subsidiaries would reduce
Trinas net income and have an adverse effect on Trinas operating results.
26
Under the new EIT law, an enterprise established outside the PRC with its de facto management
body within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise
income tax at the rate of 25% on its worldwide income. The de facto
management body is defined as the organizational body that effectively exercises overall
management and control over production and business operations, personnel, finance and accounting,
and properties of the enterprise. It remains unclear how the PRC tax authorities will interpret
such a broad definition. Substantially all of Trinas management members are based in the PRC. If
the PRC tax authorities subsequently determine that Trina should be classified as a resident
enterprise, then Trinas worldwide income will be subject to income tax at a uniform rate of 25%,
which may have a material adverse effect on Trinas financial condition and results of operations.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provision, the new EIT law also provides that, if a resident
enterprise directly invests in another resident enterprise, the dividends received by the investing
resident enterprise from the invested enterprise are exempted from income tax, subject to certain
conditions. Therefore, if Trina is classified as a resident enterprise, the dividends received
from its PRC subsidiary may be exempted from income tax. However, it remains unclear how the PRC
tax authorities will interpret the PRC tax resident treatment of an offshore company, like Trina,
having ownership interest in a PRC enterprise.
Moreover, under the new EIT law, a withholding tax at the rate of 10% is applicable to
dividends payable to investors that are non-resident enterprises, which do not have an
establishment or place of business in the PRC, or which have such establishment or place of
business but the relevant income is not effectively connected with the establishment or place of
business, to the extent such interest or dividends have their sources within the PRC unless such
non-resident enterprises can claim treaty protection. As such, these non-resident enterprises
would enjoy a reduced withholding tax from treaty. Similarly, any gain realized on the transfer of
ADSs or shares by such investors is also subject to a 10% withholding tax if such gain is regarded
as income derived from sources within the PRC. If Trina is considered a PRC resident enterprise,
it is unclear whether the dividends Trina pays with respect to its ordinary shares or ADSs, or the
gain you may realize from the transfer of Trinas ordinary shares or ADSs, would be treated as
income derived from sources within the PRC and be subject to PRC withholding tax.
The approval of the Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission might have been required in connection
with our initial public offering, and, if required, we could be subject to sanction, fines and
other penalties.
On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the Chinese Securities Regulatory
Commission, or CSRC, promulgated the Regulation on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies
by Foreign Investors, which became effective on September 8, 2006. This new regulation, among
other things, requires offshore special purpose vehicles, formed for overseas listing purposes
through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC individuals, to obtain the
approval of the CSRC prior to publicly listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. On
September 21, 2006, the CSRC published a notice specifying the documents and materials that are
required to be submitted for obtaining CSRC approval. Based on the advice we received from Fangda
Partners, our PRC counsel, we did not seek the CSRC approval in connection with our initial public
offering as we believe that this regulation does not apply to us and that CSRC approval is not
required because (1) Trina is not a special purpose vehicle formed for the purpose of acquiring a
PRC domestic company because Trina China was a foreign-invested enterprise before it was acquired
by Trina, and, accordingly, Trina China did not fall within the definition of a PRC domestic
company as set forth in the new regulation; and (2) such acquisition was completed before the new
regulation became effective.
27
The interpretation and application of the New M&A Rule remains unclear, and we cannot assure
you that our initial public offering did not require approval from the CSRC. If the CSRC or other
PRC regulatory body subsequently determines that the CSRCs approval was required for our initial
public offering, we may face sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. In that case,
these regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in the PRC, limit our
operating privileges in the PRC, restrict or prohibit payment or remittance of dividends by Trina
China, or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our
ADSs.
The regulations also established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger
and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including
requirements in some instances that the Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, be notified in advance of
any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic
enterprise. As we may grow our business in part by acquiring complementary businesses in the
future, complying with the requirements of the new regulations to complete such transactions could
be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the
MOFCOM, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions. Any such delay or
inability to obtain applicable approvals to complete our potential future acquisitions could affect
our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.
Recent regulations relating to offshore investment activities by PRC residents may limit our
ability to acquire PRC companies and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and
results of operations. The regulations also establish more complex procedures for acquisitions by
foreign investors, which could make it more difficult to pursue growth through acquisitions.
In October 2005, SAFE promulgated a regulation known as Circular No. 75 that states that if
PRC residents use assets or equity interests in their PRC entities as capital contributions to
establish offshore companies or inject assets or equity interests of their PRC entities into
offshore companies to raise capital overseas, they must register with local SAFE branches with
respect to their overseas investments in offshore companies. They must also file amendments to
their registrations if their offshore companies experience material events involving capital
variation, such as changes in share capital, share transfers, mergers and acquisitions, spin-off
transactions, long-term equity or debt investments or uses of assets in China to guarantee offshore
obligations. Under this regulation, failure to comply with the registration procedures set forth
in such regulation may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of
the relevant PRC entity, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore
parent, as well as restrictions on the capital inflow from the offshore entity to the PRC entity.
While we believe our shareholders have complied with existing SAFE registration procedures, any
future failure by any of our shareholders who is a PRC resident, or controlled by a PRC resident,
to comply with relevant requirements under this regulation could subject our company to fines or
sanctions imposed by the PRC government, including restrictions on Trina Chinas ability to pay
dividends or make distributions to us and our ability to increase our investment in or to provide
loans to Trina China.
28
On December 25, 2006, the Peoples Bank of China promulgated the Measures for Administration
of Individual Foreign Exchange. On January 5, 2007, the SAFE promulgated Implementation Rules for
those measures and on March 28, 2007, the SAFE further
promulgated the Operating Procedures on Administration of Foreign Exchange regarding PRC
Individuals Participation in Employee Share Ownership Plans and Employee Stock Option Plans of
Overseas Listed Companies (collectively, referred to as the Individual Foreign Exchange Rules).
According to the Individual Foreign Exchange Rules, PRC citizens who are granted shares or share
options by a company listed on an overseas stock market according to its employee share option or
share incentive plan are required to register with the SAFE or its local counterparts by following
certain procedures. We and our employees who are PRC citizens and individual beneficiary owners,
or have been granted restricted shares or share options, may be subject to the Individual Foreign
Exchange Rules. The failure of our PRC individual beneficiary owners and the restricted holders to
complete their SAFE registrations pursuant to the SAFE Jiangsu Branchs requirement or the
Individual Foreign Exchange Rules may subject these PRC citizens to fines and legal sanctions and
may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our
PRC subsidiaries ability to distribute dividends to us or otherwise materially adversely affect
our business.
New labor laws in the PRC may adversely affect our results of operations.
On June 29, 2007, the PRC government promulgated a new labor law, namely, the Labor Contract
Law of the PRC, or the New Labor Contract Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008. The New
Labor Contract Law imposes greater liabilities on employers and significantly impacts the cost of
an employers decision to reduce its workforce. Further, it requires certain terminations to be
based upon seniority and not merit. In the event we decide to significantly change or decrease our
workforce, the New Labor Contract Law could adversely affect our ability to enact such changes in a
manner that is most advantageous to our business or in a timely and cost effective manner, thus
materially and adversely affecting our financial condition and results of operations.
We face risks related to health epidemics and other outbreaks.
Our business could be adversely affected by the effects of swine flu, avian flu, SARS or other
epidemics or outbreaks. China reported a number of cases of SARS in April 2004. In 2006, 2007 and
2008, there have been reports on the occurrences of avian flu in various parts of China, including
a few confirmed human cases and deaths. In April 2009, an outbreak of swine flu occurred in Mexico
and the United States. Any prolonged occurrence or recurrence of swine flu, avian flu, SARS or
other adverse public health developments in China or any of the major markets in which we do
business may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. These could include
our ability to travel or ship our products outside of China and to designated markets, as well as
temporary closure of our manufacturing facilities, logistic facilities and/or our customers
facilities, leading to delayed or cancelled orders. Any severe travel or shipment restrictions and
closures would severely disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and results of
operations. We have not adopted any written preventive measures or contingency plans to combat any
future outbreak of swine flu, avian flu, SARS or any other epidemic.
29
Risks Related to Our Ordinary Shares and ADSs
The market price for our ADSs has been and is likely to continue to be highly volatile.
The market price for our ADSs has been and is likely to continue to be highly volatile and
subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the following:
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announcements of technological or competitive developments; |
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regulatory developments in our target markets affecting us, our customers or our
competitors; |
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announcements of studies and reports relating to the conversion efficiencies of our
products or those of our competitors; |
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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results; |
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changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts; |
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changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other solar power technology
companies; |
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addition or departure of our executive officers and key research personnel; |
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announcements regarding patent litigation or the issuance of patents to us or our
competitors; |
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conditions affecting general economic performance in the United States; |
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fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar, the Euro and Renminbi; |
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release or expiry of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding ordinary
shares; and |
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sales or perceived sales of additional ADSs. |
In addition, the securities market has from time to time experienced significant price and
volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies.
These market fluctuations may also have a material adverse effect on the market price of our ADSs.
For example, financial markets have experienced extreme disruption in recent months, including,
among other things, extreme volatility in securities prices. In the event of a continuing market
downturn, the market price of our ADSs may decline further.
Holders of our ADSs do not have the same voting rights as the holders of our ordinary shares and
may not receive voting materials in time to be able to exercise their right to vote.
Holders of our ADSs are not treated as shareholders. Instead, the depositary will be treated
as the holder of the shares underlying the ADSs. Holders of our ADSs, however, may exercise some
of the shareholders rights through the depositary and have the right to withdraw the shares
underlying their ADSs from the deposit facility.
Except as described in this annual report and provided in the deposit agreement, holders of
our ADSs will not be able to exercise voting rights attaching to the shares evidenced by our ADSs
on an individual basis. Holders of our ADSs may instruct the depositary to exercise the voting
rights attaching to the shares represented by the ADSs. If no instructions are received by the
depositary on or before a date established by the depositary, the depositary shall deem the holders
to have instructed it to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by us to exercise their
voting rights. Holders of our ADSs may not receive
voting materials in time to instruct the depositary to vote, and holders of our ADSs, or
persons who hold their ADSs through brokers, dealers or other third parties, might not have the
opportunity to exercise a right to vote.
30
We have adopted a shareholders rights plan, which, together with the other anti-takeover provisions
of our articles of association, could discourage a third party from acquiring us, which could limit
our shareholders opportunity to sell their shares, including ordinary shares represented by our
ADSs, at a premium.
In November 2006, we adopted our amended and restated articles of association, which became
effective immediately upon completion of our initial public offering in December 2006. Our current
articles of association contain provisions that limit the ability of others to acquire control of
our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. In November 2008, our board
of directors adopted a shareholders rights plan. Under this rights plan, one right was distributed
with respect to each of our ordinary shares outstanding at the closing of business on December 1,
2008. These rights entitle the holders to purchase ordinary shares from us at half of the market
price at the time of purchase in the event that a person or group obtains ownership of 15% or more
of our ordinary shares (including by acquisition of the ADSs representing an ownership interest in
the ordinary shares) or enters into an acquisition transaction without the approval of our board of
directors.
This rights plan and the other anti-takeover provisions of our articles of association could
have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium
over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our
company in a tender offer or similar transaction. Our existing authorized ordinary shares confer
on the holders of our ordinary shares equal rights, privileges and restrictions. Our board of
directors may, without further action by our shareholders, issue additional ordinary shares, or
issue shares of a preferred class and attach to such shares special rights, privileges or
restrictions, which may be different from those associated with our ordinary shares, up to the
amount of the authorized capital and the number of authorized shares of our company. Preferred
shares could also be issued with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our
company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue
ordinary shares or preferred shares, the price of our ADSs and the notes may fall and the voting
and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs may be materially and adversely
affected.
Holders of our ADSs may not be able to participate in rights offerings that are made available to
our shareholders, and may not receive cash dividends if it is impractical to make them available to
them.
We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire
our securities. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary bank will not make rights available to
holders of our ADSs unless the distribution to ADS holders of both the rights and any related
securities are either registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities
Act, or exempted from registration under the Securities Act with respect to all holders of ADSs.
We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or
securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective.
Moreover, we may not be able to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act.
Accordingly, holders of our ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may
experience dilution in their holdings.
31
In addition, the depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay to holders of our ADSs the cash
dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our ordinary shares or other
deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. Holders of our ADSs will receive these
distributions in proportion to the number of ordinary shares their ADSs represent. However, the
depositary may, at its discretion, decide that it is inequitable or impractical to make a
distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, the depositary may determine that it
is not practicable to distribute certain property through the mail, or that the value of certain
distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may decide
not to distribute such property and holders of our ADSs will not receive such distribution.
Holders of our ADSs may be subject to limitations on transfer of their ADSs.
Our ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close
its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the
performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register
transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any
time if we or the depositary deem it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any
government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other
reason.
We are a Cayman Islands company and, because judicial precedent regarding the rights of
shareholders is more limited under Cayman Islands law than that under U.S. law, our shareholders
may have less protection for their shareholder rights than they would under U.S. law.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the
Companies Law, Cap. 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) of the Cayman Islands and the
common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors,
actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under
Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The
common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent
in the Cayman Islands as well as that from English common law, which has persuasive, but not
binding, authority on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the
fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established
as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States.
In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United
States. In addition, some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially
interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. As a result of all of the above,
shareholders of a Cayman Islands company may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in
the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling
shareholders than they would as shareholders of a company incorporated in a jurisdiction in the
United States. The limitations described above will also apply to the depositary, which is treated
as the holder of the shares underlying our ADSs.
You may have difficulty enforcing judgments obtained against us.
We are a Cayman Islands company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the
United States. Substantially all of our current operations are conducted in the PRC. In addition,
most of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries
other than the United States. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons are
located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of
process within the United States upon these persons. It may also be difficult for you to enforce
in U.S. courts judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the
U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors, most of whom are not
residents in the United States and the substantial majority of whose assets are located outside of
the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman
Islands or the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts.
32
Item 4. Information on the Company
A. History and Development of the Company
Our legal and commercial name is Trina Solar Limited. Our predecessor company, Changzhou
Trina Solar Energy Co., Ltd., or Trina China, was incorporated in December 1997. In anticipation
of our initial public offering, we incorporated Trina in the Cayman Islands as a listing vehicle on
March 14, 2006. Trina acquired all of the equity interests in Trina China through a series of
transactions that have been accounted for as a recapitalization and Trina China became our
wholly-owned subsidiary. We conduct substantially all of our operations through Trina China. In
December 2006, we completed our initial public offering of our ADSs and listed our ADSs on the
NYSE. In June 2007, we completed a follow-on public offering of our ADSs. In July 2008, we
completed public offerings of $138 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes
due 2013 and 4,073,194 ADSs for a related ADS borrow facility.
Our principal executive offices are located at No. 2 Tian He Road, Electronics Park, New
District, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213031, Peoples Republic of China. Our telephone number at this
address is (+86) 519 8548-2008 and our fax number is (+86) 519 8517-6025. Our registered office in
the Cayman Islands is located at the offices of Codan Trust Company (Cayman) Limited, Cricket
Square, Hutchins Drive, P.O. Box 2681, Grand Cayman, KY1-1111, Cayman Islands.
Investor inquiries should be directed to us at the address and telephone number of our
principal executive offices set forth above. Our website is www.trinasolar.com. The information
contained on our website does not form part of this annual report. Our agent for service of
process in the United States is CT Corporation System located at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New
York 10011.
B. Business Overview
Overview
We are an integrated solar-power products manufacturer based in China. Since we began our
solar-power products business in 2004, we have integrated the manufacturing of ingots, wafers and
solar cells for use in our PV module production. Our PV modules provide reliable and
environmentally-friendly electric power for residential, commercial, industrial and other
applications worldwide.
We produce standard monocrystalline PV modules ranging from 165 watts (W) to 230 W in power
output and multicrystalline PV modules ranging from 210 W to 230 W in power output. Our PV modules
are built to general specifications as well as to our customers and end-users specifications. We
sell and market our products worldwide, including in a number
of European countries, such as Germany, Spain and Italy, where government incentives have
accelerated the adoption of solar power. We are also targeting sales in emerging solar power
markets such as the Benelux market, China, Czech Republic, France, South Korea and the United
States. We sell our products to distributors, wholesalers and PV system integrators, including
Enipower Spa, Gestamp Solar S.L. and IBC Solar AG.
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In the past, we addressed the industry-wide shortage of polysilicon by establishing supply
relationships with several global and domestic silicon distributors, silicon manufacturers,
semiconductor manufacturers and silicon processing companies. As a result, we have developed
strong relationships with several suppliers. In addition, our experience and know-how in
manufacturing monocrystalline based products have enabled us to use a portion of low-cost,
reclaimable silicon raw materials in the production of ingots, as compared to other manufacturing
methods generally used in the industry. We also expanded our platform in November 2007 to include
the production of multicrystalline ingots, wafers and solar cells for use in our PV module
production. In 2008, we used a higher proportion of virgin polysilicon than in the past several
years as polysilicon became widely available in the market and we were able to have access to high
quality and a stable supply of polysilicon. In the fourth quarter of 2008, reclaimable silicon
materials accounted for no more than 25% of our total silicon requirements, compared to
approximately 80% in the fourth quarter of 2007. We purchase polysilicon and reclaimable silicon
materials from our network of over 20 suppliers. We also capitalize on our low-cost manufacturing
capability in China to produce quality products at competitive costs.
As of December 31, 2008, we had an annual module manufacturing capacity of approximately 350
megawatts (MW). We expect to increase our total annual production capacity from ingots to PV
modules by up to 200 MW to a total of up to 550 MW by the end of 2009. The specific increase will
be based on market visibility in both customer demand and the commercial lending environment to
finance PV system installations in our respective sales markets. We are implementing a strategy to
focus on preserving cash, which includes reducing costs and reviewing and taking a prudent approach
towards our capital expansion plan. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will not revise our
capacity expansion plan after we finalize our review.
We began our research and development efforts in solar products in 1999. In 2002, we began
our system integration business, in late 2004, we began our current PV module business, and in
April 2007, we began our production of solar cells. In 2006, 2007 and 2008, we had net revenues of
$114.5 million, $301.8 million and $831.9 million, respectively, and net income of $13.2 million,
$35.4 million and $61.4 million, respectively, from our continuing operations.
Products
We design, develop, manufacture and sell PV modules. PV modules are arrays of interconnected
solar cells encased in a weatherproof frame. We produce standard solar monocrystalline modules
ranging from 165 W to 230 W in power output and multicrystalline modules ranging from 210 W to 230
W in power output, built to general specifications for use in a wide range of residential,
commercial, industrial and other solar power generation systems. The variation in power output is
based on the conversion efficiency of the cells used in our PV modules, as well as the types of
cells. We assemble PV modules either from monocrystalline or multicrystalline cells. We also
design and produce PV modules based on our customers specifications. Our PV modules are sealed,
weatherproof and able to
withstand high levels of ultraviolet radiation and moisture. We sell our modules under our
own brand.
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Manufacturing
We manufacture ingots, wafers, cells and modules. As of December 31, 2008, our facilities
include ingot, wafer, cell and module production lines with annual manufacturing capacity of
approximately 350 MW for each segment in our value chain. We expect to increase our total annual
production capacity from ingots to PV modules by up to 200 MW in 2009. The specific increase will
be based on market visibility in both customer demand and the commercial lending environment to
finance PV system installations in our respective sales markets. We are implementing a strategy to
focus on preserving cash, which includes reducing costs and reviewing and taking a prudent approach
towards our capital expansion plan. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will not revise our
capacity expansion plan after we finalize our review. The following table sets forth our
manufacturing capacity and production output in MW equivalent of module production as a result of
our ramp-up for each of our facilities.
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Estimated Maximum |
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Annual |
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Manufacturing |
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Manufacturing |
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Manufacturing |
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Production Output |
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Capacity as of |
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Manufacturing |
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Commencement |
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Capacity as of |
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for the Year Ended |
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December 31, |
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December 31, 2008 |
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December 31, 2008 |
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2009 |
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Silicon ingots |
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August 2005 |
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350 MW |
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166 MW |
(2) |
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550 MW |
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Silicon wafers |
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February 2006 |
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350 MW |
(1) |
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194 MW |
(2) |
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550 MW |
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Solar cells |
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April 2007 |
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350 MW |
(1) |
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209 MW |
(2) |
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550 MW |
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PV modules |
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November 2004 |
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350 MW |
(1) |
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211 MW |
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550 MW |
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These are approximate figures due to discrepancies of the manufacturing capacity for each
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Includes modules produced but not shipped as of December 31, 2008. |
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Silicon feedstock. We purchase polysilicon and reclaimable silicon raw materials from
various suppliers, including silicon distributors, silicon manufacturers, semiconductor
manufacturers and silicon processing companies. We test and categorize reclaimable silicon
raw materials based on their technical properties. These reclaimable silicon raw materials
then undergo mechanical grinding and chemical cleaning before they are mixed using our
proprietary formula. Our ability to mix the materials in the right proportion is critical
to the production of high-quality silicon ingots. In the fourth quarter of 2008, we had an
average silicon usage of approximately 6.3 grams per watt, compared to approximately 8.0
grams per watt in the fourth quarter of 2007. |
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Ingots. We began manufacturing monocrystalline ingots in August 2005 with pulling
machines. As of December 31, 2008, we had 110 pulling machines for manufacturing
monocrystalline ingots, which can yield 110 MW of modules annually based on current
manufacturing processes, and 45 directional solidification system (DSS) furnaces for the
manufacturing of multicrystalline ingots, which can yield 240 MW of modules annually based
on current manufacturing processes. |
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To produce monocrystalline silicon ingots, silicon raw materials are first melted in a
quartz crucible in the pulling furnace. Then, a thin crystal seed is dipped into the melted
material to determine the crystal orientation. The seed is rotated and then slowly
extracted from the melted material which solidifies on the seed to form a single crystal. |
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We began commercial production of multicrystalline ingots in November 2007. To produce
multicrystalline ingots, molten silicon is changed into a block through a casting process in
a DSS furnace. Crystallization starts by gradually cooling the crucibles in order to create
multicrystalline ingot blocks. The resulting ingot blocks consist of multiple smaller
crystals as opposed to the single crystal of a monocrystalline ingot. |
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Wafers. Currently, we slice monocrystalline wafers to a 170 micron or 180 micron thickness and
multicrystalline wafers to a 180 micron thickness, while maintaining a low breakage rate.
We began manufacturing wafers in February 2006. After the ingots are inspected,
monocrystalline ingots are squared by squaring machines. Through high-precision cutting
techniques, the squared ingots are then sliced into wafers by wire saws using steel wires
and silicon carbon powder. To produce multicrystalline wafers, multicrystalline ingots are
first cut into pre-determined sizes. After a testing process, the multicrystalline ingots
are cropped and the usable parts of the ingots are sliced into wafers by wire saws by the
same high-precision cutting techniques as used for slicing monocrystalline wafers. After
being inserted into frames, the wafers go through a cleansing process to remove debris from
the previous processes, and are then dried. Wafers are inspected for contaminants then
packed and transferred to our solar cell production facilities. Our annual wafer
manufacturing capacity as of December 31, 2008 was approximately 350 MW of modules based on
current manufacturing processes. |
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Solar cells. We currently produce our own solar cells for use in our PV modules. We
have historically purchased solar cells from third-party solar cell manufacturers. After
we installed our ingot and wafer production lines, we began manufacturing ingots and wafers
in-house and outsourced the fabrication of solar cells to solar cell manufacturers. To
reduce our dependence on third-party solar cell manufacturers and to increase our
efficiencies both in solar cell and PV module manufacturing, we began the production of
monocrystalline cells in April 2007 and achieved a conversion efficiency of up to 17.5% as
of December 31, 2008. In November 2007, we began producing multicrystalline cells and
achieved a conversion efficiency of up to 16.3% as of December 31, 2008. In 2008, we were
able to meet our solar cell needs with our in-house production capabilities. We currently
have 14 production lines with an annual manufacturing capacity of approximately 350 MW. |
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To manufacture solar cells, the crystalline silicon wafer is used as the base substrate.
After cleaning and texturing the surface, emitter is formed through a diffusion process.
The front and back sides of the wafer are then isolated using the plasma etching technique,
the oxide formed during the diffusion process is removed and thus an electrical field is
formed. We then apply an anti-reflective coating to the surface of the cell using plasma
enhanced chemical vapors to enhance the absorption of sunlight. The front and back sides of
the cell are screen printed with metallic inks and the cell
then undergoes a fire treatment in order to preserve its mechanical and electrical
properties. The cell is tested and classified according to its parameters. |
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PV modules. We began module manufacturing in November 2004. We increased our annual
manufacturing capacity of modules from approximately 6 MW per year as of November 2004 to
approximately 350 MW per year as of December 31, 2008. We currently have 26 production
lines. |
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To assemble PV modules, we interconnect multiple solar cells by taping and stringing the
cells into a desired electrical configuration. The interconnected cells are laid out,
laminated in a vacuum, cured by heating and then packaged in a protective light-weight
aluminum frame. Through this labor-intensive process, our PV modules are sealed and become
weatherproof and are able to withstand high levels of ultraviolet radiation and moisture. |
|
|
|
|
PV module assembly remains a labor intensive process. We leverage Chinas lower labor costs
by using a greater degree of labor in our manufacturing process when it proves to be more
efficient and cost-effective than using automated equipment. We are in close proximity to
Chinese solar equipment manufacturers that offer many of the solar manufacturing equipment
we require at competitive prices compared to most similar machinery offered by international
solar equipment manufacturers. |
Depending on prevailing market prices of silicon raw materials, from time to time we purchase
ingots and wafers from manufacturers to take advantage of favorable market prices relative to other
silicon raw materials. We also purchase wafers to supplement any shortfalls we have with respect
to our production capacity or to take advantage of favorable market conditions. As a result, we
have developed relationships with various international and domestic suppliers of ingots and
wafers.
Silicon Raw Material Supplies
Our business depends on our ability to obtain silicon raw materials, including polysilicon,
reclaimable silicon raw materials and, from time to time, ingots. We procure polysilicon from
international manufacturers as well as international and domestic distributors, and purchase
reclaimable silicon raw materials from over 20 suppliers, including semiconductor manufacturers and
silicon processing companies. In addition to our headquarters, we have four offices located in
Asia and Europe to conduct procurement activities. We believe our procurement teams geographical
proximity to the supply sources helps us better communicate with the suppliers and respond to them
more efficiently. We believe our efforts to procure silicon raw materials from various sources
will enable us to better control the silicon supply chain, increase manufacturing efficiency, and
reduce margin pressure.
According to Solarbuzz, the average long-term supply contract price of polysilicon increased
from approximately $45 to $50 per kilogram delivered in 2006 to $60 to $65 in 2007 and further
increased to $60 to $75 per kilogram in 2008. In addition, according to Solarbuzz, spot prices for
solar grade polysilicon were in the range of $230 to $375 per kilogram for most of the first half
of 2008, rose to a peak of $400 to $450 per kilogram by mid-2008, and decreased rapidly to $150 to
$300 per kilogram in the fourth quarter of 2008. Due to the industry-wide shortage of polysilicon
experienced during the past few years, we have purchased polysilicon using short-term, medium-term
and long-term contracts. From
the fourth quarter of 2008, the price of polysilicon decreased due to the excess supply of
polysilicon resulting from the slowed growth of the global solar power market. Due to excess
supply, we are seeking to re-negotiate some of our existing, higher priced medium-term and
long-term contracts.
37
We have executed agreements with suppliers to obtain our silicon raw material requirements to
support our estimated production output in 2009. In addition, we are in discussions with our
suppliers to secure our expected silicon raw material requirements needed for our production output
in 2010. We intend to leverage the global reach of our procurement personnel to secure our silicon
requirements.
We have entered into medium-term and long-term supply contracts to procure silicon feedstock
of different grades with Chinese and international suppliers, which provide us with the ability to
meet our future requirements. These medium-term and long-term suppliers include OCI Company Ltd.
(formerly DC Chemical Co., Ltd.), Jiangsu Zhongneng Polysilicon Technology Development Co., Ltd. (a
subsidiary of GCL Silicon Technology Holdings Ltd.), or Jiangsu Zhongneng, and Wacker Chemie AG.
Our medium-term and long-term contracts have delivery terms beginning in 2008, 2009 or 2010 and a
fixed price or a price to be determined on a quarterly or annual basis. Several of our long-term
contracts contain price adjustment clauses that offer a market-linked price formula that would
apply if the market price is lower than the originally agreed price in any given year. These
contracts also require us to make an advance payment of a certain negotiated amount. We are
currently renegotiating some of our higher priced medium-term and long-term contracts.
To secure sufficient feedstock to support our current and planned sales growth, in
March 2008, we entered into a long-term polysilicon supply agreement with Jiangsu Zhongneng,
which was supplemented by a supplemental agreement entered into in August 2008. Under this
agreement and its supplemental agreement, Jiangsu Zhongneng is required to supply to us an
aggregate of 1,726 metric tons of polysilicon, with 226 metric tons delivered in 2008 and 1,500
metric tons to be delivered in 2009. Jiangsu Zhongneng is also required to supply us with an
aggregate of 15,200 metric tons of polysilicon and 912.0 million wafers in the period starting from
2010 to 2015. The prices of the polysilicon and wafers are predetermined subject to periodic
adjustments. Jiangsu Zhongneng operates a polysilicon production facility in the Jiangsu Province,
China. The wafer purchases will allow us to supplement any shortfalls we have with respect to our
production capacity and to take advantage of favorable market prices.
Quality Assurance
Our quality control was set up according to the quality system requirements of ISO 9001:2000.
Our quality control consists of three components: incoming inspections through which we ensure the
quality of the raw materials that we source from third parties, in-process quality control of our
manufacturing processes, and output quality control of finished products through inspection and by
conducting reliability and other tests.
We have received international certifications for our quality assurance programs, including
ISO 9001:2000, which we believe demonstrates our technological capabilities as well as instill
customer confidence. The following table sets forth the major certifications we have received and
major test standards our products have met as of the date of this annual report.
38
|
|
|
|
|
Certification Test Date |
|
Certification or Test Standard |
|
Relevant Products |
|
|
|
|
|
December 2007
|
|
ISO 9001:2000 quality system certification
|
|
Manufacturing and sales
of silicon, ingots,
casting, silicon
wafers, solar cells and
PV modules |
|
|
|
|
|
April 2008
|
|
Golden Sun product certification
|
|
PV modules sold in China |
|
|
|
|
|
August 2008
|
|
UL 1703 certification
|
|
PV modules sold in the
United States |
|
|
|
|
|
September and
October 2008
|
|
ASU-PTL product certification
|
|
PV modules sold in
Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
December 2008
|
|
ISO14001:2004 environmental management
system
|
|
Manufacturing and sales
of silicon, ingots,
casting, silicon
wafers, solar cells and
PV modules |
|
|
|
|
|
December 2008
|
|
VDE product certification
|
|
PV modules sold in
Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
October 2007,
November 2007,
December 2007 and
December 2008
|
|
CE certification
|
|
PV modules sold in
Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
February 2009
|
|
South Korean module certificate
|
|
PV modules sold in
South Korea |
|
|
|
|
|
March 2008, May
2008, October 2008
and February 2009
|
|
ICIM product certification
|
|
PV modules sold in Italy |
|
|
|
|
|
August 2006, June
2007, July 2007,
February 2009 and
April 2009
|
|
TÜV product certification
|
|
PV modules sold in
Europe |
Customers and Markets
We currently sell our PV modules primarily to distributors, wholesalers and PV system
integrators. Our focus on which type of clients depends largely on the demand in the specific
markets. Distributors and wholesalers tend to be large volume purchasers. PV system integrators
typically design and sell integrated systems that include our branded PV modules along with other
system components. Some of the PV system integrators also resell our modules to other system
integrators. Our major customers for 2008 included Enipower Spa, Gestamp Solar S.L. and IBC Solar
AG.
A small number of customers have historically accounted for a majority of our net sales. The
top five of our customers collectively accounted for approximately 48.9%, 33.5% and 41.9% of our
net revenues in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The top customer, IBC Solar AG, contributed
approximately 9.8% of our net revenues in 2008.
We currently sell most of our PV modules to customers located in Europe. Solar manufacturers
like us have capitalized on government and regulatory policies for the promotion of solar power in
many jurisdictions. In order to continue growing our sales and to reduce our exposure to any
particular market segment, we intend to broaden our geographic presence and customer base. While
Germany continues to be a major market for us, we have significantly expanded our sales of PV
modules to several solar power markets, including Spain, Italy, Belgium and Greece. In 2007 and
2008, we signed several agreements with well-recognized companies in Spain, Germany, Italy and
Belgium. These sales are conducted in line with our goals of increasing our market presence in
Europe outside of
Germany and building our brand as one of the top global solar brands. In 2008, the Spanish
market contributed to the accelerated growth in the market demand for solar products, but
contributed to the shortfall in demand globally after the government policy shift in September
2008. Although the policy shift has impacted the demand in the Spanish market, our customers in
Spain also purchase large quantities of solar products for projects to be developed outside of
Spain, which, we believe, will offset some of the impact. In 2008, we have also targeted our
sales in emerging solar power markets such as China, Czech Republic, France, South Korea and the
United States.
39
The following table sets forth our total net revenues by geographical region for the periods
indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
Total Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Net |
|
|
|
|
Region |
|
Revenues |
|
|
Percent |
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Percent |
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Percent |
|
|
|
(in thousands, except for percentages) |
|
Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Germany |
|
$ |
49,052 |
|
|
|
42.8 |
% |
|
$ |
94,733 |
|
|
|
31.4 |
% |
|
$ |
198,529 |
|
|
|
23.9 |
% |
Spain |
|
|
43,448 |
|
|
|
37.9 |
|
|
|
120,831 |
|
|
|
40.0 |
|
|
|
270,549 |
|
|
|
32.5 |
|
Italy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54,695 |
|
|
|
18.1 |
|
|
|
149,685 |
|
|
|
18.0 |
|
Others |
|
|
10,862 |
|
|
|
9.6 |
|
|
|
21,041 |
|
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
|
136,641 |
|
|
|
16.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe Total |
|
|
103,362 |
|
|
|
90.3 |
|
|
|
291,300 |
|
|
|
96.5 |
|
|
|
755,404 |
|
|
|
90.8 |
|
China |
|
|
10,632 |
|
|
|
9.3 |
|
|
|
6,373 |
|
|
|
2.1 |
|
|
|
30,390 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
|
Others |
|
|
506 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
4,146 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
46,107 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
114,500 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
301,819 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
831,901 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We conduct our PV module sales typically through short-term contracts with terms of one-year
or less, or long-term sales or framework contracts with terms of three to five years. Our
short-term contracts provide for an agreed sales volume at a fixed price. Under our long-term
sales or framework contracts, we are obligated to sell our products at a price to be negotiated
three to six months prior to delivery. Such contracts provide for a fixed sales volume or a fixed
range of sales volume. Compared to short-term contracts, we believe our long-term sales contracts
not only provide us with better visibility into future revenues, but also help us enhance our
relationships with our customers.
We typically require our customers to pay a certain percentage of the purchase price as an
advance payment within a short period after signing their sales contracts. The percentage of
advance payments varies depending on the credit status of our customer, our relationship with the
customer, market demand and the terms of the particular contract. Our contracts stipulate
different post-delivery payment schedules based on the credit worthiness of the customer. We have
also increased our sales to customers using credit sales, generally with payments due within two to
five months. To minimize credit risk of our accounts receivables, we require these customers to
secure payment by letters of credit issued by banks.
Pursuant to our sales contracts, we provide customers with warranty services. In the past,
our PV modules were typically sold with a two-year warranty for defects in materials and
workmanship and a minimum power output warranty for up to 25 years following the
date of purchase or installation. In 2008, we extended the warranty for defects in materials
and workmanship from two years to five years.
40
Sales and Marketing
We market and sell our solar power products primarily to distributors, wholesalers and PV
system integrators, such as Enipower Spa, Gestamp Solar S.L. and IBC Solar AG. Our sales staff is
becoming more internationally based in recent years, with several of our sales staff now located in
Europe, the United States and South Korea. Support for our sales staff remain based in Changzhou,
China. Our marketing programs include industry conferences, trade fairs and public relations
events. Our sales and marketing group works closely with our research and development and
manufacturing groups to coordinate our product development activities, product launches and ongoing
demand and supply planning. In 2007, we established representative offices in Munich, Germany and
Barcelona, Spain, which are dedicated to regional sales. In December 2008, we established
warehouse operations in Rotterdam, a key port city in the Netherlands, which strengthens our
distribution network in Europe.
Intellectual Property
In manufacturing our solar power products, we use know-how available in the public domain and
unpatented know-how developed in-house. We rely on a combination of trade secrets and employee
contractual protections to establish and protect our proprietary rights. We believe that many
elements of our solar power products and manufacturing processes involve proprietary know-how,
technology or data that are not coverable by patents or patent applications, including technical
processes, equipment designs, algorithms and procedures. We have taken security measures to
protect these elements. Substantially all of our research and development personnel have entered
into confidentiality, non-competition and proprietary information agreements with us. These
agreements address intellectual property protection issues and require our employees to assign to
us all of their inventions, designs and technologies they develop during their terms of employment
with us.
As of December 31, 2008, we had 18 issued patents and 54 patent applications pending in China.
We obtained an additional four patents in 2009. Sixty-five of our issued patents and our pending
patent applications relate to technology that we are currently using, including technology relating
to improvements to the solar power product manufacturing process and integration of construction
elements into our PV modules or solar systems. Eleven of our issued patents relate to technology
that we do not use in our current production of solar power products. As we expand our product
portfolio, continue our expansion into solar cell manufacturing and enter into polysilicon
manufacturing in the future, we believe that the development and protection of our intellectual
property will become more important to our business. We intend to continue to assess appropriate
opportunities for patent protection of those aspects of our technology that we believe provide a
significant competitive advantage to us.
We have registered as a trademark the logo Trina in Singapore, Switzerland, Morocco, Taiwan,
Thailand, Croatia, South Korea and the Philippines. We also have registered as a trademark the
logo Trinasolar in Singapore, Switzerland, Morocco, Taiwan, South Korea and Turkey. We have
pending trademark registration applications for the logo Trina in the PRC, the United States,
Australia, Japan, the EU and several other countries. We have pending trademark registration
applications for the logo Trinasolar in the PRC,
the United States, Australia, Japan, the EU and several other countries. We also filed a
trademark registration application for the logo
with the trademark office in the PRC in
December 2007.
41
Competition
The market for solar power products is competitive and fast evolving. We expect to face
increasing competition, which may result in price reductions, reduced margins or loss of market
share. We believe that the key competitive factors in the market for PV modules include:
|
|
|
manufacturing efficiency; |
|
|
|
|
power efficiency and performance; |
|
|
|
|
price; |
|
|
|
|
strength of supplier relationships; |
|
|
|
|
aesthetic appearance of PV modules; and |
|
|
|
|
brand name and reputation. |
We compete with other module manufacturing companies such as Sharp Electronic Corporation,
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., Yingli Green Energy Holding Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation. We believe one of our key advantages over some of these competitors is our high
degree of vertical integration, which was strengthened with the completion of our solar cell plant.
Some of our competitors have also become vertically integrated, from silicon wafer manufacturing
to solar power system integration, such as Renewable Energy Corporation ASA and SolarWorld AG.
Many of our competitors have a stronger market position than ours and have greater resources and
better brand recognition than we have. Further, many of our competitors are developing and are
currently producing products based on new solar power technologies, such as thin-film technology,
which may ultimately have costs similar to, or lower than, our projected costs.
The barriers to entry are relatively low in the PV module manufacturing business, given that
manufacturing PV modules is labor intensive and requires limited technology. Because of the
scarcity of polysilicon in the past few years, supply chain management and financial strength were
the key barriers to entry. As the shortage of polysilicon has eased recently, these barriers are
less significant and many new competitors may enter the industry and cause the industry to rapidly
become over-saturated. Many mid-stream solar products manufacturers have been seeking to move
downstream to strengthen their position in regional markets. They are expected to leverage on
their existing sales capacity as the industry faces challenges posed by the economic downturn. In
addition, we may also face new competition from semiconductor manufacturers, several of which have
already announced their intention to start production of solar cells. Decreases in polysilicon
prices and increases in PV module production could result in substantial downward pressure on the
price of PV modules and intensify the competition we face.
42
Environmental Matters
We believe we have obtained the environmental permits necessary to conduct our business. Our
manufacturing processes generate noise, waste water, gaseous wastes and other industrial wastes.
However, we have devoted efforts to reduce such wastes to acceptable levels. We have installed
various types of anti-pollution equipment in our facilities to reduce, treat and, where feasible,
recycle the wastes generated in our manufacturing process. We believe we are currently in
compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. Our operations are subject to
regulation and periodic monitoring by local environmental protection authorities. If we fail to
comply with present or future environmental laws and regulations, we could be subject to fines,
suspension of production or a cessation of operations.
Insurance
We maintain property insurance policies with reputable insurance companies for covering our
equipment, facilities, buildings and their improvements, and office furniture. These insurance
policies cover losses due to fire, earthquake, flood and a wide range of other natural disasters.
We maintain director and officer liability insurance for our directors and executive officers. We
do not maintain product liability insurance. We consider our insurance coverage to be in line with
other manufacturing companies of similar size in China. However, significant damage to any of our
manufacturing facilities, whether as a result of fire or other causes, could have a material
adverse effect on our results of operation. We paid an aggregate of approximately $1.0 million in
insurance premiums in 2008. The increase in premium was largely due to an increase in the scope of
our insurance coverage, including our purchase of business interruption insurance.
Regulation
This section sets forth a summary of the most significant regulations or requirements that
affect our business activities in China or our shareholders right to receive dividends and other
distributions from us.
Renewable Energy Law and Other Government Directives
In February 2005, China enacted its Renewable Energy Law, which became effective on January 1,
2006. The Renewable Energy Law sets forth policies to encourage the development and use of solar
energy and other non-fossil energy. The law sets forth the national policy to encourage and
support the use of solar and other renewable energy and the use of on-grid generation. It also
authorizes the relevant pricing authorities to set favorable prices for the purchase of electricity
generated by solar and other renewable power generation systems.
The law also sets forth the national policy to encourage the installation and use of solar
energy water-heating systems, solar energy heating and cooling systems, solar photovoltaic systems
and other solar energy utilization systems. It also provides financial incentives, such as
national funding, preferential loans and tax preferences for the development of renewable energy
projects. In January 2006, Chinas National Development and Reform Commission promulgated two
implementation directives of the Renewable Energy Law. These directives set forth specific
measures in setting prices for electricity generated by solar and other renewal power generation
systems and in sharing additional
expenses occurred. The directives further allocate the administrative and supervisory
authorities among different government agencies at the national and provincial levels and stipulate
responsibilities of electricity grid companies and power generation companies with respect to the
implementation of the Renewable Energy Law.
43
Chinas Ministry of Construction also issued a directive in June 2005 that seeks to expand the
use of solar energy in residential and commercial buildings, and encourages the increased
application of solar energy in different townships. In addition, Chinas State Council promulgated
a directive in July 2005 that sets forth specific measures to conserve energy resources.
Environmental Regulations
We are subject to a variety of governmental regulations related to environmental protection.
The major environmental regulations applicable to us include the Environmental Protection Law of
the PRC, the Law of PRC on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution, Implementation Rules of
the Law of PRC on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution, the Law of PRC on the Prevention
and Control of Air Pollution, Implementation Rules of the Law of PRC on the Prevention and Control
of Air Pollution, the Law of PRC on the Prevention and Control of Solid Waste Pollution, and the
Law of PRC on the Prevention and Control of Noise Pollution.
Restriction on Foreign Ownership
The principal regulation governing foreign ownership of solar power businesses in the PRC is
the Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue (effective as of October 31, 2007), or the
Catalogue. The Catalogue classifies industries into four categories: encouraged, permitted,
restricted and prohibited. As confirmed by the government authorities, Trina China, our operating
subsidiary, is engaged in an encouraged industry. Trina China is permitted under the PRC laws to
be wholly owned by a foreign company. Trina China is, accordingly, also entitled to certain
preferential treatment granted by the PRC government authorities, such as exemption from tariffs on
equipment imported for its own use.
Tax
In accordance with Income Tax Law of China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign
Enterprises, or the Income Tax Law, and the related implementing rules, effective before January 1,
2008, foreign invested enterprises incorporated in the PRC are generally subject to an enterprise
income tax of 30% and a local income tax of 3%. The Income Tax Law and the related implementing
rules provide certain preferential favorable tax treatments to foreign invested enterprises which
qualify as advanced technological enterprises or are established in certain areas in the PRC.
In 2002, Trina China relocated to a high-tech zone in Changzhou, and as a high and new
technology enterprise, it qualified for a preferential enterprise income tax rate of 15% in 2002
and 2003. As a foreign invested enterprise engaged in a manufacturing business, Trina China was
also entitled to a two-year exemption from the enterprise income tax for its first two profitable
years of operation, which were 1999 and 2000, and to a 50% reduction of its applicable income tax
rate for the succeeding three years, which were from 2001 to 2003. Therefore, Trina China had a
tax rate of 7.5% in each of 2002 and 2003.
44
In 2004, Trina China moved out of the high-tech zone and no longer qualified for a
preferential enterprise income tax rate of 15%. Trina China, a foreign invested enterprise engaged
in a manufacturing business and established in Changzhou, which is within a coastal economic zone,
is entitled to a preferential enterprise income tax rate of 24%. In addition, Trina China was
qualified as an advanced technological enterprise and, as a result, enjoyed a preferential
enterprise income tax rate of 12% for the years 2004 to 2006. As the tax benefit for an advanced
technological enterprise expired in 2006, the tax rate of Trina China increased to 27% (24%
enterprise income tax plus 3% local income tax) in 2007.
In February 2007, Jiangsu Province State Tax Bureau, where Trina China is registered, approved
Trina Chinas application for tax holiday in conjunction with an increase of $32.7 million in its
registered capital, from $7.28 million in August 2005 to $40.0 million in July 2006. In accordance
with the approval of Jiangsu Province State Tax Bureau, Trina China is exempt from income taxes for
81.8% of its taxable profit, representing the proportion of its increase in registered capital from
August 2006 to December 2007, followed by a 50% relief in its tax rate from 2008 to 2010. The 2006
income tax was calculated based on a tax rate of 12% because Jiangsu Province State Tax Bureau did
not issue their approval until February 2007. Accordingly, for 2007, an income tax rate of 12%
applies to 18.2% of Trina Chinas taxable profit, and 81.8% of its taxable profit is exempt from
income taxes. The additional capital investments made in 2008 were not entitled to additional tax
holidays. Due to varying applicable tax rates in each quarter of 2008 caused by the various
additional capital investments, the tax authority agreed that we could use a blended EIT rate for
2008.
Chinas parliament, the National Peoples Congress, adopted the Enterprise Income Tax Law on
March 16, 2007. On December 6, 2007, the PRC State Council issued the Implementation Regulations
of the Enterprise Income Tax Law, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008. The
Enterprise Income Tax Law and its Implementation Regulations, or the new EIT Law, imposes a uniform
tax rate of 25% on all PRC enterprises, including foreign-invested enterprises, and eliminates or
modifies most of the tax exemptions, reductions and preferential treatments available under the
previous tax laws and regulations. Under the new EIT Law, enterprises that were established before
March 16, 2007 and already enjoy preferential tax treatments will (i) in the case of preferential
tax rates, continue to enjoy the tax rates which will be gradually increased to the new tax rates
within five years from January 1, 2008 or (ii) in the case of preferential tax exemption or
reduction for a specified term, continue to enjoy the preferential tax holiday until the expiration
of such term. In addition, certain enterprises may still benefit from a preferential tax rate of
15% under the new EIT Law if they qualify as high and new technology enterprises strongly
supported by the State, subject to certain general factors described therein. In September 2008,
Trina China obtained the High and New Technology Enterprise Certificate with a valid term of three
years starting from 2008. Therefore, Trina China is entitled to a preferential income tax rate of
15% in 2008, 2009 and 2010 as long as it maintains its qualification as a high and new technology
enterprise under the new EIT Law. In addition, in April 2009, we received a notice from the State
Tax Bureau of Changzhou Hi-tech Development Zone notifying us that the exemption and 50% tax
reduction for Trina Chinas taxable profit representing the proportion of increase in registered
capital expired on December 31, 2007. As a result, we expect to make an additional
income tax payment of $6.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2009.
45
Pursuant to the Provisional Regulation of China on Value Added Tax and its implementing rules,
all entities and individuals that are engaged in the sale of goods, the
provision of processing, repairs and replacement services and the importation of goods in
China are generally required to pay value added tax, or VAT, at a rate of 17.0% of the gross sales
proceeds received, less any deductible VAT already paid or borne by the taxpayer. Further, when
exporting goods, the exporter is entitled to a portion or all of the refund of VAT that it has
already paid or borne. Imported raw materials that are used for manufacturing export products and
are deposited in bonded warehouses are exempt from import VAT.
Foreign Currency Exchange
Pursuant to the Foreign Currency Administration Rules promulgated in 1996 and amended in 1997
and 2008 and various regulations issued by SAFE, and other relevant PRC government authorities,
the Renminbi is freely convertible only to the extent of current account items, such as
trade-related receipts and payments, interests and dividends. An enterprise can choose to either
keep or sell its foreign exchange income under the current account to financial institutions
authorized to engage in foreign exchange settlement or sales business. Capital account items, such
as direct equity investments, loans and repatriation of investment, require the prior approval from
SAFE or its local counterpart for conversion of Renminbi into a foreign currency, such as U.S.
dollars, and remittance of the foreign currency outside the PRC.
Payments for transactions that take place within the PRC must be made in Renminbi. Absent
circumstances specified under Chinese laws and regulations, upon approvals from SAFE, an enterprise
can choose to either keep or sell its foreign exchange income under capital account to financial
institutions authorized to engage in foreign exchange settlement and sales business. On the other
hand, FIEs may retain foreign exchange in accounts with designated foreign exchange banks, subject
to a cap set by SAFE or its local counterpart.
Dividend Distribution
The principal regulations governing distribution of dividends of wholly foreign-owned
enterprises include the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law (1986), as amended by the Decision on
Amending the Law of the Peoples Republic of China on Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise (2000), and
the Implementing Rules of the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law (1990), as amended by the
Decision of the State Council on Amending the Implementing Rules of the Law of the Peoples
Republic of China on Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise (2001).
Under these regulations, foreign invested enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of
their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and
regulations. In addition, wholly foreign-owned enterprises in China are required to set aside at
least 10% of their respective after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards each year, if
any, to fund its general reserves fund, until the accumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50%
of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Wholly
foreign-owned enterprises are also required to allocate a portion of its after-tax profits, as
determined by its board of directors, to its staff welfare and bonus funds, which may not be
distributed to equity owners.
In addition, under a new PRC tax law that became effective in January 2008, dividends from
Trina China to us may become subject to a 10% withholding tax. See Tax.
46
C. Organizational Structure
The following table sets out the details of our subsidiaries:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Country of Incorporation |
|
Ownership Interest |
|
Top Energy International Limited |
|
Hong Kong |
|
|
100 |
% |
Changzhou Trina Solar Energy Co., Ltd. |
|
China |
|
|
100 |
% |
Trina Solar Korea Limited |
|
South Korea |
|
|
100 |
% |
In December 2007, we established Trina Solar (Lianyungang) Co., Ltd. in Lianyungang, Jiangsu
Province, as a part of our plan to establish a 10,000 metric ton polysilicon production facility.
In April 2008, we decided to discontinue our development plan. Trina Solar (Lianyungang) Co., Ltd.
was dissolved in April 2009.
D. Property, Plant and Equipment
All of our research, development and manufacturing of ingots, wafers, cells and PV modules are
conducted at our facilities in Changzhou, China, where we occupy a site area of approximately
152,526 square meters for the facilities currently owned and operated by us. We have also reserved
a site area of approximately 456,502 square meters for our future production capacity expansion. In
2008, we received approvals from Chinas National Development and Reform Commission for investment
relating to a capacity expansion project of up to 500MW in our new East Campus manufacturing zone.
The facilities, to be completed by 2011, will also include a co-located technology research center.
In 2008, we commenced groundwork for this project. Furthermore, we expect to increase our total
annual production capacity from ingots to PV modules from the current approximately 350 MW by up to
200 MW to a total of up to 550 MW by the end of 2009. See B. Business OverviewManufacturing
for more details. We believe our current and planned facilities will meet our current and
foreseeable requirements.
We selectively use automation to enhance the quality and consistency of our finished products
and improve efficiency in our manufacturing processes. We use manufacturing equipment purchased
primarily from Chinese solar equipment suppliers. Other critical equipment is sourced worldwide.
Key equipment used in our manufacturing facilities includes ingot pulling machines, DSS furnaces,
high-precision wafer sawing machines, diffusion furnaces, screen print machine sets and automatic
laminators. Set forth below is a list of our major equipment as of December 31, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Manufacturing |
|
|
|
No. of Units in Operation as of |
|
|
|
Facility |
|
Major Equipment |
|
December 31, 2008 |
|
|
Source (Country) |
Silicon ingots |
|
Ingot pulling machines |
|
|
110 |
|
|
China |
|
|
DSS furnaces |
|
|
45 |
|
|
United States |
Silicon wafers |
|
Wafer sawing machines |
|
|
62 |
|
|
Switzerland |
Solar cells |
|
Diffusion furnaces |
|
|
54 |
|
|
Germany |
|
|
Screen print machine sets |
|
|
14 |
|
|
Italy |
PV modules |
|
Automatic laminators |
|
|
26 |
|
|
China |
47
In May and August 2007, we entered into agreements with Meyer Burger AG to purchase 38 and 265
wafer sawing machines, respectively, for delivery through 2010. In
September 2007, we entered into an agreement with GT Solar, which was subsequently amended in
March 2009, to purchase 57 DSS furnaces. Under this agreement and the subsequent amendment, 36 DSS
furnaces were delivered in 2008, with the remaining furnaces to be delivered before June 30, 2011.
With respect to encumbrances, as of December 31, 2008, we pledged our equipment of a total
appraised value of RMB1,402.8 million ($205.3 million) to secure repayment of our borrowings of
RMB396.5 million ($58.0 million). As of December 31, 2008, we mortgaged 152,525 square meters of
our facilities to secure repayment of our borrowings of RMB99.0 million ($14.5 million).
For a discussion of our capital expenditures targeted for our capacity expansion, see Item 5.
Operating and Financial Review and ProspectsB. Liquidity and Capital ResourcesCapital
Expenditures.
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon
and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and their related
notes included in this annual report. This report contains forward-looking statements. See Item
5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects¾G. Safe Harbor. In evaluating our
business, you should carefully consider the information provided under the caption Item 3. Key
InformationD. Risk Factors in this annual report. We caution you that our businesses and
financial performance are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties.
A. Operating Results
Overview
We are an integrated solar-power products manufacturer based in China. Since we began our
solar-power products business in 2004, we have integrated the manufacturing of ingots, wafers and
solar cells for use in our PV module production. Our PV modules provide reliable and
environmentally-friendly electric power for residential, commercial, industrial and other
applications worldwide.
We produce standard monocrystalline PV modules ranging from 165 W to 230 W in power output and
multicrystalline PV modules ranging from 210 W to 230 W in power output. Our PV modules are built
to general specifications as well as to our customers and end-users specifications. We sell and
market our products worldwide, including in a number of European countries, such as Germany, Spain
and Italy, where government incentives have accelerated the adoption of solar power. We are also
targeting sales in emerging solar power markets such as the Benelux market, China, Czech Republic,
France, South Korea and the United States. We sell our products to distributors, wholesalers and
PV system integrators, including Enipower Spa, Gestamp Solar S.L. and IBC Solar AG.
Our net revenues have increased rapidly in recent years. In 2008, our net revenues were
$831.9 million compared to $301.8 million in 2007. Our net revenues increased primarily due to our
increased sales and manufacturing capacity as demand for our companys branded products remained
strong. In addition, we recorded net income from
continuing operations of $61.4 million in 2008 compared to net income of $35.4 million in
2007.
48
The most significant factors that affect the financial performance and results of operations
of our solar products business are:
|
|
|
industry demand; |
|
|
|
|
government subsidies and economic incentives; |
|
|
|
|
availability and prices of polysilicon and reclaimable silicon raw materials; |
|
|
|
|
vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities; and |
|
|
|
|
product pricing. |
Industry Demand
Our business and revenue growth depends on market demand for solar power. Although solar
power technology has been used for several decades, the global solar power market has only grown
significantly in the past several years. According to Solarbuzz, the global solar power market, as
measured by annual solar power system installed capacities, grew at a CAGR of 53.0% from 1,086 MW
in 2004 to 5,948 MW in 2008. According to a Solarbuzz forecast named Green World, in one of
several possible scenarios, annual solar power system installed capacity may further increase to
14,792 MW in 2013, and solar power industry revenue may increase from $37.1 billion in 2008 to
$53.6 billion in 2013, which we believe will be driven largely by growing market demand, rising
grid prices and government initiatives.
In the fourth quarter of 2008, the global solar power industry experienced a precipitous
decline in demand. During the same period, the global supply of solar products began to exceed
the global demand due to excess production capacity and the global economic downturn, which
resulted in the decline in the prices of solar products. The demand for solar products is affected
by macroeconomic factors such as the worldwide credit crisis, the devaluation of the Euro, the
supply and price of other energy products, such as oil, coal and natural gas, as well as government
regulations and policies concerning the electric utility industry. We cannot assure you that
demand for solar products in 2009 will exceed the demand for solar products in 2008 or that the
oversupply of solar products will not continue to exist in 2009. Pleases see Item 3. Key
Information D. Risk Factors for discussions of the risks related to declining industry demand
for solar products.
Government Subsidies and Economic Incentives
We believe that the near-term growth of the market for on-grid applications depends in large
part on the availability and size of government subsidies and economic incentives. Today, the cost
of solar power substantially exceeds the cost of power provided by the electric utility grid in
many locations, when upfront system costs are factored into cost per kilowatt. As a result,
governmental bodies in many countries, most notably China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, South
Korea and the United States, have provided subsidies and economic incentives to reduce dependency
on non-renewable sources of energy. These subsidies and economic incentives have come in the form
of capital cost rebates, feed-in
tariffs, tax credits and other incentives to end users, distributors, system integrators and
manufacturers of solar power products.
49
The demand for PV modules in our targeted or potential markets is affected significantly by
these government subsidies and economic incentives. According to Solarbuzz, Spain had the largest
PV market in 2008, with a market size of 2.46 GW, which accounted for 41% of global PV market
demand in 2008. Germany had a market size of 1.85 GW and accounted for 31% of the global PV market
demand in 2008. The rapid rise of the Spanish market was largely due to a government policy that
set feed-in tariff terms at attractive rates. However, in September 2008, the Spanish government
introduced a cap of 500 MW for the feed-in tariff in 2009, which has resulted in limiting the
demand in the grid-connected market in Spain. The policy shift also contributed in part to the
decline in global PV market demand in the fourth quarter of 2008. Although the policy shift has
impacted the demand in the Spanish market, our customers in Spain also purchase large quantities of
solar products for projects to be developed outside of Spain, which, we believe, will offset some
of the impact.
In 2007, Germany and Spain accounted for 31.4% and 40.0% of our net revenues, respectively,
and in 2008, Germany and Spain accounted for 23.9% and 32.5% of our net revenues, respectively.
While we expect Germany and Spain to continue to generate significant sales revenues, we will
continue to diversify our revenues by expanding our business presence in markets such as the
Benelux market, China, Czech Republic, France, Italy, South Korea and the United States.
We believe that China will become one of our key focused markets. In March 2009, the Chinese
government announced new rules to support PV applications in rural and remote areas, which would
allow for meaningful development of a PV market in China. The Chinese government offers subsidies
to assist construction of building integrated PV applications in urban and remote areas,
establishment of the technical standards on the installation of PV products on buildings, as well
as integration and promotion of key universal PV building technologies. According to the rules, to
receive the subsidies, the installed capacity of a project shall be more than 50 KW and the
conversion efficiency of monocrystalline products must be higher than 16%. Priority will be given
to the usage of PV modules for Building Integrated (BI) PV projects and grid-type projects, as
well as projects for public buildings.
Availability and Prices of Polysilicon and Reclaimable Silicon Raw Materials
Polysilicon is an essential raw material for our business. Our proprietary process technology
allows us to use a high proportion of reclaimable silicon raw materials in the production of
monocrystalline and multicrystaline silicon ingots. In 2008, we used a higher proportion of virgin
polysilicon than in the past several years as polysilicon became widely available in the market and
we were able to have access to high quality and a stable supply of polysilicon. In the fourth
quarter of 2008, reclaimable silicon materials accounted for no more than 25% of our total silicon
requirements, compared to approximately 80% in the fourth quarter of 2007. We purchase polysilicon
and reclaimable silicon materials from our network of over 20 suppliers.
Increases in the price of polysilicon have in the past increased our production costs and
impacted our cost of revenues and net income. According to Solarbuzz, the average long-term supply
contract price of polysilicon increased from approximately $45 to $50 per kilogram delivered in
2006 to $60 to $65 in 2007 and further increased to $60 to $75 per kilogram in 2008. In addition,
according to Solarbuzz, spot prices for solar grade polysilicon
were in the range of $230 to $375 per kilogram for most of the first half of 2008, rose to a
peak of $400 to $450 per kilogram by mid-2008 and decreased rapidly to $150 to $300 per kilogram in
the fourth quarter of 2008. We believe the average price of polysilicon will continue to decrease
in 2009.
50
We purchase polysilicon from silicon distributors and silicon manufacturers by contract. We
generally do not purchase polysilicon on the spot market. For procurement of polysilicon, we enter
into short-term, medium-term and long-term contracts. Our short-term contracts have terms of no
more than one year each. The contracts provide for a fixed price and fixed amount and generally
require prepayment prior to shipment. Most of the contracts give us the right to reject any
shipment by our suppliers that does not meet our quality standards based on grade levels, such as
semiconductor grade or solar grade, of the polysilicon. The contracts also specify a time period
during which we can inspect the goods to ensure their quality. Our medium-term contracts have
terms ranging from one to three years, and our long-term contracts have terms ranging from five to
eight years. These contracts generally have a fixed amount and fixed price subject to adjustments
or variable price and require us to make an advance payment of a certain negotiated amount. Our
medium-term and long-term suppliers include OCI Company Ltd. (formerly DC Chemical Co., Ltd.),
Jiangsu Zhongneng, and Wacker Chemie AG. These medium-term and long-term contracts have delivery
terms beginning in 2008, 2009 or 2010 and a fixed price or a price to be determined on a quarterly
or annual basis. Several of our long-term contracts contain price adjustment clauses that offer a
market-linked price formula that would apply if the market price is lower than the originally
agreed price in any given year. These contracts also require us to make an advance payment of a
certain negotiated amount. Due to excess supply of polysilicon in the market in late 2008 and
early 2009, we are renegotiating some of our existing, higher priced medium-term and long-term
contracts.
The costs of reclaimable silicon raw materials have historically been significantly less than
the costs of polysilicon. However, due to the solar power industrys demand for reclaimable
silicon raw materials, prices of these reclaimable silicon raw materials increased in most of 2008,
but decreased in late 2008 in line with the decrease in the price of polysilicon. We purchase
reclaimable silicon raw materials from various suppliers, including semiconductor manufacturers and
silicon processing companies.
For the procurement of reclaimable silicon raw materials, we generally enter into short-term
contracts with terms of no more than six months each. The contracts provide for a fixed price and
fixed amount and generally require prepayment prior to shipment. Most of the contracts give us the
right to reject any shipment by our suppliers that does not meet our quality standards based on
usability and resistivity of the materials. The contracts also specify a time period during which
we can inspect the goods to ensure their quality.
Given the current state of the industry, suppliers of polysilicon and reclaimable silicon raw
materials typically require customers to make payments in advance of shipment. Our suppliers
generally require us to make a prepayment at a certain percentage of the order value prior to
shipping. Due to the availability of polysilicon, prepayment as a percentage of the entire
contract has been reducing. However, the purchase of silicon raw materials will continue to
require us to make significant working capital commitments beyond the capital generated from our
cash flows from operations. We are required to manage our borrowings to support our raw material
purchases.
In 2007, we planned to establish a 10,000 metric ton polysilicon production facility to
provide us with qualified polysilicon feedstock. In December 2007, we established Trina Solar
(Lianyungang) Co., Ltd. in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, in connection with this
development plan. In April 2008, we decided to discontinue our development plan because we
were able to secure sufficient quantities of polysilicon feedstock through medium-term and
long-term contracts, and we anticipated favorable changes in the polysilicon supply environment.
Trina Solar (Lianyungang) Co., Ltd. was dissolved in April 2009.
51
Vertically Integrated Manufacturing Capabilities
We believe that our vertical integration strategy has allowed us, and will continue to allow
us, to capture value throughout the solar power value chain, achieve better quality control of our
products and realize synergistic cost savings. We began commercial production of solar cells in
April 2007, which favorably impacted our margins and helped to offset negative factors such as a
decrease in average selling price and increasing polysilicon prices. In the fourth quarter of
2007, we met approximately 75% of our needs for solar cells with our in-house production. In 2008,
we were able to meet our solar cell needs with our in-house production capabilities. Currently, we
have 14 production lines with an annual manufacturing capacity of approximately 350 MW.
Specifically, we believe our vertically integrated business model has allowed us to:
|
|
|
reduce excess costs, such as those associated with packaging and transportation, and the
breakage loss that occurs during shipment between various production locations; |
|
|
|
|
shorten production cycle and improve value chain coordination; and |
|
|
|
|
discontinue our reliance on toll manufacturing and capture upstream or downstream profit
margins. |
Depending on prevailing market prices of silicon raw materials, from time to time we purchase
ingots and wafers from manufacturers to take advantage of favorable market prices relative to other
silicon raw materials. We also purchase wafers, from time to time, to supplement any shortfalls we
have with respect to our production capacity or to take advantage of favorable market conditions.
As a result, we have developed relationships with various international and domestic suppliers of
ingots and wafers.
Product Pricing
We began selling our PV module products in November 2004. Our PV modules are priced based on
the number of watts of electricity they generate as well as the market price per watt for PV
modules. We price our standard PV modules based on the prevailing market prices at the time we
enter into sales contracts with our customers or our customers place their purchase orders with us,
taking into account the size of the contract or the purchase order, the strength and history of our
relationship with each customer, and our silicon raw materials costs. In the fourth quarter of
2008, global solar power industry demand decreased precipitously due to the global economic
downturn, and this decline in demand may continue in the first half or all of 2009. During the
same period, the global supply of solar products began to exceed the global demand due to excess
production capacity and the global economic downturn, which resulted in a decline in the price of
PV modules.
The average selling price per watt of our PV modules decreased from $3.98 in 2006 to $3.80 in
2007 and increased to $3.92 in 2008. The increase in the average selling price of our PV modules
in 2008 was due to an increase in demand of our PV modules in the first three quarters of 2008,
driven largely by surging market demand, particularly in the Spanish market, which was offset by a
decrease in the average selling price of our PV modules in the
fourth quarter of 2008, due to the falling demand caused by the global economic downturn.
Over the same period, our gross margin decreased from 26.2% in 2006 to 22.4% in 2007 and further
decreased to 19.8% in 2008. If demand for solar products continues to decline, and the supply of
solar products continues to grow, the average selling price of our products will be materially and
adversely affected. See Item 3. Key InformationD. Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Company
and Our IndustryWe may be adversely affected by volatile market and industry trends, in
particular, the demand for solar products may decline, which may reduce our revenues and earnings
for more details.
52
We conduct our PV module sales typically through short-term contracts with terms of one year
or less or, to a lesser extent, long-term sales or framework contracts with terms of three to five
years. Our short-term contracts provide for an agreed sales volume at a fixed price. Under our
long-term sales or framework contracts, we are obligated to sell our products at a price to be
negotiated three to six months prior to delivery. Such contracts provide for a fixed sales volume
or a fixed range of sales volume. Compared to short-term contracts, we believe our long-term sales
contracts not only provide us with better visibility into future revenues, but also help us enhance
our relationships with our customers. We typically require our customers to pay a certain
percentage of the purchase price as an advance payment within a short period after signing their
sales contracts. The percentage of advance payments varies depending on the credit status of the
customer, our relationship with the customer, market demand and the terms of the particular
contract. Our contracts stipulate different post-delivery payment schedules based on the credit
worthiness of the customer. We have also increased our sales to customers using credit sales,
generally with payments due within two to five months. To minimize credit risk of our accounts
receivables, we require these customers to secure payment by letters of credit issued by banks.
Overview of Financial Results
We evaluate our business using a variety of key financial measures.
Net Revenues
Our net revenues are net of business tax, value-added tax and returns and exchanges, as
applicable. We began to generate net revenues primarily from the sales of PV modules in November
2004. We generated revenues from other products and services such as system integration prior to
2006, but such revenues are not significant after 2006. Factors affecting our net revenues include
average selling price per watt, market demand for our PV modules, unit volume shipped and our
production capacity expansion.
In 2006, 2007 and 2008, sales to our top five customers accounted for approximately 48.9%,
33.5% and 41.9% of our net revenues, respectively, and sales to our largest customer accounted for
14.4%, 14.8% and 9.8% of our net revenues, respectively.
We currently sell most of our PV modules to customers located in Europe, in particular
Germany, Italy and Spain. For an industry which end market is significantly impacted by government
incentives and policies, Germany and Spain were the larges solar products markets in the past
several years and accounted for the biggest concentrations of our sales. In 2008, the Spanish
market contributed to the accelerated growth in the market demand for solar products, but
contributed to the shortfall in demand globally after its policy shift in September 2008. Although
the policy shift has impacted the demand in the Spanish market, our customers in Spain also
purchase large quantities of solar products for projects to be developed outside of Spain, which,
we believe, will offset some of the impact. In 2007 and 2008, we had expanded our sales into Italy
and achieved one of the largest market shares
in Italy. In 2007 and 2008, we also expanded our business presence in emerging solar power
markets such as the Benelux market, China, Czech Republic, France, South Korea and the United
States. We expect to continue to expand our customer base geographically in 2009.
53
The following table sets forth our total net revenues by geographical region for the periods
indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
Total Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Net |
|
|
|
|
Region |
|
Revenues |
|
|
Percent |
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Percent |
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
Percent |
|
|
|
(in thousands, except for percentages) |
|
Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Germany |
|
$ |
49,052 |
|
|
|
42.8 |
% |
|
$ |
94,733 |
|
|
|
31.4 |
% |
|
$ |
198,529 |
|
|
|
23.9 |
% |
Spain |
|
|
43,448 |
|
|
|
37.9 |
|
|
|
120,831 |
|
|
|
40.0 |
|
|
|
270,549 |
|
|
|
32.5 |
|
Italy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54,695 |
|
|
|
18.1 |
|
|
|
149,685 |
|
|
|
18.0 |
|
Others |
|
|
10,862 |
|
|
|
9.6 |
|
|
|
21,041 |
|
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
|
136,641 |
|
|
|
16.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe Total |
|
$ |
103,362 |
|
|
|
90.3 |
|
|
$ |
291,300 |
|
|
|
96.5 |
|
|
$ |
755,404 |
|
|
|
90.8 |
|
China |
|
|
10,632 |
|
|
|
9.3 |
|
|
|
6,373 |
|
|
|
2.1 |
|
|
|
30,390 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
|
Others |
|
|
506 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
4,146 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
46,107 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
114,500 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
301,819 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
831,901 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of Revenues
Our cost of revenues consists primarily of:
|
|
|
Silicon raw materials. Silicon raw materials comprise the majority of our cost of
revenues. We purchase polysilicon and reclaimable silicon raw materials from various
suppliers, including silicon distributors, silicon manufacturers, semiconductor
manufacturers and silicon processing companies. |
|
|
|
|
Other direct materials. Such materials include direct materials for the production of
PV modules such as plastic, metallic pastes, tempered glass, laminate material, connecting
systems and aluminum frames. |
|
|
|
|
Toll manufacturing. Prior to 2008, we entered into toll manufacturing arrangements by
providing wafers to toll manufacturers for processing and receiving solar cells from them
in return. The toll manufacturing cost is capitalized as inventory, and recorded as a part
of our cost of revenues when our finished PV modules are sold. In 2008, we were able to
meet our solar cell needs with our in-house production capabilities and we have
discontinued our reliance on toll manufacturers for processing solar cells. From time to
time, we purchase wafers to supplement any shortfalls as we rapidly increase our production
capacity. |
|
|
|
|
Overhead. Overhead costs include equipment maintenance and utilities such as
electricity and water used in manufacturing. |
|
|
|
|
Direct labor. Direct labor costs include salaries and benefits for our manufacturing
personnel. |
54
|
|
|
Depreciation of facilities and equipment. Depreciation of manufacturing facilities and
related improvements is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of
10 to 20 years and commences from the date the facility is ready for its intended use.
Depreciation of manufacturing equipment is provided on a straight-line basis over the
estimated useful life of five to ten years, commencing from the date that the equipment is
placed into productive use. |
Our cost of revenues is affected by our ability to control raw material costs, to achieve
economies of scale in our operations, and to efficiently manage our supply chain, including our
successful execution of our vertical integration strategy and our judicious use of toll
manufacturers to fill potential shortfalls in production capability along the supply chain.
Gross Margin
Our gross margin is affected by changes in our net revenues and cost of revenues. Our gross
margins decreased from 22.4% in 2007 to 19.8% in 2008, mainly due to an increase in silicon raw
material prices in the first three quarters of 2008, partially offset by an increase in the average
selling price of our PV modules, and a decline in the average selling price in the fourth quarter
of 2008 due to weakened demand caused by the global economic and financial climate. In the fourth
quarter of 2008, our gross margin was positively impacted by significant reductions in silicon raw
material costs due to improved market supply conditions. In 2008, we had a non-cash inventory
provision of $21.5 million based on a revaluation of our silicon inventory as a result of the
decline of market prices in the quarter, $17.0 million of which was made in the fourth quarter of
2008. We may continue to face margin compression in the sales of PV modules if the average selling
price of our PV modules continues to decline and we are unable to lower our cost of revenues due to
our existing, higher priced medium-term and long-term contract. As our PV module business expands,
we believe additional economies of scale and successful execution of our vertical integration
strategy will help to improve our margins to offset negative market trends.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses include selling expenses, general and administrative expenses and
research and development expenses.
55
Selling Expenses
Selling expenses consist primarily of provisions for product warranties, freight, employee
salaries, pensions, share-based compensation expenses and benefits, travel and other sales and
marketing expenses. In the past, our PV modules were typically sold with a two-year warranty for
defects in material and workmanship and a minimum power output warranty of up to 25 years following
the date of purchase or installation. In 2008, we extended the warranty for defects in materials
and workmanship from two years to five years. We accrue the estimated cost of warranty based on 1%
of the revenues generated from PV modules, consistent with the average industry level. Our selling
expenses as a percentage of net revenues increased from 2.2% in 2006 to 3.7% in 2007 due to the
expansion of our marketing program and sales force in overseas markets, and decreased to 2.4% in
2008 due to expense control measures taken by us. We expect our selling expenses to increase in
the near term consistent with the growth of our revenues as we increase our sales efforts, hire
additional sales personnel, target new markets, establish representative offices and initiate
additional marketing programs to build our brand.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits for our
administrative personnel, compliance related consulting and professional fees and travel expenses.
Our general and administrative expenses have increased since 2004, primarily due to increases in
the number of our administrative employees as well as their salaries and benefits and share-based
compensation expenses. Our general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues
decreased from 7.6% in 2006 to 5.9% in 2007 and decreased further to 5.0% in 2008 due to expense
control measures taken by us. We expect our general and administrative expenses to be stable in
2009, as we continue to carefully control costs in our business. We will continue to hire
additional personnel on an as needed basis and incur expenses to support our operations as a public
company, including compliance-related costs.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs of raw materials used in our
research and development activities, salaries and benefits for research and development personnel,
share-based compensation and prototype and equipment costs relating to the design, development,
testing and enhancement of our products and manufacturing process. Between 2006 and 2007, our
research and development expenses increased significantly due to investment in solar cell
technology in preparation of the ramp up of our solar cell production in April 2007. In 2008, our
research efforts focused on four main product areas, namely ingots, wafers, solar cells and solar
modules. In particular, we focused on maximizing silicon usage, development of thinner wafers (to
reduce silicon use per watt), development of BIPV modules and improvement of cell efficiency. We
also invested in advanced hot-zone design and process development to improve casting yield and
lower casting energy consumption. Furthermore, we invested in the advanced casting and cell
processing technologies to produce PV modules using UMG materials.
We will continue to expand and promote innovation in our process technologies of manufacturing
ingots, wafers, cells and PV modules. In particular, we plan to focus on improving cell efficiency
and developing special application modules, such as newly designed framing systems and automobile
related applications. Accordingly, we expect our research and development expenses to increase as
we hire additional research and development personnel and advance our research and development
projects
56
Share-based Compensation Expenses
We adopted our share incentive plan in July 2006 and a total of 43,595,470 restricted shares
and 12,642,079 share options were outstanding as of December 31, 2008. For a description of the
restricted shares and share options granted, including the exercise prices and vesting periods
thereof, see Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and EmployeesB. Compensation of Directors and
Executive OfficersShare Incentive Plan. Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
123(R), Share-Based Payment, we are required to recognize share-based compensation as compensation
expense in our statement of operations based on the fair value of equity awards on the date of the
grant, with the compensation expense recognized over the period in which the recipient is required
to provide services to us in exchange for the equity award. For restricted shares granted to our
employees, we record share-based compensation expense for the excess of the fair value of the
restricted shares at the date of the grant over the purchase price that a grantee must pay to
acquire the shares during the period in which the shares may be purchased. We have categorized
these share-based compensation expenses in our (i) cost of revenues; (ii) selling expenses; (iii)
general and administrative expenses; and (iv) research and development expenses, depending on the
job functions of the grantees of our restricted shares and share options.
The following table sets forth the allocation of our share-based compensation expenses both in
absolute amount and as a percentage of total share-based compensation expenses.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
(in thousands, except for percentages) |
|
Cost of revenues |
|
$ |
415 |
(1) |
|
|
15.2 |
% |
|
$ |
35 |
|
|
|
2.1 |
% |
|
$ |
111 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
% |
Selling expenses |
|
|
323 |
(1) |
|
|
11.8 |
|
|
|
394 |
|
|
|
22.6 |
|
|
|
512 |
|
|
|
12.7 |
|
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
389 |
(1) |
|
|
14.3 |
|
|
|
1,165 |
|
|
|
66.9 |
|
|
|
3,297 |
|
|
|
81.9 |
|
Research and development |
|
|
1,600 |
(1) |
|
|
58.7 |
|
|
|
146 |
|
|
|
8.4 |
|
|
|
105 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total share-based compensation expenses |
|
$ |
2,727 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
1,740 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
4,025 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
In 2006, we recognized a one-time share-based compensation expense in connection
with the transfer of beneficial interests in our company from a shareholder and a founder of
our company to our administrative personnel. |
Discontinued Operations
Prior to June 30, 2006, we were engaged in the aluminum siding business, which included the
production, marketing and sale of aluminum exterior wall products used for cladding the exteriors
of buildings and houses. On June 28, 2006, our board of directors resolved to discontinue our
aluminum siding business and committed to a plan to settle the related liabilities and realize the
related assets through the sale of scrap. Our aluminum siding operations ceased on June 30, 2006,
and all of the employees from our aluminum siding business were transferred to our PV module
business. We had net gains from our aluminum siding business of $91,010 and $367,916 in 2005 and
2007, respectively, and a net loss of $753,277 in 2006. The gain from our aluminum siding business
in 2007 was due to the collection of accounts receivable that we had previously written off as
uncollectible. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards, or FAS, No. 144, Accounting for
the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets, the financial position and results of operations
from our aluminum siding business are reflected as discontinued operations in our consolidated
financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. In December 2006, we entered into a
contract to sell the manufacturing equipment and buildings with the underlying land use rights,
previously used in our aluminum siding business, for a total price of RMB5.8 million ($850,128) to
Mr. Weifeng Wu and Mr. Weizhong Wu, brothers-in-law of Mr. Jifan Gao, our chairman and chief
executive officer. The price was determined based on the higher of two formal offers, one of which
came from a third party unrelated to us, and was approved by our audit committee and all of our
independent directors.
57
Taxation
We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between financial
statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities. Valuation allowances are provided
against deferred tax assets when management cannot conclude that it is more likely than not that
some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will be realized.
The PRC enacted a new tax law that became effective in January 2008. See Item 4.
Information on the CompanyRegulationTax. Before the effectiveness of this new law, a foreign
invested enterprise in China was typically subject to an enterprise income tax of 30% and a local
income tax of 3%. The Income Tax Law and the related implementing rules provide certain
preferential favorable tax treatments to foreign invested enterprises which qualify as advanced
technological enterprises or are established in certain areas in the PRC.
In 2004, we were granted a three-year extension in the 50% relief from the PRC enterprise
income tax rate of 24%. As a result, Trina China was subject to a preferential enterprise income
tax rate of 12% in 2006. In accordance with the tax legislations applicable to export-oriented
enterprises, Trina China is entitled to a 50% relief from PRC enterprise income tax for the years
in which export sales revenue exceeds 70% of total sales revenue. In 2007, Trina China was granted
the 50% relief from the PRC enterprise income tax rate of 24%.
In February 2007, the State Tax Bureau of Changzhou High-Tech Industry Development Zone, or
the STB, where Trina China is registered, approved Trina Chinas application for tax holiday in
conjunction with an increase of $32.7 million in its registered capital, from $7.3 million in
August 2005 to $40.0 million in July 2006 and to $120.0 million in 2007. In accordance with the
approval of the STB, Trina China is exempt from income taxes for 81.8% of its taxable profit,
representing the proportion of its increase in registered capital from August 2006 to December
2007, followed by a 50% relief in its tax rate from 2008 to 2010. The 2006 income tax was
calculated based on a tax rate of 12% because the STB did not issue its approval until February
2007. Accordingly, for 2007, an income tax rate of 12% applies to 18.2% of Trina Chinas taxable
profit, and 81.8% of its taxable profit is exempt from income taxes. The additional capital
investments made in 2008 were not entitled to additional tax holidays. Due to varying applicable
tax rates in each quarter of 2008 caused by the various additional capital investments, the tax
authority agreed that we could use a blended EIT rate for 2008.
58
The new EIT Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008, imposes a uniform tax rate of 25%
on all PRC enterprises, including foreign-invested enterprises, and eliminates or modifies most of
the tax exemptions, reductions and preferential treatments available under the previous tax laws
and regulations. Under the new EIT Law, enterprises that were
established before March 16, 2007 and already enjoy preferential tax treatments will (i) in
the case of preferential tax rates, continue to enjoy the tax rates which will be gradually
increased to the new tax rates within five years from January 1, 2008 or (ii) in the case of
preferential tax exemption or reduction for a specified term, continue to enjoy the preferential
tax holiday until the expiration of such term. In addition, certain enterprises may still benefit
from a preferential tax rate of 15% under the new EIT Law if they qualify as high and new
technology enterprises strongly supported by the State, subject to certain general factors
described therein. In September 2008, Trina China obtained the High and New Technology Enterprise
Certificate with a valid term of three years starting from 2008. Therefore, Trina China is
entitled to a preferential income tax rate of 15% in 2008, 2009 and 2010 as long as it maintains
its qualification as a high and new technology enterprise under the new EIT Law. In addition, in
April 2009, we received a notice from the State Tax Bureau of Changzhou Hi-tech Development Zone
notifying us that the exemption and 50% tax reduction for Trina Chinas taxable profit representing
the proportion of increase in registered capital expired on December 31, 2007. As a result, we
expect to make an additional income tax payment of $6.5 million during the year ended
December 31, 2009.
Critical Accounting Policies
We prepare financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP which requires us to make
judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of our assets and
liabilities, (ii) the disclosure of our contingent assets and liabilities at the end of each fiscal
period and (iii) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each fiscal period. We
continually evaluate these estimates based on our own historical experience, knowledge and
assessment of current business and other conditions, our expectations regarding the future based on
available information and reasonable assumptions, which together form our basis for making
judgments about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources. Since the use of
estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, our actual results could
differ from those estimates. Some of our accounting policies require a higher degree of judgment
than others in their application.
When reviewing our financial statements, you should consider (i) our selection of critical
accounting policies, (ii) the judgment and other uncertainties affecting the application of such
policies and (iii) the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions.
We believe the following accounting policies involve the most significant judgment and estimates
used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenues for product sales when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists,
delivery of the product has occurred and title and risk of loss has transferred to the customer,
the sales price is fixed or determinable, and the collectability of the resulting receivable is
reasonably assured. Our sales agreements typically contain our customary product warranties but do
not contain any post-shipment obligations nor any return or credit provisions. We recognize sales
of our solar modules based on the terms of the specific sales contract. Generally, we recognize
sales when we have delivered our products to our customers designated point of shipment, which may
include commercial docks or commercial shipping vessels.
59
Warranty Cost
It is customary in our business and industry to warrant or guarantee the performance of our
solar module products at certain levels of power output for extended periods. In the past, our
solar modules were typically sold with a two-year warranty for defects in material and workmanship
and a minimum power output warranty of up to 25 years following the date of delivery or
installation. In 2008, we extended the warranty for materials and workmanship from two years to
five years. If a solar module is defective, we will either repair or replace the module at our
discretion. We maintain warranty reserves (recorded as accrued warranty costs) to cover potential
liability that could arise from our warranties. Our accrued warranty cost reflects our best
estimate of such liabilities. Due to our limited warranty claims to date, we accrue the estimated
costs of warranties based on an assessment of our competitors and average industry level. The
provision of the warranty accrues at the time of sale and is recognized as a component of selling
expenses. Actual warranty costs are accumulated and charged against the accrued warranty
liability. To the extent that actual warranty costs differ from the estimates, we will
prospectively revise our accrual rate.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets and Definite-lived Intangibles
We evaluate our long-lived assets and definite-lived intangibles for impairment whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable. When these events occur, we measure impairment by comparing the carrying amount of
the assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and
their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the
carrying amount of the assets, we will recognize an impairment loss based on the fair value of the
assets. The determination of fair value of the intangible and long lived assets acquired involves
certain judgments and estimates. These judgments can include, but are not limited to, the cash
flows that an asset is expected to generate in the future. Future cash flows can be affected by
factors such as changes in global economies, business plans and forecast, regulatory developments,
technological improvements, and operating results. Any impairment write-downs would be treated as
permanent reductions in the carrying amounts of the assets and a charge to operations would be
recognized.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We conduct credit evaluations of customers and generally do not require collateral or other
security from them. We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts primarily based upon the age
of the receivables and factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers. We generally do
not require collateral or other security interests from our customers when we grant them credit.
However, we maintain a reserve for potential credit losses and such losses have historically been
within our expectations. We raise an allowance for doubtful accounts primarily based on the age of
the receivables or prepayments and other factors like the length of time receivables are passing
due, previous loss history and the counterpartys current ability to fulfill its obligation.
With respect to advances to suppliers, our suppliers are primarily suppliers of silicon raw
materials. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our suppliers financial conditions. We
generally do not require collateral or security against advances to suppliers.
60
Share-based Compensation
We have granted restricted shares and share options to our directors, officers and employees.
Share-based payment compensation is based on grant-date fair value and is recognized in our
consolidated financial statements over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting
period. We grant our restricted shares at their fair value which generally represents the fair
value of an unrestricted share less a discount calculated based on the length of time the share is
restricted. For share options, determining the value of our share-based compensation expense in
future periods requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected life of
the options, the price volatility of our underlying shares, the risk free interest rate, the
expected dividend rate, as well as estimated forfeitures of the options. We estimate our
forfeitures based on past employee retention rates, our expectations of future retention rates, and
we will prospectively revise our forfeiture rates based on actual history. Our compensation
charges may change based on changes to our actual forfeitures.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the weighted
average method. Cost comprises direct materials and where applicable, direct labor costs, toll
manufacturing costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the inventories to
their present location and condition. We regularly review the cost of inventory against its
estimated fair market value and will record a lower of cost or market write-down for inventories
that have a cost in excess of estimated market value. We also write off silicon materials that may
not meet our required specifications for inclusion in our manufacturing process. These materials
are periodically sold for scrap.
Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets
and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, net operating loss carry
forwards and credits by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. Deferred
tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in our opinion, it is more likely than not
that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In both 2007 and 2008
our deferred tax assets were reduced by a valuation allowance. Current income taxes are provided
for in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities. The components of the deferred
tax assets and liabilities are individually classified as current and non-current based on the
characteristics of the underlying assets and liabilities.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Foreign Currency Embedded Derivative in Supply Agreement
One of our long-term silicon supply contracts provided that the purchase price of the silicon
to be acquired was denominated in U.S. dollars, which was not the functional currency of either of
the contracting parties when we entered into such contract. Accordingly, the contract contained an
embedded foreign currency forward contract, which was required to be bifurcated and accounted for
at fair value in accordance with the provisions of FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. Changes in fair value are recorded in the
consolidated statements of operations.
61
Because of the monetary controls imposed by the PRC, the determination of the fair value of a
long-term foreign currency derivative requires the input of highly subjective assumptions,
including estimates of forward foreign exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Renminbi.
In calculating the fair value of the embedded derivatives, we (i) estimated the monthly
purchases, and corresponding payments, based on historical usage rates, (ii) applied the estimated
exchange forward rates between the U.S. dollar and Renminbi associated with each of the estimated
monthly payment dates from (i) above, and (iii) applied an appropriate discount rate to the amounts
obtained in (ii) above. We estimated the exchange forward rates based on the following:
|
(1) |
|
Exchange forward rates for month one to 12 are available on the China on-shore
market. As such, for month one to 12, we obtained the exchange forward rates from the
China on-shore market. |
|
|
(2) |
|
Exchange forward rates for month 13 to 24 were computed by taking the 15th,
18th and 24th months exchange forward rates available from the China on-shore market
and applying linear interpolation to derive the other monthly forward rates. |
|
|
(3) |
|
Exchange forward rates for month 25 to 84 were estimated by applying linear
interpolation to the two- and seven-year exchange forward rates, available from the
China on-shore market. |
|
|
(4) |
|
Exchange forward rates for periods in excess of seven years were not available
from the China on-shore market. As such, for the periods beyond 84 months, we
forecasted the monthly exchange rates based on an assumption that the Renminbi will
appreciate at a fixed monthly rate, equivalent to the annual change in the exchange
rate projected by the International Monetary Fund. |
The discount rate applied is derived based on Chinas on-shore swap rates.
In 2007, we recorded a gain on the change in fair value of the embedded derivative of $0.9
million which was included in the line item Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivative in
the consolidated statements of operations. Trina Chinas functional currency changed from Renminbi
to U.S. dollars effective January 1, 2008. As a result, we have not incurred any gain or loss on
the change in fair value of the embedded derivative since January 1, 2008.
Derivative Assets Related to Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
Our primary objective for holding derivative financial instruments is to manage currency risk.
We record derivative instruments as assets or liabilities, measured at fair value. The
recognition of gains or losses resulting from changes in fair values of those derivative
instruments is based on the use of each derivative instrument and whether it qualifies for hedge
accounting.
In October and December 2008, we entered into several foreign currency forward contracts with
two commercial banks to protect against volatility of future cash flows caused by the changes in
foreign exchange rates associated with the outstanding accounts receivable.
The foreign exchange currency forward contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting and, as a
result, the changes in fair value of the derivatives are recognized in the statement of operations.
In 2008, we recorded a change in fair value of derivative assets related to the forward foreign
currency exchange contracts of $1.1 million, which was included in the line item Gain (loss) on
change in fair value of derivative in the consolidated statements of operations.
62
We implemented FAS 157, Fair Value Measurements on January 1, 2008, which established a
framework consisting of three classification standards for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Since our derivative assets are not traded on an exchange, we
generally value them using valuation models.
Interest rate yield curves and foreign exchange rates are significant inputs into these models.
These inputs are observable in active markets over the terms of the
instruments we hold, and accordingly, we classify the valuation
technique under level 2 of the classification standards.
In valuing the derivative financial instruments, we mainly used the Monte Carlo pricing method as a
valuation model, which is a standard methodology that simulates various sources of uncertainty that
affect the value of the instrument and then determines an average value over the range of resultant
outcomes. The sources we used included external market data loaded from external sources like
Reuters or external brokers, such as spot, forward and interest rates and market implied volatility.
We also considered the effect of our own credit standing and that of our counterparties in the valuation of our
derivative financial instruments. The implementation of the fair value measurement guidance of FAS
157 did not result in any material change to the carrying values of our derivative financial
instruments on our opening balance sheet on January 1, 2008.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth a summary, for the periods indicated, of our consolidated
results of operations and each item expressed as a percentage of our total net revenues. Our
historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be
expected for any future period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
(in thousands, except for percentages) |
|
Net revenues |
|
$ |
114,500 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
301,819 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
831,901 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
Cost of revenues |
|
|
84,450 |
|
|
|
73.8 |
|
|
|
234,191 |
|
|
|
77.6 |
|
|
|
667,459 |
|
|
|
80.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
|
30,050 |
|
|
|
26.2 |
|
|
|
67,628 |
|
|
|
22.4 |
|
|
|
164,442 |
|
|
|
19.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling expenses |
|
|
2,571 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
11,019 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
|
|
|
20,302 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
8,656 |
|
|
|
7.5 |
|
|
|
17,817 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
|
41,114 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
Research and development expenses |
|
|
1,903 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
|
2,805 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
|
3,039 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
$ |
13,130 |
|
|
|
11.5 |
|
|
$ |
31,641 |
|
|
|
10.5 |
|
|
$ |
64,455 |
|
|
|
7.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations |
|
|
16,920 |
|
|
|
14.8 |
|
|
|
35,987 |
|
|
|
11.9 |
|
|
|
99,987 |
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
Foreign exchange loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,999 |
|
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
|
11,802 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
2,137 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
7,551 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
23,937 |
|
|
|
2.9 |
|
Interest income |
|
|
261 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
4,810 |
|
|
|
1.6 |
|
|
|
2,944 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of
derivative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
854 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
(1,067 |
) |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
Other (expense) income |
|
|
(82 |
) |
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
1,554 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
(156 |
) |
|
|
(0.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
14,962 |
|
|
|
13.1 |
|
|
|
33,655 |
|
|
|
11.2 |
|
|
|
65,969 |
|
|
|
7.9 |
|
Income tax (expense) benefit |
|
|
(1,788 |
) |
|
|
(1.6 |
) |
|
|
1,707 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
(4,609 |
) |
|
|
(0.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations |
|
|
13,174 |
|
|
|
11.5 |
|
|
|
35,362 |
|
|
|
11.7 |
|
|
|
61,360 |
|
|
|
7.4 |
|
Net income (loss) from discontinued
operations |
|
|
(753 |
) |
|
|
(0.7 |
) |
|
|
368 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
12,421 |
|
|
|
10.8 |
% |
|
$ |
35,730 |
|
|
|
11.8 |
% |
|
$ |
61,360 |
|
|
|
7.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63
Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2007
Net Revenues. Our total net revenues increased by $530.1 million, or 175.6%, from $301.8
million in 2007 to $831.9 million in 2008. Our net revenues increased due to an increase in the
volume of the solar modules we sold from 75.9 MW in 2007 to 201.0 MW in 2008, and was particularly
due to increased sales in markets such as Spain and Italy. The increase was facilitated by the
expansion of our manufacturing capacity. Our average selling price increased from $3.80 per watt
in 2007 to $3.92 per watt in 2008. The increase in the average selling price of our PV modules in
2008 was due to an increase in demand of our PV modules in the first three quarters of 2008, driven
largely by surging market demand, particularly in the Spanish market, which was offset by a
decrease in the average selling price of our PV modules in the fourth quarter of 2008, due to the
falling demand caused by the global economic downturn.
Cost of Revenues. Our cost of revenues increased by $433.3 million, or 185.0%, from $234.2
million in 2007 to $667.5 million in 2008. Our cost of revenues increased primarily due to
increases in expenditures in raw materials as a result of the rapid expansion of our solar module
business. The increase in our cost of revenues was also impacted by the rising prices of silicon
raw materials in the first three quarters of 2008 due to the industry-wide shortage of polysilicon,
partially offset by the reduction in cost as a result of the reduction of non-silicon manufacturing
cost for our multicrystalline modules though a combination of technology and manufacturing process
improvements. In the last quarter of 2008, our cost of revenues decreased primarily due to
significant reduction in silicon raw material costs as a result of improved market supply
conditions. In 2008, we had a non-cash inventory provision of $21.5 million based on a revaluation
of our silicon inventory as a result of market price declines. As a percentage of our total net
revenues, our cost of revenues increased from 77.6% to 80.2% during the same periods.
Gross Profit. As a result of the foregoing, our gross profit in 2008 increased by $96.8
million to $164.4 million, from $67.6 million in 2007. Our gross margin decreased from 22.4% to
19.8% during the same period.
Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses increased by $32.9 million, or 103.7%, from $31.6
million in 2007 to $64.5 million in 2008. The increase in operating expenses was due to increases
in selling expenses, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses. As
a percentage of total net revenues, operating expenses decreased from 10.5% in 2007 to 7.8% in
2008. Share-based compensation expenses allocated to our selling expenses, general and
administrative expenses and research and development expenses in 2008 were $0.5 million, $3.3
million and $0.1 million, respectively, based on the department where such employees worked at the
time of the grant.
Selling Expenses. Our selling expenses increased by $9.3 million, or 84.3%, from $11.0
million in 2007 to $20.3 million in 2008, due primarily to an increase in warranty provision for
solar modules as a result of significant increases in the sale of solar modules, as well as
out-bound freight costs. Other selling expenses increased due to costs, such as increased
marketing efforts and overseas expansion, associated with growing our solar module business.
Selling expenses as a percentage of net revenues decreased from 3.7% to 2.4%.
64
General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses increased by
$23.3 million, or 130.8%, from $17.8 million in 2007 to $41.1 million in 2008.
The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to increased salaries
and benefits, compliance related consulting and professional fees, as well as share-based
compensation expenses for restricted share grants to our personnel. General and administrative
expenses as a percentage of net revenues decreased from 5.9% to 5.0%.
Research and Development Expenses. Our research and development expenses increased by $0.2
million, or 8.3%, from $2.8 million to $3.0 million between 2007 and 2008, primarily due to
increased headcount of our research and development personnel and investments in research and
development projects as described in Overview of Financial ResultsSelling ExpensesResearch and
Development Expenses. Research and development expenses as a percentage of net revenues decreased
from 0.9% to 0.4%.
Exchange Gain and Loss. We incurred a foreign exchange loss of $11.8 million in 2008,
compared to a loss of $2.0 million in 2007. Before January 1, 2008, the functional currency of our
PRC operating subsidiaries was the RMB. Appreciation of the RMB in 2007 against other currencies
used in transactions during 2007 resulted in our recording of an exchange loss. As some of our
sales contracts were denominated in Euros, the depreciation of the Euro against the US dollar, as
well as appreciation of the RMB against the US dollar in 2008 resulted in our recording of a large
exchange loss in 2008.
Interest Expenses, Net. Our interest expenses, net, was $2.7 million in 2007, compared to
$21.0 million in 2008. Our interest expenses, net, increased mainly due to an increase in
short-term borrowings and interest from our convertible senior notes, offset by the interest
generated from our operating cash and retained proceeds from our convertible senior notes offering
in July 2008.
Gain (Loss) on the Change in Fair Value of Derivative. In 2008, we had a loss on the change
in fair value of derivative of $1.1 million, compared to a gain of $0.9 million in 2007. In 2008,
we recorded loss due to the change in fair value of our forward foreign currency exchange contracts
entered into in the fourth quarter of 2008. In 2007, we recorded a gain due to the change in the
fair value of an embedded foreign currency derivative in one of our long-term silicon supply
contracts. See Critical Accounting PoliciesDerivative Financial Instruments for more details.
Income Tax Expenses. Our income tax expenses increased by $6.3 million, from income tax
benefit of $1.7 million in 2007 to income tax expense of $4.6 million in 2008. Our income tax
expenses increased primarily due to the implementation of the new effective tax laws in 2008. Our
effective tax rates in 2007 and 2008 were (5.0)% and 7.0%, respectively.
Net Income from Continuing Operations. Net income from our continuing operations increased
between 2007 and 2008, from $35.4 million to $61.4 million. However, the net margin from our
continuing operations decreased from 11.7% in 2007 to 7.4% in 2008.
Net Income from Discontinued Operations. We had net income of $367,916 and nil from our
discontinued aluminum siding business in 2007 and 2008, respectively, as we wound down such
business.
Net Income. As a result of the foregoing, our net income increased significantly, from $35.7
million in 2007 to $61.4 million in 2008, representing an increase of $25.7 million. However, our
net margin decreased from 11.8% in 2007 to 7.4% in 2008.
65
Year Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2006
Net Revenues. Our total net revenues increased by $187.3 million, or 163.6%, from $114.5
million in 2006 to $301.8 million in 2007. Our net revenues increased due to an increase in the
volume of the solar modules we sold. The volume of the solar modules we sold increased from 27.4
MW in 2006 to 75.9 MW in 2007 due to an increase in sales, particularly in markets such as Spain
and Italy, as well the expansion of our manufacturing capacity. However, our average selling price
decreased from $3.98 per watt in 2006 to $3.80 per watt in 2007, due to slower demand for solar
modules in the first half of 2007 relative to the faster global solar module production capacity
expansion.
Cost of Revenues. Our cost of revenues increased by $149.7 million, or 177.2%, from $84.5
million in 2006 to $234.2 million in 2007. Our cost of revenues increased primarily due to
increases in expenditures in raw materials as a result of the rapid expansion of our solar module
business. The increase in our cost of revenues was also impacted by the rising prices of silicon
raw materials due to the industry-wide shortage of polysilicon, partially offset by the reduction
in cost as a result of our vertical integration, such as ramping up our cell production lines in
April 2007. Moreover, we experienced an increase in depreciation costs due to the expanding of
ingot, wafer and cell manufacturing equipment in 2007. As a percentage of our total net revenues,
our cost of revenues increased from 73.8% to 77.6% during the same period.
Gross Profit. As a result of the foregoing, our gross profit in 2007 increased by $37.6
million to $67.6 million, from $30.0 million in 2006. Our gross margin decreased from 26.2% to
22.4% during the same period.
Operating Expenses. Our operating expenses increased by $18.5 million, from $13.1 million in
2006 to $31.6 million in 2007. The increase in operating expenses was due to increases in selling
expenses, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses. As a
percentage of total net revenues, operating expenses decreased from 11.5% in 2006 to 10.5% in 2007.
Share-based compensation expenses allocated to our selling expenses, general and administrative
expenses and research and development expenses in 2007 were $0.4 million, $1.2 million and $0.1
million, respectively, based on the department where such employees worked at the time of the
grant.
Selling Expenses. Our selling expenses increased by $8.4 million, or 328.6%, from $2.6
million in 2006 to $11.0 million in 2007, due primarily to an increase in warranty provision for
solar modules as a result of significant increases in the volume of solar modules, as well as
out-bound freight costs. Other selling expenses increased due to costs, such as increased
marketing efforts and overseas expansion, associated with growing our solar module business.
Selling expenses as a percentage of net revenues also increased from 2.2% to 3.7%.
General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses increased by
$9.1 million, or 105.8%, from $8.7 million in 2006 to $17.8 million in 2007. The increase in
general and administrative expenses was due to increased salaries and benefits, compliance related
consulting and professional fees, as well as share-based compensation expenses for restricted share
grants to our personnel. Other general and administrative expenses increased due to the expansion
of our solar module business. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenues
decreased from 7.6% to 5.9%.
66
Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses increased by $0.9
million, or 47.4%, from $1.9 million to $2.8 million between 2006 and 2007, primarily due to our
investment in solar cell technology in preparation for ramping up our solar cell production in
April 2007, as well as our investment in the development of multicrystalline technology as we
expanded our product offerings in November 2007. The increase was also due to the incurrence of
share-based compensation expenses for restricted share grants to our personnel. Research and
development expenses as a percentage of net revenues decreased from 1.7% to 0.9%.
Exchange Gain and Loss. We incurred exchange losses of $2.0 million in 2007, compared to no
gain or loss in 2006. Because the functional currency of our PRC operating subsidiaries was the
RMB, transactions that were denominated in currencies other than in RMB were recorded in RMB at the
prevailing exchange rates when the transactions occurred. We translated monetary assets and
liabilities denominated in other currencies into RMB at the exchange rates in effect at each
balance sheet date. We recorded these exchange gains and losses in the statements of operations.
Appreciation of the RMB in 2007 against those currencies used in transactions during 2007 resulted
in our recording of an exchange loss.
Interest Expenses, Net. Our interest expenses, net, was $1.9 million in 2006, compared to
$2.7 million in 2007. Our interest expenses increased mainly due to increased short-term
borrowings.
Gain on the Change in Fair Value of Derivative. In 2007, we had a gain on the change in fair
value of derivative of $0.9 million, reflecting the change in the fair value of an embedded foreign
currency derivative in one of our long-term silicon supply contracts. See Critical Accounting
PoliciesDerivative Financial Instruments for more details.
Income Tax Expenses. Our income tax expenses decreased by $3.5 million, from income tax
expense of $1.8 million in 2006 to income tax benefit of $1.7 million in 2007. Our income tax
expenses decreased primarily due to benefit of tax holiday due to export sales and a tax credit of
$2.9 million in 2007 for purchasing certain domestically-produced equipment.
Net Income from Continuing Operations. Net income from our continuing operations increased
significantly between 2006 and 2007, from $13.2 million to $35.4 million. Net margin from our
continuing operations increased from 11.5% in 2006 to 11.7% in 2007.
Net Income from Discontinued Operations. We had a net loss of $753,277 and net income of
$367,916 from our discontinued aluminum sidings business in 2006 and 2007, respectively, as we
wound down such business.
Net Income. As a result of the foregoing, our net income increased significantly, from $12.4
million in 2006 to $35.7 million in 2007, representing an increase of $23.3 million. Our net
margin increased from 10.8% in 2006 to 11.8% in 2007.
67
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have financed our operations primarily through short-term and long-term borrowings,
proceeds from public offerings, including our convertible senior notes offering in July 2008, and,
to a lesser extent, cash generated from operations. We believe that our current cash, cash
equivalents, short-term and long-term borrowings and anticipated cash
flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including our cash
needs for working capital and capital expenditures, for at least the next 12 months. We may,
however, require additional cash due to changing business conditions or other future developments,
including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If our existing cash is
insufficient to meet our requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or
borrow from banks. However, the current financial downturn affecting the financial markets and
banking system may significantly restrict our ability to obtain financing in the capital markets or
from financial institutions. We cannot assure you that financing will be available in the amounts
we need or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. The sale of additional equity securities,
including convertible debt securities, would dilute our earnings per share. The incurrence of debt
would divert cash for working capital and capital expenditures to service debt obligations and
could result in operating and financial covenants that restrict our operations and our ability to
pay dividends to our shareholders.
As of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, we had $93.4 million, $59.7 million and $132.2
million, respectively, in cash and cash equivalents and $76.5 million, $171.8 million and $263.2
million, respectively, in outstanding borrowings. Our cash and cash equivalents primarily consist
of cash on hand and demand deposits with original maturities of three months or less that are
placed with banks and other financial institutions. We had total bank facilities of $87.1 million,
$256.0 million and $483.9 million with various banks, of which $76.5 million, $171.8 million and
$282.5 million were drawn down and $10.6 million, $84.2 million and $201.4 million were available
as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. As of December 31, 2008, we had $138 million
in principal amount of 4% convertible senior notes outstanding. For details on our borrowings,
please see Borrowings.
We have significant working capital commitments because suppliers of polysilicon and
reclaimable silicon raw materials require us to make prepayments in advance of shipment. Our
prepayments to suppliers are recorded either as advances to suppliers, if they are expected to be
utilized within 12 months as of each balance sheet date, or as long-term silicon procurement
advances, if they represent the portion expected to be utilized after 12 months. As of December
31, 2008, we had long-term silicon procurement advances of $130.4 million, compared to $53.7
million as of December 31, 2007, due to the requirements stipulated in our long-term silicon supply
contracts. We also had advances to suppliers of $42.2 million in 2008, a decrease of $0.8 million
from 2007, primarily due to a reduction of prepayment requirements as result of improved supply
conditions. We generally make prepayments without receiving collateral. As a result, our claims
for such prepayments would rank only as an unsecured claim, which exposes us to the credit risks of
these suppliers in the event of their insolvency or bankruptcy. Going forward, we expect our
advances to suppliers to be stable as the polysilicon supply market further improves, offset by
greater volume purchases as we expand our manufacturing capacity and use a higher percentage of
virgin polysilicon.
We also have significant capital expenditures as we as expand our existing capacity in each
segment of our value chain. See Capital Expenditures. We plan to fund part of the capital
expenditures for such expansion with the proceeds we received from the convertible senior note
offering completed in July 2008, additional borrowings from third parties, including banks, and, if
any, cash from operations.
68
We expect that our accounts receivable and inventories, two of the principal components of our
current assets, will continue to increase as our net revenues increase. We require prepayments
from some customers, depending on the credit status of the customers,
market demand and the term of the contracts, but have been required to accept reduced
prepayments from customers and may continue to see reductions in the amounts of prepayment we are
able to obtain. We also allow some of our customers to pay all or a major portion of the purchase
price by letters of credit. Until the letters of credit are drawn in accordance with their terms,
the amount earned is recorded as accounts receivable. Because of the prepayment and the letters of
credit payment requirements that we impose on our customers, our allowance for doubtful accounts
has not been significant with respect to our solar module business.
Cash Flows and Working Capital
The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
$ |
(54,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(59,477 |
) |
|
$ |
(32,082 |
) |
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(46,556 |
) |
|
|
(225,284 |
) |
|
|
(118,523 |
) |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
190,968 |
|
|
|
249,899 |
|
|
|
222,950 |
|
Effect of exchange rate changes |
|
|
1,744 |
|
|
|
1,178 |
|
|
|
183 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
92,156 |
|
|
|
(33,684 |
) |
|
|
72,528 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year |
|
|
1,224 |
|
|
|
93,380 |
|
|
|
59,696 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year |
|
$ |
93,380 |
|
|
$ |
59,696 |
|
|
$ |
132,224 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities amounted to $32.1 million in 2008, compared to $59.5
million in 2007. The net cash used in operating activities in 2008 was primarily a result of an
increase of long-term silicon procurement advances, an increase in inventories as our business and
capacity expanded, and an increase in accounts receivable as we increased our sales. These items
were partially offset by net income, deferred long-term government subsidies, an increase in
accrued warranty costs, an increase in accrued expenses due to increases in interest expense from
bank borrowings and convertible senior notes and professional expenses, and an increase in accounts
payable due to longer payment terms.
The net cash used in operating activities in 2007 was primarily due to an increase in accounts
receivable as we increased our sales, and increases in advances to suppliers and inventories due to
increases in volumes of silicon raw material purchased, partially offset by an increase in the cash
provided by the sale of our products and an increase in accounts payable due to increases in the
purchases of consumables and other non-polysilicon raw materials and increased payment periods in
connection with those purchases.
Net cash used in operating activities in 2006 was $54.0 million. The net cash used in
operating activities in 2006 was mainly a result of a significant increase in advances to suppliers
and inventories primarily due to increases in volumes of silicon raw materials purchased, partially
offset by a positive net income and an increase in accounts payable.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities amounted to $118.5 million in 2008, compared to $225.3
million in 2007. The net cash used in investing activities in 2008 was primarily a result of an
increase in property, plant and equipment expenditures, comprised mainly of
purchases of cell, multicrystalline ingot and wafer production equipment and an increase in
payments for land-use rights, partially offset by a decrease in restricted cash.
69
The net cash used in investing activities in 2007 was primarily a result of production
capacity expansion, comprised mainly of purchases of cell, multicrystalline ingot and wafer
production equipment.
Net cash used in investing activities was $46.6 million in 2006, primarily as a result of an
increase in property, plant and equipment expenditures, comprised mainly of purchases of wafer
sawing machines related to the beginning of our production of silicon wafers in February 2006, and
the continuing expansion of our other manufacturing facilities. Net cash used in investing
activities in 2006 also included an increase in restricted cash, which includes cash pledged to
banks to secure our notes payable and letter of credit facilities.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities amounted to $223.0 million in 2008, which consisted
primarily of net proceeds received from our public offering of convertible senior notes completed
in July 2008 and proceeds from our short-term bank borrowings, offset by repayment of our
short-term bank borrowings. Net cash provided by financing activities amounted to $249.9 million
in 2007, which consisted primarily of net proceeds received from our follow-on public offering
completed in June 2007 and proceeds from our short-term bank borrowings, offset by repayment of our
short-term bank borrowings. Net cash provided by financing activities amounted to $191.0 million
in 2006, which consisted primarily of net proceeds received from our initial public offering and
proceeds from our short-term bank borrowings, offset by repayment of our short-term bank
borrowings.
Restrictions on Cash Dividends
For a discussion on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to our company, and the
impact this has on our ability to meet our cash obligations, see Item 3. Key Information D.
Risk FactorsWe rely on dividends paid by our subsidiary for our cash needs, and Item 3. Key
Information D. Risk FactorsThe dividends we receive from our PRC subsidiary and our global
income may be subject to PRC tax under the new EIT law, which would have a material adverse effect
on our results of operations; our foreign ADS holders may be subject to a PRC withholding tax upon
the dividends payable by us and upon gains realized on the sale of our ADSs, if we are classified
as a PRC resident enterprise.
Borrowings
We had short-term and long-term borrowings due within one year of $71.4 million, $163.6
million and $248.6 million as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Our short-term borrowings
outstanding as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 bore an average interest rate of 6.10%, 6.76%
and 7.11%, respectively. In connection with most of our short-term borrowings, we have either
sought guarantees by third parties or granted security interests over significant amounts of our
assets. With respect to encumbrances, as of December 31, 2008, we pledged our equipment of a total
appraised value of RMB1,402.8 million ($205.3 million) to secure repayment of our borrowings of
RMB396.5 million ($58.0 million). As of December 31, 2008, we mortgaged 152,525 square meters of
our facilities to secure repayment of our borrowings of RMB99.0 million ($14.5 million). In the
first quarter of 2009, we entered into additional short-term loan contracts in an aggregate amount
of $57.0
million, most of which are either secured by mortgage of real property and equipment or
guaranteed by a third party.
70
We had $5.1 million, $8.2 million and $14.6 million of long-term borrowings as of December 31,
2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The term loans as of December 31, 2006 were guaranteed by
Changzhou Fulai Property Development Co., Ltd. and were repaid in advance in August 2007 in order
to better structure our loan facilities. Each of the repaid term loans bore an interest rate of
6.91% per annum. In 2007, we obtained two long-term loans from the Agricultural Bank of China,
which totaled RMB60.0 million ($8.2 million) and will expire on September 22, 2010 and October 31,
2010, respectively, and are secured by a pledge of production equipment of Trina China. In 2007
and 2008, the average interest rate for these term loans was 7.097% and 7.118% per annum,
respectively. In 2008, we obtained a long-term loan from the Agricultural Bank of China, which
totaled RMB40.0 million ($5.9 million) and will expire in January 2011 and is secured by a pledge
of certain plants of Trina China. In 2008, the average interest rate for this term loan was 7.182%
per annum.
We have historically been able to repay our total borrowings as they became due mostly from
cash from operations and proceeds from short-term and long-term borrowings. We may also seek
additional debt or equity financing to repay the remaining portion of our borrowings. As we
continue to ramp up our current and planned operations in order to complete our vertical
integration and expansion strategies, we also expect to generate cash from our expanded operations
to repay a portion of our borrowings.
In July 2008, we completed an offering of $138 million of 4% convertible senior notes. The
debt issuance costs are being amortized over the life of the convertible senior notes using the
interest method. The notes are convertible at any time prior to maturity, unless previously
redeemed, at the option of the holders into our ADSs at a conversion price of $33.88 per ADS,
subject to certain adjustments. We used the net proceeds received from the offering to expand our
manufacturing lines for the production of silicon ingots, wafers, solar cells and solar modules, to
purchase raw materials and other general corporate purposes. In connection with the senior
convertible senior notes offering, we also offered 4,073,194 ADSs in an ADS borrowing facility.
The ADS borrower will be required to return the borrowed ADSs by the scheduled maturity date of the
notes in July 2013.
Capital Expenditures
We had capital expenditures of $41.4 million, $127.3 million and $187.1 million in 2006, 2007
and 2008, respectively. Our capital expenditures were used primarily to purchase equipment for the
production of ingots, wafers, cells and modules. We expect our capital expenditures to increase in
the future as we expand our solar module business. We estimate that our capital expenditures in
2009 will be approximately $189 million for manufacturing capacity expansion. As of December 31,
2008, we had an annual module manufacturing capacity of approximately 350 MW. We expect to
increase our total annual production capacity from ingots to PV modules by up to 200 MW to a total
of up to 550 MW by the end of 2009. The specific increase will be based on market visibility in
both customer demand and the commercial lending environment to finance PV system installations in
our respective sales markets. We are implementing a strategy to focus on preserving cash, which
includes reducing costs and reviewing and taking a prudent approach to our capital expansion plan.
Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will not revise our capacity expansion plan after we
finalize our review.
71
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 141 (revised in 2007), Business Combinations (FAS
141R) to improve reporting and to create greater consistency in the accounting and financial
reporting of business combinations. The standard requires the acquiring entity in a business
combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the
transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all
assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and
other users all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial
effect of the business combination. FAS 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for
which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period
beginning on or after December 15, 2008, with the exception of the accounting for valuation
allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax contingencies. FAS 141R also amends FAS 109,
Accounting for Income Taxes, such that adjustments made to valuation allowances on deferred taxes
and acquired tax contingencies associated with acquisitions that closed prior to the effective date
of FAS 141R would also apply the provisions of FAS 141R. An entity may not apply it before that
date. The adoption of FAS 141R will change our accounting treatment for business combinations on a
prospective basis beginning on January 1, 2009.
On April 1, 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 141(R)-1, Accounting for Assets Acquired and
Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies (FSP FAS 141(R)-1),
which amends the guidance in FASB Statement No. 141(R), Business Combinations, to establish a model
for preacquisition contingencies that is similar to the one entities used under Statement 141.
Under the FSP , an acquirer is required to recognize at fair value an asset acquired or a
liability assumed in a business combination that arises from a contingency if the acquisition-date
fair value of that asset or liability can be determined during the measurement period. If the
acquisition-date fair value cannot be determined, then the acquirer follows the recognition
criteria in Statement 5 and Interpretation 14 to determine whether the contingency should be
recognized as of the acquisition date or after it. The FSP is effective for business combinations
whose acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning
on or after December 15, 2008. The adoption of FSP FAS 141(R)-1 will change our accounting
treatment for business combinations on a prospective basis beginning on January 1, 2009.
In December 2007, the FASB released FAS No. 160, Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated
Financial Statements an amendment of ARB No. 51 (FAS 160). FAS 160 applies to all entities that
prepare consolidated financial statements, except not-for-profit organizations, but will affect
only those entities that have an outstanding non-controlling interest in one or more subsidiaries
or that deconsolidate a subsidiary. FAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods
within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 (that is, January 1, 2009, for
entities with calendar year-ends). Earlier adoption is prohibited. We do not expect that the
adoption of FAS 160 will have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB
Statement No. 157 (FSP 157-2). FSP 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial
assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair
value in the financial statements on a recurring basis, until fiscal years beginning after November
15, 2008. As a result of FSP 157-2, we will adopt FAS
157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities beginning with the first interim
period of our fiscal year 2009. We do not expect that the adoption of FAS 157 for our nonfinancial
assets and nonfinancial liabilities will have a material impact on our financial position, results
of operations or cash flows.
72
In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial
Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active(FSP 157-3). FSP 157-3 clarifies the
application of SFAS 157 in a market that is not active, and addresses application issues such as
the use of internal assumptions when relevant observable data does not exist, the use of observable
market information when the market is not active, and the use of market quotes when assessing the
relevance of observable and unobservable data. FSP 157-3 is effective for all periods presented in
accordance with FAS 157. We do not expect the adoption of FSP 157-3 to have a material impact on
our consolidated financial statements or the fair values of our financial assets and liabilities.
On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and
Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying
Transactions That Are Not Orderly (FSP 157-4). FSP 157-4 provides additional guidance for
estimating fair value in accordance with FASB 157 when the volume and level of activity for the
asset or liability have significantly decreased. This FSP also includes guidance on identifying
circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. We do not expect the adoption of FSP
157-4 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or the fair values of our
financial assets and liabilities.
In March 2008, the FASB issued FAS No. 161, Disclosures About Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No.133 (FAS 161). The new standard requires
enhanced disclosures to help investors better understand the effect of an entitys derivative
instruments and related hedging activities on its financial position, financial performance, and
cash flows. FAS 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim
periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. FAS 161 does not
change the accounting treatment for derivative instruments but will impact our disclosures related
to derivative instruments and hedging activities effective January 1, 2009.
In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 142-3, Determining the Useful Life of
Intangible Assets (FSP 142-3). FSP 142-3 amends the factors to be considered in determining the
useful life of intangible assets. Its intent is to improve the consistency between the useful life
of an intangible asset and the period of expected cash flows used to measure such assets fair
value. FSP 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We do not expect
that the adoption of FSP 142-3 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial
statements.
In May 2008, the FASB issued FSP Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion 14-1, Accounting
for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial
Cash Settlement) (FSP APB 14-1). FSP APB 14-1 requires recognition of both the liability and
equity components of convertible debt instruments with cash settlement features. The debt component
is required to be recognized at the fair value of a similar instrument that does not have an
associated equity component. The equity component is recognized as the difference between the
proceeds from the issuance of the note and the fair value of the liability. FSP APB 14-1 also
requires an accretion of the resulting debt discount over the expected life of the debt.
Retrospective application to all periods
presented is required. This standard is effective for our company beginning in the first
quarter of fiscal year 2009. Since the convertible senior notes issued in July 2008 may not be
settled in cash upon conversion, FSP APB 14-1 will not have a material impact on our accounting
treatment of the convertible senior notes.
73
At its June 25, 2008 meeting, the FASB ratified the consensus reached in EITF Issue No. 07-5,
Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) Is Indexed to an Entitys Own Stock
(EITF 07-5). EITF 07-5 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December
15, 2008. This Issues fixed-for-fixed, plus fair value inputs model is largely consistent with
current interpretations of the phrase indexed to an entitys own stock. However, in certain
circumstances, Issue 07-5 may result in changes to those accounting conclusions and may have impact
on issuers of equity-linked financial instruments (e.g., options or forward contracts) or
instruments containing embedded features (e.g., embedded conversion options in a convertible
instrument) that have (1) exercise or settlement contingency provisions, (2) a strike price that is
subject to adjustment, or (3) a strike price that is denominated in a currency other than the
entitys functional currency. We do not expect that the adoption of EITF 07-5 will have a material
impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 115-2 and 124-2, Recognition and
Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments (FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2). The FSP amends
the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in U.S. GAAP for debt securities to make the guidance
more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments
on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. This FSP does not amend existing
recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity
securities. The FSP shall be effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June
15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. Earlier adoption
for periods ending before March 15, 2009, is not permitted. We do not expect the adoption of FSP
FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
C. Research and Development
We focus our research and development efforts towards improving our ingot, wafer, solar cell
and solar module manufacturing capabilities. We seek to reduce manufacturing costs and improve the
performance of our products. As of December 31, 2008, we had a total of 117 employees involved in
our research and development activities. Among them, 37 employees are under our technology
development department and are dedicated to research and development. We also have a team of 80
employees under our engineering department and responsible for manufacturing technology development
and further process fine-tuning.
Our research and development department is divided into teams responsible for research of each
stage of the solar power value chain, such as ingot, wafer, solar cell and solar module production
and system integration. We also have a technology committee, which meets regularly to review
current development progress and identify new research and development areas. Our technology
committee is spearheaded by our senior management and is comprised of both our employees and
external solar energy experts.
74
Our research efforts are currently focused on four main product areas, namely ingots, wafers,
solar cells and solar modules. We seek to maximize our silicon usage, as well as use
a proportion of reclaimable silicon raw materials, in the production of ingots. We focus on
the development of advanced hot-zone design and process development to improve casting yield and
lower casting energy consumption and also seek to increase the size of the ingots we produce. In
the fourth quarter of 2008, our average silicon usage was approximately 6.3 grams per watt,
compared to approximately 8.0 grams per watt in the fourth quarter of 2007.
We are working towards the production, on a trial basis, of silicon wafers with a width of 156
millimeters, from 125 millimeters currently, sliced from larger ingots. Currently, we slice
monocrystalline wafers to a 170 micron or 180 micron thickness, and multicrystalline wafers to a 180 micron
thickness.
For the assembly of modules, our research and development team works closely with our
manufacturing team and customers to improve our solar module and system designs, including the
development of BIPV products, which integrate construction elements with our modules for use in
system integration projects that require our modules to be built for certain applications, such as
roof tiles and glass panels We also plan to focus on the development of special application
modules, such as newly designed framing systems, and automobile related applications. We hope to
further improve the power output of our PV modules, as well as to reduce the number of solar cells
within a module.
As we expand into solar cell manufacturing, we are developing the process technology to make
full use of the conversion efficiency advantages of monocrystalline silicon over other solar power
technologies, while simultaneously reducing the manufacturing costs. We achieved conversion
efficiencies of up to 17.5% in monocrystalline solar cells and 16.3% in multicrystalline solar
cells in 2008, and plan to increase the efficiencies to up to 18.5% in monocrystalline solar cells
and up to 17.5% in multicrystalline solar cells by the end of 2009. We have a team of nine
employees dedicated to the development and implementation of this process technology. We also plan
to make additional efforts to realize the technical and cost synergies of having in-house
vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities.
In each of the three years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, our research and
development expenditures were $1.9 million, $2.8 million and $3.0 million, representing 1.7%, 0.9%
and 0.4% of our total revenues for 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. We will continue to expand
and promote innovation in our process technologies of manufacturing ingots, wafers, cells and PV
modules. Accordingly, we expect our research and development expenses to increase as we hire
additional research and development personnel and advance our research and development projects.
D. Trend Information
Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we are not aware of any trends,
uncertainties, demands, commitments or events for the period from January 1, 2008 to December 31,
2008 that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our net revenues, income,
profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that caused the disclosed financial information
to be not necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial conditions.
75
E. Off-Balance Sheet Commitments and Arrangements
Other than our purchase obligations for raw materials and equipment, we have not entered into
any financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of third
parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and
classified as shareholders equity, or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial
statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred
to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity.
We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing,
liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or that engages in leasing, hedging or research and
development services with us.
F. Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of
December 31, 2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payment Due by Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
than 5 |
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
1-3 Years |
|
|
3-5 Years |
|
|
Years |
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Long-term borrowings(1) |
|
$ |
16,565 |
|
|
$ |
1,043 |
|
|
$ |
15,522 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase obligations(2) |
|
|
7,337,270 |
|
|
|
670,387 |
|
|
|
2,844,374 |
|
|
$ |
2,649,176 |
|
|
$ |
1,173,333 |
|
Convertible senior notes(3) |
|
|
147,252 |
|
|
|
5,520 |
|
|
|
141,732 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other long-term liabilities reflected
on our balance sheet(4) |
|
|
23,466 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,993 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,473 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
7,524,553 |
|
|
$ |
675,950 |
|
|
$ |
3,012,621 |
|
|
$ |
2,649,176 |
|
|
$ |
1,185,806 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes interests that are derived using an average rate of 7.13% per annum for long-term borrowings. |
|
(2) |
|
Consists of raw material and equipment purchase commitments and operating lease commitments. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes interests that are derived using the coupon rate of 4% per annum
for convertible senior notes. The convertible senior notes will
mature on July 15, 2013 and the holders may require us to early redeem the
convertible senior notes on July 15, 2011. |
|
(4) |
|
Consists of accrued warranty costs for solar modules. |
In addition to the contractual obligations and commercial commitments set forth above, we
entered into short-term borrowings in the aggregate amount of $57.0 million in the first quarter of
2009. As of March 31, 2009, $305.5 million in short-term borrowings and $14.6 million in long-term
borrowings were outstanding.
Since December 31, 2008, we have entered into substantial commitments for future purchases of
raw materials, including reclaimable silicon raw materials and polysilicon. See Item 5.
Operating and Financial Review and Prospectus¾A. Operating
Results¾Overview¾Availability and Price of Reclaimable Silicon Raw Materials and
Polysilicon and Item 4. Information on the Company¾Business Overview¾Silicon Raw
Material Supplies for more information about our future commitments to purchase raw materials.
G. Safe Harbor
This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements that relate to future
events, including our future operating results and conditions, our prospects and our future
financial performance and condition, all of which are largely based on our current expectations and
projections. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled
Item 3. Key InformationD. Risk Factors, Item 4. Information on the Company and Item 5.
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects. These
statements are made under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
76
You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as may, will,
expect, anticipate, future, intend, plan, believe, estimate, is/are likely to or
other and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and
uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following:
expectations regarding the worldwide demand for electricity and the market for solar energy; the
companys beliefs regarding the effects of environmental regulation, the lack of infrastructure
reliability and long-term fossil fuel supply constraints; the importance of environmentally
friendly power generation; expectations regarding governmental support for the deployment of solar
energy; expectations regarding the scaling of the companys manufacturing capacity; expectations
with respect to the companys ability to secure raw materials in the future; future business
development, results of operations and financial condition; and competition from other
manufacturers of PV products and conventional energy suppliers.
This annual report on Form 20-F also contains data related to the PV market worldwide and in
China taken from third party reports. The PV market may not grow at the rates projected by the
market data, or at all. The failure of the market to grow at the projected rates may have a
material adverse effect on our business and the market price of our ADSs. In addition, the rapidly
changing nature of the PV market subjects any projections or estimates relating to the growth
prospects or future condition of our market to significant uncertainties. If any one or more of
the assumptions underlying the market data turns out to be incorrect, actual results may differ
from the projections based on these assumptions. You should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements made in this annual report on Form 20-F relate only to events
or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this annual report on Form 20-F.
Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events. You should read this annual report on Form 20-F completely and with the understanding that
our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
77
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
A. Directors and Senior Management
The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and executive officers as
of the date of this annual report.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors and Executive Officers |
|
Age |
|
Position/Title |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jifan Gao
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Sean Hsiyuan Tzou
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
Director and Chief Operating Officer |
Liping Qiu
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
Director |
Jerome Corcoran
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
Independent Director |
Junfeng Li
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
Independent Director |
Peter Mak
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
Independent Director |
Qian Zhao
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
Independent Director |
Terry Wang
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Suping Chen
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
Vice President of Manufacturing, East Campus |
Arturo Herrero
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
Vice President of Sales and Marketing |
Qiang Huang
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
Vice President of Technology |
Chunyan Wu
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
Vice President of System Integration |
Chen Chung Yu
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
Vice President of Manufacturing |
Yu Zhu
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
Vice President of Procurement and Business Development |
Diming Qiu
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
Head of Technology Committee |
Directors
Mr. Jifan Gao founded our company in 1998. He has been our chairman and chief executive
officer since January 1998. From August 2001 to October 2006, Mr. Gao served as the chairman of
Changzhou Tianhe Investment Co., Ltd., a Chinese company that invests in new energy technologies,
and he served as the chairman of Changzhou Tianhe New Energy Institute Co., Ltd., a Chinese company
that is engaged in R&D and consulting services for new energy technologies, from May 2003 to
October 2006. Mr. Gao also served as the vice chairman of Changzhou Minsheng Financing Guarantee
Co., Ltd, a Chinese company that provides guarantee, investment and consulting services, from June
2004 to October 2006. Prior to founding our company, Mr. Gao was the founder and the head of Wujin
Xiehe Fine Chemical Factory, a Chinese company that manufactures detergents for metal surfaces,
from 1992 through 1997. From 1989 to 1992, Mr. Gao was one of the co-founders and the head of
Guangdong Shunde Fuyou Detergent Factory. Mr. Gao also serves as the vice chairman of the Solar
Power Construction Committee of the China Renewable Energy Society and as the standing vice
chairman of the New Energy Chamber of Commerce of the All-China Federation of Industry and
Commerce. Mr. Gao has published and presented several articles and papers in solar power related
magazines and conferences. Mr. Gao received his masters degree in physical chemistry from Jilin
University in 1988 and his bachelors degree in chemistry from Nanjing University in 1985. Mr.
Gaos wife is Ms. Chunyan Wu, our vice president of system integration.
Mr. Sean Hsiyuan Tzou has been a director of our company since August 28, 2008 and has been
our chief operating officer since March 2007. Prior to joining us, Mr. Tzou was the Corporate Vice
President in charge of Asia-Pacific Services in Solectron Corporation, a leading electronic
manufacturing services company headquartered in the United States. Mr. Tzou has more than 20 years
of experience in product development, strategic planning, supply chain management and operations
management both in China and the United States. Mr. Tzou received his bachelors degree in science
of industrial engineering from Tunghai University in 1978 and received his masters degree in
science of industrial engineering from University of Texas at Arlington in 1983.
78
Mr. Liping Qiu has been a director of our company since May 2006. He is a founding partner
and director of Milestone Capital, a China-focused private equity investment company, and the
general partner of Milestone China Opportunities Fund I and II, L.P., Cayman Islands limited
partnerships that invest primarily in high-growth Chinese companies, since 2002. Mr. Qiu is a
director of Beijing Dehaier Medical Technology, a portfolio company of Milestone Capital that
engages in medical equipment manufacturing and service. In 2001, Mr. Qiu was Bear Stearnss
Beijing Office Representative, responsible for investment banking operations in China. From 1997
to 2000, Mr. Qiu was an analyst at Merrill Lynchs direct investment group and corporate finance
group, and from 1998 to 2000 he served as the chief financial officer of Tianrun Crankshaft Co.,
Ltd., an independent Chinese crankshaft manufacturer. Mr. Qiu received his bachelors degree and
masters degree in engineering from the National University of Defense Technology of China in 1984
and 1986, respectively.
Independent Directors
Mr. Jerome Corcoran has been an independent director of our company since December 18, 2006.
From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Corcoran was a managing director at Merrill Lynchs China Private Equity
Group in Beijing, China. From 1989 to 1994, Mr. Corcoran had served as a managing director and the
head of international investment banking of Merrill Lynch in New York and London. Mr. Corcoran
retired from his investment banking career in 1998 and has been managing his personal wealth since
his retirement. Mr. Corcoran received his bachelors degree in political philosophy from Loyola
University in 1971 and his MBA degree from St Johns University in 1974.
Mr. Junfeng Li has been an independent director of our company since November 2007. Mr.
Junfeng Li is the vice chair of Chinas Renewable Energy Society and the deputy director general of
the Energy Research Institute (ERI) of the National Development and Reform Commission in Beijing.
He also serves as the chair of ERIs Academic Committee, and as a coordinator of the Renewable
Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership in East Asia. During Chinas 10th Five-Year Plan
(2001-05), Mr. Li facilitated implementation of a national technology development program for wind
and solar and chaired the governments Sustainable Energy Task Force. Mr. Li was also the lead
author for Chinas 2005 Renewable Energy Law, and has worked on renewable energy project
development with the World Bank, Global Environment Facility, and the United Nations Development
Programme. Mr. Li received his bachelors degree in electronic engineering from Shandong
University of Science and Technology in 1982.
Mr. Peter Mak has been an independent director and audit committee chairman of our company
since December 18, 2006. Mr. Mak is the managing director of Venfund Investment, a boutique
investment banking firm specializing in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, corporate
restructuring and international financial advisory services for clients in China, which he
co-founded in late 2001. Prior to that, Mr. Mak spent 17 years at Arthur Andersen Worldwide. He
was a partner at Arthur Andersen Worldwide and the managing partner of Arthur Andersen Southern
China. Mr. Mak also serves as an independent director and audit committee chairman of China
GrenTech Corp. Ltd. and China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc., both listed in the United
States; Dragon Pharmaceutical Inc. and Network CN Inc., both OTC Bulletin Board-quoted companies;
Gemdale Industries Inc., listed in China; and Huabao International Holdings Ltd., China Dongxiang
(Group) Co., Ltd. and Pou Sheng International (Holdings) Limited, all listed in Hong Kong. Mr. Mak
is also a non-executive director of Bright World Precision Machinery Ltd., listed in Singapore, and
Vinda International Holdings Ltd., listed in Hong Kong. Mr. Mak is a fellow member of the
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public
Accountants. He received his accounting degree from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 1985.
79
Mr. Qian Zhao has been an independent director of our company since May 18, 2007. Mr. Zhao is
a founding partner of CXC China Sustainable Growth Fund, a private equity fund that makes
investments in China-based companies. He is also a managing director of CXC Captial, Inc. which
is the management company of CXC China Sustainable Growth Fund. Mr. Zhao co-founded Haiwen &
Partners, a preeminent China corporate finance law firm in Beijing, and was a senior partner of the
law firm. He worked in Sullivan & Cromwell LLPs New York office from 1996 to 2000, and Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates Beijing office from 2000 to 2003. He is admitted
to practice law in both China and New York. Mr. Zhao received his J.D. degree from New York
University School of Law in 1997 and his LL.B from University of International Business &
Economics, Beijing in 1990.
Executive Officers
Mr. Terry Wang has been our chief financial officer since June 2008. He served as our senior
vice president of finance from January 2008 to June 2008. Prior to joining us, Mr. Wang served as
the executive vice president of finance of Spreadtrum Communications, Inc., a fabless semiconductor
company listed on NASDAQ, from 2004 to 2007. Before that, Mr. Wang was on various senior financial
management positions in public and private companies in Silicon Valley, the United States from 1998
to 2004, including as a controller at Chippac, Inc. from 1998 to 2001. Mr. Wang received his MBA
degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1994 and received his masters
degree in economics and bachelors degree in business administration from Fudan University in 1985
and 1982, respectively. Mr. Wang is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified in
Financial Management (CFM).
Mr. Arturo Herrero has been our vice president of sales and marketing since August 2007 and
has been with our company since September 2006. From 2002 to 2006, Mr. Herrero was the global
procurement manager for BP Solar, first as a global procurement manager for solar power systems and
then as a global procurement manager for strategic raw materials. From 2000 to 2002, he was a
marketing and sales manager at BP Oil. Before that, he was the logistics director advisor of Amcor
Flexible, a company that is engaged in flexible packaging, from 1998 through 2000, and he was a
planning manager at Nabisco from 1996 to 1998. Mr. Herrero received his degree in economics and
business administration from the University of Pompeu Fabra in Spain in 1996, his degree in
electrical engineering from Polytechnics University of Catalonia in Spain in 1996 and his masters
degree in marketing in 2001 from Instituto Superior de Marketing in Spain.
Dr. Suping Chen has been our vice president of manufacturing of East Campus since October
2008. Prior to joining us, Dr. Chen was in a privately owned business, which provided management
consulting services in the manufacturing industry for more than two years. From September 2005 to
October 2006, Dr. Suping Chen worked as the operations director in Filtronic (Suzhou)
Telecommunications Products Co., Ltd. Prior to that, Dr. Suping Chen worked as business development
manager, senior product manager and operations director in Seagate Technology International (Wuxi)
Co., Ltd. for seven years. Dr. Chen received his Ph.D degree in Industrial Automation from Zhejiang
University in China
in 1994, his master and bachelor degrees in Measurement Technology and Instrumentation from
Zhejiang University in China in 1990 and 1987, respectively.
80
Dr. Qiang Huang has been our vice president of technology since October 2008. Dr. Huang
served as our director of manufacturing engineering from May 2007 to July 2008. Prior to joining
us, he served as senior manager of device integration of ST Microelectronics in Singapore from
September 2006 to April 2007. From July 2004 to September 2006, he served as the thin-film module
manager in X-Fab Sarawak (previously known as 1-Silicon) in Malaysia. From April 2001 to January
2004, he served as a senior engineer, and then the acting engineering manager in System-on-Silicon
Manufacturing Co. Ltd., a joint venture between Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
(TSMC) and Philips. Dr. Huang has more than eight years of commercial operations experience in
semiconductor engineering development and engineering problem solving. Dr. Huang received a Ph.D
degree in physics specializing in thin-film technology from National University of Singapore in
Singapore in 2001, a masters degree in electronics materials and devices from Huazhong University
of Science and Technology (HUST) in China in 1998 and a bachelors degree in physics from Xinyang
Normal University in China in 1994.
Ms. Chunyan Wu has served as our vice president of system integration since August 2007 and
has been in charge of our sales and marketing and business development since January 1998. Ms. Wu
had been a director of our company before she resigned in December 2006. Ms. Wu is one of our
original founders and has been with our company since it was founded. She has over five years of
experience in several aspects of our business, including the development of solar power stations in
Tibet and the development of our PV module business in the European markets. Ms. Wu also served
as manager for our procurement department and vice president of sales and marketing prior to
assuming her current role as our vice president of system integration. Ms. Wu is the wife of Mr.
Jifan Gao, our chairman and chief executive officer.
Mr. Chen Chung Yu has been our vice president of manufacturing since May 2007. Prior to
joining us, he was the managing director of Wuxi Lite-On Technology Ltd., an LED company in China,
from June 2006 to May 2007. From April 2005 to June 2006, he served as a director of manufacturing
at 1st Silicon Sdn. Bhd, a semiconductor wafer foundry company in Malaysia. From September 1991
to March 2005, he worked at Macronix International Ltd., a semiconductor integrated device
manufacturer in Taiwan as a department manager in the operation/business management center. Mr. Yu
received his masters degree in industrial engineering and management from National Chiao Tung
University in Taiwan in 2003 and his bachelors degree in chemical engineering from Tunghai
University in Taiwan in 1989.
Mr. Yu Zhu has been our vice president of business development since September 2008 and has
been our vice president of procurement since May 2006. From September 2005 to May 2006, he served
as the head of our U.S. representative office. Prior to joining us, Mr. Zhu was the founder and
the president of Country Road US Co. Ltd., a wireless internet communications company in Nanjing,
China, from 2002 to 2005. From 1998 to 2002, he worked at IBM as the global training leader and as
a software engineer. Mr. Zhu received his bachelors degree in engineering from the University of
Virginia in 1997.
81
Mr. Diming Qiu has been the head of our technology committee since January 2006 and has been
with our company since June 2002. Prior to joining us, Mr. Qiu was the principal engineer and the
deputy manager of Yunnan Semiconductor Device Factory, a
Chinese company that engages in the manufacturing of semiconductor and solar power products.
In the 1980s, he was involved in the construction of the first vertically-integrated solar power
product production line in China. In 2004, Mr. Qiu was in charge of research on the integration of
solar power components with construction elements, which was sponsored by the PRCs Ministry of
Science and Technology. Mr. Qiu received his bachelors degree in physics from Sichuan University
in 1965.
B. Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers
Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers
For the year ended December 31, 2008, the aggregate cash compensation that we paid to
directors and executive officers was $2.2 million. No executive officer is entitled to any
severance benefits upon termination of his or her employment with us. Our directors and executive
officers have also been paid pursuant to the share incentive plan in the form of restricted shares
and share options.
Share Incentive Plan
In July 2006, our board of directors adopted a share incentive plan to link the personal
interests of our board members, employees and consultants to those of our shareholders by providing
them with an incentive to generate superior returns for our shareholders, as well as to provide us
with the flexibility to motivate, attract and retain the services of these individuals upon whose
judgment, interest and special effort the successful conduct of our operations is dependent. Our
share incentive plan was amended by our board of directors in February 2007 to improve the number
of shares reserved for issuance under the share incentive plan from 52,631,579 shares to
102,718,350 shares. Such amendment was approved by our shareholders on June 27, 2007. In May
2008, the share incentive plan was further amended by our board of directors to improve the number
of shares reserved for issuance under the share incentive plan from 102,718,350 shares to
202,718,350 shares. Such amendment was approved by our shareholders on August 29, 2008.
The following paragraphs describe the principal terms of our share incentive plan.
Administration. Our share incentive plan is administered by our compensation committee or, in
its absence, by our board of directors. Our compensation committee will determine the provisions,
terms and conditions of our awards, including, but not limited to, vesting schedule, repurchase
provisions, forfeiture provisions, form of payment upon settlement of the award, payment
contingencies and satisfaction of any performance criteria. The compensation committee may
delegate to a committee of one or more members of our board of directors the authority to make
grants or amend prior awards to employees, consultants and directors.
Awards. The following briefly describe the principal features of the various awards that may
be granted under our share incentive plan.
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Options. Options provide for the right to purchase our ordinary shares at a
specified price, and usually will become exercisable at the discretion of our
compensation committee in one or more installments after the grant date. The option
exercise price may be paid in cash, by check, our ordinary shares which have been held
by the option holder for such time as may be required to avoid
adverse accounting treatment, other property with value equal to the exercise price,
through a broker assisted cash-less exercise or such other methods as our compensation
committee may approve from time to time. |
82
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Restricted Shares. A restricted share award is the grant of our ordinary shares at
a price determined by our compensation committee. A restricted share is
nontransferable, unless otherwise determined by our compensation committee at the time
of award and may be repurchased by us upon termination of employment or service during
a restricted period. Our compensation committee shall also determine in the award
agreement whether the participant will be entitled to vote the restricted shares or
receive dividends on such shares. |
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Restricted Share Units. Restricted share units represent the right to receive our
ordinary shares at a specified date in the future, subject to forfeiture of such right.
If the restricted share unit has not been forfeited, then on the date specified in the
award agreement we shall deliver to the holder unrestricted ordinary shares, which will
be freely transferable. |
Termination of Plan. Unless terminated earlier, our share incentive plan will expire in 2016.
Our board of directors has the authority to amend or terminate our share incentive plan subject to
shareholder approval to the extent necessary to comply with applicable law. However, no such
action may impair the rights of any recipient of the awards unless agreed by the recipient and the
share incentive plan administrator.
Restricted Shares
As of April 21, 2009, our directors, officers, employees and consultants hold an aggregate of
40,665,721 restricted shares in our company. The following paragraphs describe the principal terms
of our restricted shares.
Restricted Share Award Agreement. Restricted shares issued under our share incentive plan
will be evidenced by a restricted share award agreement that contains, among other things,
provisions concerning the purchase price for the shares, if any, vesting and repurchase by us upon
termination of employment or consulting arrangement, as determined by our compensation committee.
Vesting Schedule. Restricted shares granted under our share incentive plan vest over a
five-year period following a specified grant date, with the exception of restricted shares granted
to our independent directors, which vest over a three-year period. Subject to certain exceptions,
our restricted share vest on a yearly basis. For restricted shares granted prior to April 11,
2008, typically, twenty percent of the restricted shares shall vest at the first anniversary of
the grant date and the remaining eighty percent shall vest at the second, third, fourth and fifth
anniversary of the grant date. For restricted shares granted on or after April 11, 2008, 15%, 15%,
20%, 25% and 25% of the restricted shares shall vest at the first, second, third, fourth and fifth
anniversary of the grant date, respectively. These vesting schedules are subject to the grantee
continuing to be an employee on each vesting date. Restricted shares also fully vest upon
termination of service due to death or disability.
Transfer Restrictions. Until vested, the restricted shares are not transferable and may not
be sold, pledged or otherwise transferred.
83
Dividend and Voting Rights. The restricted shares will not be entitled to dividends paid on
the ordinary shares until such restricted shares are vested. A holder will not be entitled to vote
restricted shares until such restricted shares are vested.
Repurchase of Restricted Shares. Following the holders termination of service with us,
except if such termination is a result of death or disability, the restricted shares that are
unvested will be repurchased by us for an amount equal to the price paid, if anything, for such
shares. Such repurchase must be accomplished within 180 days after the termination of service.
Third-Party Acquisition. If a third party acquires us through the purchase of all or
substantially all of our assets, a merger or other business combination, all outstanding awards
will be assumed or equivalent awards substituted by the successor corporation or parent or
subsidiary of successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume
or substitute for awards, all awards will become fully vested and exercisable immediately so long
as the recipient remains an employee, consultant or director on the effective date of the
acquisition.
The following table summarizes, as of April 21, 2009, the outstanding restricted shares held
by our directors and executive officers and other individuals as a group pursuant to the share
incentive plan.
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted |
|
|
Price |
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of Vesting |
|
Directors and Executive Officers |
|
Shares Held |
|
|
($ per share) |
|
|
Date of Grant |
|
Period |
Jifan Gao |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
0.00001 |
|
|
April 11, 2008 |
|
April 11, 2013 |
Sean Hsiyuan Tzou |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
0.00001 |
|
|
August 15, 2007/ |
|
August 15, 2012/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 11, 2008 |
|
April 11, 2013 |
Jerome Corcoran |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
0.00001 |
|
|
January 1, 2007/ |
|
January 1, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 1, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
Junfeng Li |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
0.00001 |
|
|
November 9, 2007 |
|
November 9, 2010 |
Peter Mak |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
0.00001 |
|
|
January 1, 2007/ |
|
January 1, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 1, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
Liping Qiu |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
0.00001 |
|
|
July 24, 2006/ |
|
July 24, 2009/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 7, 2008 |
|
July 7, 2011 |
Qian Zhao |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
0.00001 |
|
|
October 1, 2007 |
|
May 18, 2010 |
Terry Wang |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
0.00001 |
|
|
January 28, 2008 |
|
January 28, 2013 |
Suping Chen |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
0.00001 |
|
|
November 1, 2008 |
|
November 1, 2013 |
Arturo Herrero |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
0.00001 |
|
|
July 24, 2006/ |
|
July 24, 2011/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 1, 2007/ |
|
October 1, 2012/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 11, 2008 |
|
April 11, 2013 |
Qiang Huang |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
0.00001 |
|
|
November 1, 2008 |
|
November 1, 2013 |
Chunyan Wu |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
0.00001 |
|
|
July 24, 2006/ |
|
July 24, 2011/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 11, 2008 |
|
April 11, 2013 |
Chen Chung Yu |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
0.00001 |
|
|
August 15, 2007/ |
|
August 15, 2012/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 11, 2008 |
|
April 11, 2013 |
Yu Zhu |
|
|
|
* |
|
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0.00001 |
|
|
July 24, 2006/ |
|
July 24, 2011/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 11, 2008 |
|
April 11, 2013 |
Diming Qiu |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
0.00001 |
|
|
July 24, 2006/ |
|
July 24, 2011/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 11, 2008 |
|
April 11, 2013 |
Directors and executive officers as a group |
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21,433,550 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
84
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted |
|
|
Price |
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of Vesting |
|
Directors and Executive Officers |
|
Shares Held |
|
|
($ per share) |
|
Date of Grant |
|
Period |
Other individuals as a group |
|
|
8,294,625/ |
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|
|
0.00001 |
|
|
July 24, 2006/ |
|
July 24, 2011/ |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1, 2007/ |
|
January 1, 2012/ |
|
|
|
800,000/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 15, 2007/ |
|
August 15, 2012/ |
|
|
|
800,000/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2007/ |
|
September 30, 2012/ |
|
|
|
2,480,000/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 1, 2007/ |
|
October 1, 2012/ |
|
|
|
1,920,000/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1, 2008/ |
|
January 1, 2013/ |
|
|
|
956,147/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 2, 2008/ |
|
March 2, 2013/ |
|
|
|
255,000/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 18, 2008/ |
|
March 18, 2013/ |
|
|
|
560,000/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 1, 2008/ |
|
April 1, 2013/ |
|
|
|
1,706,399/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 11, 2008/ |
|
April 11, 2013/ |
|
|
|
200,000/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 23, 2008/ |
|
May 23, 2013/ |
|
|
|
200,000/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 1, 2008/ |
|
September 1, 2013/ |
|
|
|
500,000/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 1, 2008/ |
|
December 1, 2013/ |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 1 ,2009 |
|
April 1 ,2014 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Upon vesting of all restricted shares, would beneficially own 1% or less of our ordinary
shares. |
Share Options
As of April 21, 2009, our directors, officers, employees and consultants hold an aggregate of
12,531,479 options in our Company. The following paragraphs describe the principal terms of our
options.
Option Agreement. Options granted under our share incentive plan are evidenced by an option
agreement that contains, among other things, provisions concerning exercisability and forfeiture
upon termination of employment arrangement, as determined by our board.
Vesting Schedule. Options granted under our share incentive plan generally vest over a
three-year period following a specified grant date. Our options vest on a yearly basis. One-third
of the options granted vest and become exercisable at the first, second and third anniversary of
the grant date, subject to the optionee continuing to be an employee on each vesting date.
Option Exercise. The term of options granted under our share incentive plan may not exceed
the third anniversary of each respective vesting date.
Termination of Options. Where the option agreement permits the exercise of the options that
were vested before the recipients termination of service with us, or the recipients disability or
death, the options will terminate to the extent not exercised or purchased on the last day of a
specified period or the last day of the original term of the options, whichever occurs first. If
the recipients termination of service with us is by reason of cause, the options will terminate
concurrently with the termination of service with us.
85
The following table summarizes, as of April 21, 2009, the outstanding options that we granted
to our directors and executive officers and to other individuals as a group under our share
incentive plan.
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|
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|
|
Ordinary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Shares |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Price |
|
|
|
|
|
Directors and Executive Officers |
|
Options |
|
|
($ per share) |
|
|
Date of Grant |
|
Final Expiration Date |
Jifan Gao |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
32.55 |
|
|
April 11, 2008 |
|
April 11, 2013 |
Sean Hsiyuan Tzou |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
32.55 |
|
|
April 11, 2008 |
|
April 11, 2013 |
Jerome Corcoran |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Junfeng Li |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter Mak |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liping Qiu |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Qian Zhao |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terry Wang |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
43.42 |
|
|
January 28, 2008 |
|
January 28, 2013 |
Suping Chen |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arturo Herrero |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
32.55 |
|
|
April 11, 2008 |
|
April 11, 2013 |
Qiang Huang |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chunyan Wu |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
32.55 |
|
|
April 11, 2008 |
|
April 11, 2013 |
Chen Chung Yu |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
32.55 |
|
|
April 11, 2008 |
|
April 11, 2013 |
Yu Zhu |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
32.55 |
|
|
April 11, 2008 |
|
April 11, 2013 |
Diming Qiu |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
32.55 |
|
|
April 11, 2008 |
|
April 11, 2013 |
Directors and executive
officers as a group |
|
|
7,930,806 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other individuals as a group |
|
|
565,251/ |
|
|
|
34.14/ |
|
|
March 2, 2008/ |
|
March 2, 2013/ |
|
|
|
4,035,422 |
|
|
|
32.55 |
|
|
April 11, 2008 |
|
April 11, 2013 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Upon exercise of all share options, would beneficially own 1% or less of our ordinary shares. |
C. Board Practices
Board of Directors
Our board of directors consists of seven directors. Our directors are elected by the holders
of our ordinary shares. At each annual general meeting, one-third of our directors are subject to
re-election. The directors to retire by rotation shall include (so far as necessary to ascertain
the number of directors to retire by rotation) any director who wishes to retire and does not offer
himself for re-election. Any other directors to retire will be those of the other directors who
are longest in office since their last re-election or appointment, or by lot should they be of the
same seniority. Our directors have the power to appoint a director to fill a vacancy on our board
or as an addition to the existing board. Any director so appointed shall hold office only until
the next following annual general meeting and shall then be eligible for re-election. In August
2008, Mr. Jianwei Shi retired from our board and Mr. Sean Hsiyuan Tzou was elected as a director
during the annual general meeting. Mr. Junfeng Li and Mr. Liping Qiu were re-elected as directors
by our shareholders during the annual general meeting. A director may be removed by ordinary
resolution passed by our shareholders before the expiration of such directors term. A director is
not required to hold any shares in our company by way of qualification. A director may vote with
respect to any contract, proposed contract or arrangement in which he is materially interested. A
director may exercise all the powers of the company to borrow money, mortgage its undertakings,
property and uncalled capital, and issue debentures or other securities whenever money is borrowed
or pledged as security for any obligation of our company or of any third party.
Committees of the Board of Directors
We have three committees under the board of directors: an audit committee, a compensation
committee and a corporate governance and nominating committee. We have adopted a charter for each
of the three committees.
86
Audit Committee
Our audit committee consists of Mr. Jerome Corcoran, Mr. Peter Mak and Mr. Qian Zhao. Mr.
Corcoran, Mr. Mak and Mr. Zhao satisfy the independence requirements of Section 303A of the
Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Both Mr. Jerome Corcoran and Mr. Peter Mak
qualify as audit committee financial expert as defined in Item 16A of Form 20-F. The audit
committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of the financial
statements of our company. The audit committee is responsible for, among other things:
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|
selecting the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing
services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors; |
|
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|
|
reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and
managements response; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions, as defined in Item 404
of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act; |
|
|
|
|
discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent
auditors; |
|
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|
|
reviewing major issues as to the adequacy of our internal controls and any special audit
steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies; and |
|
|
|
|
meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent auditors. |
In 2008, our audit committee held meetings or passed resolutions by unanimous written consent
eight times.
Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee consists of Mr. Jerome Corcoran, Mr. Junfeng Li and Mr. Qian Zhao.
Mr. Corcoran, Mr. Li and Mr. Zhao satisfy the independence requirements of Section 303A of the
Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The compensation committee assists the
board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation,
relating to our directors and executive officers. Our chief executive officer may not be present
at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee
is responsible for, among other things:
|
|
|
reviewing and recommending to the board the compensation of our directors; and |
|
|
|
|
reviewing periodically and approving any long-term incentive compensation or equity
plans, programs or similar arrangements, annual bonuses, employee pension and welfare
benefit plans. |
In 2008, our compensation committee held meetings or passed resolutions by unanimous written
consent three times.
87
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Our corporate governance and nominating committee consists of Mr. Jerome Corcoran, Mr. Junfeng
Li and Mr. Peter Mak. Mr. Corcoran, Mr. Li and Mr. Mak satisfy the
independence requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York
Stock Exchange. The corporate governance and nominating committee assists the board of directors
in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of
the board and its committees. The corporate governance and nominating committee is responsible
for, among other things:
|
|
|
identifying and recommending qualified candidates to the board for selection of
directors nominees for election or re-election to the board of directors, or for
appointment to fill any vacancy; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing annually with the board of directors the current composition of the board of
directors with regards to characteristics such as independence, age, skills, experience and
availability of service to us; |
|
|
|
|
advising the board of directors periodically with regard to significant developments in
the law and practice of corporate governance as well as our compliance with applicable laws
and regulations, and making recommendations to the board of directors on all matters of
corporate governance and on any remedial actions to be taken; and |
|
|
|
|
monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing
the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance. |
In 2008, our corporate governance and nominating committee held meetings or passed resolutions
by unanimous written consent twice.
Duties of Directors
Under Cayman Islands law, our directors have a statutory duty of loyalty to act honestly in
good faith with a view to our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the skill
they actually possess with the care and diligence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise
in comparable circumstances. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure
compliance with our memorandum and articles of association. A shareholder has the right to seek
damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached.
Employment Agreements
We have entered into employment agreements with each of our executive officers. Under these
agreements, each of our executive officers is employed for a specified time period. We may
terminate the employment for cause, at any time, without notice or remuneration, for certain acts
of the employee, including but not limited to a conviction or plea of guilty to a felony,
negligence or dishonesty to our detriment and failure to perform the agreed-to duties after a
reasonable opportunity to cure the failure. An executive officer may terminate his employment at
any time without notice or penalty if there is a material reduction in his authority, duties and
responsibilities or if there is a material reduction in his annual salary before the next annual
salary review. Furthermore, either party may terminate the employment at any time without cause
upon advance written notice to the other party. If we terminate the executive officers employment
without cause, the executive officer will be entitled to a severance payment equal to a certain
specified number of months of his or her then base salary, depending on the length of his or her
employment with us.
88
Each executive officer has agreed to hold, both during and after the employment agreement
expires or is earlier terminated, in strict confidence and not to use, except as required in the
performance of his duties in connection with the employment, any confidential information,
technical data, trade secrets and know-how of our company or the confidential information of any
third party, including our affiliated entities and our subsidiaries, received by us. The executive
officers have also agreed to disclose in confidence to us all inventions, designs and trade secrets
which they conceive, develop or reduce to practice and to assign all right, title and interest in
them to us.
D. Employees
We had 1,366, 3,487 and 4,604 employees as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
As of December 31, 2008, we had 4,604 full-time employees, including 4,254 in manufacturing, 37 in
research and development, 42 in sales and marketing and 271 in administration.
From time to time, we also employ part-time employees and independent contractors to support
our research and development, manufacturing and sales and marketing activities. We plan to hire
additional employees as we expand.
E. Share Ownership
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our
shares as of April 21, 2009 by:
|
|
|
each of our directors and executive officers; and |
|
|
|
|
each person known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of our shares. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beneficially Owned(1)(2) |
|
|
% |
|
Directors and Executive Officers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jifan Gao(3) |
|
|
247,616,008 |
|
|
|
8.37 |
|
Sean Hsiyuan Tzou |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
Liping Qiu(4) |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
Jerome Corcoran |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
Junfeng Li |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
Peter Mak |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
Qian Zhao |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
Terry Wang |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
Suping Chen |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
Arturo Herrero |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
Qiang Huang |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
Chunyan Wu(5) |
|
|
247,616,008 |
|
|
|
8.37 |
|
Cheng Chung Yu |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
Yu Zhu |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
Diming Qiu(6) |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group(7) |
|
|
255,593,464 |
|
|
|
8.64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Shareholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wonder World Limited(8) |
|
|
242,587,083 |
|
|
|
8.20 |
|
89
|
|
|
* |
|
The person beneficially owns less than 1% of our outstanding ordinary shares. |
|
(1) |
|
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Exchange Act and includes voting or investment power with respect to the
securities. |
|
(2) |
|
The percentage of beneficial ownership is calculated by dividing the number of shares
beneficially owned by such person or group by 2,958,398,059 ordinary shares, being the number
of shares outstanding as of April 21, 2009. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes 143,250 ordinary shares converted from restricted shares, 242,587,083 ordinary
shares held by Wonder World Limited, a Cayman Islands company wholly owned by The Gao Trust,
of which Mr. Gao is the settler and the sole member of the management committee, 1,795,675
ordinary shares held by Ms. Chunyan Wu, and 30,900 American depositary shares, representing
3,090,000 ordinary shares, held by Jewel Springs Limited, a Cayman Islands company wholly
owned by The Grace Wu Trust, of which Ms. Chunyan Wu is the settler and the sole member of the
management committee. Mr. Gaos business address is No. 2 Tian He Road, Electronics Park, New
District, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213031, Peoples Republic of China. |
|
(4) |
|
Represents ordinary shares held by Milestone Solar Holdings I Limited, a British Virgin
Islands company. Milestone Solar Holdings I Limited is controlled by Milestone Capital
Management Limited, a Cayman Islands company. Mr. Qiu, a member and director of Milestone
Capital Management Limited, shares the voting and investment power over the shares held by
Milestone Capital Management Limited with Ms. Yunli Lou, Mr. Hamilton Ty Tang and Mr. Simon
Murray. Mr. Qius business address is Unit A904-905, Huixin Plaza, No. 8 Beichen Road,
Beijing 100101, Peoples Republic of China. Mr. Qiu disclaims beneficial ownership except to
the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes 1,795,675 ordinary shares converted from restricted shares, 30,900 American
depositary shares, representing 3,090,000 ordinary shares, held by Jewel Springs Limited, a
Cayman Islands company wholly owned by The Grace Wu Trust, of which Ms. Chunyan Wu is the
settler and the sole member of the management committee, 143,250 ordinary shares held by Mr.
Gao, and 242,587,083 ordinary shares held by Wonder World Limited, a Cayman Islands company
wholly owned by The Gao Trust, of which Mr. Gao is the settler and the sole member of the
management committee. Ms. Wus business address is No. 2 Tian He Road, Electronics Park, New
District, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213031, Peoples Republic of China. |
|
(6) |
|
Represents ordinary shares held by Mr. Diming Qiu. Mr. Qiu holds 17.2% of the shares of
Perseverance International Investment Limited. Mr. Qiu disclaims beneficial ownership except
to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Mr. Qius business address is No. 2, Tian He
Road, Electronics Park, New District, Changzhou Jiangsu 213031, Peoples Republic of China. |
|
(7) |
|
The business address of directors and officers is No. 2, Tian He Road, Electronics Park, New
District, Changzhou Jiangsu 213031, Peoples Republic of China. |
|
(8) |
|
Wonder World Limited is a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and wholly owned by The
Gao Trust. The management committee of The Gao Trust consists of the settlor, Mr. Jifan Gao.
The trustee of The Gao Trust is Merrill Lynch Bank and Trust Company (Cayman) Limited. Mr.
Gaos business address is No. 2 Tian He Road, Electronics Park, New District, Changzhou,
Jiangsu 213031, Peoples Republic of China. |
As of April 21, 2009, 2,958,398,059 of our ordinary shares were issued and outstanding. Based
on a review of the register of members maintained by our Cayman Islands registrar, we believe that
2,542,955,500 ordinary shares, or approximately 86.0% of our issued and outstanding shares, were
held by the record shareholders in the United States, represented by 25,429,555 ADSs held of record
by The Bank of New York Mellon, the depositary of our ADS program.
None of our shareholders has different voting rights from other shareholders as of the date of
this annual report. We are currently not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date,
result in a change of control of our company.
90
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
A. Major Shareholders
Please refer to Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees¾E. Share
Ownership.
B. Related Party Transactions
Restructuring
In connection with the establishment of Trina in March 2006, Trina issued 10,000 ordinary
shares at par value $1.00 per share to the following entities, which are the nominees of
shareholders of Trina China, based on such shareholders proportionate ownership in Trina China:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
Entity |
|
Relationship |
|
Allocated |
|
|
|
|
|
Topower International Limited
|
|
controlled by Mr. Jifan Gao, our chairman
|
|
3,248 ordinary shares |
|
|
|
|
|
South Great Investment Limited
|
|
controlled by Mr. Jianwei Shi, one of
our directors
|
|
1,896 ordinary shares |
|
|
|
|
|
Divine Land International
Investment Limited
|
|
controlled by Mr. Canfang Liu, one of
our former directors
|
|
1,896 ordinary shares |
|
|
|
|
|
Sino Base Investment Co. Ltd.
|
|
controlled by Mr. Lai Shing Yip, one of
our directors
|
|
1,896 ordinary shares |
|
|
|
|
|
Perseverance International
Investment Limited
|
|
controlled by Ms. Chunyan Wu, one of
our executive officers and the wife of
Mr. Jifan Gao, our chairman
|
|
1,064 ordinary shares |
In April 2006, these 10,000 ordinary shares with par value of $1.00 each were sub-divided into
1 billion ordinary shares with par value of $0.00001 each. In May 2006, Trina issued 545.8 million
Series A preferred shares with par value of $0.00001 each for cash proceeds of approximately $40.0
million. Trina then used $5.1 million out of the proceeds to purchase all of the outstanding
equity interests in Trina China from the shareholders of Trina China as follows;
|
|
|
|
|
Entity |
|
Relationship |
|
Consideration Paid |
|
|
|
|
|
Changzhou Tianhe Investment Co., Ltd.
|
|
controlled by Mr.
Jifan Gao, our
chairman, and Mr.
Jiqing Gao, the
brother of our
chairman
|
|
$2.365 million |
|
|
|
|
|
Changzhou Wujin Nanfang Bearing
Co., Ltd
|
|
controlled by Mr.
Jianwei Shi, one of
our directors
|
|
$2.76 million |
|
|
|
|
|
Wai Tat (Hong Kong) Limited
|
|
controlled by Mr.
Canfang Liu, one of
our former
directors
|
|
$1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Sino Super Investment Limited
|
|
controlled by Mr.
Lai Shing Yip, one
of our directors
|
|
$1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Sun Era Industries Limited
|
|
controlled by Ms.
Chunyan Wu, one of
our executive
officers and the
wife of Mr. Jifan
Gao, our chairman
|
|
$1.0 |
In accordance with established regulatory practice in China, the PRC shareholders, Changzhou
Tianhe Investment Co., Ltd. and Changzhou Wujin Nanfang Bearing Co., Ltd., were paid not less than
their investment cost in Trina China. Such amount was then contributed back to Trina China by
these PRC shareholders as cash advances to finance Trina
Chinas operations. We repaid RMB40.7 million ($5.6 million) to the former PRC shareholders
in October 2006. In October and November 2006, these shareholders remitted to us as a gift an
aggregate of $4.9 million. As a result, Trina will effectively have paid nominal consideration to
all transferors, including both former foreign and PRC shareholders for all equity interests in
Trina China.
91
The foreign shareholders of Trina China have provided us with an indemnity against any
withholding obligations and liabilities due to or imposed by the PRC tax authorities that may arise
out of the restructuring.
Please see Item 3. Key InformationD. Risk FactorsRisks Related to Our Company and Our
IndustryTrina or Trina China may be required by the PRC tax authorities to withhold capital gains
tax arising out of our restructuring in May 2006 for more details.
The effect of these transactions was that, post-restructuring and prior to our initial public
offering, Trina Chinas former shareholders held a proportionate share of Trinas ordinary shares
based on their prior proportionate equity interests in Trina China excluding Trinas Series A
preferred shareholdings. Trina China became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Trina.
Issuance and Sale of Series A Preferred Shares
In May 2006, we sold a total of 545,808,968 Series A preferred shares in a private placement
at a price of $0.0732857 per share for an aggregate of approximately $40 million. We used the
proceeds from the Series A private placement primarily to fund capital investment for the expansion
of our facilities in Changzhou.
Each of the Series A preferred shares was converted into one ordinary share upon completion of
our initial public offering. Holders of ordinary shares issued upon conversion of our Series A
preferred shares are entitled to certain registration rights, including demand registration,
piggyback registration and Form F-3 or Form S-3 registration.
Transactions with Certain Directors, Shareholders and Affiliates
Director
and Shareholder Cash Advances
As of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, amounts due from related parties were nil, $613,925
and nil, respectively. The amounts due from related parties in 2007 include prepayments to
Changzhou Youze S&T Co., Ltd., a company controlled by
Mr. Weizhong Wu, the brother of Ms. Chunyan Wu, for purchase of wafers.
Loans
and Guarantees
In June and July 2005, we entered into two long-term loans with Bank of Communications. These
loans were guaranteed by Changzhou Fulai Property Development Co., Ltd., a related party controlled
by Mr. Canfang Liu and Mr. Lai Shing Yip, two of our major beneficial shareholders. We fully
repaid these long-term loans in August 2007.
92
We had in the past entered into short-term loans with domestic banks, some of which were
guaranteed by related parties, but all of which have been fully repaid. The guarantee arrangements
were as follows:
|
|
|
In February, March and April 2006, Changzhou Fulai Property Development Co., Ltd.
provided guarantees for our short-term borrowings with an aggregate amount of RMB110.0
million ($16.1 million), which were fully repaid. |
|
|
|
|
In September and November 2006, Changzhou Jiuzhou Fuyuan Property Development Co.,
Ltd. and Changzhou Jiuzhou Plaza Property Development Co., Ltd., which are controlled
by Mr. Canfang Liu, one of our beneficial shareholders, provided guarantees for our
short-term facilities of RMB80.0 million ($11.7 million) and RMB60.0 million ($8.8
million), respectively. We have agreed to pay a guarantee fee of 2.0% of the loan
facility amount per annum to Jiangsu Jiuzhou Investment Group Co., Ltd. based on the
guarantee arrangement. These facilities have been fully repaid. |
|
|
|
|
In February 2006, Changzhou Fulai Property Development Co., Ltd. entered into an
agreement with Bank of Agriculture and us to guarantee up to RMB64.0 million ($9.4
million) for our short-term borrowings that expired in February 2008. |
|
|
|
|
In May 2007, Jiangsu Jiuzhou Investment Group Co., Ltd. entered into an agreement
with Agriculture Bank of China and us to guarantee up to RMB70 million ($10.3 million),
$5.0 million and EUR4.0 million ($5.6 million) for our short-term borrowings, which
expired in August 2007. |
Some of our short-term loans are guaranteed by unrelated parties. A guarantee by an unrelated
party is in turn guaranteed by related parties in an arrangement called counter-guarantee. In May
2006, Changzhou Hengtai Investment Guarantee Co., Ltd. provided a guarantee for our short-term
borrowings of RMB30.0 million ($4.4 million). In June 2006, Changzhou Hengtai Investment Guarantee
Co., Ltd. provided guarantees for our short-term borrowings of RMB50.0 million ($7.3 million) and
$10.0 million ($1.5 million), which were fully repaid. In October 2006, Changzhou Hengtai
Investment Guarantee Co., Ltd. provided a guarantee for our short-term borrowings of RMB50.0
million ($7.3 million). The counter-guarantee arrangement terminated in March 2007. In January
2008, Changzhou Hengtai Investment Guarantee Co., Ltd. provided a guarantee up to RMB90.0 million
($13.2 million) for our borrowings under a revolving credit facility agreement with Bank of China,
which expired on August 15, 2008. Mr. Jifan Gao and Ms. Chunyan Wu jointly provided a
counter-guarantee against the guarantee.
In 2007, Jiangsu Jiuzhou Investment Group Co., Ltd., a company controlled by Mr. Canfang Liu
provided a guarantee for certain bank loans and a letter of credit of Trina China. A guarantee fee
was charged at a rate of 2% per annum. We recorded a total amount of $530,063 of guarantee
expenses related to this guarantee service in the year ended December 31, 2007. All expenses were
paid prior to December 31, 2007.
In 2006, we also obtained short-term financings from Changzhou Fulai Property Development Co.,
Ltd. and Jiangsu Jiuzhou Investment Group Co., Ltd., a company controlled by Mr. Canfang Liu. The
amounts of such short-term financings were RMB8.0 million ($1.2 million), RMB18.0 million ($2.6
million) and RMB20.0 million ($2.9 million), and the terms ranged from four days to 34 days.
Interest was charged at 7.2% per annum. We recorded a total amount of RMB162,680 ($23,845) in
interest expense in the year ended December 31, 2006. These financings were fully repaid prior to
December 31, 2006.
93
Currently, Mr. Canfang Liu and Mr. Lai Shing Yip are not our related parties. As of the date
of this annual report, no loans were guaranteed or counter-guaranteed by our related parties.
Purchase Contract
In 2007 and 2008, Trina China entered into wafer purchase contracts for a total price of
RMB905,520 and RMB79.4 million ($11.6 million), respectively, with Changzhou Youze S&T Co., Ltd. The purchase price was
determined based on the current market price, and the transaction was approved by our audit
committee.
Sun Era
In the past, we procured raw materials and made toll manufacturing purchases from certain
suppliers through Sun Era Industries Limited, or Sun Era, whose sole shareholder is Ms. Chunyan
Wu, the wife of our chairman. Sun Era was established as a British Virgin Islands company in
October 2002 by our chairman Mr. Jifan Gao, and his wife, Ms. Wu, as an offshore special purpose
vehicle. It was subsequently used solely for facilitating our sale and purchase arrangements with
our overseas silicon suppliers at the suggestion of our overseas silicon suppliers. It is
customary for PRC-based manufacturing companies to establish such offshore special purpose vehicles
to conduct trading activities, such as finding overseas suppliers and buyers and sourcing and
shipping products.
Sun Era did not engage in any business until 2005. In 2005, Trina China sold $0.8 million of
silicon ingots and wafers to Sun Era for Sun Era to arrange for further processing under toll
manufacturing arrangements with third party suppliers. In 2005 and 2006, Trina China purchased
$0.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of silicon raw materials through Sun Era and purchased
$0.4 million and nil, respectively, of solar cells pursuant to toll manufacturing arrangements
through Sun Era. These sales and purchases were effected through customary agreements or purchase
orders between Trina China and Sun Era. Sun Era has not made any profit from doing business with
us. In 2005 and 2006, Sun Era had net losses of $144,518 and $110,584, respectively. In March
2007, Sun Era Industries ceased operations, and in June 2007 it was officially wound-up.
Disposal of Assets Used in Discontinued Operation
Prior to June 30, 2006, we were engaged in the aluminum siding business, which included the
production, marketing and sale of aluminum exterior wall products used for cladding the exteriors
of buildings and houses. On June 28, 2006, our board of directors resolved to discontinue our
aluminum siding business and committed to a plan to settle the related liabilities and realize the
related assets through the sale of scrap. Our aluminum siding operations ceased on June 30, 2006,
and all of the employees from our aluminum siding business were transferred to our PV module
business. In December 2006, we sold the manufacturing equipment and buildings, including the
underlying land use rights of 7,633 square meters, previously used in our aluminum siding business,
for a total price of RMB5.8 million ($850,128) to Mr. Weifeng Wu and Mr. Weizhong Wu,
brothers-in-law of Mr. Jifan Gao, our chairman and chief executive officer.
94
Employment Agreements
See Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and EmployeesManagementEmployment Agreements.
Share Incentive Plan
See Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and EmployeesManagementShare Incentive Plan.
Related Party Transaction Policy
After the completion of our initial public offering on December 22, 2006, we adopted an audit
committee charter and a related party transaction policy, which require that the audit committee
review all related party transactions on an ongoing basis and all such transactions be approved by
the committee.
C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
Item 8. Financial Information
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
We have appended consolidated financial statements filed as part of this annual report.
Legal and Administrative Proceedings
We are currently not a party to any material legal or administrative proceedings, and we are
not aware of threatened material legal or administrative proceedings against us. We may from time
to time become a party to various legal or administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary
course of our business.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any dividends, nor do we have any present plan to pay any cash
dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain most, if
not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.
Our board of directors has complete discretion whether to distribute dividends. Even if our
board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount of our dividends will
depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, financial
condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that our board of directors may deem
relevant. If we pay any dividends, we will pay our ADS holders to the same extent as holders of
our ordinary shares, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses
payable thereunder. Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. dollars.
95
B. Significant Changes
Except as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we have not experienced any significant
changes since the date of our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual
report.
Item 9. The Offer and Listing
A. Offering and Listing Details.
Our ADSs, each representing 100 ordinary shares, have been listed on the New York Stock
Exchange since December 19, 2006 under the symbol TSL.
For the year ended December 31, 2008, the trading price ranged from $5.61 to $56.50 per ADS.
The following table provides the high and low trading prices for our ADSs on the NYSE for (1)
year 2006 (from December 19, 2006), year 2007 and year 2008, (2) each of the four quarters of 2007
and 2008 and the first quarter of 2009 and (3) each of the past six months of our ADSs trading
history.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales Price |
|
|
|
High |
|
|
Low |
|
Annual High and Low |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 (from December 19, 2006) |
|
$ |
26.75 |
|
|
$ |
18.82 |
|
2007 |
|
|
73.06 |
|
|
|
17.06 |
|
2008 |
|
|
56.50 |
|
|
|
5.61 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarterly High and Low |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter 2007 |
|
|
50.94 |
|
|
|
17.06 |
|
Second Quarter 2007 |
|
|
68.90 |
|
|
|
38.76 |
|
Third Quarter 2007 |
|
|
73.06 |
|
|
|
38.80 |
|
Fourth Quarter 2007 |
|
|
68.26 |
|
|
|
32.55 |
|
First Quarter 2008 |
|
|
56.50 |
|
|
|
25.88 |
|
Second Quarter 2008 |
|
|
53.50 |
|
|
|
29.60 |
|
Third Quarter 2008 |
|
|
34.92 |
|
|
|
22.05 |
|
Fourth Quarter 2008 |
|
|
24.73 |
|
|
|
5.61 |
|
First Quarter 2009 |
|
|
13.80 |
|
|
|
5.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monthly High and Low |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 2008 |
|
|
24.73 |
|
|
|
9.07 |
|
November 2008 |
|
|
15.24 |
|
|
|
5.61 |
|
December 2008 |
|
|
10.39 |
|
|
|
6.75 |
|
January 2009 |
|
|
10.65 |
|
|
|
7.11 |
|
February 2009 |
|
|
9.13 |
|
|
|
6.30 |
|
March 2009 |
|
|
13.80 |
|
|
|
5.75 |
|
April 2009 (through April 29, 2009) |
|
|
14.38 |
|
|
|
10.18 |
|
96
B. Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
C. Markets
Our ADSs, each representing 100 ordinary shares, have been listed on the New York Stock
Exchange since December 19, 2006 under the symbol TSL.
D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
E. Dilution
Not applicable.
F. Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
Item 10. Additional Information
A. Share Capital
Not applicable.
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
The following are summaries of material provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and
articles of association, as well as the Companies Law, Cap. 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and
revised) of the Cayman Islands, which is referred to as the Companies Law below, insofar as they
relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.
Registered Office and Objects
The Registered Office of our company is at the offices of Codan Trust Company (Cayman)
Limited, Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, P.O. Box 2681, Grand Cayman, KY1-1111, Cayman Islands.
97
According to Article 3 of our memorandum of association, the objects for which our company is
established are unrestricted and shall include, but without limitation: (a) to act and to perform
all the functions of a holding company in all its branches and to co-ordinate the policy and
administration of any subsidiary company or companies wherever incorporated or carrying on business
or of any group of companies of which our company or any subsidiary company is a member or which
are in any manner controlled directly or indirectly by our company; (b) to act as an investment
company and for that purpose to acquire and hold upon any terms and, either in the name of our
company or that of any
nominee, shares, stock, debentures, debenture stock, annuities, notes, mortgages, bonds,
obligations and securities, foreign exchange, foreign currency deposits and commodities, issued or
guaranteed by any company wherever incorporated or carrying on business, or by any government,
sovereign, ruler, commissioners, public body or authority, supreme, municipal, local or otherwise,
by original subscription, tender, purchase, exchange, underwriting, participation in syndicates or
in any other manner and whether or not fully paid up, and to make payments thereon as called up or
in advance of calls or otherwise and to subscribe for the same, whether conditionally or
absolutely, and to hold the same with a view to investment, but with the power to vary any
investments, and to exercise and enforce all rights and powers conferred by or incident to the
ownership thereof, and to invest and deal with the moneys of our company not immediately required
upon such securities and in such manner as may be from time to time determined.
Board of Directors
See Item 6.C. Board PracticesBoard of Directors.
Ordinary Shares
General. All of our outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable.
Certificates representing the ordinary shares are issued in registered form. Our shareholders who
are nonresidents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their shares.
Dividends. The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be
declared by our shareholders or board of directors subject to the Companies Law.
Voting Rights. Each ordinary share is entitled to one vote on all matters upon which the
ordinary shares are entitled to vote. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by a show of hands
unless a poll is demanded as described in our articles of association. A poll may be demanded by
(i) the chairman of the meeting, (ii) at least three shareholders present in person or, in the case
of a shareholder being a corporation, by its duly authorized representative or by proxy for the
time being entitled to vote at the meeting, (iii) any shareholder or shareholders present in person
or, in the case of a shareholder being a corporation, by its duly authorized representative or by
proxy and representing not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights of all the shareholders
having the right to vote at the meeting, or (iv) a shareholder or shareholders present in person
or, in the case of a shareholder being a corporation, by its duly authorized representative or by
proxy and holding not less than one-tenth of the issued share capital of our voting shares.
A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of at least two shareholders entitled
to vote representing not less than one-third of our total outstanding shares present in person or
by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative.
Shareholders meetings are held annually and may be convened by our board of directors on its own
initiative. In general, advance notice of at least ten clear days is required for the convening of
our annual general meeting and other shareholders meetings.
An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a
simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast in a general meeting, while a
special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast
attaching to the ordinary shares. A special resolution is required for important matters such as a
change of name or an amendment to our memorandum or articles of association.
Holders of the ordinary shares may effect certain changes by ordinary resolution, including
alter the amount of our authorized share capital, consolidate and divide all or any of our share
capital into shares of larger amount than our existing share capital, and cancel any unissued
shares.
98
Transfer of Shares. Subject to the restrictions of our articles of association, as more fully
described below, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by
an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or by any other form approved by our board.
Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of
any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our directors may also
decline to register any transfer of any ordinary shares unless (a) the instrument of transfer is
lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the ordinary shares to which it relates and such
other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor
to make the transfer; (b) the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of ordinary
shares; (c) the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required; (d) in the case of a
transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the ordinary share is to be
transferred does not exceed four; or (e) a fee of such maximum sum as the New York Stock Exchange
may determine to be payable, or such lesser sum as our board of directors may from time to time
require, is paid to us in respect thereof. There is presently no legal requirement under Cayman
Islands law for instruments of transfer for our ordinary shares to be stamped. In addition, our
board of directors has no present intention to charge any fee in connection with the registration
of a transfer of ordinary shares.
If our directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within two months after the date on
which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee
notice of such refusal. The registration of transfers may, on prior notice being given by
advertisement in one or more newspapers or by electronic means, be suspended and the register
closed at such times and for such periods as our board of directors may from time to time
determine; provided, however, that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor the
register closed for more than 30 days in any year.
Liquidation. On a return of capital on winding-up or otherwise (other than on conversion,
redemption or purchase of shares), assets available for distribution among the holders of ordinary
shares shall be distributed among the holders of the ordinary shares on a pro rata basis. If our
assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets
will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders proportionately.
Calls on Shares and Forfeiture of Shares. Our articles of association permit us to issue our
shares, including ordinary shares, nil paid and partially paid. This permits us to issue shares
where the payment for such shares has yet to be received. Although our articles give us the
flexibility to issue nil paid and partly paid shares, our board has no present intention to do so.
Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on
their shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 clear days prior to the specified
time and place of payment. The shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid on the
specified time are subject to forfeiture.
Redemption of Shares. Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, the rules of the
designated stock exchange, our memorandum and articles of association and to any special rights
conferred on the holders of any shares or class of shares, we may issue shares on terms that they
are subject to redemption at our option or at the option of the holders, on
such terms and in such manner as may be determined by our board of directors. Our currently
outstanding ordinary shares and those to be issued in this offering will not be subject to
redemption at the option of the holders or our board of directors.
99
Variations of Rights of Shares. All or any of the special rights attached to any class of
shares may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, be varied with the sanction of a
special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
Inspection of Register of Members. Pursuant to our articles of association, our register of
members and branch register of members shall be open for inspection by shareholders for such times
and on such days as our board of directors shall determine, without charge, or by any other person
upon a maximum payment of CI$2.50 or such other sum specified by the board, at the registered
office or such other place at which the register is kept in accordance with the Companies Law or,
upon a maximum payment of CI$1.00 or such other sum specified by the board, at our registered
office, unless the register is closed in accordance with our articles of association.
Designations and Classes of Shares. All of our issued shares upon the closing of this
offering will be ordinary shares. Our articles provide that our authorized unissued shares shall
be at the disposal of our board of directors, which may offer, allot, grant options over or
otherwise dispose of them to such persons, at such times and for such consideration and upon such
terms and conditions as our board may in its absolute discretion determine. In particular, our
board of directors is empowered to authorize from time to time the issuance of one or more classes
or series of preferred shares and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional and other rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations and
restrictions thereof, if any, including, without limitation, the number of shares constituting each
such class or series, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges, voting powers,
full or limited or no voting powers, and liquidation preferences, and to increase or decrease the
size of any such class or series.
C. Material Contracts
We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business
and other than those described in Item 4. Information on the Company or elsewhere in this annual
report.
D. Exchange Controls
See Item 4B. Business OverviewRegulationForeign Currency Exchange and Dividend
Distribution.
E. Taxation
Cayman Islands Taxation
The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon
profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or
estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the Government of the
Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or
brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any
double tax treaties. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the
Cayman Islands.
100
Peoples Republic of China Taxation
Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law and its Implementation Regulations, or the new EIT
law, which became effective January 1, 2008, dividends, interests, rents, and royalties payable by
a foreign-invested enterprise in the PRC to its foreign investor who is a non-resident enterprise,
as well as gains on transfers of shares of a foreign-invested enterprise in the PRC by such a
foreign investor, will be subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless such non-resident enterprises
jurisdiction of incorporation has a tax treaty with the PRC that provides for a reduced rate of
withholding tax. The Cayman Islands, where Trina is incorporated, does not have such a tax treaty
with the PRC. Therefore, if Trina is considered a non-resident enterprise for purposes of the new
EIT law, a 10% withholding tax will be imposed on dividends paid to Trina by its PRC subsidiaries.
In such a case, there will be no PRC withholding tax on dividends paid by Trina to investors that
are not PRC legal or natural persons or on any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or shares by
such investors. However, PRC income tax will apply to dividends paid by Trina to investors that
are PRC legal or natural persons and to any gain realized by such investors on the transfer of ADSs
or shares.
Under the new EIT law, an enterprise established outside the PRC with its de facto management
body within the PRC is considered a resident enterprise and will be subject to the enterprise
income tax at the rate of 25% on its worldwide income. The de facto management body is defined
as the organizational body that effectively exercises overall management and control over
production and business operations, personnel, finance and accounting, and properties of the
enterprise. It remains unclear how the PRC tax authorities will interpret such a broad definition.
Substantially all of Trinas management members are based in the PRC. If the PRC tax authorities
subsequently determine that Trina should be classified as a resident enterprise, then Trinas
worldwide income will be subject to income tax at a uniform rate of 25%. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provision, the new EIT law also provides that, if a resident enterprise directly invests
in another resident enterprise, the dividends received by the investing resident enterprise from
the invested enterprise are exempted from income tax, subject to certain conditions. Therefore, if
Trina is classified as a resident enterprise, the dividends received from its PRC subsidiary may be
exempted from income tax. However, it remains unclear how the PRC tax authorities will interpret
the PRC tax resident treatment of an offshore company like Trina, having ownership interest in a
PRC enterprise.
Moreover, under the new EIT law, a withholding tax at the rate of 10% is applicable to
dividends payable to investors that are non-resident enterprises, which do not have an
establishment or place of business in the PRC, or which have such establishment or place of
business but the relevant income is not effectively connected with the establishment or place of
business, to the extent such interest or dividends have their sources within the PRC unless such
non-resident enterprises can claim treaty protection. As such, these non-resident enterprises
would enjoy a reduced withholding tax from treaty. Similarly, any gain realized on the transfer of
ADSs or shares by such investors is also subject to a 10% withholding tax if such gain is regarded
as income derived from sources within the PRC. If Trina is considered a PRC resident enterprise,
it is unclear whether the dividends Trina pays with respect to Trinas ordinary shares or ADSs, or
the gain you may realize from the transfer of Trinas ordinary shares or ADSs, would be treated as
income derived from sources within the PRC and be subject to PRC withholding tax.
101
U.S. Federal Income Taxation
The following discussion describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences under
present law to U.S. Holders (defined below) of our 4% convertible senior notes, or the notes, ADSs
or ordinary shares. This summary applies only to U.S. Holders that hold the notes, ADSs or
ordinary shares as capital assets and that have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. This
discussion is based on the tax laws of the United States as in effect on the date of this annual
report and on U.S. Treasury regulations in effect or, in some cases, proposed, as of the date of
this annual report, as well as judicial and administrative interpretations thereof available on or
before such date. All of the foregoing authorities are subject to change, which change could apply
retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described below. This summary does not address
any estate or gift tax consequences.
The following discussion does not deal with the tax consequences to any particular investor or
to persons in special tax situations such as:
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banks; |
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financial institutions; |
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insurance companies; |
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broker dealers; |
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regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts; |
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traders that elect to mark to market; |
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tax-exempt entities; |
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persons liable for alternative minimum tax; |
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persons holding notes, ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a straddle, hedging,
constructive sale, conversion or integrated transaction; |
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persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; |
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persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our voting shares; |
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persons who acquired notes, ADSs or ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of any
employee share option or otherwise as consideration; or |
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persons holding notes, ADSs or ordinary shares through partnerships or other
pass-through entities. |
U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors about the application of the U.S. federal tax
rules to their particular circumstances as well as the state and local and foreign tax consequences
to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of notes, ADSs or ordinary shares.
102
The discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders will apply
if you are the beneficial owner of notes, ADSs or ordinary shares and you are, for U.S. federal
income tax purposes,
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a citizen or individual resident of the United States; |
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a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes) organized under the laws of the United States, any State or the District of
Columbia; |
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an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its
source; or |
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a trust that (1) is subject to the supervision of a court within the United States
and the control of one or more U.S. persons or (2) has a valid election in effect under
applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
If you are a partner in a partnership or other entity taxable as a partnership that holds
notes, ADSs or ordinary shares, your tax treatment depends on your status and the activities of the
partnership.
Taxation of Notes
Payment of Interest
Interest on a note generally will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary income at the time
it is paid or accrued in accordance with the U.S. Holders method of accounting for tax purposes.
Interest income on a note generally will constitute foreign source income and generally will
constitute passive category income or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, general category
income.
Additional Interest
We may be required to pay additional interest in certain circumstances. We believe (and the
rest of this discussion assumes) there is only a remote possibility that we will be obligated to
make such additional payments on the notes, and the notes therefore will not be treated as
contingent payment debt instruments under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. Assuming our
position is respected, any such additional interest would generally be taxable to a U.S. Holder at
the time such payments are received or accrued, in accordance with the U.S. Holders usual method
of accounting for tax purposes. Subject to certain conditions and limitations, any PRC withholding
taxes on interest may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against your U.S. federal
income tax liability. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the creditability
of any PRC withholding tax.
Our determination that the notes are not contingent payment debt instruments is not binding on
the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS. If the IRS were to successfully challenge our
determination and the notes were treated as contingent payment debt instruments or as being subject
to the original issue discount rules, a U.S. Holder of notes would be required, among other things,
to include interest in income, regardless of the U.S. Holders method of accounting, in advance of
cash distributions with respect thereto and may also be required to treat as taxable ordinary
income, rather than capital gain, any gain recognized on a sale, exchange or redemption of a note
and the entire amount of realized gain
upon a conversion of a note. Our determination that the notes are not contingent payment debt
instruments or subject to the original issue discount rules is biding on U.S. Holders unless they
disclose their contrary position to the IRS in a manner that is required by applicable U.S.
Treasury regulations.
103
Disposition of Notes
Except as provided below under Conversion of Notes, and subject to the passive foreign
investment rules discussed below under Taxation of ADSs and Ordinary SharesPassive Foreign
Investment Company, a U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange, redemption,
repurchase or other taxable disposition of a note equal to the difference between the amount
realized upon the disposition (less any amount attributable to accrued but unpaid interest not
previously included income, which will be taxable as such) and the U.S. Holders tax basis in the
note. A U.S. Holders tax basis in a note initially will be the U.S. Holders cost therefor, and
will be increased by amounts included in income by the U.S. Holder under the rules governing market
discount, discussed below, and will be decreased by the amount of any amortized premium, discussed
below, and any principal payments received by such holder. Subject to the discussion of market
discount, below, the gain or loss on a disposition of a note by a U.S. Holder generally will be
capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the
note for more than one year. The net amount of long-term capital gain recognized by a
non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, is eligible for reduced tax rates.
The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that you
recognize will be treated as U.S. source income or loss (in the case of losses, subject to certain
limitations).
In the event we are a passive foreign investment company, a U.S. Holder generally will be
taxed upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable disposition of a note in the same manner
that such U.S. Holder would be taxed upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other taxable
disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares in a passive foreign investment company, except that the
notes will not be eligible for the mark-to-market election. See the discussion under Taxation
of ADSs and Ordinary SharesPassive Foreign Investment Company, below.
Premium
A U.S. Holder that purchases a note at a cost greater than the notes principal amount will be
considered to have purchased the note at a premium and may elect to amortize the premium as an
offset to interest income, using a constant yield method, over the notes remaining term. This
election generally applies to all debt instruments that the U.S. Holder holds at the time of the
election, as well as any debt instruments held during or after the taxable year for which the
election is made. In addition, the U.S. Holder may not revoke the election without the consent of
the IRS. A U.S. Holder electing to amortize the premium will be required to reduce its tax basis
in the note by the amount of the premium amortized during its holding period. If a U.S. Holder
with a premium does not elect to amortize the premium, the amount of the premium will be included
in the U.S. Holders tax basis in the note, and therefore, if the note is held to maturity, will
generally give rise to capital loss when the note matures.
104
Market Discount
A U.S. Holder that purchases a note at a cost that is lower than its principal amount will be
considered to have purchased a note with a market discount in the hands of such U.S. Holder
(unless the amount of such excess is less than a specified de minimis amount, in which case the
note will not be considered to have a market discount). If a U.S. Holder acquired a note with
market discount, any gain realized by the U.S. Holder on the disposition of the note generally will
be treated as ordinary interest income to the extent of the market discount that accrued on the
note during the U.S. Holders holding period. In addition, a U.S. Holder may be required to defer
the deduction of a portion of the interest paid on any indebtedness that it incurred or continued
to purchase or carry the note. In general, market discount will be treated as accruing ratably
over the term of the note, or at the U.S. Holders election, under a constant yield method.
A U.S. Holder may elect to include market discount in gross income currently as it accrues (on
either a ratable or constant yield basis), in lieu of treating a portion of any gain realized on a
sale of the note as ordinary income, in which case the interest deduction deferral rule described
above will not apply. If made, this election applies to all market discount debt instruments that
the U.S. Holder acquires on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election
applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.
Conversion of Notes
You generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the conversion of your notes for ADSs
except to the extent of cash received in lieu of a fractional ADS and except to the extent of
amounts received with respect to accrued interest, which will be taxable as such. The amount of
gain or loss you recognize on the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional ADS will be equal to the
difference between the amount of cash you receive in respect of the fractional ADS and the portion
of your adjusted tax basis in the notes that is allocable to the fractional ADS. Such gain or loss
will be U.S. source gain or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. The tax basis of the ADSs
received upon a conversion (other than ADSs attributable to accrued interest, the tax basis of
which will equal its fair market value) will equal the adjusted tax basis of the note that was
converted (excluding the portion of the tax basis that is allocable to any fractional ADS). Your
holding period for the ADSs will include the period during which you held the notes except that the
holding period of any ADS received with respect to accrued interest will commence on the day after
the date of receipt.
Possible Effect of the Change in Conversion Consideration
In certain situations, we may provide for the conversion of the notes into stock, other
securities, other property or assets. Depending on the circumstances, such an adjustment could
result in a deemed taxable exchange to a U.S. Holder and the modified note could be treated as
newly issued at that time, potentially resulting in the recognition of taxable gain or loss. In
addition, the conversion of the note into stock, other securities, other property or assets may
also be taxable for a U.S. Holder.
105
Constructive Distributions
The conversion rate of the notes will be adjusted in certain circumstances. Adjustments (or
failures to make adjustments) that have the effect of increasing a U.S. Holders proportionate
interest in our assets or earnings may in some circumstances result in a deemed distribution to a
U.S. Holder for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Adjustments to the conversion rate made pursuant
to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the
effect of preventing the dilution of the interest of the holders of the notes, however,
generally will not be considered to result in a deemed distribution to a U.S. Holder. Certain of
the possible conversion rate adjustments provided in the notes (including, without limitation,
adjustments in respect of taxable dividends to holders of our ordinary shares) will not qualify as
being pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula. If such adjustments are made, a U.S.
Holder will be deemed to have received a distribution even though the U.S. Holder has not received
any cash or property as a result of such adjustments. In addition, an adjustment to the conversion
rate in connection with a fundamental change may be treated as a deemed distribution. Any deemed
distribution will be taxable as a dividend, return of capital, or capital gain as described in
Taxation of ADSs and Ordinary SharesTaxation of Dividends and other Distributions on the ADSs or
Ordinary Shares, below. It is not clear whether a constructive dividend deemed paid to a
non-corporate U.S. Holder could be qualified dividend income as discussed below under Taxation
of ADSs and Ordinary SharesTaxation of Dividends and other Distributions on the ADSs or Ordinary
Shares.
Taxation of ADSs and Ordinary Shares
The discussion below assumes that the representations contained in the deposit agreement are
true and that the obligations in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be complied
with in accordance with their terms. If you hold ADSs, you will be treated as the holder of the
underlying ordinary shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Accordingly, deposits or withdrawals of ordinary shares for ADSs will not be subject to U.S.
federal income tax.
The U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns that parties to whom ADSs are pre-released may be
taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming, by U.S. Holders of ADSs, of foreign tax
credits for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such actions would also be inconsistent with the
claiming of the reduced rate of tax applicable to dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S.
Holders, as described below. Accordingly, the availability of the reduced tax rate for dividends
received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders could be affected by future actions that may be
taken by the U.S. Treasury or parties to whom ADSs are pre-released.
Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on the ADSs or Ordinary Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, the gross amount of
all our distributions to you with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares generally will be included
in your gross income as foreign source dividend income on the date of receipt by the depositary, in
the case of ADSs, or by you, in the case of ordinary shares, but only to the extent that the
distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under
U.S. federal income tax principles). The dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.
106
With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders including individual U.S. Holders, for taxable
years beginning before January 1, 2011, dividends may be taxed at the lower applicable capital
gains rate, and thus may constitute qualified dividend income provided that (1) the ADSs or
ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States or we
are eligible for the benefits of a qualifying income tax treaty with the United States that
includes an exchange of information program, (2) we are not a passive foreign investment company
(as discussed below) for either our taxable year in which the
dividend was paid or the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements
are met. IRS authority indicates that our ADSs (which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange),
but not our ordinary shares, are considered for the purpose of clause (1) above to be readily
tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Thus, we do not believe that
dividends that we pay on our ordinary shares meet the conditions required for these reduced tax
rates. There can be no assurance that our ADSs will be considered readily tradable on an
established securities market in later years. If we are treated as a PRC tax resident enterprise
under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be eligible for the benefits of the income tax
treaty between the Untied States and the PRC. See Item 3. Key InformationD. Risk FactorsRisks
Related to Our Company and Our IndustryThe dividends we receive from our PRC subsidiaries and our
global income may be subject to PRC tax under the new EIT law, which would have a material adverse
effect on our results of operations; our foreign ADS holders may be subject to a PRC withholding
tax upon the dividends payable by us and upon gains realized on the sale of our ADSs, if we are
classified as a PRC resident enterprise. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the
availability of the lower rate for dividends paid with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares. For
taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006, dividends paid on our common shares will generally
constitute passive category income but could, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, constitute
general category income. Subject to certain conditions and limitations, any PRC withholding
taxes on dividends may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against your U.S. federal
income tax liability. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the creditability
of any PRC tax.
To the extent, if any, that the amount of any such distribution exceeds our current or
accumulated earnings and profits, it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your tax basis
in the ADSs or the ordinary shares (thereby increasing the amount of any gain or decreasing the
amount of any loss realized on the subsequent sale or disposition of such ADSs or ordinary shares)
and thereafter as capital gain. However, we do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits
under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that a
distribution generally will be treated as a dividend even if that distribution would otherwise be
treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above.
Taxation of Disposition of ADSs or Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, you will recognize
taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of an ADS or ordinary share
equal to the difference between the amount realized (in U.S. dollars) for the ADS or ordinary share
and your tax basis (in U.S. dollars) in the ADS or ordinary share. The gain or loss will generally
be capital gain or loss. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S.
Holder, who has held the ADS or ordinary share for more than one year, you will be eligible for
reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain
or loss that you recognize will be treated as U.S. source income or loss (in the case of losses,
subject to certain limitations). However, in the event we are deemed to be a Chinese resident
enterprise under PRC tax law, we may be eligible for the benefits of the income tax treaty between
the United States and the PRC. In such event, if PRC tax were to be imposed on any gain from the
disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, a U.S. Holder that is eligible for the benefits of the
income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC may elect to treat such gain as PRC source
income. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the creditability of any PRC tax.
107
Passive Foreign Investment Company
We believe that for our taxable year ending December 31, 2008, we were not a passive foreign
investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes and we do not expect to become
one in the future although there can be no assurance in that regard. A non-U.S. corporation is
considered a PFIC for any taxable year if either:
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at least 75% of its gross income is passive income, or the income test, or |
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at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values
of the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held
for the production of passive income, or the asset test. |
We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our
proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly,
at least 25% (by value) of the shares.
We must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC. As a result, our
PFIC status may change. In particular, because the total value of our assets for purposes of the
asset test generally will be calculated using the market price of our ADSs and ordinary shares, our
PFIC status will depend in large part on the market price of our ADSs and ordinary shares which may
fluctuate considerably. Accordingly, fluctuations in the market price of the ADSs and ordinary
shares may result in our being a PFIC for any year. In addition, the composition of our income and
assets is affected by how, and how quickly, we spend the cash we raise in any offering. If we are
a PFIC for any year during which you hold ADS or ordinary shares, we will continue to be treated as
a PFIC for all succeeding years during which you hold ADS or ordinary shares.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold ADSs or ordinary shares, you will
be subject to special tax rules with respect to any excess distribution that you receive and any
gain you realize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of the ADSs or ordinary
shares, unless you make a mark-to-market election as discussed below. Distributions you receive
in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions you received
during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the ADSs or
ordinary shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:
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the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period
for the ADSs or ordinary shares, |
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the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the
first taxable year in which we became a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income, and |
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the amount allocated to each other taxable year will be subject to the highest tax
rate in effect for that taxable year and the interest charge generally applicable to
underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such
taxable year. |
The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or excess
distribution cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains
(but not losses) realized on the sale of the ADSs or ordinary shares cannot be treated as
capital, even if you hold the ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets.
108
Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of marketable stock (as defined below) in a PFIC may make a
mark-to-market election for such stock of a PFIC to elect out of the tax treatment discussed in the
two preceding paragraphs. If you make a mark-to-market election for the ADSs or ordinary shares,
you will include in income each year an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market
value of the ADSs or ordinary shares as of the close of your taxable year over your adjusted basis
in such ADSs or ordinary shares. You are allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of the
adjusted basis of the ADSs or ordinary shares over their fair market value as of the close of the
taxable year. However, deductions are allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains
on the ADSs or ordinary shares included in your income for prior taxable years. Amounts included
in your income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other
disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, are treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss
treatment also applies to the deductible portion of any mark-to-market loss on the ADSs or ordinary
shares, as well as to any loss realized on the actual sale or disposition of the ADSs or ordinary
shares, but only to the extent that the amount of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market
gains previously included for such ADSs or ordinary shares. Your basis in the ADSs or ordinary
shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. If you make a mark-to-market
election, tax rules that apply to distributions by corporations which are not PFICs would apply to
distributions by us (except that the lower applicable capital gains rate would not apply).
The mark-to-market election is available only for marketable stock which is stock that is
traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter on a
qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable Treasury regulations. We expect that
the ADSs will continue to be listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange, which is a qualified
exchange for these purposes, and, consequently, if you are a holder of ADSs, it is expected that
the mark-to-market election would be available to you were we to become a PFIC. It should also be
noted that only the ADSs and not our ordinary shares will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
If you hold ADSs or ordinary shares in any year in which we are a PFIC, you will be required
to file IRS Form 8621 regarding distributions received on the ADSs or ordinary shares and any gain
realized on the disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares.
You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your
investment in ADSs or ordinary shares.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Payments of interest with respect to the notes, dividends with respect to ADSs or ordinary
shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of notes, ADSs or ordinary shares may be
subject to information reporting to the IRS and possible U.S. backup withholding at a current rate
of 28%. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct
taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification or who is otherwise
exempt from backup withholding. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exempt status
must provide such certification on IRS Form W-9. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors
regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.
109
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be
credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you may obtain a refund of any excess
amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with
the IRS and furnishing any required information.
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G. Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
H. Documents on Display
We have previously filed with the Commission our registration statements on Form F-1 (File
Number 333-139144 and File Number 333-142970), as amended, and a registration statement on From
F-3 (File Number 333-152333).
We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange
Act. Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we are required to file reports and other
information with the SEC. Specifically, we are required to file annually a Form 20-F: (1) within
six months after the end of each fiscal year, which is December 31, for fiscal years ending before
December 15, 2011; and (2) within four months after the end of each fiscal year for fiscal years
ending on or after December 15, 2011. Copies of reports and other information, when so filed, may
be inspected without charge and may be obtained at prescribed rates at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 100 F Street,
N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the regional office of the Securities and Exchange Commission
located at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. The
public may obtain information regarding the Washington, D.C. Public Reference Room by calling the
Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site at www.sec.gov that contains
reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make
electronic filings with the SEC using its EDGAR system. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt
from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of quarterly reports
and proxy statements, and officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the
reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
We will furnish The Bank of New York Mellon, the depositary of our ADSs, with our annual
reports, which will include a review of operations and annual audited consolidated financial
statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, and all notices of shareholders meetings and
other reports and communications that are made generally available to our shareholders. The
depositary will make such notices, reports and communications available to holders of ADSs and,
upon our request, will mail to all record holders of ADSs the information contained in any notice
of a shareholders meeting received by the depositary from us.
110
In accordance with NYSE Rules 203.01, we will post this annual report on Form 20-F on our
website www.trinasolar.com. In addition, we will provide hardcopies of our annual report free of
charge to shareholders and ADS holders upon request.
I. Subsidiary Information
For a listing of our subsidiaries, see Item 4C. Information on the CompanyOrganizational
Structure.
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Inflation
According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, Chinas overall national inflation
rate, as represented by the general consumer price index, was approximately 1.5% in 2006, 4.8% in
2007 and 5.9% in 2008. We have not in the past been materially affected by any such inflation, but
we can provide no assurance that we will not be affected in the future.
Foreign Exchange Risk
Transaction Risk
Most of our sales are currently denominated in U.S. dollars and Euros, with the remainder in
Renminbi, while a substantial portion of our costs and expenses is denominated in U.S. dollars,
with the remainder in Renminbi. Therefore, fluctuations in currency exchange rates could have an
adverse impact on our financial stability due to a mismatch among various foreign
currency-denominated sales and costs. Fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly among the
U.S. dollars, Renminbi and Euros, affect our gross and net profit margins and could result in
foreign exchange and operating losses. Our exposure to foreign exchange risk primarily relates to
currency gains or losses resulting from timing differences between signing of sales contracts and
settling of these contracts. As of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008, we held $72.3 million
and $105.2 million in accounts receivable, respectively, most of which were denominated in U.S.
dollars and Euros. Had we converted all of our accounts receivable as of either date into Renminbi
at an exchange rate of RMB6.8225 for $1.00, the exchange rate as of December 31, 2008, our accounts
receivable would have been RMB493.4 million and RMB717.7 million as of December 31, 2007 and
December 31, 2008, respectively. Assuming that Renminbi appreciates by a rate of 10% to an exchange
rate of RMB 6.1403, we would record a loss in the fair value of our accounts receivable in Renminbi
terms. A 10% appreciation of Renminbi would result in our holding Renminbi equivalents of RMB444.1
million and RMB645.9 million in accounts receivable as of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008,
respectively. These amounts would therefore reflect a theoretical loss of RMB49.3 million and
RMB71.8 million for our accounts receivable as of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008,
respectively. This calculation model is based on multiplying our accounts receivable, which are
held in U.S. dollars, by a smaller Renminbi equivalent amount resulting from an appreciation of
Renminbi. This calculation model does not take into account optionality nor does it take into
account the use of financial instruments.
In addition, Renminbi is not a freely convertible currency. SAFE controls the conversion of
Renminbi to foreign currencies. The value of the Renminbi is subject to changes of central
government policies and international economic and political
developments affecting supply and demand in the China foreign exchange trading system market.
Our cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash denominated in Renminbi amounted to $6.4 million,
$15.7 million and $71.9 million as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
111
Foreign Currency Translation Risk
We are subject to foreign currency translation risk. The US dollar is our functional and
reporting currency. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the US
dollars are translated into US dollars at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date.
Transactions in currencies other than the US dollar during the year are converted into US dollars
at the applicable rates of exchange prevailing at the beginning of the month transactions occurred.
Transaction gains and losses are recognized in the statements of operations.
Depending on movements in foreign exchange rates, the foreign currency translation may have an
adverse impact on our consolidated financial statements. We recorded these exchange gains and
losses in the statements of operations. Appreciation of the RMB in 2007 against those currencies
used in transactions during 2007 resulted in our recording of an exchange loss of $2.0 million. In
2008, we had a foreign exchange loss of $11.8 million. As some of our sales contracts were
denominated in Euros, the depreciation of the Euro against the US dollar, as well as appreciation
of the Renminbi against the US dollar in 2008 resulted in our recording of a large exchange loss in
2008.
Prior to January 1, 2008, the financial records of Trina China, our principal operating
subsidiary in the PRC, were maintained in Renminbi. To respond to the significant changes in
economic facts and circumstances, Trina China changed its functional currency from RMB to the US
dollar, effective January 1, 2008.
In 2007, due to that Trina Chinas functional currency was Renminbi, our exposure to foreign
currency risk was impacted by an embedded foreign currency forward contract entered into by Trina
China. One of our supply contracts provided that the purchase price of the silicon to be acquired
was denominated in U.S. dollars, which was not the functional currency of either of the contracting
parties. Accordingly, the contract contained an embedded foreign currency forward contract, which
was required to be bifurcated and accounted for at fair value in accordance with the provisions of
FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.
Fluctuations in forward foreign exchange rates impacted our assessment in determining the fair
value of our embedded derivative. In 2007, we recorded a gain on the change in fair value of the
embedded derivative of $0.9 million which was included in the line item Gain (loss) on change in
fair value of derivative in the consolidated statements of operations. After the change in the
functional currency of Trina China, we no long incur any gain or loss caused by the change in fair
value of the embedded derivative.
Risk Management
Our primary objective for holding derivative financial instruments is to manage currency risk.
We record derivative instruments as assets or liabilities, measured at fair value.
112
In October and December 2008, we entered into a series of foreign currency forward contracts
with two commercial banks, to hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. As of December
31, 2008, we had foreign currency forward contracts with a total contract value of approximately
24.0 million ($33.9 million). We do not use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge all of
our foreign currency denominated commitments. As with all hedging instruments, there are risks
associated with the use of foreign currency forward contracts. As at December 31, 2008, we
recorded a change in fair value of forward foreign currency exchange contracts of $1.1 million,
which was included in the line item Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivative in the
consolidated statements of operations. The estimated fair value of forward foreign currency
exchange contracts is based on the estimated amount at which they could be settled based on forward
market exchange rates. While the use of such foreign currency forward contracts provides us with
protection from certain fluctuations in foreign currency exchange, we potentially forgo the
benefits that might result from favorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange. In addition,
any default by the counterparties to these transactions could adversely affect our financial
condition and results of operations.
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to interest expenses incurred by our
short-term and long-term borrowings, as well as interest income generated by excess cash invested
in demand deposits and liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Such
interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. We have not used any derivative
financial instruments to manage our interest rate risk exposure. We have not been exposed to, nor
do we anticipate being exposed to, material risks due to changes in interest rates. However, our
future interest expense may increase due to changes in market interest rates. If market interest
rates for short-term demand deposits increase in the near future, such increase may cause the
amount of our interest income to rise. A hypothetical 10% increase in the average applicable
interest rate for our short-term demand deposits would result in an increase of approximately $0.3
million) in interest income from the assumed average cash and cash equivalent balance in 2008.
Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
Not Applicable.
PART II
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
None.
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
See Item 10. Additional Information for a description of the rights of securities holders,
which remain unchanged.
113
In November 2008, we adopted a shareholder rights plan (the Rights Plan). One ordinary
share purchase right (a Right) was distributed with respect to each ordinary share outstanding at
the close of business on December 1, 2008. Subject to limited exceptions,
these Rights entitle the holders to purchase ordinary shares from us at half of the market
price at the time of purchase in the event that a person or group obtains ownership of 15% or more
of our ordinary shares (including by acquisition of the ADSs representing an ownership interest in
the ordinary shares) or enters into an acquisition transaction without the approval of our board of
directors. The exercise price is set at US$1.86 per Right to purchase ordinary shares, subject to
adjustment when there is a Trigger Event. Our board of directors are entitled to redeem the Rights
at US$0.00001 per Right at any time before a person or group has acquired 15% or more of the
Companys voting securities.
In June 2007, we completed our follow-on public offering of ADSs sold by us and certain
selling shareholders. In this follow-on public offering, we issued and sold 360,001,600 ordinary
shares, in the form of ADSs, at $45.00 per ADS on June 6, 2007. The aggregate price of the
offering amount registered and sold was approximately $243.3 million, of which we received net
proceeds of approximately $154.3 million. We did not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of
ADSs by the selling shareholders. We have used all of the proceeds from that follow-on public
offering indicated in the prospectus for such offering.
In July 2008, we completed our public offerings of $138 million aggregate principal amount of
convertible senior notes due 2013 and 4,073,194 ADSs, which were borrowed by an affiliate of Credit
Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, one of the joint bookrunners of the notes offering. The notes sold
include $18 million aggregate principal amount of notes issued due to the underwriters exercise in
full of their over-allotment option. The sale of the borrowed ADSs was intended to facilitate
privately negotiated transactions or short sales by which investors in the notes will hedge their
investment in the notes. The ADS borrower will be required to return the borrowed ADSs pursuant to
the ADS lending agreement by the scheduled maturity date of the notes in July 2013. The net
proceeds from our public offering of convertible senior notes were allocated as follows:
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approximately $90 million to expand our manufacturing lines for the production
of silicon ingots, wafers, solar cells and PV modules; |
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approximately $20 million to purchase raw materials; and |
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the remaining amount for research and development and general corporate
purposes. |
As of December 31, 2008, our cash resources amounted to $132.2 million, comprising of cash on
hand and demand deposits.
Item 15. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
In connection with the preparation of the annual report on Form 20-F filed with SEC on April
30, 2009, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and
procedures, which is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act, as of the period covered by
this annual report. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial
officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the
period covered by this annual report.
114
Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over
financial reporting for our company, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange
Act. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended
to provide absolute assurance that a misstatement of our financial statements would be prevented or
detected. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the
risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of
compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management has conducted an assessment, including testing of the design and the effectiveness
of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. In making its assessment,
management used the criteria in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Based on this assessment, management concluded that our internal control over financial
reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.
Remediation Process of Material Weaknesses Reported in 2007
In last years annual report, one material weakness in internal control over financial
reporting was identified and reported as following by management for the year ended December 31,
2007:
The Company did not have appropriate policies and procedures in place to effectively identify
and evaluate embedded derivative instruments in its long term raw material supply contracts.
This material weakness was subsequently remediated by our following efforts undertaken in
2008:
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established a new policy and a series of comprehensive procedures on control
activities of embedded derivative instruments for staffs to follow and management to
monitor; |
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(ii) |
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provided adequate training to our finance team and other relevant personnel in
respect of identification and treatment of possible embedded derivative instruments;
and |
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(iii) |
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reviewed all contracts by trained personnel and assessed the choice of
functional currency on the contracts and its potential risks that may associate with
carefully. |
115
Managements Conclusion of Remediation
Management has conducted an assessment, including testing, of the effectiveness of our
remediated internal control processes over financial reporting described above under Remediation
Process of Material Weaknesses Reported in 2007 as of December 31, 2008. In making its assessment,
management used the criteria in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Management believes these remediated internal control processes described above effectively
mitigated, as of December 31, 2008, the material weakness listed above under Remediation Process
of Material Weaknesses Reported in 2007.
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
The effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 has been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd.,
an independent registered public accounting firm, who has also audited our consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2008. The attestation report issued by Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu CPA Ltd. can be found on page F-3 of this annual report.
116
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The discussion above under Remediation Process of Material Weaknesses Reported in 2007
includes a description of the material actual changes to our internal control over financial
reporting during 2008 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our
internal control over financial reporting.
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
Both Mr. Jerome Corcoran and Mr. Peter Mak qualify as an audit committee financial expert as
defined in Item 16A of Form 20-F. Mr. Corcoran, Mr. Mak and Mr. Qian Zhao satisfy the
independence requirements of Section 303A of the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock
Exchange and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
Item 16B. Code of Ethics
Our board of directors has adopted a code of ethics that applies to our directors, officers,
employees and agents, including certain provisions that specifically apply to our chief executive
officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, chief technology officer, vice
presidents and any other persons who perform similar functions for us. We have filed our code of
business conduct and ethics as an exhibit to Exhibit 99.1 of our registration statement on Form F-1
(file No. 333-139144) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 19, 2006 and
posted the code on our website www.trinasolar.com.
We hereby undertake to provide to any person without charge, a copy of our code of business
conduct and ethics within ten working days after we receive such persons written request.
117
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees by categories specified below in connection
with certain professional services rendered by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd., our principal
external auditors, for the periods indicated. We did not pay any tax related or other fees to our
auditors during the periods indicated below.
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2007 |
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2008 |
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Audit fees (1) |
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$ |
1,042,328 |
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$ |
1,150,000 |
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Audit-related fees(2) |
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455,837 |
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368,654 |
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Tax fees(3) |
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$ |
35,310 |
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$ |
96,501 |
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All other fees |
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Audit fees means the aggregate fees billed in each of the fiscal years listed for
professional services rendered by our principal auditors for the audit of our annual financial
statements. |
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Audit-related fees means the aggregate fees billed in each of the fiscal years listed for
assurance and related services by our principal auditors that are reasonably related to the
performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported under
Audit fees. Services comprising the fees disclosed under the category of Audit-related
fees in 2007 involve principally the issuance of a comfort letter, providing listing advice
in connection with our follow-on public offering. Services comprising the fees disclosed under
the category of Audit-related fees in 2008 involve principally the issuance of a comfort
letter, providing listing advice in connection with our public offering of convertible senior
notes. |
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Tax fees means the aggregate fees billed in each of the fiscal years listed for
professional services rendered by our principal auditors for tax compliance, tax advice, and
tax planning. |
The policy of our audit committee is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided
by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd., including audit services, audit-related services, tax
services and other services as described above, other than those for de minimus services which are
approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit.
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Not applicable.
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
None.
Item 16F. Change in Registrants Certifying Accountant
Not applicable.
Item 16G. Corporate Governance
We believe that there are no significant differences between our corporate governance
practices and those of U.S. domestic companies under the listing standards of the New York Stock
Exchange.
118
PART III
Item 17. Financial Statements
We have elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 18.
Item 18. Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements of Trina, its subsidiaries and its variable interest
entity are included at the end of this annual report.
Item 19. Exhibits
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1.1
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|
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the
Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Registration
Statement on Form F-1 (file No. 333-142970) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 15, 2007) |
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
Registrants Form American Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 2.3) |
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
Registrants Specimen Certificate for Ordinary Shares (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.2 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (file
No. 333-142970) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May
15, 2007) |
|
|
|
2.3
|
|
Deposit Agreement among the Registrant, the depositary and holder of the
American Depositary Shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of our
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form F-6
(file No. 333-139161) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
November 21, 2008) |
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
Form of Share Transfer Agreement relating to Trina China between the
Registrant and other parties therein dated March 28, 2006 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.4 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (file
No. 333-142970) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May
15, 2007) |
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
Amended and Restated Series A Preferred Share Purchase Agreement among the
Registrant, Trina China and other parties therein dated May 19, 2006
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of our Registration Statement on
Form F-1 (file No. 333-142970) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on May 15, 2007) |
|
|
|
2.6
|
|
Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement among the Registrant, Trina
China and other parties therein dated May 30, 2006 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.6 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (file
No. 333-142970) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May
15, 2007) |
|
|
|
2.7
|
|
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement among the
Registrant, Trina China and other parties therein dated December 7, 2006
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 of our Registration Statement on
Form F-1 (file No. 333-142970) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on May 15, 2007) |
|
|
|
2.8
|
|
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 23, 2008 between Wilmington
Trust Company and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
of the Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K filed by Trina Solar
Limited on July 23, 2008). |
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
Rights Agreement dated as of November 21, 2008 between Trina Solar Limited
and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Rights Agent (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Report of Foreign Private Issuer on Form
6-K filed by Trina Solar Limited on November 21, 2008). |
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
Amended and Restated Share Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 of our Registration Statement on Form S-8 (file No.
333-157831) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11,
2009) |
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its officers
and directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of our
Registration Statement on Form F-1 (file No. 333-142970) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2007) |
|
|
|
4.3
|
|
Form of Employment Agreement between the Registrant and a Senior Executive
Officer of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of
our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (file No. 333-142970) filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2007) |
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
Form of Tax Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and Former
Shareholders dated as of September 15, 2006 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (file No.
333-142970) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15,
2007) |
119
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
Form of Loan Agreement between Trina China and Bank of Communications
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of our Registration Statement
on Form F-1 (file No. 333-142970) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on May 15, 2007) |
|
|
|
4.6
|
|
Form of Guarantee Agreement between the Guarantor and Bank of
Communications for Long-term Loans (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.6 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (file No. 333-142970) filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2007) |
|
|
|
4.7
|
|
Form of Guarantee Agreement between the Guarantor and Bank of
Communications for Short-term Loans (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.7 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (file No. 333-142970) filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2007) |
|
|
|
4.8
|
|
Form of Short-term Loan Agreement between Trina China and Agriculture Bank
of China (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of our Registration
Statement on Form F-1 (file No. 333-142970) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on May 15, 2007) |
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
Form of Guarantee Agreement between the Guarantor and Agriculture Bank of
China for Short-term Loans (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of
our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (file No. 333-142970) filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2007) |
|
|
|
4.10
|
|
Form of Maximum Guarantee Agreement between Guarantors and Agriculture
Bank of China for Short-term Loans (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.10 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (file No. 333-142970)
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2007) |
|
|
|
4.11
|
|
Form of Counter-guarantee Agreement between Guarantors and Changzhou City
Hengtai Investment Co., Ltd. for Maximum Guarantee (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.11 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (file
No. 333-142970) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May
15, 2007) |
|
|
|
4.12
|
|
Form of Security Agreement between Trina China and Changzhou City Hengtai
Investment Co., Ltd. for Maximum Guarantee (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.12 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (file No.
333-142970) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15,
2007) |
|
|
|
4.13
|
|
Credit Line Agreement between Trina China and Bank of China dated August
28, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 of our Annual Report
on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26,
2008) |
|
|
|
4.14
|
|
Maximum Amount Guarantee between Bank of China and Changzhou City Hengtai
Investment Co., Ltd., dated January 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.14 of our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2008) |
|
|
|
4.15
|
|
Counter-guarantee (Maximum Amount Guarantee Contract) between Jifan Gao
and Changzhou City Hengtai Investment Guarantee Co., Ltd. dated January
28, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 of our Annual Report
on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26,
2008) |
|
|
|
4.16
|
|
Supply Contract and Distribution Agreement between Trina China and IBC
SOLAR AG dated May 26, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 of
our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on June 26, 2008) |
|
|
|
4.17
|
|
Equipment Supply Contract between Trina China and Meyer Burger AG dated
May 30, 2007 and the amendment dated September 17, 2007 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.17 of our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2008) |
|
|
|
4.18
|
|
Equipment Supply Contract between Trina China and Meyer Burger AG dated
August 8, 2007 and the amendment dated September 17, 2007 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.18 of our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2008) |
|
|
|
4.19
|
|
Polysilicon Supply Agreement between Jiangsu Zhongneng Polysilicon
Technology Development Co., Ltd. and Trina China dated March 29, 2008
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.19 of our Annual Report on Form
20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2008) |
|
|
|
4.20*
|
|
Supplemental Polysilicon Supply Agreement between Jiangsu Zhongneng
Polysilicon Technology Development Co., Ltd. and Trina China dated August
19, 2008 |
|
|
|
4.21
|
|
ADS Lending Agreement, dated July 17, 2008, among Credit Suisse Securities
(Europe) Limited, Credit Suisse, London Branch, and the Registrant
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Report of Foreign
Private Issuer on Form 6-K filed by Trina Solar Limited on July 23, 2008). |
120
|
|
|
4.22
|
|
Standstill Agreement dated as of November 21, 2008 between the Registrant
and Jifan Gao (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Report of
Foreign Private Issuer on Form 6-K filed by Trina Solar Limited on
November 21, 2008). |
|
|
|
8.1
|
* |
Subsidiaries of the Registrant |
|
|
|
11.1
|
|
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Registrant (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 99.1 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (file
No. 333-139144) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
December 19, 2006) |
|
|
|
12.1*
|
|
CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
|
|
12.2*
|
|
CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
|
|
13.1*
|
|
CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
|
|
13.2*
|
|
CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
|
|
|
15.1*
|
|
Consent of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd. |
|
|
|
* |
|
Filed with this annual report on Form 20-F |
|
|
|
Confidential treatment is being requested with respect to portions of these exhibits and such
confidential treatment portions have been deleted and replaced with **** and filed
separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 406 under the
Securities Act. |
121
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F
and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its
behalf.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trina Solar Limited
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Jifan Gao
|
|
|
|
Name: |
Jifan Gao |
|
|
|
Title: |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
|
Date: April 30, 2009
122
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-1
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Trina Solar Limited
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Trina Solar Limited and
subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, shareholders equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 and the related financial statement schedule
included in Schedule I. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the
responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of Trina Solar Limited and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006, 2007, and 2008,
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in
relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all
material respects, the information set forth therein.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States), the Companys internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2008, based on the criteria established in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated April 30,
2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU CPA LTD.
Shanghai, China
April 30, 2009
F-2
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Trina Solar Limited
We have audited internal control over financial reporting Trina Solar Limited and subsidiaries (the
Company) as of December 31, 2008, based on the criteria established in Internal Control
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission. The Companys management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control
over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting, included in the accompanying Managements Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Companys internal control
over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was
maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal
control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and
evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on that risk, and
performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that
our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the
supervision of, the companys principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons
performing similar functions, and effected by the companys board of directors, management, and
other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. A companys internal control over financial reporting includes
those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable
detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the
company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with
authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance
regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the
companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the
possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to
error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any
evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods
are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions,
or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the criteria established in Internal Control
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement
schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008, of the
Company and our report dated April 30, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement
schedule.
/s/ DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU CPA LTD.
Shanghai, China
April 30, 2009
F-3
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
93,380,212 |
|
|
|
59,695,932 |
|
|
|
132,223,776 |
|
Restricted cash |
|
|
5,003,871 |
|
|
|
103,375,481 |
|
|
|
44,991,233 |
|
Inventories |
|
|
32,230,309 |
|
|
|
58,547,531 |
|
|
|
85,687,407 |
|
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
of $Nil, $342,813 and $1,810,284 as of December 31, 2006, 2007
and 2008, respectively |
|
|
29,352,577 |
|
|
|
72,322,559 |
|
|
|
105,192,782 |
|
Current portion of advances to suppliers |
|
|
34,606,226 |
|
|
|
42,952,994 |
|
|
|
42,247,209 |
|
Amount due from related parties |
|
|
|
|
|
|
613,925 |
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets, net |
|
|
2,875,257 |
|
|
|
4,860,257 |
|
|
|
9,540,972 |
|
Current assets of discontinued operations |
|
|
352,654 |
|
|
|
33,499 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
197,801,106 |
|
|
|
342,402,178 |
|
|
|
419,883,379 |
|
|
Advances to suppliers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,737,412 |
|
|
|
130,351,513 |
|
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
|
51,419,365 |
|
|
|
197,123,875 |
|
|
|
357,593,802 |
|
Prepaid land use right, net |
|
|
2,372,362 |
|
|
|
5,461,529 |
|
|
|
26,915,217 |
|
Deferred tax assets |
|
|
152,187 |
|
|
|
1,094,893 |
|
|
|
2,807,488 |
|
Other noncurrent assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
854,214 |
|
|
|
2,564,428 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS |
|
|
251,745,020 |
|
|
|
600,674,101 |
|
|
|
940,115,827 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(To be continued)
F-4
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term borrowings |
|
|
71,408,653 |
|
|
|
163,563,089 |
|
|
|
248,557,724 |
|
Accounts payable |
|
|
9,146,920 |
|
|
|
42,690,835 |
|
|
|
62,503,917 |
|
Income tax payable |
|
|
849,891 |
|
|
|
1,405,890 |
|
|
|
3,648,772 |
|
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
|
6,228,606 |
|
|
|
12,625,904 |
|
|
|
21,003,231 |
|
Current liabilities of discontinued operations |
|
|
433,900 |
|
|
|
199,441 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
88,067,970 |
|
|
|
220,485,159 |
|
|
|
335,713,644 |
|
Long-term bank borrowings |
|
|
5,122,492 |
|
|
|
8,214,002 |
|
|
|
14,631,434 |
|
Convertible note payable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
133,248,054 |
|
Accrued warranty costs |
|
|
1,400,269 |
|
|
|
4,486,135 |
|
|
|
12,473,142 |
|
Other noncurrent liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,993,042 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
94,590,731 |
|
|
|
233,185,296 |
|
|
|
507,059,316 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies (Note 19) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary shares ($0.00001 par value; 5,000,000,000 shares authorized,
2,121,534,728, 2,553,367,783 and 2,958,183,059
shares issued and outstanding as of December 31,
2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively) |
|
|
21,215 |
|
|
|
25,533 |
|
|
|
29,581 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
139,670,637 |
|
|
|
304,877,619 |
|
|
|
308,898,326 |
|
Retained earnings |
|
|
15,622,250 |
|
|
|
51,352,188 |
|
|
|
112,712,460 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
1,840,187 |
|
|
|
11,233,465 |
|
|
|
11,416,144 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity |
|
|
157,154,289 |
|
|
|
367,488,805 |
|
|
|
433,056,511 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
251,745,020 |
|
|
|
600,674,101 |
|
|
|
940,115,827 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In U.S. dollars, except share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
Net revenues |
|
|
114,499,649 |
|
|
|
301,819,197 |
|
|
|
831,900,852 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
84,449,741 |
|
|
|
234,190,737 |
|
|
|
667,459,287 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
|
30,049,908 |
|
|
|
67,628,460 |
|
|
|
164,441,565 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling expenses |
|
|
2,570,882 |
|
|
|
11,018,549 |
|
|
|
20,302,251 |
|
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
8,655,781 |
|
|
|
17,817,581 |
|
|
|
41,113,257 |
|
Research and development expenses |
|
|
1,902,680 |
|
|
|
2,805,089 |
|
|
|
3,039,154 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
13,129,343 |
|
|
|
31,641,219 |
|
|
|
64,454,662 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations |
|
|
16,920,565 |
|
|
|
35,987,241 |
|
|
|
99,986,903 |
|
Foreign exchange loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,999,509 |
) |
|
|
(11,801,559 |
) |
Interest expense |
|
|
(2,137,221 |
) |
|
|
(7,551,160 |
) |
|
|
(23,936,455 |
) |
Interest income |
|
|
260,614 |
|
|
|
4,810,390 |
|
|
|
2,943,611 |
|
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
854,214 |
|
|
|
(1,067,079 |
) |
Other (expense) income, net |
|
|
(82,206 |
) |
|
|
1,554,133 |
|
|
|
(155,614 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes |
|
|
14,961,752 |
|
|
|
33,655,309 |
|
|
|
65,969,807 |
|
Income tax (expense) benefit |
|
|
(1,787,614 |
) |
|
|
1,706,713 |
|
|
|
(4,609,535 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations |
|
|
13,174,138 |
|
|
|
35,362,022 |
|
|
|
61,360,272 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discontinued operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
|
|
(761,975 |
) |
|
|
379,188 |
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax (expense) benefit |
|
|
8,698 |
|
|
|
(11,272 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) on discontinued operations |
|
|
(753,277 |
) |
|
|
367,916 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
12,420,861 |
|
|
|
35,729,938 |
|
|
|
61,360,272 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per ordinary share from continuing operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
Earnings per ordinary share from discontinued operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted |
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per ordinary share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
1,038,316,484 |
|
|
|
2,339,799,657 |
|
|
|
2,501,202,680 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
1,058,483,593 |
|
|
|
2,370,685,156 |
|
|
|
2,690,723,390 |
|
See
notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In U.S. dollars, except share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional |
|
|
Retained |
|
|
comprehensive |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive |
|
|
|
Ordinary shares |
|
|
paid-in Capital |
|
|
earning |
|
|
income |
|
|
Total |
|
|
income |
|
|
Balance at January 1, 2006 |
|
|
1,000,000,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
10,881,178 |
|
|
|
3,201,389 |
|
|
|
262,406 |
|
|
|
14,354,973 |
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,727,452 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,727,452 |
|
|
|
|
|
Return of capital upon restructuring |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,115,003 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,115,003 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Conversion of Series A preferred shares
to ordinary shares |
|
|
545,808,968 |
|
|
|
5,458 |
|
|
|
39,163,040 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,168,498 |
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of restricted shares to employees |
|
|
45,725,760 |
|
|
|
457 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
457 |
|
|
|
|
|
Capital contribution |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,853,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,853,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of ordinary shares, net of issue costs |
|
|
530,000,000 |
|
|
|
5,300 |
|
|
|
87,160,570 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
87,165,870 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,420,861 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,420,861 |
|
|
|
12,420,861 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,577,781 |
|
|
|
1,577,781 |
|
|
|
1,577,781 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2006 |
|
|
2,121,534,728 |
|
|
|
21,215 |
|
|
|
139,670,637 |
|
|
|
15,622,250 |
|
|
|
1,840,187 |
|
|
|
157,154,289 |
|
|
|
13,998,642 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,740,388 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,740,388 |
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of restricted shares to employees |
|
|
26,704,732 |
|
|
|
267 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
267 |
|
|
|
|
|
Repurchase of restricted shares |
|
|
(5,903,277 |
) |
|
|
(59 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(59 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Issuance of ordinary shares, net of issue costs |
|
|
411,031,600 |
|
|
|
4,110 |
|
|
|
163,466,594 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
163,470,704 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,729,938 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,729,938 |
|
|
|
35,729,938 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,393,278 |
|
|
|
9,393,278 |
|
|
|
9,393,278 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2007 |
|
|
2,553,367,783 |
|
|
|
25,533 |
|
|
|
304,877,619 |
|
|
|
51,352,188 |
|
|
|
11,233,465 |
|
|
|
367,488,805 |
|
|
|
45,123,216 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,024,780 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,024,780 |
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of restricted shares to employees |
|
|
17,866,289 |
|
|
|
179 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
179 |
|
|
|
|
|
Repurchase of restricted shares |
|
|
(20,370,413 |
) |
|
|
(204 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(204 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Issuance of ordinary shares under share
lending facility |
|
|
407,319,400 |
|
|
|
4,073 |
|
|
|
(4,073 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,360,272 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,360,272 |
|
|
|
61,360,272 |
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
182,679 |
|
|
|
182,679 |
|
|
|
182,679 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2008 |
|
|
2,958,183,059 |
|
|
|
29,581 |
|
|
|
308,898,326 |
|
|
|
112,712,460 |
|
|
|
11,416,144 |
|
|
|
433,056,511 |
|
|
|
61,542,951 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-7
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In U.S. dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
12,420,861 |
|
|
|
35,729,938 |
|
|
|
61,360,272 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
1,444,360 |
|
|
|
6,152,258 |
|
|
|
20,139,856 |
|
Share-based compensation |
|
|
2,727,452 |
|
|
|
1,740,388 |
|
|
|
4,024,780 |
|
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(854,214 |
) |
|
|
1,067,079 |
|
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
|
|
93,216 |
|
|
|
265,475 |
|
|
|
341,911 |
|
Allowance for (recoveries of) doubtful receivables |
|
|
156,958 |
|
|
|
(200,224 |
) |
|
|
1,586,038 |
|
Inventory write-down |
|
|
2,600,380 |
|
|
|
3,431,813 |
|
|
|
21,516,138 |
|
Allowance for (recovery of) advances to suppliers |
|
|
4,527,094 |
|
|
|
(1,419,899 |
) |
|
|
5,866,999 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories |
|
|
(27,512,011 |
) |
|
|
(26,738,519 |
) |
|
|
(48,656,015 |
) |
Accounts receivable |
|
|
(24,154,296 |
) |
|
|
(38,783,819 |
) |
|
|
(34,304,622 |
) |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
(1,047,761 |
) |
|
|
(2,082,183 |
) |
|
|
(3,069,452 |
) |
Advances to suppliers |
|
|
(34,725,178 |
) |
|
|
(57,552,795 |
) |
|
|
(81,775,315 |
) |
Amount due from related parties |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(613,925 |
) |
|
|
613,925 |
|
Accounts payable |
|
|
3,283,618 |
|
|
|
12,921,027 |
|
|
|
4,503,708 |
|
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
|
5,417,949 |
|
|
|
5,769,648 |
|
|
|
7,110,807 |
|
Accrued warranty costs |
|
|
1,127,949 |
|
|
|
2,871,722 |
|
|
|
7,987,007 |
|
Other noncurrent liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
803,699 |
|
Income tax payable |
|
|
312,902 |
|
|
|
488,823 |
|
|
|
2,242,882 |
|
Deferred taxes |
|
|
(673,745 |
) |
|
|
(602,552 |
) |
|
|
(3,442,023 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
|
|
(54,000,252 |
) |
|
|
(59,477,038 |
) |
|
|
(32,082,326 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property, plant and equipment |
|
|
(41,372,493 |
) |
|
|
(124,404,349 |
) |
|
|
(165,420,697 |
) |
Purchase of land use right |
|
|
(1,449,214 |
) |
|
|
(2,854,283 |
) |
|
|
(21,675,312 |
) |
Subsidies of government for property, plant
and equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,189,345 |
|
Proceeds from disposal of property,
plant and equipment |
|
|
742,761 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in restricted cash |
|
|
(4,476,896 |
) |
|
|
(98,025,253 |
) |
|
|
58,384,248 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(46,555,842 |
) |
|
|
(225,283,885 |
) |
|
|
(118,522,416 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(To be continued)
F-8
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In U.S. dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return of capital upon restructuring |
|
|
(5,115,003 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of Series A preferred shares |
|
|
39,168,498 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital contribution from shareholders |
|
|
4,853,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of restricted shares, net |
|
|
457 |
|
|
|
208 |
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares |
|
|
87,165,870 |
|
|
|
163,470,704 |
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of convertible
senior notes, net of issuance cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
131,537,840 |
|
Proceeds from short-term bank borrowings |
|
|
101,171,165 |
|
|
|
257,170,914 |
|
|
|
191,281,784 |
|
Repayment of short-term bank borrowings |
|
|
(36,390,848 |
) |
|
|
(173,373,427 |
) |
|
|
(106,287,149 |
) |
Proceeds from long-term bank borrowings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,752,859 |
|
|
|
6,417,432 |
|
Repayment of long-term bank borrowings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,122,492 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Return of advances to related parties |
|
|
114,769 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
190,968,308 |
|
|
|
249,898,766 |
|
|
|
222,949,907 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes |
|
|
1,743,766 |
|
|
|
1,177,877 |
|
|
|
182,679 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
92,155,980 |
|
|
|
(33,684,280 |
) |
|
|
72,527,844 |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year |
|
|
1,224,232 |
|
|
|
93,380,212 |
|
|
|
59,695,932 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year |
|
|
93,380,212 |
|
|
|
59,695,932 |
|
|
|
132,223,776 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid |
|
|
2,023,763 |
|
|
|
7,297,293 |
|
|
|
20,199,372 |
|
Income taxes paid |
|
|
2,139,759 |
|
|
|
1,359,636 |
|
|
|
6,605,810 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment received
in lieu of accounts receivable |
|
|
279,372 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
included in accounts payable |
|
|
1,558,602 |
|
|
|
18,571,505 |
|
|
|
33,880,879 |
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-9
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008
(In U.S. dollars)
1. |
|
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES |
Trina Solar Limited, (Trina) was incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands on
March 14, 2006. As of December 31, 2008, Trina operates primarily through the following
subsidiaries:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Place and date |
|
Attributable |
|
|
|
|
of incorporation/ |
|
equity |
|
|
Name of company |
|
establishment |
|
interest held |
|
Principal activity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changzhou Trina Solar
Energy Co., Ltd
|
|
PRC
December 26, 1997
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
Manufacturing
and trading solar
modules |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top Energy International Limited
|
|
Hong Kong
July 18, 2006
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
Procuring silicon and
and arranging tolling
manufacturing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trina Solar (Lianyungang)
Co., Ltd
|
|
PRC
December 17, 2007
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
Construction of facility for
polysilicon production |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trina Solar Korea Limited
|
|
Korea
September 22, 2008
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
Marketing in Korea |
Trina, its subsidiaries and variable interest entity (VIE) (collectively the
Company) are principally engaged in the manufacturing and selling of solar modules in
the Peoples Republic of China (the PRC) and overseas. During the periods covered by
the consolidated financial statements, substantially all of the Companys business was
conducted through an operating subsidiary, Changzhou Trina Solar Energy Co., Ltd.
(Trina China), established in the PRC on December 26, 1997. Trina China consolidated
the operations of Sun Era Industries Limited (Sun Era), incorporated in the British
Virgin Islands on October 18, 2002 by the founder of Trina China and his wife and
dissolved in 2007, to procure raw materials, provide sales support and make tolling
manufacturing purchases exclusively for Trina China. Sun Era was determined to be a
variable interest entity (VIE) of Trina China. The Company believes that through the
related party nature of the arrangement with Sun Era before its dissolution, it owned
the Sun Eras outstanding equity ownership rights and that it was the primary
beneficiary of Sun Era. On July 18, 2006, the Company established a wholly-owned
subsidiary in Hong Kong, Top Energy International, Ltd. (Top Energy), to assist the
Company in procuring raw materials and arranging tolling manufacturing. In June 2007,
Sun Era had ceased operations and was dissolved.
F-10
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008
(In U.S. dollars)
1. |
|
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES continued |
In connection with its pre-IPO planning, the Company initiated a restructuring process.
Trina was established in March 2006 and issued 10,000 ordinary shares at par value of
$1.00 per share to the nominees of the then existing equity owners of Trina China, based
on their proportionate ownership in Trina China. In April 2006, the then issued 10,000
ordinary shares were sub-divided into 1,000,000,000 ordinary shares at par value of
$0.00001 each. In May 2006, the Company issued 545.8 million Series A preferred shares
for cash proceeds of approximately $39 million. Trina then acquired the entire equity
interest in Trina China from the then existing equity owners by paying nominal
consideration to the foreign equity owners and an aggregate of approximately RMB40.7
million (equivalent to $5.1 million) to the PRC equity owners. The consideration of $5.1
million paid to these PRC equity owners was regarded as a return of capital upon
restructuring. These PRC equity owners then advanced the amounts they received back to
Trina China. Trina China fully repaid these advances in October 2006 while these PRC
equity owners, through their designated nominee shareholders of the Company, contributed
in aggregate approximately $4.9 million as a gift or donated capital to the Company in
October and November 2006. The restructuring process has resulted in the nominees of the
former equity owners of Trina China holding ordinary shares of the Company consistent
with the percentage of ownership of the former equity owners in Trina China and has been
accounted for as a recapitalization. Accordingly, all share and per share data have been
restated to give retroactive effect to this restructuring and the share capital
represents the capital amount of the Company as if the restructuring had been completed
as of the earliest period presented.
2. |
|
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
|
(a) |
|
Basis of presentation |
|
|
|
|
The consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(US GAAP) and include the accounts of Trina, its subsidiaries and VIE. The
Company has eliminated all inter-company transactions and balances during
consolidation. |
|
|
(b) |
|
Use of estimates |
|
|
|
|
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires
the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of
assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the
Companys financial statements include the allowance for doubtful accounts and
advances to suppliers, inventory valuation, the economic useful lives of
long-lived assets, asset impairments, fair value of foreign currency
derivative, provision for uncertain tax positions and tax valuation
allowances, accrued warranty expenses, and certain assumption used in the
computation of share-based compensation and related forfeiture rates. |
F-11
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008
(In U.S. dollars)
2. |
|
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued |
|
(c) |
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and demand deposits, which
are unrestricted as to withdrawal and use, and which have maturities of three
months or less when purchased. |
|
|
|
|
Restricted cash is comprised of bank deposits letters of credit and amounts
held by counterparties under forward contracts. These deposits carry fixed
interest rates and will be released when the bank borrowings are repaid or the
related letters of credit are settled by the Company. |
|
|
(d) |
|
Inventories |
|
|
|
|
The Company reports inventories at the lower of cost or market. The Company
determines cost on a weighted-average basis. These costs include direct
material, direct labor, tolling manufacturing costs, and fixed and variable
indirect manufacturing costs, including depreciation and amortization. |
|
|
|
|
The Company regularly reviews the cost of inventory against its estimated fair
market value and records a lower of cost or market write-down if any
inventories have a cost in excess of estimated market value. In addition, the
Company regularly evaluates the quantity and value of its inventory in light
of current market conditions and market trends and record write-downs for any
quantities in excess of demand and for any product obsolescence. This
evaluation consider historic usage, expected demand, anticipated sales price,
new product development schedules, the effect new products might have on the
sale of existing products, product obsolescence, customer concentrations,
product merchantability and other factors. The Company also writes off silicon
materials that may not meet its required specifications for inclusion in its
manufacturing process. These materials are periodically sold for scrap. |
|
|
|
|
The Company has outsourced portions of its manufacturing process, including
cleaning silicon materials, cutting ingots into wafers, and converting wafers
into solar cells, to various third-party manufacturers. These outsourcing
arrangements may or may not include transfer of title of the raw material
inventory (silicon, ingots or wafers) to the third-party manufacturers. |
|
|
|
|
For those outsourcing arrangements in which title does not transfer, the
Company maintains the inventory in the balance sheet as raw materials
inventory while it is in physical possession of the third-party manufacturers.
Upon receipt of the processed inventory from the third-party manufacturers, it
is reclassified to work-in-progress inventory with the processing fee
capitalized as cost of inventory. |
F-12
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008
(In U.S. dollars)
2. |
|
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued |
|
(d) |
|
Inventories continued |
|
|
|
|
|
For those outsourcing arrangements in which title (including risk of loss)
does transfer to the third-party manufacturer, the Company is constructively
obligated to repurchase the processed inventory. To accomplish this, it
enters into raw material sales agreements and processed inventory purchase
agreements simultaneously with the third-party manufacturer. In such
instances, the Company retains the inventory in the consolidated balance
sheets while it is in the physical possession of the third-party manufacturer.
The cash received from the third-party manufacturer is recorded as a current
liability on the balance sheet rather than revenue or deferred revenue. Upon
receipt of the processed inventory, it is reclassified from raw materials to
work-in-progress inventory and the processing fee paid to the third-party
manufacturer is added to inventory cost. Cash payments for outsourcing
arrangements which require prepayment for repurchase of the processed
inventory are classified as current assets on the balance sheet. There is no
right of offset in these arrangements and accordingly, the associated assets
and liabilities remain on the balance sheet until the processed inventory is
returned to the Company. |
|
|
|
(e) |
|
Property, plant and equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
The Company reports its property, plant and equipment at cost, less
accumulated depreciation. Cost includes the prices paid to acquire or
construct the assets, interest capitalized during the construction period and
any expenditure that substantially extends the useful life of an existing
asset. Interest capitalized into property, plant and equipment was $74,685,
$nil and $1,467,604 in 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The Company expenses
repair and maintenance costs when they are incurred. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Company computes depreciation expense using the straight-line method over
the estimated useful lives of the assets presented below. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years |
|
Buildings |
|
|
10-20 |
|
Plant and machinery |
|
|
5-10 |
|
Motor vehicles |
|
|
3-5 |
|
Electronic equipment, furniture and fixtures |
|
|
3 -5 |
|
|
(f) |
|
Prepaid land use right |
|
|
|
|
The Companys prepaid land use rights are reported at cost and are charged to
income ratably over 50 years, the term of the land use right agreement. |
F-13
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008
(In U.S. dollars)
2. |
|
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued |
|
(g) |
|
Long-lived assets |
|
|
|
|
The Company evaluates its long-lived tangible assets and definite-lived
intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. These
events include but not limited to significant current period operation or cash
flow losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset or group of assets
combined with a history of such losses, significant changes in the manner of
use of assets and significant negative industry or economic trends. When these
events occur, the Company measures impairment by comparing the carrying amount
of the assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to result from
the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the
expected undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the
assets, the Company would recognize an impairment loss equal to the excess of
the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. |
|
|
(h) |
|
Income taxes |
|
|
|
|
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method
whereby it calculates a deferred tax asset or liability using current tax laws
and rates in effect at the balance sheet date. The Company establishes
valuation allowances, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the
extent it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will not be
realized. The Company does not provide deferred taxes related to the U.S. GAAP
basis in excess of the U.S. tax basis in the investment in the Companys
foreign subsidiaries to the extent such amounts relate to permanently
reinvested earnings and profits of such foreign subsidiaries. |
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense includes (i) deferred tax expense, which generally
represents the net change in the deferred tax asset or liability balance
during the year plus any change in valuation allowances and (ii) current tax
expense, which represents the amount of tax currently payable to or receivable
from a taxing authority. The Company only recognizes tax benefits related to
uncertain tax positions when such positions are more likely than not of being
sustained upon examination. For such positions, the amount of tax benefit that
the Company recognizes is the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than
fifty percent likely of being sustained upon the ultimate settlement of such
uncertain tax position. |
|
|
(i) |
|
Revenue recognition |
|
|
|
|
The Company recognizes revenue for product sales when persuasive evidence of
an arrangement exists, delivery of the product has occurred and title and risk
of loss has passed to the customer, the sales price is fixed or determinable
and the collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Its
sales agreements typically contain customary product warranties but do not
contain any post-shipment obligations nor any return or credit provisions. |
F-14
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008
(In U.S. dollars)
2. |
|
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued |
|
(i) |
|
Revenue recognition continued |
|
|
|
|
The Company recognizes sales of its solar modules based on the terms of the
specific sales contract. Generally, it recognizes sales when the Company has
delivered products to its customers designated point of shipment, which may
include commercial docks or commercial shipping vessels. |
|
|
|
|
The Company recognizes revenue related to long-term solar systems integration
on the percentage-of-completion method. The Company estimates its revenues by
using the cost-to-cost method, whereby it derives a ratio by comparing the
costs incurred to date to the total costs expected to be incurred on the
project. The Company applies the ratio computed in the cost-to-cost analysis
to the contract price to determine the estimated revenues earned in each
period. With respect to its short-term solar systems integration, the Company
recognizes the sales on a completed-contract method. The completed-contract
method recognizes income only when the contract is completed, or substantially
so. Accordingly, costs of contracts in process and current billings are
accumulated but there are no interim charges or credits to income other than
provisions for losses. A contract may be regarded as substantially completed
if remaining costs are not significant in amount. When the Company determines
that total estimated costs will exceed total revenues under a contract, it
records a loss accordingly. |
|
|
(j) |
|
Shipping and handling costs |
|
|
|
|
Payments received from customers for shipping and handling costs are included
in net revenues. Shipping and handling costs relating to solar module sales of
$194,948, $3,779,490 and $5,951,760 are included in selling expenses for the
years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. Shipping and
handling costs relating to inventory purchases of $109,257, $869,798 and
$2,689,445 are included as a component of cost of revenues for the years ended
December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. |
|
|
(k) |
|
Research and development |
|
|
|
|
Research and development costs are incurred during the period the Company is
developing new products or refining existing products or technologies. Its
research and development costs consist primarily of compensation and related
costs for personnel, material, supplies, equipment depreciation and laboratory
testing costs. These costs are expensed as incurred until the products have
been developed and tested and are ready for production and sale. |
|
|
|
|
The Company periodically qualifies for grants from the PRC government for
achieving certain research and development milestones. It records these grants
as an offset to its research and development expenses in the periods in which
the Company earns them. Grants that it receives prior to when the Company
achieves the specified milestone are reported as a liability. The Company
recorded $198,693, $112,431 and $975,824 of earned grants as reductions of
research and development expenses for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007
and 2008, respectively. |
F-15
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008
(In U.S. dollars)
2. |
|
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued |
|
(l) |
|
Product warranties |
|
|
|
|
The Company provides a limited warranty to the original purchasers of its
solar modules for two to five years following delivery for defects in materials and
workmanship. It provides a minimum power output warranty for up to 25 years
following delivery. The Company accrues warranty costs as it recognizes
revenues. Due to its limited solar module manufacturing history, the Company
does not have a significant history of warranty claims. The Company currently
accrues for product warranties at 1% of solar module sales based on its
assessment of industry norms which also represents its best estimate to date.
Should it begin to experience warranty claims differing from its accrual rate,
the Company would prospectively revise the warranty accrual rate. |
|
|
(m) |
|
Foreign currency translation and foreign currency risk |
|
|
|
|
The United States dollar (US dollar), the currency in which a substantial
portion of the Companys transactions are denominated, is used as the
functional and reporting currency of the Company. Monetary assets and
liabilities denominated in currencies other than the US dollar are translated
into US dollar at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date.
Transactions in currencies other than the US dollar during the year are
converted into the US dollar at the applicable rates of exchange prevailing on
the date the transactions occurred. Transaction gains and losses are
recognized in the statements of operations. |
|
|
|
|
Prior to January 1, 2008, the financial records of the Companys principal
operating subsidiary in the PRC, Trina China, were maintained in Renminbi
(RMB), the local currencies. To response to the significant changes in
economic facts and circumstances, Trina China changed its functional currency
from RMB to the US dollar, effective January 1, 2008. |
|
|
|
|
The financial records of the Companys subsidiaries are maintained in local
currencies other than the US dollar, such as RMB, which are their functional
currencies. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates at the
balance sheet date, equity accounts are translated at historical exchange
rates and revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated using the
average rate for the year. Translation adjustments are reported as cumulative
translation adjustments and are shown as a separate component of accumulated
other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders equity. |
|
|
|
|
The RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The PRC State Administration
for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the PRC government, controls the
conversion of RMB to foreign currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to
changes of central government policies and international economic and
political developments affecting supply and demand in the China foreign
exchange trading system market. The Companys cash and cash equivalents and
restricted cash denominated in RMB amounted to $6,359,816, $15,714,926 and
$71,936,716 as of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. |
F-16
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008
(In U.S. dollars)
2. |
|
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued |
|
(n) |
|
Concentrations of credit risk |
|
|
|
|
Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of
credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable and advances to
suppliers. The Company conducts credit evaluations of its customers and
requires customers to post letters of credit to secure payment or to make
significant down payments. The Company generally has not required collateral
or other security interests from its suppliers but it performs ongoing credit
evaluations of the suppliers financial condition. The Company raises an
allowance for doubtful accounts primarily based on the age of the receivables
or advances to suppliers, previous loss history and the counterparties
current ability to fulfill its obligation. |
|
|
|
|
The Company has not had significant collections issues for receivables
generated from sales of products or significant default issues related to
advances to suppliers. |
|
|
(o) |
|
Share-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
The Companys share-based payment transactions with employees, such as restricted
shares and share options, are measured based on the grant-date fair value of the
equity instrument issued. The fair value of the award is recognized as compensation
expense, net of estimated forfeitures, over the period during which an employee is
required to provide service in exchange for the award, which is generally the vesting
period. |
|
|
(p) |
|
Derivative financial instruments |
|
|
|
|
The Companys primary objective for holding derivative financial instruments is to
manage currency risk. The Company records derivative instruments as assets or
liabilities, measured at fair value. The recognition of gains or losses resulting
from changes in fair values of those derivative instruments is based on the use of
each derivative instrument and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. |
|
|
|
|
The Company entered into certain foreign exchange contracts to protect against
volatility of future cash flows caused by the changes in foreign exchange rates
associated with outstanding accounts receivable. The foreign exchange hedge
contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting and, as a result, the changes in fair
value of the foreign currency hedge contracts are recognized in the statement of
operations. As of December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, the Company recorded change in
fair value of forward foreign currency exchange contracts as $nil, $nil and
$1,067,079, respectively. |
|
|
(q) |
|
Income per share |
|
|
|
|
Basic income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average
number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income per ordinary
share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other
contracts to issue ordinary shares were exercised or converted into ordinary shares.
Ordinary share equivalents are excluded from the computation in loss periods as their
effects would be anti-dilutive. |
F-17
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008
(In U.S. dollars)
2. |
|
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued |
|
(q) |
|
Income per share continued |
|
|
|
|
The following table sets forth the computation of the basic and diluted income from
continuing operations per share for the periods indicated: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations attributable
to ordinary share holders basic |
|
|
10,206,788 |
|
|
|
35,362,022 |
|
|
|
61,360,272 |
|
Finance charge related to Convertible notes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,382,254 |
|
Amount allocated to Series A Shares
for participating rights to dividends |
|
|
2,967,350 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income from continuing operations attributable
to ordinary share holders diluted |
|
|
13,174,138 |
|
|
|
35,362,022 |
|
|
|
64,742,526 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding |
|
|
1,000,000,000 |
|
|
|
2,339,799,657 |
|
|
|
2,501,202,680 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average Series A shares outstanding |
|
|
38,316,484 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of
ordinary shares outstanding basic |
|
|
1,038,316,484 |
|
|
|
2,339,799,657 |
|
|
|
2,501,202,680 |
|
Unvested restricted shares |
|
|
20,167,109 |
|
|
|
30,885,499 |
|
|
|
3,158,126 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible notes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
186,362,584 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of
ordinary shares outstanding diluted |
|
|
1,058,483,593 |
|
|
|
2,370,685,156 |
|
|
|
2,690,723,390 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per share income from continuing operations attributable
to ordinary shareholders basic |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
Per share income from continuing operations attributable
to ordinary shareholders diluted |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Since the series A preferred shareholders had the right to participate equally with
the common shareholders in any dividends declared, the Company has presented 2006
basic and diluted earnings per share using the two-class method.
Diluted income per share for the year ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008 excludes
nil, nil and 12,642,079 shares issuable upon exercise of share options, respectively,
as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
F-18
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008
(In U.S. dollars)
2. |
|
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued |
|
(q) |
|
Income per share continued |
The call option on the Loaned Shares (see Note 12) shares has been excluded in the
computation of basic EPS as the Company has concluded that the Loaned Shares are not
regarded as issued for accounting purposes as existing shareholders are not expected
to be impacted by the issuance due to (a) the existence of the collateral arrangement
and (b) the requirement that the holders of the Loaned Shares return any dividends
received. The call option on the Loaned Shares has been considered in the computation
of diluted EPS using the treasury stock method with the fair value of the collateral
representing the assumed proceeds for the issuance of the underlying shares For the
year ended December 31, 2008, there were no incremental shares included in the
diluted EPS computation.
|
(r) |
|
Recently issued accounting pronouncements |
In December 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 141 (revised in 2007), Business
Combinations (FAS 141R) to improve reporting and to create greater consistency in
the accounting and financial reporting of business combinations. The standard
requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only)
the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the
acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and
liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other
users all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and
financial effect of the business combination. FAS 141R applies prospectively to
business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of
the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008, with the
exception of the accounting for valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired
tax contingencies. FAS 141R also amends FAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, such
that adjustments made to valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax
contingencies associated with acquisitions that closed prior to the effective date of
FAS 141R would also apply the provisions of FAS 141R. An entity may not apply it
before that date. The adoption of FAS 141R will change the Companys accounting
treatment for business combinations on a prospective basis beginning on January 1,
2009.
On April 1, 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 141(R)-1, Accounting for Assets Acquired
and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies
(FSP FAS 141(R)-1), which amends the guidance in FASB Statement No. 141(R),
Business Combinations, to establish a model for preacquisition contingencies that is
similar to the one entities used under Statement 141. Under the FSP , an acquirer is
required to recognize at fair value an asset acquired or a liability assumed in a
business combination that arises from a contingency if the acquisition-date fair
value of that asset or liability can be determined during the measurement period. If
the acquisition-date fair value cannot be determined, then the acquirer follows the
recognition criteria in Statement 5 and Interpretation 14 to determine whether the
contingency should be recognized as of the acquisition date or after it. The FSP is
effective for business combinations whose acquisition date is on or after the
beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15,
2008. The adoption of FSP FAS 141(R)-1 will change the Companys accounting treatment
for business combinations on a prospective basis beginning on January 1, 2009.
F-19
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008
(In U.S. dollars)
2. |
|
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued |
|
(r) |
|
Recently issued accounting pronouncements continued |
In December 2007, the FASB released FAS No. 160, Non-controlling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements an amendment of ARB No. 51 (FAS 160). FAS 160
applies to all entities that prepare consolidated financial statements, except
not-for-profit organizations, but will affect only those entities that have an
outstanding non-controlling interest in one or more subsidiaries or that
deconsolidate a subsidiary. FAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim
periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008 (that is,
January 1, 2009, for entities with calendar year-ends). Earlier adoption is
prohibited. The Company does not expect that the adoption of FAS 160 will have an
impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date
of FASB Statement No. 157 (FSP 157-2). FSP 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS
157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are
recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring
basis, until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. As a result of FSP
157-2, the Company will adopt FAS 157 for its nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial
liabilities beginning with the first interim period of its fiscal year 2009. The
Company does not expect that the adoption of FAS 157 for its nonfinancial assets and
nonfinancial liabilities will have a material impact on its financial position,
results of operations or cash flows.
In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a
Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active (FSP 157-3). FSP 157-3
clarifies the application of SFAS 157 in a market that is not active, and addresses
application issues such as the use of internal assumptions when relevant observable
data does not exist, the use of observable market information when the market is not
active, and the use of market quotes when assessing the relevance of observable and
unobservable data. FSP 157-3 is effective for all periods presented in accordance
with FAS 157. The Company does not expect the adoption of FSP 157-3 to have a
material impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements or the fair values
of its financial assets and liabilities.
On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the
Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased
and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly (FSP 157-4). FSP 157-4 provides
additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with FASB 157 when the
volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased.
This FSP also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a
transaction is not orderly. The Company does not expect the adoption of FSP 157-4 to
have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements or the fair
values of its financial assets and liabilities.
F-20
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008
(In U.S. dollars)
2. |
|
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued |
|
(r) |
|
Recently issued accounting pronouncements continued |
In March 2008, the FASB issued FAS No. 161, Disclosures About Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No.133 (FAS 161). The new
standard requires enhanced disclosures to help investors better understand the effect
of an entitys derivative instruments and related hedging activities on its financial
position, financial performance, and cash flows. FAS 161 is effective for financial
statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15,
2008, with early application encouraged. FAS 161 does not change the accounting
treatment for derivative instruments but will impact the Companys disclosures
related to derivative instruments and hedging activities effective January 1, 2009.
In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 142-3, Determining the Useful
Life of Intangible Assets (FSP 142-3). FSP 142-3 amends the factors to be
considered in determining the useful life of intangible assets. Its intent is to
improve the consistency between the useful life of an intangible asset and the period
of expected cash flows used to measure such assets fair value. FSP 142-3 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company does not
expect that the adoption of FSP 142-3 will have a material impact on the consolidated
financial statements.
In May 2008, the FASB issued FSP Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion 14-1,
Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon
Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement) (FSP APB 14-1). FSP APB 14-1
requires recognition of both the liability and equity components of convertible debt
instruments with cash settlement features. The debt component is required to be
recognized at the fair value of a similar instrument that does not have an associated
equity component. The equity component is recognized as the difference between the
proceeds from the issuance of the note and the fair value of the liability. FSP APB
14-1 also requires an accretion of the resulting debt discount over the expected life
of the debt. Retrospective application to all periods presented is required. This
standard is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year
2009. Since the convertible notes issued in July 2008 may not be settled in cash upon
conversion, FSP APB 14-1 will not have a material impact on the Companys accounting
treatment of the convertible senior note.
At its June 25, 2008 meeting, the FASB ratified the consensus reached in EITF Issue
No. 07-5, Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) Is Indexed to an
Entitys Own Stock (EITF 07-5). EITF 07-5 is effective for fiscal years and
interim periods beginning after December 15, 2008. This Issues fixed-for-fixed,
plus fair value inputs model is largely consistent with current interpretations of
the phrase indexed to an entitys own stock. However, in certain circumstances,
Issue 07-5 may result in changes to those accounting conclusions and may have impact
on issuers of equity-linked financial instruments (e.g., options or forward
contracts) or instruments containing embedded features (e.g., embedded conversion
options in a convertible instrument) that have (1) exercise or settlement contingency
provisions, (2) a strike price that is subject to adjustment, or (3) a strike price
that is denominated in a currency other than the entitys functional currency. The
Company does not expect that the adoption of EITF 07-5 will have a material impact on
the consolidated financial statements.
F-21
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008
(In U.S. dollars)
2. |
|
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued |
|
(r) |
|
Recently issued accounting pronouncements continued |
In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 115-2 and 124-2, Recognition
and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments (FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS
124-2). The FSP amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance in U.S. GAAP for
debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the presentation
and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in
the financial statements. This FSP does not amend existing recognition and
measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity
securities. The FSP shall be effective for interim and annual reporting periods
ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after
March 15, 2009. Earlier adoption for periods ending before March 15, 2009, is not
permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 to
have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
3. |
|
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS |
Due to the continuing erosion of the gross margins related to the aluminum siding business
and the Companys decision to focus its future efforts on the solar module business, the
Company discontinued the aluminum siding business, which previously represented a business
segment of the Company, in June 2006. In December 2006, Trina China entered into a contract
to sell the assets of the aluminum sidings business, including the land use rights of 7,633
square meters, buildings on the land and equipment, for a total price of RMB5.8 million
(US$742,761) to Mr. Wu Weifeng and Mr. Wu Weizhong, the brothers of Ms. Chunyan Wu, one of
the Companys directors and wife of Mr. Jifan Gao, the Chairman of the Company. The sales
price was determined based on the higher of two formal offers, one of which came from a
third party unrelated to the Company, and was approved by the audit committee and all the
independent directors. The resulting loss on disposal of $244,130 is reflected in loss on
discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Summarized operating results from the discontinued operations included in the Companys
consolidated statements of operations were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
1,141,315 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
before income taxes |
|
|
(761,975 |
) |
|
|
379,188 |
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax (expense) benefit |
|
|
8,698 |
|
|
|
(11,272 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax |
|
|
(753,277 |
) |
|
|
367,916 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-22
TRINA SOLAR LIMITED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006, 2007 AND 2008
(In U.S. dollars)
3. |
|
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS continued |
|
|
|
Summarized assets and liabilities from the discontinued operations included in the Companys
consolidated balance sheets were as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31 |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets of discontinued operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
|
324,462 |
|
|
|
33,072 |
|
|
|
|
|
Inventory |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advance to suppliers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
28,192 |
|
|
|
427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
352,654 |
|
|
|
33,499 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities of discontinued operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable trade |
|
|
(124,021 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
|
|
(309,879 |
) |
|
|
(199,441 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(433,900 |
) |
|
|
(199,441 |
) |
|
|
|
|