-- Fiscal 2Q09 Module Shipments Increased 111% Compared to 2Q08 --
-- Revenue Increases 27% to $4.4 Million Compared to 2Q08 -- MENLO
PARK, Calif., May 15 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Solar EnerTech
Corp. (OTC:SOEN) (BULLETIN BOARD: SOEN) (the "Company") today
announced results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2009. For
the fiscal 2009 second quarter ended March 31, 2009, total module
shipments increased 111% compared to the second quarter of the
prior year period. Revenue increased 27% to $4.4 million compared
to $3.5 million in the fiscal second quarter of the prior year
period. Revenue for the fiscal 2009 second quarter was comprised of
$4.2 million in solar module sales, of which more than 95% were
sold to Europe and Australia, and $0.2 million in solar cell sales.
The Company incurred a negative gross margin of $1.3 million, or
(29% of total net sales), for the quarter ended March 31, 2009
compared to a negative gross margin of $2.3 million, or (46% of
total net sales), in the fiscal first quarter ended December 31,
2008. This is a sequential gross margin improvement of 37% mainly
due to lower silicon wafer prices and cost restructuring
initiatives. The negative gross margin was primarily a result of
the Company selling modules using silicon wafers purchased in prior
quarters at a higher cost. Total operating expense for the fiscal
2009 second quarter was $3.7 million, or 84% of total net sales,
which included $1.7 million in non-cash charges, including $1.5
million of non-cash stock compensation charge related to the hiring
and retention of key executives and a $0.2 million non-cash charge
for loss on debt extinguishment. Excluding these non-cash items,
the operating expense for the quarter was $2.0 million, or 45% of
total net sales. This compares to total operating expense for the
fiscal 2008 second quarter of $5.0 million, or 143% of total net
sales, which included $3.8 million in non-cash charges, including a
$1.7 million non-cash stock compensation charge also related to the
hiring and retention of key executives and $2.1 million of non-cash
charge for loss on debt extinguishment. Excluding these non-cash
charges, the operating expense for the second quarter of 2008 was
$1.2 million, or 34% of total net sales. Net loss for the second
quarter of fiscal 2009 was $5.5 million, or ($0.06) per basic and
diluted share compared to net income of $15.8 million, or $0.03
diluted share in the same period in fiscal 2008. In the second
quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company recorded a non-cash gain of
$0.1 million associated with a change in the fair market value of
compound embedded derivative liability and a non-cash gain of $0.1
million related to the change in the fair market value of warrant
liability. Excluding these non-cash gains of $0.2 million, on a
non-GAAP basis, the Company had a net loss of $5.7 million in the
second quarter of fiscal 2009. In the second quarter of fiscal
2008, the Company recorded a non-cash gain of $11.2 million
associated with a change in the fair market value of compound
embedded derivative liability and a non-cash gain of $10.8 million
related to the change in fair market value of warrant liability.
Excluding these non-cash gains of $22.0 million, on a non-GAAP
basis, the Company had a net loss of $6.2 million in the second
fiscal quarter of the prior year period. Both the compound embedded
derivative and warrant liabilities were recorded in conjunction
with the convertible notes transaction entered into by the Company
in March 2007. Mr. Leo Young, Chief Executive Officer of Solar
EnerTech, commented, "We are pleased with the positive developments
in our business during the fiscal second quarter. Our module
shipments increased 111% prompted by orders from Europe and
Australia. Despite the decrease in module selling prices in the
world market, we were encouraged to see our revenue increase by 27%
compared to Q208, fueled by orders coming from Europe and
Australia. There was a sequential improvement in our gross margin
during our second quarter largely due to a cost restructuring that
entailed the aggressive promotion of leaner production concepts,
revamping our sourcing strategy and reducing unnecessary capital
expenditures. We have now utilized all raw material inventory
purchased at higher prices in previous quarters which we believe
marks a turning point toward positive gross margin moving forward.
Due to the consistent quality of our solar module products, we are
encouraged that our customers in Europe and Australia have
increased their orders for the remaining quarters of the fiscal
year. We have thus decided to add an additional shift to
accommodate our growing customer demand. We are encouraged with the
demand trends we're seeing in our business and believe the quality
of our solar modules differentiate Solar EnerTech from many of
other players in the global PV business. During the quarter, we
announced a strategic joint venture with Jiangsu Shunda, a major
polysilicon manufacturer in China, which will create a U.S. company
named Shunda-SolarE Technologies, Inc. that is designed to broaden
our market presence in the U.S. by establishing a vertically
integrated operation in the U.S. market with services ranging from
the production of polysilicon to ingots and wafers, to solar cells,
panels and solar system installation. We believe this JV can allow
us to more easily penetrate U.S. solar opportunities and establish
Shunda-SolarE as a leading brand recognized for high quality solar
products and service in the growing U.S. market. For the remainder
of the calendar year, we continue to focus on improving our
productivity and streamlining our operations to maximize
profitability. We have a great opportunity to further grow our
global customer base by providing them with high quality PV module
products and after-sale service support. We look forward to seeing
a sequential improvement to our financial results as we progress
through the 2009 calendar year." Financial Position As of March 31,
2009, the Company had $3.1 million in cash, $1.3 million of
accounts receivables, $2.2 million of prepayment primarily for
purchase of raw materials and $2.4 million of inventories on hand.
Additionally, the Company had $3.3 million of accounts payable,
customer advance payment and accrued liabilities, $5.6 million of
accrued liability due to related party, $0.4 million of derivative
liabilities, $1.7 million of warrant liabilities and $0.7 million
of convertible notes as of March 31, 2009. About Solar EnerTech
Corp. Solar EnerTech is a photovoltaic ("PV") solar energy cell
manufacturing enterprise incorporated in the United States with its
corporate office in Menlo Park, California. The Company has
established a sophisticated 63,000 square foot manufacturing plant
located in China, in Shanghai's Jinqiao Modern Technology Park.
Currently, the Company is capable of producing 50MW of solar cells
from its existing production lines. Solar EnerTech has also
established a Joint R&D Lab at Shanghai University to develop
higher efficiency cells and to put the results of that research to
use in its manufacturing processes. Led by one of the industry's
top scientists, the Company expects its R&D program to help
bring Solar EnerTech to the forefront of advanced solar technology
research and production. Safe Harbor Statement Statements contained
in this press release, which are not historical facts, are
forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements are based largely on current expectations and are
subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors beyond our control that could cause actual events and
results to differ materially from these statements. These
statements are not guarantees of future performance, and readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which are relevant as of the date of the given press
release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date.
Solar EnerTech undertakes no obligation to update publicly any
forward-looking statements. (Unaudited Financial Statements Follow)
Solar EnerTech Corp. Unaudited Consolidated Statements of
Operations Three Months Ended March 31, Six Months Ended March 31,
2009 2008 2009 2008 Net sales $4,412,000 $3,471,000 $9,496,000
$8,310,000 Cost of sales (5,714,000) (4,171,000) (13,134,000)
(9,476,000) Gross loss (1,302,000) (700,000) (3,638,000)
(1,166,000) Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative
3,086,000 2,797,000 5,647,000 6,682,000 Research and development
436,000 54,000 771,000 151,000 Loss on debt extinguishment 181,000
2,105,000 491,000 2,467,000 Total operating expenses 3,703,000
4,956,000 6,909,000 9,300,000 Operating loss (5,005,000)
(5,656,000) (10,547,000) (10,466,000) Other income (expense):
Interest income 3,000 46,000 10,000 56,000 Interest expense
(558,000) (298,000) (923,000) (576,000) Gain on change in fair
market value of compound embedded derivative 113,000 11,190,000
588,000 12,289,000 Gain on change in fair market value of warrant
liability 99,000 10,808,000 1,743,000 10,923,000 Other expense
(194,000) (290,000) (214,000) (328,000) Net income (loss)
$(5,542,000) $15,800,000 $(9,343,000) $11,898,000 Net income (loss)
per share - basic $(0.06) $0.15 $(0.11) $0.13 Net income (loss) per
share - diluted $(0.06) $0.03 $(0.11) $(0.04) Weighted average
shares outstanding - basic 87,716,403 102,851,788 87,376,406
90,941,543 Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 87,716,403
157,954,180 87,376,406 122,086,159 Solar EnerTech Corp.
Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, September 30, 2009 2008
(Unaudited) (Audited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash
equivalents $3,060,000 $3,238,000 Accounts receivable, net
1,280,000 1,875,000 Advance payments and other 2,195,000 3,175,000
Inventories, net 2,366,000 4,886,000 VAT receivable 1,415,000
2,436,000 Other receivable 99,000 730,000 Total current assets
10,415,000 16,340,000 Property and equipment, net 12,598,000
12,934,000 Investment 1,000,000 1,000,000 Deferred financing costs,
net of accumulated amortization 1,613,000 1,812,000 Deposits
188,000 701,000 Total assets $25,814,000 $32,787,000 LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable
$890,000 $1,771,000 Customer advance payment 1,667,000 96,000
Accrued expenses 782,000 910,000 Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities, related parties 5,563,000 5,450,000 Derivative
liabilities 365,000 980,000 Warrant liabilities 1,669,000 3,412,000
Convertible notes, net of discount 689,000 85,000 Total current
liabilities 11,625,000 12,704,000 STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY: Common
stock - 400,000,000 shares authorized at $0.001 par value
113,331,257 and 112,052,012 shares issued and outstanding at March
31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively 113,000 112,000
Additional paid in capital 75,123,000 71,627,000 Other
comprehensive income 2,437,000 2,485,000 Accumulated deficit
(63,484,000) (54,141,000) Total stockholders' equity 14,189,000
20,083,000 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $25,814,000
$32,787,000 DATASOURCE: Solar EnerTech Corp. CONTACT: Bill Zima of
ICR Inc., +1-203-682-8200 (Investor Relations), for SOEN
Copyright