UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

_______________________

 

FORM 6-K
_______________________

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of May 2012

 

Commission File Number: 001-33911

 
_______________________

 

RENESOLA LTD
_______________________

 

No. 8 Baoqun Road, YaoZhuang
Jiashan, Zhejiang 314117
People’s Republic of China
(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F þ Form 40-F o

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): o

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): o

  

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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.

  

  RENESOLA LTD
     
  By: /s/ Xianshou Li
  Name: Xianshou Li
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: May 14, 2012 

 

2
 

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
Exhibit 99.1   Press Release

 

 

3

 

  

 Exhibit 99.1

 

ReneSola Ltd. Announces First Quarter 2012 Results

 

Exceeds guidance with revenues of US$211.5 million

Exceeds guidance with record solar wafer and module shipments of 466 MW

 

JIASHAN, China, May 11, 2012 – ReneSola Ltd (“ReneSola” or the “Company”) (NYSE: SOL), a leading global manufacturer of solar products, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.

 

First Quarter 2012 Financial and Operating Highlights

 

·Total solar wafer and module shipments in Q1 2012 were 466.0 megawatts (“MW”), exceeding Company guidance and representing an increase of 37.1% from 339.9 MW in Q4 2011.

 

·Q1 2012 net revenues were US$211.5 million, exceeding Company guidance and representing an increase of 12.7% from US$187.7 million in Q4 2011.

 

·Q1 2012 gross loss was US$8.0 million with a gross margin of negative 3.8%, which included a $12.2 million write-down for inventory, compared to a gross loss of US$43.4 million with a gross margin of negative 23.1% in Q4 2011.

 

·Q1 2012 operating loss was US$37.8 million with an operating margin of negative 17.9%, compared to an operating loss of US$52.7 million with an operating margin of negative 28.1% in Q4 2011.

 

·Q1 2012 net loss was US$40.2 million, representing basic and diluted loss per share of US$0.23, and basic and diluted loss per American depositary share (“ADS”) of US$0.47.

 

·Cash and cash equivalents plus restricted cash were $388.3 million as of the end of Q1 2012, compared to US$437.4 million as of the end of Q4 2011.

  

“We continue to navigate what remains a challenging and substantially oversupplied global solar market by aggressively managing our costs,” said Mr. Xianshou Li, ReneSola’s chief executive officer. “At the same time, however, we have seen steady improvement in our module sales and have built up a backlog of orders, which we are confident will continue to increase. As such, we are working to leverage our R&D advantages in wafer technology, and specifically our Virtus wafer products, to produce higher-efficiency Virtus modules, which deliver a power output of 245 W to 255 W. Our Virtus modules will use our self-manufactured Virtus wafers, which represent ReneSola’s core competitive strengths in wafer R&D and technology. On May 17, we will formally announce and kick-off marketing for our high-efficiency modules and diamond-steel wires at the Shanghai New Exhibition Center (SNEC) PV Power Expo. Additionally, our polysilicon project remains on track, and will give us important flexibility as the market continues to evolve.”

 

First Quarter 2012 Results

 

Solar Wafer and Module Shipments

 

  1Q12 4Q11 1Q11 Q-o-Q% Y-o-Y%
Total Solar Wafer and Module Shipments (MW) 466.0 339.9 330.4 37.1% 41.0%
Wafer Shipments (MW) 375.1 245.4 243.5 52.9% 54.0%
Module Shipments (MW) 90.9 94.5 86.9 (3.8%) 4.6%

 

1
 

 

 

 

The sequential increase in solar product shipments was the result of strong demand from European markets, particularly Germany.

 

Net Revenues

 

  1Q12 4Q11 1Q11 Q-o-Q% Y-o-Y%
Net Revenues (US$mln) $211.5 $187.7 $359.2 12.7% (41.1%)

 

Revenues in Q1 2012 increased quarter over quarter, with a decrease in the average selling price (“ASP”) of solar wafers and modules to US$0.33 per watt (“W”) and US$0.84/W, respectively, offset by an increase in solar wafer shipments.

 

Gross Profit (Loss)

 

  1Q12 4Q11 1Q11 Q-o-Q% Y-o-Y%
Gross Profit (Loss) (US$mln) ($8.0) ($43.4) $101.2 - (107.9%)
Gross Margin (3.8%) (23.1%) 28.2% - -

 

The sequential decrease in gross loss was primarily due to lower costs and improved margins on the Company’s solar products, offset by an inventory write-down of US$12.2 million, primarily as a result of the decline in the price of polysilicon.

 

Operating Income (Loss)

 

  1Q12 4Q11 1Q11 Q-o-Q% Y-o-Y%
Operating Expenses (US$mln) $29.8 $9.3 $25.6 220.4% 16.4%
Operating Income (Loss) (US$mln) ($37.8) ($52.7) $75.6 - (150.0%)
Operating Margin (17.9%) (28.1%) 21.0% - -

 

The sequential increase in operating expenses was primarily due to the one-time gain of US$13.5 million arising from the forfeiture of a prepaid deposit due to the breach of a solar wafer contract by one of the Company’s clients in Q4 2011. Operating expenses represented 14.1% of total revenues in Q1 2012, compared to 5.0% in Q4 2011.

 

Foreign Exchange Gain

 

The Company had a foreign exchange gain of US$0.8 million in Q1 2012, primarily due to the appreciation of the renminbi (“RMB”). The Company also recognized a US$0.04 million gain on derivatives in Q1 2012, compared to a gain of US$3.6 million in Q4 2011.

 

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Holders of Ordinary Shares

 

  1Q12 4Q11 1Q11
Net Income (Loss) (US$mln) ($40.2) ($36.7) $43.3
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share ($0.23) ($0.21) $0.24
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per ADS ($0.47) ($0.43) $0.49

 

2
 

  

 

 

 

Business Highlights

 

Research and Development (“R&D”)

 

In Q1 2012, ReneSola continued to make progress in producing and manufacturing high-efficiency wafers and modules, in particular its Virtus modules. As the Company continues to succeed in improving its Virtus wafer technology, additional benefits will be seen in its high-efficiency Virtus modules, which the Company expects to become increasingly successful in the market. In addition, the Company will start to develop low-oxygen concentration solar wafers, which the Company believes will help improve conversion efficiencies, as well as the attenuation rate of module efficiency.

 

The Company recently developed a new technology to recycle products at the polysilicon manufacturing stage, which will help reduce costs. The Company also continues to research the use of carbon composite materials, which the Company believes will help lower costs and expose the Company to new markets.

 

Module Business

 

ReneSola delivered 90.9 MW of solar modules in Q1 2012, of which 10 MW were Virtus modules. At present, the Company’s module manufacturing has reached its maximum capacity as a result of strong sales generated by its new regional sales teams. The Company expects to ship approximately 150 MW to 170 MW of solar modules in Q2 2012, of which 55 MW are expected to be Virtus modules. For the full year 2012, the Company expects to ship approximately 600 MW of solar modules, of which 200 MW are expected to be Virtus modules. The Company expects to continue to see strong demand for high-efficiency, high-quality products such as the Virtus modules. Accordingly, the Company will increase its module production capacity to 1.2 GW for modules by the end of Q2 2012.

 

For Q1 2012, the Company’s total module manufacturing cost was approximately US$0.74/W. This resulted in a gross margin of approximately 9.0% for the Company’s solar module business in Q1 2012. The Company will continue to reduce its module manufacturing costs through a reduction in material costs and improvements in its manufacturing methods, and capitalize on the business’s higher margins relative to wafer production. The Company expects total module processing cost to decrease to below US$0.70/W for 2Q 2012.

 

Wafer Business

 

ReneSola is now producing high-efficiency Virtus wafers with a conversion efficiency of 18.2%, which is close to monocrystalline wafer conversion efficiency. The Company’s blended non-silicon wafer processing cost was US$0.19/W in Q1 2012, a decrease from US$0.20/W in Q4 2012. Since the end of Q1 2012, blended non-silicon wafer processing cost has been reduced to US$0.18 as a result of continued cost-reduction efforts, including the reduced use of electricity and raw materials, as well as lower-priced raw materials. The successful execution of the Company’s cost-reduction strategies should allow the Company to reduce its blended non-silicon wafer processing cost to US$0.17/W by the end of 2Q 2012 and to US$0.15/W by the end of 2012.

 

Polysilicon Update

 

In Q1 2012, ReneSola produced approximately 900 metric tons (“MT”) of polysilicon, which while higher than expected, represented a decrease from approximately 1,089 MT in Q4 2011 as a result of upgrades and maintenance on the state-owned power grid connected to the Company’s polysilicon plant. At the end of Q1 2012, the Company had a polysilicon production capacity of 4,000 MT. The Company expects polysilicon production capacity to reach 10,000 MT through Phase II of its polysilicon production plant by the end of 2012.

 

3
 

 

 

 

 

ReneSola’s Sichuan polysilicon plant remains central to the Company’s long-term manufacturing and cost-reduction strategy. The Company’s internal polysilicon production cost increased to approximately US$33 per kilogram (“kg”) for Q1 2012, compared to approximately US$30/kg at the end of Q4 2011, as a result of maintenance and equipment upgrades. Since the end of Q1 2012, polysilicon production cost has returned to approximately US$30/kg and is expected to decrease to approximately $25/kg by the end of Q2 2012. Total internal polysilicon production cost is expected to decrease further to an average of approximately US$22/kg by the end of 2012 once Phase II of the Company’s polysilicon production plant is operational. The Company expects Phase II to have stand-alone polysilicon costs of under $20/kg.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Net cash and cash equivalents plus restricted cash were US$388.3 million at the end of Q1 2012, compared to US$437.4 million at the end of Q4 2011. Total debt was US$800.8 million in Q1 2012, compared to US$715.6 million in Q4 2011, excluding US$111.6 million due in convertible notes.

 

Capital expenditures were US$45 million for Q1 2012. Short-term borrowings were US$662.6 million in Q1 2012, an increase from US$570.9 million in Q4 2011.

 

2012 Capacity Expansion Plans and Related CAPEX

 

The Company expects to spend approximately US$70 million in Q2 2012 to expand its solar module and polysilicon production capacity, as well as improve its manufacturing processes.

 

Management Changes

 

Mr. Charles Ding, the Company’s former vice president of global sourcing, has left the Company, effective this month.

 

Outlook

 

For Q2 2012, the Company expects total solar wafer and module shipments to be in the range of 460 MW to 480 MW, with module shipments of 150 MW to 170 MW, and revenues to be in the range of US$200 million to US$220 million with positive gross margins.

 

For the full year 2012, the Company’s outlook is unchanged, with total solar wafer and module shipments expected to be in the range of 1.8 GW to 2.0 GW.

 

Conference Call Information

 

ReneSola's management will host an earnings conference call on Friday, May 11, 2012 at 8 am U.S. Eastern Time (8 pm Beijing/Hong Kong time).

 

Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

 

U.S. / International: +1-718-354-1231
Hong Kong: +852-2475-0994

 

Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and provide the passcode to join the call. The passcode is "ReneSola Call".

 

A replay of the conference call may be accessed by phone at the following number until May 18, 2012:

 

International: +1-718-354-1232
Passcode: 74459356

 

4
 

 

 

 

 

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of ReneSola's website at http://www.renesola.com.

 

About ReneSola

 

ReneSola is a leading global manufacturer of solar wafers and producer of solar power products based in China. Capitalizing on proprietary technologies, economies of scale, high production quality, and technological innovations and know-how, ReneSola leverages its in-house virgin polysilicon and solar cell and module production capabilities to provide its customers with high-quality, cost-competitive solar wafer products and processing services. The Company possesses a global network of suppliers and customers that includes some of the leading global manufacturers of solar cells and modules. ReneSola’s ADSs are traded on The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: SOL). For more information about ReneSola, please visit http://www.renesola.com.

 

Safe Harbor Statement

 

This press release contains statements that constitute ''forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Whenever you read a statement that is not simply a statement of historical fact (such as when the Company describes what it "believes," "expects" or "anticipates" will occur, what "will" or "could" happen, and other similar statements), you must remember that the Company’s expectations may not be correct, even though it believes that they are reasonable. The Company does not guarantee that the forward-looking statements will happen as described or that they will happen at all. Further information regarding risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F. The Company undertakes no obligation, beyond that required by law, to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made, even though the Company’s situation may change in the future.

 

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

 

In China:

 

Mr. Tony Hung

ReneSola Investor Relations

Tel: +86-573-8473-9011

Email:ir@renesola.com

 

Mr. Derek Mitchell

Ogilvy Financial, Beijing

Tel:+86-10-8520-6284

Email:sol@ogilvy.com

 

In the United States:

 

Ms. Jessica Barist Cohen

Ogilvy Financial, New York

Tel: +1-646-460-9989

Email: sol@ogilvy.com

 

5
 

  

 

 

  

RENESOLA LTD

 Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet

 (US dollars in thousands)

            

   March 31,  Dec 31,  March 31,
   2012  2011  2011
 ASSETS         
 Current assets:         
 Cash and cash equivalents  338,899  379,039  388,648
 Restricted cash  49,392  58,335  47,234
 Available-for-sale investment  -  -  4,754
 Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts  170,817  129,636  124,659
 Inventories  176,410  154,182  152,409
 Advances to suppliers-current  25,449  16,164  31,344
 Amounts due from related parties  22,807  6,207  376
 Value added tax recoverable  55,369  41,858  56,279
 Income tax recoverable  8,308  7,956  2,976
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets  26,408  18,718  10,142
 Deferred convertible bond issue costs-current  784  784  909
 Derivative assets  826  881  3,285
 Assets held-for-sale  6,449  6,453  -
 Deferred tax assets-current  15,770  12,709  13,901
 Total current assets  897,688  832,922  836,916
          
 Property, plant and equipment, net  985,977  980,165  842,616
 Prepaid land use right  49,120  48,564  41,039
 Deferred tax assets-non-current  28,805  25,157  8,192
 Deferred convertible bond issue costs-non-current  2,314  2,510  5,417
 Advances to suppliers-non-current  15,604  17,644  25,249
 Advances for purchases of property, plant and equipment  51,123  25,867  26,845
 Other long-lived assets  10,942  10,501  3,274
 Goodwill  6,095  5,646  5,323
 Total assets  2,047,668  1,948,976  1,794,871

  

6
 

   

 

 

  

 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY         
          
 Current liabilities:         
 Short-term borrowings  662,605  570,894  404,002
 Accounts payable  283,067  235,814  177,706
 Advances from customers-current  55,603  58,238  60,070
 Amounts due to related parties  26,147  4,913  25
 Other current liabilities  99,340  114,969  94,342
 Income tax payable  4,111  4,111  18,754
 Deferred tax liabilities  536  220  1,908
 Derivative liabilities  150  218  12,651
 Total current liabilities  1,131,559  989,377  769,458
          
 Convertible bond payable-non-current  111,616  111,616  175,000
 Long-term borrowings  138,198  144,669  118,809
 Advances from customers-non-current  49,039  48,051  76,734
 Warranty  13,816  12,835  9,980
 Deferred gain  29,527  29,141  25,443
 Other long-term liabilities  12,339  12,145  1,346
 Total liabilities  1,486,094  1,347,834  1,176,770
          
 Shareholders' equity         
 Common shares  420,370  422,314  422,254
 Additional paid-in capital  5,106  4,111  2,133
 Treasury stock  -  (1,944)  -
 Retained earnings  64,650  104,859  149,052
 Accumulated other comprehensive income  71,176  71,646  44,662
 Total equity attribute to ReneSola Ltd  561,302  600,986  618,101
 Noncontrolling interest  272  156  -
 Total  shareholders' equity  561,574  601,142  618,101
          
 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity  2,047,668  1,948,976  1,794,871

 

7
 

  

 

 

  

RENESOLA LTD

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of  Income Data

(US dollar in thousands, except ADS and share data)

            

   Three Months Ended
   March 31, 2012  December 31, 2011  March 31, 2011
          
Net revenues  211,485  187,691  359,213
Cost of revenues  (219,518)  (231,061)  (258,040)
Gross profit (loss)  (8,033)  (43,370)  101,173
GP%  (3.8%)  (23.1%)  28.2%
          
Operating (expenses) income:         
Sales and marketing  (5,639)  (5,487)  (3,482)
General and administrative  (12,562)  (8,269)  (9,995)
Research and development  (11,713)  (11,546)  (12,168)
Other operating income  143  15,984  25
Total operating expenses  (29,771)  (9,318)  (25,620)
          
Income (loss) from operations  (37,804)  (52,688)  75,553
          
Non-operating (expenses) income:         
Interest income  2,806  2,187  485
Interest expense  (12,308)  (11,042)  (7,033)
Foreign exchange gains  801  1,816  4,755
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale investment  -  (1,836)  -
Gains (losses) on derivative, net  36  3,603  (19,804)
Gains on repurchase of convertible bonds  -  8,197  -
Total non-operating (expenses) income  (8,665)  2,925  (21,597)
Income (loss) before income tax, noncontrolling interests  (46,469)  (49,763)  53,956
          
Income tax benefit (expense)  6,249  13,069  (10,620)
Net income (loss)  (40,220)  (36,694)  43,336
          
Less: Net loss attributed to noncontrolling interests  (11)  (2)  -
Net income (loss) attributed to holders of ordinary shares  (40,209)  (36,692)  43,336
          
          

  

8
 

  

 

 

  

Earnings per share         
Basic  (0.23)  (0.21)  0.25
Diluted  (0.23)  (0.21)  0.24
          
Earnings per ADS         
Basic  (0.47)  (0.43)  0.50
Diluted  (0.47)  (0.43)  0.49
          
Weighted average number of shares used in computing earnings per share         
Basic  172,613,664  172,613,664  173,856,442
Diluted  172,613,664  172,613,664  179,895,439

 

9
 

 

 

 

  

RENESOLA LTD

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow

(US dollar in thousands)

          

   Three Months ended
   March 31, 2012  March 31, 2011
       
Operating activity:      
Net income (loss)  (40,220)  43,336
Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:      
Gain on disposal of land use right  (55)  -
Inventory write-down  12,201  -
Depreciation and amortization  22,897  19,633
Amortization of deferred convertible bond issuances costs and premium  196  34
Allowance of doubtful receivables and advance to suppliers and prepayment for purchases of property, plant and equipment  90  (595)
(Gains) losses on derivatives  (36)  19,804
Share-based compensation  995  1,204
Loss on disposal of long-lived assets  115  -
       
Changes in assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable  (63,987)  (41,754)
Inventories  (34,740)  19,447
Advances to suppliers  (7,255)  (15,899)
Amounts due from related parties  4,626  16
Value added tax recoverable  (13,512)  (11,775)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (6,274)  6,904
Prepaid land use rights  (127)  1,122
Accounts payable  47,311  (44,542)
Advances from customers  (1,613)  2,777
Income tax payables  (356)  3,262
Other current liabilities  (2,367)  (7,993)
Other long-term liabilities  (241)  (105)
Accrued warranty cost  986  1,205
Deferred tax assets  (6,249)  800
Net cash used in operating activities  (87,617)  (3,119)
       
Investing activities:      
Purchases of property, plant and equipment  (25,487)  (22,317)
Advances for purchases of property, plant and equipment  (19,533)  (9,593)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment  22  -
Cash received from government subsidy  634  -
Prepayment for investment  (1,911)  -
Purchases of other long-lived assets  -  (121)
Changes in restricted cash  8,895  (13,268)
Net proceeds from settlement of derivatives  115  20
Net  cash used in investing activities  (37,266)  (45,279)
       
Financing activities:      
Proceeds from bank borrowings  278,764  229,177
Repayment of bank borrowings  (193,252)  (232,756)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options  -  120
Contribution from noncontrolling interests  127  -
Proceeds from issuance of convertible bonds  -  175,000
Cash paid for issuance costs  -  (6,360)
Purchase of capped call transaction  -  (21,505)
Net cash provided by financing activities  85,638  143,676
       
Effect of exchange rate changes  (895)  2,668
       
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  (40,140)  97,946
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year  379,039  290,702
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year  338,899  388,648

  

10
 

 

 

 

  

RENESOLA LTD

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

(US dollar in thousands)

              

   Three Months ended
   Mar 31, 2012  Dec 31, 2011  Mar 31, 2011
Net income (loss)  (40,220)  (36,694)  43,336
Other comprehensive income, net of tax         
Foreign exchange translation adjustment  (470)  6,374  5,725
Change in fair value of available for sale investment  -  -  1,181
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges  -  (785)  1,575
Other comprehensive income, net of tax  (470)  5,589  8,481
          
Comprehensive income (loss)  (40,690)  (31,105)  51,817
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest  (11)  (2)  -
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to ReneSola  (40,679)  (31,103)  51,817

 

 

11