UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 2020
or
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________________ to ________________
Commission file number: 000-12536
China Recycling Energy Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada | | 90-0093373 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
4/F, Tower C
Rong Cheng Yun Gu Building Keji 3rd Road, Yanta District
Xi An City, Shaan Xi Province
China 710075
(Address of principal executive offices)
(011) 86-29-8765-1098
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | | Trading Symbol(s) | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, $0.001 par value | | CREG | | NASDAQ Capital Market |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ |
| | | Emerging Growth Company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of November 16, 2020, there were 3,125,466 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED) | | | DECEMBER 31, 2019 | |
| | | | | | |
ASSETS | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
CURRENT ASSETS | | | | | | |
Cash | | $ | 73,787,158 | | | $ | 16,221,297 | |
Accounts receivable, net | | | 24,827,842 | | | | 42,068,760 | |
Interest receivable on sales type leases | | | - | | | | 5,245,244 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | 62,609 | | | | 52,760 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | | | 5,891 | | | | - | |
Other receivables | | | 45,641 | | | | 1,031,143 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total current assets | | | 98,729,141 | | | | 64,619,204 | |
| | | | | | | | |
NON-CURRENT ASSETS | | | | | | | | |
Investment in sales-type leases, net | | | - | | | | 8,287,560 | |
Long term deposit | | | - | | | | 15,712 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | | | - | | | | 54,078 | |
Property and equipment, net | | | 27,704,004 | | | | 27,044,385 | |
Construction in progress | | | - | | | | 23,824,202 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total non-current assets | | | 27,704,004 | | | | 59,225,937 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 126,433,145 | | | $ | 123,845,141 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 2,253,884 | | | $ | 2,200,220 | |
Taxes payable | | | 2,509,792 | | | | 4,087,642 | |
Accrued interest on notes | | | 7,599 | | | | - | |
Notes payable, net of unamortized OID | | | 591,974 | | | | - | |
Accrued liabilities and other payables | | | 1,182,642 | | | | 1,184,751 | |
Operating lease liability | | | - | | | | 56,755 | |
Due to related parties | | | 28,590 | | | | 41,174 | |
Interest payable on entrusted loans | | | 9,387,757 | | | | 8,200,044 | |
Entrusted loan payable | | | 20,979,731 | | | | 20,480,214 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | | | 36,941,969 | | | | 36,250,800 | |
| | | | | | | | |
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES | | | | | | | | |
Accrued interest on notes | | | - | | | | 368,362 | |
Income tax payable | | | 5,782,625 | | | | 5,782,625 | |
Notes payable, net of unamortized OID | | | - | | | | 1,552,376 | |
Long term payable | | | 440,522 | | | | 430,034 | |
Entrusted loan payable | | | 293,681 | | | | 286,689 | |
Refundable deposit from customers for systems leasing | | | - | | | | 544,709 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total noncurrent liabilities | | | 6,516,828 | | | | 8,964,795 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 43,458,797 | | | | 45,215,595 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS (NOTE 17 & 18) | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, 3,001,146 shares and 2,032,721 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively | | | 3,001 | | | | 2,033 | |
Additional paid in capital | | | 119,128,530 | | | | 116,682,374 | |
Statutory reserve | | | 14,667,404 | | | | 14,525,712 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (3,959,045 | ) | | | (6,132,614 | ) |
Accumulated deficit | | | (46,865,542 | ) | | | (46,447,959 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Company stockholders’ equity | | | 82,974,348 | | | | 78,629,546 | |
| | | | | | | | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | $ | 126,433,145 | | | $ | 123,845,141 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(UNAUDITED)
| | NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, | | | THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, | |
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | | | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contingent rental income | | $ | - | | | $ | 702,973 | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income on sales-type leases | | | - | | | | 173,360 | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating income | | | - | | | | 876,333 | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bad debts (reversal) | | | (1,659,101 | ) | | | 5,508,377 | | | | (9,479 | ) | | | 2,683,474 | |
Loss on disposal of systems | | | - | | | | 1,250,731 | | | | - | | | | - | |
General and administrative | | | 477,358 | | | | 2,160,017 | | | | 86,494 | | | | 142,681 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating (income) expenses | | | (1,181,743 | ) | | | 8,919,125 | | | | 77,015 | | | | 2,826,155 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from operations | | | 1,181,743 | | | | (8,042,792 | ) | | | (77,015 | ) | | | (2,826,155 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-operating income (expenses) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gain (loss) on note conversion | | | (496,853 | ) | | | 24,240 | | | | (298,523 | ) | | | 24,240 | |
Interest expense-inducement on note conversion | | | - | | | | (893,958 | ) | | | - | | | | - | |
Interest income | | | 124,305 | | | | 120,903 | | | | 51,688 | | | | 38,293 | |
Interest expense | | | (1,037,183 | ) | | | (5,888,819 | ) | | | (340,155 | ) | | | (2,094,899 | ) |
Other income (expenses), net | | | (47,903 | ) | | | 332,397 | | | | (7,275 | ) | | | 1,919 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total non-operating expenses, net | | | (1,457,634 | ) | | | (6,305,237 | ) | | | (594,265 | ) | | | (2,030,447 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss before income tax | | | (275,891 | ) | | | (14,348,029 | ) | | | (671,280 | ) | | | (4,856,602 | ) |
Income tax benefit | | | - | | | | (3,041,884 | ) | | | - | | | | (755,840 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss attributable to China Recycling Energy Corporation | | | (275,891 | ) | | | (11,306,145 | ) | | | (671,280 | ) | | | (4,100,762 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive items | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation gain (loss) | | | 2,173,569 | | | | (2,582,759 | ) | | | 3,456,157 | | | | (2,486,200 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to China Recycling Energy Corporation | | $ | 1,897,678 | | | $ | (13,888,904 | ) | | $ | 2,784,877 | | | $ | (6,586,962 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding | | | 2,381,180 | | | | 1,467,114 | | | | 2,687,609 | | | | 1,615,919 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted loss per share | | $ | (0.12 | ) | | $ | (7.71 | ) | | $ | (0.25 | ) | | $ | (2.54 | ) |
| * | The basic and diluted loss per share are the same due to antidilutive options and warrants resulting from the Company’s net loss. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
| | NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, | |
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
| | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (275,891 | ) | | $ | (11,306,145 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Amortization of OID and debt issuing costs of notes | | | 45,833 | | | | 84,661 | |
Stock compensation expense | | | 10,999 | | | | - | |
Operating lease expenses | | | 49,034 | | | | - | |
Bad debts expense (reversal) | | | (1,659,101 | ) | | | 5,508,377 | |
Loss on disposal of 40% ownership of Fund Management Co | | | - | | | | 46,761 | |
Loss on transfer of Chengli Boxing system | | | - | | | | 628,170 | |
Loss on transfer of Xuzhou Huayu system | | | - | | | | 399,601 | |
Loss on transfer of Shenqiu Phase I & II systems | | | - | | | | 209,707 | |
Loss on disposal of fixed assets | | | - | | | | 289 | |
Loss (gain) on note conversion | | | 496,853 | | | | (24,240 | ) |
Interest expense-inducement on note conversion | | | - | | | | 893,958 | |
Changes in deferred tax | | | - | | | | (3,044,371 | ) |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Interest receivable on sales type leases | | | - | | | | (171,506 | ) |
Collection of principal on sales type leases | | | 13,959,334 | | | | - | |
Accounts receivable | | | 43,765,943 | | | | 64,306 | |
Prepaid expenses | | | (8,339 | ) | | | (20,320 | ) |
Other receivables | | | (3,141 | ) | | | (132,920 | ) |
Accounts payable | | | - | | | | (2,857,402 | ) |
Taxes payable | | | (2,133,778 | ) | | | (1,323,919 | ) |
Payment of lease liability | | | (57,442 | ) | | | - | |
Interest payable on entrusted loan | | | 962,052 | | | | 5,551,651 | |
Accrued liabilities and other payables | | | 46,968 | | | | (109,867 | ) |
Refundable deposit for systems leasing | | | - | | | | (481,462 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | | 55,199,324 | | | | (6,084,671 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from disposal of property & equipment | | | - | | | | 5,106 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by investing activities | | | - | | | | 5,106 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of notes payable | | | - | | | | 2,000,000 | |
Issuance of common stock | | | 497,187 | | | | 3,309,475 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 497,187 | | | | 5,309,475 | |
| | | | | | | | |
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE ON CASH | | | 1,869,350 | | | | (1,607,514 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH | | | 57,565,861 | | | | (2,377,604 | ) |
CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | | 16,221,297 | | | | 53,223,142 | |
| | | | | | | | |
CASH, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 73,787,158 | | | $ | 50,845,538 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental cash flow data: | | | | | | | | |
Income tax paid | | $ | - | | | $ | 223,369 | |
Interest paid | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating activities | | | | | | | | |
Transfer of Tian’an project from construction in progress to accounts receivable | | $ | 23,771,386 | | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating and financing activities | | | | | | | | |
Transfer of Xuzhou Huayu Project and Shenqiu Phase I & II projects to Mr. Bai | | $ | - | | | $ | 34,931,358 | |
Conversion of convertible debt into common shares | | $ | - | | | $ | 1,272,000 | |
Conversion of long-term notes into common shares | | $ | 1,442,086 | | | $ | - | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 AND 2019
(UNAUDITED)
| | Common Stock | | | Paid in | | | Statutory | | | Other Comprehensive | | | Accumulated | | | | |
| | Shares | | | Amount | | | Capital | | | Reserves | | | Loss | | | Deficit | | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2019 | | | 2,032,721 | | | $ | 2,033 | | | $ | 116,682,374 | | | $ | 14,525,712 | | | $ | (6,132,614 | ) | | $ | (46,447,959 | ) | | $ | 78,629,546 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss for the quarter | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (598,551 | ) | | | (598,551 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of common stock for stock compensation | | | 3,333 | | | | 3 | | | | 10,996 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 10,999 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Conversion of long-term notes into common shares | | | 143,333 | | | | 143 | | | | 533,024 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 533,167 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation loss | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (1,341,276 | ) | | | - | | | | (1,341,276 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at March 31, 2020 | | | 2,179,387 | | | | 2,179 | | | | 117,226,394 | | | | 14,525,712 | | | | (7,473,890 | ) | | | (47,046,510 | ) | | | 77,233,885 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Conversion of long-term notes into common shares | | | 304,710 | | | | 305 | | | | 769,444 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 769,749 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Round-up of fractional shares due to reverse split | | | 9,100 | | | | 9 | | | | (9 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss for the quarter | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 993,940 | | | | 993,940 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transfer to statutory reserves | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 140,494 | | | | - | | | | (140,494 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation gain | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 58,688 | | | | - | | | | 58,688 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at June 30, 2020 | | | 2,493,197 | | | | 2,493 | | | | 117,995,829 | | | | 14,666,206 | | | | (7,415,202 | ) | | | (46,193,064 | ) | | | 79,056,262 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Conversion of long-term notes into common shares | | | 242,699 | | | | 243 | | | | 635,779 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 636,022 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares issued for equity financing | | | 265,250 | | | | 265 | | | | 496,922 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 497,187 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss for the quarter | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (671,280 | ) | | | (671,280 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transfer to statutory reserves | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,198 | | | | - | | | | (1,198 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation gain | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 3,456,157 | | | | - | | | | 3,456,157 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at September 30, 2020 | | | 3,001,146 | | | $ | 3,001 | | | $ | 119,128,530 | | | $ | 14,667,404 | | | $ | (3,959,045 | ) | | $ | (46,865,542 | ) | | $ | 82,974,348 | |
| | Common Stock | | | Paid in | | | Statutory | | | Other Comprehensive | | | Accumulated | | | | | | Noncontrolling | |
| | Shares | | | Amount | | | Capital | | | Reserves | | | Loss | | | Deficit | | | Total | | | Interest | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at December 31, 2018 | | | 1,029,582 | | | $ | 1,030 | | | $ | 114,493,283 | | | $ | 14,525,712 | | | $ | (4,620,930 | ) | | $ | (37,675,202 | ) | | $ | 86,723,893 | | | $ | (3,544,624 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss for the quarter | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (1,942,294 | ) | | | (1,942,294 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchase of noncontrolling interest | | | - | | | | - | | | | (3,948,242 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (3,948,242 | ) | | | 3,544,624 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of common stock for equity financing | | | 160,000 | | | | 160 | | | | 1,620,640 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,620,800 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Conversion of convertible notes including accrued interest into common shares | | | 185,195 | | | | 185 | | | | 2,014,791 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 2,014,976 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transfer to statutory reserves | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 213,360 | | | | - | | | | (213,360 | ) | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation gain | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,810,626 | | | | - | | | | 1,810,626 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at March 31, 2019 | | | 1,374,777 | | | | 1,375 | | | | 114,180,472 | | | | 14,739,072 | | | | (2,810,304 | ) | | | (39,830,856 | ) | | | 86,279,759 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of common stock | | | 235,873 | | | | 236 | | | | 1,688,439 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,688,675 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss for the quarter | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (5,263,089 | ) | | | (5,263,089 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transfer to statutory reserves | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (250,321 | ) | | | - | | | | 250,321 | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation loss | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (1,907,185 | ) | | | - | | | | (1,907,185 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at June 30, 2019 | | | 1,610,650 | | | | 1,611 | | | | 115,868,911 | | | | 14,488,751 | | | | (4,717,489 | ) | | | (44,843,624 | ) | | | 80,798,160 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Conversion of long-term notes into common shares | | | 40,400 | | | | 40 | | | | 177,720 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 177,760 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss for the quarter | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (4,100,762 | ) | | | (4,100,762 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transfer to statutory reserves | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 36,961 | | | | - | | | | (36,961 | ) | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation loss | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (2,486,200 | ) | | | - | | | | (2,486,200 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at September 30, 2019 | | | 1,651,050 | | | $ | 1,651 | | | $ | 116,046,631 | | | $ | 14,525,712 | | | $ | (7,203,689 | ) | | $ | (48,981,347 | ) | | $ | 74,388,958 | | | $ | - | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED) AND DECEMBER 31, 2019
1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
China Recycling Energy Corporation (the “Company” or “CREG”) is incorporated in Nevada state. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides energy saving solutions and services, including selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers, and project investment in the Peoples Republic of China (“PRC”).
The Company’s organizational chart as of September 30, 2020 is as follows:
Erdos TCH – Joint Venture
On April 14, 2009, the Company formed a joint venture (the “JV”) with Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Erdos”) to recycle waste heat from Erdos’ metal refining plants to generate power and steam to be sold back to Erdos. The name of the JV was Inner Mongolia Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd. (“Erdos TCH”) with a term of 20 years. Total investment for the project was estimated at $79 million (RMB 500 million) with an initial investment of $17.55 million (RMB 120 million). Erdos contributed 7% of the total investment of the project, and Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”) contributed 93%. On June 15, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Erdos entered into a share transfer agreement, pursuant to which Erdos sold its 7% ownership interest in the JV to Xi’an TCH for $1.29 million (RMB 8 million), plus certain accumulated profits as described below. Xi’an TCH paid the $1.29 million in July 2013 and, as a result, became the sole stockholder of the JV. Erdos TCH currently has two power generation systems in Phase I with a total of 18 MW power capacity, and three power generation systems in Phase II with a total of 27 MW power capacity. On April 28, 2016, Erdos TCH and Erdos entered into a supplemental agreement, effective May 1, 2016, whereby Erdos TCH cancelled monthly minimum lease payments from Erdos, and started to charge Erdos based on actual electricity sold at RMB 0.30 / KWH. The selling price of each KWH is determined annually based on prevailing market conditions. The Company evaluated the modified terms for payments based on actual electricity sold as minimum lease payments as defined in ASC 840-10-25-4, since lease payments that depend on a factor directly related to the future use of the leased property are contingent rentals and, accordingly, are excluded from minimum lease payments in their entirety. The Company wrote off the net investment receivables of these leases at the lease modification date. Since May 2019, Erdos TCH has ceased its operations due to renovations and furnace safety upgrades of Erdos, and the Company initially expected the resumption of operations in July 2020, but the resumption of operations will be delayed due to the global pandemic of Covid-19, the Company is not able to provide a resumption date as it will depend on the overall progress of the global epidemic control. During this period, Erdos will compensate Erdos TCH RMB 1 million ($145,460) per month, until operations resume.
In addition, Erdos TCH has 30% ownership in DaTangShiDai (BinZhou) Energy Savings Technology Co., Ltd. (“BinZhou Energy Savings”), 30% ownership in DaTangShiDai DaTong Recycling Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“DaTong Recycling Energy”), and 40% ownership in DaTang ShiDai TianYu XuZhou Recycling Energy Technology Co, Ltd. (“TianYu XuZhou Recycling Energy”). These companies were incorporated in 2012 but there have not been any operations since then nor has any registered capital contribution been made.
Pucheng Biomass Power Generation Projects
On June 29, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation (“BMPG”) Project Lease Agreement with Pucheng XinHengYuan Biomass Power Generation Co., Ltd. (“Pucheng”), a limited liability company incorporated in China. Under this lease agreement, Xi’an TCH leased a set of 12 MW BMPG systems to Pucheng at a minimum of $279,400 (RMB 1,900,000) per month for 15 years (“Pucheng Phase I”).
On September 11, 2013, Xi’an TCH entered into a BMPG Asset Transfer Agreement (the “Pucheng Transfer Agreement”) with Pucheng. The Pucheng Transfer Agreement provided for the sale by Pucheng to Xi’an TCH of a set of 12 MW BMPG systems with completion of system transformation for RMB 100 million ($16.48 million) in the form of 87,666 shares (post-reverse stock split) of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) of the Company at $187.0 per share (post-reverse stock price). Also on September 11, 2013, Xi’an TCH entered into a BMPG Project Lease Agreement with Pucheng (the “Pucheng Lease”). Under the Pucheng Lease, Xi’an TCH leases this same set of 12 MW BMPG systems to Pucheng, and combined this lease with the lease for the 12 MW BMPG station of Pucheng Phase I project, under a single lease to Pucheng for RMB 3.8 million ($0.63 million) per month (the “Pucheng Phase II Project”). The term for the combined lease is from September 2013 to June 2025. The lease agreement for the 12 MW station from the Pucheng Phase I project terminated upon the effective date of the Pucheng Lease. The ownership of the two 12 MW BMPG systems will transfer to Pucheng at no additional charge when the Pucheng Lease expires.
On September 29, 2019, Xi’an TCH entered into a Termination Agreement of the Lease Agreement of the Biomass Power Generation Project (the “Termination Agreement”) with Pucheng.
Pucheng failed to pay fees it owed to Xi’an TCH for leasing two biomass power generation systems from Xi’an TCH, due to its long suspension of production resulting from the significant reduction of raw material supplies for its biomass power generation operation in Pucheng County, which caused the biomass power generation project to no longer be suitable. Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, the parties agreed that: (i) Pucheng shall pay outstanding lease fees of RMB 97.6 million ($14 million) owed as of December 31, 2018 to Xi’an TCH before January 15, 2020; (ii) Xi’an TCH will waive the lease fees owed after January 1, 2019; (iii) Xi’an TCH will not return RMB 3.8 million ($542,857) in cash deposits paid by Pucheng; (iv) Xi’an TCH will transfer the Project to Pucheng at no additional cost after receiving RMB 97.6 million ($14 million) from Pucheng, and the original lease agreement between the parties will be formally terminated; and (v) if Pucheng fails to pay off RMB 97.6 million ($14 million) to Xi’an TCH before January 15, 2020, Xi’an TCH will still hold ownership of the Project and the original lease agreement shall still be valid. The Company recorded an additional $2.67 million bad debt expense for Pucheng during the year ended December 31, 2019. Xi’an TCH received RMB 97.6 million ($14 million) in full on January 14, 2020 and the ownership of the system was transferred.
Shenqiu Yuneng Biomass Power Generation Projects
On September 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH and Shenqiu entered into a BMPG Project Lease Agreement (the “2011 Shenqiu Lease”). Under the 2011 Shenqiu Lease, Xi’an TCH agreed to lease a set of 12 MW BMPG systems to Shenqiu at a monthly rental of $286,000 (RMB 1,800,000) for 11 years.
On March 30, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Shenqiu entered into a BMPG Project Lease Agreement (the “2013 Shenqiu Lease”). Under the 2013 Shenqiu Lease, Xi’an TCH agreed to lease the second set of 12 MW BMPG systems to Shenqiu for $239,000 (RMB 1.5 million) per month for 9.5 years.
As repayment for a loan made by Xi’an Zhonghong to Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center, LLP (the “HYREF”) on January 10, 2019 (see further discussion in Note 9); on January 4, 2019, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, and Mr. Chonggong Bai (or “Mr. Bai”), a resident of China, entered into a Projects Transfer Agreement (the “Agreement”), pursuant to which Xi’an TCH transferred two BMGP in Shenqiu (“Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects”) to Mr. Bai for RMB 127,066,000 ($18.55 million). As consideration for the transfer of the Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects to Mr. Bai (Note 9), Mr. Bai transferred all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng Enterprises Management Consulting Co. Ltd. (“Xi’an Hanneng”) to Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center, LLP (the “HYREF”) as repayment for a loan made by Xi’an Zhonghong to HYREF on January 10, 2019. The transfer of the projects was completed on February 15, 2019. The Company recorded $208,359 loss from the transfer during the year ended December 31, 2019. Xi’an Hanneng was expected to own 47,150,000 shares of Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd for the repayment of Shenqiu system and Huayu system. However, Xi’an Hanneng was not able to obtain all the Huaxin shares due to halted trading of Huaxin stock by NEEQ for not filing its 2018 annual report. On December 20, 2019, Mr. Bai and all the related parties therefore agreed to have Mr. Bai instead paying in cash for the transfer price of Shenqiu (see Note 9 for detail).
The Fund Management Company
On June 25, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Hongyuan Huifu Venture Capital Co. Ltd. (“Hongyuan Huifu”) established Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Management Company Ltd. (the “Fund Management Company”) with registered capital of RMB 10 million ($1.45 million). Xi’an TCH made an initial capital contribution of RMB 4 million ($650,000) and held a 40% ownership interest in the Fund Management Company. With respect to the Fund Management Company, voting rights and dividend rights are allocated 80% and 20% between Hongyuan Huifu and Xi’an TCH, respectively.
The Fund Management Company is the general partner of Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center, LLP (the “HYREF Fund”), a limited liability partnership established on July 18, 2013 in Beijing. The Fund Management Company made an initial capital contribution of RMB 5 million ($830,000) to the HYREF Fund. RMB 460 million ($77 million) was fully subscribed by all partners for the HYREF Fund. The HYREF Fund has three limited partners: (1) China Orient Asset Management Co., Ltd., which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 280 million ($46.67 million) to the HYREF Fund and is a preferred limited partner; (2) Hongyuan Huifu, which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 100 million ($16.67 million) to the HYREF Fund and is an ordinary limited partner; and (3) the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Xi’an TCH, which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 75 million ($12.5 million) to the HYREF Fund and is a secondary limited partner. In addition, Xi’an TCH and Hongyuan Huifu formed Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Management Company Ltd. to manage this Fund, which also subscribed in the amount of RMB 5 million ($830,000) from the Fund. The term of the HYREF Fund’s partnership is six years from the date of its establishment, expiring July 18, 2019. However, the HYREF Fund’s partnership will not terminate until the HYREF loan is fully repaid and the buy-back period is over pursuant to the Buy-back Agreement entered on December 29, 2018 (see Note 9). The term is four years from the date of contribution for the preferred limited partner, and four years from the date of contribution for the ordinary limited partner. The total size of the HYREF Fund is RMB 460 million ($77 million). The HYREF Fund was formed to invest in Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a then 90% owned subsidiary of Xi’an TCH, for the construction of two coke dry quenching (“CDQ”) Waste Heat Power Generation (“WHPG”) stations with Jiangsu Tianyu Energy and Chemical Group Co., Ltd. (“Tianyu”) and one CDQ WHPG station with Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. (“Chengli”).
On December 29, 2018, Xi’an TCH entered into a Share Transfer Agreement with Hongyuan Huifu, pursuant to which Xi’an TCH transferred its 40% ownership in the Fund Management Company to Hongyuan Huifu for RMB 3,453,867 ($0.53 million). The transfer was completed January 22, 2019. The Company recorded approximately $46,500 loss from the sale of a 40% equity interest in Fund Management Company. The Company does not have any ownership in the Fund Management Company after this transaction.
Chengli Waste Heat Power Generation Projects
On July 19, 2013, Xi’an TCH formed a new company, “Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.” (“Zhonghong”), with registered capital of RMB 30 million ($4.85 million). Xi’an TCH paid RMB 27 million ($4.37 million) and owns 90% of Zhonghong. Zhonghong is engaged to provide energy saving solution and services, including constructing, selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers. On December 29, 2018, Shanghai TCH entered into a Share Transfer Agreement with HYREF, pursuant to which HYREF transferred its 10% ownership in Xi’an Zhonghong to Shanghai TCH for RMB 3 million ($0.44 million). The transfer was completed on January 22, 2019. The Company owns 100% of Xi’an Zhonghong after the transaction.
On July 24, 2013, Zhonghong entered into a Cooperative Agreement of CDQ and CDQ WHPG Project (Coke Dry Quenching Waste Heat Power Generation Project) with Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. (“Chengli”). The parties entered into a supplement agreement on July 26, 2013. Pursuant to these agreements, Zhonghong will design, build and maintain a 25 MW CDQ system and a CDQ WHPG system to supply power to Chengli, and Chengli will pay energy saving fees (the “Chengli Project”).
On December 29, 2018, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, HYREF, Guohua Ku, and Mr. Chonggong Bai entered into a CDQ WHPG Station Fixed Assets Transfer Agreement, pursuant to which Xi’an Zhonghong transferred Chengli CDQ WHPG station as the repayment for the loan of RMB 188,639,400 ($27.54 million) to HYREF. Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai also agreed to buy back the CDQ WHPG Station when conditions under the Buy Back Agreement are met (see Note 9). The transfer of the Station was completed January 22, 2019, the Company recorded $624,133 loss from this transfer. Since the original terms of Buy Back Agreement are still valid, and the Buy Back possibility could occur; therefore, the loan principal and interest and the corresponding asset of Chengli CDQ WHPG station cannot be derecognized due to the existence of Buy Back clauses (see Note 5 for detail).
Tianyu Waste Heat Power Generation Project
On July 19, 2013, Zhonghong entered into a Cooperative Agreement (the “Tianyu Agreement”) for Energy Management of CDQ and CDQ WHPG Projects with Jiangsu Tianyu Energy and Chemical Group Co., Ltd. (“Tianyu”). Pursuant to the Tianyu Agreement, Zhonghong will design, build, operate and maintain two sets of 25 MW CDQ systems and CDQ WHPG systems for two subsidiaries of Tianyu – Xuzhou Tian’an Chemical Co., Ltd. (“Xuzhou Tian’an”) and Xuzhou Huayu Coking Co., Ltd. (“Xuzhou Huayu”) – to be located at Xuzhou Tian’an and Xuzhou Huayu’s respective locations (the “Tianyu Project”). Upon completion of the Tianyu Project, Zhonghong will charge Tianyu an energy saving fee of RMB 0.534 ($0.087) per kilowatt hour (excluding tax). The term of the Tianyu Agreement is 20 years. The construction of the Xuzhou Tian’an Project is anticipated to be completed by the second quarter of 2020. The Xuzhou Huayu Project has been on hold due to a conflict between Xuzhou Huayu Coking Co., Ltd. and local residents on certain pollution-related issues.
On January 4, 2019, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, and Mr. Chonggong Bai entered into a Projects Transfer Agreement (the “Agreement”), pursuant to which Xi’an Zhonghong transferred a CDQ WHPG station (under construction) located in Xuzhou City for Xuzhou Huayu Coking Co., Ltd. (“Xuzhou Huayu Project”) to Mr. Bai for RMB 120,000,000 ($17.52 million). Mr. Bai agreed that as consideration for the transfer of the Xuzhou Huayu Project to him (Note 9), he would transfer all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng, to HYREF as repayment for the loan made by Xi’an Zhonghong to HYREF. The transfer of the project was completed on February 15, 2019. The Company recorded $397,033 loss from this transfer during the year ended December 31, 2019. On January 10, 2019, Mr. Chonggong Bai transferred all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng, to HYREF as repayment for the loan. Xi’an Hanneng was expected to own 47,150,000 shares of Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd for the repayment of Huayu system and Shenqiu system. As of September 30, 2019, Xi’an Hanneng already owned 29,948,000 shares of Huaxin, but was not able to obtain the remaining 17,202,000 shares due to halted trading of Huaxin stock by NEEQ for not filing its 2018 annual report. On December 20, 2019, Mr. Bai and all the related parties agreed to have Mr. Bai instead pay in cash for the transfer price of Huayu (see Note 9 for detail).
On January 10, 2020, Zhonghong, Tianyu and Huaxin signed a transfer agreement to transfer all assets under construction and related rights and interests of Xuzhou Tian’an Project to Tianyu for RMB 170 million including VAT ($24.37 million) in three installment payments. The 1st installment payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) to be paid within 20 working days after the contract is signed. The 2nd installment payment of RMB 50 million ($7.34 million) is to be paid within 20 working days after completion of the project construction but no later than July 31, 2020. The final installment payment of RMB 70 million ($10.28 million) is to be paid before December 31, 2020. On March 11, 2020, the Company received the 1st installment payment. The repayment date for 2nd installment payment is delayed to fourth quarter of 2020.
Zhongtai Waste Heat Power Generation Energy Management Cooperative Agreement
On December 6, 2013, Xi’an TCH entered into a CDQ and WHPG Energy Management Cooperative Agreement (the “Zhongtai Agreement”) with Xuzhou Zhongtai Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Zhongtai”), a limited liability company incorporated in Jiangsu Province, China.
Pursuant to the Zhongtai Agreement, Xi’an TCH was to design, build and maintain a 150 ton per hour CDQ system and a 25 MW CDQ WHPG system and sell the power to Zhongtai, and Xi’an TCH is also to build a furnace to generate steam from the smoke pipeline’s waste heat and sell the steam to Zhongtai.
The construction period of the Project was expected to be 18 months from the date when conditions are ready for construction to begin. Zhongtai is to start to pay an energy saving service fee from the date when the WHPG station passes the required 72-hour test run. The payment term is 20 years. For the first 10 years, Zhongtai shall pay an energy saving fee at RMB 0.534 ($0.089) per kilowatt hour (KWH) (including value added tax) for the power generated from the system. For the second 10 years, Zhongtai shall pay an energy saving fee at RMB 0.402 ($0.067) per KWH (including value added tax). During the term of the contract the energy saving fee shall be adjusted at the same percentage as the change of local grid electricity price. Zhongtai shall also pay an energy saving fee for the steam supplied by Xi’an TCH at RMB 100 ($16.67) per ton (including value added tax). Zhongtai and its parent company will provide guarantees to ensure Zhongtai will fulfill its obligations under the Agreement. Upon the completion of the term, Xi’an TCH will transfer the systems to Zhongtai for RMB 1 ($0.16). Zhongtai shall provide waste heat to the systems for no less than 8,000 hours per year and waste gas volume no less than 150,000 Normal Meter Cubed (Nm3) per hour, with a temperature no less than 950°C. If these requirements are not met, the term of the Agreement will be extended accordingly. If Zhongtai wants to terminate the Zhongtai Agreement early, it shall provide Xi’an TCH with a 60 day notice and pay the termination fee and compensation for the damages to Xi’an TCH according to the following formula: (1) if it is less than five years into the term when Zhongtai requests termination, Zhongtai shall pay: Xi’an TCH’s total investment amount plus Xi’an TCH’s annual investment return times five years minus the years in which the system has already operated; or 2) if it is more than five years into the term when Zhongtai requests the termination, Zhongtai shall pay: Xi’an TCH’s total investment amount minus total amortization cost (the amortization period is 10 years).
In March 2016, Xi’an TCH entered into a Transfer Agreement of CDQ and a CDQ WHPG system with Zhongtai and Xi’an Huaxin (the “Transfer Agreement”). Under the Transfer Agreement, Xi’an TCH agreed to transfer to Zhongtai all of the assets associated with the CDQ Waste Heat Power Generation Project (the “Project”), which is under construction pursuant to the Zhongtai Agreement. Additionally, Xi’an TCH agreed to transfer to Zhongtai the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (“EPC”) Contract for the CDQ Waste Heat Power Generation Project which Xi’an TCH had entered into with Xi’an Huaxin in connection with the Project. Xi’an Huaxin will continue to construct and complete the Project and Xi’an TCH agreed to transfer all its rights and obligations under the EPC Contract to Zhongtai. As consideration for the transfer of the Project, Zhongtai agreed to pay to Xi’an TCH RMB 167,360,000 ($25.77 million) including (i) RMB 152,360,000 ($23.46 million) for the construction of the Project; and (ii) RMB 15,000,000 ($2.31 million) as payment for partial loan interest accrued during the construction period. Those amounts have been, or will be, paid by Zhongtai to Xi’an TCH according to the following schedule: (a) RMB 50,000,000 ($7.70 million) was to be paid within 20 business days after the Transfer Agreement was signed; (b) RMB 30,000,000 ($4.32 million) was to be paid within 20 business days after the Project was completed, but no later than July 30, 2016; and (c) RMB 87,360,000 ($13.45 million) was to be paid no later than July 30, 2017. Xuzhou Taifa Special Steel Technology Co., Ltd. (“Xuzhou Taifa”) guaranteed the payments from Zhongtai to Xi’an TCH. The ownership of the Project was conditionally transferred to Zhongtai following the initial payment of RMB 50,000,000 ($7.70 million) by Zhongtai to Xi’an TCH and the full ownership of the Project will be officially transferred to Zhongtai after it completes all payments pursuant to the Transfer Agreement. The Company recorded a $2.82 million loss from this transaction in 2016. In 2016, Xi’an TCH had received the first payment of $7.70 million and the second payment of $4.32 million. However, the Company received a repayment commitment letter from Zhongtai on February 23, 2018, in which Zhongtai committed to pay the remaining payment of RMB 87,360,000 ($13.45 million) no later than the end of July 2018; in July 2018, Zhongtai and the Company reached a further oral agreement to extend the repayment term of RMB 87,360,000 ($13.45 million) by another two to three months. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had gross receivable from Zhongtai for $4.40 million (with bad debt allowance of $4.40 million). In January 2020, Zhongtai paid RMB 10 million ($1.41 million); in March 2020, Zhongtai paid RMB 20 million ($2.82 million); in June 2020, Zhongtai paid RMB 10 million ($1.41 million). Zhongtai is committed to pay in full the remaining balance of RMB 30 million ($4.40 million) no later than the end of 2020.
Formation of Zhongxun
On March 24, 2014, Xi’an TCH incorporated a subsidiary, Zhongxun Energy Investment (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (“Zhongxun”) with registered capital of $5,695,502 (RMB 35,000,000), which must be contributed before October 1, 2028. Zhongxun is 100% owned by Xi’an TCH and will be mainly engaged in project investment, investment management, economic information consulting, and technical services. Zhongxun has not yet commenced operations nor has any capital contribution been made as of the date of this report.
Formation of Yinghua
On February 11, 2015, the Company incorporated a subsidiary, Shanghai Yinghua Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“Yinghua”) with registered capital of $30,000,000, to be paid within 10 years from the date the business license is issued. Yinghua is 100% owned by the Company and will be mainly engaged in financial leasing, purchase of financial leasing assets, disposal and repair of financial leasing assets, consulting and ensuring of financial leasing transactions, and related factoring business. Yinghua has not yet commenced operations nor has any capital contribution been made as of the date of this report.
Reverse Stock Split
On April 13, 2020, the Company filed a certificate of change (“Certificate of Change”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada, pursuant to which, on April 13, 2020, the Company effected a reverse stock split of its Common Stock, at a rate of 1-for-10, accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The consolidated financial statements and related disclosure as of December 31, 2019, and for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2019 were retroactively restated to reflect this reverse stock split.
Other Events
On September 9, 2019, the Company entered into a letter of intent to acquire a controlling interest in Xi’an Yineng Zhihui Technology Co., Ltd. (“YNZH”), a next generation energy storage solution provider in China. YNZH is a leading comprehensive high-tech intelligent energy service company integrated with energy efficiency improvement and storage management in China. The energy efficiency management is to fully use big data cloud computing technology, effectively adopt the combination of the mature international and domestic clean energy technologies to make the customers’ energy management more efficient, more economical, more secure and more scientific. The terms of this proposed transaction are currently being negotiated.
In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) was reported in Wuhan, China. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak to constitute a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.” This pandemic, which continues to spread to additional countries, and is disrupting supply chains and affecting production and sales across a range of industries as a result of quarantines, facility closures, and travel and logistics restrictions in connection with the outbreak. However, as a result of PRC government’s effort on disease control, most cities in China were reopened, the outbreak in China is under the control. The Company disposed all of its systems and currently holds only five power generating systems through Erdos TCH, the Company initially expected to resume production of these five power generating systems in July 2020 from the renovation and furnace safety upgrade, but the resumption of operations will be delayed due to the global pandemic of Covid-19; Erdos exports ferrosilicon to 27 countries, the Company decided not to resume the production in the third quarter of 2020 as a result of decreased sales order and overstocked inventory. The Company expects the resumption date to be December 2020, and is currently doing the final testing of the equipment. There are some new Covid-19 cases discovered in a few provinces of China, however, the number of new cases are not significant due to PRC government’s strict control.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements (“CFS”) were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).
The interim consolidated financial information as of September 30, 2020 and for the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was prepared without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures, which are normally included in CFS prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP were not included. The interim consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and the notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, previously filed with the SEC on May 14, 2020.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include all significant normal and recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair statement of the Company’s consolidated financial position as of September 30, 2020, its consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, as applicable, were made.
Basis of Consolidation
The CFS include the accounts of CREG and its subsidiaries, Shanghai Yinghua Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (“Yinghua”) and Sifang Holdings; Sifang Holdings’ wholly owned subsidiaries, Huahong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Huahong”) and Shanghai TCH Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai TCH”); Shanghai TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Xi’an TCH Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”); and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiaries, 1) Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”), 100% owned by Xi’an TCH (See note 1), 2) Zhonghong, 90% owned by Xi’an TCH and 10% owned by Shanghai TCH, and 3) Zhongxun, 100% owned by Xi’an TCH. Substantially all the Company’s revenues are derived from the operations of Shanghai TCH and its subsidiaries, which represent substantially all the Company’s consolidated assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2020. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.
Uses and Sources of Liquidity
For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company had a net loss of $0.28 million and 0.68 million. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company had net loss of $8.78 million. The Company has an accumulated deficit of $46.87 million as of September 30, 2020. The Company is in the process of transforming and expanding into an energy storage integrated solution provider. The Company plans to pursue disciplined and targeted expansion strategies for market areas the Company currently does not serve. The Company actively seeks and explores opportunities to apply energy storage technologies to new industries or segments with high growth potential, including industrial and commercial complexes, large scale photovoltaic (PV) and wind power stations, remote islands without electricity, and smart energy cities with multi-energy supplies. Management also intends to raise additional funds by way of a private or public offering, or by obtaining loans from banks or others. The Company’s cash flow forecast indicate it will have sufficient cash to funds its operations for the next 12 months from the date of issuance of these financial statements.
The historical operating results indicate substantial doubt exists related to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. However, the Company had $73.79 million cash on hand at September 30, 2020. The Company believes that the actions discussed above are probable of occurring and the occurrence, mitigate the substantial doubt raised by its historical operating results.
The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Company’s ability to further implement its business plan and generate sufficient revenue and its ability to raise additional funds by way of a public or private offering, or debt financing including bank loans. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
Use of Estimates
In preparing these CFS in accordance with US GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheets as well as revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results may differ from these estimates. On an on-going basis, management evaluates their estimates, including those related to allowances for bad debt and inventory obsolescence, impairment loss on fixed assets and construction in progress, income taxes, and contingencies and litigation. Management bases their estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other resources.
Revenue Recognition
A) Sales-type Leasing and Related Revenue Recognition
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842 using the modified retrospective transition approach by applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. Results and disclosure requirements for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2019 are presented under ASC Topic 842, while prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting under Topic 840. (See Operating lease below as relates to the Company as a lessee). The Company’s sales type lease contracts for revenue recognition fall under ASC 842. During the nine and three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not sell any new power generating projects.
The Company constructs and leases waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers. The Company typically transfers legal ownership of the waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers at the end of the lease. Prior to January 1, 2019, the investment in these projects was recorded as investment in sales-type leases in accordance with ASC Topic 840, “Leases,” and its various amendments and interpretations.
The Company finances construction of waste energy recycling power generating projects. The sales and cost of sales are recognized at the inception of the lease, which is when the control is transferred to the lessee. The Company accounts for the transfer of control as a sales type lease in accordance with ASC 842-10-25-2. The underlying asset is derecognized, and revenue is recorded when collection of payments is probable. This is in accordance with the revenue recognition principle in ASC 606 - Revenue from contracts with customers. The investment in sales-type leases consists of the sum of the minimum lease payments receivable less unearned interest income and estimated executory cost. Minimum lease payments are part of the lease agreement between the Company (as the lessor) and the customer (as the lessee). The discount rate implicit in the lease is used to calculate the present value of minimum lease payments. The minimum lease payments consist of the gross lease payments net of executory costs and contingent rentals, if any. Unearned interest is amortized to income over the lease term to produce a constant periodic rate of return on net investment in the lease. While revenue is recognized at the inception of the lease, the cash flow from the sales-type lease occurs over the course of the lease, which results in interest income and reduction of receivables. Revenue is recognized net of sales tax.
B) Contingent Rental Income
The Company records income from actual electricity generated of each project in the period the income is earned, which is when the electricity is generated. Contingent rent is not part of minimum lease payments.
Operating Leases
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Topic 842 using the modified retrospective transition approach by applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. Results and disclosure requirements for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2019 are presented under Topic 842, while prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with its historical accounting under Topic 840. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available.
The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which allowed it to carry forward its historical lease classification, its assessment on whether a contract was or contains a lease, and its initial direct costs for any leases that existed prior to January 1, 2019. The Company also elected to combine its lease and non-lease components and to keep leases with an initial term of 12 months or less off the balance sheet and recognize the associated lease payments in the consolidated statements of income on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The Company leased an office in Xi’an, China as the Company’s headquarter; upon adoption, the Company recognized total Right of Use Asset (“ROU”) of $116,917, with corresponding liabilities of $116,917 on the consolidated balance sheets. The ROU assets include adjustments for prepayments and accrued lease payments. The adoption did not impact its beginning retained earnings, or its prior year consolidated statements of income and statements of cash flows. At September 30, 2020, the ROU was $5,891.
Under Topic 842, the Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of remaining lease payments over the lease term. For this purpose, the Company considers only payments that are fixed and determinable at the time of commencement. As most of its leases do not provide an implicit rate, it uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate is a hypothetical rate based on its understanding of what its credit rating would be. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made prior to commencement and is recorded net of any lease incentives received. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise such options.
Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities (current and non-current), on the consolidated balance sheets.
Cash
Cash include cash on hand, demand deposits placed with banks or other financial institutions and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less as of the purchase date of such investments.
Accounts Receivable
The Company’s policy is to maintain an allowance for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves.
As of September 30, 2020, the Company had gross accounts receivable of $29.27 million; of which, $6.91 million was for transferring the ownership of Huayu and Shenqiu Phase I and II systems to Mr. Bai; $4.41million was from the sales of CDQ and a CDQ WHPG system to Zhongtai, $17.62 million was from transferring the ownership of Tian’an project to Tianyu, and $0.33 million accounts receivable of Erdos TCH for electricity sold. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had gross accounts receivable of $48.06 million; of which, $35.42 million was for transferring the ownership of Huayu and Shenqiu Phase I and II systems to Mr. Bai; $10.03 million was from the sales of CDQ and a CDQ WHPG system to Zhongtai, and $2.61 million accounts receivable of Erdos TCH for electricity sold. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had bad debt allowance of $4,405,222 for Zhongtai and $32,861 for Erdos TCH due to not making the payments as scheduled. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had bad debt allowance of $5,733,781 for Zhongtai and $261,430 for Erdos TCH due to not making the payments as scheduled. The Company made a reversal of bad debts allowance of $1,659,101, of which $1,430,260 was for Zhongtai and $228,842 was for Erdos TCH during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as a result of payment collection from Zhongtai and Erdos TCH. In October 2020, the Company collected RMB 47 million ($6.91 million) from Mr. Bai. As of this report date, the Company has received the full payment of RMB 247 million ($36.28 million) from Mr. Bai.
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Xuzhou Zhongtai project | | $ | 4,405,222 | | | $ | 10,034,116 | |
Bai Chonggong (for Shenqiu and Huayu projects) | | | 6,911,205 | | | | 35,415,556 | |
Xuzhou Tian’an project | | | 17,620,887 | | | | - | |
Receivable of electricity sales of Erdos | | | 328,611 | | | | 2,614,299 | |
Total accounts receivable | | | 29,265,925 | | | | 48,063,971 | |
Bad debt allowance | | | (4,438,083 | ) | | | (5,995,210 | ) |
Accounts receivable, net | | | 24,827,842 | | | $ | 42,068,761 | |
Interest Receivable on Sales Type Leases
As of September 30, 2020, the interest receivable on sales type leases was $0. As of December 31, 2019, the interest receivable on sales type leases was $5,245,244, mainly from recognized but not yet collected interest income for the Pucheng systems. The ownership of Pucheng systems was transferred to Pucheng as a result of full payment received by Xi’an TCH in January 2020.
Investment in sales-type leases, net
As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had net investment in sales-type leases of $0 and $8,287,560, respectively. The Company maintains reserves for potential credit losses on receivables. Management reviews the composition of receivables and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had bad debt allowance for net investment receivable on sales-type leases of $0 and $24,416,441 for the Pucheng system, respectively. Xi’an TCH received RMB 97.6 million ($14 million) in full which included interest of $5.3 million for Pucheng system on January 14, 2020 and the ownership of the system was transferred. The bad debt allowance of Pucheng was recorded in 2019.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained within China. Balances at financial institutions within China are not covered by insurance. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Certain other financial instruments, which subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist of accounts and other receivables. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support these receivables. The Company conducts periodic reviews of its customers’ financial condition and customer payment practices to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable.
The operations of the Company are in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the PRC.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated lives as follows:
Building | | | 20 years |
Vehicles | | | 2 - 5 years |
Office and Other Equipment | | | 2 - 5 years |
Software | | | 2 - 3 years |
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” the Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. If the total expected undiscounted future net cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying amount of the asset. The Company recorded $0 asset impairment loss for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales consists primarily of the direct material of the power generating system and expenses incurred directly for project construction for sales-type leasing and sales tax and additions for contingent rental income.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates, applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 740, which prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC Topic 740 also provides guidance on recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods, and income tax disclosures.
Under the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 740, when tax returns are filed, it is likely that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination.
Statement of Cash Flows
In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 230, “Statement of Cash Flows,” cash flows from the Company’s operations are calculated based upon the local currencies. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statement of cash flows may not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheet.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term debts, the carrying amounts approximate their fair values due to their short maturities. Receivables on sales-type leases are based on interest rates implicit in the lease.
FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosure of the FV of financial instruments held by the Company. FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” defines FV, and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of FV measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for FV measures. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for receivables and current liabilities each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their FV because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:
| ● | Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. |
| ● | Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. |
| ● | Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to FV measurement. |
Effective on January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement: Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which modifies the disclosure requirements for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 instruments in the FV hierarchy.
The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under FASB ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity,” and ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”
As of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any long-term debt obligations; and the Company did not identify any assets or liabilities that are required to be presented on the balance sheet at FV.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for share-based compensation awards to employees in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation”, which requires that share-based payment transactions with employees be measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instrument issued and recognized as compensation expense over the requisite service period.
The Company accounts for share-based compensation awards to non-employees in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 and FASB ASC Subtopic 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-employees”. Share-based compensation associated with the issuance of equity instruments to non-employees is measured at the fair value of the equity instrument issued or committed to be issued, as this is more reliable than the fair value of the services received. The fair value is measured at the date that the commitment for performance by the counterparty has been reached or the counterparty’s performance is complete.
Effective on January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2018-07, “Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which expands the scope of ASC 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from non-employees. An entity should apply the requirements of ASC 718 to non-employee awards except for specific guidance on inputs to an option pricing model and the attribution of cost. The amendments specify that ASC 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a grantor’s own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. The adoption of ASU 2018-07 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
The Company presents net income (loss) per share (“EPS”) in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earning Per Share.” Accordingly, basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding as well as common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method for stock options and warrants and the if-converted method for convertible notes. The Company made an accounting policy election to use the if-converted method for convertible securities that are eligible to receive common stock dividends, if declared. Diluted EPS reflect the potential dilution that could occur based on the exercise of stock options or warrants or conversion of convertible securities using the if-converted method.
For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the basic and diluted loss per share were the same due to the Company’s net loss. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, 31,311 shares and 406,764 shares (post-reverse stock split), respectively; purchasable under warrants and options were excluded from the EPS calculation as these were not dilutive.
Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The Company’s functional currency is the Renminbi (“RMB”). For financial reporting purposes, RMB were translated into United States Dollars (“USD” or “$”) as the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders’ equity as “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in income. There was no significant fluctuation in the exchange rate for the conversion of RMB to USD after the balance sheet date.
The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 220, “Comprehensive Income.” Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to the statements of stockholders’ equity, except those due to investments by stockholders, changes in paid-in capital and distributions to stockholders.
Segment Reporting
FASB ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a company’s management organizes segments within the company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure, or any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. FASB ASC Topic 280 has no effect on the Company’s CFS as substantially all of the Company’s operations are conducted in one industry segment. All of the Company’s assets are located in the PRC.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), which requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2022. Early application will be permitted for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on its CFS.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes, eliminates certain exceptions within ASC 740, Income Taxes, and clarifies certain aspects of the current guidance to promote consistent application among reporting entities. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Upon adoption, the Company must apply certain aspects of this standard retrospectively for all periods presented while other aspects are applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company is evaluating the impact this update will have on its financial statements.
Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, including its Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the SEC did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future CFS.
3. INVESTMENT IN SALES-TYPE LEASES, NET
Under sales-type leases, as of December 31, 2019, Xi’an TCH leases BMPG systems to Pucheng (Phase I and II, 15 and 11 year terms, respectively); The components of the net investment in sales-type leases as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are as follows:
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Total future minimum lease payments receivable | | $ | - | | | $ | 56,477,739 | |
Less: executory cost | | | - | | | | (3,623,100 | ) |
Less: unearned interest | | | - | | | | (14,905,393 | ) |
Less: realized interest income but not yet received | | | - | | | | (5,245,244 | ) |
Less: allowance for net investment receivable | | | - | | | | (24,416,442 | ) |
Investment in sales-type leases, net | | | - | | | | 8,287,560 | |
Current portion | | | - | | | | - | |
Noncurrent portion | | $ | - | | | $ | 8,287,560 | |
The ownership of Pucheng systems was transferred to Pucheng in January 2020 as a result of receiving full payment from Pucheng to Xi’an TCH.
4. OTHER RECEIVABLES
As of September 30, 2020, other receivables mainly consisted of (i) advances to third parties of $7,342, bearing no interest, payable upon demand, ii) advance to employees of $9,329, and (iii) other receivables of $28,970 including social insurance receivable of $5,459. As of December 31, 2019, other receivables mainly consisted of (i) advances to third parties of $7,167, bearing no interest, payable upon demand, (ii) tax and maintenance cost receivable of $1,001,527 for Xi’an TCH, and iii) others of $22,449. Tax receivable is VAT receivable from customers and payable to City government on collection.
5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS
Property and Equipment
As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had net property and equipment (after impairment allowance) of $27.70 million and $27.04 million, respectively, which was for the Chengli project.
The Chengli project finished construction, and was transferred to the Company’s fixed assets at a cost of $35.24 million (without impairment loss) and ready to be put into operation as of December 31, 2018. On January 22, 2019, Xi’an Zhonghong completed the transfer of Chengli CDQ WHPG project as the partial repayment for the loan and accrued interest of RMB 188,639,400 ($27.54 million) to HYREF (see Note 9). However, because the loan was not deemed repaid due to the buyback right (See Note 9 for detail), the Company kept the loan and the Chengli project in its books as fixed assets for accounting purposes.
Construction in Progress
Construction in progress was for constructing power generation systems for Xuzhou Tian’an project. The Company recorded additional RMB 6,047,602 ($876,660) asset impairment for Tian’an Project in 2019, which is the difference between the Project’s selling price and the carrying value as of December 31, 2019. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company’s construction in progress included:
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Xuzhou Tian’an | | $ | - | | | $ | 37,759,277 | |
Less: assets impairment allowance | | | - | | | | (13,935,075 | ) |
Total | | $ | - | | | $ | 23,824,202 | |
On January 10, 2020, Zhonghong, Tianyu and Huaxin signed a transfer agreement to transfer all assets under construction and related rights and interests of Xuzhou Tian’an Project to Tianyu for RMB 170 million including $0.6 million VAT (total of $24.37 million) in three installment payments. The Company recorded impairment loss of $13.9 million as of December 31, 2019. The 1st installment payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) to be paid within 20 working days after the contract is signed. The 2nd installment payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) is to be paid within 20 working days after completion of the project construction but no later than July 31, 2020. The final installment payment of RMB 70 million ($10.03 million) is to be paid before December 31, 2020. On March 11, 2020, the Company received the 1st installment payment. The repayment date for 2nd installment payment is delayed to fourth quarter of 2020.
6. TAXES PAYABLE
Taxes payable consisted of the following as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Income tax – current | | $ | 2,125,599 | | | $ | 2,118,432 | |
Value-added tax | | | 311,194 | | | | 1,708,298 | |
Other taxes | | | 72,999 | | | | 260,912 | |
Total – current | | | 2,509,792 | | | | 4,087,642 | |
Income tax – noncurrent | | $ | 5,782,625 | | | $ | 5,782,625 | |
Income tax payable included $7.61 million ($1.83 million included in current above and $5.78 million noncurrent) from recording the estimated one-time transition tax on post-1986 foreign unremitted earnings under the Tax Cut and Jobs Act signed on December 22, 2017. An election is available for the U.S. shareholders of a foreign company to pay the tax liability in installments over a period of eight years with 8% of net tax liability in the first five years, 15% in the sixth year, 20% in the seventh year, and 25% in the eighth year. The Company made such an election.
7. ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER PAYABLES
Accrued liabilities and other payables consisted of the following as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Employee training, labor union expenditure and social insurance payable | | $ | 864,388 | | | $ | 843,807 | |
Consulting, auditing, and legal expenses | | | 31,090 | | | | 40,602 | |
Accrued payroll and welfare | | | 245,310 | | | | 254,882 | |
Other | | | 41,854 | | | | 45,460 | |
Total | | $ | 1,182,642 | | | $ | 1,184,751 | |
8. DEFERRED TAX, NET
Deferred tax assets resulted from asset impairment loss which was temporarily non-tax deductible for tax purposes but expensed in accordance with US GAAP, interest income in sales-type leases which was recognized as income for tax purposes but not for book purpose as it did not meet revenue recognition in accordance with US GAAP, accrued employee social insurance that can be deducted for tax purposes in the future, and the difference between tax and accounting basis of cost of fixed assets which was capitalized for tax purposes and expensed as part of cost of systems in accordance with US GAAP. Deferred tax liability arose from the difference between tax and accounting basis of net investment in sales-type leases.
As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, net deferred tax assets consisted of the following:
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Non-current deferred tax assets | | | | | | |
Accrued expenses | | $ | 193,661 | | | $ | 189,050 | |
Interest income in sales-type leases on cash basis | | | - | | | | 853,265 | |
Depreciation of fixed assets | | | - | | | | 2,938,605 | |
Assets impairment loss | | | 1,101,305 | | | | 7,537,556 | |
US NOL | | | 323,412 | | | | 3,246,655 | |
PRC NOL | | | 17,302,394 | | | | 10,424,558 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Non-current deferred tax liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Net investment in sales-type leases | | | - | | | | (6,685,021 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net non-current deferred tax assets | | | 18,920,772 | | | | 18,504,668 | |
Less: valuation allowance for deferred tax assets | | | (18,920,772 | ) | | | (18,504,668 | ) |
Non-current deferred tax assets, net | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
9. LOANS PAYABLE
Entrusted Loan Payable (HYREF Loan)
The HYREF Fund (Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center, LLP) was established in July 2013 with a total fund size of RMB 460 million ($77 million) invested in Xi’an Zhonghong for Zhonghong’s three new CDQ WHPG projects. The HYREF Fund invested RMB 3 million ($0.5 million) as an equity investment and RMB 457 million ($74.5 million) as a debt investment in Xi’an Zhonghong; in return for such investments, the HYREF Fund will receive interest from Zhonghong for the HYREF Fund’s debt investment. The RMB 457 million ($74.5 million) original loan balance was released to Zhonghong through an entrusted bank, which is also the supervising bank for the use of the loan. The loan was deposited in a bank account at the Supervising Bank (the Industrial Bank Xi’an Branch) and is jointly supervised by Zhonghong and the Fund Management Company. Project spending shall be verified by the Fund Management Company to confirm it is in accordance with the project schedule before the funds are released. All the operating accounts of Zhonghong have been opened with the branches of the Supervising Bank, and the Supervising Bank has the right to monitor all bank accounts opened by Zhonghong. The entrusted bank will charge 0.1% of the loan amount as a service fee and will not take any lending risk. The loan was collateralized by the accounts receivable and the fixed assets of Shenqiu Phase I and II power generation systems; the accounts receivable and fixed assets of Zhonghong’s three CDQ WHPG systems; and a 27 million RMB ($4.39 million) capital contribution made by Xi’an TCH in Zhonghong. Repayment of the loan (principal and interest) was also jointly and severally guaranteed by Xi’an TCH and the Chairman and CEO of the Company. In the fourth quarter of 2015, three power stations of Erdos TCH were pledged to Industrial Bank as an additional guarantee for the loan to Zhonghong’s three CDQ WHPG systems. In 2016, two additional power stations of Erdos TCH and Pucheng Phase I and II systems were pledged to Industrial Bank as an additional guarantee along with Xi’an TCH’s equity in Zhonghong.
The term of this loan was for 60 months from July 31, 2013 to July 30, 2018. On August 6, 2016, Zhonghong was required to repay principal of RMB 280 million ($42.22 million), of which the Company paid RMB 50 million ($7.54 million); on August 6, 2017, Zhonghong was initially supposed to repay principal of RMB 100 million ($16.27 million) and on July 30, 2018, Zhonghong was initially supposed to repay the remainder of RMB 77 million ($12.52 million). The interest rate is 12.5%. During the term, Zhonghong shall maintain a minimal funding level and capital level in its designated account with the Supervising Bank to make sure it has sufficient funds to make principal payments when they are due. Notwithstanding the requirements, the HYREF Fund and Supervising Bank verbally notified Zhonghong from the beginning that it was unlikely that they would enforce these requirements for the purpose of the efficient utilization of working capital. As of December 31, 2018, the entrusted loan payable had an outstanding balance of $59.29 million, of which, $10.92 million was from the investment of Xi’an TCH; accordingly, the Company netted the loan payable of $10.92 million with the long-term investment to the HYREF Fund made by Xi’an TCH. The Company had paid RMB 50 million ($7.54 million) of the RMB 280 million ($42.22 million), and on August 5, 2016, the Company entered into a supplemental agreement with the lender to extend the due date of the remaining RMB 230 million ($34.68 million) of the original RMB 280 million ($45.54 million) to August 6, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company negotiated with the lender again to further extend the remaining loan balance of RMB 230 million ($34.68 million), RMB 100 million ($16.27 million), and RMB 77 million ($12.52 million) (which included investment from Xi’an TCH of RMB 75 million and was netted off with the entrusted loan payable of the HYREF Fund in the balance sheet). The lender had tentatively agreed to extend the remaining loan balance until August 2019 with an adjusted annual interest rate of 9%, subject to the final approval from its headquarters. The headquarters did not approve the extension proposal with an adjusted annual interest rate of 9%; however, on December 29, 2018, the Company worked out with the lender an alternative repayment proposal as described below. As of September 30, 2020, the interest payable for this loan was $9.39 million and the outstanding balance for this loan was $21.27 million including a non-current portion of $0.30 million. As of December 31, 2019, the interest payable for this loan was $8.20 million and the outstanding balance for this loan was $20.77 million including a non-current portion of $0.29 million.
Repayment of HYREF loan
1. Transfer of Chengli project as partial repayment
On December 29, 2018, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, HYREF, Guohua Ku, and Chonggong Bai entered into a CDQ WHPG Station Fixed Assets Transfer Agreement, pursuant to which Xi’an Zhonghong transferred Chengli CDQ WHPG station as the repayment for the loan of RMB 188,639,400 ($27.54 million) to HYREF.
On January 22, 2019, Xi’an Zhonghong, completed the transfer of Chengli CDQ WHPG station to HYREF as the repayment of a loan for RMB 188,639,400 ($27.54 million) owed to HYREF. Xi’an TCH is a secondary limited partner of HYREF. The consideration of the CDQ WHPG station was determined by the parties based upon the appraisal report issued by Zhonglian Assets Appraisal Group (Shaanxi) Co., Ltd. as of August 15, 2018. However, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai also agreed to buy back the Chengli CDQ WHPG Station when conditions under the Buy Back Agreement are met. Due to the Buy Back agreement, the loan was not deemed repaid, the Company kept the Chengli project in its books as fixed assets as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
2. Buy Back Agreement
On December 29, 2018, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, HYREF, Guohua Ku, Chonggong Bai and Xi’an Hanneng Enterprises Management Consulting Co. Ltd. (“Xi’an Hanneng”) entered into a Buy Back Agreement.
Pursuant to the Buy Back Agreement, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai (the “Buyers”) jointly and severally agreed to buy back all outstanding capital equity of Xi’an Hanneng which was transferred to HYREF by Chonggong Bai (see 5 below), and a CDQ WHPG station in Boxing County which was transferred to HYREF by Xi’an Zhonghong. The buy-back price for the Xi’an Hanneng’s equity will be the higher of (i) the market price of the equity shares at the time of buy-back; or (ii) the original transfer price of the equity shares plus bank interest. HYREF may request that the Buyers buy back the equity shares of Xi’an Hanneng and/or the CDQ WHPG station if one of the following conditions is met: (i) HYREF holds the equity shares of Xi’an Hanneng until December 31, 2021; (ii) Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd., is delisted from The National Equities Exchange And Quotations Co., Ltd., a Chinese over-the-counter trading system (the “NEEQ”); (iii) Xi’an Huaxin New Energy, or any of the Buyers or its affiliates has a credit problem, including not being able to issue an auditor report or standard auditor report or any control person or executive of the Buyers is involved in crimes and is under prosecution or has other material credit problems, to HYREF’s reasonable belief; (iv) if Xi’an Zhonghong fails to timely make repayment on principal or interest of the loan agreement, its supplemental agreement or extension agreement; (v) the Buyers or any party to the Debt Repayment Agreement materially breaches the Debt Repayment Agreement or its related transaction documents, including but not limited to the Share Transfer Agreement, the Pledged Assets Transfer Agreement, the Entrusted Loan Agreement and their guarantee agreements and supplemental agreements.
Due to halted trading of Huaxin stock by NEEQ for not filing its 2018 annual report, on December 19, 2019, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai jointly and severally agreed to buy back all outstanding capital equity of Xi’an Hanneng which was transferred to HYREF by Chonggong Bai earlier. The total buy back price was RMB 261,727,506 ($37.52 million) including accrued interest of RMB 14,661,506 ($2.10 million), and was paid in full by Xi’an TCH.
3. Xi’an TCH transferred 40% ownership in the Fund Management Company to Hongyuan Huifu for partial payment of financial advisory fee
On December 29, 2018, Xi’an TCH entered into a Share Transfer Agreement with Hongyuan Huifu Venture Capital Co. Ltd (“Hongyuan Huifu”), pursuant to which Xi’an TCH transferred its 40% ownership in Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Management Beijing Co., Ltd. (the “Fund Management Company”) to Hongyuan Huifu for consideration of RMB 3,453,867 ($504,000) (the “Fund Management Company Transfer Price”). On January 22, 2019, Xi’an TCH completed the 40% ownership transfer transaction. The Company had $46,461 loss from the sale of a 40% equity interest in Fund Management Company during the year ended December 31, 2019.
On December 29, 2018, Xi’an TCH, Hongyuan Huifu and Fund Management Company entered into a supplemental agreement to the Share Transfer Agreement. Xi’an TCH owes the Fund Management Company RMB 18,306,667 ($2,672,000) in financial advisory fees, and the parties agreed that the Fund Management Company Transfer Price could be used to offset the outstanding financial advisory fees. Upon the completion of this transaction, the Fund Management Company owed RMB 3,453,867 ($502,400) to Hongyuan Huifu, and Xi’an TCH owed RMB 14,852,800 ($2,168,000) to the Fund Management Company.
4. HYREF Fund transferred 10% ownership in Xi’an Zhonghong to Shanghai TCH (Long-Term Payable)
On December 29, 2018, Shanghai TCH entered into a Share Transfer Agreement with HYREF, pursuant to which HYREF agreed to transfer its 10% ownership in Xi’an Zhonghong to Shanghai TCH for RMB 3 million ($430,034), and was recorded as long term payable in the Company’s balance sheet. On January 22, 2019, Hongyuan Huifu completed the transfer of its 10% ownership in Xi’an Zhonghong to Shanghai TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong then became a 100% subsidiary of the Company. The Company did not record any gain or loss for this purchase as the controlling interest did not change.
5. Transfer of Xuzhou Huayu Project and Shenqiu Phase I & II project to Mr. Bai for partial repayment of HYREF loan
On January 4, 2019, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, and Mr. Chonggong Bai entered into a Projects Transfer Agreement, pursuant to which Xi’an Zhonghong transferred a CDQ WHPG station (under construction) located in Xuzhou City for Xuzhou Huayu Coking Co., Ltd. (“Xuzhou Huayu Project”) to Mr. Bai for RMB 120,000,000 ($17.52 million) and Xi’an TCH will transfer two Biomass Power Generation Projects in Shenqiu (“Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects”) to Mr. Bai for RMB 127,066,000 ($18.55 million). Mr. Bai agreed to transfer all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng, to HYREF as repayment for the RMB 247,066,000 ($36.07 million) loan made by Xi’an Zhonghong to HYREF as consideration for the transfer of the Xuzhou Huayu Project and Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects.
On February 15, 2019, Xi’an Zhonghong completed the transfer of the Xuzhou Huayu Project and Xi’an TCH completed the transfer of Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects to Mr. Bai, and on January 10, 2019, Mr. Bai transferred all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng, to HYREF as repayment of Xi’an Zhonghong’s loan to HYREF as consideration for the transfer of the Xuzhou Huayu Project and Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects.
Xi’an Hanneng is a holding company and was supposed to own 47,150,000 shares of Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”), so that HYREF will indirectly receive and own such shares of Xi’an Huaxin as the repayment for the loan of Zhonghong. Xi’an Hanneng already owned 29,948,000 shares of Huaxin; however, Xi’an Hanneng was not able to obtain the remaining 17,202,000 shares due to halted trading of Huaxin stock by NEEQ for not filing its 2018 annual report.
On December 19, 2019, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai jointly and severally agreed to buy back all outstanding capital equity of Xi’an Hanneng which was transferred to HYREF by Chonggong Bai earlier. The total buy back price was RMB 261,727,506 ($37.52 million) including accrued interest of RMB 14,661,506 ($2.10 million), and was paid in full by Xi’an TCH. On December 20, 2019, Mr. Bai, Xi’an TCH and Xi’an Zhonghong agreed to have Mr. Bai repay the Company in cash for the transfer price of Xuzhou Huayu and Shenqiu in five installment payments. The 1st payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) is due on January 5, 2020, the 2nd payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due on February 5, 2020, the 3rd payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due on April 5, 2020, the 4th payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) is due on June 30, 2020, and the final payment of RMB 47,066,000 ($6.75 million) is due on September 30, 2020. As of this report date, the Company has received the full payment of RMB 247 million ($36.28 million) from Mr. Bai.
6. The lender agreed to extend the repayment of RMB 77.00 million ($11.04 million) to July 8, 2023; of which, RMB 75.00 million ($10.81 million) was Xi’an TCH’s investment into the HYREF fund as a secondary limited partner, and the Company netted off the investment of RMB 75 million ($10.81 million) by Xi’an TCH with the entrusted loan payable of the HYREF Fund.
A reconciliation of repayment of HYREF loan (entrusted loan) by three Projects at September 30, 2020 was as follows:
Transfer price for Chengli Project | | $ | 27,699,945 | | | Entrusted loan payable at September 30, 2020, net with Xi’an TCH investment in entrusted loan (current and noncurrent) | | $ | 21,273,412 | |
Transfer price for Xuzhou Huayu Project | | | 17,620,887 | | | Interest payable on entrusted loan at September 30, 2020 | | | 9,387,757 | |
Transfer price for Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects | | | 18,658,463 | | | Add back: Xi’an TCH investment in entrusted loan | | | 11,013,054 | |
| | | | | | Less: interest accrued from September 20, 2018 to September 30, 2020 (cut-off date for interest calculation for repayment was September 20, 2018) | | | (2,667,543 | ) |
| | | | | | Less: portion of loan with repayment due date extended to year 2023 | | | (11,306,736 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Add back: interest & penalty repaid by Xi’an TCH | | | 8,801,643 | |
| | | | | | Add back: loan principle repaid by Xi’an TCH | | | 27,477,708 | |
| | $ | 63,979,295 | | | | | $ | 63,979,295 | |
10. REFUNDABLE DEPOSITS FROM CUSTOMERS FOR SYSTEMS LEASING
As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the balance of refundable deposits from customers for systems leasing was $0 and $544,709 (for Pucheng systems), respectively.
11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
As of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the Company had $28,590 and $41,174, respectively, in advances from the Company’s management, which bear no interest, are unsecured, and are payable upon demand.
12. NOTE PAYABLES, NET
Convertible Notes / Promissory Notes in January and February 2019
On January 31, 2019, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Iliad Research and Trading, L.P., a Utah limited partnership (the “Purchaser”), pursuant to which the Company sold and issued to the Purchaser a Convertible Promissory Note of $1,050,000. The Purchaser purchased the Note with an original issue discount of $50,000. The Note bears interest at 8%. All outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Note will become due and payable on January 30, 2021, subject to a potential one-year extension period during which interest would not accrue. The Company’s obligations under the Note may be prepaid at any time, provided that in such circumstance the Company would pay 125% of any amounts outstanding under the Note and being prepaid. Amounts outstanding under the Note may be converted at any time, at the Lender’s option, into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price of $3.00 per share, subject to certain adjustments as discussed in the July 2018 Note above. The conversion feature did not require bifurcation and derivative accounting as the conversion price was greater than the market price of the Company common shares, there was no beneficial conversion feature to recognize.
On February 27, 2019, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Iliad Research and Trading, L.P., a Utah limited partnership (the “Purchaser”), pursuant to which the Company sold and issued to the Purchaser a Convertible Promissory Note of $1,050,000. The Purchaser purchased the Note with an original issue discount of $50,000. The Note bears interest at 8%. All outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Note will become due and payable on February 26, 2021, subject to a potential one-year extension period during which interest would not accrue. The Company’s obligations under the Note may be prepaid at any time, provided that in such circumstance the Company would pay 125% of any amounts outstanding under the Note and being prepaid. Amounts outstanding under the Note may be converted at any time, at the Lender’s option, into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price of $3.00 per share, subject to certain adjustments as discussed above in the July 2018 Note. The conversion feature did not require bifurcation and derivative accounting and as the conversion price was greater than the market value of the Company common shares, there was no beneficial conversion feature to recognize.
Pursuant to an Exchange Agreement dated April 14, 2019 (the “Exchange Agreement”), the Company and Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. agreed to exchange the above two notes (the “Original Notes”) with two new promissory notes (the “Exchange Notes”). Upon execution of the agreement, the notes holder surrendered the Convertible Notes to the Company and the Company issued to the holder the Exchange Notes. Upon surrender, the two Convertible Notes were cancelled and the remaining amount owed to Holder hereafter be evidenced solely by the Exchange Notes ($1,173,480 and $ 1,165,379 for the January and February 2019 notes, respectively). All outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Exchange Notes will become due and payable on January 31, 2021 and February 27, 2021, respectively. The Exchange Notes bore interest at 8% and did not grant conversion options to the Purchaser. The Company’s obligations under the Exchange Notes could be prepaid at any time, provided that in such circumstance the Company would have paid 125% of any amounts outstanding under the Exchange Notes. Beginning on the date that is six months from the issue date of the respective Original Notes (the “Issue Dates”) and at any time thereafter until the Exchange Notes are paid in full, Purchaser shall have the right to redeem up to $750,000 of the outstanding balance during months six to eight following the respective Issue Date and any amount thereafter. The exchange of the Convertible Notes with Promissory Notes did not cause substantially different terms, and did not meet the conditions described in ASC 405-20-40-1, and therefore was accounted for as a modification and not an extinguishment; accordingly, the Company did not recognize any gain or loss for the exchange of the notes under ASC 470-50-40-8. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company amortized OID of $45,833 and recorded $84,901 interest expense. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company amortized OID of $6,250 and recorded $23,292 interest expense.
As a result of default in the redemption request by the lender made on August 1, 2019, the Company and the lender entered into a forbearance agreement in which the lender agreed not to enforce its rights under the agreement and agreed not to make any Redemptions pursuant to the Section 4 of the Note before October 1, 2019. Under the term of the forbearance agreement, in the event Lender delivers after October 1, 2019 a Redemption Notice to Borrower and the Redemption Amount set forth therein is not paid in cash to Lender within three Trading Days, then the applicable Redemption Amount shall be increased by 25% (the “First Adjustment,” and such increase to the Redemption Amount, the “First Adjusted Redemption Amount”). In the event the First Adjusted Redemption Amount is not paid within three Trading Days after the date of First Adjustment, then the First Adjusted Redemption Amount shall be increased in accordance with the following formula: $0.50 divided by the lowest Closing Trade Price of the Common Stock during the 20 Trading Days prior to the date of the Second Adjustment and the resulting quotient multiplied by the First Adjusted Redemption Amount (the “Second Adjustment,” and such increase to the First Adjusted Redemption Amount, the “Second Adjusted Redemption Amount”), provided, however, that such formula shall only be applied if the resulting quotient is greater than one and such formula shall in no event be used to reduce the First Adjusted Redemption Amount.
In 2019, the Company entered into a series of Exchange Agreements with Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company and Lender partitioned five Promissory Notes in the original total principal amount of $797,000 from a Promissory Note issued by the Company on April 14, 2019. The Company and Lender exchanged the Partitioned Note for the delivery of total 175,400 shares (post-reverse stock split) of the Company’s Common Stock. The Company recorded $131,740 gain on conversion of these portion of the note. However, on December 16, 2019, the Company and the lender amended the September 11, 2019 forbearance agreement to increase the adjustment ratio described above from $0.50 to $0.30 (pre-reverse stock split price). The outstanding balance of the Note shall be reduced by an amount equal to the total outstanding balance of the Partitioned Note. The investor made adjustments of $305,626 to increase the principle of the notes during the year ended December 31, 2019 under the term of the September 11th forbearance agreement and the amendment to forbearance agreement dated on December 16, 2019.
During the first quarter of 2020, Company entered into three Exchange Agreements with Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company and Lender partitioned three new Promissory Notes in the original total principal amount of $430,000 from a Promissory Note issued by the Company on April 14, 2019. The Company and Lender exchanged the Partitioned Note for the delivery of total 143,333 shares (post-reverse stock split) of the Company’s Common Stock. The Company recorded $103,167 loss on conversion of these portion of the note.
During the second quarter of 2020, Company entered into four Exchange Agreements with Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company and Lender partitioned four new Promissory Notes in the original total principal amount of $819,586 from a Promissory Note issued by the Company on April 14, 2019. The Company and Lender exchanged the Partitioned Note for the delivery of total 304,710 shares (post-reverse stock split) of the Company’s Common Stock. The Company recorded $49,837 gain on conversion of these portion of the note. In addition, the investor also made adjustments of $145,000 to increase the principle of the notes during the second quarter of 2020 under the term of the September 11th forbearance agreement and the amendment to forbearance agreement dated on December 16, 2019. These transactions were recorded as credit to additional paid in capital of $769,749, which was the difference between Note conversion of $819,586 and gain on conversion of $49,837. The $49,837 gain on conversion and $145,000 principle adjustment discussed above resulted in a net loss on note redemption/ conversion of $95,163 in the statement of operations.
On May 15, 2020, the Company entered into a Forbearance Agreement with the Lender. The Lender had delivered a redemption notice to the Company on November 4, 2019 pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement dated April 14, 2019 and the Company failed to pay the amount provided therein. Accordingly, the Lender has the right to accelerate the maturity date of the Note and cause the outstanding balance to be increased by 25%. The Lender agreed with the Company to withdraw the November 4, 2019 redemption notice as if it was never made and agreed that as of May 15, 2020 there is no default under the Note. The Company did not pay any consideration to the Lender for this forbearance. The outstanding balance of the Note as of May 15, 2020 is $1,271,720, and under the new Forbearance Agreement, if the Lender delivers a redemption notice and the amount set forth in such notice is not paid in cash to Lender within three trading days, the applicable redemption amount shall be increased to 25%.
During the third quarter of 2020, Company entered into three Exchange Agreements with Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. Pursuant to the Agreements, the Company and Lender partitioned three new Promissory Notes in the original total principal amount of $600,000 from a Promissory Note issued by the Company on April 14, 2019. The Company and Lender exchanged the Partitioned Note for the delivery of total 242,699 shares (post-reverse stock split) of the Company’s Common Stock. The Company recorded $36,023 loss on conversion of these portion of the note. In addition, under the term of the forbearance agreement, as the investor delivered redemption notices totaling $1,050,000 which were not paid within 5 days, per the forbearance agreement, adjustments of $262,500 were made to increase the principle of the notes during the third quarter of 2020. These transactions were recorded as credit to additional paid in capital of $636,023, which was the fair value of the shares issued based on the stock price on the date of the exchange. The $36,023 loss on conversion and $262,500 principle adjustment discussed above resulted in a loss on note redemption/ conversion of $298,523 in the statement of operations for the three months ended September 30,2020.
13. SHARES ISSUED FOR EQUITY FINANCING AND STOCK COMPENSATION
Following is a summary of the activities of warrants that were issued from equity financing (post-reverse stock split) for the nine months ended September 30, 2020:
| | Number of Warrants | | | Average Exercise Price (post-reverse stock split price) | | | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2019 | | | 30,411 | | | $ | 14.0 | | | | 4.21 | |
Exercisable at December 31, 2019 | | | 30,411 | | | $ | 14.0 | | | | 4.21 | |
Granted | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Exercised | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Forfeited | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Expired | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Outstanding at September 30, 2020 | | | 30,411 | | | $ | 14.0 | | | | 3.46 | |
Exercisable at September 30, 2020 | | | 30,411 | | | $ | 14.0 | | | | 3.46 | |
Shares Issued for Stock Compensation
On March 16, 2020, the Company’s Board of Director agreed to issue 3,333 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (post-reverse stock split) to the Company’s law firm. The shares are earned in full and non-refundable as of March 9, 2020. The FV of these shares are $10,999 on March 9, 2020.
Shares Issued for Equity Financing
On August 24, 2020 and September 28, 2020, the Company entered into Securities Purchase Agreements with the purchaser and offered and sold to such purchaser 265,250 shares of Common Stock at negotiated purchase prices (132,000 shares at $2.15 per share and 133,250 shares at $2.34 per share) without reference to the market price and received the net proceeds was $497,187 after deducting the placement agent commission and certain expenses. These 265,250 shares were offered and sold in a registered public offering pursuant to the prospectus supplement dated August 24, 2020, and the original prospectus contained in an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), which was originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 1, 2017, and was declared effective on December 8, 2017 (File No. 333-221868).
14. INCOME TAX
The Company’s Chinese subsidiaries are governed by the Income Tax Law of the PRC concerning privately-run enterprises, which are generally subject to tax at 25% on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriate tax adjustments. Under Chinese tax law, the tax treatment of finance and sales-type leases is similar to US GAAP. However, the local tax bureau continues to treat CREG sales-type leases as operating leases. Accordingly, the Company recorded deferred income taxes.
The Company’s subsidiaries generate all of their income from their PRC operations. All of the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries’ effective income tax rate for 2020 and 2019 was 25%. Yinghua, Shanghai TCH, Xi’an TCH, Huahong, Zhonghong and Erdos TCH file separate income tax returns.
There is no income tax for companies domiciled in the Cayman Islands. Accordingly, the Company’s CFS do not present any income tax provisions related to Cayman Islands tax jurisdiction, where Sifang Holding is domiciled.
The US parent company, CREG is taxed in the US and, as of September 30, 2020, had net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards for income taxes of $1.54 million; for federal income tax purposes, the NOL arising in tax years beginning after 2017 may only reduce 80% of a taxpayer’s taxable income, and may be carried forward indefinitely. However, the coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“the CARES Act”) issued in March 2020, provides tax relief to both corporate and noncorporate taxpayers by adding a five-year carryback period and temporarily repealing the 80% limitation for NOLs arising in 2018, 2019 and 2020. The management believes the realization of benefits from these losses may be uncertain due to the US parent company’s continuing operating losses. Accordingly, a 100% deferred tax asset valuation allowance was provided.
As of September 30, 2020, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries had $69.21 million NOL that can be carried forward to offset future taxable income for five years from the year the loss is incurred. The NOL was mostly from Xi’an TCH, Erdos TCH and Zhonghong. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. After consideration of all the information available, management believes that significant uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of the deferred tax assets due to the continuous loss of these entities, accordingly, the Company recorded a 100% deferred tax valuation allowance for PRC NOL.
The following table reconciles the U.S. statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively:
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
U.S. statutory rates | | | (21.0 | )% | | | (21.0 | )% |
Tax rate difference – current provision | | | 9.8 | % | | | (3.6 | )% |
Reversal of temporary difference due to disposal of Shenqiu | | | - | % | | | (15.5 | )% |
Permanent differences | | | 41.3 | % | | | 1.3 | % |
Change in valuation allowance | | | (30.1 | )% | | | 17.6 | % |
Tax (benefit) per financial statements | | | - | % | | | (21.2 | )% |
The provision for income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following:
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Income tax expense – current | | $ | - | | | $ | 2,487 | |
Income tax benefit – deferred | | | - | | | | (3,044,371 | ) |
Total income tax benefit | | $ | - | | | $ | (3,041,884 | ) |
The following table reconciles the U.S. statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively:
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
U.S. statutory rates | | | (21.0 | )% | | | (21.0 | )% |
Tax rate difference – current provision | | | (1.9 | )% | | | (3.7 | )% |
Reversal of temporary difference due to disposal of Shenqiu | | | - | % | | | (2.1 | )% |
Permanent differences | | | 9.5 | % | | | (0.1 | )% |
Change in valuation allowance | | | 13.4 | % | | | 11.3 | % |
Tax expense per financial statements | | | - | % | | | (15.6 | )% |
The provision for income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following:
| | 2020 | | 2019 |
Income tax benefit – current | | $ | - | | | $ | (755,840) | |
Income tax expense – deferred | | | - | | | | - | |
Total income tax expense | | $ | - | | | $ | (755,840) | |
15. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN
Options to Employees and Directors
On June 19, 2015, the stockholders of the Company approved the China Recycling Energy Corporation Omnibus Equity Plan (the “Plan”) at its annual meeting. The total shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance during the term of the Plan is 124,626 (post-reverse stock split). The Plan was effective immediately upon its adoption by the Board of Directors on April 24, 2015, subject to stockholder approval, and will terminate on the earliest to occur of (i) the 10th anniversary of the Plan’s effective date, or (ii) the date on which all shares available for issuance under the Plan shall have been issued as fully-vested shares. The stockholders approved the Plan at their annual meeting on June 19, 2015.
The following table summarizes option activity with respect to employees and independent directors, and the number of options reflects the Reverse Stock Split effective April 13, 2020:
| | Number of Shares | | | Average Exercise Price per Share (post-reverse stock split price) | | | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2019 | | | 900 | | | $ | 54.3 | | | | 4.41 | |
Exercisable at December 31, 2019 | | | 900 | | | $ | 54.3 | | | | 4.41 | |
Granted | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Exercised | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Forfeited | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Outstanding at September 30, 2020 | | | 900 | | | $ | 54.3 | | | | 3.66 | |
Exercisable at September 30, 2020 | | | 900 | | | $ | 54.3 | | | | 3.66 | |
16. STATUTORY RESERVES
Pursuant to the corporate law of the PRC effective January 1, 2006, the Company is only required to maintain one statutory reserve by appropriating from its after-tax profit before declaration or payment of dividends. The statutory reserve represents restricted retained earnings.
Surplus Reserve Fund
The Company’s Chinese subsidiaries are required to transfer 10% of their net income, as determined under PRC accounting rules and regulations, to a statutory surplus reserve fund until such reserve balance reaches 50% of the Company’s registered capital.
The surplus reserve fund is non-distributable other than during liquidation and can be used to fund previous years’ losses, if any, and may be utilized for business expansion or converted into share capital by issuing new shares to existing shareholders in proportion to their shareholding or by increasing the par value of the shares currently held by them, provided that the remaining reserve balance after such issue is not less than 25% of the registered capital.
During the nine and three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company transferred $141,692 and $1,198, which is 10% of Xi’an TCH’s net income to the statutory reverse. The maximum statutory reserve amount has not been reached for any subsidiary. The table below discloses the statutory reserve amount in the currency type registered for each Chinese subsidiary as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
Name of Chinese Subsidiaries | | Registered Capital | | | Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount | | | Statutory reserve at September 30, 2020 | | Statutory reserve at December 31, 2019 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Shanghai TCH | | $ | 29,800,000 | | | $ | 14,900,000 | | | ¥6,564,303 ($1,003,859) | | ¥6,564,303 ($1,003,859) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Xi’an TCH | | ¥ | 202,000,000 | | | ¥ | 101,000,000 | | | ¥70,350,493 ($10,748,676) | | ¥69,359,820 ($10,606,984) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Erdos TCH | | ¥ | 120,000,000 | | | ¥ | 60,000,000 | | | ¥19,035,814 ($2,914,869) | | ¥19,035,814 ($2,914,869) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Xi’an Zhonghong | | ¥ | 30,000,000 | | | ¥ | 15,000,000 | | | Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit | | Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shaanxi Huahong | | $ | 2,500,300 | | | $ | 1,250,150 | | | Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit | | Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Zhongxun | | ¥ | 35,000,000 | | | ¥ | 17,500,000 | | | Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit | | Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit |
Common Welfare Fund
The common welfare fund is a voluntary fund to which the Company can transfer 5% to 10% of its net income. This fund can only be utilized on capital items for the collective benefit of the Company’s employees, such as construction of dormitories, cafeteria facilities, and other staff welfare facilities. This fund is non-distributable other than upon liquidation. The Company does not participate in this fund.
17. CONTINGENCIES
China maintains a “closed” capital account, meaning companies, banks, and individuals cannot move money in or out of the country except in accordance with strict rules. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) regulate the flow of foreign exchange in and out of the country. For inward or outward foreign currency transactions, the Company needs to make a timely declaration to the bank with sufficient supporting documents to declare the nature of the business transaction. The Company’s sales, purchases and expense transactions are denominated in RMB and all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are also denominated in RMB. The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies under the current law. Remittances in currencies other than RMB may require certain supporting documentation in order to make the remittance.
The Company’s operations in the PRC are subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. These include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic and legal environments and foreign currency exchange. The Company’s results may be adversely affected by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.
18. COMMITMENTS
Lease Commitment
On November 20, 2017, Xi’an TCH entered into a lease for its office with a term from December 1, 2017 through November 30, 2020. The monthly rent is RMB 36,536 ($5,600) with quarterly payment in advance.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the rental expense of the Company was $49,034 and $79,288 (including Beijing office rent of $28,888), respectively.
For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the rental expense of the Company was $16,532 and $26,221 (including Beijing office rent of $9,687), respectively.
The Company adopted ASC 842 on CFS on January 1, 2019. The components of lease costs, lease term and discount rate with respect of the office lease with an initial term of more than 12 months are as follows:
| | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30, 2020 | |
Operating lease cost – amortization of ROU | | $ | 48,220 | |
Operating lease cost – interest expense on lease liability | | $ | 814 | |
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term - Operating leases | | | 0.17 years | |
Weighted Average Discount Rate - Operating leases | | | 3 | % |
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | September 30, 2020 | |
Operating lease cost – amortization of ROU | | $ | 16,372 | |
Operating lease cost – interest expense on lease liability | | $ | 160 | |
Employment Agreement
On May 8, 2020, the Company entered an employment agreement with Yongjiang Shi, the Company’s CFO for a term of 24 months. The monthly salary is RMB 16,000 ($2,300). The Company will grant the CFO no less than 5,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock annually.
Investment Banking Engagement Agreement
On October 10, 2019, the Company entered an investment banking engagement agreement with an investment banker firm to engage them as the exclusive lead underwriter for a registered securities offering. The Company shall pay to the investment banker an equity retainer fee of 15,000 shares (post-reverse stock split) of the restricted Common Stock of the Company (10,000 shares was issued within 10 business days of signing the agreement, and remaining 5,000 shares will be paid upon completion of the offering). The proposed offering amount is $5 million, at closing of the offering, the Company will pay a 7% of the gross offering proceeds and warrants to purchase that number of shares of Common Stock or units of securities as shall equal 7% of the securities issued and sold by the Company at each closing of the offering. This agreement was renewed on July 22, 2020 for another six months, or the final closing of a transaction, whichever comes first.
19. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company follows the guidance in FASB ASC 855-10 for the disclosure of subsequent events. The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued and determined the Company has the following material subsequent events:
On October 13, 2020, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement with Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company and the Lender agreed to partition a new Promissory Note in the original principal amount of $200,000 from a Convertible Promissory Note dated January 31, 2019 which was exchanged for a new Promissory Note on April 14, 2019. The Company and the Lender agreed to exchange the Partitioned Note for 56,980 shares of Common Stock of the Company, and then the amount of the outstanding balance of the Promissory Note will be reduced by an amount equal to the Partitioned Note. The shares of common stock were issued without any restrictions.
On November 4, 2020, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement with Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company and the Lender agreed to partition a new Promissory Note in the original principal amount of $200,000 from a Convertible Promissory Note dated January 31, 2019 which was exchanged for a new Promissory Note on April 14, 2019. The Company and the Lender agreed to exchange the Partitioned Note for 67,340 shares of Common Stock of the Company, and then the amount of the outstanding balance of the Promissory Note will be reduced by an amount equal to the Partitioned Note. The shares of Common Stock were issued without any restrictions.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q and other reports filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC (collectively the “Filings”) contain or may contain forward-looking statements and information that are based upon beliefs of, and information currently available to, Company’s management as well as estimates and assumptions made by Company’s management. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. When used in the filings, the words “may”, “will”, “should”, “would”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “future”, “intend”, “plan”, or the negative of these terms and similar expressions as they relate to Company or Company’s management identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current view of Company with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors (including the statements in the section “results of operations” below), and any businesses that Company may acquire. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended, or planned. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy, include, but are not limited to, those listed under the heading “Risk Factors” and those listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “2019 Form 10-K”). The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Financial Statements and related Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report and in the 2019 Form 10-K.
Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made throughout the entirety of annual report, which attempts to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
Our financial statements are prepared in US Dollars and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. See “Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)” below for information concerning the exchange rates at which Renminbi (“RMB”) were translated into US Dollars (“USD”) at various pertinent dates and for pertinent periods.
OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS BACKGROUND
China Recycling Energy Corporation (the “Company” or “CREG”) was incorporated on May 8, 1980. On March 8, 2007, the Company again changed its name from China Digital Wireless, Inc. to its current name, China Recycling Energy Corporation. The Company, through its subsidiaries, sells and leases energy saving systems and equipment to its customers in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). Typically, the Company transfers ownership of the waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers at the end of each sales-type lease and provides financing to its customers for the cost of the projects as described below.
The Company is in the process of transforming and expanding into an energy storage integrated solution provider. We plan to pursue disciplined and targeted expansion strategies for market areas we currently do not serve. We actively seek and explore opportunities to apply energy storage technologies to new industries or segments with high growth potential, including industrial and commercial complexes, large scale photovoltaic (PV) and wind power stations, remote islands without electricity, and smart energy cities with multi-energy supplies.
In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) was reported in Wuhan, China. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak to constitute a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.” This pandemic, which continues to spread to additional countries, and is disrupting supply chains and affecting production and sales across a range of industries as a result of quarantines, facility closures, and travel and logistics restrictions in connection with the outbreak. However, as a result of PRC government’s effort on disease control, most cities in China were reopened, the outbreak in China is under the control. The Company disposed all of its systems and currently holds only five power generating systems through Erdos TCH, the Company initially expected to resume production of these five power generating systems in July 2020 from the renovation and furnace safety upgrade, but the resumption of operations will be delayed due to the global pandemic of Covid-19; Erdos exports ferrosilicon to 27 countries, the Company decided not to resume the production in the third quarter of 2020 as a result of decreased sales order and overstocked inventory. The Company expects the resumption date to be December 2020 and is currently doing the final testing of the equipment. There are some new Covid-19 cases discovered in a few provinces of China, however, the number of new cases is not significant due to PRC government’s strict control.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company had a net loss of $0.28 million and net loss $11.31 million, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company had a net loss of $0.67 million and net loss $4.10 million, respectively. The Company has an accumulated deficit of $46.87 million as of September 30, 2020. The Company is in the process of transforming and expanding into an energy storage integrated solution provider as described above.
The historical operating results indicate substantial doubt exists related to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. However, the Company had $73.79 million cash on hand at September 30, 2020, this also satisfies the Company’s estimated liquidity needs 12 months from the issuance of the financial statements. The Company believes that the actions discussed above are probable of occurring and the occurrence, as well as the cash flow discussed, mitigate the substantial doubt raised by its historical operating results.
Management also intends to raise additional funds by way of a private or public offering, or by obtaining loans from banks or others. While the Company believes in the viability of its strategy to generate sufficient revenue and in its ability to raise additional funds on reasonable terms and conditions, there can be no assurances to that effect. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon the Company’s ability to further implement its business plan and generate sufficient revenue and its ability to raise additional funds by way of a public or private offering, or debt financing including bank loans.
Our Subsidiaries
Our business is primarily conducted through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Sifang Holdings Co., Ltd. (“Sifang”) and Shanghai Yinghua Financial Leasing Co., Ltd (“Yinghua”); Sifang’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Huahong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Huahong”) and Shanghai TCH Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai TCH”); Shanghai TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Company, Ltd (“Xi’an TCH”); Xi’an TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”) and Zhongxun Energy Investment (Beijing) Co., Ltd (“Zhongxun”); and Xi’an TCH’s 90% and Shanghai TCH’s 10% owned subsidiary, Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Zhonghong”). Zhonghong provides energy saving solutions and services, including constructing, selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers, project investment.
The Company’s organizational chart as of September 30, 2020 is as follows:
CREG Legal Structure
Shanghai TCH and its Subsidiaries
Shanghai TCH was established as a foreign investment enterprise in Shanghai under the laws of the PRC on May 25, 2004 and has registered capital of $29.80 million. Xi’an TCH was incorporated in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province under the laws of the PRC on November 8, 2007. In February 2009, Huahong was incorporated in Xi’an, Shaanxi province. Erdos TCH was incorporated in April 2009 in Erdos, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. On July 19, 2013, Xi’an TCH formed Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd (“Zhonghong”). Xi’an TCH owns 90% and Shanghai TCH owns 10% of Zhonghong.
The Fund Management Company and the HYREF Fund
On June 25, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Hongyuan Huifu Venture Capital Co. Ltd (“Hongyuan Huifu”) established Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Management Company Ltd. (the “Fund Management Company”) with registered capital of RMB 10 million ($1.45 million). Xi’an TCH made an initial capital contribution of RMB 4 million ($650,000) and has 40% ownership interest in the Fund Management Company. With respect to the Fund Management Company, voting rights and dividend rights are allocated 80% and 20% between Hongyuan Huifu and Xi’an TCH, respectively.
The Fund Management Company is the general partner of Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center, LLP (the “HYREF Fund”), a limited liability partnership established July 18, 2013 in Beijing. The Fund Management Company made an initial capital contribution of RMB 5 million ($830,000) to the HYREF Fund. RMB 460 million ($77 million) was fully subscribed by all partners for the HYREF Fund. The HYREF Fund has three limited partners: (1) China Orient Asset Management Co., Ltd., which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 280 million ($46.67 million) to the HYREF Fund and is a preferred limited partner; (2) Hongyuan Huifu, which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 100 million ($16.67 million) to the HYREF Fund and is an ordinary limited partner; and (3) the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Xi’an TCH, which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 75 million ($12.5 million) to the HYREF Fund and is a secondary limited partner. In addition, Xi’an TCH and Hongyuan Huifu formed Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Management Company Ltd. to manage this Fund and also subscribed in the amount of RMB 5 million ($830,000) from the Fund. The term of the HYREF Fund’s partnership is six years from the date of its establishment, expiring on July 18, 2019. However, the HYREF Fund’s partnership will not terminate until the HYREF loan is fully repaid and the buy-back period is over pursuant to that certain Buy-Back Agreement entered on December 29, 2018 by and among HYREF, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, Guohua Ku, Chonggong Bai and Xi’an Hanneng (the “Buy-Back Agreement”) (see Note 9). The term is four years from the date of contribution for the preferred limited partner, and four years from the date of contribution for the ordinary limited partner. The size of the HYREF Fund is RMB 460 million ($77 million). The HYREF Fund was formed for the purpose of investing in Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a then 90% owned subsidiary of Xi’an TCH, for the construction of two coke dry quenching (“CDQ”) waste heat power generation (“WHPG”) stations with Jiangsu Tianyu Energy and Chemical Group Co., Ltd. (“Tianyu”) and one CDQ WHPG station with Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. (“Chengli”).
On December 29, 2018, Xi’an TCH entered into a Share Transfer Agreement with Hongyuan Huifu, pursuant to which Xi’an TCH transferred its 40% ownership in the Fund Management Company to Hongyuan Huifu for RMB 3,453,867 ($0.53 million). The transfer was completed January 22, 2019. The Company recorded approximately $46,500 loss from the sale of a 40% equity interest in Fund Management Company. The Company has no ownership in the Fund Management Company after this transaction.
Erdos TCH – Joint Venture
On April 14, 2009, the Company formed Erdos TCH as a joint venture (the “JV” or “Erdos TCH”) with Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Erdos”) to recycle waste heat from Erdos’ metal refining plants to generate power and steam to be sold back to Erdos. The JV has a term of 20 years with a total investment for the project estimated at $79 million (RMB 500 million) and an initial investment of $17.55 million (RMB 120 million). Erdos contributed 7% of the total investment for the project, and Xi’an TCH contributed 93%. According to Xi’an TCH and Erdos’ agreement on profit distribution, Xi’an TCH and Erdos will receive 80% and 20%, respectively, of the profit from the JV until Xi’an TCH receives the complete return of its investment. Xi’an TCH and Erdos will then receive 60% and 40%, respectively, of the profit from the JV. On June 15, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Erdos entered into a share transfer agreement, pursuant to which Erdos transferred and sold its 7% ownership interest in the JV to Xi’an TCH for $1.29 million (RMB 8 million), plus certain accumulated profits as described below. Xi’an TCH paid the $1.29 million in July 2013 and, as a result, became the sole stockholder of Erdos TCH. In addition, Xi’an TCH is required to pay Erdos accumulated profits from inception up to June 30, 2013 in accordance with the supplementary agreement entered on August 6, 2013. In August 2013, Xi’an TCH paid 20% of the accumulated profit (calculated under PRC GAAP) of $226,000 to Erdos. Erdos TCH currently has two power generation systems in Phase I with a total of 18 MW power capacity, and three power generation systems in Phase II with a total of 27 MW power capacity.
With the current economic conditions in China, the government limited over-capacity and production in the iron and steel industry, which resulted in a decrease of Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd’s production of ferrosilicon and its revenue and cash flows, and made it difficult for Erdos to make the monthly minimum lease payment.
After considering the challenging economic conditions facing Erdos, and to maintain the long-term cooperative relationship between the parties, which we believe will continue to produce long-term benefits, on April 28, 2016, Erdos TCH and Erdos entered into a supplemental agreement, effective May 1, 2016. Under the supplemental agreement, Erdos TCH cancelled monthly minimum lease payments from Erdos, and agreed to charge Erdos based on actual electricity sold at RMB 0.30 / KWH, which price will be adjusted annually based on prevailing market conditions. Since May 2019, Erdos TCH has ceased its operations due to renovations and furnace safety upgrades of Erdos, and the Company originally expected the resumption of operations in July 2020. but the resumption of operations will be delayed due to the global pandemic of Covid-19, the Company is not able to provide a resumption date as it will depend on the overall progress of the global epidemic control. During this period, Erdos will compensate Erdos TCH RMB 1 million ($145,460) per month, until operations resume.
The Company evaluated the modified terms for payments based on actual electricity sold as minimum lease payments as defined in ASC 840-10-25-4, since lease payments that depend on a factor directly related to the future use of the leased property are contingent rentals and, accordingly, are excluded from minimum lease payments in their entirety. The Company wrote off the net investment receivables of these leases at the lease modification date.
In addition, Erdos TCH has 30% ownership in DaTangShiDai (BinZhou) Energy Savings Technology Co., Ltd. (“BinZhou Energy Savings”), 30% ownership in DaTangShiDai DaTong Recycling Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“DaTong Recycling Energy”), and 40% ownership in DaTang ShiDai TianYu XuZhou Recycling Energy Technology Co, Ltd. (“TianYu XuZhou Recycling Energy”). These companies were incorporated in 2012 but had no operations since then nor any registered capital contribution was made.
Shenqiu Yuneng Biomass Power Generation Projects
On May 25, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) with Shenqiu YuNeng Thermal Power Co., Ltd. (“Shenqiu”) to reconstruct and transform a Thermal Power Generation System owned by Shenqiu into a 75T/H BMPG System for $3.57 million (RMB 22.5 million). The project commenced in June 2011 and was completed in the third quarter of 2011. On September 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement with Shenqiu (the “Shenqiu Transfer Agreement”). Pursuant to the Shenqiu Transfer Agreement, Shenqiu sold Xi’an TCH a set of 12 MW BMPG systems (after Xi’an TCH converted the system for BMPG purposes). As consideration for the BMPG systems, Xi’an TCH paid Shenqiu $10.94 million (RMB 70 million) in cash in three installments within six months upon the transfer of ownership of the systems. By the end of 2012, all the consideration was paid. On September 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH and Shenqiu also entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement (the “2011 Shenqiu Lease”). Under the 2011 Shenqiu Lease, Xi’an TCH agreed to lease a set of 12 MW BMPG systems to Shenqiu at a monthly rental of $286,000 (RMB 1.8 million) for 11 years. Upon expiration of the 2011 Shenqiu Lease, ownership of this system will transfer from Xi’an TCH to Shenqiu at no additional cost. In connection with the 2011 Shenqiu Lease, Shenqiu paid one month’s rent as a security deposit to Xi’an TCH, in addition to providing personal guarantees.
On October 8, 2012, Xi’an TCH entered into a LOI for technical reformation of Shenqiu Project Phase II with Shenqiu for technical reformation to enlarge the capacity of the Shenqiu Project Phase I (the “Shenqiu Phase II Project”). The technical reformation involved the construction of another 12 MW BMPG system. After the reformation, the generation capacity of the power plant increased to 24 MW. The project commenced on October 25, 2012 and was completed during the first quarter of 2013. The total cost of the project was $11.1 million (RMB 68 million). On March 30, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Shenqiu entered into a BMPG Project Lease Agreement (the “2013 Shenqiu Lease”). Under the 2013 Shenqiu Lease, Xi’an TCH agreed to lease the second set of 12 MW BMPG systems to Shenqiu for $239,000 (RMB 1.5 million) per month for 9.5 years. When the 2013 Shenqiu Lease expires, ownership of this system will transfer from Xi’an TCH to Shenqiu at no additional cost.
On January 4, 2019, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, and Mr. Chonggong Bai entered into a Projects Transfer Agreement (the “Agreement”), pursuant to which Xi’an TCH will transfer two Biomass Power Generation Projects in Shenqiu (“Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects”) to Mr. Bai for RMB 127,066,000 ($18.55 million). Mr. Bai agreed to transfer all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng Enterprises Management Consulting Co. Ltd. (“Xi’an Hanneng”) to Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center, LLP (the “HYREF”) as repayment for the loan made by Xi’an Zhonghong to HYREF as consideration for the transfer of the Shenqiu Phase I and II Projects (See Note 9). The transfer of projects was completed February 15, 2019. The Company recorded $208,359 loss from the transfer. Mr. Bai transferred all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng to the HYREF Fund as repayment for the loan on January 10, 2019. Xi’an Hanneng will own 47,150,000 shares of Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd for the repayment of Shenqiu system and Huayu system. However, Xi’an Hanneng was not able to obtain all the Huaxin shares due to halted trading of Huaxin stock by NEEQ for not filing its 2018 annual report. On December 19, 2019, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai jointly and severally agreed to buy back all outstanding capital equity of Xi’an Hanneng which was transferred to HYREF by Chonggong Bai earlier. The total buy back price was RMB 261,727,506 ($37.52 million) including accrued interest of RMB 14,661,506 ($2.10 million), and was paid in full by Xi’an TCH. On December 20, 2019, Mr. Bai, Xi’an TCH and Xi’an Zhonghong, agreed to have Mr. Bai repay the Company in cash for the transfer price of Xuzhou Huayu and Shenqiu in five installment payments. The 1st payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) is due on January 5, 2020, the 2nd payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due on February 5, 2020, the 3rd payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due on April 5, 2020, the 4th payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due on June 30, 2020, and the final payment of RMB 47,066,000 ($6.75 million) was due on September 30, 2020. As of this report date, the Company received full payment of RMB 247 million ($36.28 million).
Pucheng Biomass Power Generation Projects
On June 29, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation (“BMPG”) Project Lease Agreement with Pucheng XinHengYuan Biomass Power Generation Co., Ltd. (“Pucheng”), a limited liability company incorporated in China. Under this lease agreement, Xi’an TCH leased a set of 12MW BMPG systems to Pucheng at a minimum of $279,400 (RMB 1,900,000) per month for 15 years (“Pucheng Phase I”).
On September 11, 2013, Xi’an TCH entered into a BMPG Asset Transfer Agreement (the “Pucheng Transfer Agreement”) with Pucheng Xin Heng Yuan Biomass Power Generation Corporation (“Pucheng”), a limited liability company incorporated in China. The Pucheng Transfer Agreement provided for the sale by Pucheng to Xi’an TCH of a set of 12 MW BMPG systems with the completion of system transformation for a purchase price of RMB 100 million ($16.48 million) in the form of 87,666 shares (post-reverse stock split) of Common Stock of the Company at $187.0 (post-reverse stock price) per share. Also on September 11, 2013, Xi’an TCH also entered into a BMPG Project Lease Agreement with Pucheng (the “Pucheng Lease”). Under the Pucheng Lease, Xi’an TCH leases this same set of 12 MW BMPG system to Pucheng, and combines this lease with the lease for the 12 MW BMPG station of Pucheng Phase I project, under a single lease to Pucheng for RMB 3.8 million ($0.63 million) per month (the “Pucheng Phase II Project”). The term for the consolidated lease is from September 2013 to June 2025. The lease agreement for the 12 MW station from Pucheng Phase I project terminated upon the effective date of the Pucheng Lease. The ownership of two 12 MW BMPG systems will transfer to Pucheng at no additional charge when the Pucheng Lease expires.
On September 29, 2019, Xi’an TCH entered into a Termination Agreement of the Lease Agreement of Biomass Power Generation Project (the “Termination Agreement”) with Pucheng.
Pucheng failed to pay fees it owed to Xi’an TCH for leasing two biomass power generation systems from Xi’an TCH with total capacity of 24MW due to its long suspension of production resulting from the significant reduction of raw material supplies for its biomass power generation operation in Pucheng County, which caused the biomass power generation project to no longer be suitable. Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, the parties agreed: (i) Pucheng shall pay off outstanding lease fees of RMB 97.6 million ($14 million) owed as of December 31, 2018 to Xi’an TCH before January 15, 2020; (ii) Xi’an TCH will waive the lease fees owed after January 1, 2019; (iii) Xi’an TCH will not return RMB 3.8 million ($542,857) in cash deposits paid by Pucheng; (iv) Xi’an TCH will transfer the Project to Pucheng at no additional cost after receiving RMB 97.6 million from Pucheng, and the original lease agreement between the parties will be formally terminated; and (v) if Pucheng fails to pay off RMB 97.6 million to Xi’an TCH before January 15, 2020, Xi’an TCH will still hold ownership of the Project and the original lease agreement shall still be valid. Xi’an TCH received RMB 97.6 million ($14 million) in full on January 14, 2020 and the ownership of the system was transferred.
Chengli Waste Heat Power Generation Projects
On July 19, 2013, Xi’an TCH formed a new company, “Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd.” (“Zhonghong”), with registered capital of RMB 30 million ($4.85 million). Xi’an TCH paid RMB 27 million ($4.37 million) and owns 90% of Zhonghong. Zhonghong is engaged to provide energy saving solution and services, including constructing, selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers. On December 29, 2018, Shanghai TCH entered into a Share Transfer Agreement with HYREF, pursuant to which HYREF agreed to transfer its 10% ownership in Xi’an Zhonghong to Shanghai TCH for RMB 3 million ($0.44 million). The transfer was completed January 22, 2019.
On July 24, 2013, Zhonghong entered into a Cooperative Agreement of CDQ and CDQ WHPG Project with Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. (“Chengli”). The parties entered into a supplement agreement on July 26, 2013. Pursuant to these agreements, Zhonghong agreed to design, build and maintain a 25 MW CDQ system and a CDQ WHPG system to supply power to Chengli, and Chengli agreed to pay energy saving fees (the “Chengli Project”). Chengli will contract the operation of the system to a third party contractor that is mutually agreed to by Zhonghong. In addition, Chengli will provide the land for the CDQ system and CDQ WHPG system at no cost to Zhonghong. The term of these Agreements is 20 years. The watt hours generated by the Chengli Project will be charged at RMB 0.42 ($0.068) per KWH (excluding tax). The operating time shall be based upon an average 8,000 hours annually. If the operating time is less than 8,000 hours per year due to a reason attributable to Chengli, then time charged shall be 8,000 hours a year, and if it is less than 8,000 hours due to a reason attributable to Zhonghong, then it shall be charged at actual operating hours. The construction of the Chengli Project was completed in the second quarter of 2015 and the project successfully completed commissioning tests in the first quarter of 2017. The Chengli Project is now operational, however, due to intensifying environmental protection, the local environmental authorities required the project owner constructing CDQ sewage treatment to complete supporting works, which were completed and passed through acceptance inspection during the quarter ended September 30, 2018. However, the owner of Chengli Project changed from Chengli to Shandong Boxing Shengli Technology Company Ltd. (“Shengli”). This change resulted from transfer of the equity ownership of Chengli to Shengli (a private company) in March 2014. Chengli, a 100% state-owned enterprise that is 100% owned by the local Power Supply Bureau, is no longer allowed to carry out business activities, and Shengli, the new owner, is not entitled to the high on-grid prices, and thus demanded a renegotiation of the settlement terms for the project. The Company negotiated with the new project owner on the lease term, settlement method and settlement price, but no agreement has been reached.
On July 22, 2013, Zhonghong entered into an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (“EPC”) General Contractor Agreement for the Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. CDQ Power Generation Project (the “Chengli Project”) with Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”). Zhonghong, as the owner of the Chengli Project, contracted EPC services for a CDQ system and a 25 MW CDQ WHPG system for Chengli to Huaxin. Huaxin shall provide construction, equipment procurement, transportation, installation and adjustment, test run, construction engineering management and other necessary services to complete the Chengli Project and ensure the CDQ system and CDQ WHPG system for Chengli meet the inspection and acceptance requirements and work normally. The Chengli Project is a turn-key project in which Huaxin is responsible for monitoring the quality, safety, duration and cost of the Chengli Project. The total contract price is RMB 200 million ($33.34 million), which includes all materials, equipment, labor, transportation, electricity, water, waste disposal, machinery and safety costs.
On December 29, 2018, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, the “HYREF”, Guohua Ku, and Mr. Chonggong Bai entered into a CDQ WHPG Station Fixed Assets Transfer Agreement, pursuant to which Xi’an Zhonghong transferred Chengli CDQ WHPG station as the repayment for the loan of RMB 188,639,400 ($27.54 million) to HYREF. Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai also agreed to buy back the CDQ WHPG Station when conditions under the Buy Back Agreement are met (see Note 9). The transfer was completed January 22, 2019, and the Company recorded $624,133 loss from this transfer. Since the original terms of Buy Back Agreement are still valid, the Buy Back possibility is uncertain; therefore, the assets of Chengli CDQ WHPG station, and the corresponding loan principal and interest, cannot be terminated due to the existence of Buy Back clauses.
Tianyu Waste Heat Power Generation Project
On July 19, 2013, Zhonghong entered into a Cooperative Agreement (the “Tianyu Agreement”) for Energy Management of CDQ and CDQ WHPG with Jiangsu Tianyu Energy and Chemical Group Co., Ltd (“Tianyu”). Pursuant to the Tianyu Agreement, Zhonghong will design, build, operate and maintain two sets of 25 MW CDQ and CDQ WHPG systems for two subsidiaries of Tianyu – Xuzhou Tian’an Chemical Co., Ltd (“Xuzhou Tian’an”) and Xuzhou Huayu Coking Co., Ltd. (“Xuzhou Huayu”) – to be located at Xuzhou Tian’an and Xuzhou Huayu’s respective locations (the “Tianyu Project”). Upon completion of the Tianyu Project, Zhonghong will charge Tianyu an energy saving fee of RMB 0.534 ($0.087) per KWH (excluding tax). The operating time will be based upon an average 8,000 hours annually for each of Xuzhou Tian’an and Xuzhou Huayu. If the operating time is less than 8,000 hours per year due to a reason attributable to Tianyu, then time charged will be 8,000 hours a year. Because of the overcapacity and pollution of the iron and steel and related industries, the government has imposed production limitations for the energy-intensive enterprises with heavy pollution, including Xuzhou Tian’an. Xuzhou Tian’an has slowed the construction process for its dry quenching production line which caused the delay of our project. The construction of the Xuzhou Tian’an Project is anticipated to be completed by the second quarter of 2020. Xuzhou Tian’an will provide the land for the CDQ and CDQ WHPG systems for free. Xuzhou Tian’an has also guaranteed that it will purchase all of the power generated by the CDQ WHPG systems. The Xuzhou Huayu Project is currently on hold due to a conflict between Xuzhou Huayu Coking Co., Ltd. and local residents on certain pollution-related issues. The local government acted in its capacity to coordinate the resolution of this issue. The local residents were requested to move from the hygienic buffer zone of the project location in exchange for compensatory payments from the government. Xuzhou Huayu was required to stop production and implement technical innovations to mitigate pollution discharge including sewage treatment, dust collection, noise control, and recycling of coal gas. Currently, some local residents have moved. Xuzhou Huayu completed the implementation of the technical innovations of sewage treatment, dust collection, and noise control, and the Company is waiting for local governmental agencies to approve these technical innovations so that we can resume construction. Due to the stricter administration of environmental protection policies and recent increase in environmental protections for the coking industry in Xuzhou, all local coking, as well as steel iron enterprises, are facing a similar situation of suspended production while rectifying technologies and procedures.
On July 22, 2013, Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. entered into an EPC General Contractor Agreement for the Xuzhou Tianyu Group CDQ Power Generation Project (the “Project”) with Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”). Zhonghong as the owner of the Project contracted EPC for the two sets of CDQ and 25 MW CDQ WHPG systems for Tianyu to Huaxin—one for Xuzhou Tian’an and one for Xuzhou Huayu. Huaxin shall provide construction, equipment procurement, transportation, installation and adjustment, test run, construction engineering management and other necessary works to complete the Project and ensure the CDQ and CDQ WHPG systems for Tianyu meet the inspection and acceptance requirements and work normally. The Project is a turn-key project and Huaxin is responsible for the quality, safety, duration and cost of the Project. The total contract price is RMB 400 million ($66.67 million), of which RMB 200 million ($33.34 million) is for the Xuzhou Tian’an system and RMB 200 million is for the Xuzhou Huayu system. The price is a cover-all price, which includes but not limited to all the materials, equipment, labor, transportation, electricity, water, waste disposal, machinery and safety matters.
On January 4, 2019, Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, and Mr. Chonggong Bai entered into a Projects Transfer Agreement (the “Agreement”), pursuant to which Xi’an Zhonghong transferred a CDQ WHPG station (under construction) located in Xuzhou City for Xuzhou Huayu Coking Co., Ltd. (“Xuzhou Huayu Project”) to Mr. Bai for RMB 120,000,000 ($17.52 million). Mr. Bai agreed to transfer all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng, to the HYREF Fund as repayment for the loan made by Xi’an Zhonghong to HYREF as consideration for the transfer of the Xuzhou Huayu Project (see Note 9). The transfer of the projects was completed February 15, 2019. The Company recorded $397,033 loss from this transfer. On January 10, 2019, Mr. Bai transferred all the equity shares of his wholly owned company, Xi’an Hanneng, to HYREF as repayment for the loan. Xi’an Hanneng will own 47,150,000 shares of Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd for the repayment of Huayu system and Shenqiu system. As of September 30, 2019, Xi’an Hanneng already owned 29,948,000 shares of Huaxin, but was not able to obtain the remaining 17,202,000 shares due to halted trading of Huaxin stock by NEEQ for not filing its 2018 annual report. On December 19, 2019, Xi’an TCH, Xi’an Zhonghong, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai jointly and severally agreed to buy back all outstanding capital equity of Xi’an Hanneng which was transferred to HYREF by Chonggong Bai earlier. The total buy back price was RMB 261,727,506 ($37.52 million) including accrued interest of RMB 14,661,506 ($2.10 million), and was paid in full by Xi’an TCH. On December 20, 2019, Mr. Bai, Xi’an TCH and Xi’an Zhonghong, agreed to have Mr. Bai repay the Company in cash for the transfer price of Xuzhou Huayu and Shenqiu in five installment payments. The 1st payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due on January 5, 2020, the 2nd payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due on February 5, 2020, the 3rd payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due on April 5, 2020, the 4th payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) was due on June 30, 2020, and the final payment of RMB 47,066,000 ($6.75 million) is due on September 30, 2020. As of this report date, the Company received full payment of RMB 247 million ($36.28 million).
On January 10, 2020, Zhonghong, Tianyu and Huaxin signed a transfer agreement to transfer all assets under construction and related rights and interests of Xuzhou Tian’an Project to Tianyu for RMB 170 million ($24.37 million) by three installment payments. The 1st installment payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) to be paid within 20 working days after the contract is signed. The 2nd installment payment of RMB 50 million ($7.17 million) is to be paid within 20 working days after completion of the project construction but no later than July 31, 2020. The final installment payment of RMB 70 million ($10.03 million) is to be paid before December 31, 2020. On March 11, 2020, the Company received 1st installment payment. The repayment date for 2nd installment payment is delayed to fourth quarter of 2020.
Zhongtai WHPG Energy Management Cooperative Agreement
On December 6, 2013, Xi’an TCH entered into a CDQ and WHPG Energy Management Cooperative Agreement (the “Zhongtai Agreement”) with Xuzhou Zhongtai Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Zhongtai”), a limited liability company incorporated in Jiangsu Province, China.
Pursuant to the Zhongtai Agreement, Xi’an TCH will design, build and maintain a 150 ton per hour CDQ system and a 25 MW CDQ WHPG system (the “Project”) and sell the power to Zhongtai, and Xi’an TCH will also build a furnace to generate steam from the waste heat of the smoke pipeline and sell the steam to Zhongtai.
The construction period of the Project is expected to be 18 months from the date when conditions are ready for construction to begin. Zhongtai will start to pay an energy saving fee from the date when the WHPG station passes the required 72-hour test run. The term of payment is 20 years. For the first 10 years of the term, Zhongtai shall pay an energy saving fee at RMB 0.534 ($0.089) per KWH (including value added tax) for the power generated from the system. For the second 10 years of the term, Zhongtai shall pay an energy saving fee at RMB 0.402 ($0.067) per KWH (including value added tax). During the term of the contract the energy saving fee shall be adjusted at the same percentage as the change of local grid electricity price. Zhongtai shall also pay an energy saving service fee for the steam supplied by Xi’an TCH at RMB 100 ($16.67) per ton (including value added tax). Zhongtai and its parent company will provide guarantees to ensure Zhongtai will fulfill its obligations under the Agreement. Upon the completion of the term, Xi’an TCH will transfer the systems to Zhongtai at RMB 1 ($0.16). Zhongtai shall provide waste heat to the systems for no less than 8,000 hours per year and waste gas volume no less than 150,000 Nm3 per hour with a temperature no less than 950°C. If these requirements are not met, the term of the Zhongtai Agreement will be extended accordingly. If Zhongtai wants to terminate the Zhongtai Agreement early, it shall provide Xi’an TCH a 60 day notice and pay the termination fee and compensation for the damages to Xi’an TCH according to the following formula: (i) if it is less than five years into the term when Zhongtai requests termination, Zhongtai shall pay: Xi’an TCH’s total investment amount plus Xi’an TCH’s annual investment return times five years minus the years in which the system has already operated; or (ii) if it is more than five years into the term when Zhongtai requests the termination, Zhongtai shall pay Xi’an TCH’s total investment amount minus total amortization cost (the amortization period is 10 years).
On March 14, 2016, Xi’an TCH entered into a Xuzhou Zhongtai CDQ and Waste Heat Power Generation System Transfer Agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) with Zhongtai and Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd., a limited liability company incorporated in China (the “Contractor”). The Transfer Agreement provides for the sale to Zhongtai of all the assets of the Project under construction from Xi’an TCH. Additionally, Xi’an TCH will transfer to Zhongtai the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (“EPC”) Contract for the Project, which Xi’an TCH had entered into with the Contractor in connection with the Project. As consideration for the transfer of the Project, Zhongtai is to pay to Xi’an TCH RMB 167,360,000 ($25.77 million and the “Transfer Price”), on the following schedule: (i) RMB 50,000,000 ($7.70 million) of the Transfer Price was paid within 20 business days from the execution of the Transfer Agreement; (ii) RMB 30,000,000 ($4.32 million) of the Transfer Price was paid within 20 business days upon the completion of the construction of the Project but not later than July 30, 2016; and (iii) RMB 87,360,000 ($13.45 million) of the Transfer Price was to be paid before July 30, 2017. The temporary ownership of the Project was transferred from Xi’an TCH to Zhongtai after the Xi’an TCH received the first payment of RMB 50,000,000, and the full ownership of the Project is to be officially transferred to Zhongtai upon full payment of the Transfer Price. The Zhongtai Agreement is to be terminated and Xi’an TCH will agree not to pursue any breach of contract liability against Zhongtai under the Zhongtai Agreement once Zhongtai fully pays the Transfer Price according to the terms of the Transfer Agreement. If the Transfer Price is not fully paid on time pursuant to the Transfer Agreement, the Transfer Agreement automatically terminates and Xi’an TCH retains ownership of the Project, and both parties would continue to possess their respective rights and obligations according to the Zhongtai Agreement and assume the liabilities for breach of the Zhongtai Agreement. Xuzhou Taifa Special Steel Technology Co., Ltd. (“Xuzhou Taifa”) has guaranteed the payments by Zhongtai. The Company recorded a $2.82 million loss from this transaction in 2016. In 2016, Xi’an TCH had received the first payment of $7.70 million and the second payment of $4.32 million. However, the Company received a repayment commitment letter from Zhongtai on February 23, 2018, in which Zhongtai committed to pay the remaining payment of RMB 87,360,000 ($13.45 million) no later than the end of July 2018; in July 2018, Zhongtai and the Company reached a further oral agreement to extend the repayment term of RMB 87,360,000 ($13.45 million) by another two to three months. In August 2018, the Company received $1,070,000 from Zhongtai. In January 2020, Zhongtai paid RBM 10 million (1.41 million); in March 2020, Zhongtai paid RMB 20 million ($2.82 million); in June 2020, Zhongtai paid RMB 10 million ($1.41 million). Zhongtai is committed to pay in full the remaining balance of RMB 30 million ($4.24 million) no later than the end of 2020. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had receivables from Zhongtai for $4.41 million (with bad debt allowance of $4.41 million).
On September 9, 2019, we entered into a letter of intent to acquire a controlling interest in Xi’an Yineng Zhihui Technology Co., Ltd. (“YNZH”), a next generation energy storage solution provider in China. YNZH is a leading comprehensive high-tech intelligent energy service company integrated with energy efficiency improvement and storage management in China. The energy efficiency management is to fully use big data cloud computing technology, effectively adopt the combination of the mature international and domestic clean energy technologies to make the customers’ energy management more efficient, more economical, more secure and more scientific. The terms of this proposed transaction are currently being negotiated.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements (“CFS”), which were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported net sales and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to our CFS, we believe the following accounting policies are the most critical to assist you in fully understanding and evaluating this management discussion and analysis.
Basis of Presentation
These accompanying CFS were prepared in accordance with US GAAP and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for financial statements.
Basis of Consolidation
The CFS include the accounts of CREG and, its subsidiary, Sifang Holdings and Yinghua; Sifang Holdings’ wholly-owned subsidiaries, Huahong and Shanghai TCH; Shanghai TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiary Xi’an TCH; and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiaries, Erdos TCH, Zhonghong, and Zhongxun. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are derived from the operations of Shanghai TCH and its subsidiaries, which represent substantially all of the Company’s consolidated assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2020. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
In preparing the CFS, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheets as well as revenues and expenses during the year reported. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained within China. Balances at financial institutions within China are not covered by insurance. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Certain other financial instruments, which subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist of accounts and other receivables. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support these receivables. The Company conducts periodic reviews of its customers’ financial condition and customer payment practices to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable.
The operations of the Company are located in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the PRC.
Accounts Receivable
As of September 30, 2020, the Company had gross accounts receivable of $29.27 million; of which, $6.91 million was for transferring the ownership of Huayu and Shenqiu Phase I and II systems to Mr. Bai; $4.41 million was from the sales of CDQ and a CDQ WHPG system to Zhongtai, $17.62 million was from transferring the ownership of Tian’an project to Tianyu, and $0.33 million accounts receivable of Erdos TCH for the electricity sold. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had bad debt allowance of $4,405,222 for Zhongtai and $32,861 for Erdos TCH due to not making the payments as scheduled. In July 2020, Erdos TCH collected RMB 6 million ($0.86 million) accounts receivable.
Investment in sales-type leases, net
The Company maintains reserves for potential credit losses on receivables. Management reviews the composition of receivables and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves. Based on an evaluation of the collectability of such receivables, as of September 30, 2020, the Company had bad debt allowance for net investment receivable on sales-type leases of $0.
Revenue Recognition
Sales-type Leasing and Related Revenue Recognition
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842 using the modified retrospective transition approach by applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. Results and disclosure requirements for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2019 are presented under ASC Topic 842, while prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting under Topic 840. (See Operating lease below as relates to the Company as a lessee). The Company’s sales type lease contracts for revenue recognition fall under ASC 842. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not sell any new power generating projects.
The Company constructs and leases waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers. The Company typically transfers ownership of the waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers at the end of the lease. Prior to January 1, 2019, the investment in these projects was recorded as investment in sales-type leases in accordance with ASC Topic 840, “Leases”, and its various amendments and interpretations.
The Company finances construction of waste energy recycling power generating projects. The sales and cost of sales are recognized at the inception of the lease, which is when the control is transferred to the lessee. The Company accounts for the transfer of control as a sales type lease in accordance with ASC 842-10-25-2. The underlying asset is derecognized, and revenue is recorded when collection of payments is probable. This is in accordance with the revenue recognition principle in ASC 606 -Revenue from contracts with customers. The investment in sales-type leases consists of the sum of the minimum lease payments receivable less unearned interest income and estimated executory cost. Minimum lease payments are part of the lease agreement between the Company (as the lessor) and the customer (as the lessee). The discount rate implicit in the lease is used to calculate the present value of minimum lease payments. The minimum lease payments consist of the gross lease payments net of executory costs and contingent rentals, if any. Unearned interest is amortized to income over the lease term to produce a constant periodic rate of return on net investment in the lease. While revenue is recognized at the inception of the lease, the cash flow from the sales-type lease occurs over the course of the lease, which results in interest income and reduction of receivables. Revenue is recognized net of sales tax.
Contingent Rental Income
The Company records the income from actual electricity usage in addition to minimum lease payment of each project as contingent rental income in the period earned. Contingent rent is not part of minimum lease payments.
Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The Company’s functional currency is RMB. For financial reporting purposes, RMB figures were translated into USD as the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders’ equity as “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in income. There has been no significant fluctuation in exchange rate for the conversion of RMB to USD after the balance sheet date.
The Company uses “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 220). Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to the statements of stockholders’ equity, except those due to investments by stockholders, changes in paid-in capital and distributions to stockholders.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
The following table sets forth the results of our operations for the periods indicated as a percentage of net sales. Certain columns may not add due to rounding.
| | 2020 | | | % of Sales | | | 2019 | | | % of Sales | |
Sales - contingent rental income | | $ | - | | | | - | % | | $ | - | | | | - | % |
Cost of sales | | | - | | | | - | % | | | - | | | | - | % |
Gross profit | | | - | | | | - | % | | | - | | | | - | % |
Interest income on sales-type leases | | | - | | | | - | % | | | - | | | | - | % |
Total operating income | | | - | | | | - | % | | | - | | | | - | % |
Total operating expenses | | | (77,015 | ) | | | - | % | | | (2,826,155 | ) | | | - | % |
Loss from operations | | | (77,015 | ) | | | - | % | | | (2,826,155 | ) | | | | % | |
Total non-operating expenses, net | | | (594,265 | ) | | | - | % | | | (2,030,447 | ) | | | - | % |
Loss before income tax | | | (671,280 | ) | | | - | % | | | (4,856,602 | ) | | | - | % |
Income tax benefit | | | - | | | | - | % | | | (755,840 | ) | | | - | % |
Net loss | | $ | (671,280 | ) | | | - | % | | $ | (4,100,762 | ) | | | - | % |
SALES. Total sales for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were $0, respectively.
COST OF SALES. Cost of sales (“COS”) for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were $0.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross income for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were $0, a gross margin of 0%.
INTEREST INCOME ON SALES-TYPE LEASES. Interest income on sales-type leases for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $0. The Company disposed all of its systems and currently holds only five power generating systems through Erdos TCH, Erdos TCH operations was ceased due to renovation and furnace safety upgrade, the Company originally expected to resume production of these five power generating systems in July 2020, but the resumption of operations will be delayed due to the global pandemic of Covid-19; Erdos exports ferrosilicon to 27 countries, the Company decided not to resume the production in the third quarter of 2020 as a result of decreased sales order and overstocked inventory, the Company expects to resume the production in December 2020.
OPERATING EXPENSES. Operating expenses consisted of general and administrative expenses, and bad debts expense (reversal) totaling $77,015 for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $2,826,155 operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2019, a decrease of $2,749,140 or 97%. The decrease was mainly due to decreased bad debts expense of $2,692,953 during the three months ended September 30, 2020.
NET NON-OPERATING EXPENSES. Net non-operating expenses consisted of loss on note redemption, interest income, interest expenses and miscellaneous expenses. For the three months ended September 30, 2020, net non-operating expenses was $594,265 compared to $2.03 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019. For the three months ended September 30, 2020, we had $51,688 interest income but the amount was offset by $340,155 interest expense on entrusted loan and note payable and $298,523 loss on note redemption. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, we had $38,293 interest income and $24,240 gain on note conversion, but the amounts were offset by a $2.09 million interest expense on entrusted loan and note payable.
INCOME TAX EXPENSE. Income tax expense was $0 for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared with $755,840 income tax benefit for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The consolidated effective income tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were 0% and 15.6%, respectively. The decrease in income tax benefit for three months ended September 30, 2020 was due to decreased taxable loss.
NET LOSS. Net loss for three months ended September 30, 2020 was $671,280 compared to $4,100,762 for the three months ended September 30, 2019, a decrease of loss of $3,429,482. This decrease in net loss was mainly due to the decrease operating expenses resulting from decrease bad debts expense, and decrease interest expense as described above.
Comparison of nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
The following table sets forth the results of our operations for the periods indicated as a percentage of net sales. Certain columns may not add due to rounding.
| | 2020 | | | % of Sales | | | 2019 | | | % of Sales | |
Sales - contingent rental income | | $ | - | | | | - | % | | $ | 702,973 | | | | 100 | % |
Cost of sales | | | - | | | | - | % | | | - | | | | - | % |
Gross profit | | | - | | | | - | % | | | 702,973 | | | | 100 | % |
Interest income on sales-type leases | | | - | | | | - | % | | | 173,360 | | | | 25 | % |
Total operating income | | | - | | | | - | % | | | 876,333 | | | | 125 | % |
Total operating income (expenses) | | | 1,181,743 | | | | - | % | | | (8,919,125 | ) | | | (1,269 | )% |
Income (loss) from operations | | | 1,181,743 | | | | - | % | | | (8,042,792 | ) | | | (1,144 | )% |
Total non-operating expenses, net | | | (1,457,634 | ) | | | - | % | | | (6,305,237 | ) | | | (897 | )% |
Loss before income tax | | | (275,891 | ) | | | - | % | | | (14,348,029 | ) | | | (2,041 | )% |
Income tax benefit | | | - | | | | - | % | | | (3,041,884 | ) | | | (433 | )% |
Net loss | | $ | (275,891 | ) | | | - | % | | $ | (11,306,145 | ) | | | (1,608 | )% |
SALES. Total sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were $0 and $702,973, respectively. The sales were from the contingent rental income of Erdos TCH.
COST OF SALES. Cost of sales (“COS”) for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were $0.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were $0 and $702,973, a gross margin of 0% and 100%.
INTEREST INCOME ON SALES-TYPE LEASES. Interest income on sales-type leases for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was $0 and $173,360, a $0.17 million decrease. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the interest income was derived from the Shenqiu Phase I and II systems for the months of January 2019. In February 2019, the Shenqiu Phase I and II systems were transferred to Mr. Bai, and the Company only had Pucheng Phase I and II systems since then, which the Company has ceased to accrue interest income since April 2018 because Pucheng power generation systems were suspended due to strict environmental protection policies and lack of supply of biomass waste raw materials. On September 29, 2019, Xi’an TCH entered into a Termination Agreement of the Lease Agreement of the Biomass Power Generation Project with Pucheng. In January 2020, the Company received the full payment of outstanding leasing fee of Pucheng Phase I and II systems and transferred the ownership of two systems to the lessee Pucheng. The decreased interest income was due to the transfer of the Shenqiu Phase I and II systems to Mr. Bai in February 2019 and transfer of Pucheng Phase I and II systems to Pucheng in January 2020.
OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME). Operating expenses (income) consisted of general and administrative expenses, loss on disposal of systems and bad debts expense (reversal) totaling $(1,181,743) for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $8,919,125 operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, a decrease of $10,100,868 or 113%. The decrease was mainly due to decreased bad debts expense by $7,167,478, decreased loss on disposal of systems by $1,250,731, and decreased operating expenses of $1,787,274 of Erdos TCH due to cease of the operation.
NET NON-OPERATING EXPENSES. Net non-operating expenses consisted of loan on note redemption, interest income, interest expenses and miscellaneous expenses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, net non-operating expenses was $1.46 million compared to $6.31 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we had $124,305 interest income but the amount was offset by $1,037,183 interest expense on entrusted loan and note payable, and $496,853 loss on note conversion. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we had $120,903 interest income, but the amounts were offset by a $5.89 million interest expense on entrusted loan and note payable, and $869,718 loss on note conversion.
INCOME TAX BENEFIT. Income tax benefit was $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with $3,041,884 income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The consolidated effective income tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were 0% and (21.2)%, respectively. The decrease in income tax benefit for nine months ended September 30, 2020 was due to decreased taxable loss.
NET LOSS. Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $275,891 compared to net loss $11,306,145 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, a decrease of loss of $11,030,254. This decrease in net loss was mainly due to the decrease operating expenses as described above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Comparison of nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019
As of September 30, 2020, the Company had cash and equivalents of $73.79 million, other current assets of $24.94 million, current liabilities of $36.94 million, working capital of $61.79 million, a current ratio of 2.67:1 and a liability-to-equity ratio of 0.52:1.
The following is a summary of cash provided by or used in each of the indicated types of activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Cash provided by (used in): | | | | | | |
Operating Activities | | $ | 55,199,324 | | | $ | (6,084,671 | ) |
Investing Activities | | | - | | | | 5,106 | |
Financing Activities | | | 497,187 | | | | 5,309,475 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities was $55.20 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $6.08 million cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increase in net cash inflow for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was mainly due to increased cash inflow from collection of sales type leases of Pucheng systems by $13.96 million, and increased cash collection of accounts receivable by $43.70 million for selling / disposing Huayu, Shenqiu, Zhongtai and Tian’an systems and decreased cash outflow on accounts payable by $2.86 million.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $0 and $5,106, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, $5,106 was the proceeds from disposal of the fixed assets.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $497,187 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $5.31 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The cash inflow for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was from the issuance of Common Stock of $497,187. The cash inflow for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was from the issuance of notes of $2.0 million and proceeds from issuance of Common Stock of $3.31 million.
We do not believe inflation has had or will have a significant negative impact on our results of operations in 2020.
Transfers of Cash to and from Our Subsidiaries
The PRC has currency and capital transfer regulations that require us to comply with certain requirements for the movement of capital. The Company is able to transfer cash (US Dollars) to its PRC subsidiaries through: (i) an investment (by increasing the Company’s registered capital in a PRC subsidiary), or (ii) a stockholder loan. The Company’s subsidiaries in the PRC have not transferred any earnings or cash to the Company to date. The Company’s business is primarily conducted through its subsidiaries. The Company is a holding company and its material assets consist solely of the ownership interests held in its PRC subsidiaries. The Company relies on dividends paid by its subsidiaries for its working capital and cash needs, including the funds necessary: (i) to pay dividends or cash distributions to its stockholders, (ii) to service any debt obligations and (iii) to pay operating expenses. As a result of PRC laws and regulations (noted below) that require annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax income to be set aside in a general reserve fund prior to payment of dividends, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are restricted in that respect, as well as in others respects noted below, in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company as a dividend.
With respect to transferring cash from the Company to its subsidiaries, increasing the Company’s registered capital in a PRC subsidiary requires the filing of the local commerce department, while a stockholder loan requires a filing with the state administration of foreign exchange or its local bureau.
With respect to the payment of dividends, we note the following:
| 1. | PRC regulations currently permit the payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits, as determined in accordance with accounting standards and PRC regulations (an in-depth description of the PRC regulations is set forth below); |
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| 2. | Our PRC subsidiaries are required to set aside, at a minimum, 10% of their net income after taxes, based on PRC accounting standards, each year as statutory surplus reserves until the cumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50% of their registered capital; |
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| 3. | Such reserves may not be distributed as cash dividends; |
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| 4. | Our PRC subsidiaries may also allocate a portion of their after-tax profits to fund their staff welfare and bonus funds; except in the event of a liquidation, these funds may also not be distributed to stockholders; the Company does not participate in a Common Welfare Fund; |
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| 5. | The incurrence of debt, specifically the instruments governing such debt, may restrict a subsidiary’s ability to pay stockholder dividends or make other cash distributions; and |
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| 6. | The Company is subject to covenants and consent requirements. |
If, for the reasons noted above, our subsidiaries are unable to pay stockholder dividends and/or make other cash payments to the Company when needed, the Company’s ability to conduct operations, make investments, engage in acquisitions, or undertake other activities requiring working capital may be materially and adversely affected. However, our operations and business, including investment and/or acquisitions by our subsidiaries within China, will not be affected as long as the capital is not transferred in or out of the PRC.
PRC Regulations
In accordance with PRC regulations on Enterprises with Foreign Investment and their articles of association, a foreign-invested enterprise (“FIE”) established in the PRC is required to provide statutory reserves, which are appropriated from net profit, as reported in the FIE’s PRC statutory accounts. A FIE is required to allocate at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit to the surplus reserve until such reserve has reached 50% of its respective registered capital (based on the FIE’s PRC statutory accounts). The aforementioned reserves may only be used for specific purposes and may not be distributed as cash dividends. Until such contribution of capital is satisfied, the FIE is not allowed to repatriate profits to its stockholders, unless approved by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. After satisfaction of this requirement, the remaining funds may be appropriated at the discretion of the FIE’s board of directors. Our subsidiary, Shanghai TCH, qualifies as a FIE and is therefore subject to the above-mandated regulations on distributable profits.
Additionally, in accordance with PRC corporate law, a domestic enterprise is required to maintain a surplus reserve of at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit until such reserve has reached 50% of its respective registered capital based on the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. The aforementioned reserves can only be used for specific purposes and may not be distributed as cash dividends. Xi’an TCH, Huahong, Zhonghong and Erdos TCH were established as domestic enterprises; therefore, each is subject to the above-mentioned restrictions on distributable profits.
As a result of PRC laws and regulations that require annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax income to be set aside, prior to payment of dividends, in a general reserve fund, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company as a dividend or otherwise.
Chart of the Company’s Statutory Reserve
Pursuant to PRC corporate law, effective January 1, 2006, the Company is required to maintain a statutory reserve by appropriating from its after-tax profit before declaration or payment of dividends. The statutory reserve represents restricted retained earnings. Our restricted and unrestricted retained earnings under US GAAP are set forth below:
| | As of | |
| | September 30, 2020 | | | December 31, 2019 | |
Unrestricted retained earnings (accumulated deficit) | | $ | (46,865,542 | ) | | $ | (46,447,959 | ) |
Restricted retained earnings (surplus reserve fund) | | | 14,667,404 | | | | 14,525,712 | |
Total retained earnings (accumulated deficit) | | $ | (32,198,138 | ) | | $ | (31,922,247 | ) |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have not entered into any other financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as stockholders’ 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 engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.
Contractual Obligations
The Company’s contractual obligations as of September 30, 2020 are as follows:
| | 1 year or | | | More than | | | See Note | |
Contractual Obligation | | less | | | 1 year | | | (for details) | |
Notes payable including accrued interest of $7,599 | | $ | 599,573 | | | $ | - | | | | 12 | |
Entrusted loan including interest payable of $9,387,757 | | $ | 30,367,488 | | | $ | 293,681 | | | | 9 | |
Total | | $ | 30,967,061 | | | $ | 293,681 | | | | | |
The Company believes it has a stable cash inflow each month and a sufficient channel to commercial institutions to obtain any loans that may be necessary to meet its working capital needs. Historically, we have been able to obtain loans or otherwise achieve our financing objectives due to the Chinese government’s support for energy-saving businesses with stable cash inflows, good credit ratings and history. The Company does not believe it will have difficulties related to the repayment of its outstanding short-term loans since pursuant to that certain Station Fixed Assets Transfer Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2018, by and among Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, HYREF, Guohua Ku, and Mr. Chonggong Bai, Xi’an Zhonghong transferred Chengli CDQ WHPG station as the repayment for this Entrusted loan of RMB 188,639,400 ($27.54 million) to the lender, HYREF. The transfer was effectuated on January 22, 2019. Xi’an Zhonghong, Xi’an TCH, Guohua Ku and Chonggong Bai also agreed to buy back the Chengli CDQ WHPG Station when the conditions under the Buy-Back Agreement are met. However, since the possibility of the repurchases under the terms of the Buy-Back Agreement is uncertain, until the existing repurchase clauses in the Buy Back Agreement are terminated, the assets of Chengli CDQ WHPG station, and the corresponding loan principal and interest of the Entrusted Loan will continue to show on the Company’s books as outstanding contractual obligations (See Note 9 for details).
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Exchange Rate Risk
Our operations are conducted mainly in the PRC. As such, our earnings are subject to movements in foreign currency exchange rates when transactions are denominated in RMB, which is our functional currency. Accordingly, our operating results are affected by changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and those currencies.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures which are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s periodic SEC reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rules 13a – 15(e) and 15d – 15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) at the end of the period covered by the report.
Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2020, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that (i) the information required to be disclosed by us in this Report was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
With the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company also conducted an evaluation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended as of September 30, 2020, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Based on such evaluation, management concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time we may be subject to litigation, claims and assessments that arise in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that any liability resulting from such additional matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company is not a party to any legal proceedings that it believes will have a material adverse effect upon the conduct of its business or its financial position.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019. An investment in our common stock involves various risks. When considering an investment in our company, you should consider carefully all of the risk factors described in our most recent Form 10-K. If any of those risks, incorporated by reference in this Form 10-Q, occur, the market price of our shares of common stock could decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones facing us and there may be additional matters that we are unaware of or that we currently consider immaterial. All of these could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and, thus, the value of an investment in our company.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
During the period ended September 30, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of 242,699 shares of Common Stock to Iliad Research and Trading, L.P. (“Iliad”) in exchange for the original principal debt amount of $600,000 under the original Promissory Note issued by the Company to Iliad on April 14, 2019 (the Promissory Note was partitioned into new three promissory notes pursuant to three Exchange Agreements by and between the Company and Iliad).
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not Applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
On October 13, 2020 and November 4, 2020, the Company entered into respective exchange agreements with Iliad (each, the “Exchange Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company and the Iliad agreed to partition new promissory notes, each note in the original principal amount of $200,000 initially issued on January 31, 2019 as a convertible promissory note, and exchanged for a new promissory note on April 14, 2019. Under the Exchange Agreement dated October 13, 2020, the Company issued to Iliad 56,980 shares of Common Stock and reduced the remaining outstanding balance by an amount equal to the new partitioned note, and under the Exchange Agreement dated November 4, 2020, the Company issued to Iliad 67,340 shares of the Common Stock and reduced the outstanding balance by an amount equal to the partitioned note.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| China Recycling Energy Corporation |
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Date: November 16, 2020 | By: | /s/ Guohua Ku |
| | Guohua Ku |
| | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
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Date: November 16, 2020 | By: | /s/ Yongjiang Shi |
| | Yongjiang Shi |
| | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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