Enphase Energy, Inc., a global energy technology company and the world’s leading supplier of solar microinverters, announced today financial results for the first quarter of 2020, which included the summary below from its President and CEO, Badri Kothandaraman.
We are pleased to report revenue of $205.5 million in the first quarter of 2020, along with an all-time record for gross margin, despite COVID-19. Our first quarter revenue increased 105% year-over-year. We shipped approximately 643 megawatts DC, or 2,012,476 microinverters, as our worldwide teams did an excellent job of ensuring product availability and on-time customer deliveries.
Highlights for the first quarter of 2020 included:
- Revenue of $205.5 million, including approximately $44.5 million of safe harbor revenue
- Cash flow from operations of $39.2 million; ending cash balance of $593.8 million
- GAAP gross margin of 39.2%; non-GAAP gross margin of 39.5%
- GAAP operating expenses of $36.0 million; non-GAAP operating expenses of $28.5 million
- GAAP operating income of $44.7 million; non-GAAP operating income of $52.8 million
- GAAP net income of $68.9 million, including a gain of $15.3 million from changes in fair value of derivatives and an income tax benefit of $11.9 million; non-GAAP net income of $51.9 million
- GAAP diluted EPS of $0.50; non-GAAP diluted EPS of $0.38
Our revenue and earnings for the first quarter of 2020 are given below, compared with those of the prior quarter and the year ago quarter:
(In thousands, except per share data and percentages)
Our non-GAAP gross margin increased to 39.5% from 37.3% in the fourth quarter of 2019, driven by disciplined pricing and cost management. Non-GAAP operating expenses were $28.5 million, compared to $26.1 million in the prior quarter. Non-GAAP operating income was $52.8 million, compared to $52.3 million in the prior quarter.
We exited the first quarter with $593.8 million in cash, including restricted cash, and generated $39.2 million in cash flow from operations. The restricted cash was related to the first quarter of 2020 safe harbor deliveries and became unrestricted at the end of April. The first quarter cash balance increased $295.5 million from the issuance in early March of $320.0 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2025, after deducting $7.0 million in fees and $17.5 million for the call spread transaction. Inventory was $34.6 million at the end of the first quarter of 2020, compared to $32.1 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2019.
As a result of global shelter-in-place rules, our engineering and certification activities experienced a slowdown. Consequently, we were unable to ship our Encharge™ battery storage system during the first quarter of 2020 as planned. We now expect shipments to begin in June 2020. To support the launch, we are ramping online installer training and tools while shelter-in-place and social distancing measures remain in force.
Our Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $200 million of Enphase Energy common stock to minimize shareholder dilution related to employee equity issuances. Purchases will be completed from time to time in the open market or through structured repurchase agreements with third parties. Such purchases are expected to continue through March 2022 unless otherwise extended or shortened by our Board of Directors.
Although there is short-term uncertainty due to COVID-19, we have tremendous confidence in the strength of our business in the long term. We have a flexible and resilient supply chain, aided by our strong contract manufacturing partners. We are laser-focused on operational excellence and customer experience. Our balance sheet is strong, enabling us to invest in organic and inorganic growth even in today’s difficult times. We are investing heavily in new products that create unmatched value, based on our three pillars of differentiation: semiconductors, software and Ensemble™.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
On March 16, 2020, Enphase Energy announced it has forged an alliance with Amicus Solar Cooperative, a Certified B Corporation and Public Benefit Corporation, to become a supplier-of-record for its membership of values-driven, independently owned solar energy developers, EPCs, and installers. Amicus member companies install solar in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada, and include over 3,000 experienced solar professionals with more than 500 MW of solar installations in 2019.
On March 25, 2020, Enphase Energy announced an expanded partnership with Rexel Group, a global multichannel solar distributor of products and services, to include Australia-wide distribution. Rexel Australia will provide solar installers with the full suite of Enphase IQ™ products, to ensure one-stop-shop convenience at its nearly 50 specialist solar branches across the country.
On April 2, 2020, Enphase Energy unveiled a comprehensive portfolio of training options to ensure that installers are trained and ready for Enphase Ensemble technology. To serve installers with hands-on training when COVID-19 social distancing measures subside, Enphase is preparing turn-key training centers around the U.S. Enphase is also introducing online training resources to ensure installer training continues while social distancing measures are in place.
On April 7, 2020, Enphase Energy announced it has collaborated with Courant Naturel, a fast-growing residential solar installer with headquarters in Soual, France, to deliver solar solutions to customers in southwest France. The company has chosen Enphase as its exclusive inverter supplier, using Enphase IQ 7X™ microinverters, along with SunPower® X-Series, an Enphase Energized ™ AC Module leveraging IQ 7X microinverters.
On April 20, 2020, Enphase Energy announced that over 8,300 homeowners have joined the Enphase Upgrade Program, a service initiative that gives homeowners several options for upgrading to the latest, more efficient and reliable microinverters from Enphase. The Upgrade Program is for warranty holders of legacy Enphase microinverters and represents the Company’s continued commitment to quality and service.
SECOND QUARTER 2020 FINANCIAL OUTLOOK
For the second quarter of 2020, Enphase Energy estimates both GAAP and non-GAAP financial results as follows:
- Revenue to be within a range of $115 million to $130 million
- GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin to be within a range of 37% to 40%
- GAAP operating expenses to be within a range of $33 million to $35 million, including $7.5 million estimated for stock-based compensation expenses and acquisition related amortization
- Non-GAAP operating expenses to be within a range of $25.5 million to $27.5 million, excluding $7.5 million estimated for stock-based compensation expenses and acquisition related amortization
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company has presented certain non-GAAP financial measures in this press release. To view a description of non-GAAP financial measures used and the non-GAAP reconciliation schedule for the periods presented.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements related to Enphase Energy’s expectations as to future financial performance; the capabilities, advantages, and performance of our technology and products; the availability of our products and their market adoption; the quality and ease of maintaining and monitoring our products; the training and capabilities of installers; and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Enphase Energy’s actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties including those risks described in more detail in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents on file with the SEC and available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Enphase Energy undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations, except as required by law.
