Release Date: February 27, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Q: Can you explain why the EBITDA margin is lower in Q1 compared to the rest of the year? A: Keith Jennings, CFO: The lower EBITDA margin in Q1 is due to the continuation of a large shipment from Q4 2024 and the roll-off of some 45X amortization that won't be seen in the quarter. These factors primarily contribute to the lower margin forecast for Q1.
Q: Are there any safe harbor orders in your current order book? A: Kevin Hostetler, CEO: Less than 10% of our order book consists of safe harbor orders, which are mostly legacy programs. We are in discussions with customers evaluating new safe harbor opportunities, but nothing new is currently in the order book.
Q: Why does the order backlog lag behind the pipeline growth, and what initiatives are being taken to grow the backlog? A: Kevin Hostetler, CEO: While our win rate for new orders is strong, the backlog is affected by de-bookings in Brazil due to undefined start dates. We maintain a policy of removing orders without defined start dates from the backlog. However, these orders are not canceled and are expected to return once new dates are set.
Q: What pricing dynamics are you seeing for 2025, especially concerning ASP declines? A: Kevin Hostetler, CEO: ASP declines are primarily due to commodity price reductions, particularly steel, which has decreased by over 30% in the past two years. The market remains disciplined, and we are not seeing significant price wars. The recent increase in steel prices could positively impact ASPs.
Q: How does the 45X credit sharing affect your margins, and do you expect any changes in 2025? A: Keith Jennings, CFO: We have no explicit arrangements to share 45X credits with customers. Our guidance reflects a gross profit margin of 29-30%, and we are comfortable with current pricing and the potential for margin expansion due to rising steel prices. Any sharing of 45X benefits is not explicitly planned.
Q: Has the competitive environment changed following Soltech's exit in Europe? A: Kevin Hostetler, CEO: In Brazil, we've gained projects due to Soltech's exit. However, in Spain, legal restrictions prevent us from immediately taking over Soltech's projects. We are seeing some market share gains but are limited by legal constraints in Spain.
Q: Are there any plans to sell 45X credits for immediate cash flow? A: Kevin Hostetler, CEO: Currently, most 45X credits are filed by our vendors, and we have varying agreements with them. We may consider selling excess credits in the future, but for now, we are still a cash taxpayer and have no immediate plans to sell credits.
Q: What are the key areas of focus for R&D to improve the existing product portfolio? A: Neil Manning, COO: Our R&D efforts focus on enhancing deployment efficiency and reducing costs for customers. This includes innovations like Skylink for wireless capability and automated panel installation to optimize field operations and lower overall deployment costs.
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
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