SolarMax Technology, Inc. Reports Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

SolarMax Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMXT) reports strong fiscal year 2023 financial results with revenue increasing by 21% to $54.1 million, gross profit up by 49% to $11.1 million, gross margin improving to 21%, total operating expenses decreasing by 31% to $10.7 million, and net income improving to $0.4 million from a net loss of $6.9 million in 2022. CEO David Hsu highlights robust demand for solar solutions in the US market and strategic pricing efficiency.

Positive

• Revenue increased by 21% to $54.1 million in fiscal year 2023.
• Gross profit rose by 49% to $11.1 million compared to 2022.
• Gross margin improved to 21% from 17% in 2022.
• Total operating expenses decreased by 31% to $10.7 million.
• Net income improved to $0.4 million from a net loss of $6.9 million in 2022.
• CEO David Hsu highlights robust demand for solar solutions in the US market and strategic pricing efficiency.
• Successful completion of IPO strengthens SolarMax's foundation for future growth.

Negative

• None.

Financial Analyst

A thorough analysis of SolarMax Technology, Inc.'s fiscal year 2023 financial results reveals a company on the upswing. The revenue surge to $54.1 million represents a healthy 21% increase year-over-year, signaling strong market demand and perhaps effective sales strategy. More impressive, however, is the gross profit jump of 49%, which outpaced revenue growth. This indicates a significant improvement in cost management or product mix, leading to a higher margin on sales. The improved gross margin to 21% from 17% in the previous year is noteworthy; efficiency measures or economies of scale may be contributing factors here. A substantial decrease in total operating expenses by 31% could reflect a streamlining of operations or cost-cutting initiatives that enhance profitability. A turnaround from a net loss of $6.9 million to a net income of $0.4 million is certainly a positive signal to investors. However, one should also consider the sustainability of these gains, taking into account the broader economic climate, competition and operational risks.

Energy Sector Analyst

SolarMax's financial growth dovetails with a broader industry trend towards renewable energy solutions, especially solar. The 21% revenue increase can be partially attributed to the growing consumer and corporate consciousness about sustainable energy practices. An improved gross margin implies that SolarMax is becoming more adept at navigating the volatile costs associated with solar technology manufacturing and installation. Investors should recognize that the renewable energy sector can be significantly influenced by government policies and incentives, which could either bolster or beleaguer SolarMax's future performance. The CEO's comments about strategic pricing and operational efficiency suggest that the company has been proactive in adapting to these external pressures. The mention of a successful IPO could also mean enhanced capital for research, development and expansion, potentially increasing SolarMax's competitive edge within the sector.

RIVERSIDE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / SolarMax Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:SMXT) ("SolarMax" or the "Company"), an integrated solar energy company, today reported financial results for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Highlights

• Revenue increased to $54.1 million, up 21% from 2022
• Gross profit increased to $11.1 million, up 49% from 2022
• Gross margin improved to 21%, up from 17% in 2022
• Total operating expense decreased to $10.7 million, down 31% from 2022
• Net income improved to $0.4 million, from a net loss of $6.9 million in 2022

"We are proud to report a year of growth and operational progress for SolarMax," stated David Hsu, CEO of SolarMax. "Our overall revenue increased by 21% in 2023, driven primarily by robust demand for our solar solutions in the expansive US market. Our ability to improve gross margins amidst rising costs highlights the effectiveness of our strategic pricing and operational efficiency. As we look ahead, the recent successful completion of our IPO not only marks a major milestone for SolarMax but also strengthened our foundation for future growth."

About SolarMax Technology Inc.

SolarMax is an integrated solar and renewable energy company. A solar energy system retains the direct current (DC) electricity from the sun and converts it to alternating current (AC) electricity that can be used to power residential homes and commercial businesses. The solar business is based on the ability of the users of solar energy systems to save on energy costs and reduce their carbon imprint as compared with power purchased from the local electricity utility company. SolarMax was founded in 2008 to engage in the solar business in the United States and commenced operations in China in 2016. SolarMax's United States operations primarily consist of the sale and installation of photovoltaic and battery backup systems for residential and commercial customers and sales of LED systems and services to government and commercial users. SolarMax's China operations consist primarily of identifying and procuring solar farm projects for resale to third parties and performing EPC services primarily for solar farm projects. All of SolarMax's revenues for 2022 and 2023 were generated by its United States operations.

Our website is www.solarmaxtech.com. Any information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website or any other website or any social media is not a part of this press release.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act") as well as Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe the Company's future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "seek," "intend," "plan," "goal," "project," "estimate," "anticipate," "strategy," "future," "likely" or other comparable terms, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding the Company's strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause the Company's actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risk and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, Solarmax' ability to operate profitably in the future; (ii) SolarMax' ability to obtain financing when required for its operations; (iii) SolarMax' ability to generate profitable business in China; (iv) SolarMax' ability to collect receivables from its China segment and (v) those risks described in "Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements" "Item 1A Risk Factors," "Item Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on April 16, 2024. SolarMax undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by law. You should read this press release with the understanding that SolarMax' actual results may be materially different from what we expect.

Contact:
For more information, contact:
Stephen Brown, CFO
(951) 300-0711

SolarMax Technology, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

		December 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	2,539,312			$	3,821,952
Accounts receivable, net			4,176,322				5,933,477
Contract assets			549,118				4,701,498
Receivable from SPIC and project companies (Note 2)			3,728,865				3,822,123
Customer loans receivable, current, net			2,212,574				3,437,634
Inventories, net			1,341,397				3,404,902
Other receivables and current assets, net			5,373,997				3,964,259
Total current assets			19,921,585				29,085,845
Property and equipment, net			291,416				444,173
Operating lease right-of-use assets			5,411,820				6,884,362
Goodwill			7,584,779				7,774,472
Investments in unconsolidated solar project companies			9,698,308				9,054,759
Customer loans receivable, noncurrent, net			4,322,942				6,842,805
Deferred tax assets			189,226				107,628
Restricted cash, noncurrent			354,504				346,999
Other assets			880,621				937,185
Total assets		$	48,655,201				61,478,228$
Liabilities and stockholders' deficit
Current liabilities:
Notes and accounts payable			3,384,195$			$	2,231,432
Operating lease liabilities, current			1,497,555				1,523,106
Bank and other unsecured loans, current			2,000,000				2,033,451
Secured loans from related parties, current			11,358,658				10,500,000
Secured convertible notes, current			8,680,000				6,300,000
Contract liabilities			-				4,036,348
Accrued expenses and other payables			16,480,896				19,888,329
Total current liabilities			42,042,646				46,512,666
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent			4,078,569				5,469,703
Secured loans from related parties, noncurrent, net of debt discount and issuance costs			7,000,000				8,858,658
Secured convertible notes, noncurrent, net of debt discount and issuance costs			7,269,768				13,295,829
Other liabilities			2,793,388				3,548,921
Total liabilities			64,543,029				77,685,777
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
Stockholders' deficit:
Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share; 15,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022			-				-
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 297,225,000 shares authorized, 40,983,881 shares issued, and 39,735,536 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022			40,984				40,984
Additional paid-in capital			55,786,634				55,786,634
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,248,345 shares at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022			(1,808,889	)			(1,808,889
Accumulated deficit			(68,623,969	)			(69,058,755
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(1,282,588	)			(1,167,523
Total stockholders' deficit			(15,887,828	)			(16,207,549
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit			48,655,201$			$	61,478,228

SolarMax Technology, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

		Years Ended December 31,
		2023				2022
Revenues		$	54,139,330			$	44,718,030
Cost of revenues			42,990,393				37,236,493
Gross profit			11,148,937				7,481,537
Operating expenses:
General and administrative			9,507,293				14,370,085
Selling and marketing			1,157,793				1,081,264
Total operating expense			10,665,086				15,451,349
Operating income (loss)			483,851				(7,969,812	)
Other income (expense):
Interest income			68,853				61,617
Interest expense			(1,576,749	)			(1,826,934	)
Equity in income of solar project companies			864,132				493,648
Gain on debt extinguishment			26,821				1,946,635
Gain on early termination of lease			4,212				1,079,117
Other income (loss), net			499,472				(616,117	)
Total other income (expense)			(113,259	)			1,137,966
Income (loss) before income taxes			370,592				(6,831,846	)
Income tax provision (benefit)			(64,194	)			41,432
Net income (loss)		$	434,786			$	(6,873,278	)
Net income (loss) per share
Basic		$	0.01			$	(0.17	)
Diluted		$	0.01			$	(0.17	)
Weighted average shares of common stock:
Basic			39,735,536				39,735,536
Diluted			40,025,153				39,735,536

SolarMax Technology, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

		Years Ended December 31,
		2023				2022
Operating activities
Net income (loss)		$	434,786			$	(6,873,278	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense			180,670				277,932
Amortization of loan discounts on customer loan receivables			(53,909	)			(147,050	)
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs			180,760				171,775
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets			1,432,343				1,094,234
Provision for (recovery of) credit losses and loan losses			56,751				61,744
Provision for excess and obsolete inventories			110,863				70,364
Provision for warranty, customer care and production guaranty			639,279				536,494
Equity in income of investment in excess of distribution received			(864,132	)			(493,648	)
Deferred income tax provision			(84,194	)			(92,740	)
Gain on disposal of property and equipment			(21,449	)			(80,290	)
Gain on debt extinguishment			(26,821	)			(1,946,635	)
Gain on early termination of lease			(4,212	)			(1,079,117	)
Write off of capitalized merger costs			-				3,377,526
Other			295,348				-
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			1,536,755				(3,095,068	)
Contract assets			4,152,380				(2,140,577	)
Unbilled receivables			-				4,814,095
Receivables from SPIC and project companies			372,247				8,078
Customer loans receivable			3,849,570				5,531,086
Inventories			1,952,642				(119,384	)
Other receivables and current assets			(1,404,001	)			(1,098,423	)
Other assets			27,283				25,644
Notes and accounts payable			1,152,763				(2,580,829	)
Operating lease liabilities			(1,372,274	)			(1,091,303	)
Contract Liabilities			(4,036,348	)			2,649,370
Accrued expenses and other payables			(2,940,629	)			(236,644	)
Other liabilities			(1,379,324	)			485,073
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	3,814,900			$	(1,971,571	)

Investing activities
Issuance of note receivable to SPAC and Sponsor		$	-			$	(288,856	)
Purchase of property and equipment			(27,999	)			(83,466	)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment			21,449				91,798
Net cash used in investing activities			(6,550	)			(280,524	)
Financing activities
Principal repayment on convertible notes			(4,800,000	)			(7,050,000	)
Principal repayment on borrowings			(33,451	)			(68,240	)
Repayment on equipment capital lease			(15,488	)			(25,396	)
Payments related to Uonone acquisition contingency (Note 14)			(6,841,501	)			(356,329	)
Proceeds from Uonone acquisition contingency (Note 14)			6,644,817				-
Net cash used in financing activities			(5,045,623	)			(7,499,965	)
Effect of exchange rate			(37,862	)			518,737
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash			(1,275,135	)			(9,233,323	)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of year			4,168,951				13,402,274
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of year		$	2,893,816			$	4,168,951
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid in cash		$	1,086,314			$	1,628,570
Income taxes paid in cash		$	177,377			$	4,520
Non-cash activities for investing and financing activities:
Right-of-use assets acquired through operating leases		$	-			$	6,274,652
Right-of-use assets acquired through operating leases, related party		$	912,983			$	5,165,503
Promissory note issued in lieu of a payable for rent and security deposit		$	-			$	1,358,658
Convertible notes issued to related parties in lieu of EB-5 loan payment		$	1,000,000			$	2,141,342

Cash balance at the beginning of the year:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	3,821,952			$	9,886,195
Restricted cash, current			-				3,195,731
Restricted cash, noncurrent			346,999				320,348
		$	4,168,951			$	13,402,274
Cash balance at the end of the year:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	2,539,312			$	3,821,952
Restricted cash, current			-				-
Restricted cash, noncurrent			354,504				346,999
		$	2,893,816			$	4,168,951

SOURCE: SolarMax Technology

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What was SolarMax Technology, Inc.'s revenue in fiscal year 2023?

SolarMax Technology, Inc.'s revenue in fiscal year 2023 was $54.1 million.

How much did SolarMax Technology, Inc.'s gross profit increase by in 2023?

SolarMax Technology, Inc.'s gross profit increased by 49% to $11.1 million in 2023.

What was SolarMax Technology, Inc.'s net income in 2023 compared to 2022?

SolarMax Technology, Inc.'s net income improved to $0.4 million in 2023 from a net loss of $6.9 million in 2022.

What did CEO David Hsu mention about SolarMax's revenue growth in 2023?

CEO David Hsu highlighted robust demand for solar solutions in the US market driving the 21% revenue growth in 2023.

How did SolarMax Technology, Inc.'s gross margin change in 2023 compared to 2022?

SolarMax Technology, Inc.'s gross margin improved to 21% in 2023 from 17% in 2022.

What milestone did SolarMax Technology, Inc. achieve recently?

SolarMax Technology, Inc. recently completed a successful IPO, marking a major milestone and strengthening its foundation for future growth.