Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical financial information, the following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results and timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed under the sections of this Form 10-K captioned “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors.”
Overview
We are one of the world’s largest manufacturers of ground-mounting tracking systems used in solar energy projects at utility scale. Our principal products are a portfolio of integrated solar tracking systems comprised of steel supports, electric motors, gearboxes and electronic controllers commonly referred to as a single-axis “tracker.” Trackers move solar panels throughout the day to maintain an optimal orientation to the sun, which significantly increases their energy production. Solar energy projects that use trackers generate more energy and deliver a lower LCOE than projects that use “fixed tilt” mounting systems, which do not move. The vast majority of ground mounted solar systems in the U.S. use trackers.
Our flagship tracker uses a patented design that allows one motor to drive multiple rows of solar panels through articulated driveline joints. To avoid infringing on our U.S. patent, our competitors must use designs that we believe are inherently less efficient and reliable. For example, our largest competitor’s design requires one motor for each row of solar panels. As a result, we believe our products have greater reliability, lower installation costs, reduced maintenance requirements and competitive manufacturing costs. Our core U.S. patent is on a linked-row, single-driving apparatus that rotates a plurality of tracker rows connected by an articulating drive shaft. This patent does not expire until February 5, 2030.
With our acquisition of STI in January 2022, we added a dual-row tracker design to our product portfolio. This tracker uses one motor to drive two connected rows and is ideally suited for sites with irregular and highly angled boundaries or fragmented project areas. To offer a comprehensive set of solutions to the growing market, in September of 2022, we also introduced a third tracker product requiring significantly less grading and civil works permitting prior to installation in addition to accommodating uneven terrain. This suite of products extends our target applications and ability to deliver the best utility-scale solar tracker solutions to the market.
We sell our products to EPCs that build solar energy projects and to large solar developers, independent power producers and utilities, often under master supply agreements or multi-year procurement contracts. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we derived 74% and 26% of our revenues from customers in the U.S. and the rest of the world, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, we had shipped more than 73 gigawatts of trackers to customers worldwide.
Acquisition of STI Norland
On January 11, 2022, we completed our acquisition of STI for purchase consideration of $410.5 million in cash and 13,894,800 shares of our common stock. The fair value of the purchase consideration was $610.8 million and resulted in the Company owning 100% of the equity interests in STI.
42
STI generates revenue through the design, manufacture and sale of its utility-scale solar tracker systems to customers in global markets that include Spain, Brazil, U.S. and South Africa. The integration of STI provides us the opportunity to accelerate our international expansion and better address rising global demand for utility-scale solar projects, particularly in developing countries in Latin America and Africa.
Reversal of Out-of-Period Adjustment Recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2023
Capped Calls and Put Option
During the three months ended December 31, 2023, the Company consulted with the staff of the Office of the Chief Accountant of the SEC, and after consultation with the staff, the Company concluded that the change from its historical accounting treatment for its Capped Calls and its Put Option that were made during the three months ended March 31, 2023, was not required. As a result, the Company has chosen to revert to its historical accounting and reverse the initial cumulative catch-up recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as well as any subsequent fair value adjusting entries recorded during the interim periods in 2023. See Note 11 – Debt and Item 9B. Other Information .
Factors Affecting Results Of Operations
Project Timing
Because we recognize revenue on projects as legal title to equipment is transferred from us to the customer, any delays in large projects from one quarter to another for any reason may cause our results of operations for a particular period to fall below expectations. Our end-users’ ability to install solar energy systems has been affected by a number of factors including:
• Weather . Inclement weather can affect our customers’ ability to install their systems, particularly in the northeastern United States and in Europe. In addition, weather delays can adversely affect our logistics and operations by causing delays in the shipping and delivery of our materials.
• The interest rate environment . As interest rates have risen, we have seen customers looking to renegotiate power purchase agreements to improve project returns. Any unexpected or protracted negotiation can cause installation delays and delay our ability to recognize revenue relating to the relevant projects. In addition, we have had customers delay planned installations in anticipation of interest reductions and more favorable project financing conditions later in 2024.
• Availability of necessary equipment . We have a broad portfolio of customer relationships including presence with every Tier 1 utility in the United States. Each utility has unique specifications for access to its grid, which is generally not consistent across the industry. As the supply of renewables projects has increased, severe shortages and long lead-times in the supply of switches, transformers and HV breakers used in the interconnection of utility scale solar power plants to the grid, has affected the timing and completion of these projects, including for some of our customers.
• Local Permitting . If our customers cannot receive permitting for their projects, they are unable to begin and ultimately complete them in a timely manner. A dramatic increase in solar and battery storage sites has increased the average permitting time in many geographies in which our customers operate.
Impact of IRA
While solar power is cost-competitive with conventional forms of generation in many U.S. states even without the ITC, we believe step-downs in the ITC have influenced the timing and quantity of some customers’ orders. With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) in August 2022, the ITC was raised to 30% with no step downs before 2032. Accordingly, we do not anticipate the ITC rate to impact our seasonality during that timeframe.
43
After a period of uncertainty, in December the IRS published proposed regulations on 45X manufacturing credit benefits that largely confirmed our previous understanding around the eligibility of our torque tube. In late 2023 and early 2024, we successfully negotiated agreements with key suppliers around 45X benefits associated with the torque tube. This resulted in the accumulation of $49.9 million of 45X benefit in the fourth quarter, from volume delivered throughout 2023. We recognized $9.3 million of that benefit as a reduction to cost of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2023, and the remaining $40.6 million is expected to be recognized during 2024.
The 45X proposed regulations published in December did not further clarify what would be considered a structural fastener; however, we do continue to expect that there will be additional credits we can monetize for a number of our components under the existing law and proposed regulations. We are actively working on multiple initiatives to obtain additional clarity regarding the eligibility and in parallel are negotiating the split of the 45X benefits with our suppliers for parts we do not manufacture internally.
Structured Cost Management
We actively manage the risk from certain types of customer contracts, including, for example, multi-year contracts that require fixed pricing or pricing tied to certain commodity indices. Depending on the totality of the circumstances and our ability to mitigate risk, we may or may not pursue such contractual arrangements. Where we decline, this may have the effect of driving certain customers or projects to our competitors. We believe this is the right way to manage a high quality portfolio and drive consistent margins over time.
Impact of Attacks on Shipping in the Red Sea
Houthi rebels in Yemen have significantly stepped-up attacks against commercial vessels in the Bab-el-Mandeb strait between the Arabian peninsula and the Horn of Africa since late November 2023, which has led many shipping companies are pause shipments through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. Many of these shipments are being redirected around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, adding between 3,000 to 3,500 nautical miles to routes connecting Europe with Asia. As an additional result of the reroute, certain ports could see crowding and delays in unloading shipments. We do not yet know the duration of these disruptions or the severity of their impact on our operations, but we continue to monitor the situation and evaluate our procurement strategy and supply chain as to reduce any negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Inflation
Inflationary pressures may continue to impact, at least in the near-term, and may continue to negatively impact our results of operations. To mitigate the inflationary pressures on our business, we have implemented selective price increases in certain markets, accelerated productivity initiatives and expanded our supplier base, while continuing to execute on overhead cost containment practices.
Regulatory Impacts
In June 2022, the U.S. President authorized the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to provide a 24-month AD/CVD tariff exemption for imported solar panels from certain Southeast Asian countries. The USDOC previously issued regulations implementing the AD/CVD moratorium in the event that it found circumvention with respect to such Southeast Asian countries. In August 2023, the USDOC issued final affirmative circumvention rulings, finding that solar panels completed in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam using parts and components produced in China circumvent pre-existing AD/CVD orders on China. At this time, it is expected that duties will apply to such solar panels unless they are imported, used, and installed by certain dates in June 2024. While we do not sell solar modules, the degree of our exposure is dependent on, among other things,
44
the impact of the investigation on the projects that are also intended to use our products, with such impact being largely out of our control. We have seen a number of projects in our order book delayed as a result of the USDOC investigation. The repeal of the 24-month exemption, and any affirmative determinations made once the exemption expires in any event, would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. More broadly, legislation has been proposed that would make it easier for domestic companies to obtain affirmative determinations in antidumping and countervailing duties investigations. The proposed USICA/America COMPETES Act, if enacted, could result in future successful petitions that limit imports from Asia and other regions.
Additionally, in October 2023, a coalition of U.S. aluminum extruders and a labor union filed AD/CVD cases on aluminum extrusions from fifteen countries. The USDOC has initiated investigations based on the petitions. Certain components in our trackers, including certain clamps, U-joints, and bearing housings are made using extruded aluminum. Our operating results could be adversely impacted if the USDOC imposes duties on such imports. We continue to monitor developments in the investigation and work to mitigate its impact on our supply chain, but if we are unable to do so, these antidumping and countervailing duties could negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Foreign Currency Translation
For non-U.S. subsidiaries that operate in a local currency environment, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at period end exchange rates. Income, expense and cash flow items are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the period. For non-U.S. subsidiaries that operate in a U.S. dollar functional currency, local currency inventories and property, plant and equipment are translated into U.S. dollars at rates prevailing when acquired, and all other assets and liabilities are translated at period-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Gains and losses which result from remeasurement are included in earnings.
Performance Measures
In managing our business and assessing financial performance, we supplement the information provided by the financial statements with other operating metrics. These operating metrics are utilized by our management to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business and formulate projections. The primary operating metric we use to evaluate our sales performance and to track market acceptance of our products from year to year is megawatts (“MWs”) shipped generally and the change in MWs shipped from period to period specifically. MWs is measured for each individual project and is calculated based on the projects expected megawatt output once installed and fully operational.
We also utilize metrics related to price and cost of goods sold per MW, including average selling price (“ASP”) and cost per watt (“CPW”). ASP is calculated by dividing total applicable revenues by total applicable MWs, whereas CPW is calculated by dividing total applicable costs of goods sold by total applicable MWs. These metrics enable us to evaluate trends in pricing, manufacturing cost and customer profitability.
Key Components of Our Results of Operations
The following discussion describes certain line items in our consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue
We generate revenue from the sale of solar tracking systems and parts. Our customers include EPCs, utilities, solar developers and independent power producers. For each individual solar project, we enter into a contract with our customers covering the price, specifications, delivery dates and warranty for the products being purchased, among other things. Our contractual delivery period for the tracker system and parts can vary from days to several months. Contracts can range in value from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars.
45
Our revenue is affected by changes in the volume and ASPs of solar tracking systems purchased by our customers. The quarterly volume and ASP of our systems is driven by the supply of, and demand for, our products, changes in project mix between module type and wattage, geographic mix of our customers, strength of competitors’ product offerings, and availability of government incentives to the end-users of our products.
Our revenue growth is dependent on continued growth in the size and number of solar energy projects installed each year as well as our ability to maintain our market share in each of the geographies where we compete, expand our global footprint to new and evolving markets, grow our production capabilities to meet demand and to continue to develop and introduce new and innovative products that address the changing technology and performance requirements of our customers.
Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit
Cost of revenue consists primarily of product costs, including raw materials, purchased components, salaries, wages and benefits of manufacturing personnel, freight, tariffs, customer support, product warranty, amortization of developed technology, and depreciation of manufacturing and testing equipment. Our product costs are affected by (i) the underlying cost of raw materials, including steel and aluminum, (ii) component costs, including electric motors and gearboxes, (iii) technological innovation, and (iv) economies of scale and improvements in production processes and automation. We may experience disruptions to our supply chain and increased material and freight costs like those experienced in 2021 and 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. When possible, we modify our production schedules and processes to mitigate the impact of these disruptions and cost increases on our margins. We do not currently hedge against changes in the price of our raw materials.
Gross profit may vary from quarter to quarter and is primarily affected by our volume, ASPs, product costs, project mix, customer mix, geographical mix, commodity prices, logistics rates, warranty costs, and seasonality.
Inflation Reduction Act Vendor Rebates
On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (“IRA”) was enacted into law, which includes numerous green energy credits. The 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit (“45X Credit”) was established as part of the IRA. The 45X Credit is a per-unit tax credit that is earned over time for each clean energy component domestically produced and sold by a manufacturer. We have, and will continue to, enter into arrangements with torque tube and structural fastener manufacturing vendors that produce 45X Credit eligible parts, in which the vendors agree to share a portion of the benefit received related to our purchases, in the form of “Vendor Rebates”.
We account for these Vendor Rebates as a reduction of the purchase prices of the vendors’ products and therefore a reduction of inventory until the inventory is sold, at which time we recognize such rebates as a reduction of cost of revenues on the consolidated statements of operations. Rebates related to purchases that were made prior to the execution of the agreements are deferred and recognized as a reduction of the prices of future purchases. In the fourth quarter of 2023, we had accumulated a total of $49.9 million in Vendor Rebates from current year activity, of which $48.4 million were outstanding and included in Prepaid expenses and other, and $40.6 million of deferred consideration was included in Other current liabilities, on our consolidated balance sheet dated December 31, 2023. Additionally, we recognized $9.3 million of Vendor Rebate benefit as a reduction of cost of revenue, during the fourth quarter of 2023.
In December 2023, the internal revenue service (“IRS”) issued proposed regulations on the 45X Credits. While these proposed regulations did not provide additional clarity on what would be considered a structural fastener as it relates to 45X Credit eligibility, we continue to actively negotiate potential benefit sharing arrangements
46
with manufacturing vendors of structural fasteners, as well as manufacturers of other of our components, that could potentially be declared eligible at a future date.
Operating Expenses
General and administrative expense consist primarily of salaries, benefits, and equity-based compensation related to our executive, sales, engineering, finance, human resources, information technology, and legal personnel, as well as travel, facility costs, marketing, bad debt provision, and professional fees. The majority of our sales in 2023, 2022, and 2021, were in the U.S.; however, in January 2022, we expanded our international operations with the STI Acquisition. We currently have a sales presence in the U.S., Spain, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, and the U.K. We intend to continue to expand our sales presence and marketing efforts to additional countries.
Contingent consideration consists of the changes in fair value of the tax receivable agreement (“TRA”) entered into with a former indirect stockholder, concurrent with the acquisition of Patent LLC by Former Parent. The TRA liability was recorded at fair value as of July 8, 2016 (the “Patent Acquisition Date”) and subsequent changes in the fair value are recognized in earnings. For discussion and analysis of the TRA see Note 16 – Commitments and Contingencies .
Depreciation expense consists of costs associated with property, plant and equipment not used in manufacturing of our products. We expect that as we continue to grow both our revenue and our general and administrative personnel we may require some additional property, plant and equipment to support this growth resulting in additional depreciation expense.
Amortization of intangibles consists of customer relationships, contractual backlog and the STI trade name expensed over their expected period of use.
Non-Operating Expenses
Interest expense consists of interest and other charges paid in connection with our Senior Secured Credit Facility, the Convertible Notes, and Other Debt held by our STI Operations.
We are subject to U.S. federal, state and non-U.S. income taxes. As we expand into additional foreign markets, we may be subject to additional foreign tax.
Reportable Segments
Subsequent to the acquisition of STI, the Company began reporting its results of operations in two segments; the Array Legacy operating segment and the newly acquired STI Legacy operating segment (“STI Legacy Operations”) pertaining to legacy STI operations. The segment amounts included in this Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis are presented on a basis consistent with our internal management reporting. Additional information on our reportable segments is contained in Note 20 – Segment and Geographic Information in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
47
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated statement of operations ( in thousands ):
Year Ended December 31, Increase (Decrease)
2023 2022 $ %
Revenue $ 1,576,551 $ 1,637,546 $ (60,995) (4) %
Cost of revenue:
Cost of product and service revenue 1,146,442 1,410,270 (263,828) (19) %
Amortization of developed technology 14,558 14,558 — — %
Total cost of revenue 1,161,000 1,424,828 (263,828) (19) %
Gross profit 415,551 212,718 202,833 95 %
Operating expenses:
General and administrative 159,535 150,777 8,758 6 %
Change in fair value of contingent consideration 2,964 (4,507) (7,471) (166) %
Depreciation and amortization 38,928 84,581 (45,653) (54) %
Total operating expenses 201,427 230,851 (29,424) (13) %
Income (loss) from operations 214,124 (18,133) 232,257 1281 %
Other (expense) income, net (1,015) 2,789 (3,804) (136) %
Interest income 8,330 3,181 5,149 162 %
Legal settlement — 42,750 (42,750) (100) %
Foreign currency transaction (loss) gain, net (53) 1,155 (1,208) (105) %
Interest expense (44,229) (36,694) 7,535 21 %
Total other (expense) income (36,967) 13,181 (35,078) 266 %
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) 177,157 (4,952) 182,109 3677 %
Income tax expense (benefit) 39,917 (9,384) 49,301 525 %
Net income
$ 137,240 $ 4,432 $ 132,808 2997 %
The following table provides details on our operating results by reportable segment for the respective periods ( in thousands ):
Year Ended December 31, Increase/Decrease
Revenue: 2023 2022 $ %
Array Legacy Operations $ 1,172,827 $ 1,267,883 $ (95,056) (7) %
STI Operations 403,724 369,663 34,061 9 %
Total $ 1,576,551 $ 1,637,546 $ (60,995) (4) %
Gross Profit:
Array Legacy Operations $ 317,605 $ 153,612 $ 163,993 107 %
STI Operations 97,946 59,106 38,840 66 %
Total $ 415,551 $ 212,718 $ 202,833 95 %
48
Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022
Revenue
Consolidated revenue decreased $61.0 million, or 4%, driven by a decrease in Array Legacy Operations of $95.1 million, offset by an increase in STI Operations of $34.1 million.
The $95.1 million, or 7%, revenue decrease in Array Legacy Operations was driven by a decrease in the number of megawatts shipped, due primarily to project delays from our customers.
The $34.1 million, or 9%, revenue increase in STI Operations was driven by an increase in the number of megawatts shipped, most notably in the Brazil region, which offset lower ASP, due to a smaller percentage of construction services being offered.
Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit
Consolidated cost of revenue decreased $263.8 million, or 19%, driven primarily by a reduction in revenue combined with a decrease in input costs.
As a percentage of revenue, consolidated gross profit increased to 26% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 13% during the same period in the prior year. The increase in gross profit dollars was driven by an improvement in the gross margin percentage in both our Array Legacy Operations and our STI Operations.
As a percentage of revenue, gross profit for Array Legacy Operations increased to 27% from 12% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in gross profit as a percent of revenue was driven by the improved pass through of commodity volatility to customers, in addition to cost savings opportunities in logistics and raw materials, as well as a higher proportion of higher margin non-tracker revenue.
As a percentage of revenue, gross profit for STI Operations increased to 24% from 16% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, driven primarily by improved pass through of commodity volatility to customers, cost saving opportunities in raw materials, and a reduced impact of lower margin construction-related services provided.
Operating Expenses
Consolidated general and administrative expense increased $8.8 million, or 6%. The increase was primarily due to higher payroll and other personnel-related expenses, driven by an increase in headcount. These increases were partially offset by no acquisition related expenses in 2023 compared to expenses related to the STI Acquisition in 2022.
Change in the fair value of contingent consideration resulted in a loss of $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, due to the fair value remeasurement of the TRA liability, primarily driven by a decrease in the discount rates used in the valuation.
Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense decreased $45.7 million, or 54%, due to the decrease in the amortization of intangibles, as the backlog purchased as part of the STI Acquisition had a one-year life and was fully amortized as of the first quarter of 2023.
49
Legal Settlement
Legal settlement income in 2022 resulted from the settlement of litigation related to trade secret misappropriation, for which the Company received a $42.8 million settlement. The settlement is related to Nextracker’s acknowledgment that an Array employee was hired in violation of his non-compete agreement, certain Array confidential information was improperly obtained, and Nextracker’s behavior was wrongful. The parties concluded the matter and plan to continue their shared missions of mainstreaming clean energy worldwide. As part of the settlement, the parties agreed to treat the settlement terms as confidential except to the extent required or necessitated by law, regulation, or the corporate parties’ shareholder disclosure standards. There were no settlements in 2023.
Foreign Currency Gain
Consolidated foreign currency gain decreased $1.2 million, or 105%, as compared with the prior year due to the weakening of the U.S. Dollar compared to the Euro and compared to the Brazilian Real during 2023.
Interest Income
Consolidated interest income increased by $5.1 million, or 162%, as compared to the prior year, due to higher cash on hand in 2023 coupled with higher interest rates.
Interest Expense
Consolidated interest expense increased by $7.5 million, or 21%, primarily due to increased variable interest rates charged on our Term Loan Facility as well as the acceleration of $4.2 million of non-cash interest expense related to unscheduled principal payments made against the outstanding Term Loan balance.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Consolidated Income tax expense (benefit) decreased by $49.3 million, or 525%, We recorded income tax expense of $39.9 million and a benefit of $9.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2023, was unfavorably impacted by higher income in non-U.S. jurisdictions, partially offset by benefits related to excess equity-based compensation deductions. The tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2022, was favorably impacted by losses in non-U.S. jurisdictions which have higher tax rates than the U.S., partially offset by non-deductible expenses.
Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021
A discussion and analysis covering the comparison of the year ended December 31, 2022, to the year ended December 31, 2021, is included in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2023.
50
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Financing Transactions
Series A Shares
For more information related to the 2022 and 2021 Series A Share issuances, see Note 12 – Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock , to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Debt Obligations
For a discussion of our debt obligations see Note 11 – Debt , in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Surety Bonds
The Company is required to provide surety bonds to various parties as required for certain transactions initiated during the ordinary course of business to guarantee the Company’s performance in accordance with contractual or legal obligations. These off-balance sheet arrangements do not adversely impact our liquidity or capital resources. As of December 31, 2023, we posted surety bonds totaling approximately $172.9 million.
Cash Flows (in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2023 2022
Net cash provided by operating activities
$ 231,955 $ 141,493
Net cash used in investing activities (16,821) (384,437)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (101,761) 8,440
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalent balances 1,806 735
Net change in cash and cash equivalents $ 115,179 $ (233,769)
Historically, we have financed our operations with the proceeds from operating cash flows, capital contributions and short and long-term borrowings. Our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations is dependent on the strength of our gross margins as well as our ability to quickly turn our working capital.
High volatility and uncertainty in the capital markets resulting from macroeconomic conditions, including fluctuating inflation data and heightened interest rates, has had, and could continue to have, a negative impact on the price of our common stock and could adversely impact our ability to raise additional funds. In response to the recent challenging environment, we continuously evaluate our ability to meet our obligations over the next 12 months. We believe we have sufficient liquidity as well as financing options available to fund current and future commitments.
As of December 31, 2023, our cash balance was $249.1 million, of which $66.8 million was held outside the U.S., and net working capital was $496.6 million. We had outstanding borrowings of $238.2 million under our $575 million Term Loan Facility and $175.2 million available to us under our $200.0 million Revolving Credit Facility.
The Company continually monitors and reviews its liquidity position and funding needs. Management believes that the Company’s ability to generate operating cash flows in the future and available borrowing capacity under its Senior Secured Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet its future liquidity needs.
51
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
The Company generated $232.0 million in cash from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2023, of which, $224.4 million was generated from net income as adjusted for the impact of non-cash expenses, primarily consisting of depreciation and amortization and equity-based compensation.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company generated $141.5 million in cash from operating activities, of which, $97.2 million was generated from net income as adjusted for the impact of non-cash expenses, primarily consisting of depreciation and amortization and equity-based compensation. The remaining $44.3 million was generated by changes in net working capital, including a $59.0 million increase in deferred revenue from deposits received from customers in 2022 for projects due in the first half of 2023, a $13.7 million increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses resulting from improved payables management, and a $20.9 million decrease in inventory levels as we burned down historically high raw material quantities from prior year, all of which were partially offset by a $77.0 million increase in accounts receivable driven primarily by a year-over-year increase in revenue.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2023, cash used in investing activities was $16.8 million, all of which was related to the purchase of property, plant and equipment.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, cash used in investing activities was $384.4 million primarily related to the STI Acquisition; net of cash acquired, the Company paid $373.8 million in cash as part of the purchase price consideration. Additionally, the Company utilized $10.6 million for the purchase of property, plant and equipment.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash used in financing activities was $101.8 million, driven primarily by $74.3 million in payments on our Term Loan and a $24.8 million reduction of Other debt.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash provided by financing activities was $8.4 million, which included $49.0 million related to proceeds from the sale of Series A Shares and common shares in January 2022 offset by a dividend payment of $18.7 million on the Series A Shares.
Discussion of Historical Cash Flows for Year Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
A discussion and analysis covering historical cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, is included in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2023.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, we are required to make assumptions and estimates about future events and apply judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and related disclosures. We base our assumptions, estimates and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time our consolidated financial statements are prepared. On a regular basis, we review the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates. To the extent that
52
there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our future financial statement presentation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows will be affected.
We consider an accounting policy to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s revenue recognition policy is described in Note 14 – Revenue , in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements,
Accounting for contracts utilizing the cost-to-cost measure of progress is based on various assumptions to project the outcome of future events. These assumptions include the cost and availability of materials. The cost estimation process for recognizing revenues over time under the cost-to-cost method is based on the professional knowledge and experience of the Company’s project managers, engineers and finance professionals. The Company reviews and updates its contract-related estimates on an ongoing basis and recognizes adjustments for any project specific facts and circumstances that could impact the measurement of the extent of progress, such as the total costs to complete the contracts, under the cumulative catch-up method. Under this method, the impact of the adjustment on profit recorded to date is recognized in the period the adjustment is identified. Revenue and profit in future periods of contract performance is recognized using the adjusted estimate. As a result, if the actual costs to be incurred are different than the assumptions used to estimate those costs, there could be cumulative adjustments recorded to revenues as a result.
Business Combinations
The Company completed one business combination for an aggregate purchase price of $610.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. In accordance with Topic 805 Business Combinations, total consideration was first allocated to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the excess being recorded as Goodwill. The fair value of the identifiable intangible assets has been estimated using the Excess Earnings Method (customer relationships and backlog) and Relief from Royalty Method (trade name). Significant inputs using the Excess Earnings Method and Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy include estimated revenue, expenses based on actuals and forecast. The Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to assign fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. Intangible assets have been recognized apart from goodwill whenever an acquired intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights, or whenever it is capable of being separated or divided from the acquired entity. Determining these fair values required us to make significant estimates and assumptions, particularly with respect to acquired intangible assets. The determination of fair value required considerable judgment and were sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions, estimates and market factors. There were no business combinations during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Goodwill
Our goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of business combinations over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill impairment testing requires significant judgment and management estimates, including, but not limited to, the determination of (i) the number of reporting units, (ii) the goodwill and other assets and liabilities to be allocated to the reporting units and (iii) the fair values of the reporting units. The estimates and assumptions described above, along with other factors such as discount rates, will significantly affect the outcome of the impairment tests and the amounts of any resulting impairment losses. We may use either a qualitative or quantitative approach when testing a reporting unit’s goodwill for impairment on an
53
annual basis during the fourth quarter of each year, and between annual tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If we use a qualitative approach and determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we would then perform the first step of the goodwill impairment test, which would consist primarily of a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) analysis compared to a guideline publicly-traded companies (“GPC”) analysis to determine the fair value of the reporting unit.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, we used a qualitative approach to assess if it is more likely than not that that the fair value of the Array Legacy Operations reporting unit is less than its carrying value.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, with the assistance of a third-party specialist, we performed a quantitative assessment of the fair value of our STI reporting unit using the DCF and GPC methods described in Note 7 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets of the consolidated financial statements. The significant assumptions used in determining the fair values of the STI reporting unit primarily relate to the selection of EBITDA multiples used in the GPC analysis, and the revenue growth rate, the forecasted EBITDA margin, and the selected discount rate used in the DCF model. To the extent that GPC multiples in the future decrease, the discount rate used in determining the present value of our cash flows increases, or if we do not meet its cash flow projections for the reporting unit, an impairment charge may be recorded in the future.
Product Warranty
The Company offers an assurance type warranty for its products against manufacturer defects and does not contain a service element. For these assurance type warranties, a provision for estimated future costs related to warranty expense is recorded when they are probable and reasonably estimable, which is typically when products are delivered. This provision is based on historical information on the nature, frequency and average cost of claims for each product line. When little or no experience exists for an immature product line, the estimate is based on comparable product lines. These estimates are re-evaluated on an ongoing basis using best-available information and revisions to estimates are made as necessary.
Tax Receivable Agreement
Concurrent with the Former Parent’s acquisition of Patent LLC, Array Tech, Inc. entered into the TRA with a former indirect stockholder. The TRA is valued based on the future expected payments under the agreement and is accounted for as contingent consideration and subsequent changes in fair value of the contingent liability are recognized in earnings within the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Estimating the amount of payments that may be made under the TRA is by nature imprecise. The significant fair value inputs used to estimate the future expected TRA payments include the timing of tax payments, a discount rate, book income projections, timing of expected adjustments to calculate taxable income and the projected rate of use for attributes defined in the TRA. For discussion and analysis of the TRA see Note 16 – Commitments and Contingencies .
Equity-Based Compensation
The Company granted restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to employees and Performance Stock Units (“PSUs”) to certain executives. The PSUs contain performance and market conditions. The PSU grants were valued using the Monte Carlo simulation method and the assigned fair value on grant date will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting term of the awards. The probability of the awards meeting the performance related vested conditions is not included in the grant date fair value, but rather will be estimated quarterly and the Company will true-up the expense recognition accordingly upon any probability to vest revision. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.
54
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.