SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWR) today announced financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended Sept. 27, 2015.

"Our strong quarterly results reflect the continued success of our customer first, complete solution strategy as we executed well on our project commitments and exceeded our key financial targets for the quarter," said Tom Werner, SunPower president and CEO.  "Demand trends in both the power plant and distributed generation segments remain robust and we are well positioned to capitalize on positive market fundamentals for 2016.   Operationally, we met our cell and balance of systems cost targets and shipments of our industry leading technology now exceed one million cells per day.  With Fab 4 scheduled for large volume production next year, we believe we will have the capacity to meet customer demand for our high efficiency, high quality solutions.

"In the power plant segment, we successfully met our commitments and further built out our holdco asset base in preparation for project drop downs to 8point3 Energy Partners.  Specifically, our 135-megawatt (MW) Quinto project, which is now owned by 8point3 Energy Partners, remains on plan for non-GAAP revenue recognition in the fourth quarter.  Additionally, we completed the construction of our 8-MW Riverside Public Utilities project as well as expanded our international footprint with the completion of our 12-MW Roc du Doun power plant in France and 40 MW of projects developed for Apple in China.   Finally, we were awarded a 20-MW project for Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative in Arizona, scheduled for delivery in 2016. 

"We also executed well in our distributed generation business as demand for our industry leading solutions remained solid during the quarter.  In our commercial segment, our new and repeat customer bookings trend remained positive and we see strong fundamentals continuing through 2016.  Our 13-MW University of California Davis project, owned by 8point3 Energy Partners, achieved commercial operation date in September and contributed to our strong financial performance for the quarter.  We also launched our Helix platform, the world's first fully-integrated solar solution for commercial customers.  Designed for the rooftop, carport and commercial ground-mount markets, Helix delivers significantly lower costs and improved reliability while accelerating installation times.  When combined with our proprietary energy information services offering, this solution gives customers unprecedented visibility and control over their solar energy production and consumption.

"Our residential business was our best performing segment for the quarter.  In particular, North American demand remains high as customers continue to choose SunPower for our industry leading quality, reliability and performance.  As a result, non-GAAP revenue and gross margin exceeded our forecasts.  Additionally, our PV-integrated residential microinverter offering is gaining significant traction in the marketplace and we continue to invest in our next generation solutions including building out our Smart Energy platform," Werner concluded.

"The solid execution of our downstream strategy enabled us to post strong financial results for the quarter, including generating $54 million in EBITDA," said Chuck Boynton, SunPower CFO.  "In relation to working capital, we increased inventory in the third quarter in preparation to meet our significant 2016 backlog while adding assets to our holdco asset base.  With solid industry fundamentals, a diversified end channel strategy, new product introductions and further commitment to our manufacturing cost reduction roadmaps, we are well positioned for profitable growth in 2016."

Third quarter fiscal 2015 non-GAAP results include net adjustments that, in the aggregate, increase net income by $76.8 million, including $19.4 million related to 8point3 Energy Partners, ($0.5) million related to utility and power plant projects, ($7.5) million related to the First Philippine Solar Corporation arbitration ruling, $14.9 million related to stock-based compensation expense, $1.0 million related to our November 2014 Restructuring Plan, $1.2 million related to the 8point3 Energy Partners Initial Public Offering , $1.3 million related to other adjustments, and $47.0 million related to tax effect.

Financial Outlook

The company's fourth quarter fiscal 2015 non-GAAP guidance is as follows: revenue of $1.25 billion to $1.30 billion, gross margin of 28 percent to 29 percent, EBITDA of $300 to $325 million and megawatts deployed in the range of 275 MW to 305 MW.  On a GAAP basis, the company expects revenue of $300 million to $350 million, gross margin of 5 percent to 6 percent and net loss per diluted share of $1.25 to $1.15.  Fourth quarter 2015 GAAP guidance includes the impact of the company's holdco strategy and deferrals due to real estate accounting. 

For fiscal year 2015, the company's non-GAAP expectations are as follows:  revenue of $2.50 billion to $2.55 billion, gross margin of 23 percent to 24 percent, net income per diluted share of $1.95 to $2.05, capital expenditures of $250 million to $300 million and gigawatts deployed in the range of 1.15 GW to 1.18 GW.  On a GAAP basis, the company expects 2015 revenue of $1.50 billion to $1.55 billion, gross margin of 15 percent to 16 percent and net loss per diluted share of $1.70 to $1.60.   Fiscal year 2015 GAAP guidance includes the impact of the company's holdco strategy and deferrals due to real estate accounting.

The company is also raising its fiscal year 2015 EBITDA guidance to $475 million to $500 million, an increase from its previous guidance of $425 million to $475 million. 

The company will host a conference call for investors this afternoon to discuss its third-quarter 2015 performance at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time.  The call will be webcast and can be accessed from SunPower's website at http://investors.sunpower.com/events.cfm.

SunPower will provide its fiscal year 2016 outlook at its Analyst Day to be held on November 12, 2015 in New York City starting at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.  Please note that the entire event will be webcast and relevant materials will be posted to the company's website before the event.  To register for and listen to the webcast, investors are encouraged to visit the company's Events and Presentations section of the SunPower Investor Relations page at http://investors.sunpower.com/events.cfm.

This press release contains both GAAP and non-GAAP financial information.  Non-GAAP figures are reconciled to the closest GAAP equivalent categories in the financial attachment of this press release.  Please note that the company has posted supplemental information and slides related to its third-quarter 2015 performance on the Events and Presentations section of the SunPower Investor Relations page at http://investors.sunpower.com/events.cfm.  The capacity of power plants in this release is described in approximate megawatts on a direct current (dc) basis unless otherwise noted.

About SunPower

As one of the world's most innovative and sustainable energy companies, SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SWPR) provides a diverse group of customers with complete solar solutions and services. Residential customers, businesses, governments, schools and utilities around the globe rely on SunPower's more than 30 years of proven experience. From the first flip of the switch, SunPower delivers maximum value and performance throughout the long life of every solar system. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, SunPower has dedicated, customer-focused employees in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America. For more information about how SunPower is changing the way our world is powered, visit www.sunpower.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: (a) expectations concerning the effect that 8point3 Energy Partners will have on our revenues cost of capital, future cash flows and the value we are able to generate for our shareholders; (b) anticipated construction timelines and milestones for certain of our commercial projects and for our major power plant projects, such as the Quinto project; (c) expansion of our international footprint and expanding our manufacturing capacity, including related to Fab 4, and our ability to meet customer demand; (d) the strength of the solar market and in particular, current and expected fourth quarter fiscal 2015 and fiscal year 2016 customer demand in our commercial and residential segments including in new and repeat bookings; (e) our positioning for long-term profitability; (f) strategically managing cash; (g) reducing operating expenses; (h) generating free cash flow; (i) expected benefits of our new Helix platform; (j) the expected adoption and benefits of our Smart Energy solutions; (k) fourth quarter fiscal 2015 non-GAAP guidance, including non-GAAP revenue, gross margin, EBITDA, and MW deployed; and fourth quarter fiscal 2015 GAAP guidance, including revenue, gross margin, and net loss per diluted share; (l) fiscal year 2015 non-GAAP guidance, including non-GAAP revenue, gross margin, capital expenditures, EBITDA, net income per diluted share, and GW deployed; and (m) fiscal year 2015 GAAP guidance, including GAAP revenue, gross margin, and net loss per diluted share.  These forward-looking statements are based on our current assumptions, expectations and beliefs and involve substantial risks and uncertainties that may cause results, performance or achievement to materially differ from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) competition in the industry and downward pressure on average selling prices; (2) our liquidity, substantial indebtedness, and our ability to obtain additional financing for our projects and our customers; (3) risks relating to our residential lease business, including risks of customer default, challenges securing lease financing, and declining conventional electricity prices; (4) our ability to meet our cost reduction targets; (5) regulatory changes and the availability of economic incentives promoting use of solar energy; (6) challenges inherent in constructing and maintaining certain of our large projects, such as the Quinto project; (7) the success of our ongoing research and development efforts and our ability to commercialize of new products and services, including products and services developed through strategic partnerships; (8) fluctuations in our operating results; (9) maintaining or increasing our manufacturing capacity, containing manufacturing costs, and other manufacturing difficulties that could arise; (10) challenges managing our joint ventures and partnerships; (11) challenges executing on our holdco and YieldCo strategies, including the risk that 8point3 Energy Partners may be unsuccessful; (12) fluctuations or declines in the performance of our solar panels and other products and solutions; and (13) fluctuations or declines in the prices of conventional electricity.  A detailed discussion of these factors and other risks that affect our business is included in filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from time to time, including our most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, particularly under the heading "Risk Factors."  Copies of these filings are available online from the SEC or on the SEC Filings section of our Investor Relations website at investors.sunpower.com.  All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information currently available to us, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events.

SunPower is a registered trademark of SunPower Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement its consolidated financial results presented in accordance with GAAP, the company uses non-GAAP measures that are adjusted for certain items from the most directly comparable GAAP measures, as described below. The specific non-GAAP measures listed below are: revenue; gross margin; net income; net income per diluted share; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"); and free cash flow. Management believes that each of these non-GAAP measures is useful to investors, enabling them to better assess changes in each of these key elements of the company's results of operations across different reporting periods on a consistent basis, independent of certain items as described below. Thus, each of these non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with another method to assess the company's operating results in a manner that is focused on its ongoing, core operating performance, absent the effects of these items. Management uses these non-GAAP measures internally to assess the business, its financial performance, current and historical results, as well as for strategic decision-making and forecasting future results. Many of the analysts covering the company also use these non-GAAP measures in their analyses. Given management's use of these non-GAAP measures, the company believes these measures are important to investors in understanding the company's operating results as seen through the eyes of management. These non-GAAP measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP or intended to be a replacement for GAAP financial data; the non-GAAP measures should be reviewed together with the GAAP measures and are not intended to serve as a substitute for results under GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies.

Non-GAAP revenue includes adjustments relating to 8point3 and utility and power plant projects as described below. Non-GAAP gross margin includes adjustments relating to 8point3, utility and power plant projects, the FPSC arbitration ruling, stock-based compensation, and other items as described below. In addition to those same adjustments, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per diluted share are adjusted for adjustments relating to the November 2014 Restructuring Plan, IPO-related costs, and the tax effect of these non-GAAP adjustments as described below. In addition to the same adjustments as non-GAAP net income, EBITDA includes adjustments relating to cash interest expense (net of interest income), provision for (benefit from) income taxes, and depreciation. Free cash flow includes adjustments relating to investing cash flows and lease financings as described below.

Non-GAAP Adjustments

• 8point3. In June 2015, 8point3 Energy Partners LP ("8point3 Energy Partners"), a joint YieldCo vehicle formed by the company and First Solar, Inc. ("First Solar" and, together with the company, the "Sponsors") to own, operate and acquire solar energy generation assets, completed an initial public offering ("IPO") of Class A shares representing limited partner interests in 8point3 Energy Partners. The IPO was consummated on June 24, 2015 whereupon the Class A shares are now listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol "CAFD." Immediately after the IPO, the company contributed a portfolio of 170 MW of its solar generation assets (the "SPWR Projects") to 8point3 Operating Company, LLC ("OpCo"), 8point3 Energy Partners' primary operating subsidiary. In exchange for the SPWR Projects, the company received cash proceeds of $371 million as well as equity interests in several 8point3 Energy Partners affiliated entities: primarily common and subordinated units representing a 40.7% stake in OpCo and a 50.0% economic and management stake in 8point3 Holding Company, LLC ("Holdings"), the parent company of the general partner of 8point3 Energy Partners and the owner of incentive distribution rights in OpCo. Holdings, OpCo, 8point3 Energy Partners and their respective subsidiaries are referred to herein as the "8point3 Group" or "8point3."
  
  The company includes adjustments related to the sales of projects contributed to 8point3 based on the difference between the fair market value of the consideration received and the net carrying value of the projects contributed, of which, a portion is deferred in proportion to the company's retained equity stake in 8point3. The deferred profit is subsequently recognized over time. This treatment is consistent with the accounting rules relating to the sale of such projects under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Under these rules, with certain exceptions such as for projects already in operation, the company's revenue is equal to the fair market value of the consideration received, and cost of goods sold is equal to the net carrying value plus a partial deferral of profit proportionate with the retained equity stake. Under GAAP, these sales are recognized under either real estate, lease, or consolidation accounting rules depending upon the nature of the individual asset contributed, with outcomes ranging from no profit recognition to full profit recognition. IFRS profit, less deferrals associated with retained equity, is recognized for sales related to the residential lease portfolio. Revenue recognition for other projects sold to 8point3 is deferred until these projects reach commercial operations consistent with IFRS rules. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees includes the impact of the company's share of 8point3's earnings related to sales of projects receiving sales recognition under IFRS but not GAAP.   Management believes that these adjustments for the impact of 8point3 enable investors to better evaluate the company's revenue and profit generation performance.
• Utility and power plant projects. The company includes adjustments related to the revenue recognition of utility and power plant projects based on the separately-identifiable components of transactions in order to reflect the substance of the transactions. This treatment is consistent with accounting rules relating to such projects under IFRS. On a GAAP basis, such projects are accounted for under U.S. GAAP real estate accounting guidance. Management calculates separate revenue and cost of revenue amounts each fiscal period in accordance with the two treatments above and the aggregate difference for the company's affected projects is included in the relevant reconciliation tables below. Over the life of each project, cumulative revenue and gross margin will be equivalent under the two treatments; however, revenue and gross margin will generally be recognized earlier under the company's non-GAAP treatment than under the company's GAAP treatment. Among other factors, this is due to the attribution of non-GAAP revenue and margin to the company's project development efforts at the time of initial project sale as required under IFRS accounting rules, whereas no separate attribution to this element occurs under U.S. GAAP real estate accounting guidance. Within each project, the relationship between the adjustments to revenue and gross margins is generally consistent. However, as the company may have multiple utility and power plant projects in progress at any given time, the relationship in the aggregate will occasionally appear otherwise. Management believes that this adjustment for utility and power plant projects enables investors to evaluate the company's revenue generation performance relative to the direct costs of revenue of its core businesses.
• FPSC arbitration ruling. On January 28, 2015, an arbitral tribunal of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce declared a binding partial award in the matter of an arbitration between First Philippine Electric Corporation ("FPEC") and First Philippine Solar Corporation ("FPSC") against SunPower Philippines Manufacturing, Ltd. ("SPML"), the company's wholly-owned subsidiary. The tribunal found SPML in breach of its obligations under its supply agreement with FPSC, and in breach of its joint venture agreement with FPEC. The second partial and final awards received on July 17, 2015 and October 19, 2015, respectively, reduced the estimated amounts to be paid to FPEC. As a result, the company recorded its best estimate of probable loss related to this case. As this loss is nonrecurring in nature, excluding this data provides investors with a basis to evaluate the company's performance, including compared with the performance of other companies, without similar impacts.
• Stock-based compensation. Stock-based compensation relates primarily to the company's equity incentive awards. Stock-based compensation is a non-cash expense that varies from period to period and is dependent on market forces that are difficult to predict. Due to this unpredictability, management excludes this item from its internal operating forecasts and models. Management believes that this adjustment for stock-based compensation provides investors with a basis to measure the company's core performance, including compared with the performance of other companies, without the period-to-period variability created by stock-based compensation.
• November 2014 Restructuring Plan. In November 2014, the company approved a reorganization plan aimed towards realigning resources consistently with the company's global strategy and improving its overall operating efficiency and cost structure. Restructuring charges are excluded from non-GAAP financial measures because they are not considered core operating activities and such costs have historically occurred infrequently. Although SunPower has engaged in restructuring activities in the past, each has been a discrete event based on a unique set of business objectives. As such, management believes that it is appropriate to exclude restructuring charges from the company's non-GAAP financial measures as they are not reflective of ongoing operating results or contribute to a meaningful evaluation of a company's past operating performance.
• IPO-related costs. Costs incurred related to the IPO of 8point3 included legal, accounting, advisory, valuation, and other expenses, as well as modifications to or terminations of certain existing financing structures in preparation for the sale to 8point3. As these costs are non-recurring in nature, excluding this data provides investors with a basis to evaluate the company's performance, including compared with the performance of other companies, without similar impacts.
• Other. The company combines amounts previously disclosed under separate captions into "Other" when amounts do not have a significant impact on the current fiscal period. Management believes that these adjustments provide investors with a basis to evaluate the company's performance, including compared with the performance of other companies, without similar impacts.
  
  The amounts recorded in "Other" during the third quarter of fiscal 2015 are driven by adjustments which would have previously been disclosed under other non-GAAP adjustment captions, including "Amortization of intangible assets" and "Non-cash interest expense."
• Tax effect. This amount is used to present each of the adjustments described above on an after-tax basis in connection with the presentation of non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per diluted share. The company's non-GAAP tax amount is based on estimated cash tax expense and reserves. The company forecasts its annual cash tax liability and allocates the tax to each quarter in proportion to earnings for that period. This approach is designed to enhance investors' ability to understand the impact of the company's tax expense on its current operations, provide improved modeling accuracy, and substantially reduce fluctuations caused by GAAP to non-GAAP adjustments, which may not reflect actual cash tax expense.
• EBITDA adjustments. When calculating EBITDA, in addition to adjustments described above, the company excludes the impact during the period of the following items:
  • Cash interest expense, net of interest income
  • Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
  • Depreciation

Management presents this non-GAAP financial measure to give investors a basis to evaluate the company's performance, including compared with the performance of other companies.

• Free cash flow adjustments. When calculating free cash flow, the company includes the impact during the period of the following items:
  • Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
  • Proceeds from issuance of non-recourse debt financing, net of issuance costs
  • Repayment of non-recourse debt financing
  • Proceeds from residential lease financing
  • Repayment of residential lease financing
  • Proceeds from sale-leaseback financing
  • Repayment of sale-leaseback financing
  • Proceeds from 8point3 Energy Partners attributable to operating leases and unguaranteed sales-type lease residual values
  • Contributions from noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests
  • Distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests

Management presents this non-GAAP financial measure to enable investors to evaluate the company's performance, including compared with the performance of other companies.

For more information about these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables captioned "Reconciliations of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures" set forth at the end of this release, which should be read together with the preceding financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The following supplemental data represent the adjustments, individual charges and credits that are included or excluded from SunPower's non-GAAP revenue, gross margin, net income and net income per diluted share measures for each period presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations contained herein.